Kids join in Summer of Sport

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

Young people within Wyre were given the opportunity to try out a range of sports over the summer thanks to a project which was part-funded by a grant of over £3000 from  Regenda.

The project was organised by Chris Debar, Community Sport Officer for Wyre Council, and was delivered at Fleetwood High School by the council’s sports development team, assisted by five volunteers. Staff from 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 all inclusive.  

Over 320 children aged between 8 and 16 years old took part throughout the five week multi-sport project.  Youngsters were given a wide range of activities to participate in, including skateboarding, street dancing, cycling, speed stacking, badminton, rollerblading, football and table tennis.  The young people also had two Olympic and Paralympic sports competition days, which included handball, basketball, goalball, volleyball, hockey and sitting volleyball.  Certificates were awarded for those that took part as the Olympic theme days were part of Wyre Council’s Inspire programme. As well as the sports activities that were on offer, arts and crafts company HYPE came along to provide arts based activities, which included kite making and ‘Big Art’.

Emma Pook, the mother of Bethany (9) and Olivia (11) who took part in the project said: “The programme has given my girls somewhere to go that is local, keeps them fit, encourages them to take part in activities that they would not normally do and they are safe and well looked after.  I think this is a fabulous scheme.” 

Angie Welch, project manager at Regenda said: “Not only were the sessions fun for the young people, they also boosted their confidence and encouraged them to try different sports which they may not have had the chance to try before.”

Youngsters were encouraged to show a positive attitude and those who were exceptionally well behaved, showed enthusiasm, determination, initiative, and who were helpful towards staff, were rewarded with a sports bag and sports bottle as a ‘Star of the Day’ prize.