With the opening of the first ASM facility in England, the Athletic Skills Model underscores its international ambitions.
Following the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, England now has its first facility designed according to the Athletic Skills Model (ASM). On Friday, July 19, the PLAYCE Pompey was opened in Portsmouth: the UK’s first versatile and colorful multi-skills activity space. It is certainly not the last PLAYCE beyond national borders, as the ASM continues to expand with its facilities and training programs abroad.
Research
The opening of the PLAYCE in Portsmouth was no coincidence. “The ASM has a collaboration with the University of Portsmouth. For example, they recently conducted research on the use of Skills Garden in the Netherlands. Additionally, we have provided several training programs for coaches and gym teachers in Portsmouth over the past few years,” explains Nicky Wormhoudt. She has recently joined the ASM and focuses entirely on the organization’s international activities.
“It is noteworthy that part of the funding for this initiative in Portsmouth came from the South Western Railway Customer and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF). They aim to make a tangible difference in local communities within their network by supporting such initiatives.”
Germany and Belgium
New facilities are also currently being developed in Germany and Belgium. An international school in Munich will open a brand-new ASM gymnasium in September. This will be the third facility designed by the ASM in Germany. Previously, the ASM designed play areas for a Landal park in Wirfttal and a hockey club in Cologne. In Belgium, where a gymnasium was previously designed for Hogeschool PXL, work is underway at three locations: Antwerp, Eigenbilzen, and Genk. The ASM will soon present new facilities in these areas. More and more aspects of the ASM are taking on an international character, Wormhoudt notes.
“We are working on a website focused on opportunities for international parties. The ASM book is now available in English and Japanese, and the sports and play equipment manufacturer Janssen-Fritsen has launched an ASM line, which is also available internationally.”
ASM Study Tour
Due to increasing international interest, the ASM will organize a study tour in the fall of 2024. From Monday, October 7 to Wednesday, October 9, a group of about twenty international participants will get an insight into the world of ASM. “This is the first time we are organizing it in this way,” says Wormhoudt. “We will provide them with the opportunity to visit several ASM facilities, attend workshops, and learn about the model and philosophy. This way, we aim to equip them as effectively as possible to apply the ASM in their own environments.”
Worldwide Recognition
It is clear that the ambitions of the ASM extend beyond domestic borders. The addition of Wormhoudt to the organization underscores this commitment. “It demonstrates how seriously we take our international activities,” Wormhoudt says. “We truly see it as a priority and aim to expand further. The enthusiasm and demand are both present. It is up to us to facilitate this as effectively as possible. Ultimately, we want to put the ASM on the map worldwide.”
