Over a thousand teenagers and young adults across the Humber are to benefit from a new sports programme that aims to fulfil the legacy promise made by Seb Coe in Singapore in 2005 to ‘inspire young people to choose sport’.
Sportivate will give 14- to 25-year-olds the chance to receive six to eight weeks of coaching in a sport of their choice. Launched by Sport England and The Humber Sports Partnership today, the £32 million National Lottery-funded project will help those who aren’t currently playing sport in their own time to get out and give sport a go.
As part of the Places People Play mass participation legacy programme, Sportivate will see 300,000 teenagers and young adults across England completing sports courses over four years.
Thanks to almost £90,000 of Lottery investment in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire hundreds of local people will be able to take part in activities.
A total of 32 projects are being launched across Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire through this project. Sessions for young people have been set up for a wide range of activities including boxing, cardio tennis, netball, basketball, sailing, street games table tennis and rounder’s to name just a few and these projects include a range of key partners such as Hull FC, Hull Kingston Rovers, The East Riding FA, North Bransholme Sports Forum and other Leisure providers
Sport England’s Chief Executive, Jennie Price, said:
“Lots of young people think sport isn’t for them. I would like them to have the chance to discover whether there is a sport they really enjoy, so this programme is all about choice. Everyone who takes part will receive high quality coaching – giving them the confidence and skills which will make them want to keep playing in the future.”
Kath Lavery Chairman Humber Sports Partnership
“This is a fantastic investment for the Humber. We are working with clubs and coaches who have inspired young people to be involved in sport for years. Sportivate will give young people the opportunity to make new friends as well as getting fitter have fun and enjoy themselves. Getting involved in sport has been a life changing experience for many people. I feel this is one of the best programs to involve young people in sport for years”
Today’s announcement was welcomed by the Minister for Sport and the Olympics, Hugh Robertson MP, and local boxing star Luke Campbell
Hugh Robertson:
“This £32 million Lottery programme launched by Sport England will give hundreds of thousands of teenagers and young adults across the country the opportunity to try out and get coached in the sport of their choice. I’m sure these same young people will also be inspired when the world’s greatest athletes compete here at next summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games and will then want to stay involved in sport for many years to come.”
Boxer Luke Campbell is currently number one in Great Britain for his category, he is a former European Gold Medallist and on courses for an Olympics place in 2012.
“People should give sport a go, come down and join one of these eight week sessions as it keeps you fit, you could meet lots of great people who could be friends for the future and it’s really enjoyable. I tried boxing, enjoyed it, got fitter and through hard work I have managed to reach where I am today”
The Humber Sports Partnership will work with local providers and sports clubs to help 14- to 25-year-olds in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire to continue playing sport long after they have completed the course.
As an additional incentive, teenagers and young adults who stick with sport will have the chance to enter a ballot for free London 2012 tickets. Sport England has hundreds of Olympic and Paralympic tickets available for Sportivate participants via the London 2012 Ticketshare initiative.
In order to be eligible for London 2012 Ticketshare, participants will need to complete the sports course, missing no more than one session, and then continue to participate in sport for at least three months.
Sportivate is an inclusive programme that will create opportunities for disabled and non-disabled participants.
