Free coaching for Londoners in a ’Winter of Sport’

Up to 3,000 Londoners are being given the opportunity to get active over the winter months by taking part in free sports coaching sessions across the capital.

The London Winter of Sport (LWoS) programme is supporting 100 community sports clubs and 18 school sport partnerships to offer free sporting opportunities to people of all ages from now until the end of March 2009.

It is part of a commitment by the Mayor and the London Development Agency (LDA) to deliver an enduring sporting legacy from the 2012 Games. Following the coaching sessions, participants will be encouraged to play sport at local clubs, while schools can continue out of hours sports activities using equipment provided by the programme.

To find out what is happening in your area visit London Winter of sport events (LWos) where there is a full timetable of activities and venues. A breakdown of borough clubs and scholos is available from the LDA press office.

LWoS follows the LDA’s London Summer of Sport campaign which supported more than 8,000 people to benefit from free sports activities, with 60% of these participants receiving a minimum of six hours sports coaching.

Tom Russell, LDA Group Director for Olympic Legacy, said:

"Winter of Sport will help to increase sports participation in the capital because it gives Londoners the chance to play and be coached in a sport they may not have tried before.

"We want the 2012 Games to leave an enduring sporting legacy so we are offering opportunities now where people can make connections with local sports clubs and stay active for years to come.

“Visit the website for more details about what is happening in your area.”

Community sport clubs events are open to member of the public, while the School Sports Partnership activities are opening to school children within the schools that make up the partnership.

Last year the London Winter of Sport helped set up 54 after school clubs across the capital supporting more than 1,000 youngsters to take part in physical and sporting activities.

Community sports clubs and school’s offering sports activities – see the LWoS website for times and venues.

The London Development Agency aims to improve the quality of life for all Londoners - working to create jobs, develop skills and promote economic growth.

The LDA is committed to delivering an Olympic legacy now. This includes helping Londoners access training, job, sporting and business opportunities through projects such as London Summer of Sport, Personal Best and CompeteFor.

The LDA is also planning what will go on the Olympic site after the Games. For more information visit www.lda.gov.uk or www.legacynow.co.uk websites.

-ends-

For further information contact the LDA Media Team: Andreas Christophorou 020 7593 8444 or LDA out of hours: 07977 439371 and for Public enquiries: 020 7593 9000.
Notes to editors:

* The London Development Agency aims to improve the quality of life for all Londoners - working to create jobs, develop skills and promote economic growth.
* The LDA is committed to delivering an Olympic legacy now. This includes helping Londoners access training, job, sporting and business opportunities through projects such as London Summer of Sport, Personal Best and CompeteFor.
* The LDA is also planning what will go on the Olympic site after the Games. For more information visit www.lda.gov.uk or www.legacynow.co.uk.