Students and staff at the University of Kent will be given more opportunities to play sport following National Lottery funding from Sport England’s University Sport Activation Fund.
The £214,924 award, which will see the launch of the ‘Let’s Play – Project 5.0’, will help increase participation in sport across the University’s Canterbury and Medway campuses. It will offer non-active students and staff the opportunity to engage in regular sport and physical activities with the overall aim of creating a sporting habit for life.
Each term the project will offer themed blocks of activities, ranging from ‘Around the World’ to ‘Grass Roots’, with swimming, cycling and climbing being available throughout the year. Some activities will be delivered by specialist qualified coaches, but others will require the help and assistance of the University’s student clubs.
Mel Clewlow, Sports Development Manager with Kent Sport at the University, said: ‘This lottery funding will enhance the provision of sport on offer at the University by allowing us to target non-active staff and students and assist us in developing a ‘sport for all’ mentality.
‘This project, in conjunction with the University’s health and wellbeing strategy, will enable members of the University to lead a healthier, more balanced life whilst at Kent.’
Sport England Director of Community Sport, Mike Diaper, said: ‘We know universities play a vital role in maintaining and growing a student’s love of sport. They can encourage them to continue playing once they’ve left school or help those less sporty discover a new sport. By investing in the University of Kentwe’re helping students develop a lifelong sporting habit while they study.’
Kent is one of 54 universities to benefit from nearly £10 million of funding to help around 180,000 new students playing sport.
For further information email M.Clewlow@kent.ac.uk, visit www.kent.ac.uk/sports and find UniKentSports on Facebook and Twitter.