This entry was posted on Friday, June 6th, 2014at 12:11 pm by zoe.leahy@activenation.org.uk

Queen’s Baton Relay Visits Active Nation’s TRYathlon

More than 1,200 children had a Brilliant time taking part in our Active Nation TRYathlon in Southampton this week – with hundreds getting to see the Queen’s Baton Relay as it visited the Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre.

The TRYathlons are Active Nation’s unique initiative to get youngsters to try their hand at sporting activities that they had perhaps not come across before. It’s all about the young people – encouraging them to take up sport and exercise and enjoy a healthy and active life.

Wow! What a day! Those taking part on Wednesday got to rub shoulders with Sally Gunnell OBE and torchbearers Chris Grainger who has coached junior and senior netball teams in Southampton since 1976 and Richard Cartwright who has been instrumental in the development of Team Solent Sharks – a wheelchair rugby club in the city.

Sally said: “There were big cheers by all the kids here and I feel really honoured to be able to hold it here.”

Pupils from local primary schools also got the chance to have a go at lots of activities, including archery, hockey, mountain biking, rugby, crazy golf, netball, tennis, rounders, a British Military Fitness bootcamp, athletics and so much more. Youngsters also popped over to the Southampton Alpine Snowsports Centre for a ride down the slopes on the donuts and X-Bobs.

And as a reward at the end of a no doubt exhausting but exhilarating day, each child was presented with a medal kindly supplied by Zoggs and an Active Nation goodie bag.

Later that evening the baton was carried on to a stage at Guildhall Square by Southampton Diving Academy Programme Manager Annie Clewlow. Members of the Active Nation Southampton team were also on hand to offer lots of health and sporting advice – including tips on hula hooping!

The baton is continuing it’s journey around the UK before finally arriving in Glasgow for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games on July 23.

This was definitely the biggest TRYathlon so far and probably the most inspirational – it’s going to take some beating – but we’re going to keep on trying! Thanks to everyone who made the day such a massive success.