Daily mile running routes, BMX biking, climbing and walking as well as a host of other sports and activities are will be hosted this summer to help ‘Get Telford Active.’
by Marvyn Joseph
Regardless of age, background or ability, everyone should be able to take part in sport or activity. Some might be fit and talented, but others won’t be so confident.
That’s why we made more than £50,000 available to the community earlier in the year to fund activities to help ‘Get Telford Active.’
Almost 50 applications flooded in from around the borough for the one-off award that aims to create new community-led activities, helping more people, typically those who aren’t involved in a particular sport or regular activity, to have a go in ‘mass participation’ events.
So this summer we’ll be helping to fund 20 ‘Get Telford Active’ projects aiming to provide an opportunity for those who are currently not participating in any physical activity to participate.
We’ve awarded grants to the community, so the activities are led by what is needed and wanted instead of imposing options on people.
It’s example of how we want to work in partnership with communities and put residents at the heart of everything we do.
Coming up this year…
The first event, ‘Get Telford Walking’, will be on Sunday, May 19 with starting points around the borough.
The event is made for people who have never been on walking events before, so why try out this event and see if it’s for you?
Subscribe to our Healthy Telford Newsletter to be told full details of this event and the others closer to the time.
Other examples include four health and fitness roadshows making their way through Waters Upton and some of the surrounding villages offering taster sessions in a variety of sport and games-based activities.
Wellington’s Bowring Park Friends group have applied to host activities in the park for all ages, led by qualified coaches with activities as far ranging as Tai Chi, croquet to women and girls softball and informal games of rounders.
While England Netball aim to operate a workplace netball league with taster sessions aimed at novice players and those returning to netball.
Two people enjoying netball 
On the BMX track
Several schools have also applied to introduce the daily mile. It’s a simple way of getting children out of the classroom for fifteen minutes every day to run or jog, at their own pace, with their classmates, making them fitter, healthier, and more able to concentrate in the classroom.
Schools in Telford & Wrekin Council will join almost 4,000 others in the UK taking part.
Ruth Hughes, Shropshire netball development officer, said:
“We are really pleased to have received the ‘Get Active’ grant from Telford & Wrekin Council as this wouldn’t be happening without it, projects like this are difficult to get off the ground with all the initial costs involved.
“Netball is a great sport for beginners, no matter what your fitness level is, there is a position on court for everyone. There’s also a strong sense of friendship and team-bonding within netball teams that means it is easy to keep going!”
Ruth Hughes, Shropshire netball development officer
Don’t miss an update about Get Telford Active events.
If you or your family are looking for something to do this summer to keep active then tell us your email and we’ll keep you in the loop about each new event.
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