Olympic Open Day Hailed a Success by CEO

Friday 27 July 2012

Families and individuals of all ages were treated to football and basketball freestyle demonstrations from Guinness world record holders Dan Magness and Tommy Baker, an exhibition hockey match between the Surrey Spartans and an invitational XI, a squash fixture featuring internationals Joe Lee and Tom Richards and a phenomenal gymnastics display from the Tolworth Gym Club.

Guests also had the chance to pull on their trainers for themselves with opportunities to play tennis, squash, badminton and volleyball, along with fencing, climbing and boxing coaching sessions.

The Box Hill Challenge was also available to try, where participants can take on the famous Olympic cycle route around Box Hill in virtual reality.

The Open Day coincided with visits from the University’s International Alumni Day, with a number of Surrey graduates visiting for the first time and leaving impressed with the facilities on offer to current students.

Lord Browne, ex CEO of BP and keynote speaker at the Alumni Day, also made a visit with Professor David Allen, Dean of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law at the University (pictured right).

Paul Blanchard, CEO of Surrey Sports Park, said: “It was delightful to see to many members of the public visit for the Open Day and enjoy a range of different sports. It was a chance for us to showcase what we have on offer here at Surrey Sports Park and I think many people left happy with what they experienced.”

It was even more special with the number of Surrey Alumni that came over from campus too. The majority were not lucky enough to have access to such a facility when they were studying here in Guildford so this visit for them was a real eye-opener, particularly with the presence of a number of Olympic athletes.”

Photos from the day are available on the Surrey Sports Park Facebook page.