Organise your own Olympics!
| Author: John Boles | Published: 17th August 2008 19:53 |
ORGANISE YOUR OWN OLYMPIC GAMES
PIC: Mendip Resource Centre manager Alex Stephens with some of the sports and play equipment available to hire
With the Olympics taking place on the other side of the world, groups in Mendip are being encouraged to organise their own hassle-free sports.
Mendip District Council is offering parish councils, community clubs and village hall groups the opportunity to hire a range of sports and play equipment.
The scheme is part of the council's Resource Centre, which caters for a range of activities from short mat bowls and circus to football and table tennis.
The aim of the centre is to encourage community groups to organise their own sports and play activities without the hassle of finding equipment.
A full list of what is on offer can be found at the council's website, http://www.mendip.gov.uk/, but among those that are catered for are: range of play equipment, trampolining, hockey, circus equipment, archery, badminton, basketball, fencing, football, golf, kurling, cricket, table tennis, ten pin bowling, rounders, pop lacrosse, rugby, snooker, tennis, athletics, and many others.
Cllr Ron Forrest, Mendip's portfolio holder for community, which includes sport, said: "Mendip is very lucky to have a Resource Centre where local residents can hire sports and activity equipment. It is just another way that the district council is encouraging local people to keep fit.
"While the Olympics dominates the news agenda and sports enthusiasts are watching Beijing, now is an ideal opportunity for local groups to organise their own sports events, and encourage everyone to lead healthier lifestyles."
The centre is now being managed by Somerset sports coach, Alex Stephens, who has a degree in sports development and fitness.
When he is not promoting Mendip's Resource Centre then he is working in schools across the county as part of the Somerset Activity Sports Partnership (SASP) where he gives lessons and classes in a range of sports.
Cllr Forrest said: "The fact that we now have a sports instructor managing the centre means that we can really push the benefits of activities, and promote a wide range of equipment which is available to groups right across the district."
As well as hiring equipment, Mendip District Council can also arrange for delivery and collection to groups across Mendip. The council may also be able to offer discounts to new groups setting up in the district.
In addition the council can also supply information on courses for sports coaches, and guidance on how best to run and manage a sports club.
To find out more about the Resource Centre, or what is on offer to hire please download a brochure from http://www.mendip.gov.uk/ or contact Alex Stephens on 01749 648999, or email customerservices@mendip.gov.uk, clearly marking it for Alex Stephens.
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