A recently-ended sports project tasked with helping inactive people in Mansfield become more active is celebrating three years of continued success.

Since starting in 2016, the Sport England-funded Community Sports Project (CSP) reached more than 1,000 people each year, and now has more than 200 people a week regularly engaged in sport and activity sessions throughout the town.

CSP was run by Mansfield District Leisure Trust (MDLT), aiming to encourage all sectors of the community to take part in sport and exercise at locations throughout the town, as well as at the four leisure centres the trust runs on behalf of Mansfield District Council ­— River Maun, Water Meadows, Oak Tree and the Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre.

The project offered activities for all ages and abilities, including family football, chair-based exercise and forever fit classes for over-60s.

Many people also had the chance to try free taster sessions of tennis and football in parks and community venues, and at events such as the Great British Tennis Weekend and summer festivals.

Carolyn Hallam, sports and community development manager, for MDLT said: “We’re delighted with the success of this project. We wanted to attract people to sport and fitness who might feel it wasn’t something for them. And that’s exactly what we did.

“It’s all about running sessions that people want, in places they can get to and at times that are convenient.

“I would like to thank Sport England for funding this project. Many of the sessions have proven such a success that we’ll be continuing with them, ensuring there is lasting legacy for the Community Sports Project in Mansfield.”

Colin Gregory, who takes part twice a week in walking football sessions at Oak Tree Leisure Centre, said: “The sessions make me fitter and keep my weight down. We have a good group of players and the sessions are social as well as sporty. Being able to play a competitive game at my age makes me feel 30 not 60.”

Sessions that are continuing include yoga, which runs weekly at St Teresa’s Church Hall, Warsop, as well as in the leisure centres, plus walking football, short tennis, T’Chi Do, clubbercise, learning disability swim sessions and family football. Social activity sessions Feel Good Friday at Mansfield Museum and Fit Together at the Shed, Warsop, are also continuing.

The project worked in partnership with various organisations, including Reach Learning Disability, Vibrant Warsop, Mansfield District Council Parks Department and Mansfield Museum.

For further information about any of the continuing activities, visit www.mansfieldleisure.com or contact Carolyn Hallam on 07718 194 711 – [email protected]