PARENTS and students have been getting active in a pioneering initiative that is about to be rolled across a county.
Bede Academy, Blyth, introduced dads and lads and mums and daughters’ sessions to promote healthy living and being active.
The evening sessions, held during the academy’s annual Healthy Living Week, allow students and their families to use the state of the art facilities including the sports hall, gym and dance studio.
The most recent event attracted 55 people, who took part in badminton matches and Zumba sessions with the help of professional coaches.
The Bede initiative, one of many community events staged at the academy, was spotted last year by Northumberland County Council, which is interested in rolling out a similar programme across the region.
Active Northumberland’s Lee Paris said the academy had helped the council formulate a successful bid for £240,000 from Sport England’s Community Sport Activities Fund.
He said: “We were really impressed with Bede Academy’s initiative, which removes instantly a major barrier to activity – child care.
“We will now be focusing on the 14 to 25-year-olds, an age group where activity tends to drop off. We will also address the over 50s.”
Director of sport at Bede Academy Simon MacAree added: “Inactivity is a major health worry in modern society and if we can encourage young people to remain active into adulthood, and also encourage their parents, it can help stave off all manner of health problems.
“The academy lies at the heart of the community in Blyth and we are delighted to open our doors so people can make the most of our fantastic facilities.”
Year 7 student Joseph Miller brought his dad Jason to the event. “I love being at Bede Academy,” the 11-year-old said, “and it’s great to be able to play badminton with my dad.”
Mr Miller added: “The session has been really good and I have enjoyed some quality time with Joseph. I used to play rugby when I was younger and this has reminded me how much fun sport can be.”
