Essex: £90K 'Get Active' Fund Awarded

Essex is to receive a £90,000 fund to inspire young people to get active, as excitment builds for the 2012 Olympics.

Sport England's 'Places, People, Play' strategy for Olympic Legacy is delivering the funding for Sportivate activities in Essex.

Sportivate is a national programme which encourages young people between the ages of 14 and 25 to get active using the inspiring power of the Olympics and the passion of local enthusiasts.

News of the funding has prompted Sportessex, the County Sports Partnership in Essex, to look for sports clubs, coaches, instructors and activity leaders, to apply for funding to stage taster sessions to inspire youngsters to get involved in sports or activities.

The taster sessions will run over a period of six weeks, between April and September 2012.

Local coaches and sports clubs can apply for funding through sportessex, to help stage their own activities during the summer of 2012. Applications for this round of funding closes on January 16th, 2012. For more information, visit www.sportessex.com.

Councillor Stephen Castle, Essex County Council's Cabinet Member for Education and the 2012 Games, said: "As a Host County we are determined to make the most of The Olympics coming to the UK and Essex. What better inspiration is there to get more young people active in Essex than the Olympics?

"I urge local sports clubs and coaches to apply for funding and get the youth in their community active. The range of activities is not limited to Olympic sports so there really is an opportunity for everyone to try something new".