THE 2011 Okehampton Sports and Fitness Festival is fast approaching, and with more than 40 different sports and activities, it looks to be bigger and better than ever before.
Stuart Lord from OCRA, said: 'Last year we had around 1,400 people involved, and the weather was quite bad. Weather permitting we're hoping for more people this year because of our bigger programme.
'We've already had applications for teams coming in thick and fast, and we're looking forward to receiving a few more. And we're encouraging youngsters to come along and try all the different sports on offer in the taster sessions.'
Stuart said he was delighted with the way the event has grown.
'It started when the town council told us they had some cups dating back many years and we decided to organise a few competitions for them, and it's grown from there,' said Stuart.
'As we've added in the sessions for people to try sports it's grown year on year, and with events like the skate jam attracting people from across the county, the event now has a Devon-wide impact.
'The long term benefits are getting Okehampton people into contact with sport, and hopefully helping to shape a healthy community and provide benefits for the wider area.'
New to the festival this year are scenic walks, mountain boarding and bushcraft, which explores the local scenery and environment in a wide range of ways.
OCRA has also linked up with Castle Drogo to offer 'old school sports' and fencing in the grounds of the beautiful National Trust property.
Archery, dance, basketball, sailing, tennis, windsurfing, hockey, swimming, trampolining, table tennis, judo and water polo are just some of the sports available through the have-a-go sessions.
For fans of fitness disciplines, there are sessions in pilates, pole fitness, thai fitness, dancercise, tai chi and the chance to get some free personal trainer sessions with experts from the Phoenix Gym.
Exeter City Football Club, Plymouth Albion Rugby Club and muay thai world champion Christi Campbell are among those delivering the sessions.
There is plenty of choice for those with a competitive streak too.
Two long-distance runs, golf, putting, football, cricket, netball, squash, hockey, badminton, tennis, rounders and a ten-mile cycling time trial for riders aged 12-plus arranged by Okehampton Cycle Club are all available for those wanting to test themselves throughout the festival.
A multi-activity day for adults including those with learning and physical disabilities is being run in conjunction with Puzzle Tree, and will have a range of sports, dance, swimming and skill challenges.
The week's events kick off on July 2 with a fishing competition at Spires Lake and the spectacular Okehampton Skate Jam, taking place at Okehampton Skate Park.
Free event programmes are available now at Martin's, Donald's Menswear, Okehampton Library, Red Lion Bazaar, Parklands Leisure Centre and local post offices.
Alternatively you can download a programme and find out more information at http://www.ocrasport.org.uk">www.ocrasport.org.uk or call 01837 54546.