We are hosting a wide range of sporting and cultural events in the run up to the London 2012 Olympics.
The number of events will grow as the games draw nearer, so be sure to keep checking back for the latest information.
Gold Challenge
The Gold Challenge aims to motivate local people to test themselves in multiple Olympic and Paralympic sports, and raise money for charity by the end of 2012. The challenge is open to adults, youth and families.
The Gold Challenge website provides information about each sport, including where you can find local opportunities to participate. The council's Sports Development team is working with local sports clubs and facilities to promote opportunities.
Launch event
The Gold Challenge initiative was launched in Cambridge on Monday 9 January, 10am–3pm, near BHS in the Grafton shopping centre.
At the launch, our Sports Development team were giving people an opportunity to try their hand at badminton and pick up a few tips from a Badminton England coach. People also had an opportunity to have a go at table tennis, watch a demonstration from students at Parkside School, and see how far they could row on an indoor rowing machine under the watchful eye of a member of the Rob Roy Boat Club.
Generation Games
Generation Games is a project aimed at inspiring all members of the family to participate in fun, sporting activities together.
Between January - June 2012, the following sessions have been organised:
- 22 January 2012 - Archery
- 29 January 2012 - Badminton
- 13 February 2012 - Family Sport Day at Netherhall Sports Centre 10am-3pm
- 19 February 2012 - Rollerskating
- 25 March 2012 - Table Tennis
- 24 April 2012 - Climbing
- 6 June 2012 - Trampolining
All sessions must be booked and paid for in advance, please contact the Sports Development Service on 01223 457000. These sessions are for parents/guardians and their children to play sport together.
Cambridge Half Marathon
The Cambridge Half Marathon returned to the city on 11 March 2012.
Olympic Walks
The Cambridge Olympic Walks programme launched in the city on 18 April 2012. There are five circular self guided walking routes around Cambridge promoting awareness of sporting facilities, cultural activities and sporting achievements. For more information, please contact sportsdevelopment@cambridge.gov.uk or see http://www.walkcam2012.co.uk/
Cambridge City Youth Games Festival
This year's event takes place on 22 May 2012 at the Abbey Leisure Complex. The event is open to local primary schools within the Cambridge School Sports Partnership. Sports will include rugby, cricket, tennis, football and hockey. There will also be a taster village with the following sports: sitting volleyball, goalball, boccia, cheerleading, ultimate frisbee, and athletics.
Silver Spirit
Working in partnership with the Forever Active Forum, the Silver Spirit event will be aimed at people aged 50 years plus to try new Olympic sports in their local area.
The event is being held on 13 June 2012 at Chesterton Sports Centre from 10am-3.30pm
Sportsforce
Join Up - The Sportsforce Volunteering campaign aims to raise awareness of local sports volunteering opportunities for local people. Local sports clubs will be opening their doors 18-19 August to encouraging potential volunteers and participants to attend to see what is involved in sports volunteering.
Street Games
Street Games offers informal neighbourhood-based sports activities for young people. Currently there are late night football sessions taking place from 9 January 2012 onwards.
Sessions include:
- Mondays 8.30-9.30pm at Chesterton Sports Centre
- Friday's 9.00-10.00pm at Abbey Leisure Complex
There will also be a free neighbourhood street games festival for local young people aged 13-16 to participate.
Young people will be able to attend the festival on 24 June 2012 at Netherhall Sports Centre, 11am-3pm.
Registrations for the festival will close three weeks prior to the event.
Download a registration form [PDF]
Participants will be able to compete in a maximum of three sports from the following: Badminton, Basketball, Goalball, Cricket and Football
Chance to Dance
The Chance to Dance project gives adults the opportunity to take part in a variety of short taster workshops and watch local dance professionals and enthusiasts showcase a variety of different dance styles.
The Chance to Dance festival is being held at Netherhall Sports Centre on 20 May 2012.
In 2011, dance workshops ranged from morris, line and ballet to flamenco, tango and historical dance.
Disability Sport and Arts Festival
The disability sports and arts festival is being held on 28 October 2012 at Chesterton Sports Centre. The free festival is aimed at young people and adults with a disability, who have the opportunity to try Paralympic taster sport sessions led by local qualified coaches. In 2011, the festival attracted over 100 participants taking part in over 12 sports.
Mini World Cup
The 2012 football mini world cup (7-a-side) will be held on 14-15 July at the Abbey Leisure Complex with adults competitions taking place on the Saturday and junior events on the Sunday.
For more information, please contact Cambs FA on 01223 209035.
Parasport campaign
The Cambridge Parasport campaign will be held between 13 - 24 August 2012 at various sites across the city. Sports included are archery, athletics, boccia, goalball, rowing, table tennis, volleyball, basketball and tennis. The taster sessions are open to young people who are diasbled and able bodied and the campaign aims to raise awareness of disability, promote interest in the forthcoming Paralympic Games and break down barriers around disability sport.
The Paralympic Flame Relay Celebration will be held on 24 August 2012 at Netherhall Sport Centre for a afternoon of celebrations, sporting activities and guest speakers.
To register your interest, please contact sportsdevelopment@cambridge.gov.uk
For more information about any of these events, please email the Sports Development Service at sportsdevelopment@cambridge.gov.uk or telephone 01223 457532.
