SPORT Pop-up clubs for disadvantaged


Sports charity StreetGames will create 200 Pop Up Clubs during the summer that will enable disadvan- taged young people to get involved in sport. The nationwide pro-


gramme will be operated in partnership – and funded by – Spirit of 2012 (Spirit), a charity set up to support programmes that sustain the spirit of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. Sessions have been


designed to give young people the chance to take part in sports that will feature heavily at this summer’s Commonwealth Games – such as athletics, table tennis and badminton. Te sports will be brought to peoples’ door-


Commonwealth champion Kelly Sotherton is supporting the project Jane Ashworth, who is the CEO of


steps by organising the sessions at community halls, leisure centres and parks - meaning that sporting activities can be accessed by all.


StreetGames, said: “We know that large sporting events inspire young people to get active, we saw it with the Olympics, Paralympics and we are sure to see it with the Commonwealth Games as well. Details: http://lei.sr?a=Y6v4t


Bolton’s academy plans win approval


Bolton Wanderers Football Club has been granted outline planning permis- sion to build a £100m sport, education and office development aſter plans were approved by the local council. Te club announced plans last year to


create a free sports academy, along with retail outlets, 200 apartments, a 60-bed- room hotel and an office block with restaurants and hospitality suites as part of the club’s “Middlebrook Masterplan”. The plans also include an as-yet


unannounced expansion to the club’s home the Reebok Stadium (soon to be renamed the Macron Stadium). Councillors approved the plans, despite con-


Bolton’s £100m plans include a new sports academy


cerns over other developments being affected, including the nearby Church Wharf regen- eration project in Bolton town centre. The project has been overseen by Te Environment Partnership (TEP) to provide ecology, land- scape and environmental assessment, though no


contractors or architects have yet been named. “The development would provide much


needed investment and employment opportuni- ties with improvements to education, leisure and wider community facilities in an urban setting and sustainable location,” said planning officer John Berry. Details: http://lei.sr?a=k7v7W


Right Directions to deliver ASA’s Learn To Swim accreditation Te agreement will bring all three leading


Health and safety management specialist Right Directions – the company which delivers Quest for Sport England and ukactive’s Code of Practice (CoP) – will now co-ordinate the ASA’s Learn To Swim accreditation scheme for facilities that are offering swim schools.


© CYBERTREK 2014


health and fitness industry awards together, allowing operators to save time and money by achieving their ASA Learn To Swim accredi- tation and ukactive CoP as part of their Quest assessment. Details: http://lei.sr?a=U3n7U


Twitter: @leisureopps Plans include a health club and community spaces


Port Talbot Town FC tables brand new stadium plans


Welsh Premier League club Port Talbot Town FC has announced plans to replace its current home, GenQuip Stadium, with a new facility within two years. A feasibility study conducted by James +


Nicholas Architects shows that the purpose- built venue is set to have an all-weather 3G pitch – to limit the number of games post- poned due to weather, as well as to allow wider community use and for the pitch to be used as an extra source of revenue. Designs also include seven multifunc-


tional community/training rooms, space for a health club and a multi-purpose “sports barn” to be used by the club and community. According to the club director Tim Bull,


environmental sustainability will be right at the core of the stadium design. Speaking to local media, he com-


mented: “We will be adopting a unique eco-friendly approach using solar pan- els and other environmentally friendly methods to provide energy and that could even incorporate the cost effective hire of electric cars for local residents.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=G3F4K


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital 3


Paraplegic teen to take opening kick at World Cup


A paraplegic teen will officially kick-off this year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil, showcas- ing new technology which could transform lives for millions of paralysed people. Te teen is one of eight patients taking


part in Walk Again, a vast research project that hopes to enable wheelchair-bound peo- ple to remobilise using robotics. Te first big demonstration of the proj-


ect will be on 12 June at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo, before the World Cup’s opening match between Brazil and Croatia. Wearing an exoskeleton, the patient will rise from the wheelchair, walk 25m onto the pitch and take the World Cup’s first kick. Details: http://lei.sr?a=c9S8C


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