Borough-wide sports project awarded funding

The Active Coast and Country project will see a sports programme delivered across the borough with a priority on increasing participation in “deprived wards” and supporting existing community clubs, with a focus on family orientated activity, the 14-plus age group and female participation.

A range of sports activities including social netball, rounders, walking football, Xplorer orienteering, Play Touch rugby league, Swim Fit, No Strings badminton, Park Run, FA Just Play and Mash Ups, beach sports and holiday schemes will be organised in a number of community settings and existing leisure facilities.

The council’s sports development officer, Matt Hewison, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this Sport England funding.

“Being active is really important for a healthy mind and body, as well as being lots of fun – thanks to this funding more local people can reap the rewards.

“A decision was made to submit an application to Sport England for their Community Sport Activation Fund which seeks to stimulate local sports delivery and help increase and sustain once-a-week participation in sport for those people aged 14 and above.

“According to Sport England’s Active People data, the participation rates within the borough have always been under the national and regional average and this, along with the Round 4 theme of deprivation, meant that we were in a good position to apply for funding.

“The funding will give us the ability to work with key partners to deliver sustainable activity and hopefully increase participation.”