Age should be no barrier to sports participation. This event will increase awareness of the importance of physical activity by mature adults in terms of health prevention and mental wellbeing since eligibility will depend on sports clubs offering free taster sessions, and for athletes to raise money for local causes/clubs in order to attend. In 2009 in Sydney there was an increase of up to 60% in sports club membership following the Masters Games there. This type of event has a much bigger legacy in terms of sports participation than Olympic/Commonwealth Games (8%). With 15,000 participants expected, this event will start a sustainable project that can help communities all over the UK help themselves year after year and can then be staged annually or every 2 years. There is currently no funding from Sport England as this is a National Community project as opposed to purely local even though this will involve all local communities across the UK.
What we'll deliver:
- Hold a 10 Day Sporting Event with a complimentary Arts, Culture and Music programme
- Make sports activity a habit for life, sustainable for future generations
- Inclusive for any ability/disability
- Raise levels of physical activity in the UK to help prevent ill health
Why it's a great idea:
Friends/family have more success in motivating others to take Physical activity as opposed to large spectator events. Participating through local community/family connections give people confidence in competing knowing they can achieve a similar level of ability to make it enjoyable, fun, and socially, mentally, healthily beneficial.
Steps to get it done:
- Full cooperation with National Sports Governing Bodies.
- Ongoing project work with local communities/Sports Clubs and Councils.
- Operational liaison with local host City council (city to be confirmed soon).
- Compliance with all Health/Safety, Insurance and medical regulations.
Event already has (non financial) backing from Sports Minister Tracey Crouch and Shadow Minister of Dept.Culture Media & Sport Chris Bryant, as well many other Sporting organizations.
INITIAL LIST OF SPORTS
Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Cycling, Dancesport, Football
(11&5-a-side), Hockey, Judo, Karate, Netball, Orienteering, Rowing, Rugby + Touch Rugby, Softball, Squash, Swimming Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, Weightlifting.
Disability sports will be included following discussions with the Federations of Disability Sports.
Other demonstration sports will be added as a public engagement exercise, as well as a complimentary social programme of Music, Culture and Arts.
Other funding sources for the event will come from Corporate Sponsorship and Participant registration fees.
