Why Mid Sussex people are the most sporty in Sussex

People in Mid Sussex are a sporty lot ... in fact they're the most active in Sussex.
Basketball. Photo: Shutterstock EMN-160119-181933002Basketball. Photo: Shutterstock EMN-160119-181933002
Basketball. Photo: Shutterstock EMN-160119-181933002

That’s according to a survey by Sport England aimed at assessing the sporting activity levels of local people.

And the figures show more Mid Sussex residents are regularly taking part in sport than in any of the other 12 local authority areas in East and West Sussex.

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In 2014/15, an impressive 41.4 per cent of adults surveyed in Mid Sussex said they participated in sport, at moderate intensity, on at least four days over a four week period. This

compares to 35.8% participation in Sussex and England nationally.

A partnership with leisure provider Places for People Leisure has seen more than £2 million invested in Mid Sussex Council’s three leisure centres since 2014, creating new gym facilities,

cycle studios and new café/reception areas. The improvements have encouraged more local people to use the facilities, with membership numbers increasing by almost 3,000 from July 2014 to

December 2015, a rise of 37 per cent.

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The Mid Sussex Wellbeing team has also been working with local people who find it difficult to take that first step back into exercise. The team run low cost Walking Football

sessions, yoga, aqua fit and pilates classes at convenient locations around the district.

The courses, which are all run at a pace suitable for beginners, have already helped hundreds of local people to get back into exercise by breaking down the barriers that had

previously held them back.

Councillor Pru Moore, cabinet member for leisure, said:“It’s great to hear that so many of our residents are exercising on a regular basis.

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“In Mid Sussex we’re really lucky to have a wonderful network of local sports clubs that offer our residents lots of different ways to exercise. Volunteers from all over Mid Sussex

give up their free time and put a great deal of effort into running sporting events and managing local clubs. I’m really grateful to them for everything they’re doing to encourage

local people to get involved with sport.

“The council is keen for local people to take part in regular exercise because of the obvious health benefits that it brings. Many people will play sport because they enjoy it and

have the opportunities locally but for some it is not always that easy. Our Wellbeing Team is concentrating its help on local people who find it difficult to take the first steps into

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exercise and with their support and advice, lots of local people are finding that they can build up their fitness gently and become active again.”

To sign up for one of the low cost Back to Exercise courses contact the Mid Sussex Wellbeing Team on 01444 477191 or email [email protected].

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