Oct 12, 2018 | ActivSports
The 40 participants competed in a variety of adapted sports including kurling, boccia, badminton, short-mat bowls, petanque, short tennis and table tennis. “By ‘adapted sports’ we mean sports, or versions of sports, that have been changed to make them more accessible to a wider range of people”, explained Mike McCarthy, Everyday Activ-Ipswich Project Manager. “The ActivLives ‘Everyday Activ’ programme, is all about making it possible for more people to get involved in sport and physical activity, even those who think that sport isn’t for them.”
“The Games have been a great success, with a lovely atmosphere created by the participants, who really got into the spirit of things.”
ActivLives would like to thank all of the participants and particularly the great volunteers who helped to make this event happen.
The Everyday Activ-Ipswich initiative is an ActivLives programme which is a partnership with Ipswich Borough Council. New sessions are about to be added to the autumn programme including kurling, yoga and low impact exercise and games.
If you would like to find out more about the Everyday Activ sessions and how to get involved, please contact ActivLives on 01473 345350 or email at mike@activlives.org.uk
May 8, 2018 | ActivSports
The Special Olympics Eastern Region Badminton Tournament, which is being organised by Special Olympics Suffolk with the support of ActivLives and the Suffolk County Council ‘Most Active County’ initiative, will be held in Ipswich on Saturday 12th May.
“Special Olympics is sport for athletes with an intellectual disability and is the third element of the Olympic movement together with the
Paralympics and of course the Olympics themselves”, said Terry
McEntee, Chairman of Special Olympics Suffolk.
“This tournament will provide a great opportunity for our players in
Suffolk to compete against Special Olympians from across the country”, said Mike McCarthy from ActivLives and Special Olympics Suffolk.
The tournament, which will be a doubles competition, will serve as one of the last opportunities for selected players to prepare for the Special Olympics GB Anniversary Games which are being held in Stirling, Scotland this August.
The forthcoming competition in Ipswich will be restricted to players who are registered with Special Olympics GB, “We would love to get more
Special Olympic badminton players involved across our county”, said
Mike.
If you would like to find out more about how you can play badminton with Special Olympics Suffolk, please contact Mike McCarthy on 01473
345350 or email mike@activlives.org.uk
Mar 12, 2018 | ActivLives, ActivSports
ActivLives has re-scheduled the Showcase Event that it is holding at the Salvation Army Priory Centre, Queen’s Way, Ipswich IP3 9EX. The original event had to be postponed due to the recent snow, the new date is now Thursday 22nd March.
The event, which is being held between 10.30am-2.00pm, is targeted at anyone over the age of 45 (there is no upper age limit!), and who would like to get involved with some accessible physical and sports activity.
The programme will include a variety of tasters including New Age Kurling, Ping Pong, New Age Bowls, Yoga and the Paralympic sport of Boccia.
There will be a yoga taster class in the morning and a Boccia demonstration from local GB Paralympian, Evie Edwards in the afternoon.
“We would encourage anyone who would like to have a go at something new, to come along”, said Mike McCarthy, ActivIpswich Project Manager. “This is inclusive physical activity that anyone can get involved with, you definitely do not need to be ‘sporty’ to enjoy getting active!”
All of the sports and activities at this event can be carried out either seated or standing, including the yoga taster.
This free event is being held in a fully accessible venue and includes a light buffet lunch. If you would like to book your place and lunch, please call ActivLives on 01473 345350.
If you would like to know more about any of the programmes that are offered by ActivLives, please call 01473 345350 or have a look on the website at www.activlives.org.uk
Dec 1, 2017 | ActivSports
The Third ‘ActivLives Community Games’ were held recently at the Gainsborough Sports Centre in Ipswich, targeted at people over the age of 50, who don’t currently take part in regular sports activity.
The participants competed in a variety of adapted sports including kurling, boccia, badminton, bowls, short tennis and table tennis. “Most of the sports were offered in a taster format with a competition element added to them as well”, explained Mike McCarthy, ActivIpswich Project Manager.
“The Games have shown to be a great success, the support has been tremendous with over 50 participants coming from across the Ipswich area to take part. Events such as this help to demonstrate that there is a real appetite amongst this age group to get involved with sport and physical activity opportunities that are enjoyable, engaging and not too serious! The atmosphere has been absolutely brilliant.”
ActivLives would like to thank all of the participants who helped to make it a really enjoyable day. Particular thanks go to Roger Osborne, ActivLives Patron, and Evie Edwards, GB Paralympic Boccia player, for presenting the medals and for their continued support for the work of ActivLives. “We very much appreciate the support of Evie and Roger at events such as this. Their own passion for sport is obvious and it serves to inspire others”, added Mike.
The ActivIpswich initiative is a partnership between ActivLives and Ipswich Borough Council and is supported by Sport England and the National Lottery. It is designed to encourage older adults to get involved (or to get back involved), in sport and physical activity.
If you would like to find out more about the ActivIpswich project and how to get involved, please contact ActivLives on 01473 345350 or email mike@activlives.org.uk
