Host of sports- all under one roof (From The Northern Echo)

Host of sports- all under one roof

4:37pm Monday 8th February 2010 in

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A TOWN leisure centre is proving to be a hotbed of sporting prowess.

Gymnastics, tae kwondo, boxing, water polo, sports for young women disabled clubs are a selection of the activities all going on under its roof at Spennymoor Leisure Centre.

Martial arts club Chi Taekwondo was launched 25 years ago and now has more than 150 members, from Little Tigers as young as four to adults.

It also has a demonstration team, Chi Demo, which performs its acrobatic routines on television and at international tournaments.

Topping the club’s success stories are sport fighters Scott and Jamie Abley, 18 and 15, and 19-year-old Ben Shaw.

Scott was the only Briton to win an A-class title last year and brother Jamie is in the GB development squad, hopeful of making the 2016 Olympic Games.

Ben, juvenile national champ two years ago, is finding his feet at senior level.

Russell Shaw, chief instructor, said: "The profile and success of the demo team and our top competitors is wonderful, but we’re are also very proud of our work with children and disability groups."

South Durham Gymnastics Club was set up more than 20 years ago by coaches Nicola Preston and Rachel Wright as a hobby.

In 2006 it moved into a purpose built gymnastics centre of excellence- a potential 2012 Olympic training venue.

And it now has 30 coaches and 1,200 regular users including elite gymnasts with Olympic dreams.

Amy Tinkler, ten, Claudia Barkers, nine, and 11-year-old Jade Armstrong are all in the GB development squad.

But for many the gym centre is purely about fitness and fun including baby gym, a gladiators boys club, adult and special needs sessions.

A group of teenage boys, some travelling from Liverpool, perfect parkour or free running moves at the gym.

Mrs Preston said: "We could never have imagined this success, people just want to be part of it.

"Success at the top with our elites filters right down to every member."

Spennymoor Boxing Academy recently moved into new facilities within the centre, which founder and director of coaching Robert Ellis believes boosts its chance of realising boxers’ potential.

Since forming 18 years ago the club has landed a clutch of titles, currently boasting the ABA junior champion in 15-year-old Cory Gallant.

Senior boxers Stuart McCrone and Gary Dodds and juniors Ricky Skelton, Reece Ellis, Jack Coglan and Ben Jackson regularly compete at the top of the national amateur scene.

The junior foursome are currently preparing for the quarter finals of the Boys Club national contest.

Along with successes in the ring, Mr Ellis is proud to regularly engage 50 junior and 20 senior members in positive activity.

He said: "We have some good boys who are banging on the doors of national selectors and as important, attendance and discipline is brilliant."