Taster Events

 Squash Course (Fully subscribed)
Friday 8 August 2008, 19:00
Master all those skills you'll need to win the Pride Games squash competition by attending this six week coaching course first!

You'll receive tuition from professional coaches for a total of 12 hours. All you need is yourself and a squash racquet. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn or improve your skills at a great price.

The course will run for six weeks each Friday from 19:00 to 21:00, starting on Friday 8 August 2008.

The last session will be Friday 12 September ready for you to test your skills in the Pride Games squash competition on Saturday 13 September. Register for it now!

 Community relay race
Sunday 7 September 2008, 11:30
Get yourself three people together and bring your team along to this fun event! Each member of your team will do one lap of Alexandra Park, passing on your unique novelty baton along the way!

Only one member of the team needs to buy the ticket as the £15 covers all three participants!

All funds raised from event will be donated to George House Trust, the Pride Games 2008 nominated charity.

View the Open Athletics Information Page

 5km run
Sunday 7 September 2008, 11:30
The Alexandra Park 5k run is under UK Athletics Rules. The course is a certified accurate 5k course by UK Athletics.

There are changing facilities, toilets and cloakroom at the Park Headquarters.

Bring your lunch box too as there will be a picnic at the Park. And for families there will be a family zone with heaps of activities, organised by Proud to be Parents.

Medals will be awarded for the fastest three men and women.

Race starts at 11:30.

Pay on arrival at the park £5.00 (£3.00 if attached to a UK athletics club, £2.00 concession)

View the Open Athletics Information Page

 Gay Scottish Ceilidh and Country Dance Evening
Sunday 7 September 2008, 19:00
Manchester Gay Gordons Group host their third Ceilidh and Scottish Dance Evening.

The upstairs bar of the Thompsons Arms opens its doors from 19:00 with dancing getting underway at 19:30 prompt! There will be a full evening of dancing (with walk throughs for the uninitiated), including the Gay Gordons, Dashing White Sergeant and a few newer dances.

All levels of ability are welcome; from the complete novice to a more accomplished dancer. Kilts are encouraged but not compulsory - if you do not have a kilt try and wear something tartan!!

There will be a short break through the evening and a light buffet provided, and the bar will be open to provide refreshments all evening.

There will be a raffle to help raise funds as the group are hoping to start dance classes for the LBGT population in and around Greater Manchester.

Scottish Country Dancing is extremely social as there is lots of hand contact and eye contact during dances and it is a great way to meet people. So get along there and give it a go!

 Sunday swim
Sunday 7 September 2008, 19:30
Join Northern Wave for their Sunday swim. All welcome and coaching available for those keen swimmers amongst you.
Pay on the door £4.00 (£4.50 for training).

 GHAP Badminton
Monday 8 September 2008, 18:00
GHAP Badminton is a recreational badminton group for people who like to play badminton for pleasure rather than for competition. A great bunch of people and a friendly atmosphere.
Pay on the door £2.00 per hour.

 Swimming & fun water polo
Tuesday 9 September 2008, 00:00
Join Northern Wave for their Tuesday social weekly swim and fun water polo. All welcome and coaching available for those keen swimmers amongst you.
Pay on the door £3.00 (£3.50 for training).

 Rugby League
Tuesday 9 September 2008, 18:00
Try your skills at rugby league at this special taster session with Salford City Reds Development Officer.

No previous experience needed!

The venue has third generation astroturf and full changing facilities.

Entry to the facility is via Dalberg Street, off Hyde Road.

Best of all it's completely free!!

 Line Dancing
Tuesday 9 September 2008, 19:30
Join Manchester Prairie Dogs Line Dance Club for their weekly session.
First visit is free!

 Badminton (competitive)
Tuesday 9 September 2008, 20:00
Join Northern Flight at their weekly meet.
Pay on the door £5 for the two hours session.

 Archery (Fully subscribed)
Wednesday 10 September 2008, 00:00
If you've ever fancied shooting a few arrows then now is your chance! The event will be run in two groups of 6 for 40 minutes each. While you're not doing archery you'll be able to do the orienteering course around Sale Water Park.

Each archery group will spend the first 25 minutes with group tuition learning three shooting styles: Olympic, face walking and string walking. Each person will then get three arrows to shoot as practice - bring your walking legs as you'll have to go collect them once you've shot! The final 15 minutes will be spent having a competition where the six of you will compete against each other for the highest score!

There will be a vegetarian BBQ once both groups have shot all their arrows!

Meet at the Mersey Valley Visitor Centre.

 Badminton (leisure)
Wednesday 10 September 2008, 18:00
This group is for those who like their badminton more leisurely and fun! A great bunch of people and a friendly atmosphere.
Pay on the door £2 per hour.

 Volleyball
Wednesday 10 September 2008, 19:00
One of Manchester's newest LGBT sports groups! Players of all abilities and experience are welcome at this friendly mixed group.
Pay on the door £3 for one hour session.

 Ballroom dancing
Wednesday 10 September 2008, 20:00
Brush up on your waltz and your quickstep in time for the Pride Games Tea Dance with Manchester's LGBT Ballroom Dancing group. Beginners session starts at 20:00 and improvers session at 21:00. The class is held in the school at the above venue.
Pay on the door £6 for the session.

 Women's Swimming
Wednesday 10 September 2008, 20:00
Join the Northern Wave women at their dedicated swim session.
Pay on the door £3 (concessions available)

 Water Polo
Thursday 11 September 2008, 19:00
Join Manchester Sharks for their weekly training session. It's an exciting game so why not give it a go. Men and women welcomed.
Pay on the door £3.50.

 Bell boat regatta (single entrant)
Sunday 14 September 2008, 00:00
Join in this highlight of the Sport + day and race down the Quays basins. We'll match you with 9 other people to fill a boat and you'll need to work together if you're going to win!! Prepare to get wet but have great fun doing so!

Racing kicks off at 13:00.

 Bell boat regatta (team entry) (Fully subscribed)
Sunday 14 September 2008, 00:00
Join in this highlight of the Sport + day and race down the Quays basins. If you can get your own team of 10 together then book yourself a boat. You'll need to coordinate your team if you're going to win!! Prepare to get wet but have great fun doing so!

Racing kicks off at 13:00.