Foundation Fitness Sportivate is a £56 million Lottery funded London 2012 legacy project that gives more young people the chance to discover a sport that they love. The programme gives 11-25 year-olds who are not particularly sporty access to six-to-eight weeks' of free or subsidised coaching in a range of sports. There’s a wide range of activities on offer Including judo, golf, tennis, wakeboarding, athletics, and parkor/free running. During the six-to-eight weeks those taking part can work towards an event or personal challenge and when the free or low-cost coaching has finished they will be supported to continue playing sport. Reason for project:- Following discussions with RFU, Wiltshire Council and WASP there was seen to be a possibility of partnership working between local Rugby Clubs and a Special Needs School. The plan was to offer fitness training to club members and associates of Chippenham RFC. All ages and abilities were welcome and therefore many parents, brothers and sisters were able to join in the sessions while players were having their training sessions. The sessions were predominantly based on circuit training. Details:- Fridays 6-7pm run from 5 July to 23 Aug for a 6 week period. Organisers:- Bath Rugby Foundation Fitness Location:- Chippenham Rugby Football Club, Allington fields, Frogwell Chippenham. Numbers of participants:- There were 16 people who participated in the 6 week sessions.
Description:- The 6 weeks delivery block of Foundation Fitness has been very successful. At the Bath Rugby foundation we introduced a ‘cash back scheme’ for the provision of fitness to Chippenham RFC. This provided an excellent incentive for participation as any funds taken will be used by the foundation to replicate a fitness session to children in a local disabled school (chosen by Chippenham RF Club). Additionally, when more than 10 people attended a session the extra revenue created is refunded back to the CRFC at the end of the 6 weeks block to help their club as they wish. The delivery of foundation fitness at the CRFC has created a valuable link to helping our local community and has provided CRFC and the foundation with the opportunity to create a partnership to the local special school where the foundation fitness delivery should begin this Autumn. A valuable connection to all involved. Delivering these sessions has also been very beneficial to myself as a fitness instructor. The diversity of the group in age and ability has required me to create versatile sessions that can be adapted accordingly. I have also learnt to Incorporate elements of competition and teamwork into the training allowing me to emphasize the importance of values such as loyalty, sportsmanship and camaraderie. As all participants greatly enjoyed the fitness sessions and with the incentive of helping the other as well as their own club, they have requested that we continue to deliver for another 6 week block. Coach:- Sophie Gover, Foundation Fitness Coordinator.