Wharf Green to transform into sporting hub for the Commonwealth Games

Swindon Sports Forum is looking to tap into the excitement and enthusiasm created by the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this summer, by encouraging more people to have a go at a new sport.

An array of showcase events will be staged underneath Wharf Green’s Big Screen in Swindon town centre for the duration of the Games, which start on Wednesday 23^rd of July.

Swindon Borough Council’s Sports Development team has arranged the programme of events with inSwindon BID after Swindon Sports Forum successfully applied for grant funding from the Big Lottery Awards for All, and each sports session will be delivered by various sports clubs in Swindon

The taster sessions will be an opportunity to try a new sport and find out more about different clubs in the town.

Clubs will be held at Wharf Green between 11am and 3pm each day and everyone is welcome to attend, and those that do can also watch the Games live courtesy of the Big Screen.

The schedule for the sports showcase are:

• Wednesday, 23rd July – Commonwealth Games opening ceremony on Big Screen
• Thursday, 24th July – Fencing (Swindon Fencing Club)
• Friday, 25th July – Roller derby (Wiltshire Roller Derby)
• Saturday, 26th July – Basketball and wheelchair basketball (Swindon Shock team)
• Sunday, 27th July – Rugby (RFU) and hockey (North Wilts & Swindon Hockey Club).
• Monday, 28th July – American football (Swindon Storm)
• Tuesday, 29th July – FA football skills team
• Wednesday, 30th July – Netball (Pinehurst Netball Club)
• Thursday, 31rd July – Golf (Lee Hayward, Broome Manor Golf Club)
• Friday, 1st August – Boxing (Paul Rogers – Scrapstore).
• Saturday, 2nd August – Swimming (Swindon Dolphins)
• Sunday, 3rd August – Closing ceremony on Big Screen

Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Leisure, Cllr Keith Williams, said: “These events are great for promoting our local sports clubs and give people the perfect chance to try a completely new sport.

“The Sports Forum does a great job in promoting sport and encouraging people to stay fit and healthy and this is another chance to see what Swindon has to offer when it comes to sporting activities.

“We had a great response when we held similar taster sessions during the Olympics and I would encourage people to visit the Big Screen to see the showcase events for themselves.”

Swindon Sports Forum chairman Dave Bell said: “The Sport Forum is delighted to have received the funding from the Big Lottery Awards for this Community sports festival.

“It has given the Swindon Sport Forum, working with the Sports development team, the opportunity to showcase and promote the wide range of sports that take place on a weekly basis in Swindon to the rest of the borough.

“We would like to encourage everyone to come along and have a go at activities and to find out where and how adults and children can get involved in sport locally on a more regular basis.”

The Swindon Sport Forum is a support network for local Swindonian sports clubs to promote greater in sport and the development of sporting facilities and opportunities throughout Swindon.

For more information contact [email protected] or visit: www.swindonsportsforum.co.uk