Community Games...Building a legacy for Local Communities in 2013!

The Community Games programme will provide support and resources for communities to organise their own local sporting and cultural events in celebration of the London 2012 Games. Events that took place last year created a brilliant foundation for the Community Games in 2013 - some of our favourite events can be found here.

Local people will have the opportunity to get involved in Community Games in a number of different ways. They could become a Community Games organiser responsible for developing and implementing a Community Games event, they could volunteer to help out at an event, they could participate in the events activities, or they could just simply come along, have fun and enjoy the event as a spectator with friends and family.

It is important to know that Community Games supports brand new events as well as long-established events. So, if you have a Community festival which takes place year in year out - come rain or shine and has done for the last 10 years, then this year your event could become a Community Games. Alternatively, you may want to hold a one-off event to celebrate the Olympic Torch Relay which went through Bucks and MK on 9th and 10th July last year. 

2013 brings new events and a new offer of support. Similarly to last year, upon registering your event as a Community Games (which you can do so by clicking here), you are then eligible to apply for the Community Games grant worth up to £250 along with a range of Community Games branded resources; which include t-shirts, bunting, banners and certificates. To access a complete list of resources available click here.

For further information you can visit the Community Games website or take a look at the 5-minute guide.

For all other enquiries please call the Bucks Sport team on 01296 585215 or email info@buckssport.org


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Minister for Civil Society, Nick Hurd, said: “We want everyone to get involved and celebrate the London 2012 Games coming to the UK and this is why we have awarded Community Games £2 million. Community Games will provide the help and support people need to organise a run, a triathlon or even a dance contest display in their local area this summer. This is all part of our drive to create a bigger stronger society where people are empowered to make a difference to their community.”

Moira Swinbank, Chief Executive of Legacy Trust UK, said: “Legacy Trust UK is all about securing a legacy from London 2012 in communities’ right across the UK, and what better way to do this than through Community Games? We’re delighted that the potential of this regional programme has been recognised, and look forward to working with the County Sports Partnership Network and the YMCA to bring a taste of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to millions of people throughout England.”

The award also heralds the creation of a new partnership between the County Sports Partnership Network (CSPN) and the YMCA to run the England-wide Community Games programme. The collaboration will benefit from the CSPN’s expertise in promoting physical activity participation at a local level, coupled with the YMCA’s 166 years of experience of helping to build positive futures for young people and communities.