Gabby Logan hosts taster Commonwealth sports day to encourage Birmingham locals to #GetActiveBrum

Hosting the event alongside former gymnast Gabby, who competed at the 1990 Commonwealth Games, were representatives from the Commonwealth Games 2022 bid, Zena Wooldrige, director of Sport at Birmingham University, and Team England athletes.

Local people who came along to the event at National Lottery funded Birmingham University were able to try their hand at four Commonwealth Games sports: Netball, Badminton, Wheelchair Basketball and Basketball, with Gabby encouraging along the sessions.

Team England athletes, including basketball player, Siobhan Prior, and badminton players, Chris Langridge and Chloe Birch, took part in the sessions, offering expert tips and advice to locals taking part.

The incredible £10m National Lottery grant was announced in February, and will deliver the Active Communities Pilot, which will tackle physical inactivity and will support groups of people who are less likely to be active, including disabled people, women and those who are less affluent.

This Pilot will tackle inactivity head on by working collaboratively with local organisations, volunteers and local people to help improve the quality of life of some of the most vulnerable in the community.

Following the news that nearly one third of Brummies exercise for less than 30 minutes a week*, The National Lottery’s #GETACTIVEBRUM campaign hopes to encourage Birmingham locals to be physically and socially active.

Sport and activity has the power to transform lives and help people feel more connected and resilient, and the National Lottery want to encourage locals to grab any sporting chance they can.

Over £135 million of National Lottery funding has gone into developing sport in Birmingham since 1994; from paving the way for grassroots sports across the city to supporting elite athletes in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

Gabby Logan said:

“As a former Commonwealth Games athlete, leading an active lifestyle has always been hugely important to me. That’s why I’m so excited to be launching the National Lottery’s #GetActiveBrum campaign – to inspire local people to embrace sports ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

"Thanks to National Lottery players, incredible projects have been supported that help keep local people and athletes active in Birmingham.

"From now until 30 April, the National Lottery is calling on any these good causes supported by funding to enter the 25th Birthday National Lottery Awards.”

You can enter your favourite project in this year’s National Lottery Awards by midnight 30 April. Tweet @LottoGoodCauses with your suggestions or complete an entry form through our website lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards.

Siobhan Prior, Team England basketball player said:

“I have experienced first-hand the impact of National Lottery funding when I travelled out to Australia as part of Team England and won a silver medal in women’s basketball.

“I hope you all enjoyed today’s event and have been inspired by the taster sports on offer today and that it has inspired you to take up a Commonwealth sport.

“I’ve had the opportunity to benefit from National Lottery funding at an elite level but for me, the most important thing is that it gives people the opportunity to take part in sport, joining in with others in the community and enjoying sport for fun.”

This year marks the 25th Birthday of the National Lottery. Over the past quarter of a century, the lives of local people have been transformed in Birmingham, thanks to more than £761 million in National Lottery funding invested in sports, arts, heritage, community and projects in the city.

To thank National Lottery players for the massive difference funding has made – and continues to make – to lives of people across the UK, the National Lottery is working on a range of plans in the run-up to the 25th Birthday in November. Further details will be announced in due course.

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For more information please contact:
Elle Rigby on 0207 211 3927 or 07415 277297