Get ready for Medway’s summer of sport

Medway’s children, young people and families are invited to take part in a wide range of family-friendly sporting activities this summer.

There will be something for everyone to take part in, with activities happening across Medway throughout the summer, including this year’s Medway Mile and The Big Splash.

The Big Splash will kickstart the summer fun on Saturday, 17 June at The Strand Lido in Gillingham from 11am to 5.30pm. Exciting activities will be on offer throughout the day, including aqua aerobics, water-zorbing, kayaking, aqua jets provided by Haven Holidays and an inflatable pool party with the Haven Holidays entertainment team. There will also be Punch and Judy shows in the play park, sponsored by Child-Friendly Medway. All activities are included in the entrance ticket, but booking is essential.

The Big Splash takes place during the Royal Life Saving Society’s (RLSS) Drowning Prevention Week, from Saturday, 17 June to Saturday, 24 June. To support this, there will be a focus on water safety skills with live demonstrations and sessions run by the City of Rochester Life Saving Society and the RLSS on the day. Throughout the week, people having swimming lessons at Medway’s sport centres will also be taught water safety skills.

Red2Red will also be at The Big Splash with a RIB rescue boat to teach people about sea safety. There will also be a life raft demonstration with their amazing speedboat and river tour vessel ‘Big Red’. Throughout the summer Red2Red will be operating affordable and exhilarating rides from Sun Pier, in the heart of Chatham Waterfront.

Find out more information about The Big Splash and book your tickets.

Throughout the summer there will also be a wide range of activities on offer at Medway’s sports centres and local parks for children, young people and families to take part in, including football, cricket, basketball, yoga, rugby, family workouts and much more.

The activities began on Saturday, 3 June and will continue throughout the summer until Saturday, 2 September. The majority of these activities are free to attend, but some do have a small charge. Find out more about the Summer of Sport and see the full timetable of activities.

So many activities 

Cllr Harinder Mahil, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and Leisure, said: “Medway has amazing sports facilities and parks and I think it is fantastic that we are taking advantage of this and putting on so many activities for residents this summer. From big marquee events like the Medway Mile and The Big Splash to regular sporting activities taking place throughout the summer, there is something for everyone to enjoy. I am really pleased there is also a focus on providing opportunities for Medway’s children and young people to try a wide range of different sports and activities, which reinforces our commitment to make Medway even more child-friendly.

“The Big Splash is sure to be a fun day out, and we are lucky to have a great venue in The Strand Lido. We all love where we live, and with the River Medway being such a key part of our identity, teaching people how to have fun in the water whilst staying safe is a key life skill. I am incredibly pleased to see a strong focus on water safety both at this event and throughout Drowning Prevention Week.”

Mini Youth Sport Camps for children aged 7 to 11 will also be running during the summer holidays at Strood Sports Centre and Medway Park. Places must be booked and paid for, with half day and full day options available. Find out about dates and times and how to book.

Free spaces for the Mini Youth Sport Camps will be available through MedwayGo for children in receipt of benefit-related school meals and can be booked from the start of July. MedwayGo will also be putting on a variety of other free activity sessions throughout the summer, including the MedwayGo Fun Day at Medway Park on Tuesday, 25 July from 12pm – 4pm. Find out more information about MedwayGo.

Find out everything you need to know about the Summer of Sport.