A look back at Sport and Leisure summer fun!

Summer fun travelled right around Orkney this summer, as more than 1200 local folk enjoyed activities laid on by the Council’s Sport and Leisure team.

The team planned and ran 154 sessions over the summer break period, attended by 1246 participants.

 These were: 

• One off sessions in the North isles, including fencing taster sessions with Orkney Fencing club and bikeability - with 61 folk taking part.
• Camps run by and with partner clubs and organisations, including Ross County FC, Netball Orkney and Orkney Rugby Football Club - with a whopping 485 benefitting from the 68 sessions. 
• Generation Pound activities which brought intergenerational feelgood and movement to 119 young people, across 11 sessions. 
• Stromness Pool sessions including Parent & Toddler, Flippers, Fun Sessions, Stepping Stones, Inflatables and Learn to swim - with 486 participating over ran 59 sessions. 
• Stromness Community Centre Arts, Crafts and games activities enjoyed by 48 folk over seven sessions.

The Council's Active Schools team visited three North Isles communities - Westray, Sanday and Stronsay - rolling out activities such as Rounders, Dodge ball and Boccia to 47 local youngsters.
 
Overall, the activities were attended by around 200 people per week. Most are offered are free, or free of charge with an ActiveLife membership. 
 
Active Schools Coordinator Kirsty Spence said the sessions on offer were well received: 
 
“Folks really got into the activities and had a lot of fun, which was great reward for all the planning. We hope they went away from our sessions feeling inspired to stay active and have fun with movement and competitive play right through the summer.” 
 
Gwenda Shearer is Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee: “Our Sport and Leisure team go above and beyond each year to offer lots of affordable opportunities for young people to keep active and connected during summer, so it is great to see such an enthusiastic uptake once again. 
 
“We couldn’t do this without the support of sportscotland for our Active School and Community Sports team who deliver the sessions on the ground with partners, and without the help of the many local sporting clubs who volunteer their time and assistance.” 
 
To find out more about the Active Schools and Community Sports Team in Orkney visit the Council website www.orkney.gov.uk