sport
Bristol Families Launch Kids Into Summer Sports Programs Today
Bristol families can join free and paid youth sports programmes through established local clubs offering football, tennis, basketball and inclusive sessions.
How we reported this
NextGen Circle provides free football, basketball and mentoring sessions to around 500 children each week in Bristol, with three quarters of participants drawn from the city’s most deprived areas. The volunteer-run club has secured BBC Children in Need funding to expand its camps and disability sessions, giving families a clear entry point for no-cost participation.
Free Community Programmes
NextGen Circle operates as the main volunteer-driven option for families seeking zero-cost access. Sessions run weekly and combine sport with mentoring. Parents can register through the club’s listed programmes to secure places for children, particularly those in priority postcodes.
Multi-Activity Summer Clubs
Bristol Sport coordinates holiday clubs at venues including Cadbury Heath and Tynings School. Activities include gymnastics, football, cricket, tag rugby, basketball, hockey and dodgeball. These clubs run across multiple sites and accept bookings for the current school holidays, allowing parents to select sessions that fit family schedules.
Tennis Camp Options
Absolute Tennis, University of Bristol and Elly Shearman clubs host summer camps for ages 4 to 16 from mid-July through August. Half-day fees range from £18 to £35. Families can compare session lengths and skill levels directly on each club’s booking pages before committing.
Inclusive and Disability-Focused Sessions
Access Sport’s Winter Ignite Festival at Clifton College showcases more than 75 Bristol clubs that deliver wheelchair basketball, boccia and walking football. The event serves as an introduction for families seeking accessible activities, with contact details available for the participating organisations.
Mentoring Through Sporting Champions
Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions programme pairs young athletes with Olympians and Paralympians including Colin Jackson and Maisie Summers-Newton. Facility access is provided at Henbury Centre and St Pauls Community Sports Academy. Interested families can enquire via Everyone Active centres to learn about eligibility and next steps.
To begin, parents should visit the websites of NextGen Circle, Bristol Sport and Everyone Active to review current availability and registration requirements. Contacting the individual tennis clubs or Access Sport provides further details on fees, age groups and session dates. Checking these sources directly ensures families receive the latest information on places and any required equipment.