Morpeth Paddlesport Club Launch

This weekend Morpeth Paddlesport Club will provide the local community with a host of paddle sport events on the River Wansbeck in Morpeth, which is located next to Riverside Leisure Centre. This will mark the official launch of the club in which members of the public will be provided with free taster sessions delivered by qualified coaches, who will be on hand to offer support and advice.

This extended weekend festival commences this Saturday 17^th May and finishes on Monday 19^th with a schools competition. On Saturday, spectators will be able to view local clubs taking part in a paddlesport challenge including activities such as canoe polo, slalom and flat water racing. Then on Sunday the club will provide a number of free taster sessions to anyone interested in becoming a member.

This festival is also being sponsored by Northumberland Sport via their Get Active Northumberland campaign.

The club has been developed by the sports development team at Castle Morpeth Borough Council during the past 18 months and as demand grew, a constituted group was set up to take the club forward in partnership with British Canoe Union and Morpeth & Ponteland Schools Sports Partnership.

To date, the club has already raised approximately £20,000 from key Partners including Castle Morpeth Borough Council, Sport England, Morpeth & Ponteland Schools Sports Partnership and Northumberland Sport. This funding will be utilised to sustain the future growth of the club and enable a coach to be employed 1 day per week for the next 3 years which will be a fantastic asset.

Andrew Tunnah, Castle Morpeth Borough Council Sports Development Officer said, “It has taken a lot longer than we had hoped to establish the club and so much hard work has gone into developing this club I am sure it is going to worth the wait”.

Doug Lowery, Executive Director of Northumberland Sport said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for local people in Castle Morpeth to engage is a new exciting activity and I would like to wish Morpeth Paddlesport Club all the best for their launch and the future.”

For further information on the development of the club download the newsletter or contact Andrew Tunnah.