Find a new hobby at Sunday Fun Day

LOOKING for a new hobby to take up or a fresh pastime to pursue? Then an event on Sunday 27 September could be just for you.

A wide range of organisations will show off the opportunities they have to offer at Sunday Fun Day, being held at Ronaldsway Sports and Social Club between 12 noon and 4pm.

Among those taking part are: Port Erin Tennis Club, Blackford Castletown Badminton Club, Hot Shots Badminton Club, Discover Diving, Southern Swimming Club, Castletown Football Club, Southern Gymnastics Club, Saracens Junior Hockey Club, Fantasia Dance Troup, Southern Table Tennis Club, Castletown Lawn Tennis Club, Castletown Cricket Club, Southern Nomads Rugby Club, Ronaldsway Bowling Club, Rushen Football Club, the Academy of Dance, the Air Cadets (Castletown Flight), the Youth Service and the Prince’s Trust.

Sunday Fun Day is the first major event to be organised by the Southern Multi-Agency Team, one of five geographic teams of education, healthcare, police, social services and voluntary sector professionals, set up this year with the aim of improving the lives of children and young people.

Andrea Rycroft, of the Isle of Man Children’s Centre (IOMCC), a Southern MAT member, said:

‘We recognise that many children in our area do not realise the opportunities that are available to them locally so we are organising the fun day to give local children and young people the opportunity to try out social and leisure organisations in their area.

‘There is a dual purpose to this in that the clubs and associations taking part are seeking new members, too, so the day will hopefully boost their ranks.’

Andrea insisted young people could try new hobbies and pursuits without any pressure to sign up. No special clothing or equipment is needed on the day.

There will also be information stands, including the Department of Transport’s Road Safety team, St John Ambulance and the Southern MAT team itself, as well as displays from young people’s groups.

The IOMCC will be running races, games and activities for young people and children to enjoy between 2pm and 3pm. For older children and teenagers, the Youth Bus will be on site, with an opportunity to try out the facilities, which include computers, music and a Wii.

There will also be a bouncy castle and refreshments.

There will be a car boot sale for parents to wander round while their children are having a go at activities. To book a stall at the car boot sale please contact 07624 363283.

Any club or organisation not yet approached that is interested in taking part in the day should contact the above number by Saturday 19th September.

‘Sunday Fun Day ties in with the Isle of Man Children’s Plan and the Chief Minister’s strategy of ensuring children stay safe, are healthy, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and prosper,’ Andrea said.

She continued:

‘It’s sometimes only by trying out a new hobby or pursuit that you can tell whether it’s going to be for you. ‘We hope that by showcasing opportunities in a fun setting like this, children and young people will come along and talk to clubs and groups they may never have heard of, may have not known how to get in touch with or may have considered out of their reach.’