Council offers free publicity for sports clubs

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 25TH JANUARY.

Do you run a club, charity or community group which could help people try or return to a physical activity? Chelmsford City Council are offering a unique opportunity to promote what you offer - free of charge - and gain new members.

Chelmsford Spring Into Action is a four-month-long festival of activities from March to June 2019. The aim is to encourage more people to take up a new activity and to continue it after Spring Into Action has ended. Across the Chelmsford area, from the city centre to Great Leighs and South Woodham Ferrers, organisations who could hold an open day or come-and-try session are invited to take part.

All participating clubs and groups will benefit from free publicity, including promotion to schools, inclusion on a dedicated website, press releases, adverts and social media boosts. The City Council can also act as the point of contact for more information, saving you administration time.

The Council has written to hundreds of local sports clubs asking them to make the most of this opportunity. Councillor Julia Jeapes, Cabinet Member for Leisure, said, "We're hearing from clubs of all kinds. Some are already planning to hold try-outs and have-a-go sessions within the festival period, others are being inspired to hold an all-new event especially for Spring Into Action. The Council is offering a completely free opportunity to shout about the amazing things your team, group or club do, and it would be wonderful to see every active organisation in Chelmsford taking part."

It's not only sports clubs that are being invited to take part. The definition is broad: as long as you're based in Chelmsford and are planning an event that has some element of physical activity, you can get involved. That applies to charities and community groups too!

Chelmsford City Council would like to hear about charity bike rides, organised walks, open days and fun days which require people to get active.

Councillor Jeapes added, "Physical activity is hugely important to our health and happiness, but a lot of people are nervous about doing something for the first time, don't want to make a financial commitment before trying it out, or simply don't know what's available in their local area. Many local clubs and charities are run on tight budgets by part-time volunteers, so this is a great opportunity to reach out to Chelmsford residents without the costs and time commitment associated with other forms of promotion and advertising."

To take part, you must express your interest by 25 January. There is no commitment at this stage and you don't need to have a fully-organised event ready to go. Just drop an email to Victoria.Russell@chelmsford.gov.uk or call 01245 606684 for more information.

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