A wall and a ball is all you need - how Wallball offers low-cost, easy access activity in London

Dan Thackeray, Development Manager for UK Wallball and a member of the London Urban Sport Group, explains how urban sport could be one of the most accessible, local forms of physical activity on offer, and why this approach should be prioritised.

The benefits of an active lifestyle are well-publicised. We all know the importance of participating in regular exercise for both our physical and mental wellbeing. 

Yet, in many cities, as the landscape becomes more built-up and population size increases, it becomes increasingly tough for residents to engage with traditional sports like football, netball or rugby.

Add to this the cost of access to facilities and purchasing equipment and it is not surprising that residents from the lowest socio-economic groups are often less physically active than their more affluent neighbours.

We also know London faces significant challenges from the ongoing covid-19 pandemic. The city’s indoor facilities are only just starting to reopen and are likely to operate at reduced capacity for some time.

Step in urban sport.

Urban sport is a free or low-cost way to be active outdoors, often requiring very little equipment and providing a chance for families to reconnect with local parks, grey space and their community. 

Wallball is one of the sports advocating for a less formal, more community-led way to get active as London begins to emerge from lockdown.

What is Wallball?

Although you may not have heard of it, you have probably played it in one way or another.

UK Wallball is the formalised version of handball, or an activity you may have known as ‘patball’ as a child, that only requires three things: a wall, a hard surface, and a ball that bounces.

Almost like squash played with your hands, slap the ball against the wall for your partner to try and return.

This sport is increasing in popularity around the world, turning concrete jungles into playgrounds. New York has 2,500 courts that are completely free for anyone to go and play.

UK Wallball exists to promote wallball participation. We're working hard to introduce the sport to every primary and secondary school in the UK because it's perfect for keeping children active at break and lunchtimes.

How can you get involved?

The UK Wallball website contains lots of useful resources to start delivering the game, including videos, ideas for ways to play, and a free online Wallball Activator course for anybody interested in delivery.

As interest in this activity grows across London, we are working to create more free-to-access, purpose built wallball courts in parks and urban spaces across the city, like this one in Southwark.

Our vision is for communities across London to realise the potential of the grey space around them and start to use it for urban sport.

Aside from the physical and mental health benefits of being more active, getting outside and taking part in a social game with friends could be the perfect antidote to the months of lockdown that we have all endured.

So, as restrictions start to lift and we can begin meeting others outdoors, we say now is the time to challenge the ‘No Ball Games’ culture. 

Start using the urban environment on your doorstep for physical activity, have a go at some wallball and reclaim the city as your playground.

See you out there.

The London Urban Sport Group aims to share knowledge and help to provide a collective voice for physical activity and sport within the urban environment, encouraging more organisations and local authorities to back this approach. Find out more about London Sport’s urban sport project here.