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Boxing Legend to Highlight Wigan’s
Inclusive Fitness Success
 On Friday 2nd September, boxing hero and patron of the Inclusive Fitness
Initiative (IFI) Michael Watson MBE, will unveil Robin Park Sports Centre
and Arena as an official IFI facility. The former Commonwealth
Middleweight Champion will be special guest for an afternoon of sports
activities designed to showcase inclusive sport at its best. Hindley Pool
and Sports Centre is also set to receive the accreditation, ensuring Wigan
will be the first borough in the UK to receive dual-site recognition from
the IFI.
The IFI is a Sport England funded project that supports facilities across
the county to make improvements in access, fitness equipment, staff
training and sports development. The IFI aims to make fitness suites and
facilities more freely available to people with disabilities.
Michael Watson, who was brain-damaged following his WBO Championship bout
with Chris Eubank, is a true advocate of what can be achieved through
physical activity. His remarkable comeback, highlighted by his completion
of the London Marathon in 2003 (pictured), is an example of how important
it is that sport and health facilities are made accessible to all.
“The Trust has been working hard to ensure that our sports facilities are
easily accessible and have the correct equipment to allow people of all
abilities to enjoy physical activity,” says Rodney Hill, Chief Executive
of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust (WLCT). “The Inclusive Fitness
Initiative is a fantastic campaign and reflects our vision Getting Wigan
Active which we hope will improve the physical and mental welfare of
people across Wigan Borough. The huge strides taken at Robin Park and
Hindley should go some way towards achieving this aim and anyone who knows
the Michael Watson story will be inspired by his determination and
self-belief.”
Some of the improvements carried out by WLCT that have helped lead to the
IFI accreditation include:
• £70k spent to transform the cricket hall at Robin Park into a
multi-games hall (used regularly by the disabilities sports club).
• £20k spent on improving access to Robin Park and to provide specialist
equipment for gym users with disabilities.
• £110k investment at Hindley Pool to transform it into a specialist
facility for swimmers with disabilities.
• Extra training for staff in Disability Equity and fitness instructors
being trained to deliver safe and appropriate exercise programmes.
• A brand new inclusive fitness suite at Hindley Sports Centre costing
£210k including improved access and specialist equipment.
As well as improving the profile of Robin Park and Hindley Sport Centres,
the IFI recognition will also lead to the Trust employing Wigan Borough’s
first ever ‘activator’. One of the key roles of the ‘activator’ is to work
in the community to encourage people with disabilities to take part in
sport and physical activity.
“The huge improvements made at Robin Park and Hindley mean that more and
more disabled users from across the borough and beyond will have the
opportunity to use these facilities and keep themselves fit and healthy,”
says Darren Birch, Regional Manager for the English Federation of
Disability Sports (EFDS), who thinks the accreditation will have a
positive effect on disabled sports in the area. “With the Paralympics
coming to London in 2012 disability sports are now getting greater
recognition. The new improved facilities could result in some athletes
from the Wigan Borough competing at the London Games.”
In addition to the accreditation ceremony, Michael Watson, Councillor
Brian Jarvis the Mayor of Wigan, WLCT’s Board and other invited attendees
at Robin Park on September 2nd, will have the opportunity to witness some
of the beneficiaries of the improvement work in action. From 11am to
2.30pm athletes with disabilities will be exhibiting their skills in a
multitude of sports including wheelchair tennis, basketball and athletics.
The official launch takes place at 11.45am.
-ends-
NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this News Release please
contact Chris Dunbar, Public Relations Officer, Wigan Leisure and Culture
Trust on 01942 486937 or at c.dunbar@wlct.org.
Itinerary for September 2nd:
11am – sports activities in the Sports Hall / Tennis Hall and Multi-Games
Hall
11.45 – official launch in reception with Michael Watson and the Mayor of
Wigan
12.00 – Buffet and refreshments
12.45 – Speeches:
Martin Eden – Executive Director (WLCT)
Darren Birch – Regional Manager (EFDS)
1.15 – sports activities ongoing.
Details of Robin Park Improvements:
• Purchase of IFI accredited equipment - 2 x Vario Pulleys, Leg Curl & Leg
Extension.
• Amendments to changing rooms including larger benches, lowered clothing
hooks, lower mirrors and brighter lights.
• Colour contrasting accessible toilets, lowered orange emergency pull
cords, brighter lights and altering locking door mechanism.
• 20% of lockers to be tactile.
• Lower reception desk in Profiles gym.
• Portable hearing loop fitted at reception desk in Profiles gym.
• All literature to be available in larger font, on CD and available in
Braille.
• A policy for policing disabled parking bays and signs to highlight
disabled bays.
• Ramp fitted at Profiles gym to remove step obstacle.
• Braille/Tactile signs throughout centre that are colour contrasting.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust: Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a
charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and support
Leisure and Cultural facilities, initiatives and events for 300,000
residents across the Wigan Borough.
Getting Wigan Active: Getting Wigan Active is WLCT’s vision to ensure that
people across the Wigan Borough have the opportunity to become more
physically, mentally and creatively active. It also aims to increase
community activity and to encourage good citizenship.
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