What’s Your Sport?

Follow the lead of the Commonwealth Games athletes and make 2014 the year you get into sport.

The world will be watching this summer as the Commonwealth Games are underway in Glasgow. It’s one of the biggest sporting events on the planet. Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games are on course to perhaps be one of the most memorable Commonwealth Games ever. 6,500 athletes and officials from 71 countries will compete in 17 sports over 11 days, from 23 July –3 August 2014. From the precision of lawn bowls to the exciting combat of wrestling and judo – from the high adrenaline of track events to the grace and beauty of gymnastics –in 2014 Glasgow will be the stage for a fantastic summer of sport, as well as a massive range of cultural and arts events for everyone.

These elite sportsmen and women will have trained for years to reach the peak of their physical fitness. You might not want to reach that level, but we all know the benefits of being active – getting fit, losing weight, achieving goals and meeting people. Why not use the Olympics as inspiration to try something new?

Before you begin, it’s worth asking yourself a few questions:

• What is your existing fitness level and what do you hope to achieve?

• Do you like to exercise alone, in a group or with your family?

• How much time and money do you want to commit?

• Would you prefer a creative activity, such as dance or gymnastics, a fitness regime or a competitive sport?

Your local council is a good place to start your search. Leisure centres provide reasonably priced options for a wide variety of sports across all age ranges. Many offer subsidised and even free activities for people on benefits, older people, people with disabilities and students. They may run taster sessions so that you can try a new sport before you commit.

Athletics is always one of the most watched Olympic events and tickets are highly prized. Running is a great way to get fit – it’s free, doesn’t take much time and is suitable for all fitness levels. The Run England website (www.runengland.org) has pointers on how to begin. You can find details of your nearest athletics club via UK Athletics (www.uka.org.uk).

Another sport that gets you out and about is cycling. You can either use it simply as a practical way to travel, or head for an off-road route. The Sustrans website (www.sustrans.org.uk) has a regional guide to beautiful places to ride.

If you never learned to swim or want to improve your technique, or if you want to support your child to learn, www.swimming.org is full of tips, inspirational stories and guidance, such as what to do if you’re nervous in water.

For animal lovers, horse-riding might be perfect choice. Whether you fancy a relaxing ride in the countryside or the challenge of show-jumping or polo, there are lots of opportunities. For details, contact the British Horse Society (www.bhs.org.uk) or the Association of British Riding Schools (www.abrs-info.org).

Here are links to some more sports you could try:

• http://www.archerygb.org/

• http://www.britishfencing.com/

• http://britishtaekwondo.org.uk/

• http://canoe-england.org.uk/

• http://britishweightlifting.org/

• http://baseballsoftballuk.com/

• http://englandhockey.co.uk/

Whatever you choose, make sure you prepare carefully and stay safe. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun!

You can catch up on all the events and articles here: http://www.glasgow2014.com/

All picture courtesy of the Hockey and Commonwealth websites

You can get some memoribilia here and soem interesting reads :

Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014 Official Licensed Clyde Mascot T-Shirt – Navy, 6-12 Months
Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014 Men’s Official Licensed Large Outline Logo T-Shirt – Navy, Large
Yesurprise Candy Red Led Digital Silicone Rubber Band Jelly Men Ladies Sport Watch Series 2 Black
Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014 Women’s Official Licensed Large Outline Logo T-Shirt – Black, XX-Large
The Commonwealth Games