Nottingham City Council is offering residents over 16 years old, eight weeks of free sports sessions in a range of settings across the city. With FREEsport –Nottingham citizens can choose to play, their way.
FREEsport offers citizens the choice of learning a new sport or perhaps returning to a sport they once played in a setting that suits them best. There is a range of sports to choose from at various locations across the city with something on offer seven days a week. The invitation is to try something new, and get active.
There will be other sports available in the FREEsport programme during the year but for this eight week block, there is the chance to try tennis, netball, running, archery, badminton, table tennis, squash, cycling, swimming, and basketball. There is also a multi-sport session specifically designed for those with disabilities although all the other sports sessions are accessible.
Sessions are broken down into the following categories:
- Learner/ returner – For those wanting to take up a new sport or needing a new challenge. This is a relaxed introduction to sport, whether returning from long break away from the sport, or just wanting to try something new
- Sport club led – Sessions in clubs for a range of abilities from beginner to experienced, providing smooth entry into regular club activity
- Drop in and play – This is the most flexible where players can new drop in for sessions across city leisure centres, just turn up and play your way.
Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, said: “We want our citizens to feel confident to take part in any type of sport at any level. This might be in one of our leisure centres, parks or club venues. Freesport sessions are an ideal way of introducing a range of activities with something to appeal to any level of player and we hope that local people take up the offer and use this opportunity as a way into playing and enjoying sport for many years to come.”
Registration for FREEsport opened on 4 January and sessions start on 18 January. Registration can be completed through a website form atwww.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/freesport and there is an opportunity to register via email. Citizens can also call the customer contact centre on 0115 876 1600.
It’s fine to sign up on site – download a registration from the website, fill it in and bring it to the session. You can be playing in five minutes! Only one registration is required but we do advise booking sessions ahead of time, up to a week in advance to avoid disappointment as they are first come first served.
All sessions are free of charge for those with a FREEsport subscription. Those living outside the city are not eligible for FREEsport but can still attend sessions for £2 and can attend coached sessions at £3 each.