Ignite Sport launches 3,000 funded summer holiday camp spaces

Sports-mad youngsters inspired by the Olympics are being encouraged to stay active during the school holidays, with hundreds of free activity days in Oxfordshire available to book.

Marston-based Ignite Sport are an approved delivery partner of Oxfordshire County Council and have 3,000 funded places available, ranging from football to Olympic themed fun plus dance and art sessions.  

The activities are being delivered under the government’s Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme which aims to engage and inspire children through sport and other activities while providing them with a healthy and balanced meal.  

This year marks the third summer Ignite Sport has actioned its delivery locally, with funded sessions open to children of families in receipt of benefits related free school meals, aged four to 16 and taking place every week during the school holidays.  

Coaches include Oxford City FC’s own star player Josh Ashby, former Oxford United defender Eddie Odhiambo and Aliyah Anthony, head of women’s football at Oxford City FC.  

Leading Ignite Sport’s output is Active Communities Manager Andy Francis, who encouraged eligible parents to make the most of the funded spaces available.  

“We’re anticipating a bumper six weeks of sport, dance and art delivery through our holiday camps delivered onsite at Oxford City FC,” said Andy.  

“It’s great to have a wide offer of activities on offer this summer to support children remaining active, engaged and receiving the meal they would usually receive at school, during the summer holidays.  Social activities positively contribute to physical and mental wellbeing and we are proud to be in a position to offer these opportunities to so many. 

“We have a record 13 individual programmes being rolled out which cater for all abilities and experiences with a new focus on science, music, mindfulness and baking through our Sparks programme which runs at the beginning of August.  

“Following the Euros and with the Olympics in full swing, we’re expecting interest and enthusiasm of our participants to be at a real high. We’d encourage interested parents to book now to avoid disappointment as spaces on a number of our camps are already reaching capacity.”  

Further information about Ignite Sport’s HAF delivery this summer can be viewed by clicking here. Programmes will run until Monday, September 2, with a full timetable available here.