Press Releases
Borough athletics track crowned centre of excellence (PR 1072)
An Ealing Council sports facility is being hailed as a centre of excellence where budding athletes can be trained as Olympic champions.
The Perivale Park Athletics Track, run by the Council’s Active Ealing team, has been named as the Centre of Excellence for Rotational Throws, which will specialise in the hammer, discus and shot.
Previously the nearest centre of excellence for aspiring London athletes training in rotational throws was in Birmingham.
Hammer thrower Lorraine Shaw, former Commonwealth gold medallist and Olympic finalist, said: “With the 2012 Olympics fast approaching this is a perfect chance to attract local talent to the athletics track, encourage others from further afield to come and use the facility, and coach them to Olympic standard.”
England Athletics, the governing body for sport, awarded the title to Ealing following the vast improvements at the track since the pavilion opened in April. A 300-seater stand is due to arrive later this month to cater for the crowds that flock to the track and a new throwing cage is also due to arrive later this year.
Councillor Nigel Sumner, Cabinet Member for Health and Community Well Being, said: “This is such a great achievement for the borough and the talented athletes we have here. Perivale Park Athletics Track has come such a long way and it’s fantastic that this has been recognised by England Athletics.
“Active Ealing staff and the Council have worked so hard to achieve this, and this is reflected in the national accolades we recently won.”
Ealing Council beat off competition from other London Boroughs to win the London region UK Athletics Award for Local Authority of the Year 2007 at the England Athletics awards ceremony recently.
Active Ealing’s Jamie Bath, who manages the Perivale Athletics Track, came Highly Commended for Coach of the Year at the awards.
Bob Smith, London Regional Manager for England Athletics, said: “ Ealing should be proud to have a place like this to nurture and encourage sporting talent. They have set the standard for other London boroughs and deserve to become a centre of excellence.”
For more information about the athletics track and programmes it runs contact Jamie on 020 8575 5776 or email bathjm@ealing.gov.uk
ENDS