Free sessions on offer at pools and sports centres

Date article online: 30/03/2008

Link4Life is offering free sessions at pools and sports centres. Aimed at encouraging children to "spring into sport" it is part of a Greater Manchester area initiative being launched in ASDA stores in all ten local authority areas.

With the aim of helping to develop grass root community sport in the North West, ASDA has worked closely with local authorities and cultural trusts and the Greater Manchester Sports Partnership to help set up the scheme. Over 30 different sports are on offer in the region with over 650 different sessions running until 14 April.

The campaign supports children who want to get involved in various sporting pursuits. Children can pick up a leaflet at participating stores which can then be transferred for a free sporting session. The leaflets can be used for a variety of activities on offer across the region including; football, athletics, badminton, lacrosse, boxing, cheerleading, snorkelling, martial arts, rugby and more.

Lara Wantenaar from the ASDA Community Marketing Team comments: “The free sporting sessions are a great way for kids to get involved in all kinds of sports, many of which they may not have had access to before. There is some incredible sporting talent up in Manchester, initiatives like this can help support the sporting stars of the future, or simply give kids an alternative to sitting in front of the TV during the Easter holidays.”

Anyone interested in taking part simply needs to pick up a leaflet from the checkouts at participating ASDA stores and then go to the website: www.asda-sportingchance.co.uk or call the Sporting Chance hotline on 0845 3666979 to find activity sessions local to them. Then all they have to do is call to book a place and take the vouchers along on the day.

Link4Life Managing Director, Craig McAteer said about the scheme: "The partnership with ASDA is an excellent way of reaching children who do not currently take part in any kind of sport outside school and we are delighted to be able to provide the free access to sessions that will help make this excellent initiative a success. I am sure this will be something that we will continue to develop with ASDA in the future."