A CITY youth charity is using the upcoming Olympic Games to inspire Coventry residents to get active and boost their morale by taking part in a day of sporting activities.
The ‘WillenhALL Welcome Games’ is being supported by YMCA Coventry and Warwickshire – a youth charity which helps more than 2,000 of the city’s vulnerable youngsters.
Taking place at the Hagard Community Centre from 1pm until 4pm on Saturday (August 13), the games will include a wide range of activities such as tennis, football, basketball and hoop shoot with the addition of music, arts and crafts to keep visitors entertained.
In addition, a programme has been set up to support teams of young people to run projects and create more active communities in the lead up to the games.
Get Set for Community Action was created by the British Olympic Foundation and British Paralympic Association.
In Coventry, YMCA has worked with 15 young people to develop two community events that have take place in the run up to Rio 2016.
These events have given people the opportunity to try their hand at Olympic themed sports – including Judo where current Brazilian Olympic Coach Dr Leonardo Mataruna, who lectures at Coventry University, led a session to introduce local young people to the sport.
Andy Winter, chief executive of YMCA Coventry and Warwickshire, said: “YMCA is delighted to be the community delivery partner for the Get Set for Community Action programme in Coventry and Warwickshire.
“We believe in the power of communities and the potential for young people to positively contribute to their local neighbourhoods.
“We have provided opportunities for young people in Willenhall for a number of years and want them to get involved in a wide range of sports and other activities.
“Health and Wellbeing is one of five key service areas for YMCA and we will be able to work with yet more young people by offering more development and volunteering opportunities.”
Visit www.ymca-cw.org.uk for further information about YMCA supported events in the community this summer.
