Festival of Sport programme announced

A programme of free sports taster sessions are taking place in Lichfield District this summer in celebration of the Commonwealth Games.

Providers including Active Lichfield, Freedom Leisure and local sports clubs and organisations have scheduled the Festival of Sport at venues in Lichfield and Burntwood for people of all ages from Thursday 28 July 28 - Monday 8 August.

Among the activities are badminton, cricket, boxing, tennis, soft archery, judo, dodgeball, Tai Chi and squash.

Wheelchair basketball, disability cricket and multi-sport sessions are in the programme together with dance classes for children aged five and under, teddy games mini athletics and Rugby Tots for children aged two-to-seven.

With other activities including cycling coaching, a Commonwealth Games-themed park run, pickleball (a racket sport similar to badminton) and spikeball (a net sport where a ball is served to a round net set above the floor), there is something for everyone.

Councillor Andy Smith, Lichfield District Council 's cabinet member for leisure, said: “The Festival of Sport is an exciting opportunity for people to try their hand at a variety of sports free of charge.

“We are delighted to be able to offer them as part of the celebrations for the Commonwealth Games.

“Be it tennis, cricket, archery, yoga or football, badminton, basketball or Boccia (a sport related to bowls that can be played by anyone but is accessible to people with disabilities), we hope people across Lichfield will join the fun. ”

The Festival of Sport launch events are taking place on Saturday 23 July at Burntwood Leisure centre and Sunday 24 July at Beacon Park, 10am-2pm both days.

The programme itself runs from Thursday 28 July to Monday 8 August.

For full details of activities, venues, dates and times visit www.activelichfield.co.uk/festival-of-sport