Express & Star

Rio Olympics 2016: Get involved in huge sports day celebrating the achievements of Team GB

To mark the heroic return of Team GB from the Rio Olympics leisure centres throughout the Black Country and Staffordshire will be taking part in the nation's biggest ever free sports day.

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I Am Team GB will see sports centres and clubs offer a host of activities for free on Saturday, August 27, in an initiative organised by The National Lottery and ITV, and supported by the British Olympic Association, UK Sport and Join In.

Among those opening their doors for free is the City of Wolverhampton Council's WV Active leisure centres.

Free swimming will be on offer at WV Active Central between 8am and 4pm, and at WV-Active Bilston-Bert Williams from 9am to 1pm. Meanwhile visitors to WV Active Aldersley can use the track for free from 9am to 1pm and the velodrome from 1pm to 5pm. To take advantage of the offer, quote 'I Am Team GB' when booking.

Elsewhere in Wolverhampton, Albert Lawn Tennis Club is offering free tennis coaching and play from 10am to 6pm, Linden Lea Tennis Club is holding an open day from 10am to 4pm and Tettenhall Tennis Club has a family fun day from 12.30pm to 4pm.

There will be a British Military Fitness session at Bantock Park from 9.30am to 10.30am, the chance to try out bowls, karate, snooker, tennis and table tennis at Woodfield Sports and Social Club from 10am to 4pm, bowls at the Express & Star Bowling Club on Danescourt Road in Tettenhall, from 10am to 4pm, and football at Goals on Darlaston Lane in Bilston, from 9.30am to 10.30am. Wombourne Bowls Club on Church Road is also holding a taster session for people of all ages to try out crown green bowls from 10.30am to 1.30pm.

The Black Country triathletes are offering an introduction to the triathlon at Wombourne Leisure Centre from 1pm to 5pm, and Firewalker Fitness and Martial Arts is holding a free Thai boxing session for young beginners from noon to 1pm at its Salisbury Street base.

People can also take part in the popular Wolverhampton parkrun, which takes place at West Park every Saturday at 9am.

Councillor Paul Sweet, Wolverhampton Council's cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: "It is great that so many sporting organisations in Wolverhampton are getting behind 'I Am Team GB', and giving people the chance to have a go at activities for free.

"Sport brings communities closer together and we are immensely proud to be part of this nationwide celebration."

Staff and members at Dudley Leisure Centre preparing for the I am Team GB sports day with councillor Khurshid Ahmed.

In the Dudley borough on Saturday visitors to The Dell Stadium in Brierley Hill will be able to benefit from free use of the eight lane athletics track from 10am to 1pm, as well as the 25m lane swimming pool at the Crystal Leisure Centre in Stourbridge from 7.45am to 5pm.

Dudley Leisure Centre will also be offering adult and family swimming from 9am to 11am and public swimming from 11am to 2.30pm.

Two of those who will be making the most of this are friends Angela Gardiner and Lorraine Millington, who go swimming together at the leisure centre three times a week. Seventy-year-old Angela, who lives on Kingswinford Road in Dudley, said: "It is brilliant how well we have done at the Olympics. I enjoyed watched the two divers win their gold medals.

"This event will be great to get more people coming along to the leisure centre. I told another friend about it who is a member but never goes, and she is going to join us. My grand-daughter comes along for the swimming too, and I see my grandson when he goes with his school."

Lorraine who is 59 and lives in Gornal added: "I think anything that gets more people involved in sport is a good idea. I have been watching the Olympics when I can, and obviously I have enjoyed the swimming!"

There will also be drop-in taster sessions in volleyball and badminton available from 10am to 2pm at Dudley Leisure Centre, suitable for all the family.

Halesowen Leisure Centre will be offering lane swimming from 8am to 1.30pm and family swimming from 1.30pm to 4.30pm, as well as table tennis and squash courts which can be booked for hour-long slots from 8am to 4.30pm, with all equipment provided.

Group fitness classes including zumba, circuits and spinning will be running from noon to 5pm for non-members, and Halesowen's Lifestyles gym will be hosting an open day which will include a mini induction on at least three items of equipment.

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member responsible for leisure centres, said: "It's been so inspiring to watch Team GB competing in the Rio Olympics and achieving the highest ever medal total for a foreign hosted games.

"I hope that people will join us in celebrating their success and take part in the'I am Team GB' sports day, whether it is at the running track, a zumba class or swimming."

In Walsall there will be a free, friendly, timed 5km run starting at the Arboretum which is open to runners, joggers and walkers of all ages and abilities.

A leisurely Pelsall family cycle ride will start at 9.30am from Victoria Road. The majority of this ride is off road and will include a cafe stop. It is open to all ages but under 16's must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

The facilities at Fitness First Walsall Wood on Lichfield Road will also be open for all to use for free.

Cheslyn Hay Tennis Club is holding an open session from 9.30am to 12.30pm, for those of any level aged five and upwards.

In Stafford a special event is taking place to encourage people to take up crown green bowls.

The borough council is supporting organisers by allowing them to use facilities at the town's Rowley Park Sports Stadium for free.

Leading the event will be Andy Cowan, a qualified British Crown Green Bowling Association coach and referee.

Newcomers to bowls of all ages are encouraged to take part from 10am to 4pm, free of charge. Bowls will be available to those turning up, but participants will need to wear flat shoes.

Councillor Mike Smith, cabinet member for leisure at Stafford Borough Council, said: "The health and wellbeing of our borough is one of the Council's top priorities and so we're delighted to support an event like this.

"Bowls is a popular sport but this is a great way to introduce it to people who may not have played before."

You can also have a try at Stafford Volleyball Club on Wildwood Drive in Stafford, between 10am and 4pm.

At Milford Common people can see the Stafford Road Club in action, meet the volunteers behind the cycling club, and find out how to get involved.

Chase Leisure Centre in Cannock will be offering free trampolining from 11am to 1pm, inclusive cycling from noon to 2pm, and archery from 1pm to 5pm.

For more information visit www.iamteamgb.com

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