Helping our communities get moving: Greater Norwich publishes latest physical activity update

The Year 3 update of the Greater Norwich Physical Activity and Sport Strategy (PASS) highlights strong momentum throughout 2025, with more opportunities than ever for people of all ages to enjoy sport, connect socially and improve their health and wellbeing.

First launched in 2022, PASS sets out a shared ambition to support happier, healthier and more active lives across the area. The strategy brings together local councils, charities, community groups and national partners to tackle inactivity, reduce inequalities and provide welcoming places to be active. Highlights from 2025 include:

• Rising activity levels among both adults and young people.

• 1.34 million visits to council owned leisure centres, reflecting increasing demand for affordable, accessible activity spaces.

• Upgrades to major community facilities, including Eaton Park and the expanded Aylsham Gym and Fitness Hub, plus a new solar installation at Riverside Leisure Centre to cut carbon emissions and running costs.

• Significant investment secured, such as £5 million for improvements at Framingham Earl Sports Centre, three inclusive padel courts at The Nest, and planned enhancements at Woodrow Pilling Park including an outdoor gym, sprint track and pump track upgrades.

• Expanded inclusive programmes, from All to Play For to the Community Engagement Van, helping residents who face barriers to getting active.

• A continued shift towards greener travel, with Beryl users taking more than 2.2 million rides and covering over 3.9 million miles since launch.

Councillor Mike Stonard, Chair of the GNGB, said:

It’s inspiring to see so many projects supporting residents to be active in ways that suit them. These improvements are only possible through strong partnership working across Greater Norwich and a shared commitment to our communities.”

The GNGB partnership - comprising Broadland District, Norwich City, South Norfolk and Norfolk County Councils - continues to work collectively to deliver homes, jobs and essential infrastructure for the area. Looking ahead to 2026, partners will progress several commitments, including delivering new facilities, analysing feedback from the 2025 public consultation, expanding parkrun opportunities, developing new leisure centre information materials, and allocating Place Universal Offer funding to support innovative community based approaches to increasing activity.

Find out more: Physical Activity and Sport Strategy - Greater Norwich Growth Board