(L-R) Rodney Ah You, David News, Sport NI, Belfast Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Mary Ellen Campbell and Andrew Trimble launch the ‘Sport NI Every Body Active 2020’ programme at Belfast City Hall.

A new sports engagement programme designed to tackle physical inactivity, ‘Sport NI Every Body Active 2020 Belfast’, has been lauchned at Belfast City Hall.

Representatives from a number of sports organisations, schools and community groups joined Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Mary Ellen Campbell, Chairman of Sport NI George Lucas and special guests rugby players Andrew Trimble and Rodney Ah You, Sophie Thomas, Ulster Squash, Niamh Cooper, NI international netball player and international athlete Amy Foster for a healthy breakfast, and to learn more about how they could get involved.

Belfast City Council has secured £1.5 million of National Lottery Funding to deliver Sport Northern Ireland’s Every Body Active 2020 programme which aims to encourage everyone to be more active, more often.

They’ve engaged 12 delivery partners from Athletics NI to Ulster Badminton and a host of others in between who will, through 15 separate citywide programmes, offer a wide range of fantastic active experiences.

Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Mary Ellen Campbell said: “We’ve set out in The Belfast Agenda that we want Belfast to be a city where everyone experiences good health and wellbeing – and taking part in sport and physical activity is a key way of helping to make sure that we keep fit and well, both physically and mentally.

“We’re especially keen to increase the number of women and girls, people with a disability and those in areas of greatest social need taking part. But not only that, we want to help them enjoy, engage in and excel at their chosen sport. Whatever your age and wherever you’re from, come on, join in and get your body active!”

Sport Northern Ireland Chair George Lucas added: “Sport Northern Ireland is delighted to be working with Belfast City Council and our other delivery partners on the Every Body Active 2020 programme.

“We believe passionately in the power sport has to enhance our physical and mental health, and to promote community cohesion. Thanks to the support of National Lottery players, we are able to invest £1.5m into projects and activities which will allow more people in Belfast to participate in sport and enjoy the many benefits of an active lifestyle.”

It’s easy to get involved. Simply register at www.eba2020.net, get active (whether that’s walking, cycling, running, swimming, aerobics or a sport of your choice) and record your activity sessions online.

For more information, go to www.belfastcity.gov.uk/everybodyactive