The Kent & Medway Business Games, launched in 2015, are delivered as part of the Workplace Challenge Programme in Kent & Medway.
The second Kent and Medway Business Games grew in size with an increase in the number of participants and workplaces and also the addition of new sports and challenges to the programme of activities.
Delivery of the project was led by Kent Sport in partnership with a number of other organisations including Local Authorities, National Governing Bodies of Sport and Kent County Council (KCC) along with headline sponsors Wellbeing People and GrainLNG (National Grid).
Project Objectives:
To engage businesses and employees in the Kent & Medway Business Games, in order to encourage team working, boost staff morale, promote & increase participation in different types of sports/activities and enable networking opportunities with other workplace teams in Kent.
Impact and postive outcomes of the Kent & Medway Business Games:
- Over 120 people took part in the Games from 16 workplaces.
- 5 activities delivered plus a Challenge Zone.
- Commenced with a fun mass participation warm up.
- Included adapted versions of 5 team sports, including, Ultimate Frisbee, Pickleball, Human Table Football, Kwik Cricket and Sitting Volleyball.
- Included a Challenge Zone with individual challenges in cycling, rowing and golf.
- All sports and activities were carefully selected (based on feedback from participants in the 2015 Games) to ensure that the Games was inclusive and appealed to people who were less active as well as those who already took part in sport.
- All activities encouraged team working along with individual development.
Quotes from two of the many participants who benefitted from taking part in the Business Games:
"This is the 2nd year that Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council entered a team for the Kent & Medway Business Games. Different people from different departments took part and it was a great opportunity to engage with colleagues, try out different sports and have lots of fun out of the office. The event has encouraged us to share the benefits of physical activity with other staff throughout the year. We have a regular walking group and we're looking to set up a staff running group soon"
Tamsin Ritchie.
"What a fantastic event! BAE Systems has over 1300 staff but 6 people from different departments (who didn't previously know each other) came together on the day to represent the organisation. We instantly clicked as a team and it was great to try new sports and activities. There was lots of social interaction and we came away from the event on a real high. We're already looking forward to taking part next year"
David Lewis.
Lucy Tomlinson, Workplace Challenge Co-ordinator, commented
"The afternoon was a huge success. The event is a great platform to promote sport and physical activity to a wide range of businesses and the adapted sports and activities went down really well. It was great to see a real mix of participants, some who were already sporty along with many who were very new to activity. The feedback on the day was extremely positive and everyone seemed to be having lots of fun. A bit of healthy competition definitely helped to keep everyone on their toes!”