Matt Lloyd, Sports Recreation Officer for Bournemouth Borough Council

THE Olympics is the world’s greatest sporting occasion that unites people from across the globe in an amazing display of competition and talent.

It is hard not to get excited about this event and with the Olympic Torch coming to Bournemouth on Friday, July 13 we all have the opportunity to share in this once in a lifetime experience.

This is the reason why I am organising the Bournemouth Festival of Sport from July 7-14 to herald the arrival of the Olympic Torch to the borough. I am inviting all sports clubs, youth teams, schools, fitness fans and general sports enthusiasts to get involved in this fun event to showcase just how many amazing sports we have going on right here in Bournemouth.

The Festival is aimed at helping and encouraging those wishing to get involved in all sports on offer in the borough through local clubs and societies. It will provide a perfect opportunity for people to demonstrate a range of sporting activities – perhaps some not so well known – and to publicise their sport to residents and visitors, young and old alike.

I personally hope to see a vast range of activities from judo to cricket, beach volleyball to bowls, kite surfing to rugby and lots more taking place during the week. Let’s all celebrate this once in a lifetime event and get into the spirit of the Olympic Games by showing what we can all do.

If you are interested in getting involved I would urge you to contact me as soon as possible so that an interesting and varied programme of events can be planned.

With the Olympic Games raising awareness of the importance of physical activity, this promises to be a fun and exciting week for the town, and one that can become an annual fixture on Bournemouth’s calendar of events.

I can be reached at matthew.lloyd@bournemouth.gov.uk or 01202 451738.