A new free sports festival is coming to Dundee’s Lochee Park next week

A new summer sports festival is coming to Dundee next week - and it’s free to attend.

Families and young people will be able to try everything from wheelchair sport and Gaelic football to cycling and basketball when a free sports festival takes over Lochee Park next week.

Dundee’s Summer Sport Festival will take place on Friday 28 August, bringing more than a dozen sports clubs and activity providers together for an afternoon and evening of free activities.

Running from 3.30pm until 8pm, the event is designed to give children and young people the chance to discover new sports, meet local clubs and find ways to stay active beyond the summer holidays.

Visitors will be able to have a go at cycling, Gaelic football, wheelchair sport, athletics, rugby, hockey, cricket, football, tennis and basketball, alongside other activities, challenges and demonstrations.

The festival is open to all ages and abilities, with organisers expecting hundreds of people to attend Lochee Park throughout the event.

Those arriving at the park will also be able to pick up a free festival pack from the event hub and take part in a special passport challenge.

Participants can collect stamps by visiting different activity stations around the park, with completed passports providing the chance to enter a prize draw.

A limited number of sports participation vouchers will also be available to help young people who discover an activity they enjoy take the next step and get involved with local clubs.

Food and refreshments will be available during the festival, which forms part of Dundee’s wider Summer of Sport programme.

Scott Urquhart, Head of Leisure, Sport and Physical Activity Services at Active Dundee, said the event was about making it easier for families to discover what sport and physical activity can offer.

He said: “By bringing clubs, coaches and activity providers together in one place, we’re creating opportunities for young people to try something new, build confidence and connect with activities they can enjoy in the future.

“We’re committed to making sport as welcoming, inclusive and accessible as possible in Dundee. This festival is about removing barriers, taking opportunities directly into communities and helping more young people find a place where they can be active, make friends and develop lifelong healthy habits.”

Stewart Hunter, Dundee City Council’s Children and Families Convener, said thousands of children and young people had already taken part in activities through the Summer of Sport programme.

He added: “It’s great to see Lochee Park being used to bring the local community, children and young people, and local sports clubs together to encourage and enable more people to try new sports and, hopefully, continue participating in them beyond the summer.

“We are committed to providing opportunities for our children and young people to become more active, and I hope people will take advantage of this free festival to try something new and see what’s on offer.”

The Summer Sport Festival is being delivered by Active Schools and Active Dundee in partnership with Dundee City Council, local sports clubs and community organisations, with support from sportscotland.

The event is completely free and there is no need to book in advance.