Active initiative awarded

Players from the U10's and U12's Hotshots Basketball teams take part in a demonstration game ahead of a children's tournement as part of the Byron Festival at the Hucknall Leisure Centre on Sunday.

Ashfield District Council, together with Sports Leisure Management (SLM) who manage the authority’s leisure centres, have pledged to get 500,000 under 16 year-olds engaged in physical activity by 2015.

The commitment to achieving this forms part of The Legacy Games Project, inspired by the 2012 Olympics and is driven by a joint pledge to build a sustainable activity and health legacy in communities around the country.

Lord Coe said he was delighted that Fit for Sport and Everyone Active (SLM brands) were encouraging children and young people to become more active.

“We hope that this programme will continue to grow and that the Inspire by 2012 brand will encourage more young people to sign up to enjoy the clear benefits that exercise can bring,” said Lord Coe.

Hucknall’s Coun John Wilmott announced the award at last week’s council meeting.

He told fellow councillors that he was delighted and SLM is the first fitness team to be awarded this accolade.

“We want as many youngsters as possible to take advantage of the opportunities in our leisure centres,” said Coun Wilmott. “Obesity and ill health is a growing problem and we need to do all we can to get people more active.”