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More than 483 young people in Somerset have been inspired to do sport in their own time in the first six months of Sport England’s Sportivate Olympic and Paralympic legacy initiative.

16-year-old Daniel Mountstevens from Bridgwater is one of the teenagers and young adults who received six to eight weeks of coaching in a sport of their choice. He did a Just Play Football Sportivate course and is now a regular with the Just Play Centre. He said: ‘I really enjoy having a kick about with my mates and meeting new friends. ‘The other players don’t have a go at me if I mess up. It’s been a great experience and I’ll definitely keep coming.

Responding to the legacy pledge made by Seb Coe in Singapore in 2005, Sportivate is aimed at 14- to 25-year-olds who currently aren’t playing sport in their own time, giving them the chance to find a sport they enjoy. The young people are then helped to find a club or venue where they can keep taking part.

Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership is running Sportivate in Somerset.  Projects that are running at the moment across Somerset are rowing in Taunton with Ian Payne and Wimbleball rowing club, a female futsal league in Bridgwater, tennis at the Avenue Tennis Club in Burnham, Zumba and body attack at Richard Huish College and gym memberships across the County.

“We have seen some great projects run in the first six months of Sportivate and have some really exciting projects running at the moment. Having this investment has enabled us to get out to those young people who aren’t usually active and provide them with an opportunity to get involved in Sport and Physical activity, some for the first time” Laura Dyke, Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership Sports Development Manager.