On your marks, Get set, Go for a sporting chance in Dacorum

A council initiative is set to help more people get into sport thanks to £250,000 of National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Community Sport Activation Fund.
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Dacorum Borough Council’s Get set, Go Dacorum scheme is among 88 projects to receive a share of £15 million of funding to support grassroots sport across the country.

The funding will allow Dacorum Borough Council to work with more than 20 local partners to deliver individual and family exercise activities at a reduced cost.

Activities will take place over the next three years, and sports clubs in the target areas will also see investment to help meet extra demand.

The target areas are Adeyfield, Bennetts End, Woodhall Farm, Hemel Hempstead Town, Grovehill, Highfield, Leverstock Green, Watling, Tring Central, Kings Langley and Berkhamsted West.

Projects range from boxing and football to dance fitness and aqua aerobics, and many more in between.

Cllr Neil Harden, portfolio holder for residents and regulatory services said: “With this project we plan to build on the excellent partner relationships we have across the borough and I want to thank everyone who will be helping bring more sporting opportunities to Dacorum.

“Although we are a mostly affluent borough, there are areas and communities in Dacorum with their own issues that must not be overlooked.

“We’ve identified where there are barriers to improving health and wellbeing and, with this funding, we aim to give people the opportunity to get fit and active, and give people access to other services and support they need.

“We are investing in our sporting community to bring about long term improvements that will make a real difference to people’s futures.”

John O’Malley from Hemel Boxing Club in Queens Square, Adeyfield said: “It’s great news to hear that the boxing club will receive some funding through the Get set, Go Dacorum project.

“It will mean that we can provide additional coaching and take more young people into training at our fully equipped gym.”

The Community Sport Activation Fund allows local authorities, charities and other organisations to apply for funding for innovative projects that will get more people playing sport.

Hemel Hempstead MP Mike Penning added:“This investment by Sport England will help build on the excellent partner relationships we have across the borough.

It is really important to invest in the health and wellbeing of local people and this money will give everyone in the target areas a chance to get active.”