IN the absence of a velodrome or a convenient stretch of local coastline, potential Sheffield Olympians of the future have been trying a host of other sporting activities this summer, during breaks from the British cycling and watersports gold medal ceremonies on TV.

The council's 'Kids Can Do' schedule for ages eight to 13 is the city's biggest ever summer activities programme, including free sport, art and environmental activities, and Activity Sheffield is also running the regular free sports van sessions in local parks, along with a host of other activities from aerobics, basketball and climbing to snorkeling, tennis and trampolining.

Special sessions for young people with disabilities are also available, at the arena sports ground next to Hillsborough Park.

And if that's not enough to get your youngsters off the couch, if not in training for London (or Chicago, Tokyo, Rio or Madrid) they can swim for free at Heeley, Stocksbridge, Graves, King Edwards, Chapeltown and Springs.

Or they could try grass sledging.

"We think it could be an Olympic sport," says park ranger Mark Colton, possibly overcome with enthusiasm for the popular summer activity held in several of Sheffield's near vertical parks.

Around him dozens of children are lining up to descend one of Meersbrook Park's slightly more gentle hillsides in a sledge mounted on caterpillar tracks – the potential exhibition sport of grass sledging.

It is one of the few non-discriminatory sports, says Mark's colleague Henk Littlewood. "Girls and boys can both take part. As long as you can sit in a sledge and operate the brakes, it's fine."

Larger sledgers do gain a speed advantage, adds Mark, as a strapping teenager hurtles towards Henk at the bottom of the slope.

Grass sledging has been part of the Sheffield summer for ten years or more. The slopes are whirring in Chapletown, Richmond and Graves parks, as well as the most famous Alpine venue at Meersbrook.

Time was when anyone could have a go but health and safety concerns mean that adults are now generally barred. "Brakes only stop people of a certain size, so a larger adult might very well end up out of the park," says Henk.

The rangers do occasionally allow grandparents to have a go under close supervision but the 14 stone, six foot one Henk discovered the sport's hazards himself in the past.

"It was fairly terrifying, actually. I reached a fair old speed, about 20mph down the Meersbrook hills. I did occasionally become airborne and left the sledge and returned to Earth on my backside. I think there are bonus points for that."

The children whirr down and then haul their sledges back up again. For more experienced sledgers a slalom system can be introduced. At the moment, however, the unofficial judges appear to be marking on style, accuracy (ie not veering off course into a tree or passer-by) and braking drama at the bottom.

"Oh, an extra five points," says Henk as a teenager makes a flamboyant, albeit perhaps unplanned, disembarkation and rolls laughing down the slope.

The serious side of all this is about getting people enjoying the city's parks, say Henk. "It's a social event. People of all ages come and have a chat and meet up. People pay their rates, so they deserve a good service, and we think this is something we can provide to pay them back. A simple game like this breaks down barriers – everyone can enjoy themselves."

The ranger events continue over the school holidays and beyond, with families and all age groups encouraged to take part – a booklet describing the year-round programme of events is available at libraries, some parks and online.

In the New Year a new 'Young at Heart' programme for the over-50s is planned, to include 'old-fashioned' games, cycling and walking.
In the meantime the grass sledging will continue, on the nursery slopes of Meersbrook and elsewhere.

A small girl giggles her way down followed by her dad who is trying to photograph her and not get his toe crushed by her sledge at the same time. Then at the bottom she encourages him to double the fun by providing a personal ski lift service.

"The parents get a superb amount of exercise dragging them back up again," observes Henk.

Details on summer activities from the council website.




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