Southsea Common will host a festival showcasing community sports to mark the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay arriving in the city on 6 July.
The international relay promoting the Birmingham Commonwealth Games will take in some of the city’s famous landmarks. Portsmouth City Council uses the occasion to highlight the range of sporting opportunities available and encourage residents to take part with free Get Active event opportunities to try new sports.
The Queen’s Baton will arrive on the seafront by hovercraft around 5.30 pm and loop through the Get Active event before travelling to Gunwharf Quays, the Historic Dockyard, and the city centre Southsea Common’s sports festivities.
Exact route details are still being finalised, but to maximise the areas people can see the relay event, it is expected the Baton will be chauffeured between key locations where Batonbearers will carry it. This will also prevent the need for road closures.
The Get Active celebration of grassroots sports and community fitness will take place on Southsea Common from 5 pm-7 pm, displaying everything the city offers, from athletics to Zumba.
Attendees will have the chance to try new activities at the different sports club stands and see what the city’s sports and leisure centres offer. BH Live brings a range of taster activities, including free fitness classes for people to try.
Clubs and societies from across the city are invited to participate and showcase what they do to encourage new people to join them. Any sports clubs or group leaders interested in getting involved should email events@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Council Leader Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson said: “We want to use this occasion to celebrate all the opportunities Portsmouth residents have to play sport and get active. Every week thousands of people in the city take part in a huge range of activities and by highlighting them at this event we hope to get even more people involved. We want to have a healthier city and I’d encourage anyone with a team, club or group that would like new members to get involved.”
Tony Brown, chair and coach at Court Lane Judo Club, said: “It’s great Portsmouth has been included in the Queen’s Baton Relay, but it’s being used to highlight grassroots sports in the city. Judo is one of the core sports for the Commonwealth Games but possibly least known by the average person, and this is a great opportunity to raise the profile of the sport.
“Portsmouth has a huge range of sport clubs for all ages and fitness but people don’t always know where to find them. This is a great way to show everyone what we offer and hopefully attract more people to join us and get active. ”
