Be a part of it

Brighton & Hove’s free festival of sport, Take Part, is getting everyone involved in a summer of sporting fever

With an exciting summer of sport in front of us, everyone is in the mood to get active. Thankfully, the Take Part Festival of Sport is here to help us do just that. The exciting programme of events kicks off in Preston Park on Saturday 23 June. This year there are over 18 activity zones in the park. So if you fancy trying something different, like mountain boarding in the Adventure Zone, or you want to re-live your school days with cricket or hockey, there is something for everyone.

People of all ages have the opportunity to try out a range of sports in a fun and non-competitive setting. The aim is to help you find a sport you like, whether it is nordic walking or petanque. Take Part want to encourage people to participate so that they can benefit from a more active and healthy lifestyle.

In this Olympic year, the Festival are hoping to get more of the city’s residents active than ever before. As a city, 25.2 per cent of Brighton and Hove adult residents are taking part in active recreation compared to the national average of 21.8 per cent. However 41.8 per cent of adults do none at all. (Sport England Active People Survey 5 Oct 2010 – Oct 2011) So what can you do?

Many Brighton and Hove clubs are opening their doors to provide free or reduced rate taster sessions. Activities on offer range from croquet and windsurfing to table tennis and yoga. Schools also have plenty to choose from, with a range of Take Part competitions including athletics and swimming, as well as local clubs going into schools to offer tasters in sports like karate and street dance.

And if that’s not enough there are also Take Part local events being held on the weekend of 30 June – 1 July in local areas including Whitehawk, Hollingdean, The Level, Moulsecoomb and Portslade. Furthermore, the annual seafront festival, Paddle Round the Pier, takes place on the weekend of 7 – 8 July.

Brighton and Hove’s sporting celebrations this summer provide an opportunity for people in the city to share in the Olympic spirit and enjoy a truly memorable moment to shine.

On Monday 16 July 2012 Brighton and Hove will proudly host the Olympic Flame as it enters the city on Day 59 of the Olympic Torch Relay. With all this wonderful sport in the air, why not grab the opportunity to Take Part?

Take Part Brighton and Hove Festival of Sport Saturday 23 June – Sunday 8 July, www.takepartbrightonandhove.com