unique

Harvard-Westlake and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame are teaming with Nike to hold a unique outdoor girls’ volleyball match on Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. on a custom outdoor court flown in by Nike. The match will be played on Notre Dame’s baseball diamond under the lights and celebrate volleyball and women’s sports.

It’s called Rally in The Valley Fanfest that will include food trucks, a DJ and Nike interactive activities.

Student broadcasters will participate in the event that will feature an all-women officiating crew.

Nike is heavily involved in the promotion of high school sports and recently signed 14-year-old Harvard-Westlake freshman soccer player Zoe Thompson to an NIL deal. Her sisters, Alyssa and Gisele, signed a deal when they were in high school.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.

THREE fab theme parks, three unique experiences – which one will you pick?

From magical fairy-tale worlds to high-octane thrills and waterpark adventures, there’s something for every family.

Efteling, The Netherlands

Lifestyle Editor Catherine Bennion-Pedley and her family fell for fairy-tale fun in Kaatsheuvel.

As we whizz past trolls swinging from trees and down to the sparkling rainforest floor, the kids are completely spellbound.

From this ride, Droomvlucht, we head back into daylight to find fairies twirling around the lawn, bubbles filling the air.

Efteling is the very definition of enchanting. From musical toadstools to talking bins that suck up litter through their mouths, we find ourselves staring in awe at all the quaint details.

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The Fairytale Forest brings much-loved stories to life through animatronics, and Poppy, seven, and Raffy, five, are delighted by a donkey that poos out gold coins when you pop in 50 cents.

But there are plenty of wilder attractions, too – wooden coaster Joris En De Draak feels way faster than 47mph as it swerves around corners, and Baron 1898 drops you into freefall for almost 40 metres.

Baby Switch cards mean husband Andy and I don’t need to queue twice for rides the kids are too short for, either.

Our best foodie finds in the park are the soft-serve ice creams, which cost less than £2, and hotdogs drenched in truffle mayo with parmesan and rocket, £5.50.

But it’s the Polles Keuken eatery that is unmissable, with its musical stove and huge pancakes – my favourite is stuffed with apple slices and topped with whipped goat’s cheese, candied walnuts and rocket, £15.

Opened last year, Efteling Grand Hotel is home to gorgeous art-deco interiors and luxurious bedrooms that are the antithesis of the bright and brash themed rooms at some parks.

Chocolate coins are hidden in the coffee drawer, superb Zenology toiletries are in the bathroom and there’s a sweet elf night light built into the wardrobe.

We also get early access to some rides and use of the sauna, steam room and pretty pool with its blue and white checkerboard tiles and impressive water chandelier – although it’s not a place for swimming lengths!

Brasserie 7, with its cascading faux-flower displays, serves up quality breakfasts with fizz, as well as a delicious, albeit pricey, dinner.

The greatest thing, however, are the miming piccolos, bell boys and girls dressed in cute purple uniforms, who have us giggling through mealtimes with their comedy antics.

As the rain hits on our last day, we drop by the on-site theatre to catch illusion show Magicaluna, which is packed with stunning tricks.

It sums up the Efteling experience in its final line: “You’re never too old to wonder.” Yep, this park is magic.

Stays for up to six at Efteling Grand Hotel cost from £496 B&B, including two-day park access (Efteling.com).

Futuroscope, France

Acting Senior Designer Sasha Cunningham and her son enjoyed robot rides, tech storytelling and making a splash in Poitiers.

Strapped into the hand of a giant robotic arm with my eight-year-old son, we are thrust into the air, twisting, flipping and turning.

The robot’s movements synchronise with the pumping music and flashing lights on this Dance With Robots ride.

And as soon as we’re released, a beaming Oscar announces we have to do it again!

Made up of Futuroscope Xperiences and Aquascope water park, the resort is home to more than 40 attractions housed in geometric buildings.

We hop on a rollercoaster to Mars and even get swept into the eye of a tornado on a 5D adventure.

Brightly coloured playgrounds and beanbag chill-out zones line the paths, while the Futuropolis zone lets smaller ones operate their own rides.

After a morning of adrenalin rushes, we kick back in Europe’s largest 360-degree circular theatre for nature documentary Antarctica, listening to Benedict Cumberbatch’s narration on our headphones.

But it’s the Key To Dreams show that closes the park that’s our favourite, with its spectacular projections, lasers and 3D water effects.

Oscar’s mouth drops open once again as his bright-blue burger, £14, spirals down the rollercoaster tracks covering the ceiling and lands at our table.

We’re dining at Space Loop restaurant – advance booking is essential – where my pork mignon, £14.50, also arrives amazingly intact and we dive into meringue tart, £7, and candy-floss-topped sorbet, £3.50, for pud.

Just over the road is Hôtel Ecolodgee and our lakeside lodge.

Come morning, a basket with pastries, yoghurts, breads and juice is delivered to our door, and we arrive at neighbouring Aquascope for 9am to beat the crowds.

Each of the eight large indoor slides has its own theme – from sudden drops and light shows to the mega-twisty Spiral.

One of the most fun is Alien, where we’re flushed down a chute in a double ring, racing against another pair.

We also meet octopus Kraki, the star of Europe’s first aquatic cinema, before floating down a glowing lazy river.

Looking for a theme park that’s out of this world? This is it.

Stays for four at Hôtel Ecolodgee with two-day access to Futuroscope plus Aquascope tickets cost from £431 (Futuroscope.com).

Paultons Park, England

Our pick on home soil gets better each year, says Lifestyle Editor Catherine Bennion-Pedley.

This place is consistently voted the UK’s fave theme park for good reason, and fun new zone Valgard: Realm Of The Vikings opened in May.

Climbing vertically up 75ft to then plunge down a 95-degree drop and be whizzed upside down makes Drakon the standout.

And while smart people pack budget-friendly picnics, the Feasting Hall does serve scrumptious chicken burgers, £11.95.

The best thing about Paultons is that an average-height seven year old can go on all the rides, and only a couple rule five year olds out.

We adore flying through the air on Flight Of The Pterosaur, hurtling backwards on Velociraptor and racing down Buffalo Falls in inflatable boats.

There’s also Peppa Pig World and a mini zoo with lemurs and flamingoes.

Close by is thatched gastropub The Potter’s Heron. Recently given a serious glow-up, it’s deceivingly huge and has a lively bar.

Bedrooms are decked out in rich colours and prints, bathrooms have rainfall showers and Bramley toiletries, and a Roberts Radio, coffee machine and home-made treats complete the package.

At dinner, highlights are a prawn and crayfish cocktail with paprika and lime mayo, £9.95, and signature pistachio soufflé, £8.95.

The kids’ chicken roulade stuffed with ham and gruyère, £7, is also a hit.

The next day, the Full English sets us up nicely for exploring the New Forest before our easy drive home.

Paultons Park day tickets cost from £43 per person over a metre tall (Paultonspark.co.uk). Family rooms at The Potter’s Heron cost from £199 per night (Pottersheronampfield.com).

HEADING to a theme park heaving with school trips in a heatwave is not anyone’s idea of fun.

But I’ve found the perfect shady spot with unique rides and attractions that will keep you cool all summer long.

GreenWood Family Park in between Bangor and Caernarfon in North Wales has just been snapped up by buyer Wood Family Group after going on the market for £1.25m earlier this year.

It doesn’t surprise me – having recently visited, we had a fantastic family day out in the forest.

We were pedalling, paddling and playing in the dappled light beneath the trees in this woodland of wonder, with paths winding here, there and everywhere and something new to discover in every nook and cranny.

It’s green by name and green by nature here, with a rollercoaster powered by people and the UKs first solar-powered water ride among the eco attractions.

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As you arrive, you’re getting a cawr-some glimpse of what’s to come, with a quirky metal giant (cawr in Welsh) greeting you on the path to the ticket office.

It was lovely to hear youngsters chatting away in Welsh and switching between their two native languages with ease.

Despite the gaggles of youngsters, we never had to queue for long for any of the attractions and, because of the clever layout, it felt bustling but not overcrowded.

GreenWood is firmly rooted in its surroundings, with bilingual signage, nods to local legends and a fantastic use of the forest landscape, from a river course low down where water pools to playframes and rides capitalising on slopes and gravity.

That’s how the Green Dragon rollercoaster works – you climb up a gentle hill to enter a funincular carriage next to the start point of the rollercoaster.

As the funicular then descends full of passengers, its weight hoists the empty rollercoaster back up to the top of its track.

Then the funicular passengers exit at the bottom of the slope, use a second path to get back up to the top, climb into the rollercoaster and whizz through the trees at speed. It’s an incredibly clever design – fun and physics combined! 

There’s loads of attractions here that are entirely people-powered.

My boys loved the moon karts, with double and single seaters to pedal around a track.

The Enchanted River Ride is great for all the family as you hop into a flat-bottomed boat to paddle around a course, with dangling ropes to grab along the way for extra propulsion if needed.

The Forest Glider is a 75m snow tubing slope where riders carry their own ring up to the top to set off.

Meanwhile the Solar Splash uses the sun’s energy to power its water chutes, with riders setting off from a 12m tower with views over Snowdonia.

There’s also plenty of play areas for little ones to let off steam – my favourite was the Giant’s Quest, set in one corner of the woodland.

The boys also loved the jumping pillow and the chance to have a go at archery, under the watchful eye of an expert instructor.

We grabbed a bite to eat in the oak-framed WoodBarn cafe, which has a large soft play extending up into its eaves and lots of natural light streaming in through its skylights.

Kids’ meals even have £1 off over the summer, so staples like sausage and chips plus a juice carton are less than £7.

Day tickets start from £21.50 for adults (or anyone over 1m) while anyone under £1m pays from £8.65.

If you’re heading from further afield and want a couple of days at the park, there’s a glamping site with tipis that can accommodate up to six people, with unlimited park access and a communal kitchen to make meals.

Overnight stays for a family of four during the summer holidays cost from £220 midweek and £260 at weekends. 

Park entry this summer is £84.85 for a family of four.

You’ll certainly want to take your clan to GreenWood – I can’t wait to return and check out what the new owners do with this woodland wonder, with the promise of new rides, attractions, play experiences and guest facilities on the cards.

FINDING somewhere to stay can be boring, but it doesn’t have to be…

If you are heading off on a staycation this summer, instead of opting for the same old hotel, why not consider something a bit more quirky?

There are a tonne of holiday homes out that that have something weird or unusual about them.

So we’ve picked out the best ones across the UK for you to check out – and some are a bargain.

Helipod, Lincolnshire

Never been in a helicopter before? How about staying the night in one?

Helipod in Lincolnshire is a converted helicopter that you can stay in at the former RAF Wainfleet in Friskney, near Skegness.

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The helicopter sleeps two guests with prices starting from £50 a night, which is just £25 per person per night.

Inside the helicopter you’ll find a double sofa bed, TV, mini fridge and a kettle.

Station Masters House, Scottish Borders

Switching from one mode of transport to another, you could stay inside a train station house in the Scottish Borders.

Known as Station Masters House, Saughtree Station used to once be a working train station and to get to the house, you have to head along the original platform and once inside you’ll find a spacious kitchen as well as a lounge with a Smart TV.

There’s then three bedrooms in total – one on the ground floor, and then another double and twin room – while outside there is also a patio area ideal for soaking up the sunshine.

Stays cost from £531 per night, which would work out at £88.50 per person per night.

The Old Chapel, Herefordshire

The Old Chapel is a two bedroom converted chapel, surrounded by countryside.

Inside, you’ll find an open-plan living space with a Smart TV, as well as two bedrooms.

Both rooms have an ensuite as well and there is an outside area with a lawn, patio and furniture.

Stays cost from £146 per night, though there is a minimum stay of four nights.

Tree House near Aberaeron, Ceredigion

If you always dreamed of having a tree house when you were a little kid, now is your chance to (sort of) live out that dream.

Tree House near Aberaeron in Ceredigion, Wales, is what it says on the tin – a tree house in the woods, with an open-plan airy living area.

There is one double bed and a sofa bed, ideal if also with kids.

Outside the tree house there is even a small veranda and also a hot tub.

Nant y Garnedd, North Wales & Snowdonia

If you are a fan of Lord of the Rings, make sure to head to Nant y Garnedd in Wales.

Somewhat resembling a hobbit hut, you can stay in a single storey hut built into the hillside.

The accommodation sleeps up to four people, has its own little kitchen and lounge as well as an outdoor area.

Bookings must be a minimum of three nights, which costs from £689 – working out at £229.67 per night.

Sprat & Winkle, Horsebridge

Sprat and Winkle is a converted 1922 railway carriage that sleeps up to four guests.

Inside, there are two bedrooms with ensuite shower rooms, a living area and a small kitchen.

Just a short walk away is a pub too, in case you fancy a tipple – if not, you can soak up the sunshine in the garden.

There’s a minimum stay of three nights, which costs from £538, working out at £179.34 per night.

Fingal Hotel, Edinburgh

Fingal Hotel in the Scottish capital isn’t your regular hotel – instead you will be sleeping on a boat.

Complete with a sun terrace, restaurant and bar onboard, you’d be staying on a former Northern Lighthouse Board ship that is permanently docked in the Port of Leith.

There are 23 custom designed cabins onboard as well as Art Deco styling throughout.

A one-night stay for two adults costs from £279.

Cley Windmill, Holt

If none of the above tickle your fancy, you could stay inside a windmill.

Cley Windmill in Holt is both historic and pretty, with its own terrace and garden.

Inside, you will find rooms with their own bathrooms, as well as a restaurant and bar.

Rooms cost from £150 per night for two adults (£75pp), with breakfast included.

Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel, York

Love all things witchy? Check in to the Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel in York.

Found inside a historic building in the city centre, the hotel has a range of rooms including family options.

You can expect quirky details, stone walls, historic paintings and four poster beds.

Stays cost from £169 per night, for two people.