It's no secret that activity levels among children are on the decline. Many medical studies have shown that, in Britain, dwindling exercise levels have combined with poor diet, leading to a generation of children with waistlines expanding faster than those in any other European country.
Despite this, a recent study of young people's attitudes towards sport and activity has shown that children themselves think they should be doing more sport, and they think sport is fun, and are acutely aware that it is good for them.
Research has shown that exercise is not only good for the body, but also for the mind. There is a confirmed link between sport and academic success, with schools that do encourage sport recording higher grades, with better behaved children.
What is clear is that, girl or boy, young people are crying out for opportunities to become more active and to have more support and security for the occasions when they do have chance to play. (Research reproduced from the Norwich Union Listening to Tomorrow's Athletes)
To help tackle some of these issues facing young people playing sport, High Peak Leisure organises a number of activities, both during term time and school holidays, to help keep young people active. The programme listed below offers a wide range of sporting and play activities to keep young people keen.
You can turn up on the day for all the sessions listed below, except sessions that run as courses, or the exercise classes which are marked with a #, which must be booked in advance.
| Monday | |
|---|---|
| 4.30pm-5.30pm | Badminton Coaching (6 Yrs+) - £2.25 Just turn up for this hour long session to play games and learn new skills. Suitable for all levels, equipment provided. Supervised session to teach youngsters the basics of badminton. |
| Tuesday | |
| 1.15pm - 2.15pm | Gym Fun parent and toddler session, £2.50 / 2nd child £1.50
Full range of soft play, ball pool and gymnastic equipment. |
| 2.15pm - 2.55pm | Fundamentals (4-6 years) runs as a 12 week course Helps to develop essential basic skills in movement and co-ordination |
| 4pm-6pm | Gymnastics (school age+) (2.75 per session – payable as a course) Children work towards the British Gymnastics Skills Awards |
| 6.30pm-7.30pm | Basketball coaching, 8-12 years - £2.25 Want to be the next Michael Jordan? This hour long session, led by qualified coaches, is packed fun with skills and drills and is suitable for all abilities. |
| Wednesday | |
| 9.10 - 9.50 am | Fundamentals (4-6 years) runs as a 12 week course Helps to develop essential basic skills in movement and co-ordination |
| 10.45am-12 noon | Parent and toddler - £1 first child/50p second child. This is a drop-in session; includes soft play, bikes and organised games. Refreshments included. |
| 2.10 - 2.50 pm | Fundamentals (4-6 years) runs as a 12 week course Helps to develop essential basic skills in movement and co-ordination |
| 4pm-6pm | Gymnastics (school age+) £24 Course# Children work towards the British Gymnastics Skills Awards |
| Thursday | |
| 4pm-7pm | Gymnastics (School Age+) £24 Course# Children work towards the British Gymnastics Skills Awards |
| 5pm-6pm | Squash Coaching (6yrs+) - £2.25 Want to be the next Michael Jordan? This hour long session taken by qualified coaches is packed fun of skills and drills and is suitable for all abilities. |
| Friday | |
| 4.30pm-5.30pm | Football (4-6 Yrs) - £1.50 Perfect for children wanting to be the next Ronaldo, and children just wanting to have fun. Just turn up for this fun session. |
| 5pm-6pm | 
Junior Boxfit (11-16 Yrs) - £2.25(£1 for those currently enrolled on our 'Fit for the Future' programme) Fun workout session to music suitable for boys and girls where you learn a variety of punches and routines. Limited places - please book in advance. |
| 5.30pm-6.30pm | Multi sports (7-11 Yrs) - £2.25 Drop in session, great chance to try new sports and maybe discover a hidden talent. Different sports each week, have your say at what you want to play. |
| Saturday | |
| 9am-1pm | Gymnastics (School age+) £24.00 Course# Children work towards the British Gymnastics Skills Awards |
| Sunday | |
| 10am-11am | Squash Coaching (6yrs+) - £2.25 Want to be the next Michael Jordan? This hour long session taken by qualified coaches is packed fun of skills and drills and is suitable for all abilities. |
| 4pm-5pm | Roller Hockey with the Glossopdale Devils (All Ages) Inline hockey is one of the fastest growing team sports, boys and girls welcome. Great chance to try something different and have fun, come and give it a go. Further details, click here (external website**). |