new
opening
sporting excellence student needs
The new club also offers indoor and The indoor football Complementing the sports and fitness
outdoor sporting pitches, which have been pitch (above left) facilities are the massage and
designed to meet international Futsal and new gym complementary therapy areas, which
standards – Futsal being a type of indoor (above right), include a spa and relaxation zone featuring
football in which the surface and offering a wide saunas, spa pools and steamrooms, as well
dimensions of the pitch make it suitable for range of IFI Stage 2 as a pool with resistance swimming facilities.
blind players – and a sports hall with Cybex equipment Students studying for ITEC Level 3
retractable seating for 280 people. diplomas in holistic, sports and Indian
The groundbreaking project has allowed head massage, as well as refl exology, have
the college to enhance its relationship with the British the opportunity to practise their skills. Treatments
and English Blind Football team. Larkin explains: “We are available to students, as well as members, free
wanted to create an international standard pitch, and of charge in the student-led clinics, or as charged-for
we now have the only indoor and outdoor international services from visiting professional therapists.
standard Futsal pitches in the UK. Additional facilities such as conference and meeting
“In order to create the indoor pitch, we worked rooms, a licensed restaurant and a rooftop terrace add
closely with our architects Willmore Iles, with to this social aspect of college life, which includes a
builder Morgan Ashurst, and with consultants Mach club for over-18s as well as a student union which hosts
Acoustics to research our requirements and create events such as the annual summer prom.
anechoic lower walls. This reduced echo enhances the The offi cial opening was on 24 June 2009, although
acoustics to enable the players to orientate themselves the facilities opened in April. A variety of memberships
effectively during the game. are on offer, starting at £19 a month for local disabled
“Our extensive research looked into everything people and £49 for full membership. This includes
from creating sound boards for both the indoor and unlimited use of the gym and spa. Access to a personal
outdoor pitches [which helps the blind players with trainer, the indoor and outdoor pitches, fi tness pool,
their orientation] to the best colour contrast of the massage treatments and conference facilities incur an
indoor pitch [blue and white], and the use of single line additional cost. From this month, a class programme
markings and appropriate lighting.” including yoga and pilates will also be available.
The build was challenging, as nothing like this had Also included is a 56-bedroom accommodation hall
been created in Europe. Willmore Iles were selected for students, as well as overnight accommodation and
for their experience of working in education, and an access assessment centre including a suite with
worked hand-in-hand with the staff at RNC to ensure interview and group meeting rooms. Here, a team of
all accessibility requirements were met. Mach Acoustics assessors can offer applicants the opportunity to have
rose to the challenge of replicating the outdoor their potential recognised and quantifi ed, allowing for
environment on an indoor pitch as closely as possible. the development of meaningful training plans.
The college’s considerable investment has been Looking ahead, RNC is keen to continue its
rewarded with the hosting of the 2010 Blind Football work with the Football Association and other
World Championships in August 2010, as well as disability groups. The eventual aim is to host a major
becoming the training camp for the British / English international event on an annual basis, as well as
Blind Football Team, England Futsal Team and the venue expanding its NVQ Level 3 vocational training.
for both the blind and partially-sighted football leagues. Whatever happens next, thanks to the enthusiasm
The college is also listed as a West Midlands Training and dedication of the staff, the 130-year-old college will
Camp leading up to the Olympics and Paralympics in undoubtedly continue fl ourish and thrive.
2012, and has completed an initial assessment for IFI
accreditation with the aim of gaining the highest level of amanda baker
accreditation – Level 3 – in the future.
healthclub@leisuremedia.com
38 Read Health Club Management online september 2009 © cybertrek 2009
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital
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