Everyone’s talking about the role of kid’s fitness in combating the couch potato culture and motivating the Xbox generation to get up and get active. But structured activity programmes can have a much larger role to play in society than the obvious health implications.

Local leisure centres also have an obligation to address crime and anti-social behaviour in the community, alongside areas of delivery such as economic development, transport provision and health promotion. So it’s not surprising that councils and leisure trusts are looking at ways to engage children in the local community through activity programmes.

Alliance Leisure has developed a number of solutions at leisure centres across the country, which demonstrate both the health benefits and the many of the alternative benefits of sport and physical activity, such as tackling anti-social behaviour, increasing confidence and social skills and even boosting brain power.

Sarah Watts, Managing Director of Alliance Leisure said: “Currently the UK is not spending enough on this type of facility. Indoor facilities linked to public transport draw youngsters into a safe, sociable and fun environment and help to tackle obesity, social issues and crime too.”