Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark in Denmark aims to promote traditional games to positively impact physical culture. The research center has categorized traditional games and uses them in education programs. It hosts the Gerlev PlayPark which is open to the public and involves students as instructors. Various outreach projects also use traditional games to encourage activity in schools, workplaces, and communities. Research at Gerlev has increased recognition of traditional games in Denmark as beneficial to health, social relations, and urban development.

1. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk

2. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our global society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
By Artur Stryjak
Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China.
Gerlev promote traditional games in front of
the Nordic Light-house

3. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Gerlev Sports Academy
and PlayPark are situated at
Zealand, 100 km from the
Danish capital Copenhagen.

4. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Denmark
and Gerlev Sports Academy
and University of Southern
Denmark
Copenhagen

5. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Gerlev PlayPark is part of Gerlev Sports Academy.
Apart from their individual sports, the students are trained in traditional games from Denmark
and Europe.
Every summer Gerlev PlayPark is open to the public with about. 20,000 Danish and foreign
guests and with several students working as play instructors.

6. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Each year about 300
youngsters between
18-25 years of age get
a sports education.
The students come
from all over the
world but mainly
Denmark and Europe.
All – both students
and teachers - live at
the school.

7. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
”Kinderspiele”
a painting by the artist
Pieter Bruegel the Older
from Europe in the 16th
century.
The painting includes 80
different games.
Several of these games
are inspiring and played
at Gerlev PlayPark.

8. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Dr. Jørn Møller,
Gerlev Research Center / Sports
Academy / PlayPark 1975-2009.
Field of research:
• Traditional games as cultural
heritage and activity for adults
and youngsters.
• The influence of the body
culture in our time in a playing
direction.
• The building of a network with
other scientists in Europe.
• The establishment of Gerlev
PlayPark.

9. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Jørn Møller
made his Ph.D. on traditional games in
Denmark at University of Southern
Denmark.
In 1990 the Ph.D. thesis was published as
4 books – each containing 100 traditional
games.
These books are the foundation for the
education in traditional games at Gerlev
Sports Academy and for the
dissemination of traditional games for
the public at Gerlev PlayPark.

10. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
At Gerlev PlayPark the traditional games are divided into 5 main categories:
1. Ball and throwing games

11. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Main category
2. Finding and catching
games

12. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Main category:
3. Strenght and flexibility games

13. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Main category:
4. Battle and race games

14. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Main category:
5. Historical games from Denmark and
Europe

15. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Well, enough talk – let’s PLAY!

16. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Gerlev PlayPark is visited by many adults
who experiences the joy of traditional
games with friends and colleagues.

17. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Gerlev PlayPark is
visited by families –
children, youngsters,
and elderly.

18. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Gerlev
PlayPark
is visited by
schools,
kindergartens,
educational
institutions.

19. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Gerlev PlayPark is
visited by many
elderly people who
with great historical
interest experiences
the historical games
from all over Europe.

20. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Outreach
A great deal of the dissemination of
traditional games happens outside of
Gerlev Sports Academy and Gerlev
PlayPark.
Gerlev PlayPark goes out with
equipment to show the traditional
and historical games all over Denmark
and abroad.
Gerlev PlayPark participates in
cultural events and festivals.

21. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Gerlev courses
at schools and
institutions.
The staff is educated
in active games to be
used as educational
tool to create activity
and happiness.
The content of the
playbag from Gerlev.

22. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Games with adults,
Gerlev organizes
workshops at private
and public workplaces
(play-building)
The games are often
supplemented with a
presentation of the
cultural history of
playing.

23. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Gerlev PlayPark organizes projects
where a playfull approach to
physical activity is in focus.
Example 1:
Kindergarten Motion.
The staff is trained to use active
games to strenghten the motor
skills, social understanding of small
children as well as securing a good
play culture in the Kindergarten.
A compendium with traditional
games suited for small children
and specially adapted tools are
included in the project.

24. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Kindergarten Motion. Traditional games suited for small children:
Games with motor skills. Games with roles. Catching games. Hiding games. Singing games.
Strenght games.

25. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Example 2:
Play-agents in the school yard.
Older students are trained in
traditional games and teach
these games to the younger
students during the school
breaks.
A compendium with games and
tools are included in the
project.
The Play-agents are positive
role models to all students and
are to be found in many
schools.

26. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Play-agents in the school yard. Traditional games suited for the school:
Catching games. Social games in a circuit. Games with strenght and battle. Historical games.

27. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
URBAN PLAY,
project running 2012-2015.
25 municipalities all over
Denmark.
Adults; volunteers from clubs
and professional teachers and
educators are trained in
traditional games and to create
good play environments in their
local area.
The project is supported by
Nordea-Foundation - one of the
biggest foundations in Denmark
Info: www.byensleg.dk

28. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
URBAN PLAY
will reach more than 200,000 Danish children and youngsters throughout the three years.
Info: www.byensleg.dk

29. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
URBAN PLAY
URBAN PLAY shall secure a vigorous culture for traditional games in everyday life for
children and youngsters – all to benefit enjoyment, life quality and health.
Info: www.byensleg.dk

30. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Handicap-play
project 2010-12 targeted disabled people:
Epilepsy, brain damaged, autism, mental
retardation, and physical disabilities.
Traditional and historical games brings great joy,
confidence, and exercise for disabled people.
Info: rapport in English is on it´s way, please
contakt Gerlev 

31. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Play as a resurse of
relief and happiness for
families on children's
Hospital
(Odense
Universitetshospital)

32. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Gerlev is participating i international network of traditional
games and have plans for the exchanging teachers and students

33. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Conclusion:
• Before the play research in Gerlev and the development of Gerlev
Playpark, the field traditional games did not get attention from the
politicians and autorities.
• Since then the use of traditional games has achieved the same
positive status as health exercise and sports.
• Physical active playing is mentioned in many publications from state
and local governments concerning schools, pedagogy, health, well-
being, social relations, and development of housing areas.

34. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Well, enough talk – let’s PLAY!

35. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk
Thank you for your attention.
Artur Stryjak

36. Gerlev Sports Academy and PlayPark, Denmark
How to use traditional games to affect the existing and future physical culture in our society
– experiences from the Research Center Gerlev Playpark in Denmark.
www.gerlev.dk