Medway Council announces a summer of sport events.
With the Olympic spirit grabbing the country at the moment, Medway is gearing up for a fabulous summer of sport with local organisations to help residents keep fit, try something new and take advantage of the great facilities available in Medway.
Double Olympic gold medallist, Adam Peaty, is coming to Medway next month to headline a fantastic summer of sport. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of the huge variety of sports facilities and activities both outdoors and available on their doorstep. There is a wide range of different events and activities for all ages and abilities to get involved in; from couch to 5k, pop-up sports, football events, swimming crash courses and more.
With many people staying at home this summer or welcoming friends and family to stay, there’s plenty on offer to try out, and much of it for free.
Many of the activities are aimed at children and families, reflecting Medway’s drive putting children and young people at the heart of the council’s activities. Youngsters can come along to Park Sports, Drop-in Football, Mini Youth Sports Camps and even borrow footballs from selected libraries and much, much more. The council is also offering summer activities for young people of any age and up to 25-year-olds for those with additional needs and disabilities.
Sporting excellence features in this summer’s sports line-up. Straight from his gold medal winning performance at this year’s Tokyo Olympics, Adam Peaty, will be returning to run his AP Race Clinic in Medway on Saturday, 28 August. He will be spending time with young swimmers giving them the opportunity to learn from the best. Medway is also delighted to host the grand final of Wheelchair Rugby League, bringing together the top two clubs in the land who will go head-to-head at the official Home of England WRL on Saturday, 18 September. Spectators will have the opportunity to see many of England’s biggest names in action less than two months before the World Cup.
Back on the agenda this year is the much-loved Medway Mile taking place during September, which had to be cancelled in 2020. It makes a welcome return to the streets of Rochester and the council hopes that local people will enjoy the opportunity to come along and enjoy a wonderful evening for all ages and abilities.
Something for everyone
Howard Doe, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Services, said: “Medway has a huge line up of events for people to take part in and enjoy this summer with something for everyone to try. The different activities offer people a great way to stay active and enjoy the weather, while staying local and of course there’s plenty for their summer visitors to enjoy too. The community, passion and creativity that sit at the very heart of our summer sport programme reflects the aspirations of our bid to become UK City of Culture 2025 that would bring significant benefits to Medway, including more opportunities for young people, and will help showcase all we have to offer. I encourage residents, and visitors to Medway, to find out more at medway.gov.uk/summerofsport2021.”
Workout for Summer roadshow
Saturday, 31 July to Saturday, 28 August
Popular fitness instructors are taking to the road this summer for a series of pop-up workout sessions in greenspaces and communities throughout Medway. Workout sessions include yoga, spin, dancefit, bootcamp and more. These sessions will run alongside the ParkSport programme, meaning children can join in active pop-up sessions, alongside adult aimed workouts.
Saturday 31 July
Bootcamp with Simon
Northcote Road Rec, Strood
2.30pm to 3.30pm. Free.
Saturday, 7 August
Bootcamp with Simon
Jacksons Field, Rochester
2.30pm to 3.30pm. Free.
Saturday, 14 August
Yoga with ZenGem
Northcote Road Rec, Strood
3pm to 4pm. Free.
Aqua Aerobics with Pat
The Strand Pool, Gillingham
11.30am to 12pm
Included in admission to the morning session. Pre-booking essential.
Saturday, 21 August
Aqua Aerobics with Pat
The Strand Pool, Gillingham
11.30am to 12pm
Included in admission to the morning session. Pre-booking essential.
Bootcamp with Simon
Pottery Road Rec, Hoo
2.30 to 3.30pm. Free.
Saturday, 28 August
Aqua Aerobics with Pat
The Strand Pool, Gillingham
11.30am to 12pm
Included in admission to the morning session. Pre-booking essential.
DanceFit with Zoe
Gillingham Park
10:30am to 11:30am. Free.
Football like the Euros
Friday, 30 July to Friday, 27 August
If the Euros have kicked off or enhanced your child’s appetite for the beautiful game, then pop along to a weekly ‘come and play’ football session. These sessions are running every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday through the summer for young people aged 11 and over at various locations in Medway.
No need to book, just turn up and play.
Saunders Street, Gillingham
Every Wednesday – 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Lordswood Library, Lordswood, Chatham
Every Thursday – 6pm to 8pm
Hook Meadow Recreation Ground, Chatham
Every Tuesday – 2pm to 4pm
Mini Youth Sports Camps
Monday, 26 July to Friday, 27 August
Keep the children entertained, active and social with this summer holiday multi-sport club for 7 to 12-year-olds. Half day and full day options are available to suit everyone.
Strood Sports Centre, Strood
Monday, 26 July to Thursday, 26 August
Monday to Thursday 9.30am-4pm
Medway Park, Gillingham
Tuesday, 27 July to Friday, 27 August
Tuesday to Friday 9.30am-4pm
For prices, bookings and to learn more, visit the sport camp webpage or call 01634 336655.
Swimming and aquatic crash courses
Monday, 26 July to Friday, 27 August.
Use the break from school to develop your child’s water confidence and teach them a vital life skill with crash course swimming lessons. These sessions are suitable for beginners and available at Medway Park, Hoo and Strood Sports Centre.
For dates, times and to book, visit the swimming webpage.
Medway Sport Training Courses
Monday, 2 August to Monday, 4 October.
Medway Sport is running a programme of training courses in First Aid and Lifeguarding, accredited by the Royal Life Saving Society.
National Pool Lifeguarding
Monday, 2 August to Friday, 6 August
Emergency First Aid at Work
Wednesday, 11 August and Monday, 4 October
For more information, visit the courses webpage.
For bookings and enquiries, email medwaysport@medway.gov.uk
Medway Summer Dayz
Tuesday, 3 August to Tuesday, 31 August across 21 locations in Medway.
This event consists of free various sports, games and other fun activities for 8 to 17-year-olds and there is no booking required.
Summer Couch to 5K
Thursday, 12 August to Thursday, 14 October
Hollie at Strood Sports Centre is continuing the success of her previous Couch to 5K programme throughout the summer. Weekly sessions are coach-led and will run in various locations around Strood and the final 5k will be ran on Medway Park athletic track. If you are a member of Strood Sports Centre, the sessions are free of charge, for non-members there is a fee of £6.80.
The course will run every Thursday, 10:30am to 11:15am from Thursday, 12 August for 9 weeks.
Tuesday support runs and sessions are also available, but optional from 9:15am to 10am.
For more information and to get involved, email: medwaysport@medway.gov.uk
Nordic Walking
1-2-1 training and walking groups have now recommenced, following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
Nordic walking is a great form of physical activity using a pair of Nordic walking poles to improve your natural walking technique and fitness levels.
For more information contact 01634 333 720, email: walking@medway.gov.uk or visit the webpage.
Man V Fat Gillingham Football league
Wednesday, 18 August
7pm to 9pm (every Wednesday thereafter)
Man V Fat football will be starting Wednesday, 18 August for men with a BMI over 27.5, or higher. This football league will be playing weekly at PlayFootball, London Road in Gillingham.
For more information, and to sign up, visit the webpage.
Adam Peaty MBE Race Clinics
Saturday, 28 August
Strood was chosen to host the South-East section of AP Race Clinics UK tour. Adam and the team will return to Strood Sports Centre for the day, fresh from the Olympics for his legendary swim clinics. Young swimmers in Medway can book to spend a day learning from the best in the business.
For more information and bookings, visit the webpage.
Football libraries
Ongoing event
If you fancy a summer kick-about with a few friends, but forgot a ball, or don’t own one, Medway libraries are providing footballs for young people. 11- to 18-year-olds can borrow a ball for free from the below locations, with their free Medway Libraries account.
Medway Sport, Medway Libraries, Medway Youth Service and StreetGames are collaborating with Alive and Kicking and Sport England to help to establish these 3 Football Libraries across communities in Medway.
Each Football Library has a good selection of️ football related books available to borrow and details of weekly football sessions available for 11- to 18-year-olds to take part in.
Gillingham Library
Borrow a ball️ for free (and return it) from 10am to 5pm
Lordswood Library
Borrow a ball️ for free (and return it) from 9am to 5pm
Walderslade Hook Meadow Library
Borrow a ball️ for free (and return it) from 10am to 5pm
Timings may vary depending on the day and time, please check individual libraries for exact information.
For more information on Football Libraries, visit the webpage.
Medway Mile
September
The Medway Mile has been confirmed go ahead in September this year. The much-loved event will take place in Rochester from 5pm to 8pm, and people of all ages and abilities are encouraged to enter. This free mass participation event offers people the chance to get active and try something new together.
To find out more and to sign up, visit the webpage.
More information will be released in due course.
Wheelchair Rugby League Grand Final Day
Saturday, 18 September
The top two clubs in the land will go head-to-head at the official Home of England WRL, to be crowned Grand Final champions. See many of England’s biggest names in action less than two months before the World Cup from 5pm on Saturday, 18 September. Admission will be on the door, £5 fee for adults, £2 children, or £12 family (two adults and up to 4 children).
Championships Grand Final - 5pm
Super League Grand Final - 7pm
To find out more, visit the webpage.
Drop in Football and ParkSport
Saturday, 17 July to Saturday, 4 September
This event involves weekly pop-up sessions of free informal sport and activities for all abilities and ages. ParkSport is taking place in the greenspaces of Medway, sessions are family friendly and run every Saturday, at all 6 parks throughout the summer months. The event is in partnership with Child Friendly Medway.
Locations:
Gillingham Park, Gillingham - 10am to 1pm
Palmerston Park, Chatham - 10am to 1pm
Jacksons Field, Chatham – 1:30pm to 4:40pm
Pottery Road Rec, The Peninsula – 2pm to 5pm
Rainham Rec, Rainham - 10am to 1pm
Northcote Road Rec, Rochester – 1:30pm to 4:30pm
Football:
Saturday, 17 July to Saturday, 4 September
Join free drop-in football sessions in 6 parks every Saturday, across Medway this summer. The programme is running for eight weeks and there is no need to sign up, just join on the day.
Under 7-year-olds:
Gillingham Park, Gillingham - 10am to 11am
Palmerston Park, Chatham - 10am to 11am
Jacksons Field, Chatham – 1:30pm to 2:30pm
Pottery Road Rec, The Peninsula – 2pm to 3pm
Rainham Rec, Rainham - 10am to 11am
Northcote Road Rec, Rochester – 1:30pm to 2:30pm
8-12 years-old:
Gillingham Park, Gillingham - 11am to 12pm
Palmerston Park, Chatham - 11am to 12pm
Jacksons Field, Chatham – 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Pottery Road Rec, The Peninsula – 3pm to 4pm
Rainham Rec, Rainham - 11am to 12pm
Northcote Road Rec, Rochester – 2:30pm to 3:30pm
13-16 years-old:
Gillingham Park, Gillingham – 12pm to 1pm
Palmerston Park, Chatham – 12pm to 1pm
Jacksons Field, Chatham – 3:30pm to 4.30pm
Pottery Road Rec, The Peninsula – 4pm to 5pm
Rainham Rec, Rainham – 12pm to 1pm
Northcote Road Rec, Rochester – 3:30pm to 4:30pm
For more details, contact: childfriendly@medway.gov.uk
MedwayGo
Move, eat, and learn this summer with Medway Council and partner organisations who are delivering free activity sessions and a nutritious meal for children aged 5 to 15 in receipt of benefit-related free school meals. All activities are led by experienced, and DBS checked staff.
Spaces are still available for the following sessions starting next week, so book your child in to try out a new sport, have lunch and make friends;
- Anchorians Sports Club, football and multi-sports
- Holcombe Hockey Club, hockey and multi-sports
- Kent Crusaders Basketball Club at Chatham Grammar School for Girls
- Upside Down Dance Academy
Plus, limited spaces available at our own Mini Youth Sports Camps at Strood Sports Centre and Medway Park.
For more information on the programme and other providers, please visit the webpage.
Other outdoor activities in Medway
There are many other sport-related venues and activities in Medway that are available to enjoy during the summer that are not hosting big events like the above. Activities and exhibitions are a great way to get fit and inspired for a summer of sport.
- Outdoor gyms around Medway- free equipment available to use for all adults. Visit medway.gov.uk/sport_centres/outdoor_gyms
- The Strand lido is open every day up to Wednesday 1 September. Enjoy the open-air pool in the summer months, session times: 10.30am to 1.30pm and 2.30pm to 5.30pm, except Wednesdays (12.30pm to 3.30pm and 4.30pm to 7.30pm) For more information, visit: medway.gov.uk/the_strand_leisure_park
- The Strand 125 exhibition celebrates the Strand’s 125th anniversary, it opened in June 1896. The exhibition is open all summer for residents to bask in the past. For more information, visit: medway.gov.uk/thestrand125
There are many sports and sport clubs available to join in Medway, residents are encouraged to find a sport on our website.
To find out more about Medway’s summer of sport and to get involved, visit our webpage.