Fitness hits the streets in Leicester

Leicester City Council is taking its mobile health and fitness roadshow to the streets for the third year running in a bid to increase activity among the young people of the city.

Up to 25,000 11 to 19 year olds are the target of this year’s Sport on the Road campaign. Two full time coaches run the programme, leading courses at around 20 different venues every week, as well as attending events such as school fetes, open days and village fairs.

Each of the six-eight week courses takes place in schools, parks, leisure centres, community centres and even on the streets.

“We work with youth inclusion projects, the education sector and leisure centres,” says Sally Davis, Leicester City Council’s Sports Regeneration Manager. “It’s all about increasing participation and attracting children that wouldn’t usually be interested in exercise.”

The scheme reached 19,000 children in its first year and 22,000 in its second.

The council will use equipment such as ZigZag’s mobile Sportwall during the course to encourage children to get active.