“This is brilliant!” say Sportily kids

Published: Friday November 4, 2022

Group of children at a Sportily eventCome rain or shine, Sportily’s Sport and Faith Leaders are out and about, hosting a variety of sessions and activities for young people across Gloucestershire. From football to dance classes, there’s something for everyone.

During the last academic year, Sportily has delivered almost a thousand sessions, providing spaces for people of all ages to connect, discover sports, games and physical activity, explore faith and make friends.

Sportily recorded over 15,000 participations at those sessions, and if you really like numbers; 44% of those participations were primary school age and 27% secondary school age. 45% were female and almost half happened within a school context.

Behind every number was a person the team had the absolute privilege and pleasure to encounter, support and journey alongside.

From children who told them: “This was the best morning ever, I want to do it all again,” to those who got stuck in and learnt new skills such as shooting basketball hoops or hitting a target with a bow and arrow, those that asked, “How can I be a disciple of Jesus?” and those who simply shouted loud with joy on their face, “This is brilliant!”

Local schools and parishes are firmly behind Sportily’s mission to play sports and talk life. Sport and Faith Leader Nathan said of Innsworth Junior School: The openness of the school is a true highlight. They’re so warm and welcoming, and see me as another member of staff”.

From weekly sessions to day trips and residentials, Sportily is focused on providing a safe space for young people. Earlier in October, after months of planning, they ran a project with All Saints’ Chaplaincy Team at the Christian Adventure Centre Viney Hill for almost 50 Year 7 students. The young people enjoyed the day and said they felt peaceful and more bonded with their classes, and the teachers enjoyed being out of the classroom and connecting with their tutor groups away from the formal environment of school.

To find out more and book any of the sessions, head to the Sportily website. You can also now connect with them in local Facebook groups to keep up to date with what Team Sportily are doing in your area. Find the link to the Facebook groups on your local page on the Sportily website.

To receive their supporters’ news, sign up to the mailing list here: Join The Team | Sportily

As a Christian faith-based charity, they rely on generous individuals whose donations enable them to run our sports and activity clubs, camps, and communities. You can donate to support: Join The Team | Sportily or download their Please Support Sportily flyer.

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