Could you be a Sport Maker? (From Dudley News)

Could you be a Sport Maker?

7:00am Saturday 8th September 2012 in NewsXtra

THE Sports Partnership for Herefordshire and Worcestershire is supporting a new national programme to encourage people to get involved in sport.

Entitled Sport Makers – a Lottery-funded Sport England initiative –it is aimed at everyone aged 16 and over, whether they are sporty or not!

The programme works alongside those who have been Games Makers at the Olympics, offering their inspiration and dedication to follow on from its legacy.

Run England also support the Sports Makers programme, an organisation keen for individuals to start their own group; the incentives and support from this programme can help everybody achieve their goals.

Stephen Brewster, director of The Sports Partnership for Herefordshire and Worcestershire said, “There is never a better time to get involved with sport, following the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. You don’t have to be an Olympic hopeful to be a sporting hero and that is what Sport Makers is all about – inspiring people to take part in sport and making it happen.”

To become a Sport Maker and follow on from the legacy of the Olympics, those interested should register to attend a free Sports Makers 2012 workshop.

During and after the workshops, a specialist team will work with individuals to find suitable volunteering opportunities or support them to create their own sports activities. By recording just 10 hours, those taking part will officially become Sport Makers!

It is completely free to apply. Sport brand Adidas is offering those that attend a course free polo t-shirts, ruck sacks, pin badges and Sport Maker wristbands. There are no obligations to carry on after the training; plus, there are hundreds of local opportunities to suit a wide range of skills and interests.

The benefits of becoming a Sports Maker include:

• Play sport – keep active through sport and help others get involved too;
• Choose which sports you get involved with, who you make it happen for and when you do it;
• It’s rewarding – through Sport Makers, you can give something back to your community;
• Learn new skills – you’ll learn lots of new skills and team up with other sporting organisations and clubs;
• Join in with London 2012 – you’ll be part of the official London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic legacy. Inspired by the Games and their values, you’ll be part of an army of 40,000 Sport Makers who’ll help create new opportunities for lots more people to play sport.

Mr Brewster concluded : “Sport just doesn’t happen, it takes people to make it happen. This new initiative will offer people all the skills and knowledge they need to bring sport into their local communities.”

The following courses are now available:

• Bromsgrove: Thursday, September 27, venue to be confirmed, 6pm -8.30pm.
• Worcester: Wednesday, September 26, University of Worcester, 6pm -8.30pm;
• Worcester: Wednesday, October 3, Worcester Warriors , Hindlip Suite, 6pm -8.30pm.

 To register as a Sport Maker visit www.sportmakers.co.uk or for further information on the initiative contact Sue Bentley on 01905 855 498.