Free outdoor basketball sessions run by Leeds LDM in Cross Flatts Park have taken off this July as part of the #LetsBall campaign.
In partnership with charity StreetGames and Active Leeds, Leeds LDM founder Loran Lewis is aiming to get 200 children involved in basketball this summer and distribute 200 free basketballs across the city.
The first session was held on Saturday 18 July, and sessions led by qualified basketball coaches will take place on Saturday mornings throughout the summer holidays for children in the 8-16 age range.
A great day at our first summer holiday session at Crossflatts park, Beeston!! @SGYorkshire @LeedsCommFound @SouthLeedsLife pic.twitter.com/gY8lyIAvtL
— Let's Do More (@LetsdomoreLDM) July 18, 2020
Parents can register their children by emailing info@letsdomore.co.uk or by contacting Leeds LDM on 07939 591437.
To comply with coronavirus guidelines, coaching is carried out in groups of six at a maximum, with each player using their own basketball and social distancing maintained throughout the sessions.
Year 6 pupils from Greenmount Primary School in Beeston also received coaching in early July, praising the “engaging, supportive and inspiring” sessions.
Our Year 6 bubbles thoroughly enjoyed basketball at Cross Flatts Park with @LetsdomoreLDM today. It was an engaging, supportive and inspiring session with children being rewarded basketball balls for showing good sportsmanship, resilience and determination. # climb pic.twitter.com/vZlwMXdmhF
— Greenmount Primary School (@Greenmountsch) July 6, 2020
We are so pleased that more of our year 6 bubbles were able to attend a @LetsdomoreLDM session. Great fun was had by all and they were so grateful to be able to take home a ball each! Don't forget to register for the free sessions that will run on Saturdays throughout the summer pic.twitter.com/JMkDHuDQpk
— Greenmount Primary School (@Greenmountsch) July 16, 2020
A local parent commended the “amazing work” being done by Leeds LDM online, saying it was “important to engage young people in activities to encourage positive behaviour” while the challenges posed by COVID-19 make it hard to engage children and keep them off the streets.
