Community News, Events and Information

Olympic Torch Event Norwich

We are excited to announce that the up to date information for the Olympic Torch Relay celebrations is now available on our cluster website on the events calendar. The dates are 4 and 5 July.  Please visit the website www.sprowstoncluster.co.uk for the information.  It is expected that the city will be extremely busy on those 2 days, so the council are advising people plan their visits well in advance, so we are lucky to be getting all the information as soon as it becomes available. As more information becomes available, the website will be constantly updated, so do keep visiting.

Vici Bailey ESCO (Extended Schools Coordinator)

Broadland Sports News February 2012

London 2012 Local Leaders Programme

The Local Leader programme is an opportunity for people in communities across the UK to celebrate the Games in their local areas. A Local Leader is someone that gets stuff done. They organise, they pull people together. They have a passion for the Games and want to celebrate. Local Leaders will get friends, family and neighbours ready to celebrate. From Gardening for the Games to planning a Sports Quiz or an Opening Night In. When they sign up they will get hints and tips to help them plan their celebrations, plus get access to exclusive toolkits closer to the Games. We want the whole of the UK to get involved and celebrate the Games together. It is the Local Leaders who will make this happen.  For more information and to sign up go to www.london2012.com/localleaders.

Pledge today, be inspired forever!  Be part of Norfolk’s support of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

A major initiative will be flying the flag for Norfolk people to get active and healthy inspired by the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympics Games. Pledge 2012 which launched at the start of November was created by Active Norfolk in association with Norfolk County Council, NHS Norfolk with support from media partners the Eastern Daily Press and BBC Radio Norfolk.

By visiting www.pledge2012.com, Norfolk residents can make a personal pledge to become more active and healthier in the lead up to the 2012 Games. Pledges can be anything you like as long as it is sport or health related, presents a challenge but is also achievable as well. It maybe that you pledge to take up a new sport, carry out more activities as a family, participate in a charity run or become a coach for young people in Norfolk.

Further motivation is that everyone who makes a pledge will be emailed their own unique numbered Pledge block.  The blocks will feature the photos and videos you upload with your pledges and your face will become part of Norfolk’s giant 2012 Flag. This will be unveiled in June, revealing an inspirational message of support for the Olympics.

Please visit www.pledge2012.com for more information and to make your personal pledge today!

Norfolk Dodgeball Academy

Norfolk Dodgeball Academy (NDA) is Norfolk’s first leading sports academy dedicated to the upcoming sport Dodgeball. At NDA, we aim to give participants the opportunity to develop first class skills in the country’s fastest growing sport. Dodgeball is a thrilling and fast sport which maintains a healthy lifestyle, and is a recommend sport of The British Heart Foundation. Not only is it a benefit physically, it is excellent from a social perspective. Different age groups are to be developed based on demand, and a county squad is set to be developed depending on the successful growth of the sport in other counties. 

The academy is due to launch at the start of March and is aiming to run within the Norwich area.  For further information please contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

On your marks for Norfolk’s School Games

Every school in Norfolk is being encouraged to be part of the School Games which will take place on the 18th and 19th of June.

The School Games are a unique opportunity to motivate and inspire millions of young people across the country to take part in more competitive sport. Sport England is investing up to £35.5 million of National Lottery funding in the School Games up to 2015.

Designed across four levels, for both primary and secondary pupils, the School Games offer a fantastic opportunity for all young people to compete in intra-school, inter-school and regional competitions.  Top athletes could go on to compete at a major national multi-sport event, hosted in 2012 at the Olympic Park in London. The School Games are fully inclusive, with a focus on encouraging participation in competitive sport across the spectrum of abilities and experience.

The Norfolk School Games will hopefully see 1960 young people competing in 19 sports and we are looking to engage every school in Norfolk. Schools can sign up to www.yourschoolgames.com  

As an added incentive, schools can use their participation in the School Games to help qualify for London 2012 Ticketshare tickets. 100,000 tickets are available for schools through the London 2012 Get Set Network.

Laurie Hull, Director of Active Norfolk said: “The School Games will be a real sporting legacy for young people of Norfolk from London's 2012 games. The competition will use the inspiration of 2012 to transform competitive sport in schools and get more young people playing sport, long after next summer. We would like Norfolk to get as many Schools as possible to be involved and are urging schools to register so as not to miss out on this great sporting opportunity.”

Louise Gear, Head of Development at the Youth Sport Trust said: “Competitive sport can play such a crucial role in the development of young people.  It teaches them a range of life skills - from confidence and self esteem to respect and friendship - all of which will support them as they continue to progress through school and on to future careers.  I hope those who will be competing in Norwich achieve their very best and enjoy being part of such a great event.”

For more information about any of the items above please contact Maria Alborough, Sports Development Officer, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 01603 430570.

Get Into an Active Lifestyle...

Get Into courses are for participants aged 18 years old and above. Do you ever wish you could get into that active lifestyle?

Whether you want to start playing your favourite sport again, try out a new one or just get more active, Get Into is offering you this chance. The courses give you the opportunity to take up sport or physical activity in your local area in a friendly, social and non-competitive environment.

All Get Into sessions are delivered by qualified and experienced coaches!

Download a copy of the course programme for February 2012 (pdf, 212Kb)

Broadland Sports News November 2011

Marriott’s Way 10k Race and Corporate Challenge

The race and corporate challenge will be back early October 2012. More details to follow in the New Year.

Sportivate – New courses for Spring 2012

Sportivate is a nationwide campaign that aims to provide new sporting opportunities for teenagers and young adults to receive coached or lead sessions. The four year project commenced in April 2011 and is working with local authorities, national governing bodies, sports clubs, schools and workplaces.

As part of the Sportivate programme Broadland Council are offering courses in Golf, Badminton, Tenpin Bowling and Spinning for those aged 18 - 25 years old.  Places are limited and will be offered on a first come first served basis.

Sportivate Golf

Where: Sprowston Manor, Wroxham Road, Norwich NR7 8RP
When: 6:30pm – 7:30pm, Monday 13th, 20th and 27th February, 5th, 12th and 19th March.
Cost: £10.00 for six sessions (normally £50.00)

Learn the full fundamental set-up, full swing analysis and use of the irons and the woods. All equipment will be provided.

Funding for netball, cycling, running, canoeing and lacrosse

A total of £3.5 million has been awarded to British Cycling, England Netball, Canoe England, the English Lacrosse Association and to County Sport Partnerships working with England Athletics. The additional investment will boost grassroots programmes and deliver a lasting legacy beyond the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. For more information go to http://www.sportengland.org/media_centre/press_releases/legacy_investment_boost.aspx

To book and for more information contact Maria Alborough, 01603 430570, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or go to Broadland District Council - Sportivate

The Village Games - Has your village got what it takes?

The Village Games are coming back in 2012, so why not get your village involved? With 88 Villages competing across 6 district finals in 2011 Active Norfolk are in search of more Villages to get involved and compete.

Active Norfolk are offering villages the chance to hold Free taster sessions to give village’s the chance to try a range of sports whilst offering local clubs a chance to promote themselves. You may be lucky enough that ‘Olly the Elephant’ Norfolk’s Official Olympic Mascot may make an appearance in your village for local events and activities.

Villages can join together with neighbouring villages or compete on their own. Active Norfolk will host the Village games in districts around the county with the Broadland Village Games taking place on 24th June 2012 with the best villages winning through to the County final to rival the London 2012 Olympic Games themselves on 15th July 2012!

To find out more about the Village Games or to register your village’s interest visit www.activenorfolk.org/villagegames or contact Aaron Roberts on 07901 588270 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sport Makers

Sport Makers is one strand of Sport England’s Olympic legacy programme. It is an initiative that aims to capture the excitement around the Olympic Games and use it to encourage those over sixteen years of age to make sport happen in their community.

Prospective Sport Makers will attend a two hour workshop organised by Active Norfolk, to inform and enthuse them on the Olympic values and the type of roles that they might like to undertake.

Sport Makers will sign up to a website (www.sportmakers.co.uk) at which they can book on to a workshop, browse deployment opportunities and record their hours volunteered. Having completed the workshop the Sport Maker will receive some free Adidas kit and once they have complete the 10 hours they will be entered in to a draw for Olympic tickets (we are also looking to add more rewards locally)

The voluntary work can take many forms from very informal e.g. organising sport between friends to the more formal setting of a sports club or mass participation event. There is an emphasis that you do not need to be ‘sporty’ to be a Sport Maker.  This offers the volunteer a tangible opportunity to be part of ensuring an Olympic Legacy in Norfolk. It also offers a great chance to give something back to the community, gain experience in working in sport, meet new people and the great thing about Sport Makers is that you can choose which sport you want to volunteer in, which role you want to volunteer in and even who you want to make sport happen for.

Olympic Torch

Aylsham and Acle have been announced as being on the route for the running of the Olympic Torch next July.  On 4th and 5th July, the Olympic Flame will be run through Norfolk - providing residents with a chance to experience Olympic excitement firsthand and support the achievements of some of the individuals who have been selected to be Torchbearers.  Work has began with the communities to celebrate the arrival on the torch next summer.

For more information about any of the items above please contact Maria Alborough, Sports Development Officer, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 01603 430570.

Employ-Able: The free package for unemployed residents in Broadland

Tuesday, 19 July 2011 00:00

Broadland Council Training Services (BCTS) are offering all unemployed Broadland residents assistance to help them return to work.  The Employ-Able project is ideal for you if you need some extra support in applying for jobs or getting through the interview process.

This package includes:

• A free half-day course in Employability Training where you receive valuable advice and guidance in CV building, application form tips and interview techniques.
• Access to 2 courses from the standard BCTS training programme for a reduced rate of only £10.00 each.
• Two free one hour one to one coaching sessions.

All courses/coaching sessions take place at the Broadland District Council offices in Thorpe St Andrew.  Information on our range of courses can be found at www.broadland.gov.uk/trainingcourses  For further details please contact BCTS on freephone 0800 3891113 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Norfolk Older People’s Strategic Partnership - Older People’s Day - 1 October 2011

Saturday, 16 July 2011 00:00

Norfolk Older People’s Strategic Partnership was launched in 2007 to ensure that older people right across Norfolk receive the services relevant to them and which they need to help them remain living independently in the community. The Partnership also works to improve joint working between different partner organisations.

The 1 October is Older People’s Day and Norfolk Older People’s Strategic Partnership would like to invite your organisation to get involved in celebrating Older People’s Day in Norfolk. To enable more organisations to take part in 2011 we are celebrating Older People’s Day from 26th September to the 8 October.

If you are planning any activities or events to celebrate Older People’s Day then please get in touch with us and let us know what you are going to do. Please contact Jan Holden, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   For more information about Older People’s day in the UK and for a toolkit of resources and ready made ideas to help you plan an activity or an event then look at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/ageing-society/full-of-life/

Active Norfolk Coaching Bursaries.

Active Norfolk has 3 coaching bursaries; Village Games Bursary, Disability Coach Bursary and Performance Coach Bursary available to coaches in the county.  For more information go to Active Norfolk - Coach Development Funding or contact Ian Grange, Coaching Development Manager, 01603 731568 or 07785 724967 for more information.

Information for Clubs working with Volunteers

Volunteering England have launched a readable guide to legal issues for volunteer managers. This publication is the first of its kind dedicated to volunteering. Valuable for large and small organisations alike, Volunteers and the Law covers all the main areas of concern including expenses, benefits, criminal record checks, health and safety, data protection and avoiding creating employment contracts.  To view the publication go to Volunteers and the Law.

Fit Together

Fit Together is an exciting project in Norfolk to encourage greater levels of sport and physical activity.  With the main focus of the project around our health walks programme, Fit Together is not only great to become active but also socially too. In Broadland we have over 75 walks of varying distances and locations planned for the next programme from May to August for you to get involved in. For more information please visit www.activenorfolk.org/fittogether. Programmes are available by request to Active Norfolk (01603 732333) or you can pick one up from most GP surgeries, pharmacies, libraries, community centres and post offices.

Funding Available for Organisations in Norfolk

Sportivate is a nationwide campaign funded through the National Lottery that aims to capture the enjoyment of sport, providing the chance for teenagers and young adults to participate in 6 weeks of coaching or lead sessions.  Funding is available to cover a variety of aspects of project delivery including venue hire, coach and volunteer costs. 

If you would be interested in working with Active Norfolk to run some Sportivate sessions for young people aged 14-25, please contact Katie Tierney on 01603 731569 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   for further information and to receive a Sportivate fact sheet.