Sports project in Mansfield to get £185k cash injection

The Mansfield Community Sports Project will receive £185,514 to increase the number people engaged in sports and physical activity across Mansfield over the next three years.

The Mansfield District Leisure Trust, who manages the project, plans to use the money to appoint two full-time sports activators/health coaches whose role will be to coordinate efforts between sports facilities across Mansfield, including parks owned by Mansfield District Council, as well as open and community spaces.

The sports cctivators/health coaches will also organise informal beginners’ sessions in a range of different sports, such as netball, football and tennis, as well as family and disability multisports.

Mansfield District Leisure Trust chairman, Brian Taylor, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this lottery funding from Sport England. Being active is really important for a healthy mind and body, as well as being lots of fun. Thanks to this funding more locals can reap the rewards.”

Councillor Andrew Tristram, portfolio holder for the environment at Mansfield District Council, told the Chad: “This is another example of the great work undertaken by Mansfield District Leisure Trust to encourage active lifestyles. The council looks forward to working with our leisure provider to maximise the benefits of the Sport England funding for our community.”

Julia Sandhu, funding Director at Reach UK, said: “Our clients tell us they want to get fitter but many have had very negative experiences of doing sport or using local facilities. Adults with learning disabilities in Mansfield are at especially high risk of poor health partly due to very low levels of activity. This project will create new opportunities for adults with learning disabilities to enjoy sport that is genuinely shaped around their needs, interests and talents.”

Sport England director of Community Sport, Mike Diaper, said: “It’s great to be working with innovative projects like The Mansfield Community Sports Project which offer more people the chance to get active in a way that suits them best. Given the overwhelming benefits of being active, it’s important that age, gender, or income never prevents anyone from taking part.”

To find out more and bid for funding, visit www.sportengland.org/inspiredfacilities