A month-long fitness initiative in the borough promises to be bigger and better than ever.
Basingstoke Get Active Month runs throughout July with more than 40 sports clubs and facilities signed up. Offering cheap memberships and trial periods, it is hoped the whole borough will get involved in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympics.
Now in its third year, Get Active Month continues to grow and a host of new initiatives are promised for 2010. Chris Scragg, chair of the Get Active Partnership told the Observer he hopes as many people as possible get involved next month.
“We are hoping for thousands,” he said. “This is the third year we have been running properly now – the first two years were very much a gradual set up and it has been growing year-on-year now with the funding that’s available this year promises to be the best yet. You will see a big difference this year, we have built on our success and are coming together as a whole with all the facilities, schools and partnerships now on board.”
Free taster sessions are being offered at a host of sports clubs while gyms are offering cut price memberships.
“Hopefully there’s enough advertising and awareness out there with the football at the moment and hopefully on the back of that people will want to exercise more,” Chris continued. “We are offering so many great sports – different sports – so we can offer activity on a level that will appeal to a wider audience.”
It is hoped that when the Olympics come to these shores in two years time, the entire borough will be ready to play its part.
“We have set this up very much with the Olympics in mind,” he continued.“This is the third year now and there are still a few years to go till 2012 and we are confident we can progress further. On the back of this summer we will spring into next year and so on for the finale – being the Olympics.”
For more information visit www.basingstokegetactive.org.uk
