SPORTA REPORT LOCAL TOUCH In this, the fourth part of our series exploring the work of sporta members across the
UK, we turn to the south-east of England, looking at how cultural and leisure trusts are using innovation to overcome challenges, build social cohesion and tackle inactivity
REWARDING ACTIVITY The free JSFC scheme has just
ORGANISATION Freedom Leisure
PROJECT Junior Summer Fitness Challenge
T
he Junior Summer Fitness Challenge (JSFC) run by Freedom Leisure encourages children to stay active during the long
summer holiday.
completed its second year, reaching into the community by inviting all local children aged four to 14 years to take part, not only those from families holding Freedom Leisure memberships. In fact, in 2012, just over 75 per cent of families involved were not Freedom Leisure members. Children receive a fitness diary in
which to record their fitness activities, which can be undertaken in a Freedom Leisure centre or elsewhere. While many choose to take part in activities at their local leisure centre, there’s no
obligation to do so: family walks and bike rides, football in the park and even washing the car all count as legitimate activities. However, all Freedom Leisure activities are offered for free. Each diary has 10 spaces to record a
chosen activity, which much be at least 30 minutes in duration. For every 10 activities completed, children receive a reward from their local Freedom Leisure centre, such as vouchers for return visits or small items of merchandise. Children are encouraged to complete 30 activities in total; some even reach 50 fitness sessions. In 2012, 89 per cent of participants
completed one or more activities at their local leisure centre as part of the scheme, and overall attendance at Freedom Leisure sites increased by 6 per cent across the period between July and September. Freedom Leisure partner with local
schools to promote the JSFC ahead of the summer holiday. New for 2013 was the hotly contested ‘Most Active School’ award, which promoted healthy teamwork as friends encouraged each other to sign up to boost their activity time. “As there are no barriers to entry,
all children in our community can take part in the JSFC,” says Richard Bagwell, Freedom Leisure group sports development manager. “By engaging both parents and children
in a wide range of activities, the JSFC scheme has a broad family appeal, while the wide choice of activities that can be done really helps to inspire these youngsters to stay active throughout the summer holiday.”
Young participants are awarded certificates, vouchers and small items of merchandise
78 Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital October 2013 © Cybertrek 2013
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