Sportivate proves a big success
A host of new sporting activities in the Tees Valley are already proving a big success. The Sportivate initiative is aimed at young people aged 14-25 and provides 6 week taster courses in a variety of sports under the expert guidance of experienced coaches.
Sportivate is part of Sport England's "Places, People, Play" strategy which will help ensure a legacy of increased sports participation following next year's Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Around 150 courses are planned between now and March 2012 in sports clubs, community centres, leisure centres and colleges across the Tees Valley. 37 different sports are on offer, providing the perfect opportunity for young people to try different sports including surfing, netball, trampolining, dance, cricket and swimming.
Tees Valley Sport Chairman Mike Crawshaw says 'Sportivate is a great opportunity for young people to try an exciting new sport, get fit and meet new friends. Funding has been secured through until 2015 and will help to reduce the number of young people who drop out of sport after leaving school and college'
One of the courses that has been a big success is a windsurfing session in Stockton. The Royal Yachting Association has joined forces with Surfstore to train a team young people how to windsurf. They will then come together and compete in the Sportivate Windsurf Challenge - a fun, friendly competition day.
Tees Valley Sport Executive Director Jean Lordon says' Young people will be able to choose a sport that interests them from the more unusual such as windsurfing and fencing through to traditional sports such as netball and cricket. The funding is a big boost to sports clubs and other partners'
Tees Valley Sport are keen to encourage clubs to deliver courses aimed at attracting new players and members in the 14-25 age group. Clubs can bid for funding to deliver activities by contacting Louise Wells at Tees Valley Sport on Middlesbrough 342287. The deadline for applications for the Year 2 programme is 20th December.
