European City of Sport 2012

Preston has been awarded European City of Sport status 2012. Throughout 2012 we will be holding various European City of Sport events.

How to get involved?

You can register your European City of Sport event to appear in the European City of Sport calendar and to request to use the branding pack for your event.

We require all event organisers who register their event to complete a short evaluation form so that we can capture the spirit and range of events taking place throughout the year. You can upload any photographs of your event to the European City of Sport Flickr group. Please try to utilise the branding materials within at least one of your photographs submitted.

What is the European City of Sport?

UK European City of Sport is awarded by the European Capital of Sport Association (ACES). ACES has five main objectives:

• Enjoying exercise
• Experiencing community
• Learning of fair play
• Willingness to achieve
• Improving health

Why was Preston awarded European City of Sport 2012?

Following our application with partners (University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), NHS Central Lancashire, the School Sport Partnership, Preston Sports Forum and Preston College) we hosted a two day visit by ACES assessors to showcase a broad range of work and demonstrate the impact of sport and physical activity in Preston.

What benefits will it bring for Preston?

European City of Sport designation and its connection with Preston Guild will enable a wealth of activity to take place in 2012 encouraging greater participation and ultimately a more healthy population.

The aim is to create or brand at least 100 facilities, events and activities under the European City of Sport brand aligned with the People’s Guild and Preston’s World Health Organisation (WHO) Healthy City designation. Schools, clubs and communities will rise to this challenge and be supported by branding material to recognise the combined prestige of these three brands which will work in synergy across the course of the year.

European City of Sport is led by four Principal Partners: Preston City Council, UCLan, Preston College and NHS Central Lancashire. They are supported by Preston North End FC as an official partner and by sportswear manufacturer Surridge as official kit supplier.