News | Sportily

What Really Happens During a Sportily Apprenticeship?

It’s National Apprenticeship Week, which feels like perfect timing because Ron has just completed his apprenticeship and is officially stepping into his role as a full-time coach. We asked him to reflect on the experience, the highs, the challenges, and what finishing it actually feels like.

What Really Happens During a Sportily Apprenticeship?

11 February 2026 10:00

It’s National Apprenticeship Week, which feels like perfect timing because Ron has just completed his apprenticeship and is officially stepping into his role as a full-time coach. We asked him

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Menopause: A marathon not a sprint

In honour of National Girls and Women in Sports Day (4th February), a member of the Sportily team shares their journey through perimenopause and menopause. We wanted to give a real, honest perspective on what this stage of life can feel like, covering both the challenges and the triumphs, and showing how support, staying active, and self-care can help you thrive.

Menopause: A marathon not a sprint

04 February 2026 10:00

In honour of National Girls and Women in Sports Day (4th February), a member of the Sportily team shares their journey through perimenopause and menopause. We wanted to give a real, honest

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Why don’t we talk more about ACL injuries in women?

Victoria is a Sportily coach who spends most weeks on a netball court. After rupturing her ACL, this is her experience of being injured and waiting for surgery.

Why don’t we talk more about ACL injuries in women?

21 January 2026 10:00

Victoria is a Sportily coach who spends most weeks on a netball court. After rupturing her ACL, this is her experience of being injured and waiting for surgery.

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What's on in Gloucestershire: January & February 2026

Find out what's going on at Sportily across Gloucestershire this term. From Cheltenham to Hunts Grove, we’ve got something for you. Come and #Giveitago today.

What's on in Gloucestershire: January & February 2026

12 January 2026 10:00

Find out what's going on at Sportily across Gloucestershire this term. From Cheltenham to Hunts Grove, we’ve got something for you. Come and #Giveitago today.

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Sportily Apprenticeships: Cassie's Journey

16 December 2025 10:00

One of Sportily’s core aims, when established in 2021, was to invest in Leadership Development. This exciting work has recently been given a huge boost with the appointment of James

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Can you spot the marvellous meeting the mundane this Christmas?

02 December 2025 10:00

Sport and Faith Coach John is here to chat about how we can incorporate sport during this Christmas period. Click here to find out what's on near you this festive season

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What IS Mental Health?

10 October 2025 10:00

Ever wondered what mental health actually means? Tim Fletcher, Sport and Faith Leader with Sportily, shares his thoughts, questions, and some encouragement for the journey. "You have more power than you think

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Kicking off the new term with faith, fun, and community

04 September 2025 10:00

From holiday club highlights to the excitement of a new term, Coach Ydson shares how sport and faith bring joy, growth, and community. "The start of a new school year feels

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Buy a ball for Sportily

Help us to bring sport, faith and fun to young people in Gloucestershire. Join our BUY A BALL FUNDRAISER 2025.

Buy a ball for Sportily

26 August 2025 14:35

Help us to bring sport, faith and fun to young people in Gloucestershire. Join our BUY A BALL FUNDRAISER 2025.

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Kicking off a career: Daniel’s Apprenticeship story (so far)

25 August 2025 10:00

Meet Daniel, one of our Sportily apprentices who joined us in September last year. Discover how he’s thrown himself into every session, built his confidence, and grown his skills along

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Taking the first step: Building community through running and faith

29 July 2025 10:00

In this blog, Lucy, Sport and Faith Coach in the Forest of Dean, reflects on how the journey from 0-5k became more than just running—creating space for connection, courage

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Who's your best friend?

08 June 2025 10:00

It's National Best Friend Day and Sport and Faith Coach Jane chats to us about her best friends. Watch the video below to hear from her: Click here to find

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Volunteers in action: Rev Richard Martin’s contribution to Hunts Grove

04 June 2025 10:00

As part of National Volunteer Week, we’re continuing to share stories of the brilliant volunteers who help make Sportily what it is — this time, from a chat Sport and

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Celebrating our Volunteers in North Glos this National Volunteer Week

02 June 2025 10:00

For National Volunteer Week, Sport and Faith Coach Victoria caught up with two of our brilliant young leaders, Jamie and Fin, to hear about their experiences volunteering with Sportily North Glos &mdash

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Mental Health Awareness Week: Finding Hope in the Struggle

13 May 2025 10:00

In his latest post for Mental Health Awareness Week, Sport and Faith Coach Mark shares an inspiring update on his journey with mental health, exploring how God is using his story to

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How Pilates helped heal my body after an Eating Disorder

12 May 2025 10:00

Mental health doesn’t have one face or one path – we each walk our own unique journey. Abbie, our Pilates Specialist Sports Coach shares her story in the hope that

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Why Easter matters: Coach Tim talks faith and sport

17 April 2025 10:00

Easter is more than chocolate eggs and long weekends. In this short video, Sport and Faith Leader Tim shares what Easter is really all about—and why it still matters today

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What Serena, setbacks, and scripture teach us this Easter

15 April 2025 10:00

Easter is a beautiful reminder that even in our hardest moments, hope is never lost—because God is always at work, even when we can’t yet see it.

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Breaking barriers: Women in sport and the power of self-belief

07 April 2025 10:00

As Sport and Faith Leader Jo has explored in previous posts about the barriers to women’s participation in sport and the importance of fostering self-esteem, this blog continues the

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Why do you love rugby?

11 March 2025 10:00

As the 2025 Men’s Six Nations (M6N) draws to a close, Rich, Co-CEO of Sportily and leader of the Sport and Faith team of coaches, has been asked a

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What are you reading this World Book Day?

03 March 2025 10:00

Sport and Faith Coach Jane shares her top reads this World Book Day! From the Encyclopedia of Sports and Games to the ultimate playbook for life, the Bible, she’s

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Step into wellness: Embrace the season with a winter walk

03 February 2025 10:00

Sport and Faith Coach Rachel took herself on a winter walk for her wellbeing and shares her thoughts below: "I wouldn’t call myself sporty but I do like to be

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Veganuary: Are you wanting a fresh start in 2025?

07 January 2025 10:00

Why not start by introducing more fresh produce into your diet? Every January, people around the world take part in Veganuary – a month-long challenge to go vegan. It has become

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Happy Christmas from everyone at Sportily

19 December 2024 10:00

The story of Jesus' birth is celebrated by millions across the world during this special season. We will remember again the manger, the wise men, and the ornate gifts. We imagine the

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What’s the real reason for the Christmas season?

19 November 2024 10:00

Dare we say the Christmas season is upon us? Whether you put your decorations up in early November or wait until December 24th, we invite you to take a moment this Christmas

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Did you know that there are fewer girls participating in Sport?

05 November 2024 10:00

We caught up with Sport and Faith Leader, Jo, who's also our Female Participation lead, to learn more about the challenges girls face in sports and how her work aims to

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Celebrating Our Achievement: Safeguarding Standards Award

01 November 2024 10:00

We are thrilled to announce that Thirtyone:Eight has awarded Sportily with the prestigious Safeguarding Standards Award! This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to safeguarding and protecting the well

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How Basketball & Faith boost mental health

10 October 2024 10:00

Meet Sport and Faith Coach Luke G – a man driven by two powerful forces: his love for basketball and his unwavering faith in God. This World Mental Health Day, we&rsquo

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Celebrating World Teachers' Day: A Conversation with Simon on the Role of Sportily in Schools

05 October 2024 10:00

In celebration of World Teachers' Day, Sport and Faith Coach Luke sat down with Simon, a primary school teacher with a unique background in sports coaching, to talk about his journey in

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From Self-Doubt to Strong: My journey with Abbie’s Pilates classes

30 September 2024 10:00

Have you thought about giving Pilates a go? This glowing testimonial from Gabbey highlights just how impactful Abbie’s Pilates classes have been on her confidence, motivation, and overall well-being

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What's on: September - October half term 2024

Find out what's going on for young people at Sportily across Gloucestershire this term. From Cheltenham to Hunts Grove, we’ve got something for you. Come and #Giveitago today.

What's on: September - October half term 2024

16 September 2024 10:00

Find out what's going on for young people at Sportily across Gloucestershire this term. From Cheltenham to Hunts Grove, we’ve got something for you. Come and #Giveitago today.

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It's time for the Paralympics and we're feeling inspired

02 September 2024 10:00

The Paralympics games in Paris sees a whole host of incredible athletes performing in their chosen disciplines, from well-known events athletics and swimming to the lesser seen boccia and goalball, there

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Survival Guide for Your First Day of Secondary School

01 September 2024 10:00

Surviving the first day of secondary school in Gloucestershire, like anywhere else, can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. To help you navigate this important milestone, we've put together the ultimate

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Shanice's journey with Sportily

20 August 2024 10:00

Long-time volunteer Shanice-Louise has been a part of Sportily for as long as she can remember, and she’s eager to share her inspiring journey to encourage others to

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We chat Paris Olympics 2024 highlights

14 August 2024 10:00

That's a wrap on another exhilarating Olympic season, and Paris 2024 has truly outdone itself, providing a stunning backdrop for unforgettable performances, awe-inspiring athletic feats, and a celebration of global

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Why we've been obsessed with the Paris 2024 Olympics

07 August 2024 10:45

This Olympic season there's been so much excitement, so many unexpected results, new sports and great stories of strength and determination, that Chris (our COO), like most of us, has

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Where is God in the Olympics?

01 August 2024 10:45

Rich, our Head of Sport and Faith, shares his thoughts on this Olympic season. "For me, the joy of the Olympics is being able to watch 10,500 athletes from 206 countries

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Olympic gear bonanza quiz: Can you match the sports?

01 August 2024 10:00

We're super excited for Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Watch the video below and hear from Sport and Faith Leader Tim, before scrolling down to complete the quiz. Make sure you

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The Olympics and Paralympics are here: Paris 2024

30 July 2024 10:45

Sport and Faith Coach Christo welomes us into the Olympic season with some reflection. "Friday the 26th of July is a big day in millions of people's diaries. Why? It marks

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Why is women’s participation in sport lower than men’s?

15 July 2024 10:45

Female participation in sport is still significantly lower than male for a variety of reasons. Sport and Faith Leader Jo is our Female Participation Lead and is focused on getting girls involved

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How Sportily came to be

03 July 2024 10:45

Revd Tim Hastie-Smith, Diocesan Missioner for New Worshipping Communities chats about what led to the initiative that came to be Sportily. "Nearly four years ago, the Bishop of Gloucester's

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Why you should come along to our EPIC 5-day summer residential

24 June 2024 10:00

Sport and Faith Leader Tim is the go-to guy for our summer residential and wanted to share what all the fuss is about... "Well, summer 2024 is finally here and as

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When will Netball become a professional sport?

03 June 2024 10:00

Victoria, one of our Sport and Faith Apprentices, is a huge fan of both playing and watching netball. Her dedication to the sport mirrors the passion and commitment seen in many women

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Adam's Mental Health Journey

16 May 2024 10:00

For World Mental Health Week 2024, we caught up with Sportily Apprentice Adam to hear about his journey with his mental health. His diagnosis of Erb's Palsy has brought on its

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Mark's Mental Health Journey

13 May 2024 10:00

For World Mental Health Day 2023, we sat down with Mark who was a Sport and Faith Coach for us at the time. He shared a moving story of his struggles with

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What's on: May-August 2024

Find out what's going on for young people at Sportily across Gloucestershire this term. From Cheltenham to Hunts Grove, we’ve got something for you. Come and #Giveitago today.

What's on: May-August 2024

01 May 2024 10:00

Find out what's going on for young people at Sportily across Gloucestershire this term. From Cheltenham to Hunts Grove, we’ve got something for you. Come and #Giveitago today.

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Egg-straordinary Easter: Unwrapping faith, friendship, and fun!

25 March 2024 10:00

Sport and Faith Leader, Jo takes us through the meaning of Easter and how it's inspiring us at our holiday clubs this year. "As I unwrap another cream egg, I&rsquo

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What your World Book Day Character says about you

13 March 2024 10:00

For World Book Day this year, Sport and Faith Coach John wanted to find out how young people link reading and sports together. "Who is your World Book Day Character? Over the

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Rugby Six Nations, where to try it for yourself

18 February 2024 10:00

The Rugby Six Nations is one of the most highly anticipated events in the world of rugby, and 2024 promises to be an exciting season filled with fierce competition, thrilling matches, and

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Flipping fantastic, the batter way to celebrate Pancake Day!

12 February 2024 10:00

We chatted with Sport and Faith Leader for Forest of Dean, Adam about his thoughts on Pancake Day. Flour. Eggs. Milk. Whisk it. Fry it. Top it. Eat it. That’s

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What's on: Jan-April 2024

Find out what's going on for young people at Sportily across Gloucestershire this term. From Cheltenham to Hunts Grove, we’ve got something for you. Come and #Giveitago today.

What's on: Jan-April 2024

22 January 2024 10:00

Find out what's going on for young people at Sportily across Gloucestershire this term. From Cheltenham to Hunts Grove, we’ve got something for you. Come and #Giveitago today.

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Sportily takes on Couch to 5km

15 January 2024 10:00

Sport and Faith Coach Luke Campbell heads up our Couch to 5km sessions in Thameshead which can be found here. We checked in with him to find out more about why he

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New Year, same us!

03 January 2024 10:00

Happy New Year from everyone here at Sportily! We want to take a moment to express our appreciation for your support, and as we reflect on the past twelve months, we

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Christmas is coming... and this year it's about being present.

18 December 2023 10:00

This year, Revd Tim Hastie-Smith, Diocesan Missioner for New Worshipping Communities shares his thoughts on what matters most during this festive time. “As we approach the joyous season of Christmas

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Quickfire questions with our newest team members

19 October 2023 10:00

Is there a better way to get-to-know someone than finding out about their most embarrassing moment and their go-to karaoke song? Maybe! But we're going with these amongst

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Let's chat: World Mental Health Day

09 October 2023 10:00

World Mental Health Day is coming up this week, so we sat down with Mark, Sport and Faith Coach here at Sportily to chat about his journey with mental health. If

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Fun and engaging exercise activities for children: keep them moving and smiling!

18 September 2023 10:00

Keeping children active is crucial for their physical and mental development. But who says exercise has to be boring? In this blog post, we'll explore a variety of easy exercise activities

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What's on: Sept-Dec 2023

Find out what's going on for young people at Sportily across Gloucestershire this term. From Cheltenham to Hunts Grove, we’ve got something for you. Come and #Giveitago today.

What's on: Sept-Dec 2023

08 September 2023 10:00

Find out what's going on for young people at Sportily across Gloucestershire this term. From Cheltenham to Hunts Grove, we’ve got something for you. Come and #Giveitago today.

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Rachel's placement year with Sportily

24 July 2023 10:00

Sportily is proud to be able to offer exciting placement opportunities to university students undertaking sports, fitness, sports science, youthwork or theology based degree courses. Undertaking a placement with Sportily will not

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We're inspired by the Women's World Cup

17 July 2023 10:00

We're super excited for the Women’s World Cup that’s taking place this Summer, with England’s first game against Haiti on Saturday 22nd July.

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Sportily's thoughts on the Tour de France

13 July 2023 10:00

The Tour de France is the most prestigious and gruelling cycling event in the world. 2023 is its 110th year, with the first week already showing an exhilarating display of athletic prowess

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Bushcraft, what is it?

14 June 2023 10:00

Bushcraft is an activity that’s a little different from everything else we do here at Sportily. Sport and Faith Trainee Will is here to talk to us about what

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We love our volunteers

05 June 2023 10:00

It's National Volunteers Week and as a charity that couldn't do what we do without our volunteers, we wanted to share a story from Leigh, who started off as a

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It's the season for shooting hoops

08 May 2023 10:00

It's NBA season across the pond but we don't let the distance stop us from being inspired by basketball's biggest tournament of the year. We caught up with Luke

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10/10 Easter holiday clubs

25 April 2023 10:00

We had such a wonderful time over the Easter holidays running sports camps with children across the county. 16 camps took place, with every camp including a hot meal for the children

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London Marathon 2023: who are you running with?

21 April 2023 10:00

With the annual London marathon taking place this Sunday 23rd April, we caught up with keen runner Jimmy, a friend of Sportily, to share his thoughts: "I love running! I love it

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What's on: May-August 2023

Find out what's going on for young people at Sportily across Gloucestershire this term. From Cheltenham to Hunts Grove, we’ve got something for you. Come and #Giveitago today.

What's on: May-August 2023

17 April 2023 10:00

Find out what's going on for young people at Sportily across Gloucestershire this term. From Cheltenham to Hunts Grove, we’ve got something for you. Come and #Giveitago today.

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KORFBALL, what?

10 April 2023 10:00

What it is, how to play, why everyone should try it. Starting new things can be daunting for anyone, let alone children. For us, and for many, we don’t

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Join us for EASTER CAMPS 2023

13 March 2023 00:00

As well as eating far too much chocolate and using it as an excuse to eat hot cross buns for breakfast, Easter is a special time for Christians as we celebrate the

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North Glos Easter Fun Day: You're invited

07 March 2023 10:00

You are invited! Nathan and the team would love you to join us for a free Fun family day out full of Sports, Games, Easter Egg Hunts, Food and Fun for everyone

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World Book Day 2023: Have young people fallen out of love with reading?

20 February 2023 10:00

With social media platforms such as YouTube becoming a place for children to easily access all their favourite shows, we wanted to find out if they still enjoy reading or if TV

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What's on: Jan-April 2023

Find out what's going on for young people at Sportily across Gloucestershire this term. From Cheltenham to Hunts Grove, we’ve got something for you. Come and #Giveitago today.

What's on: Jan-April 2023

03 January 2023 10:00

Find out what's going on for young people at Sportily across Gloucestershire this term. From Cheltenham to Hunts Grove, we’ve got something for you. Come and #Giveitago today.

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Sportily summer 2022 sports activity programme kicks off

01 August 2022 09:00

Summer kicked off in style last week as the Sportily summer sports activity programme launched in Bibury and Hucclecote. Over 40 Sportily sports camps are taking place across the county throughout the

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Father & Son Weekend Camp - Big Man, Little Man

13 June 2022 13:18

BMLM - Building Relationships that last a lifetime At Sportily, one of our 7 spaces is CONNECT – we love connecting (and EATing too!). Coming up on 3 May, we have our first

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CONNECTing whilst decorating

01 June 2022 11:45

At Sportily, we're not simply 'all about the sport', ultimately we are seeking to build community. Our framework for this is our seven spaces model; CONNECT, EAT, EXPLORE, ENCOUNTEER, SERVE, CONTRIBUTE

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The big 5-day TRAC Adventure Residential

18 May 2022 11:10

Back, after a COVID enforced break, join us this August for an epic 5-day Sportily camp at the Tom Roberts Adventure Centre (TRAC). We are a place for you to try

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