VIPs a plenty turned out to add their weight to a new sporting collaboration that looks set to really lift the profile of sport in Stockport.
Stockport’s Life Leisure along with British Weight Lifting officially opened its North West Academy at Houldsworth Village Gym in Reddish in the presence of Sue Derbyshire MP, Iain Roberts, Deputy Leader of Stockport Council, Mayor & Mayoress, Kevin & Mrs Kathleen Hogg, Andreas Michaelas, British Weight Lifting’s Regional Development Officer, Malcolm McPhail, Managing Director at Life Leisure and Chris Scott General Manager at Houldsworth.
The academy will cater for all levels of participants from those looking to test their ability for the first time to elite athletes training to compete in future events. At the open day local stars came along to try out and demonstrate the weight lifting equipment, Shaun Clegg (21) who will be competing in this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and Alex Collier (20). They were both really impressed, Shaun commented, “The team here have done a superb job. The atmosphere is great and the equipment is top class, some of it has been brought straight from the London2012 Games and how fantastic for Stockport and the North West!”
For Malcom McPhail, the realisation of this project is a further milestone in the development of the Houldsworth Village Gym and brings yet more diverse sporting opportunities to the surrounding communities of Stockport.
He comments:
“It is testament to the positive attitude of the Council, Life Leisure and British Weight Lifting that we have been able to bring to Houldsworth Village Gym, something very special which is available for the local community to use. It is going from strength to strength, and I thank everyone for working together to make this happen. The feedback we’ve had from our weightlifting experts here today has been brilliant.”
At the open day the new gym was buzzing with members, friends and family coming along to see and try out the new facilities and equipment, the football pitches were busy with the GBFA Street Striker, there was the launch of a new Les Mills workout class and fun to be had with bouncy castle and face painting.
Chris Scott was delighted with the turn out,
“We have had a wonderful day, thanks to everyone for joining us. Our aim at Life Leisure is to keep our local community fit and healthy and have a lot of fun along the way!”
For more information and details visit www.lifeleisure.net or call Houldsworth Village Gym on 0161 443 4090 or Life Leisure on 0161 482 0900.