'˜Join in'sportsweekendsays MP

The first weekend after the Olympics - on August 18 and 19 - and before the Paralympics, will be the weekend to turn up, take part, join in and support your local sports clubs.

Seb Coe has said: “Millions will be inspired by what they witness over the summer and I hope this creates opportunities in every community for people to join in their local sports clubs.”

Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, is now calling on local sports clubs to sign up for a new project designed to get hundreds of thousands of people across the UK to join in local sport during a weekend that will give an Olympic and Paralympic boost to sports clubs across the whole of the UK.

The ‘Join In Weekend’ has been established with the specific aim of getting as many people as possible who have been Inspired by London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to turn up, take part and join in at their local sports facilities on 18th / 19th August – the first weekend between the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Local sports groups will be able to create a shop window within their community for the opportunities there are for people inspired by the Games to help out, give time, support, watch or play sport.

Sport clubs across the UK know that London 2012 will generate unprecedented enthusiasm for sport in the UK.

The ‘Join In Weekend’ aims to capture that enthusiasm and bring it back to the place it begins for all great champions – their local sports facilities.

Tim said: “Every great champion started at their local sports facilities. I want to make sure that the local clubs here in our towns make the most of the once in a lifetime opportunity the games provides to get local people involved in whatever capacity, whether as players or coaches, drivers or tea makers.

“The ‘Join In Weekend’ is a great platform for clubs to harness the enthusiasm London 2012 and make sure they get the local community engaged. I hope clubs here in Ourtown will sign up at www.joininuk.org and really enjoy the opportunity of 18th/19th August.”

‘Join In Local Sport’ has built a website – www.joininuk.org – which provides a place for clubs to register and advertise their event, where they will find practical advice to help them make the most of the weekend.

Seb Coe, Chair of London 2012, said: “We are really happy to support the ‘Join In’ project, it is a great idea that means that thousands of people across the UK can turn up and take part in local sports just after the Olympic Games finishes.

“Millions will be inspired by what they witness over the summer and I hope this creates opportunities in every community for people to join in their local sports clubs.”

‘Join In Local Sport’ is a not for profit company, initially funded by government grant.