Attendance to the council’s Sport 4 NRG sports programme soared to more than 1,500 this summer.
Providing its most ambitious programme yet – with at least one sports activity every day across Thanet - the Sport Matters team offered a wide variety of free or low-cost activities all designed to get young people fit, active and outdoors this summer.
Activities ranged from football, beach volleyball and surfing to street dance, handball and boxing. They were either organised or funded by the council’s Sport 4 NRG team, as well as a range of alternative activities provided by local sports clubs.
‘Sports Matters in the Park’ tours, were a key feature of the programme. The tours included the popular inflatable football pitch provided by Generation Sports and the mobile skate park in partnership with Hang 10. This was taken to Dane Park and Cliftonville Viking Ship in Margate, Newington and Government Acre in Ramsgate and the Memorial Rec in Broadstairs.
The annual Beach and Summer Blast fun days hosted by the Engage Forum were also popular events with more than 700 young people attending the two days at Margate Beach and Dane Park.
New activities this year included Samba style football on the beach in partnership with FA Skills Coaches from the Kent FA as well as disability sessions including trampolining, gymnastics, badminton and aerobics in partnership with SkillNet.
Cabinet Member for Community Services, Cllr. Iris Johnston, said: “Participation in this summer’s sports activities has been a great success. Our Sport 4 NRG team has worked hard to pull together a creative programme of sporting events to ensure there was something on offer to suit all tastes, ages and abilities.
“As a council we aim to encourage more young people to engage in sport, which not only helps to boost self-esteem and fitness but also keeps them safe and occupied during the holidays, and it doesn’t just end there. Many of the young people are returning to take part in more activities which is part of our wider aim to create sporting habits for life.”
Dominic Crawford 16 years old from Ramsgate, was a regular visitor to SPORT 4 NRG's beach football and volleyball sessions.
Domininc said: “It was great to give beach volleyball a go on a proper court with a proper net as it's a sport that I've never tried at school. It was great fun and we will definitely be back next summer!”
Megan Cavell 14, also from Ramsgate got involved with handball, a worldwide popular sport but one that has only become popular in England since London 2012.
She said: “It was fun to play as it was so fast. It didn't take long to get the hang of either!”
Handball takes places every Tuesday 4-5pm at Ramsgate Leisure Centre and is free of charge.
For more information on the sports activities available go to www.thanet.gov.uk/sport or www.facebook.com/sport4nrg
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