Category: AFL
How to fit kids shoes correctly
Our January Sale is helping you get your kids ready for “Back To School”, so we’ve put together a quick guide on how to make sure you get the best shoe for your child.
- Measure both feet and always fit shoes to the larger foot. When in a store, get the shoes professionally fitted. If you already know your child’s size, purchasing online should be a bre
eze.
- When the shoes are on your child’s feet, stand your child up, and check to ensure there is about half an inch (or a thumb width) of room between the end of the shoe and your child’s biggest toe. This is especially important in running shoes, as the foot expands when warm.
- Next, while your child has the shoe on and is sitting down, test the ankle fit by gently tugging at the back of the shoe. The shoe should not pop off.
- Make sure you feel all around the shoe to ensure there is no bulging or tightness. Snug is okay.
- Lastly, make your child walk around the store in the shoe and watch to make sure they are walking normally and there is no slipping or gaping.
Most importantly, a correctly fitted shoe should feel comfortable.
Remember, we offer free shipping on footwear orders over $50, and if you purchase the wrong size, Sportsmart will be happy to offer you an exchange or refund within 14 days.
Visit us in store to have one of our professional footwear staff fit your child’s shoes, or shop our range of kids shoes online NOW.
5 tips for choosing Kids Sports Shoes for School & Sport
5 tips for choosing Kids Sports Shoes for School
When purchasing sports shoes for your kids- you know that it is hard enough holding your kid still to ensure they receive the correct fitting shoes let alone the correct shoe.
Here are tips we here at SPORTSMART have put together to help you choose the correct Kids Sports Shoes
5 tips for choosing kids sports shoes
1) Choose the correct shoe for the correct purpose
What will the shoes be used for? Will they be used for running and will the shoes be used for multiple purposes such as kicking a football or playing court surfaces sports such as Netball & basketball.
Kids running footwear are designed for running, specifically running in straight lines and even more specifically- running forward! They are made with lightweight materials (Such as mesh on the upper and blown rubber outsoles) which are great for running as they are light- however, they are not that durable. If you think, kicking a ball or running around on asphalt playgrounds are pretty abrasive activities so our shoes need to be durable to match.
If you kid is always going through their shoes before they outgrow- you need to choose a more durable shoes such as Cross Trainer. Cross Trainers have a more durable upper and outsole that wears better. Sure- they are heavier – but they will last longer in long run.
http://sportsmart.com.au/c/footwear/cross-training-shoes/junior-cross-training-shoes
Playing a particular sport? It’s always best to choose the correct shoe for the correct sport. Remember- these kids shoes are designed for the particular need of sport. Using them for purposes that are not correct, will wear through the shoes quicker, and also not be as enjoyable for your child/
2) Think about the colour
Does your child’s school have rules about what colour shoes they must wear? Does your child always get their footwear dirty and you do not know how to clean kids sports shoes?
Maybe you need to consider black kids sports footwear option? Whilst black kids shoes are not technically any cleaner, they do hide the marks a lot better than white ones.
http://sportsmart.com.au/c/footwear/kids-shoes?pg=&size=&colour=1&brand=&sort=2
3) Consider how well your child can tie their laces?
If you child needs help tying their shoes laces- maybe consider kids velco sports shoes as an option.
Velcro are a great option- they build confidence in your child by making them self sufficient.
http://sportsmart.com.au/productsearch.php?s=velcro
4) Does your child need extra arch support in their kids sports footwear?
Have you been recommended to have more arch support for child’s footwear by a podiatrist?
A quick trick to find if a shoe has arch support is to look on the inside side of the kids sport shoe. If the arch is a dark colour- this indicates the shoe has arch support as this part of a sole is a denser piece of foam to the rest of the sole.
5) Fit the shoes for a little bit of growing room- but not too much.
Playing sport is fun for kids. Don’t diminish that fun by having them wear flippers.
Allow about a thumb width (yours) of room at the front of the foot- this allows enough space for a growth spurt – but not enough for the foot to be swimming in the foot. Shoes are designed to be correctly fitting- kids will perform better, and have more fun especially if they are in correctly fitting kids sports shoes.
HOW TO MOULD YOUR MOUTHGUARD
One of our most popular blog posts has always been our guide to moulding mouthguards.
This is a guide only – it is important to carefully follow any specific instructions detailed in the leaflet included with your mouthguard purchase.
Using a mouthguard in contact sports – such as hockey, AFL, soccer, rugby and boxing – is very important, especially for junior players. A properly fitted mouthguard is essential for protection. The most popular type of mouthguard is the self-fit, which is heated and then formed to fit your mouth.
To mould a mouthguard:
1. Boil a small pot of water, then transfer the boiling water into a ceramic bowl.
2. Submerge the mouthguard for about 20 seconds. The mouthguard should have instructions for the correct amount of time. Remember, the mouthguard should be heated to the point that you are able to mould it, not the point where it starts to melt.
3. Remove the mouthguard from the water using a spoon or its fitting handle (if one was supplied). Do not squeeze as this may deform the mouthguard.
4. Cool the mouthguard either by dipping it in cool water or air-drying. Check your mouthguard instructions to see if water is recommended. You only need to cool the mouthguard to the point where you can put it in your mouth without burning yourself.
5. Place the mouthguard into your mouth to mould it. Push the mouthguard against your teeth with your fingers and bite down for about 30 seconds. Pull the guard tighter to your teeth by placing your tongue against the roof of your mouth and sucking the air and water out.
6. Now you need to cool the mouthguard. Some instructions advise that the guard is cooled rapidly after it has been fitted by dipping it in cold water, or by keeping it in the mouth while drinking some cool water.
* If the mouthguard does not fit properly, you can remould it by starting the process again.
Using a mouth-formed mouthguard is the easiest way to ensure the mouthguard fits perfectly to your mouth. Be sure to inspect your mouthguard frequently and replace it if it becomes deformed or you notice that the edges become jagged.
Sportsmart stocks a variety of mouthguards from Signature and Opro for both seniors and juniors.
Our Signature mouthguards are available in Type 1 (entry-level), Type 2 (available in club colours) and Type 3 (Vipa – includes a polycarbonate insert).
Our Opro range includes the Opro Junior, Opro Bronze, Opro Silver, Opro Gold and Opro Platinum, available in a variety of colours and in an Ortho option.
You can view our range of mouthguards online or visit a store to select the type that will best suit your sporting needs.
Opro Platinum Mouthguard
Opro Ortho Gold Mouthguard – black
Opro Silver Mouthguard – white
Opro Bronze Mouthguard – black
Opro Junior Mouthguard – yellow
START YOUR FOOTBALL SEASON WITH US
Start your football season at Sportsmart.
We have the best range, latest releases and best prices on a huge range of football boots (AFL and soccer) from all the big brands – Nike, adidas, Puma, ASICS, Concave, Diadora and Nomis.
Here’s a snapshot of some of our favourite new season football boots:
adidas F50 Adizero FG (Normal $259, Members $215)
adidas F50 Adizero FG
Puma Evopower 3.2 FG (Normal $89, Members $79)
Puma Evopower 3.2 FG
asics Gel Lethal Tigreor 8 IT ($229, see in store for members price)
asics Gel Lethal Tigreor 8 IT
Concave Halo + FG (Normal $199, Members $179)
Concave Halo + FG
Diadora Venom 4 junior (Normal $35, Members $29)
Diadora Venom 4 junior
Nomis Rapid FG junior ($39)
Nomis Rapid FG junior
We also have a huge range of Nike and adidas soccer balls, Sherrin footballs, protective gear such as mouthguards, headguards, gloves and shinguards, as well as training aids from SKLZ, PSG and Quickster.
Shop smart at Sportsmart, for all your football needs – AFL and soccer.
TIPS ON MOULDING YOUR MOUTHGUARD
Wearing a mouthguard in contact sports is very important, especially for junior players. A properly fitted mouthguard is essential for you to be protected.
How to mould a mouthguard:
Firstly, boil a small pot of water and submerge the mouthguard for about 20 to 30 seconds. Your mouthguard should have instructions for the correct amount of time. Remember, the mouthguard should be heated to the point that you are able to mould it not the point where it is beginning to melt.
Remove the mouthguard from the water using tongs (you do not want to deform the mouthguard by squeezing too tightly). Cool the mouthguard either by dipping it in cool water or allowing it to air dry. Check your mouthguard instructions to see if water is recommended. You only need to cool the mouthguard to the point where you can put it in your mouth without burning yourself.
Place the mouthguard in your mouth to mould it. Push the mouthguard against your teeth with your fingers and bite down lightly. Pull the guard tighter to your teeth by placing your tongue against the roof of your mouth and sucking the air and water out.
Now you need to cool the mouthguard. Some instructions say that the guard needs to cool rapidly after it has been fitted by dipping it in cold water. If the mouthguard does not fit properly, you can remould it by starting the process again.
Using a mouth-formed mouthguard is the easiest way to ensure the mouthguard fits perfectly to your mouth. Be sure to inspect your mouthguard frequently and replace it if it becomes deformed or you notice that the edges become jagged.
Sportsmart stocks a variety of mouthguards for both seniors and juniors. You can view our range of mouthguards online or visit our stores to select the type that will best suit your needs.
OPRO Platinum Mouthguard – blue/red
CELEBRATING 44 YEARS OF SPORTSMART!
To celebrate 44 years of Sportsmart servicing Melbourne’s sporting needs, you can save up to 44% on selected sporting goods! We have a huge list of specials across all of our major categories available in store and online.
Check out some of our specials below:
– Brooks Adrenaline GTS 13 mens and womens running shoes was $219 now $122 save 44%
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 13 mens
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 13 womens
– 44% off all full price Under Armour (image for illustration purposes only)
– 44% off all Ali boxing products
Ali boxing gloves
– Head TI S2 tennis racquet was $199 now $111.44 save 44%
Head Ti S2 tennis racquet
– Nike Tiempo Technique soccer ball was $24.99 now $14 save 44%
Nike Tiempo Technique soccer ball
For our full list of specials, click here.
Be quick! Sale ends 20th Oct 2013.
MEET CYRIL RIOLI AND BRAD SEWELL AT SPORTSMART MOORABBIN!
AFL stars Cyril Rioli and Brad Sewell will be in store at Sportsmart Moorabbin on Friday 24th May from 6pm – 7pm thanks to adidas!
Cyril and Brad will be signing autographs and taking photos with fans in store! Head to 85 Cochranes Rd Moorabbin on Friday 24th May from 6pm to meet the boys and also be a part of some HUGE giveaways.
Plus, the lucky first ten kids in store will get the chance to enter our table tennis competition and go in the running to win some great prizes! Also, spend $20 or more on adidas products in store at Sportsmart Moorabbin on the 24th May and you can enter our competition to win a special money can’t buy prize, to be revealed on the night!
For more information on how to get to our Moorabbin store visit http://www.sportsmart.com.au/store_moorabbin.php
We hope to see you there for a great night!
Click to get more details on the location of our Moorabbin store!
Q & A WITH COLLINGWOOD STAR HEATH SHAW
Superstar Heath Shaw from Collingwood Football Club recently visited us at Sportsmart Northcote to take photos with fans and sign plenty of autographs. He really enjoyed visiting the store and was happy to answer a few questions.
Q1. What has been the most exciting moment for you in the AFL?
Grand Final 2010.
Q2. What advice would you give to aspiring footballers?
Enjoy your footy, listen to your coaches.
Q3. Do you have any pre-game superstitions?
Pizza night before the game. Always wear a jacket in warm up.
Q4. What boots do you play in?
Diadora.
Q5. Who did you barrack for as a kid?
Collingwood.
Q6. Have you had any serious injuries?
Back injury
Q7. Who is the best player you have played against?
Ben Cousins.
Q8. Who is the best player you have played with?
Dane Swan.
Q9. Who will Collingwood play in this year’s Grand Final?
Fremantle
Q10. Who is your tip for the Brownlow this year?
Scott Pendlebury.
Dane Swan and Heath Shaw answering questions for our Blog at Sportsmart Northcote
Q & A WITH COLLINGWOOD STAR DANE SWAN
Superstar Dane Swan from Collingwood Football Club recently visited us at Sportsmart Northcote to take photos with fans and sign plenty of autographs. He really enjoyed visiting the store and was happy to answer a few questions.
Q1. What has been the most exciting moment for you in the AFL?
Winning the 2010 premiership.
Q2. What advice would you give to aspiring footballers?
Have fun when you’re young because it only gets more serious the older you get.
Q3. Do you have any pre-game superstitions?
Same meal nights before a game.
Q4. What boots do you play in?
Diadora.
Q5. Who did you barrack for as a kid?
Hawthorn.
Q6. Have you had any serious injuries?
Wrist reconstruction.
Q7. Who is the best player you have played against?
Gary Ablett Jr.
Q8. Who is the best player you have played with?
Heath Shaw.
Q9. Who will Collingwood play in this year’s Grand Final?
Hawthorn.
Q.10 Who is your tip for the Brownlow this year?
Ablett.
Dane Swan and Heath Shaw in store yesterday at Sportsmart Northcote
WHAT’S ON AT SPORTSMART – MEET DANE SWAN & HEATH SHAW!
Sportsmart would like to invite you to our Northcote store to meet Collingwood superstars Dane Swan and Heath Shaw this Tuesday 9th April from 4pm to 5pm! Thanks to Diadora.
So come down to 387-393 High St (melways ref: 30 F8) to meet Dane and Heath! Or click here for more Sportsmart Northcote store directions online.
Purchase any full price football boots on this day at our Northcote store and receive 20% off! One day only, Northcote store only!
Also, the first 10 kids in store from 4pm will be eligible to enter our handball competition! Winner receives a Collingwood guernsey signed by Dane and Heath.
Click on the image for Sportsmart Northcote store location details
blog.sportsmart.com.au 