FROM dodgeball to snorkelling, hundreds of Tameside residents swapped their usual Saturday routines for something more active when Active Copley in Stalybridge hosted a Festival of Sport and Wellbeing.
Around 550 people of all ages turned up to try a wide mix of indoor, outdoor and water-based activities, with many more family members and friends coming along to watch, relax in the café and soak up the atmosphere.
The idea was simple: give people a chance to try activities they might not normally consider, all under one roof.
Gavin Browne, Active Tameside’s Head of Active Education, said the turnout exceeded expectations.
“It was a brilliant day. It’s not something we’ve done for a long time, so it was fantastic to see we had about 550 people actually taking part in the activities,” he said.
“In fact, it was probably more than that with parents and other visitors soaking up the atmosphere around the centre and in the café. It was exactly what we wanted.”
The day started with a group warm-up before moving into a packed programme. Children and teenagers could try sports including cricket, tennis, karate, archery and fencing, while other sessions included boccia, curling, yoga and relaxation classes.
There were also adaptive bikes for disabled riders, activities for young children, and even a pony petting patch outside. Older participants took part in virtual spin classes in the studio.
Local clubs were heavily involved, with swimming, snorkelling and underwater hockey groups running taster sessions. The day finished with a performance from the Titans dance troupe.
Elsewhere in Tameside that same day, a smaller women-only wellbeing event took place at Active Oxford Park in Ashton. Twenty-five women joined in activities ranging from Tai chi to cooking classes and health checks.
Jennifer Thompson, Live Active Manager, said the session created a welcoming space for women to build confidence.
“It was a great opportunity for our visitors to meet like-minded women and try something new in a fun, supportive and welcoming environment.
“But it was also an opportunity to gather feedback on what activities they would like to see in Oxford Park and the surrounding area – so we’ll be starting a women’s only walk from Oxford Park in March, and we’re also planning on opening a community cafe in the summer.”
With the strong turnout in Stalybridge, more “have-a-go” days across the borough could soon follow.