Success With Sport Hampshire & IOW's Return to Sport Initiative

Leading the way forward with an innovative scheme designed to encourage adults back into activity, the Sport Hampshire & IOW Return to Sport programme started earlier this year and so far has seen almost 3,000 adults back into sport.

Said Jamie Burton, Sport and Youth Development Officer at New Forest District Council about their involvement in the Poulner Netball league - one of the results of the Return to Netball programme:

"It's fantastic to see these women taking part in the Poulner Netball League. This is exactly what the Return to Sport programme is designed to do, allow people to get back into a sport that they enjoy, in an environment where there is no pressure.

New Forest District Council and Sport Hampshire & IOW Core Team have been working hard to offer opportunities for everyone to get involved in sport. This group have obviously enjoyed the feeling of playing again so much that they want to play against other teams.

We have got a number of different Return to Sport sessions around the district. If people haven't tried a particular sport for a while or want to give it a go for the first time, this is a great way to get involved. They may realise what they have been missing!"

Everyone knows that exercise is good for you but for many this isn't enough. A lot of people benefit from the motivation that organised activity provides, but for those that may not have played sport since their school days, the idea of joining a local club can be daunting with concerns about being good enough and remembering how to play.

While many people enjoy exercise, for others it can be a chore unless the focus is less on getting fit, and more on having fun and meeting new people. For many, it is the social aspect of exercise that is enjoyed rather than the activity itself.

The Hampshire County Council funded Return to Sport initiative aimed to address these issues by providing an opportunity for adults to get back into the sport they may not have played for a number years, or to try out a new sport in a safe, friendly and social environment. Return to Sport targets individuals who want a more social approach to exercise, but who may not feel ready or able to join a local sports club. It is also a great opportunity for people to try out a new sport.

The Return to Women's Football programme in Rushmoor has been run by Sport Hampshire & IOW Core Team and Partners: Hampshire Football Association and Rushmoor Borough Council. Said Kathryn Holland, Football Development Officer:

"With women's football growing ever more popular, the Return to Sport initiative has been an ideal opportunity to get involved. The course was designed for players to familiarise themselves with the rules and playing positions of the game and provide opportunities to meet other likeminded people. The emphasis was on fun, friendship, social training and getting fit with coaches on hand to offer advice."

Said Sharon Hall, Return to Sport Programme Manager at Sport Hampshire & IOW (the County Sports Partnership for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight): 'People are living increasingly more sedentary lives and becoming less active. We developed the Return to Sport initiative as a means to encourage participation and to promote exercise as a fun and social activity. Sport Hampshire & IOW recognises that for many exercise is a means to an end - a way to get fit or loose weight. We wanted to bring the fun aspect back and provide opportunities for everyone to get involved.

'For a lot of us, after leaving school we stop playing sport and the longer we go without that netball or football match, the harder it is to get back into the game. The intention of the Return to Sport initiative was to make it very easy for people to get back into sport or to try something new. Each programme offered professional coaching and was available for all ability levels from complete beginners to the more experienced player. Return to Sport programmes have been running in badminton, netball, running, swimming, touch rugby and women's football all over Hampshire.'

After finishing a Return to Sport course, participants have been invited to join local clubs to continue with the sport or have been able to join a Return to Sport continuation course.'

To date the Return to Sport initiative in Hampshire has enabled 2,744 people to get back into sport and to benefit from regular exercise. 156 people have return to netball, 105 to badminton, 12 to football, 492 to touch rugby, 152 to running and 1,827 to swimming in a number of Return to Sport courses that have been taken place throughout Hampshire.

Said Colin Robertson who took part on the Badminton Return to Sport course: 'I last played badminton at school. Return to Sport gave the initiative and boost I required to pick up my racquet again. Initially my skills were a bit rusty but after two months of weekly coaching and playing I have greatly improved. This has given me the confidence to continue to regularly play and to join a badminton club.'

With obesity levels rising and people becoming less active, this initiative is one that offers a different approach to exercise and breaks down some of the barriers to participation. If you'd like more information about the programme please go to the website www.returntosport.co.uk.