A Massey University lecturer has thrown his weight behind a Palmerston North primary school's decision to bring back bullrush.
Since Roslyn School reintroduced the generally banned game it has provided students with an outlet to let off steam, resulting in improved classroom behaviour, acting deputy principal Matt Schmidt said.
Dennis Slade, senior lecturer in physical education, said the overwhelming support the school has received since announcing the decision should not come as a surprise to anyone.
"What is a surprise is that it took so long for those who run our schools to realise the error of their ways."
He said there was some irony in banning primary school students from playing games because of their potential to cause injury, only to push them toward contact sports such as rugby in later years.
Mr Slade said there was an "appalling lack" of physical education in primary schools.
"Without grounding in fundamental movement skills and tactics, students typically leave primary school with a lack of ability and confidence in participating in games and sports. Such students face a games or sport competency barrier in the same way that someone unable to read does in trying to fully participate in a world dominated by the written word."
Since the game's revival the school has yet to see a serious injury.
"They're learning how to tackle and also learning how to take the knocks and not get nasty and revengeful," teacher John Anwyll told the Manawatu Standard.
NZPA