Council launches school summer holiday programme of sport and play sessions

The Summer Sport 2024 programme gives youngsters the chance to try a new sport or develop skills under the guidance of a qualified coach, while the council's Play Rangers bring free outdoor play sessions to the borough's parks throughout the school break.

And the council's sport and recreation team celebrate next month's National Play Day with a major free event at Whitehall Recreation Ground.

The starting pistol for Summer Sport fires next Wednesday (24 July) with a new addition to this year's programme - cheerleading.

The two-day cheerleading camp, hosted by ROAR! Cheer, gives youngsters of all abilities the chance to learn the basics before trying out more advanced moves and routines.

Summer Sport also includes table tennis sessions at the Hill Street Centre, a course at Draycote Water to introduce youngsters to sailing, and bowls sessions at Thornfield Indoor Bowls Club.

A Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) coach holds court at Harris Academy Sports Centre for a tennis training camp, while a Professional Golf Association (PGA) coach tees off a three-day training course at the Leam Valley Golf Centre.

The sporting programme also features a cricket course at Newbold-on-Avon Cricket Club, an archery training camp at Thornfield Indoor Bowls Club and a horse riding school at Grandborough's Woodbine Stables.

Costs apply to all Summer Sport sessions. For more information, and to book places online, visit www.rugby.gov.uk/summersport

The council's Play Rangers have free sessions lined-up at parks across the borough throughout the school summer holiday.

Sessions take place at Long Lawford's King George V Field every Monday, Millennium Green (Craven Road) and Hillmorton Recreation Ground (Featherbed Lane) on Tuesdays, Addison Road Recreation Ground on Wednesdays, Jubilee Recreation Ground (Bridle Road) and Whitehall Recreation Ground on Thursdays, and Whinfield Recreation Ground and Caldecott Park on Fridays.

And on Wednesday 7 August, the Play Rangers join forces with the sport and recreation team to host a free National Play Day celebration at Whitehall Recreation Ground, featuring inflatables, a climbing wall, den-building, circus workshops, an obstacle course and lots, lots more.

For more information on the Play Rangers' programme of summer play, visit www.rugby.gov.uk/summerplay

Cllr Maggie O'Rourke, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for partnerships and wellbeing, said: "Our summer sport and play programme offers plenty of opportunities to get outdoors and active during the school holiday, from qualified sports coaching to weekly, free structured play sessions in the borough's parks.

"With the free National Play Day celebration also taking place next month, we're looking forward to a busy summer of fun in Rugby."

Cllr Neil Sandison, Rugby Borough Council's Liberal Democrat group spokesperson for partnerships and wellbeing, added: "It's great to see our traditional recreation grounds and bowling facilities offering a new generation of young people the opportunity to try out games and sports this summer.

"Come and try out these events for the first time, is our message."