Sportily Supporters News: The Sports Pages

 
Thank you for your prayers in support of the ministry of Sportily. Please join us in celebration and prayer at this time around the following points:
 

From the pitch/court/field

• Sport and Faith Coach Jane does a fantastic job running our Active Tots sessions across the Forest of Dean. She got into the Christmas spirit this week and shares:
  
  "A fun final session before Christmas. We enjoyed being angels, flying around the room and walking like a star with our arms and legs spread wide. We pretended to ride a donkey and then a camel to Bethlehem. We were also sheep in a field!
  The children were every engaged with all aspects of the story. For our question of the week, we talked about what we like about Christmas: food, time with family, the lights, chocolate!
  As well as being active, the little ones are learning social skills such as turn taking and sharing. We are also reinforcing numbers and colours in our games and activities.  
  I gifted each family a Christian Christmas story book, which we give to all our Toddler group families too."
  
   
• Sport and Faith Leader Jo has been doing work in Great Oldbury for almost a year and has worked hard to build a community by offering a variety of sessions at Great Oldbury Community Centre. 
  
  In January of this year, at our second Community Cafe, a man shared: "I've lived in the new development for 3 years and there haven't been any community events up this end – I don't even know my neighbours!"
  
  We're pleased to say that a year on, we've been able to run all sorts of sessions, including: Community Cafe, Pilates, Badminton, Circuit Training, Wellbeing Walks, Youth Hangouts and more! 
  
  Jo shares: "The Community Cafe was a great last session of 2025. Advertising on Facebook, through word of mouth and leafleting has now paid off after a year of being in situ. Onwards and upwards for 2026, and I pray momentum gathers."
  
  
   
• Sport and Faith Coach Simon focused on memory-making during a Mental Health Wellbeing session at Viney Hill. He shared: 
  The young people absolutely loved the session. It was summed up on the minibus on the way back with a boy saying, "That was SO much fun, the BEST day of my life!"

Please pray for

• Our sessions and events, that they bring joy, hope, and connection to children, families, and communities. Pray for rest and renewal for our team and volunteers, and that the true meaning of Christmas would be felt by all who take part.

In case you missed it...

• Can you spot the marvellous meeting the mundane this Christmas? 
  Sport and Faith Coach John challenges us to find joy and meaning in the everyday this festive season, and you don't want to miss his message! 
  Click here to watch the video and get inspired to make this Christmas active, meaningful, and full of community. 
• Sportily Apprenticeships: Cassie's Journey

Coming up

• We're excited to share that bookings for January are starting to go live on our website, with both returning favourites and brand-new sessions to try. Click here to find out what's on near you.