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Sir Steve Redgrave launches Matalan Sporting Communities

Sir Steve Redgrave has called on teenagers to increase their participation in sport by joining community sports clubs. He was speaking at the launch of Matalan Sporting Communities which, in partnership with Sport England, will open up sporting opportunities for 14 to 19 year olds by setting up community sports clubs on school sites.

"Matalan Sporting Communities will appeal to teenagers and young adults who don't necessarily want to join a 'traditional' sports team, but still want to take part in regular activity in a safe, familiar environment. It's absolutely vital that programmes such as Matalan Sporting Communities exist and I'd urge teenagers to grab their trainers and get involved."

Backed by more than £200,000 of National Lottery funding from Sport England, Matalan Sporting Communities will create a meaningful and lasting legacy from London 2012 by helping bridge the gap between school and community sport.  

Sport England Director of Community Sport, Mike Diaper, said:

"Helping young people get involved in sport is really important to us and our National Lottery investment into the Matalan Sporting Promise programme can help us do that. By creating new and appealing opportunities to help young people make the step into community sport, we will set them on the path to creating a sporting habit for life."

Participants will have the opportunity to take part in dodgeball, ultimate frisbee, softball, lacrosse and street cheer and by focusing on these non-traditional sports, Matalan Sporting Communities can help bring more young people into sport.

Matalan Sporting Communities will start with five clubs launching across Greater Manchester and a further 20 in Lancashire, Staffordshire, Humberside and Bristol. A full nationwide programme is planned to roll out from autumn 2013.

The project builds on the success of Matalan Sporting Promise, which is run in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, and supports the delivery of PE and sport in primary schools, whilst promoting alternative sports in secondary schools.

For more information, visit the Youth Sport Trust website

 

Sainsbury’s Active Kids for All. Free training and resources are available for teachers and school staff in providing high quality PE provision for all young people. Click here to find out more