Community Games

What are Community Games?

Community Games are a way for you to bring your community together to take part in sporting and cultural activities inspired by – and in celebration of – London 2012 and the Queen's Jubilee year.

Are we a 'community'?

A community could be your street, an estate, your colleagues at work, a 'friends of' group from your local park, your faith group, your children's school... the list goes on. A community is simply a group of people that come together at some point to share and do things. You could, in fact, form your own new community and bring them together so that you can all be a part of the largest sports event this country has ever seen.

Why should I get involved?

Community Games gives you the chance to be part of the London 2012 official legacy. But it's also about bringing people together to try new sporting and arts activities and having loads of fun. Perhaps you'd like to do something for the kids at your local school in the summer holidays, or maybe you'd like everyone in your street to get to know each other better. You could organise a Games to celebrate a year since the London 2012 Games or perhaps take advantage of one of the Bank Holiday weekends to make sure this great year doesn't just pass you by.

What do the Games look like?

A Community Games includes both sporting and cultural activities, and some sort of opening and/or closing ceremony that brings everyone together. The rest is up to you. Some happen on one day at one venue, others over a week at lots of different venues. Some involve competition; others focus simply on getting people participating in sports or cultural activities they might never have tried before. The important thing is that each event is shaped by those involved and is about what that community wants to do. So it's a pretty blank canvas.

Can an existing event be a Community Games?

Yes if it includes both sporting and cultural events, and some sort of ceremony. If it doesn't perhaps you could add to it as you plan your event for this year.

If I decide to organise a Community Games will I get any help?

The short answer is 'yes, of course'. Here's a few more details of the help and support for you:

1. The website www.communitygames.org.uk, with lots of resources, as well as great ideas based on what other people are doing as part of their Games.

2. The Community Games toolkit, with loads of useful information and tips.

3. Gina Rogers and Gemma Finlay of the Active Sussex Team to advise and help you.

4. Free workshops on how to organise and promote your Games,can be arranged to help you with planning their Games and share ideas.

5. T-shirts, bunting, stickers, and equipment. Some events could have a local sporting champion of the past, present or future to help to promote their event and perhaps even turn up on the day.

6. An event page on the website, and bespoke postcards.

7. An e-newsletter every month or so with news from across the region.

Is there any money for our Games?

Many people have shown that Community Games can be organised for very little cost. However in Sussex, Active Sussex are offering community groups a grant of up to £300 towards the cost of their event. Groups just need to complete a short application form, providing details of their event and provide supporting documentation. Forms can be downloaded from the useful documents column on the right of this page. It's a rolling programme and we will assess your application when it is received and notify you of the decision as soon as possible.

Can we use the Olympic or Paralympic logos?

No one apart from the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and their official sponsors can use these logos. However, LOCOG created the Inspire Mark – recognising projects inspired by London 2012 – which features on your promotional postcards so that people know Community Games are linked to London 2012.

I'm interested - what do I do next?

Go to www.communitygames.org.uk where you can find out more and express your interest or contact Gina Rogers on 01273 644185 or  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.