The Shepway Sports Trust launched its ‘Active 50’ programme, on Friday last week, which has been designed to encourage older members of the community back into sport and physical activity. I was delighted to attend a special event, at the Three Hills Sports centre in Folkestone where people were invited to try out and sign up for a whole range of activities, from swimming and dancing to the new craze of walking football. Over 250 local residents attended this event to find out more about the Sports Trust’s ‘Active 50’ programme; some of whom are already active, and others who were taking the first step back after a few years out. The physical benefits of sport are well known in terms of health, and in particular for combatting heart disease and conditions like type 2 diabetes. However, it is also understood that the social interaction which is fundamental to many activities, from team sports to distance walking groups, is of great benefit to health, particularly in older people. Social isolation often leads to further physical and mental health problems as people age.
When we were at school, we were often encouraged to view sport as something you do if you want to one-day become an elite athlete. Whilst the dedication and talent of a few students will make this dream a reality, for most of us sport should be seen as a lifelong activity where our ambition is to be better, rather than necessarily the best. The creation of the Active 50 programme also underlines the great work that is being done by Laurence HIckmott and his team at the Shepway Sports Trust. The Trust is supported by Sir Roger De Haan’s charity, with the purpose of connecting schools and the rest of the community with the sports infrastructure that exists in the district. The Trust has also invested in that infrastructure directly, most notably in creating the Three Hills Sports centre, but also with a wide range of grants that have been made to local sports clubs. Whilst having great sports facilities helps to increase levels of participation, we also have to make sure that they are open and accessible to local people, and the Trust does important work in this area supporting residents of all ages.
I am also looking forward to the opening of the new extreme sports centre in Tontine Street, which has also been funded by the Roger De Haan Charitable Trust. The centre will combine a multi-storey skateboard and BMX park, with other sports like climbing and boxing. Whilst the construction of the centre will now not be completed until next year, it will be well worth the wait. This is a unique and world leading facility that combined with other local sports centres, will give our area access to a great range of facilities. We also need further investment in sports infrastructure elsewhere in the district, and in particular in Hythe where a new swimming pool is now badly needed. I am pleased that Shepway Council is progressing with its plans to deliver this.