Parkour/Freerunning a HUGE success with Durham County Council Funded by Sport England’s Sportivate

Parkour sessions that have recently taken place in County Durham (aimed at 11-25 year olds) have proved to be a massive success. Durham County Council received money via Sportivate to run the sessions. Sportivate is a lottery funded London 2012 legacy project that gives young people the opportunity to access six-to-eight weeks of subsidised sports coaching in a wide range of sports. The parkour sessions were delivered by Parkour UK members Apeuro Parkour & Freerunning based in the North East of England. Apeuro delivered one hour parkour sessions over the course of eight weeks in three locations within County Durham – Dene Community School (Peterlee), Spectrum Leisure Complex (Willington) and Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre. The sessions were exceptionally well attended with 55 young people, aged between 11-25 years old, involved.

Taking part has many physical benefits including improved speed, strength and endurance, as well as helping individuals to develop personal skills such as discipline, persistence and patience. The sessions were taught in a safe and secure environment for beginners and educated them on the basic principles of parkour, teaching them how to do the sport safely. It is hoped that this 8-week education programme will inspire the young people to take part in Parkour/Freerunning safely within their natural outdoor environments in the future. Participants will also have the opportunity to get involved in activities/event days organised by Apeuro across the North East of England.

It is certainly clear that this non-traditional sport has gone down well with the young people of County Durham.

If you would like more information or support establishing a Parkour Sportivate session please contact us or your local County Sports Partnership.

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