Sport Academies in Jakarta: A Look at Playfield Kids Academy

Getting into a sport can be daunting for a parent. You don't want a child playing something they dislike, training the wrong way, or getting injured. Information about the sport itself, academies, coaches, equipment and nutrition is also harder to find than it should be.

That's the case for enrolling a child in a sport academy. Badminton, taekwondo, football, basketball and gymnastics are all popular, and there is almost certainly an academy near you. Here's what an academy offers, along with a look at one in Jakarta worth considering.

Proper Facilities and Equipment

A sport academy generally offers modern training facilities with full equipment. That varies by sport, but any academy is equipped with what a child needs to start learning properly.

Somewhere to Socialise

Training at an academy is genuinely useful for a child, since they learn to play with other people, work as part of a team and follow instructions. An academy is also a good way for children to meet new people and make friends.

Getting Used to Competition

An academy offers something ordinary practice cannot, which is a competitive environment through matches and tournaments. That may be the single largest benefit of enrolling a child.

Through competitive training and tournaments, children are exposed to a competitive setting. What they feel winning, losing and competing is what builds a resilient character, and that helps a great deal later.

Playfield Kids Academy

One sport academy in Jakarta is Playfield Kids Academy, based in West Jakarta. It's part of the Playfield group, a recreation and education centre, and has offered a range of children's activities from sport through to baby and toddler classes, preschool and primary. Playfield hasn't only set up an academy, it has built an eclectic curriculum combining intentional play-based learning, a sports curriculum and the national curriculum into one teaching method.

That's worth weighing if you're looking for a sport academy, since the programme is unusually broad. Here's what it has offered.

Gymnastics

Whether a child dreams of competing at the highest level or simply wants to enjoy tumbling, a gymnastics class is a genuinely useful experience. Students have regularly entered gymnastics competitions at national and international level. Classes have taken children from around 18 months.

Swimming

There have also been swimming classes, from baby classes at around 6 months upwards. Students have regularly entered swimming competitions to build both skill and nerve, and it's been one of the more popular classes.

Futsal

Futsal has been available too. It's a popular sport because moving on court works the whole body. If your child likes football, futsal gives that somewhere to go, and the team has occasionally played friendlies against other clubs.

Badminton

Badminton never lacks for players. Playing tones the calves, quads, hamstrings and glutes, and the core muscles in the arms and back develop alongside. Classes have suited children from around 5.

Basketball

For a pre-teen, basketball is a strong option. At that age children have energy that needs somewhere positive to go, which is exactly what an academy provides. Classes have run for under-8s through to pre-teens.

Tennis

Tennis from a young age is perfectly reasonable. A racket looks heavy at first, but there's a progression to it. Coaches have taught children from the basics, covering grip, swing and contact, without risking injury.

Martial Arts

Martial arts have become popular recently, with plenty of competitions showcasing them. Classes here have taken children from around 2.

Modern Dance and Ballet

If your child likes dancing, modern dance or ballet are both available. Alongside being taught by professional dancers, students have regularly entered competitions and performed publicly.

Baby and Toddler Classes

Playfield has also run baby and toddler classes on the same eclectic curriculum. A child can build basic motor skills in a toddler class while you get a sense of what they're drawn to, then move into one of the sports above.

Facilities

Supporting all of that takes proper facilities. Here's what the academy has listed.

For children

• Gymnastics studio
• Ballet studio
• Swimming pool
• Waterpark
• Indoor playground
• Mini outdoor playground
• Trampoline park
• Tennis court
• Basketball court, NBA size
• Badminton court

There have also been facilities for parents, including a lounge, a gym and a room available for a private event.

Membership Fees

Membership pricing has varied by a child's age. Check the current rate directly, since fees have changed since this was written.

Location

Playfield has operated several branches. The main campus is in West Jakarta.

Address: Playfield Srengseng Campus, Jl. Srengseng Raya No.55A, Srengseng, Kec. Kembangan, Kota Jakarta Barat

For current membership pricing and locations, their Instagram is @playfieldkidsacademy. That's the most reliable place to check.

Playfield Kids Academy is listed on Happy Kamper, so you can book without searching provider by provider. The blog and social accounts carry other reviews worth reading.