Be a sport – Olympic style

Don’t miss the golden opportunity this year to try out an Olympic sport for free!

There are chances for people of all ages and abilities to become more active in a new sport during the momentous countdown to London 2012.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s Executive Councillor for Culture and Tourism, Councillor Derek Jarvis said: “This is an excellent way to explore a new sport free, as well as promoting various local clubs.

The initiative is supported by Southend-on-Sea’s Legacy 2012 and Activesouthend. “We hope many of those who take to their new sport will want to continue with it on a regular basis.

Among the sports on offer, all supervised by qualified and experienced coaches are:

• Archery @ Southend High School for Boys, Prittlewell Chase, Southend

11am-1pm - Sundays starting 15th January

7pm-9pm - Fridays starting 20th January

Supervised archery coaching, run by Chase Bowman Archery Club.

Contact Stirling Harpur email:stirlingch@btinternet.com or call: 07769 707238

• Badminton @ Belfairs High School, Highlands Boulevard, Leigh 

7:30pm -9pm Thursdays starting 12th January  

• Badminton @ Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre, Garon Park. 

7pm - 8pm Thursdays starting Thursday 12th January 

Badminton coaching for those aged 16 and above run by Highlands Badminton Academy.

Contact Viv Gillard email: mandy@fsmail.net or call:01702 713972 or 07947 280546

• Disability Sports Club @  Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre, Garon Park

6pm - 8pm Mondays

This club includes various sports for those aged 9 -19 years old.

Contact Selina Fox email: selinafox@shoeburyness.southend.sch.uk or call: 01702 215011

• Fencing @  St Saviour's Church Hall, behind St Saviour's Church on Kings Road, Westcliff  

8:30pm -10pm Wednesdays starting 11th January

Fencing coaching for those aged 16 and above, run by Southend Seaxe Fencing Club.

Contact: Roger Thompson email: info@southend-seaxe.org.uk, or call 01702 337608

• Rush Hockey @  Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre 

7pm -9pm Mondays starting 6th February until 27th February 

Rush hockey is the new exciting version of hockey. The sport is played in small teams as an informal way of playing hockey. Free of charge taster sessions are available to those aged 16 and above.

Contact: Luke.Greenway@parkwood-communityleisure.co.uk or call 01702 215011

• Swimming @  Southend Swimming and Diving Centre, Garon Park 

8pm -8.30pm Tuesdays starting 17th January until 6th March

Free swimming lessons for adults who cannot swim or lack water confidence. Contact: southendmarketing@parkwood-communityleisure.co.uk or call 01702 215011

For furthur details on the above activities contact Activesouthend on 01702 215612 or email getactive@southend.gov.uk