Final figures from the third year of Satellite Clubs, the programme designed to bridge the gap between school sport and community sport for young people, show the depth of the programme’s impact in the capital. In total, 242 new County Sports Partnership (CSP) Satellite Clubs have been developed across London in the past 12 months, enabling 5,637 11-25 year olds to take part in more physical activity and sport in the capital. An additional 188 new National Governing Body (NGB) Satellite Clubs also received a total of £180,520 funding in the past year, taking total invested in Satellite Clubs to almost £0.5m.
With CSP-funded Satellite Clubs now present in 32 London Boroughs and hosted by 125 schools and colleges across London, the opportunity for young people to keep active and continue with sport regardless of their previous experience or ability has never been better serviced.
Discussing the success of the Satellite Club’s third year, London Sport Club Development Manager, Richard Croker, said:
“It is brilliant that so many Satellite Clubs are now active across London. We have seen a rise in need and demand for activity within schools and colleges, and Satellite Clubs have provided an opportunity to link school and community sport together.
“London Sport has now engaged almost every secondary school and college across London and given them the chance to host a Satellite Club. Our focus is now on sustaining that activity as well as ensuring demand among under-represented groups is met through our club offer.”
Hollie Bissmire a teacher at a school that now hosts a Tower Hamlets Netball Academy Satellite Club said the project helps provide “welcoming” and “fun” sessions for many children that didn’t take part in the sport before.
