Challenges

There is no doubt that there are barriers to implementing quality intramural programs in our schools. However, with teamwork and cooperation, every barrier can be overcome. School administrators and staff work to overcome barriers every day. This link discusses barriers to implementing intramural programs as well as possible solutions.

Schools with successful intramural programs are those that operate from the philosophy that these programs are BENEFICIAL TO THE ENTIRE SCHOOL. These programs are not the sole responsibility of the health and physical education teachers. These programs branch out and engage staff from many subject area's - teacher's who have an interest in physical activity and providing opportunities for all students to participate.

The best case scenario is to have staff volunteer to run the intramural program similar to staff who volunteer to coach a team or lead the school choir. With the upcoming changes to supervision it is more important than ever that intramurals become part  of the larger school picture.

The barriers that will be discussed on this page include:

Supervision

Timetable

Staff Involvement - Knowledge

Funding

Facilities

SUPERVISION

Providing supervision is the #1 barrier that intramural programs face. In recent studies conducted by Professor John Dwyer from the University of Guelph and Professor Ken Allison from the University of Toronto, as well as a study done in 2006 by Raise the Bar supervision was the main barrier. See below:

‘Perceived barriers to implementing an intramural program in elementary schools.’
(Dwyer and Allison, 2004)

1. Supervision issues
2. Timetable
3. Facilities
4. Staff morale
5. Funding

‘Perceived barriers to providing an intramural program in secondary schools.’
(Dwyer and Allison, 2004)

1. Supervision issues
2. Timetable
3. Funding
4. Facilities
5. Staff morale

Schools that have successful, comprehensive intramural programs have the supervision of intramural programs as part of the overall school supervision schedule. Intramural supervision is scheduled in along with cafeteria, hall, playground and other traditional supervision areas. Doing it this way ensures that the intramural program can run throughout the entire school year.

Some secondary schools use their grade 12 health and physical education leadership class to organize and supervise the program. However, many schools have only one class per year, meaning that the one semester without this class has no intramural program. Having staff do it as part of the overall school supervision schedule is the best method of ensuring consistency and sustainability.

Many of these successful schools allow students into the gymnasium to watch the intramural games and activities. Allowing students in as spectators decreases the number of students in other supervision areas, decreasing the burden on these teachers and making intramurals a viable part of the supervision schedule.

This supervision model works. Many schools set up their supervision schedule in this manner to allow important activities like intramurals to run. In addition, supervision of intramural activities needs to be shared by all members of the teaching staff – it is NOT just a physed teacher’s responsibility. Please see the Model Programs link for more information.

Having time during the school day is another barrier that schools must deal with. Every school is busy at lunch with countless activities being run, including extra help sessions for students.

TIMETABLE

A major barrier for larger secondary schools is the timetable. Schools that have double or triple lunch periods have no gymnasium space to run intramurals. The gymnasium is used by a class during both or all three lunch periods.

The best solution to this issue is to have one night a week after school set aside strictly for intramural activities. Traditionally, the gymnasium is used solely by inter–school teams after school. However, there is no reason that intramural activities shouldn’t have one night after school – this still leaves the other four nights for the inter–school teams. Another option is implementing a lunchtime ‘ball sign out’ program. See the ‘intramural organization’ link for more specific details.

Schools must examine their priorities when it comes to the extra-curricular involvement of their students. DOES EVERY STUDENT HAVE AN EQUAL RIGHT TO PLAY? If the answer is yes – then setting one night aside for those students who don’t make a team should not be a sacrifice. Every student has a right to play.

STAFF INVOLVEMENT

Intramural programs sometimes fail because the responsibility for running the program falls on the shoulders of one teacher. Combined with other responsibilities this work load becomes too much and the intramural program suffers.  Successful and sustainable intramural programs have a number of staff members and students in leadership roles to share the workload.

Any staff member is capable of either organizing or supervising an intramural activity. Intramurals do not require specific knowledge - there is no teaching required. Many successful programs have a variety of teachers involved - it doesn't always have to be health and physical education teachers. This is a message that must be shared to the staff. Having a 5 minute presentation at a staff meeting would provide the opportunity to communicate this to the staff.

Health and physical education teachers could provide a brief workshop on the nuances of gymnasium supervision. This would help alleviate some of the uncertainties that other teachers have about the gym.

As long as teachers are comfortable in the gym there should be no issues. Teachers should acquaint themselves with the following:

- where the first aid kit is stored

- a key to areas such as storage

- access to a phone

- a whistle

Having a student leader as an assistant would also be helpful in the setting up and putting away of equipment. Students should be empowered to take on a large leadership role for the intramural program. This would provide them with an invaluable leadership experience and take some of the responsibility and workload away from the staff.

See the Model Programs link as well as the Intramural Organization link for more specific details on student leadership.

FUNDING

Funding for intramural programs should not be a major issue. Intramural programs do not require specialized equipment. Intramural programs would simply use the same equipment that the health and physical education classes do. Activities such as indoor soccer, touch/flag football, floor hockey, handball, badminton, basketball, etc. should have no issues with equipment.

Schools should make a request from the student council, athletic council or athletic budget on a yearly basis for money for t-shirts (Super Teams?) or awards that they may want to have for the program. It never hurts to ask, and intramural programs have as much right to ask for money as the football or basketball teams.

FACILITIES

Schools that have inadequate facilities, example – a small gym, need to be creative to have a quality intramural program. Organizing activities that are appropriate for smaller gyms would be a priority. As well, setting aside one night after school for intramurals is another option.

Intramural programs do not have to organized to be successful. There are many schools that focus on 'open gym' or 'drop in' activities that attract many students.

Schools with smaller gyms can have a very effective program with a 'play based' program where students come into the gym and help themselves to a variety of different balls or equipment. This set up allows students to participate in more 'spontaneous play' activities like basketball, hackey sack, soccer, etc.

Some of the best intramural programs are those that simply let the kids play.