9 January 2006

Get fit for 2006!

Fighting the after-effects of festive over-indulgence tops many a New Year’s resolution list at this time of year but sticking with an exercise plan can be notoriously difficult.

In the hope of making life easier for would be exercisers, staff at the University of Dundee’s Institute of Sport and Exercise, are organising a week of taster sessions to tempt people into finding their ideal sport.

The Celebration of Sport, held from January 16 to 20, is offering participants the chance to try out a range of different activities each evening for only £1 per night.

A total of 14 different sports will be catered for in the programme, including sessions in trampolining, roller hockey, five-a-side football, archery and volleyball.

Kirsteen Cruickshank, sports development officer with the university, said the Celebration of Sport was aimed at making it easier for people to exercise:

"I think most people know about the benefits of exercise and especially at this time of year lots of people want to get fitter and be more active, but it isn’t easy," she said.

"The main things making it difficult are lack of time, lack of energy, not enough support and encouragement and finding it hard to stick to a routine."

"The celebration of sport is aimed at providing the support and encouragement and also helping people find an activity they like. It is far easier to find the time and the energy to keep exercising if it is good fun and enjoyable so we’re offering a range of different sports over the course of a week."

"For just £1 people can come along for the evening, try a few things out and hopefully find something that suits them."

The programme begins on Monday 16 January with sessions in trampoline, badminton, roller hockey and volleyball. On Tuesday there are taster sessions in cricket, netball and touch rugby while Wednesday is devoted to badminton and Ultimate Frisbee. Thursday offers basketball and indoor hockey while on Friday participants can try their hand at 5-a-side football, archery and enjoy a martial arts demonstration.

Each evening costs £1 and starts at 7pm with the exception of Friday 20 January when the Five-a-side football session begins at 5pm and runs until 7pm. The sessions are open to members of the public as well as students and staff at the university.

For more information visit the Institute of Sport and Exercise website at http://www.dundee.ac.uk/sportexercise/events/2005/celebsport.htm

ENDS

For more information contact:

Roddy Isles,
Head of Press
University of Dundee
Tel: 01382 384910,
Email: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk