Sport Makers and Active Universities launch at Staffordshire University

Staffordshire University hosted the launch of two dynamic sport programmes to encourage thousands into sport.

The combined launch of Sport Makers and Active Universities took place at the Sir Stanley Matthews Sport Centre and aims to increase sport participation across Staffordshire.

The Active Universities is a three year programme which aims to engage non-active students in Staffordshire with an array of sport sessions and activities.

Arron Dunn, a Staffordshire University Sports Development and Coaching graduate, will lead the Active Universities programme as Sports Engagement Co-ordinator.

Arron said: “As a recent graduate I understand the social life of a student and what attracts them. This will help me to engage with current students and deliver activities they will enjoy and want to get involved in especially in the lead up to London 2012.

“We aim to attract the estimated 2,000 non-active students between the two universities and moving on in the future we want to achieve a number of sport groups run by students for students, encouraging involvement not just in sport but also in running their own programmes.”

Students can take part in taster sessions for individual sports; block sessions involving trying different sports over a period of 6-8 weeks or for those looking for competition in leagues and tournaments.

Speaking at the launch, Staffordshire University’s Head of Sport & Exercise, Nigel Thomas said: “Developing further partnerships with Sports Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent (SASSOT) and Keele University has enabled us to secure significant investment to develop the Active Universities programme.”

In a combined launch Sport England and SASSOT officially opened the national lottery funded programme, Sport Makers, to inspire over 800 people in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to volunteer their time to organise and lead sport activities.

Each volunteer on the Sport Maker programme will undertake a workshop hosted by SASSOT and placed with organisations who need the greatest help in Staffordshire.

Chair of SASSOT Executive Board and Staffordshire University graduate, Laurence O'Neil said:

“On the back of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games we wish to inspire promote sport and activity in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

“The aim through our partnership is to provide our communities with the opportunity to get out of their homes and take part in physical activity and provide the people to help make that happen.”

To make your mark in sport across Staffordshire or if you are an organisation that needs extra support in running activities you can register for the Sport Maker programme online.