91热爆

Middlesbrough's Sports Mela had a clear message to the people of Teesside - Getting fit is fun!

With hundreds of people passing through the event on Albert Park, organiser Diane Harker was hopeful that visitors went away inspired to get active:

"The aim is to try and show people how easy it is to get involved with sport and physical activity, getting them to look at their lifestyles.

"There are big problems in the area with obesity levels and it's just to make them more aware of the issues, and try and get them to focus on that.

"We want to make them see how easy it is to be more healthy and how easy it is to be fitter."

Scrum Down

One of the sports making a big effort to promote itself at the Mela was rugby union. Although the domestic Premiership has become a growing business, Newcastle are the North East's only representatives, and the code has struggled to make an impact in the area.

However, Paul and Jamie from Acklam RUFC says rugby is growing.

"There's quite a lot of clubs in the area. There's Hartlepool, Redcar and Middlesbrough. There's Darlington, they're easy to get to.

"There are as many as football clubs now"

The old stereotype that you need to be a brute to play this game is also nonsense according to the Acklam lads:

"All you need's a bit of strength and determination. Anyone can play, you just need a good attitude towards it."

Anyone for tennis?

With Wimbledon and the likes of Andy Murray making the headlines, Tennis is enjoying a spell in the limelight.

Boro' lads Adnan and James are 10 and 18 respectively, and they believe while interest is sometimes high - tennis still needs better organisation nationally as James explains:

"We're struggling to get youngsters coming through. There was a lot of competition when I was Adnan's age, but now we struggle."

Sadly Adnan might have to play on makeshift courts at his school, but James is keen to point out that tennis facilities, not to mention opportunities are improving in the area:

"I play at Tennisworld where there's very good facilities and organised squads.

"We've got four clay courts, three hard courts and we're also hoping to get the indoor courts done too as they're ten years old now and are starting to get a bit worn out."

Positive message

All in all, Middlesbrough's Sports Mela had stalls from the RAF and the Army, not to mention the Football Association who provided skills coaching for people of all ages and a very popular climbing wall.

There were also some traditional Asian activities on display, from a variation of volleyball to Bollywood dancing.

The last word has to go to the Trampoline, which with the aid of ropes, allowed the fearless among the crowds to try some 360 action, including 91热爆 Radio Cleveland's own Karen Slater!