GET on your marks for a Community Games event coming to Southampton.

A team of volunteers is busy organising the St James’ Park Community Games, set to take place on July 5 and 6, which will be opened by Olympic silver medallist diver Peter Waterfield, who lives in the city.

The main day of sports will take place on the Saturday at the park in Shirley.

Starting at noon there will be a programme of events, including football challenges, a skipping workshop, dodge ball, goal ball, boccia, a mystery maze and fencing. There will also be some music on the Saturday.

There will be more sport on the Sunday, including a minithon, dance workshops, yoga workshops, and entertainment, including choirs, brass bands, a science sports show and cheerleaders.

There will also be a raffle, tombola, an arts and crafts tent, treasure hunt, bike doctor, bike tagging, face painting, henna tattoos.

Daily Echo:

St James' Park

The national Community Games initiative was inspired by the 2012 London Olympics as a way of encouraging local communities to become more physically active and also to become more involved, through volunteering.

Like the Olympics and Paralympics, the St James’ Park Community Games will have an opening and closing ceremonies.

Event organiser Marina Murphy said: “The event is aimed at people from all walks of life, ages and ability – primarily from the local community but anyone is welcome. There is no entrance fee and the majority of activities are free of charge. We want people to try something new, spend time with their family and friends and enjoy their Park. Just turn up on the day and try something new.”

  • Volunteers are being recruited to help organise the event in advance and also to help out on the day – anything from judging games to serving refreshments. For more information, visit fosjp.org.uk
  • The Community Games will run from noon to 6pm on July 5 and from 11am to 3pm on July 6.