Some Bay of Plenty schools are adopting a programme that sees children using oversized balls to learn skills, coordination and to have fun.

The ‘Focus on Fun' programme is developed by former competitive cyclist, Bay of Plenty man Jason White.

Tauranga Primary School students enjoy some oversize fun.

'I wanted to find a way of getting the children who normally wouldn't give sport a go to do just that, give it a go,” says Jason.

He discovered that it was possible to teach children the basic skills of the main sports played in schools today without the children realising they were learning anything at all.

'Each week a different sport is tackled and skills are developed using our over-sized balls which are colourful and durable and very easy to use,” says Jason.

‘Focus on Fun' is already being used at Tauranga Primary School, where Jason works as sports coordinator, and at Selwyn Ridge.

Golden Sands School in Papamoa is also including the programme in its after-school range of activities.

Targeted at junior children (Years 1-4) Jason is confident the programme will help to develop tomorrow's stars today.