The prevalence of ski jumping among pupils in the first triad of primary school

As one of the most widespread sports discipline in Slovenia, ski jumping has a long tradition. Ski jumping is a competitive sport at which recreational engagement is not possible because of its special features and specifics. It is one of the basic sports activities for the development of children's motor skills, since ski jumping requires an integrated training of the trainee. Ski jumping is basically a winter sport, whereas in the summer season, it has also become increasingly present with training and competitions. In the theoretical part, we have researched the area of extra-curricular sports activities and their connection to ski jumping, motor development of children and the role of ski coaches and parents in sports. In the research part, we studied the factors by virtue of which children decide to involve in ski jumping. The foundation of the research part is a survey that included beginners, aged from 6 to 10. Their parents and their role at directing children into ski jumping was also included in the research. The questionnaire was sent to all ski jumping clubs in Slovenia with registered competitors (Bulletin of the Ski Association of Slovenia for the 2015/2016 season). In case of unreturned surveys, the questionnaire was resent. The research included 35 parents whose children are involved in the training process of ski jumping and are members of registered clubs in Slovenia. We used basic statistical methods for the data processing. The research showed that the primary reason children are involved in the training process of ski jumping is the desire to fly on ski jumping skis. In is interesting that parents include their children in the training process of ski jumping mainly because they want their children to spend their free time actively and to realize their children's wishes. Children and their parents have different views on the participation in ski jumping. Children join the training process for fun, whereas for their parents, values that they aquire in sports are of most importance. In the training process, the professional competence of the coach is the most significant for the parents. Parents accompany their children to the competitions where they act as their supporter and fan as well as their helping hand with their equipment. The results obtained in this research can be helpful for the Ski Association of Slovenia and ski jumping clubs/associations in setting guidelines for the recruitment of new competitors, as well as for schools in including ski jumping into extra-curricular sports activities, if they meet the conditions