Community Games

Community Games

Thanks to a successful Community Games programme in 2012 and continued support from the Government’s Social Action Fund, residents of Hampshire & IOW can help keep the Olympic and Paralympic legacy alive by getting involved in their very own Community Games events in 2013.

Community Games are driven and shaped by a community. This can be facilitated by a Local Authority or other organisation but the community must be instrumental in the development and delivery of the event. Most Communit Games feature a combination of sporting and cultural activities and they include some sort of ceremony, ideally an opening and/or closing ceremony.

Watch our video to see what it's all about. Local people have the opportunity to get involved in Community Games in a number of different ways. You could become a Community Games Organiser responsible for developing and implementing an event, you could volunteer to help out at an event, you could participate in the events activities, or you could just simply come along, have fun and enjoy the event as a spectator with friends and family. Events can be anything from a ‘Crafty Community Games’ to a ‘Village Games’ - ultimately the events reflect the interests and needs of the local community.

Why should I get involved?

Community Games gives you the chance to be part of our country's Olympic legacy. It's also your chance to bring people together to try new sporting and arts activities and have loads of fun. Perhaps you'd like to do something for the kids at your local school in the summer holidays, or maybe you'd like everyone in your street to get to know each other better.

Can an existing event be a Community Games?

Yes if it includes both sporting and cultural events, and some sort of ceremony. If it doesn't perhaps you could plan ahead to include something extra for 2013.

If I decide to organise a Community Games will I get any help?

The short answer is 'yes, of course'. Here's a few more details of the help and support for you:

• A public facing web page to promote event details, this is linked to a post code search facility
• Personalised postcards for each event (quantity to be determined)
• Personalised posters for each event (quantity to be determined)
• T-shirts for volunteers (quantity to be determined);
• Certificates and stickers for participants;
• The loan of banners and bunting;
• Access to an e-learning training package for event management
• Access to one-to-one support from a network of experienced community event organisers
• The loan of various equipment such as smoothie bike, portable PA system, traditional sport day and family games equipment;
• A small grant to help support the costs of running a Community Games event;
• A free Sport Hampshire & IOW Roadshow, for events expecting over 250 to attend.

Is there any money for our Games?

Many people have shown that Community Games can be organised for very little cost. In Hampshire, Sport Hampshire & IOW will be offering community groups a grant of up to £300 towards the cost of their event in 2013. Groups just need to complete a short application form, providing details of their event and provide supporting documentation. Forms can be downloaded from the useful documents column on the right of this page.  Although the funding process for 2012 is now closed, there will be an opportunity to apply for grants in 2013. Keep checking the website for further details.

Can we use the Olympic or Paralympic logos?

No one apart from the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and their official sponsors can use these logos or names for their event. There are lots of innovative names you can call your event, but if you wish to use  Community Games in the title then you are welcome to do so., for example: 'Whitedown Community Games'.

I'm interested - what do I do next?

Visit the Community Games site where you can find out more and express your interest, or contact Charlotte Malyon on 01962 846954.