A community sport programme to encourage more people into regular activity is showing signs of success according to the organisers.

‘Motivate!’, which is a Sport England-funded campaign, delivered by Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, offers over 20 sports sessions per week, all of which are either free or low cost.

Since kicking off in late November, participation targets for the entire calendar year have already been all but fulfilled in a number of demographics that Sport England are hoping to reach, with special ladies-only sessions and support from the town’s Asian community being seen as a key component of the success so far.

Adrian Ward, ‘Motivate!’ coordinator for Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, said, “Since the turn of the year, we’ve seen a surge in popularity across so many of the programmes we run, with people responding to the desire to stay active through the colder winter months.

“We have been particularly pleased with the tremendous growth of certain sessions in recent weeks, not least our free ladies-only Monday night badminton sessions at Blackburn Community Sports Club, which have been excellently backed by the area’s Asian community.

“Likewise we are seeing a very positive mix from all corners of our community at the mixed-gender badminton sessions we host at Blackburn College on Tuesday nights, and we’re seeing a real togetherness across a range of sports at Blackburn Youth Zone, such as gym fitness, futsal and even goal-ball, which is a specially adapted sport to keep both partially sighted and fully sighted players competing on an even basis.

“One particular boost has been the feedback from ladies-only sessions, where we’re hearing that the participants feel more comfortable in an all-female environment. All the coaches at these sessions are female, and where possible, we try to ensure that there is a minimal male presence around the venue so that ladies can enjoy taking part in a more comfortable sense than they might in a mixed environment.

“We’re launching new classes all the time, so we hope to see the remainder of them going from strength to strength.”

Among the new programmes coming into force are a new ladies-only fitness session at St Bede’s High School in their excellent sports hall and gym facilities.

Led by a qualified fitness trainer, there are group or individual work out programmes on offer to suit any fitness level, from 10am to 11am every Saturday morning, priced at just £1.

Another all-female cycling programme at Witton Park Cycle Centre, which is free to all, is held from 4.30pm until dark every Tuesday, including the option of complimentary bike rental.

Free cricket net sessions for anyone aged 14 or over are also launching at the same time each week from 16th February onwards.

The first four weeks will be held indoors at Blackburn Community Sports Club – the QEGS sports hall – before moving outside to East Lancashire CC from 15 March onwards, subject to the weather conditions at the time.

For anyone wanting further information please visit www.brfctrust.co.uk or follow @BRFCMotivate on Facebook and Twitter.