ASV's Summer Sports Camps: A Celebration of Sport

ASV's Summer Sports Camps continued to lead the way in offering different sporting opportunities to children in our local area. With the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics serving as the inspiration, ASV's world-class facilities provided the perfect place for our campers to learn, try out and enjoy new sports, all whilst embracing the Olympic & Paralympic spirit.

For 542 children, this year’s Summer Sports Camps wasn’t just about physical activity; it was about building confidence, fostering teamwork, and helping each child discover their love for a wide range of different sports —all while having a whole lot of fun!

A Community of Leaders: The Backbone of the Camps

Our team of 24 fantastic Sports Camp Leaders were the backbone of the Summer Sports Camps, guiding the children with care and expertise. These dedicated individuals played a crucial role in creating an environment where every child felt safe, supported, and inspired.

The camp leaders took on more than just leading activities —they became role models, helping each child build self confidence.

Olympic-Inspired Learning: Themed Activities

This year, with the Paris Olympics taking place during the camp and the Paralympics just around the corner, our theme focused on the values of the Olympic and Paralympic movements—excellence, friendship, respect, and determination. The Sports Camps embraced the spirit of these global events by infusing activities with the excitement and history of the Games. Our goal was to introduce children to a wide range of different sports, while also providing opportunities for them to develop their own unique talents and abilities.

One of the campers favourite additions to this year’s Camps was our Arts & Crafts sessions, where children explored their creativity by designing their own flags and crafting mini-Olympic torches. These artistic creations became symbols of pride and accomplishment, culminating in the end-of-week mini-Olympics.

The mini-Olympics was a true highlight of the camp. Children had the chance to showcase the skills they had developed over the week in a friendly, supportive environment, with their friends and family cheering them on from the sides. The atmosphere was electric, as young athletes gave their all in a variety of events, from track and field races to team sports and even parent/guardian races.

Thanks to Mark Gauci, a torch bearer at the London 2012 Olympics, children were able to see and hold a real Olympic torch, whilst learning about the history of the torch and the Olympics itself.

Expanding Horizons: New Sports and Activities

While the ASV Sports Camps are always known for providing a wide variety of sports, this year’s camp took things to the next level. Alongside the traditional Sports Camps favourites, we introduced several new sports and activities designed to challenge and excite the campers.

One of the most popular new additions was Pickleball, a fast-growing sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. The children loved testing their racket skills in this fun, fast-paced game, and many discovered a new passion for the sport.

Another exciting new activity was Dry Dive, which introduced children to the fundamentals of diving, trampolining, and air track skills. Under the supervision of our expert coaches, campers practiced their techniques on dryland. The Dry Dive sessions were not only a great way for children to develop their physical coordination and balance but also a confidence booster as they learned new skills in a supportive, low-pressure & fun environment.

For our older campers, we introduced Spin Classes which were a big hit. Our virtual cycling sessions provided a fun and energetic way for the children to build endurance and cardiovascular fitness. With upbeat music, the spin classes were a perfect mix of challenge and fun.

Of course, our world-class Olympic-sized pools and Track & Field facilities remained core components of the Sports Camps experience. Swimming, in particular, continued to be one of the most loved activities, with children enjoying 'Safety & Splash' sessions, combining the fun element of splashing in the pool with knowledge & understanding on how to remain safe in the water. Meanwhile, on the track, our campers would learn about the fundamentals of Athletics through breaking down skills into three sessions, focussing on running, jumping & throwing.

The Power of Sports to Inspire and Unite

At its core, ASV’s Summer Sports Camps were about more than just fitness and fun—they were about the power of sports to inspire. With the Paris Olympics and Paralympics providing a perfect backdrop.

As we reflect on this year’s camp, we are incredibly proud of the impact it had on the children who participated - learning new sports and meeting new friends. We look forward to continuing this tradition of excellence, providing even more opportunities for campers to grow, learn, and thrive through sport.

Here’s to another unforgettable summer at ASV— and to many more ASV Sports Camps ahead.