Alex Clifford and Aaron McNeill of getactiveabc on FREE borough-wide programmes

Spring is around the corner, the restrictions have lifted and there’s a sense of optimism in the air.

The outdoors beckons and there have never been more opportunities to get moving and start leading a more active life.

And it’s not exclusive to the young and healthy either.

For this week’s podcast Armagh I was back in South Lake Leisure centre speaking to Alex Clifford and Aaron McNeill about the ABC council’s MUGAS (Multi Use Games  Areas) FREE programmes available across the Borough.

The community based grassroots project takes an informal approach to getting people active but it’s a whole lot more than that.

Alex is the council’s Community Sport Development Officer and he explains how MUGAS work and how kids can make use of them in any way they choose, be it for basketball, football, tennis or any activity they feel in the mood for.

There are also free coaching programmes in open spaces, community centres, community halls and leisure facilities that include activities such as street soccer, and even a gaming bus to keep those less interested in sport engaged.

Aaron is the council’s Multi Sports Coach who tells us about the programmes he’s involved in such as girls football, coach to 5k, disability programmes and walking football where you can simply come along and join in.

While walking football might sound counterintuitive, it’s anything but, as Aaron explains.

And the community-based project not only serves to get people active, young people who come through the programmes can then get involved in coaching which can be added to a CV or university application and even lead to a career.

More information can be found at Community Engagement (MUGAS) www.getactiveabc.com