Community Games
Keep the spirit of the Games alive
Community Games is a great opportunity to bring your community together to take part in sporting and cultural activities inspired by, and in celebration of, the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Community Games are run by, and for, local communities (a street, estate, faith group, school, residents association, business, village or simply groups of like-minded people).
“In 2012 Community Games provided a wonderful and unique opportunity for over 1,600 communities from all backgrounds right across the country to come together and create their own Olympic or Paralympic moment. But the good news is that the Community Games program is continuing and will give communities the chance to celebrate in 2013 and beyond”, explained program ambassador, and former Olympic athlete, David Moorcroft OBE. “Community Games offer something for everyone. You don’t have to be sporty to take part – they are just as much about celebrating cultural achievement as sporting endeavour”.
Last year’s Farnham Community Games event was a huge success. “On the day we had 31 sports clubs and over 1,000 people taking part. The feedback from the event was truly amazing. The archery club for example had a queue all afternoon and they had 58 people registering that they would like to do more in future”, explained David Gill, event organiser. “It seems to me that we have created an opportunity and catalyst for more people take part in sport and active lifestyles, which is just fantastic”.
Community Games events can be as big or as small as your community likes! Last summer the Chantrys and Byworth Community Association organised a Community Games event for the Chantrys estate and surrounding areas. Participants took part in football skills, karate, crafts and other activities. Games Organiser Tracey Thayre said “the event bought a lot of people out on the day and it was great to get people together in the summer holidays".
Attend your local event
There are Community Games events already planned across Surrey including in Caterham, Banstead, Reigate and Cranleigh. Visit the website to find your local event.
Organise your own event
Local groups can access the Community Games toolkit containing a wealth of valuable information and tips for organising an event (large or small) plus a range of other free resources including t-shirts, bunting, bespoke posters and postcards and £200 start-up grants. Free training is also available to help volunteers to organise and market a successful event.
Support and advice can be obtained from Surrey’s Community Games Coordinator, Katie Gatt by emailing katie.gatt@ymcaredhill.com or telephoning 01737 779979.
Active Surrey's Director, Campbell Livingston, comments, “The support on offer from Reigate and Redhill YMCA will allow anyone who wants to organise an event, or enhance an existing one, to get their friends, family and neighbours involved and more active whilst having fun this summer”.
Guidance on the Community Games and Application form for £200 grant
