Coca-Cola recently kicked off a
summer of free sport for all with the launch of Coca-Cola Zero ParkLives in London.
The new program is dedicated to getting people moving by trying out a range of
fun, free activities in the heart of local communities: parks. This
summer, thousands of sessions led by local coaches will take place in more than
70 public parks across Great Britain.
Set on a beautiful sunny day in Stratford Park in Newham – close to London’s Olympic Stadium – the high-profile launch event saw London’s charismatic Mayor Boris Johnson celebrate ParkLives with his trademark energy and enthusiasm. Jon Woods, general manager,Coca-Cola Great Britain, and Dan Sayre, president of
Coca-Cola North West Europe & Nordics, showed the mayor around the park,
where hundreds of families were taking
part in activities ranging from Zumba, to tennis, cricket and tai-chi.
Not to miss out on the fun, Johnson showed off his softball and boxing skills. The event was covered by national and local media, including The Evening Standard and BBC London.
Coca-Cola Great Britain announced a new partnership with the Greater
London Authority to get even more people active over the coming years. This
will see Coca-Cola and the Mayor of London each donate £500,000 to the FreeSport program, providing grants to community
groups and sport clubs to set up free activities for Londoners of all ages to
encourage more people to try sports. The backing will help FreeSport double its
reach to get more than 34,000 people active through 600 projects over the next two
years. The program specifically targets those who don’t normally have access
to sports.
“FreeSport has been incredibly popular since launching in 2009, giving thousands of people the chance to develop a sporting
habit that will stay with them for life,” Johnson said.
Woods added, “We want to inspire people to get active in a fun and engaging way that fits in with their life.Coca-Cola Zero ParkLives and the FreeSport program encourage
people of all ages to try something new and take part in psychical activities
that are free, fun and sociable.”
Coca-Cola Zero ParkLives and FreeSport are a key part of Coca-Cola Great Britain's commitment to invest £20 million to get 1 million people in the UK active by 2020. These programs run alongside long-standing partnerships with grassroots sports organizations including StreetGames and Special Olympics GB.
Launched in 2009, FreeSport is part of the Mayor of London’s Sport Legacy Program. FreeSport allows sports clubs, organizations, youth groups and community groups apply for grants of up to £1,500. The grants are used to run free activities that will encourage people to take up sports on a regular basis. To date, more than 330,000 Londoners of all ages and abilities benefited from the program. The Harrow Squash Club recently received £1,021 FreeSport funding that will help them introduce the sport to mums, single parents and people who aren’t particularly active.

Batter up!
Set on a beautiful sunny day in Stratford Park in Newham – close to London’s Olympic Stadium – the high-profile launch event saw London’s charismatic Mayor Boris Johnson celebrate ParkLives with his trademark energy and enthusiasm. Jon Woods, general manager,
Not to miss out on the fun, Johnson showed off his softball and boxing skills. The event was covered by national and local media, including The Evening Standard and BBC London.
Teaming up with FreeSport
At the launch,
The mayor joined hundreds of families who took
part in activities ranging from Zumba, to tennis, cricket and tai-chi.
Woods added, “We want to inspire people to get active in a fun and engaging way that fits in with their life.
Coca-Cola Zero ParkLives and FreeSport are a key part of Coca-Cola Great Britain's commitment to invest £20 million to get 1 million people in the UK active by 2020. These programs run alongside long-standing partnerships with grassroots sports organizations including StreetGames and Special Olympics GB.
Launched in 2009, FreeSport is part of the Mayor of London’s Sport Legacy Program. FreeSport allows sports clubs, organizations, youth groups and community groups apply for grants of up to £1,500. The grants are used to run free activities that will encourage people to take up sports on a regular basis. To date, more than 330,000 Londoners of all ages and abilities benefited from the program. The Harrow Squash Club recently received £1,021 FreeSport funding that will help them introduce the sport to mums, single parents and people who aren’t particularly active.
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