Thirteen projects in the borough will offer free sessions
Women and girls across the borough will be helped to get into sport, thanks to almost £250,000 of National Lottery funding from Sport England.
Over the next three years Get Active Hounslow - Women and Girls will run 13 projects across the borough to give local women and girls the chance to get involved in a range of different sports.
The first year will include free beginners sessions of badminton, running, cycling, multi-sport events, yoga and dance.
Cllr Ajmer Grewal, cabinet member for leisure and public health at the council, said:
“If we want to get more people into sport, and enjoy the many benefits that more active lifestyles bring, we have to tackle the barriers stopping people from taking part.
"It can be difficult for women and girls to try a new sport, but once they’ve started, confidence builds and it becomes easier to keep going in the long run.
“This programme of activities will help women and girls find a sport they enjoy, and help them gain the confidence they need to have more active lifestyles for years to come.”
The programme is being run in partnership between St Mary’s University College and Hounslow Community Sport and Physical Activity Network
Each project is delivered by a local partner including Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, Fusion, St Mary’s University College, Hounslow Badminton Association, Hounslow Council and Sport Impact.
The grant of £246,860 is one of 32 projects across the country to receive a share of £5.1 million from Sport England’s Community Sport Activation Fund to support grassroots sport activity across the country and build a lasting legacy from last year’s successful Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Sport England’s Community Sport Director, Mike Diaper, said: “This fund was created to respond to the demand among local communities for investment to reach down to the local level.
“By working with new partners, taking a flexible approach and investing in innovative ideas, we’re offering people the chance to get into sport in a way that most suit their needs and aspirations.”
The Community Sport Activation Fund builds on previous funding campaigns, which have shown that the key to success is finding out what people want from sport – and what ‘s stopping them from getting involved – before designing an offer that’s appealing, accessible and secures their long-term involvement.
Local government, voluntary and third sector groups and organisation are among those receiving funding and alongside Sport England’s investments, all of the projects are contributing partnership funding towards their multi-sports programmes that will run for up to three years.
For more information about the programme, email getactivehounslow@smuc.ac.uk or call 020 8240 4211.
Sport England is focused on helping people and communities across the country create a sporting habit for life. We will invest over £1 billion of National Lottery and Exchequer funding between 2012 and 2017 in organisations and projects that will:
The National Lottery has been changing lives for 18 years. Every week National Lottery players raise over £30 million to help change people's lives across the UK.
May 15, 2013