Summer project let kids Try Sport

Published by Lucy Bradwell for The Regenda Group in Housing and also in Communities, Education

Fleetwood schoolchildren enjoyed a fantastic summer of sport thanks to a project funded by Regenda, which was organised and delivered by Wyre Council’s Try Sport team at Fleetwood High School.  

The five week Try Sport summer project entertained over 300 children per week, aged between eight and 12 years old.  Participants were given the opportunity to try their hand at basketball, football, hockey, tag rugby, qwik cricket, rounders, softball, lacrosse, badminton, table tennis, dodgeball and mat rounders. 

Kasey Somers, who took part in the Try Sport project said, “It was well good and I loved the dodgeball and mat rounders,” whilst Megan McDonald said, “I loved going to TrySport, it’s well good.” 

Wyre Council’s coaches provided the training, assisted by eight volunteers, whilst specialist coaches were brought in to teach break and street dance and skateboarding. Members of the Play Inclusion Project (PIP) worked one-to-one with any young people with learning and / or physical difficulties who wanted to take part so that the project was open to everyone.    

Councillor Lynne Bowen, Cabinet member with responsibility for leisure at Wyre Council, said: “The great thing about our holiday programmes is that they are aimed at everyone regardless of ability. We're not trying to be a skills school looking for the most talented athletes; we're more about making sport accessible to everyone." 

Angie Welch, project manager at Regenda said, “It’s difficult for parents to keep their children entertained throughout the school holidays so we decided to offer a range of sporting activities which would be fun, interesting and active.  Kids this age have so much energy and enthusiasm for learning something new and I know that their parents appreciated having a break.” 

Parent Fiona Fraser confirmed, “Both my girls enjoyed every minute of it.  They were excited to go, made new friends, were doing things they wanted to do and they had the chance to try new and different games and skills.  The parents know that their children are safe, happy and having fun, fun, fun and at night they were tired!” 

Youngsters were encouraged to show a positive attitude and those who were exceptionally well behaved and tried hard were rewarded with a sports bag as a ‘Star of the Day’ prize. 

Regenda works with communities to build a sustainable future.