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NEWHAM SUMMER FESTIVAL OF SPORT
This summer has been the most inspirational time to get involved in the many sporting activities that are available across the borough. The sports programmes in Newham are all about participation, and for seven weeks throughout this unique summer we have provided residents with the opportunity to take part in a groundbreaking Festival of Sport.
A range of Olympic themed sports were on offer every day in West Ham Park, all free of charge and open to all ages and abilities. Over 1500 residents came along and participated in the Festival, taking part in daily competitions and benefiting from professional coaches who were there to give expert tuition.
Alongside sports such as athletics, basketball and hockey, there was also a full programme of disability sports with medals and prizes given out for every event.
In the weekend between the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Newham’s Run! Athletics Activator organised a special athletics festival at the new outdoor track at Newham Leisure Centre. This was an opportunity for over 300 athletes of all ages - both able bodied and disabled - to take part in various Olympic/Paralympics activities on Newham & Essex Beagles newly laid mondo track.
The local Fire Brigade came along to the event so that children could explore the fire engine and the firemen competed in the 100m and the 4x100m relay.
Although the event had a competitive edge, there were also coaching clinics and taster sessions on offer – with the aim of inspiring our residents to participate in more sport and become more active.
The event was also attended by the Street Games Mascot ‘Sammy the Squirrel’ and participants had the opportunity to have their photo taken with the Olympic Torch.
Many of those taking part have expressed an interest in joining a local athletics club to develop their skills, and as a result on 17th September the Newham and Essex Beagles will be holding a special recruitment evening. Coral said; 'A good time was had by all and we are now looking to make this an annual event'
Celebrate a Golden Summer with Team Run!
As the London Olympic and Paralympic festivities draw to an end, we will be saying farewell to this momentous summer by throwing FREE disability tasters, club open days and an athletics party in the park! in Brent, Waltham Forest and Greenwich...
Friday 7th September
10.30-3pm Learning Disability Track and Field Sports Day 2012 Waltham Forest Pool and Track 170 Chingford Road, Walthamstow E17 5AA Contact Waltham Forest Activator Shaun Medlen for further info Tel 07718 394757 This FREE event is open to all abilities.
Saturday 8th September
12-1.30pm at Sutcliffe Park Cambridge Harriers Athletics Club Come and Try Day Contact Greenwich Activator Melissa Catchpole for further info Tel 07932 410458 Come and train with one of the UK’s leading Athletics Clubs. FREE SESSION for pupils aged 10-16 years Venue - Sutcliffe Park Athletics Track Eltham Road, Eltham SE9 5LW There will be event specific groups as well as an introductory session for younger athletes to experience what the club and academy has on offer.
Sunday 9th September
12-3pm at Gladstone Park - Brent celebrates a Golden Summer Free event Contact Brent Activator Andre for further info Tel 07718 394 764 FREE athletics taster sessions. Improve your skills and beat the coaches with prizes to be won throughout the day! Try out athletics with our community coaches who will teach you some of the skills which helped Jessica Ennis win gold for Team GB.
The Run! Team would like to thank Street Games for their support at the above 3 events.
Follow @londonathleticsRun! Inspires a Generation
With many struggling to secure tickets to the London 2012 Olympic Games and gain access to the Olympic Park and surrounding venues, Live Nation and BT joint forces to provide daily opportunities for residents and visitors to say ‘I was part of it’ by operating two Live Sites in Hyde Park and Victoria Park. The purpose built venues housed a stage for music and cultural productions assisted by One Movement and a sports zone offering physical activity delivered by a number of National Governing Bodies against the backdrop of live action from Stratford and Weymouth.
Back in April Run! Project Manager Rhian Horlock and Athletics Activator Nicole Evans met with Andrew Haworth the Live Nation project Manager and began the planning process for what was to become a huge programme of activity produced by the Run! project and England Athletics. This was our chance to showcase the sport of Athletics as the strong foundation to providing life skills and achievement whist continuing to build a sustainable legacy for physical activity not just in London but across the United Kingdom.
The programme of activity began at 11.30am and continued nonstop until 8pm thanks to the brilliant efforts of Coaches and Volunteers. Visitors to the site were invited to engage in FREE tasters, coaching clinics and a team competition in the format of Sportshall Athletics. Run! assists in the promotion and delivery of many England Athletics initiatives such as Run England, Athlefit and works with UKA and schools to ensure that all young people have equal access to sportshall athletic competitions on a regular basis – these were offered as tasters throughout the morning alongside England Athletics Flying Coaches provided by the Club Coach Community Support Officer there to present specific sessions in high jump, shot putt, javelin and sprinting.
Nicole Evans said “it’s been such an exciting time for all of us at Run! ensuring we open up the sport to anybody who wishes to engage and to do this with the backdrop of live Olympic action was just fantastic and it really inspired a generation”
Throughout the day over 300 participants took part in what was on offer with many able to build on the foundation skills needed throughout life for a considerable length of time running, jumping and throwing on the arena surface supplied by Popup Arena. It is however important that credit is given to the volunteers and coaches who delivered on the day, many of whom did not know each other prior to this event and in some cases had never volunteered let alone worked within this particular sporting environment. Tracy Quartey – Flying Coach added “We all pulled together as a cohesive team and it was a pleasure to be part of an event working towards ensuring athletics is accessible to all!” Accessible to all it sure was with the youngest person involved aged 2 and the eldest 77!
The Run! project would like to extend their thanks to all at Live Nation, The London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Street Games and the Mayor of London for their continued support in raising the profile of sport and ensuring a sustainable legacy!