'Get Into Summer' starting with free street football and basketball with Active Schools at Forres Tesco car park

SECONDARY school-age students are being invited to free caged sports sessions in a local car park in the evenings this week.

S1-S6 pupils - including next term's S1s - are welcome to play street football and basketball in a portable playing cage suitable for small sided games in the car park at Forres Tesco, from 6.30-8.30pm from Monday to Friday.

Craig Carswell and Rosalyn Carruthers, Active Schools Coordinators for the Forres Associated School Group confirmed the 're:connect' event is being run by Active Schools and Police Scotland, and is part of an entertainment programme for young people taking place at different venues in the region across the summer holidays.

Rosalyn said: "Forres Active Schools urge you to 'Get Into Summer' by dropping in with friends. It will be a great opportunity to play alongside local clubs' players, get coaching tips as well as refreshments and freebies!"

The extensive playing cage will be assembled by local authority partners including Moray Youth Work and volunteers, and is scheduled to arrive 90 minutes before the sessions. It will be collapsed afterwards for storage at Forres Police Station.

Police Inspector Andrew Wilson of Elgin said: "These events are designed to provide an opportunity to meet up with friends and play sport in a fun environment. The games are played using bespoke street-sport equipment. No booking is required."

Tesco Forres will provide free refreshments for session participants.

And Moray Youth Work will be running pop-up events on Monday, Thursday and Friday alongside the cage, with more freebies.

Craig added : "We're starting off on Monday, July 5 with football sessions delivered by Forres Thistle coaches and players. On Tuesday, July 6 it's over to Forres Mechanics coaches and players. Active Schools volunteers as well as Moray Sport Development coaches will also provide support at both of these sessions.

"On the Wednesday and Thursday, Active Schools volunteers and Sport Development coaches will provide support for the same set-up then deliver street basketball sessions.

"Finally, on Friday, July 9, Nairn St Ninian Women’s Football Club coaches and players are delivering a girls' only session."

The sessions are drop-in based and are non-competitive. Participants can arrive and leave whenever they like.

"The sessions will be purely for the enjoyment of the game," said Rosalyn, "and a chance to meet up with friends."

The Active Schools summer programme aims to re-engage children and young people with local clubs. It is hoped that involving them will encourage future participation in sport and physical activity.

The Programme is part of the Scottish Government’s Get Into Summer initiative.