Young people aged between 9 and 18 were able to play sport for free this summer at different venues around the town, following a successful funding bid which allowed Hastings Council to provide Free Sports Passes.
The Free Sport Pass scheme was run as a pilot project in Broomgrove, Hollington, Gensing, Central St Leonards and Castle Wards and enabled young people to do whatever sport they wanted to at Summerfields, Hastings Tennis Centre, Hillcrest Leisure Centre and Horntye Park.
Over 2,000 passes were given out and young people were able to go swimming, play football, tennis, mini golf, basketball, badminton, table tennis and have a go at roller skating and trampolining – as often as they wanted to. There were over 3000 visits per week by young people to sports facilities and Summerfields Leisure Centre had to restrict entry to the pool because of the numbers visiting!
A website was set up to allow young people to keep informed about the scheme and any further special offers, and mail shots were also sent out. Many young people were making the most of the passes - going for a swim, then on to play basketball, followed by football, tennis and rounding off with mini-golf! Councillor John Humphries, Cabinet Member responsible for Community Participation, said:
"Finding young people things to do during the long summer holidays is a challenge for many parents."
"We want the Council to be as helpful as possible in meeting the leisure needs of young people."
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This page last updated: 15/10/2001