Free Summer Sports For Young People In Leicestershire

A hugely successful scheme aimed to encourage more young people into sport and physical activity, whilst teaching them about the impact of anti-social behaviour has launched again this summer in Leicestershire.

​Aimed at young people aged 11 – 25, the scheme offers twelve free weekly sports sessions run by qualified coaches, with the aim of encouraging young people to stay healthy and fit, meet new people and participate in positive activities in their community. Young people will have the opportunity to play football, basketball, dodgeball, volleyball, tennis and football tennis.

Funded through the Sportivate programme by Leicester-Shire and Rutland Sport, the sessions are run by Leicestershire County Council's IMPACT Project, which focuses on helping prevent youth related anti-social behaviour across Leicestershire. The sport and physical activity sessions form part of their work with young people to address and prevent antisocial behaviour, by helping them to understand how their actions can have an impact on the wider community.

Between June 2015 to March 2016, IMPACT delivered ten projects in Leicestershire, in which over 200 young people participated.

Cllr Joe Orson, County Council Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said:

"This is a fantastic initiative that has a really encouraging impact on young people. Taking part in sports is a great way to make new friends and get fitter, as well as providing a positive focus around being part of a community."

Lucy Baginskis, Sport Development Officer for Leicester-Shire and Rutland Sport said:

"It is great working in partnership with the Youth Offending Service to deliver this programme. The aim of the project is to provide an opportunity for these young people and to support them long term in leading a more active lifestyle."

The sessions will take place on Wednesdays at Willow Park in Wigston and on Thursdays at Willoughby Park in Countesthorpe. Both will run from 6pm – 8pm.