A celebration of sport at the Surrey Sports Park as world records tumble!
Wednesday 2 June 2010
Surrey Sports Park opened its doors just over two months ago, and on Friday (28 May) the achievements associated with the facility to date were celebrated at the Surrey Sports Park Inaugural Dinner, whilst on Saturday (29 May) its Summer of Sport was launched with an Open Day for all.
Over 100 people who have played, and continue to play, an active role in the development of the Surrey Sports Park were invited to the Inaugural Dinner. John Inverdale, local resident and a rugby devotee, hosted the evening for a host of special guests including key figures from the world of sport, local political representatives, supporters of the Sports Park from across the University and all seven Surrey Sports Park ambassadors, including Alec Stewart and Allan Wells.
In a celebration of local sporting talent, guests at the dinner voted in the first two inductees to the Surrey Sports Park’s ‘Wall of Fame’. The Wall of Fame will be dedicated to outstanding sports men and women born in Surrey, with one new member being voted in, in what will become a yearly tradition. Among this year’s nominations were Olympian Rebecca Romero, footballing hero John Hollins and the motorsport phenomenon John Surtees, but on the night it was superstars from the world of cricket and rugby, Alec Stewart and Jonny Wilkinson, who secured the most votes and who will be honoured as sporting legends at the Sports Park.
As was fitting, the evening ended on a high as guests – and local residents – enjoyed the most amazing firework display, all done in the colours of the Sports Park; the display was officially ranks as the largest to take place so far this year in England.
On Saturday, the Surrey Sports Park threw open its doors to the public giving them a chance to try a whole range of sports and dance activities, as well offering a range of masterclasses with some of the country’s top athletes.
Thousands of adults and children attended the event, all wanting to make the most of the opportunity to try out the extensive range of activities on offer at the Surrey Sports Park, and watch some of the many displays and exhibitions put on throughout the day.
Amongst the most popular activities were the badminton and swimming masterclasses run by Olympic silver medallist, Gail Emms, and six times World Champion, Mark Foster, both ambassadors for the Surrey Sports Park. Visitors also had the chance to take part in a Chelsea FC soccer school, coaching sessions with Surrey Storm netball team and Guildford Heat basketball team as well as squash, climbing, salsa and Bollywood taster sessions, to name but a few. In the pool, Great Britain’s synchronised swimming team and the University of Surrey Water Polo Team put on equally impressive displays for visitors.
Excitement levels were running high as two world records were beaten in swift succession at the Sports Park. In the pool, Mark Foster invited four members of Guildford City Swimming Club to swim against him in a 50m freestyle short course race. As he finished the race in first place, Mark stopped the clock at an impressive 22.56 seconds, beating the World Masters Record set by Italy’s Gialdi Massimillano in December last year.
Shortly afterwards, Dan Magness, one of the world’s top freestyle footballers and holder of five Guinness World Records, also broke the existing record for shoulder keepy-uppies posting an incredible consecutive score of 300.
“We had no idea how many people were going to come along to the Open Day,” said Surrey Sports Park, Chief Executive, Jason Harborow, “But we were thrilled with the response. The aim was to showcase the vast range of activities that people can take part in here at the Surrey Sports Park and to prove that there really is something for everyone here.
“This is a world-class facility where elite athletes will train, but it’s also here to be used by the local community and we really want them to make the most of it. It’s been great to see everyone – particularly the children - getting stuck in and having a go at sports they’ve never tried before and we want to encourage that going forward. Our Summer of Sport, which we’re running with the support of Penningtons, is going to be great for local residents and we look forward to seeing lots of new faces over the next few months.”
To find out more about more about the Summer of Sport, go to www.surreysportspark.co.uk
Media Enquiries
Peter La, Press Office at the University of Surrey, Tel: +44 (0)1483 689191, or Email mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk
