Initiative between leisure centres and schools aims to attract teenagers, writes PETER CANN

Motivating teenagers away from their games station and off the sofa is why Nexus Community, who manage the local leisure centres in West Oxfordshire, have teamed up with West Oxfordshire school sports co-ordinators to promote health and fitness in secondary schools in the area.

After successfully launching the programme with pupils at Henry Box School in Witney, Nexus health and fitness managers expanded the programme to include Carterton Community College and Wood Green School, also in Witney.

Pupils were invited to the Windrush Leisure Centre in Witney to try both the gym and exercise classes in the studio to see if they enjoyed these activities more than sport.

Linked to secondary schools, Chipping Norton Leisure Centre and Bartholomew Sports Centre are also frequently used by pupils for after-school sports activities and many use the gym as an alternative form of exercise.

"It's clear that some children in secondary schools just don't enjoy sport and it's our responsibility to ensure that every child has had the opportunity to find a physical activity that they do want to participate in for general health," said Trevor Ashley, health and fitness manager at Windrush Leisure Centre.

"Because exercising in a gym is not competitive, many people prefer it to sport," said Trevor. "Exercise makes you feel great, you are fitter and many people lose weight so exercising in the gym is a superb way to keep fit."

Many of the young people who tried the sessions have joined Nexus Community's Fitcrew membership, designed for teenagers who want to get fit in the gym as a direct result of the initiative.

"We are delighted with the success of the programme and, as a result, will certainly run it again to include more schools next time," said Trevor.

For more information on the programme call 01993 202020 or visit the www.nexuscommunity.org website.