Councillor Rahman E-newsletter / February 2018

SCHOOL KIDS AND SUPERSTARS FEBRUARY WELCOMED MULTIPLE SPORTING EVENTS TO THE CITY ALONGSIDE A RANGE OF SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMMES

I hope everyone has Following swiftly on from delivering the most successful Vault managed to keep to their annual event, and the excitement of the HSBC UK resolutions and kept active? National Track Championships, February continued where January left off, welcoming some fantastic, well-attended spectator events to the city in Cheerleading, Squash, BMX, Basketball and Netball.

Make sure you have signed up on MCRactive.com to receive monthly editions of MCRactive Voice, which will showcase what’s on the horizon across Manchester (including tickets and details for such events) and reinforce why we have such a strong, established and enviable global reputation as a city of sport.

Just six months on from launching our MCRactive BIG SIGN UP initiative, a scheme designed to improve the robustness of our data capture on casual users across leisure centres, I am pleased to confirm we already have over 23,000 cardholders signed up. But clearly it’s not all been about the elite performers and high-end

of sport in Manchester, with February providing the first school half- This will vastly improve our understanding of this important term break and the chance to engage closely with local residents and families offering them inspiration and access to a wide-range of group and help us better target activities over the short week break, with something for everyone. messages and programmes to influence behaviour change. From dance, football, roller-skating, swimming and junior gym in Thanks to all involved. Keep up to all-day multi-sports camps on the Etihad Campus, the good work! and free swimming for all Manchester residents 16 and under - there really was #allsortstodo across Manchester.

This publication features just a handful of the multiple activities delivered by all last month and new introductions for February too.

ALL SORTS TO DO GET OUT GET ACTIVE GLL: SET TO SUPPORT

Across half term, parks team As part of the GOGA programme, 3,000 ATHLETES IN 2018 delivered a range of exciting and diverse events, including which encourages disabled and The GLL Sport Foundation is an but certainly not limited to; non-disabled people to take part in athlete focused support sport and physical activity together, programme providing athletes Councillor Rahman E-newsletter / February 2018 Backwoods Cooking Survival we’re delighted to announce the across the UK with tangible Skills launch of a weekly offer at Debdale support to aid their sports Wednesday 21st outdoor water sports centre. The performance. 9am - 12pm at Platt Fields Active Families sessions starts on

1pm - 4pm at Debdale Park Saturday 3rd March, 1pm-2.30pm. Applications for athletes closed th The session provides opportunities on the 20 February 2018 via Sunflower Planting and Plant for families to experience a wide www.gllsportfoundation.org Pot Design range of activities such as Thursday 22nd February kayaking, paddling and canoeing. 1pm - 3pm at Debdale Park Aviary The first 3 weeks are free of

charge, places will be given on a RSPB Bird Activity Day first-come-first-serve basis. For Saturday 17th February 10am - further info or to book please 4pm at Debdale Park contact Nick on 07450346985 or Sunday 18th February 10am - [email protected] The projected three thousand 4pm at Platt Fields Park athletes in 2018, marks a special Saturday 24th February 10am - milestone for the UK’s largest 4pm at Birchfields Park independent athlete support

WINTER WILD CHALLENGE programme as it will mark the WATER PARK programmes tenth year over nd On Thursday 22 February, which period it will have provided residents could start their Wild Our Abraham Moss group had the sixteen thousand athlete awards Challenge at our free Mersey opportunity to attend the GoFest Valley drop in events this half event at the Regional Arena on at a value of £9million. term! Those attending learnt Saturday 3rd February. The event more about winter wildlife and was a great opportunity for our With 74% of athletes being aged found out how they could get group to receive quality family their garden ready to give under twenty one and 87% of friendly coaching in a range of nature a home this Spring. sports and fitness classes. The athletes receiving no other event was well received by the funding support, the impact of the The day also ran free nature group and are looking forward to Foundation is significant. discovery activities and how to the event returning in April and make bird feeders to take home. June this year.

Councillor Rahman E-newsletter / February 2018

ARCADIA HEALTH CHECKS WOMEN ONLY MONDAY’S MANCHESTER GIRLS CAN At the end of January Arcadia hosted Over 1,000 visits have now been a health and fitness check day aimed made to Manchester Girls Can at new and existing customers to give sessions across the city. Sessions have included yoga for ‘at risk’ an insight into their general fitness women at a drop-in centre in levels and to encourage healthy and exercise classes eating and exercise. Over 50 people engaging mainly Muslim women in went through the health MOT Whalley Range. Most of the process including blood pressure and Manchester Girls Can sessions January 2018 has seen the launch BMI checks. It was such a success the of Women only swimming, steam take place in primary schools for centre will offer a blood pressure room and sauna on Monday’s 8pm – school mums who have chosen their own activities. Schools have check to all customers on their sign 10pm. This was introduced after customer demand from meet the identified some fantastic up. The day also included fitness additional benefits as a result of manager session at the centre. The challenges to win a month’s the This Girl Can sessions: membership – whoever rowed the centre welcomed 35 women on the launch night and had grown to 70 fastest 500m row won a free months women by the end of January. Why membership. Well done to member not come along and start your week Sarah Smith! off with some of your own health and wellbeing time.

Try something new for International Women’s Day! Celebrate International Women’s Day The project has been excellent for

– 8th March 2018 by trying something involving our Asian mums who haven't been involved in these new! Many women let fear of judgement stand in the way of trying type of things before. (Jeff – ARCADIA DAY 17TH FEBRUARY Deputy Head - Green End). sport and physical activity. Arcadia Day celebrated Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre’s 2nd “School is becoming more open with the wider community and year of opening. The library and leisure centre provided a range of parents are speaking more freely activities to take part in ranging to staff and girls are attending the from circus skills, yoga and after-school mum-and-daughter fundraising activities for charities. sessions, who have never The Lord Major of Manchester will Get some tips on how to get started at attended after-school clubs also drop by and see the fantastic www.manchestergirlscan.co.uk and before”. (Russ – teacher – St community spirit that centre Agnes) follow us @mcrgirlscan. Try running, supports and help flourish. Why not swimming, cycling or something more come along and join in the fun. adventurous like canoeing or climbing! #thisgirlcan

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Councillor Rahman E-newsletter / February 2018

NORTH CITY FAMILY & FITNESS OVER 50’S OLD HEDGEROW COMPLETE LIFESAVING GALA In the first week of January North In January the Friends of City Family and Fitness Centre Chorlton Meadows have re-launched the 50+ program successfully completed laying throughout the week. New an old hedgerow on Hawthorn equipment has been purchased Lane at Ivy Green Local Nature for the group and different Reserve. This is a traditional instructors are taking lessons woodland management

who also stay around and join technique that will prolong the On Friday 19th January 2018, the group for teas and coffees life of the hedge and sustain an North City Family and Fitness after. The offering for 50+ now is important habitat for wildlife. It Centre hosted a club trial gala for over 3 days and includes the will also improve access on the Broadway Lifesaving Club. A gym and fitness classes too. pathway and open up light to the total of 49 children attended and area. Great work guys! participated in the event. The three hour event put children through their paces and was enjoyed by all.

FITNESS CLASS OPEN DAY

On Saturday 28th January 2017, North City Family and Fitness Centre hosted a Fitness Class On Friday the 5th Jan 2018, we Open Day. A variety of different had a Bring a Friend day for 50+ BETTER SUPPORT fitness classes were put on for in which customers could bring a CANCER RESEARCH UK members and non-members to friend to try for free. attend and try for absolutely free. Better are supporting Cancer A total of over 96 people SWIMATHON 2018 Research UK with a number of fund raising events in local leisure attended the fitness classes Swimathon takes place Friday 27th centre. Cancer Research UK’s throughout the day. April – Sunday 29th April in your life-saving work relies on the local Better Leisure Centres with public’s support. Thanks to the distances from 400 meters to 5K. generosity of its supporters, the Challenge yourself by swimming charity was able to spend over solo or as part of a team with 2 – 5 £28million last year in the North people whilst fundraising for West on some of the UK’s leading Cancer Research UK and Marie scientific and clinical research - Curie. helping more men, women and

children survive. Keep a look out Enter now at www.Swimathon.Org for fundraising events coming to your local leisure centre.

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