Free sport, art, activity camps and food provided by Ignite this Easter as part of HAF programme

Ignite Sport is an approved delivery partner of Oxfordshire County Council and will support families this Easter by providing free holiday club spaces and nutritional meals to sports-mad children.

The fully funded spaces have been made available under the Government’s HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) programme, which provides children in receipt of free school meals during term time with access to free school holiday activities and food during Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays.

Children aged 4 to 16 who are in full-time education are eligible to enrol onto one of Ignite’s Easter camps, which this Easter will be delivered in Oxford, Bicester and Witney.

The camps teach and develop skills in a fun and supportive environment where participants of all playing abilities and backgrounds are welcome. HAF exists to support families who might otherwise struggle to pay for increased food and childcare costs and has been publicly supported by Manchester United and England football Marcus Rashford.

Andy Francis, Active Communities Manager, said: “Recent increases to the cost of living means more families are coming under financial pressures.

“Our free Easter camp spaces can make a small difference to the strain families might be facing during the holiday period and we would encourage all children eligible to benefit to join our programmes.

“We have a fantastic team of coaches and teachers who are experienced in delivering fun and engaging sessions which keep children active and support the provision of sport and creativity across Oxfordshire.

“We are grateful to Oxfordshire County Council for their support to ensure we can support more children in keeping active, meeting new friends and most importantly, having fun during the two-week break.”

This year, Ignite’s Easter holiday camps are being delivered between Monday, April 11, and Friday, April 22, at Oxford City Football Club in Marston, Langford Village School in Bicester and Witney Community Primary School.

Camps focus on a variety of engaging activities including ‘Girls Only! Football’, ‘Multisport’, ‘Art Smash’ and ‘Football’. New to the line-up are ‘Game Tech’ and ‘Fit Zone’ tailored to youth footballers aged 12 to 16 looking to improve their game.

Sessions are suitable for participants aged four to 16 and are delivered between 9am and 3pm.

Andy added: “At Ignite, it’s our ambition to inspire people of all ages to reach their full potential through the power of sport and physical activity.

“Ensuring everyone has the opportunity to engage in quality and structured sessions is something our team strives to achieve. It’s why programmes like HAF are so important to provide all children with a platform to boost their physical and mental wellbeing.

“Spaces on our programmes are limited, so I would encourage eligible parents to sign-up now and avoid disappointment!”

Based in Marston, Oxford, Ignite Sport delivers sport, activity and wellbeing programmes in educational and community environments to support participants of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

Please find a full list of HAF programmes and holiday camps delivered by Ignite Sport this Easter. 

Further information about our upcoming HAF programmes, eligibility and booking can be accessed by emailing office@ignitesportuk.com