An Interactive Sports Cage on a Hospital's Roof Terrace
The Wilhelmina Childrens Hospital provides exercise opportunities for children with disabilities or chronic illnesses on their rooftop playground with a Lappset Sutu Interactive ball wall and Lappset Toro Interactive sports arena.
Jochem Uytdehaaghe's Heartwarming Invitation to Play
A father is visiting his son in the hospital. He explains that, in the meantime, his little brother can enjoy himself in the sports cage with the Lappset Sutu Interactive ball wall, one of the available game options.
Jochem Uytdehaaghe (former Dutch ice-skater) enthusiastically invites a timid boy to play in the sports cage. Soon, while playing the game, his embarrassment turns into joy. His father watches tenderly and asks his son. "Do you know who this man is?"
The child raises his shoulders unknowingly, looking up at Jochem. The father continues: "This man can ice-skate very well."
The relationship between Jochem Uytdehaaghe and the hospital is a sincere one. The two-time Olympic ice-skating champion of 2002 (5 and 10 km track) opened the newly furnished roof terrace with Mayor Jan van Zanen in 2016. Jochem is an ambassador for WCH Sportive, a program that aims to promote exercise for children with a disability or chronic illness.
. The best thing about it is that children can get out of the typical clinical setting and enter a more playful environment.
Of course, no one wants to stay in the hospital, but you can always try to make things as fun as possible. This sports cage certainly contributes to that.
- Jochem Uytdehaaghe two-time Olympic ice-skating champion
Grand Départ
The first ideas for a sports roof terrace at the WCH were sketched in 2015. This had everything to do with the Tour de France that started in Utrecht that year, the so-called Grand Départ. Ewout Tuyt, the project leader of the WCH Sportive program, saw a dream come true.
"All kinds of initiatives arose around the Grand Départ. Our biggest wish was to get the children in the hospital moving again. One of the initiatives was to convert the former playground terrace into a new sports roof terrace. Sponsorship funds were released for this project, and we were able to get started. This is where Yalp Netherlands came into the picture."
After careful consideration, the WCH Sportive program decided to realize the plan to build a sports cage with an integrated Lappset Sutu Interactive ball wall and Lappset Toro Interactive sports arena. Three years later, Tuyt is still pleased with his choice.
"The cage is very attractive, both visually and in terms of play possibilities. It tackles a large target group. Whether you're in a wheelchair, young or old, have a disability, or cannot move; It invites you to go in there and play. That's something we find very important."
Tuyt continues: "We were still incredibly happy in 2019. We think it's a fantastic asset to the hospital. And not just us. People that visit the hospital often ask where the sports roof terrace is. It still is and remains an attraction. Everything in the cage always works. We never deal with failing equipment. All children are incredibly motivated to engage and play around in the cage. Moreover, it is customer-friendly and vandal-proof. It fully meets our requirements."
Influence in rehabilitation
Tuyt receives support from the medical sector. Erik Hulzebos is an exercise physiologist at the WCH. He mainly looks at the impact that the device has on rehabilitating children. He says:
"The sports cage is essential. The best thing about it is that children can get out of the typical clinical setting and enter a more playful environment. They get to know their limits again, which this sports cage stimulates. "
Erik continues: "What we see happening is that the children of this hospital play with their family and friends. A child in a wheelchair can roll or throw a ball and join other kids in play. That's why this sports cage is amazing: Children with or without a disability come together and play in unison. It's great that our sports cage inspires children to know and recognize their boundaries. It's where children can play and exercise and have a good time. One of the main advantages of this sports cage is that it's interactive in terms of sound, lighting, and invitation. You can play by yourself or with others. That makes it very challenging."
Children playing on the rooftop of the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital.
A Revolutionary Inclusive Rooftop Play Area
In the meantime, Jochem Uytdehaage engages in a fun game of Speed Sutu with a patient. Who can shoot the ball the hardest? The wall can measure how hard you’ve hit it.
"I’m a strong believer that children, in whatever form, whether they are sick or healthy, can simply enjoy a good workout. This interactive sports cage is a party in itself. You get an interactive response when you shoot the ball. It makes me very happy. It’s a nice outdoor area. This gives children pleasure, which is the best thing there is."
A sports roof terrace like this was the only one of its kind at the time. In the meantime, a new one has recently been established at the Antwerp University Hospital (Belgium). Another one is in the making at the Montana Children’s Medical Center (United States). The sports roof terrace at Antwerp was realized in collaboration with the Jan Vertonghen Foundation. Jan Vertonghen is a Belgian international Soccer Player. Jochem Uytdehaaghe is not surprised about the (international) interest.
"I think it’s incredibly valuable to invest in this concept because it will continuously reoccur. Children start playing more, either with friends or family, to become healthier and boost motoric skills at the same time. It’s the entire experience people get that makes it valuable, which comes with a price tag. But looking at the bigger picture makes it all, the more worth it: investing in the future of children."
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