Bringing back the fun factor: why play needs a bigger role in sport

A "Commission on Play" has been launched this month by the social entrepreneur Paul Lindley, partnered with the Centre for Young Lives. Set up to stimulate a national conversation about how to support children to play more, it will explore the impact of technology, access to outdoor space and parental attitudes. But in the brief, other than a glancing reference to the "no ball games" culture, there's no mention of sport as we understand it. This in itself shows how a child's experience of play has become disconnected from sport. Now I don't think sport should be front and centre;…