Back to where it starts: Cardiff to London

That was an incredible weekend! Many thanks to all of the wonderful clubs, participants and helpers out who took part in the more than 6,000 events around the UK.

Powered by the Join In bus, we were able to visit many fantastic Join In events this weekend. The final leg of our journey yesterday was from Cardiff to South London. Here are the highlights:

Stop 1: Cardiff Wheelchair Team - see photos

Stop 2: Ninja Tots in Chippenham - see photos (too cute!)

Stop 3: Barnes Bridge Ladies Rowing Club, with Jonathan Edwards, Olympic silver medallist David Florence and double Olympic gold medallist, Mo Farah (see above) - see photos

Stop 4: Tooting Bec Lido – see photos

Thanks again to everyone who turned up, took part and joined in!!

Back to where it starts: Glasgow to Cannock

There are more than 6,000 wonderful events happening for Join In Local Sport this weekend.

We couldn’t get to them all, but thanks to our Join In bus, we have managed to drop into a few local sports clubs.

On Friday afternoon, we began in Glasgow at Shettleston Harriers (see photos), before heading over the border to Norton Sports and Social Archery near Middlesborough (see photos).

On Saturday, the Join In bus made seven different pitstops. As well as our travelling athletes, Daley Thompson, David Moorcroft and Sharron Davies, we also brought a few surprise Team GB guests. 

• Saturday stop 1: Leeds parkrun, the official launch event for the Join In Weekend, with Olympic gold and bronze medallists Alistair and Jonny Brownlee – see photos
  
  
• Stop 2: Sheffield Cycle Speedway, with Olympic gold medallist, Jason Kenny - see photos
  
  
• Stop 3: Huntingdon Gymnastics, with Olympic silver medallist Louis Smith - see photos
  
  
• Stop 4: The Hellfire Harlots rollerderby team in Nottingham - see photos
  
  
• Stop 5: Marshall Milton Keynes Athletics Club, with Olympic gold medallist Greg Rutherford - see photos
  
  
• Stop 6: Cannock Hockey and Cricket Club - see photos.
   
• Stop 7: We also made an impromtu visit to Ikeston Outlaws Basketball club - see photos 

The Join In bus continues its journey south today.

You can see the route here (pdf).

Sir Alex’s unsung heroes

It is the first day of the Premier League season, so it’s fitting that we share with you a little video we shot this week with the legendary Man Utd manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.

When we told him about Join In Local Sport, he wanted to let us know about when he began playing football. Despite his incredible success at the top flight, he has never forgotten the neighbour, who gave his time to start a local football team for the boys in his neighbourhood of Glasgow. 

You can watch Sir Alex here.
 

Vote for the UK’s most promising young sportsperson

Who do you think should win the UK’s Most Promising Young Sportsperson award?

This weekend, Join In will give the award to one of six short-listed inspirational young people – but we need you to tell us who should win!

Our shortlist:

• Shaun Swetman from Cardiff Wheelchair Tennis Club
• Freddie Curtis from Marshall Milton Keynes Athletic Club
• Tom Wilkinson from Norton Archers
• Jocelyn Payne, Run Director at Leeds Parkrun
• Mhairi Hendry from Shettleston Harriers
• Jasmin Meier from Barnes Women’s Rowing Club 

You can find out more about each candidate on our Facebook page. To vote, you simply need to ‘Like’ your favourites! Find out more and vote now. 

When the Thorpedo came to Tooting

Tooting Bec Lido is one of Britain’s oldest and most popular open air pools. Over the last 106 years, it has welcomed many thousands of swimmers – but perhaps none greater than Australian Olympic gold medallist Ian Thorpe, who paid a visit this week to coach some of the local swimmers (young and old).

The Thorpedo also lent his support to Join In – and met the wonderful Doreen, the star of our advertising campaign.

As a regular BBC pundit during the Olympics, Ian has witnessed first-hand the incredible enthusiasm for sport that the Games have created in the UK. He now wants everyone to make the most of this moment – and head down to their local swimming club. Watch the great man below:

Yorkshire celebrates Brownlee double!

At Join In Local Sport there’s nothing we like more than an Olympic celebration party, especially when it’s staged by a local sports event.

So when Dave Woodhead (organiser of the races that got triathlon champs Jonny and Ali Brownlee into sport) told us about this little shindig we headed straight for Yorkshire to ‘join in’ the fun.

The day began with a race, held in honour of the local brothers, before the 250 competitors and volunteers decamped to the local for a pint of Yorkshire’s finest and to cheer the boys over the line.

Signed goodies and chocolates were given away and the the atmosphere was electric throughout the event. And when BOTH the Brownlees medalled, we reckon you could have heard the cheer in Hyde Park…

Join In Local Sport

Join In Local Sport is the UK’s biggest celebration of local sport – and you’re invited. On the Join In Weekend (18/19th August), thousands of clubs and community groups around the UK will be holding fun, free events and activities for all ages.

Many Join In events will also be happening throughout the two weeks between the Olympics and Paralympics (13-28th August). Search for your nearest event.

Norwich Dragons roar for Join In

From three years in the wilderness to a new home and a ministerial visit, it has been an incredible turnaround for hockey club, Norwich Dragons.

This Wednesday, Nick Hurd MP, the Minister for Civil Society, made a special visit for Join In Local Sport to meet the people behind the 100% volunteer-based Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC).

The Norwich Dragons, who are hosting four different events for Join In on 18/19th August (and plan to add more), welcome young and older members. Mr Hurd met players aged four to 60 years (the Dragons even have a ladies group for over 80s – whose top scorer is 88!) – and heard about the club’s amazing transformation.

Until 2011, the club had been homeless for three seasons. Supported closely by England Hockey, its volunteers worked with Town Close House Prep school and Sport England to raise £650,000 for a new pitch – the “Dragon’s Den” – which is now also being used by local state schools.   

Helping the community is a passion for the incredible volunteers behind Norwich Dragons. The club has won a ClubMark (ClubsFirst) certification for its work with young and vulnerable people – providing opportunities to play hockey to those that wouldn’t normally be exposed to the Olympic sport.

We think the Dragons are a great example of what Join In Local Sport is all about. You can find out more about them here.

Fire up the kettle for Join In!

Have you seen our new promotional video for Join In Local Sport?

Featuring the wonderful Jo, it’s a rousing rallying cry for the UK’s unsung sporting heroes – the amazing coaches, volunteers, supporters and club members who help to create the likes of Jessica Ennis, Chris Hoy and Tom Daley. In other words, everyone involved in Join In Local Sport.

Watch the Little Trainer video below!

We’re live!

So, it’s official. The Join In Local Sport campaign is now live. If you’re already on the website, you probably already know all about Join In, but here’s a quick guide to how it works.

What’s Join In? 

On 18/19 August – the first weekend between the Olympic and Paralympic Games – people across the UK will have a unique opportunity to turn up, take part and join in at their local sports facilities.

Sports clubs all over the country will be organising special activities, sports tournaments and free events over the Join In weekend, creating a shop window within their community for the opportunities available for people inspired by the Games to help out, give time, support, watch or play sport.

Why Join In?

London 2012 will generate unprecedented enthusiasm for sport in the UK and the Join In Weekend aims to capture this and bring it back to the place it begins for all great champions – their local sports clubs.

“Local clubs are where it all begins: from the first time you run round the track, to the person who manages the pitch bookings, to the coach who pushes you to go that little bit further and faster,” says David Moorcroft OBE, former running world record holder and Join In Director for Sport.

“I know the Olympics and Paralympics are going to inspire people to get involved like never before. Join In will make sure we don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity.”