Sporting success at Weymouth

Thousands of people in Dorset are still enjoying the sporting benefits of the Olympic and Paralympic Games after rekindling or discovering a passion for sport at the sports arena on Weymouth beach during the Games.

Over 100,000 people visited the arena devised and delivered by Active Dorset County Sport Partnership and backed by Sport England during the Games.  Over 25 different sports were tried out including rugby union, rowing, boccia, and wheelchair basketball.

Wheelchair basketball taster sessions proved so successful that two new wheel chair basketball clubs are being created in the area for both disabled and non-disabled people.

Michael Dronyck from South Coast Tigers who ran the wheelchair basketball sessions on the beach said: “The live site was an outstanding success, the sessions started in the morning and never ceased until the end of the day. Everyone that had a go wanted more and I have received numerous requests to deliver more wheelchair basketball sessions.”

Rugby union has also seen an increase in interest since the finale of the sports arena. Weymouth Rugby Club who supported the delivery of rugby union on the beach found that over 600 people turned up at their open day allowing them to recruit new members, coaches and volunteers.

Every visitor to the sports arena has received follow-up information from the sports bodies that are running the sessions to help them find somewhere to carry on playing sport regularly, ensuring the legacy of the Games continues.

Visitors will also be surveyed after three and six months to determine the extent to which the great experience they had on the beach has translated into increased levels of participation.

Sport England’s Chairman Richard Lewis said: “The phenomenal success of the sports arena in Weymouth shows what a strong appetite for sport there is throughout the country post Games. I am pleased that wheelchair basketball has been such a hit with local people.”

Active Dorset Chief Executive Martin Kimberley said: “We are delighted to see all ages, genders, disabled and non-disabled people coming together to celebrate taking part in sport. So many people who admitted they didn’t think sport was for them have changed their minds and are now looking to get involved.  We have already seen a surge in applications for local clubs and are working to make sure everyone who came and had a great time is linked up with an appropriate local offer to continue their participation.”