A Community Games programme to celebrate the London Olympics and Paralympics has been launched with £2 million of government funding, and local softball clubs and leagues have a chance to use this opportunity to showcase the sport.
The Community Games will be coordinated through the network of County Sports Partnerships in collaboration with the YMCA. CSPs will provide support and resources for communities to organise their own local sporting and cultural events. The events can be anything from a triathlon or a softball tournament to a live concert, and will reflect the interests and needs of each local community.
Local involvement
Local people will have the opportunity to get involved in Community Games in a number of different ways. They could become a Community Games organiser responsible for developing and implementing a Community Games event, they could volunteer to help out at an event, they could participate in event activities or they could simply come along, have fun and enjoy the event as a spectator with friends and family.
Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd said: “We want everyone to get involved and celebrate the London 2012 Games coming to the UK, and this is why we have awarded Community Games £2 million. Community Games will provide the help and support people need to organise a run, a triathlon or other sports and cultural events in their local area this summer. This is all part of our drive to create a bigger, stronger society where people are empowered to make a difference to their community.”
Softball events
BSUK Midlands Regional Coach and Club Development Officer Will Lintern said, “The Community Games could be a really useful tool for our regional softball clubs and leagues to engage with their communities and the local County Sports Partnerships. A club could put on a event like a softball tournament that engages the local community and raises the profile of the sport.”
BSUK National Club Development Manager Paul Wilkinson commented: “Clubs who wish to take part in this should contact their County Sports Partnership for further information on what is happening locally. They can then make a decision as to whether they wish to join in an organised event or run their own. This is a possible opportunity for our clubs and leagues to link into their local community and show our sports to a wider audience.”
More information
For more information please email BSUK National Development Manager Chris Rawlings or call him on 07875-569267.
Chris will be able to put you in touch with BSUK Regional Development Staff where appropriate and with contacts who can provide support for your Community Games event.
SOURCE: BSUK