The Futures scheme will give young children access to activities including play, dance and basic ball exercises in 13 fitness centres across the city.
The council is also promoting a range of 30 activities including basketball, boxing and free running to five- to 16-year-olds who already have free access to the centres. Thirteen youth and community coaches have been appointed to run the programme.
As well as the activities the children have free access to swimming pools, astro-turf pitches, tennis, squash and badminton courts.
The scheme is supported by Liverpool Active City, Extended Schools, Children Centres, Youth Service, Liverpool John Moores University and the Liverpool primary care trust, and is sponsored by the ferry company, Norfolkline.
Council leader Warren Bradley said: "Nowhere else in the UK is delivering a health and fitness programme on this scale and, in the build up to us hosting the next Olympics, it would be a triumph if we could provide every child in the country free access to their local leisure centre. If Liverpool can do it so can other towns and cities."
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here