Sport in the Library Returns for a Second Year

Following its inaugural success, the Guille-Allès Library and the Sports Commission have announced the return of Sport in the Library this November, offering a unique mix of sports such as pickleball, table tennis, archery, fencing, boxing, and darts, in the unconventional setting of a library.

Spearheaded by Nicky Will from the Sports Commission and Jackie Burgess, Community and Wellbeing Lead for the Guille-Allès Library, the event aims to address inactive lifestyles during the colder months by bringing sports indoors.

"Last year’s event was such a huge success we knew we had to repeat it this year," said Will, highlighting the natural barriers the November weather presents to outdoor activities and the solution their initiative offers.

Adding a unique twist to the traditional library environment, rooms usually lined with bookshelves and desks, such as the Hayward Room and the mezzanine, will transform into arenas for sports activities aimed at all age groups.

Skateboarding is absent this year with organisers pointing to the ongoing development of new indoor ramps for the sport in St Andrew’s.

Burgess reiterated the library's mission to support health and wellbeing, "We could not believe how busy we were last year."

Burgess said the event would simultaneously promote literacy through a designated area for reading and exploring sports books.

The event, which is free to attend, aims to underscore the message that sport is universally accessible and can be enjoyed anywhere and by anyone.

It is scheduled to take place on the 23rd November from 10 am to 2 pm.