ArtsFest

More than a thousand young people attended SportsFest, Birmingham's biggest free sports festival, on Sunday 16th September 2007 and Olympic Champion Denise Lewis was there to witness all the action and led by example, taking part in many of the activities herself.

Denise Lewis at SportsFest

Denise Lewis

Lewis, who was the guest of honour at this year's event said: "It has been wonderful to be part of this year's SportsFest and I have really enjoyed the event. It is good to see so many young people enjoying sport and I hope that the youngsters who were here today go on to join local clubs and make sport a central part of their lives."

Organised by Birmingham City Council, the event was staged in Millennium Square with the area divided into various different 'sports zones' all managed by sports development officers and qualified coaches.

Boxing - new for 2007

Boxing Zone

The boxing zone, which was new for 2007, was extremely popular with youngsters relishing the chance to learn some sparring skills and the athletics zone was also a huge hit. There were also impressive artistic gymnastics displays from the Lasers Gymnastics Club and rhythmic gymnastics displays by the City of Birmingham Gymnastics Club.

The football zone, which included matches on a giant inflatable pitch was as popular as ever and the golf zone, run by professionals from the city council's courses, offered youngsters a chance to practise their putting as well as getting tips on how to tee off.

There were mini matches in the hockey zone and both the basketball and netball zones offered the chance for young people to improve their shooting skills, whilst kicking was the focus in the rugby zone. There was also a zone with activities for young disabled people, which included a target throw amongst other activities.

Denise Lewis at SportsFest

Work your body!

Adults at the event were also treated to demonstrations of fitness classes such as Body Pump, Body Combat and Body Jam, which are all available in Birmingham City Council's leisure centres and health and fitness advice leaflets were handed out.

Councillor Ray Hassall, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture said:
"SportsFest is one of many free, fantastic, family events which Birmingham City Council stages throughout the year. This year's event has been very successful and has given young people who live locally a chance to find out how they can get fit and be healthy."