Rounders inspired fitness classes launches in Littledown Park

Next month, brand-new fitness classes inspired by rounders skills, drills and topped off with an exciting game, start in Littledown Park.

Ella Burch and Viv Galpin at Littledown Park

Supported by Sport England’s, Together Fund through Rounders England, the national body for the game, these new classes have been created to inspire underrepresented community groups into physical activity for better health and wellbeing.

Delivered by registered charity BH Live, the rounders-inspired classes are aimed at women and girls aged 14+ who are interested in reconnecting with getting active in different and exciting ways.

Classes start on Tuesday 4 July 2023 at 6pm in Littledown Park (by the Cricket Pavilion).

The cost is £2.50 per person per class which includes an hour’s activity plus refreshments.

Viv Galpin, Health and Wellbeing Manager for BH Live runs a diverse programme of health and wellbeing activities across the BCP region to encourage more people into physical activity. She said;

“Rounders is great fun and when there was the chance to run these classes in the park, we literally jumped at the chance! The game has heaps of camaraderie. It is played outdoors in the fresh air which is brilliant for mental health and social interaction.

“No previous experience of the game is needed. As long as you are willing to have a go at batting a ball and can get to the next post, all abilities are welcome.

“We’ve already had lots of interest but need more to make the sessions as much fun as possible. If anyone is interested in finding out more then we urge them to get in touch.”

BH Live operates the region’s community leisure centres and provides health and wellbeing activities for all in partnership with BCP Council.

Councillor Mille Earl, Deputy Leader of the Council, and the Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities adds:

“Rounders is such a fun and accessible game that brings people together and initiatives like this can really make a difference to our local communities. I’m thrilled to see this class for women and girls launch, and the strong partnership between BCP Council and BH Live continuing to create these kinds of opportunities to enrich lives.”

The sessions will run for eight weeks over the summer and are available on a pay and play basis.

All subs are reinvested into delivering more sessions and enabling people on low income to take part. If they are popular and well-attended, the plan is to continue playing into the Autumn.

Rhian Lilley, Director of Development, Rounders England said,

“Rounders England is delighted to be able to support BH Live to deliver this unique opportunity in Bournemouth for women and girls to enjoy a sport that we all love. We look forward to hearing how the activity sessions develop.”

For more information and to book contact communityclasses@bhlive.org.uk. #WeAreAllRounders

-ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Photo-caption:

BH Live Active’s Rounders head coach Ella Burch who will be delivering the sessions in Littledown Park and BH Live’s Health and Wellbeing Manager Viv Galpin.

About BH Live

BH Live is a leading operator of leisure and event venues; a registered charity and social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives.

Our social objectives are to:

Encourage more people to take part in physical activity– by providing leisure facilities to encourage active communities and improve health and wellbeing.
Attract bigger entertainment audiences– with a diverse range of cultural and artistic events that appeal to a wide variety of tastes.
Deliver economic benefit– by hosting major conferences, exhibitions and events that benefit the local, regional and international economy.

With more than five million visits a year we are changing lives and are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy.

For more visit bhlive.org.uk.

Get social with us:

LinkedIn and Twitter @BHLIVE_UK
Facebook @SocialEnterpriseBHLive

For more information about BH Live please contact:

Elizabeth Symmons, Head of Marketing
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
T: (01202) 055562

About Littledown Centre

Littledown is operated by BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.

Set in 47 acres of parkland, Littledown has some of the finest leisure, swimming, football and gym facilities in the country.

It is ranked among the top performing leisure centres in the UK, is accredited by quality scheme QUEST and is a National Fitness Award winner for the Local Authority/Leisure Trust Gym of the Year and finalist for the Best Group Exercise Gym of the Year.

It has more than 1.2 million attendances a year and is home to clubs including BH Live’s Swimming Academy, Swim Bournemouth, Littledown Juniors Football Club and Play Football.

The venue has one of the largest gyms in the UK with personal training, an exercise referral and children’s activity programme. Hundreds of weekly group exercise classes are offered including the Les Mills programme.

Indoor facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, 17-metre teaching pool, a splash pool and spa. There is a large sports hall for events and multi-sport activities including trampolining, badminton, table tennis, football and gymnastics. The venue also has a café, bar and soft play facility.

Outdoor features include six floodlit 3G rubber crumb training pitches, grass football pitches, parkland for recreation and events, a cricket pitch and pavilion, lake, children’s playground, a paddling pool (open summer months only), outdoor catering and free customer parking for up to three hours seven days a week.

For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk.

Get social with us:

Twitter @bhliveactive
Facebook @littledowncentre

About the funding and sessions

Funding was awarded to BH Live from Sport England’s Together Fund to provide Rounders inspired sessions promoting physical activity for women and girls in the community.

This money has been used by the charity BH Live to facilitate the session. This includes subsidising the player fees, buying equipment, staff training and delivering the weekly classes.