It was recognised by play providers more than 15 years ago that the provisions in parks and open spaces for teenagers was woefully inadequate. In response a small number of specialist manufacturers developed products including Multisport Ballcourts to meet that need.

For would-be buyers it was a simple process of choosing this company or that. Unfortunately as many companies and conventional fence manufacturers saw how much money was being thrown at youth provision, they jumped onto the band wagon as quickly and as cheaply as possible. It very quickly became very confusing for buyers who were being overwhelmed with choices, some wise, some not. Buyers are now not even sure as to what to call it; a MUGA, a MUPA or a Multisport Ballcourt?

What ever you choose to call these “kick-about areas, there is a British Standard to help you make wise choices. It is called, “Free access multi-sports equipment – BSEN15312” This equipment is free access, kids play ball in it and it has fence and goals, so despite what some suppliers would have you believe, by changing the name to “a MUGA” does not mean you can automatically ignore the Standard. Well, you can, but at your peril.

What buyers also find confusing is how some manufacturers describe their Multi-sport Ball-courts as:

“ designed to meet the requirements of BSEN 15312”,

whilst others claim :

“to have had their product tested to BSEN15312 and Kitemark Certified by British Standard Institute .”

and buyers do not understand the difference.

One is saying, “Trust this product because we think it is safe.” The other is saying, “Trust this product because it has been independently tested by a reputable body, British Standard Institute”.

Why should it be important to you:

• Well, first of all there are the kids. We do as a society have a responsibility to provide members of the public with safe facilities. Why do many buyers still regard the price as the primary factor in a decision?
• Part of BSEN 15312 includes a durability test to ensure your ball court is up to the challenge and yet many people still buy cheap and pretend that vandalism and maintenance costs don’t exist.
• In a compensation society can you afford the low cost solution; a lost finger goes at about £3500 a pop, the last time I asked.

At the end of the day it is your choice who you buy from, but with such mixed messages who can you trust? The answer is no-one, initially.

If a manufacturer can show you that their ball-court has been independently tested for safety and carries a BSI Kitemark Certificate to BSEN 15312, you have at least got a platform on which to start building trust with a would-be supplier.