Bristol youngsters get a sporting chance at roadshow

More than 25 sports clubs throughout Bristol will try to tempt youngsters to join up as part of an initiative to get teenagers more active.

Clubs such as Bristol Tae Kwon Do Centre, the West of England Schools Sailing Association and the Bristol West Indies Cricket Club will showcase their sports at a roadshow at the City Academy on Friday.

About 800 students from the academy will visit the roadshow and try their hand at new sports. It is hoped they will become hooked and sign up to regular sessions to keep them active and healthy.

Guests will also include members the Army Cadet Force, who will be talking pupils through the benefits of physical activity.

Nigel Cooley, the academy's sports co-ordinator, said: "Getting students enthused by sport is an important part of getting them to live a healthy lifestyle where physical activity becomes an integral part of their week.

"If we can help form good habits now, young people will be more likely to be physically active in later life and be less likely to suffer from ill health. So we are really grateful to all of the organisations who are endeavouring to get our young people active."

The event is linked to a nationwide Sport Unlimited programme which encourages young people to take up a sport and lead healthier lives.

Many of the sessions with clubs signed up to the Sports Unlimited programme are heavily subsidised thanks to a government grant via Bristol City Council.

The Sport Unlimited programme is run by Sport England in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust and County Sports Partnerships across England.

Sport Unlimited aims to make a significant contribution to the Government's target of giving children and young people the opportunity to do five hours of physical education and sport a week at school and in the community.

Full details can be found at www.bristol.gov.uk/sportunlimited.