In the news: Basildon Council celebrates the Summer of Sport

Basildon Council is celebrating a Summer of Sport with the annual Find Your Active Festival and a huge range of free and low-cost local sports and activities throughout the season.

So far this Summer, we've already watched British sporting heroes compete at the Euro's, Wimbledon and the British Grand Prix, and we're all set to cheer on Team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, featuring home-grown talent, gymnast Max Whitlock, representing the borough.

This summer of sporting excellence inspires us to get active, and there are so many low and no-cost activities across the borough for people of all ages and abilities.

Each week, for nine weeks, Basildon Council will publish a timetable of activities available across the borough, to encourage local people to discover a new sport or hobby.

The following activities are just a few of those taking place from Monday 22 July to Sunday 28 July:

·       ParkPlay at four locations across the borough

·       Parkrun and junior parkrun

·       Family swim and tennis sessions at Basildon Sporting Village

·       ATF Summer of Sports community activities at locations across the borough

The Summer of Sport concludes with the annual Find Your Active Festival, taking place on 21 September 2024. This year's theme is 'Celebrating Diversity and Empowering Wellbeing' as Basildon itself marks its 75th anniversary.

This unique event offers local people an opportunity to take part in free taster sessions of new sports and activities - supported by community groups and teams based in the borough. Following two successful events, this year's festival will host a range of providers, including Essex Indians, Abula Games, Essex Pedal Power, Flex Youth Club, South Essex Gym, Kidz Busterz, Vita Minds and Yoga4All to name a few.

Cllr Jack Ferguson, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Community, said: "2024 is a fantastic year for sport. Across the summer we will watch in awe as sporting heroes compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic games, and now it's your turn to get active and try something new!

"To celebrate, we will be sharing all of the free and low-cost ways you can get involved in sport right here in Basildon over a nine-week period - from local parkruns to football aimed at young people, and parent and toddler fitness and play - there's something for everyone, whatever your age and ability."

Find out more - www.basildon.gov.uk/summerofsport

For regular updates on sporting activity across the borough, including the Summer of Sport events, sign up to receive the free weekly e-newsletter at www.basildon.gov.uk/keepintouch

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Published 19 July 2024