Around 1,000 people enjoyed the summer sunshine - and a host of sporting activities - at the launch of a new community initiative
Around 1,000 people enjoyed the summer sunshine - and a host of sporting activities - at the launch of a new community initiative.
One Goal, organised by Coventry City Football Club and Coventry Sports Foundation, aims to get more families involved in sport, to raise aspiration and also to give disadvantaged families the chance to watch the Sky Blues live next season.
It was given a special kick-off of its own at the Alan Higgs Centre with a fun day which included a range of activities from facepainters to have-a-go areas.
Families were also able to see the club's academy in action with a win over Brentford as well as a CCFC former players' five-a-side team taking on sponsors and members of the local community.
Sky Blue Sam was also on duty and there were a host of other amusements, including the Powershot provided by Sky Blues in the Community which proved very popular.
Twelve-year-old Ethan Horton, from Westwood Heath, was one of the youngsters having a go at the range of sports - and proved to be a dab hand at archery.
He said: "I am a big City fan and this has been great fun. I like all sports and have had a go at speed ball, ping-pong and archery. I have had a really good time.
"I am looking forward to the season and I think we will do well."
As well as organising Summer Blast sports sessions through the school holidays, the club and foundation have also partnered with Coventry City Council to deliver a 'City Families' ticketing scheme that will give disadvantaged families the chance to watch a Sky Blues game live next season.
Stacie McDermott of CCFC said the event supported by SBitC, Pailton Engineering and Coventry Building Society had proved really popular.
She said: "We wanted to launch One Goal to make people aware of what we are aiming to achieve.
"This is the start of an on-going programme and already it is building real momentum.
"We were really pleased with how many youngsters turned up. All the activities proved really popular - everyone really entered into the spirit.
"The Alan Higgs Centre, which is run by Coventry Sports Foundation, was the perfect venue and meant that visitors could also see two of our academy sides in action, which was great."