Two Norfolk sport projects tipped for success in national Sportivate awards

Two sport projects in Norfolk have been nominated for a national award for their contribution to sport in the county.

Jodie McGill with her award for Norfolk's Project of the Year (Image: Archant)

The Sportivate National Awards recognise work done to encourage young people who don't take part in sport to become more active.

A tennis project run by Easton and Otley College won Norfolk's Project of the year and will now go up for national consideration.

Jodie McGill, sports development officer at the college, is behind the course.

She said: 'We ran tennis clubs for our students with physical disabilities and learning difficulties.

'We had 10 groups over the year and tennis was something we hadn't really tried before.

'It can be quite a restrictive sport, but we had guys with wheelchairs and frames playing.

'We weren't sure how it would go but it just took off and went really well.'

The other nominee from Norfolk is 21-year-old Emma Kennedy, who is up for National Participant of the Year.

While studing International Development at UEA, she took up rounders at the Sportspark and then began coordinating the sport.

She said: 'I joined a six-week rounders course and as it got going it just took off and that was it!

'I had always loved rounders and I thought it would be nice to play a team sport, it was a nice balance between uni work and getting a bit of exercise.'

After the course finished, Emma was keen to continue and began organising sessions and tournaments so the group could keep playing.

Kate Tierney, Sportivate lead at Active Norfolk said: 'We are very proud of our regional winners and feel they are strong contenders as they progress through the awards process. We wish them the best of luck!'

The winners will be announced in September at the Houses of Parliament.

Have you been nominated for a community award? Email locallife@archant.co.uk