Summer holiday fitness sessions for Dales youngsters

Derbyshire police’s successful non-contact boxing and fitness training will be popping up at venues across the Dales over the next few weeks.

Youngsters aged between 11 and 19-years-old are invited to take part in the free summer scheme, which is aimed at offering a fun and healthy activity that also helps stop children getting involved in anti-social behaviour and crime.

The series of events will be held every Tuesday in Matlock and every Friday at Wirksworth and Cromford. Regular sessions are already held at Middleton and are often packed out.

Specially trained officers from Safer Neighbourhood teams in the area will be helping run the summer sessions along with the OzBox’s expert volunteers.

Sergeant Nick Reason, who leads the Safer Neighbourhood teams in those areas, said: “OzBox has been a hit in the past and sessions we have had in Middleton recently have been very well attended.

“It’s a great social activity for young people to get involved in and helps them both keep fit and stay out of trouble.

“The feedback we’ve had from parents, children and the community alike has been positive and I’m sure these summer sessions will be just as popular as the Middleton ones.”

OzBox is open to males and females of all backgrounds and is delivered by trained volunteers including police officers, PCSOs, youth workers and members of the public.

It is designed to boost young people’s confidence, discipline and fitness and to give them an activity to get involved in rather than being out on the streets.

It also aims to encourage children and young adults to take pride in themselves and their community.

The special summer sessions will be held at:

Arc Leisure Centre, Matlock: 3pm to 4.30pm every Tuesday from July 30 to September 3;

Wirksworth Memorial Hall: 3pm to 4pm every Friday from August 2 to August 30;

Cromford Community Centre: 5pm to 6pm every Friday from August 9 to September 6.

Gear is provided at the sessions but anyone taking part needs to wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

For more information, call your local Safer Neighbourhood team on 101.