A Huddersfield gym became the 150th Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) site in the country.
The Stadium Health and Fitness Club, based at the Galpharm Stadium and run by Kirklees Active Leisure, celebrated with a launch on Friday February 24. People from disability and mainstream sport attended, along with representatives from dozens of relevant local organisations.
West Yorkshire wheelchair Paralympian Kevin Baker, who held the world record for discus in his disability category from 1991–1995, was at the event and tested out some of the equipment. He won several Paralympic medals and clinched the World Championship gold in 1994. A group of disabled pupils from Fairfields School in Dewsbury demonstrated the fitness equipment in the gyms.
The Stadium Health and Fitness Club received £24,652 towards developments in fitness equipment, staff training and marketing. Kirklees Active Leisure have also financed a range of access works in order to ensure the facility is accessible.
Sue Catton, IFI National Director who was born in Huddersfield, said:
“The launch at the Stadium Health and Fitness Club was a landmark for the IFI signifying the final site to launch through the main rollout of the programme. Disabled people now have access to a network of inclusive fitness facilities across England, a marked change since the beginning of the scheme.
“We are not resting on our laurels, more facilities will be opened throughout the UK with the launch of the IFI Mark, an accreditation scheme for the fitness industry – there is still much work to be done.”
The Stadium Health and Fitness Club was refurbished in December, which included £400k worth of Technogym kit. Six different pieces of equipment are IFI accredited but many more can also be used by people with disabilities.
Staff have been trained in supporting disabled people in the gym; the centre has been scrutinised and measures put in place to improve every aspect of a disabled person’s visit.
David Heddon, Chairman of Kirklees Active Leisure, said:
“We are delighted that we are able to participate in this wonderful initiative. We are adopting an inclusive approach in all our work across the Trust and it will reflect in all our future plans.
“The IFI accreditation is something for us to be immensely proud of at the Stadium Health and Fitness Club. We can now provide fantastic exercise opportunities to users with a wide range of disabilities. Our staff have completed further training and we are looking forward to helping new users achieve their goals."
Following an introduction from David Heddon, speeches were given by Bernard Atha OBE, President of English Federation of Disability Sport and Martin Jelen founder of the Gary Jelen Sports Foundation which stimulated the initial research that brought about the IFI. His son Gary, a former British champion powerlifter, presented the plaque to Barry Turnbull and his staff.
Martin said:
“This is all about equal opportunities for people like Gary who has learning disabilities. I can’t believe we began this eight years ago when Gary was really keen to give everyone the opportunity to exercise. This is all down to him and I am very proud of what we have achieved.”
Steve Daley, captain of the England Partially Sighted Football Team who lost his sight aged 12 gave a moving speech. He said:
“I loved playing football as a boy but then it had to stop. So sport created a barrier for me.
"But over the last few years, we have made huge leaps in removing barriers to disabled people in sport. This is only the start - we need to give everyone the opportunity to do whatever level sport they want from coaching to keeping fit to playing at an international level.
"I have taken part in two World Cups, two European Cups and hopefully have a couple more left in me! With all these wonderful facilities, one day there could be an England captain from Huddersfield."
For further information on the facilities available at the Stadium Health and Fitness Club, please contact:
01484 234120 (Textphone users add prefix 18001 for BT Typetalk
