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Oxford City Council, in partnership with Fusion Lifestyle, have launched a scheme to offer free access to sporting facilities in the city to national sports people. The city famous as the home of the first sub four minute mile is helping the country’s athletes to set their own records.

The FANS scheme (Free Access to National Sports People) has been granted the Inspire Mark the badge of the London 2012 Inspire Programme.

The London 2012 Inspire programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The FANS scheme (Free Access to National Sports People) aims to support the city’s up and coming athletes in their development and progression in their chosen sport. 

To be eligible the sports person can be any age, live in Oxford, be at a national level in their sport either in the national team or ranked in the top 10 in the country. The sport must be recognised by Sport England.  

All applicable athletes will be able to access the six participating leisure centres in the city – Barton Pool, Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre, Ferry Sports Centre, Horspath Road Athletics Track, Oxford Ice Rink and Temple Cowley Pools & Fitness Centre.

Lord Sebastian Coe, (Seb Coe), Chair, London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games say: “The Inspire programme is ensuring the legacy of the 2012 Games starts now as projects like FANS are enabling people in Oxford to make positive life changes.”

Councillor Mark Lygo, Board Member for Sport, Play & School Liaison at Oxford City Council, says: “I fully support this great scheme to help our local sport stars with their development and fitness training.

“It is a great scheme that we and our leisure partners Fusion are offering to help these athletes train for free.

“It will also give them the opportunity to help the youngsters of this city join in various sports, where hopefully we will discover another young sports person who will go onto greater heights in their chosen sport.

“The icing on the cake is receiving the London 2012 Inspire Mark and it is a fantastic achievement and highlights what a great initiative it is.”

Ted Bennett, an under-16 England hockey player, says: “Easy access to the city facilities will allow me to maintain the level of fitness and body conditioning that England Hockey require. This scheme is a great benefit to any national sports person.”

Danielle Anderson, a javelin thrower, says: “I need to use the gym to help with strength training and the swimming pools to develop my stamina so it is great that we have access to these leisure facilities.

“Having the benefit of free access to these facilities, provided by Fusion and the City Council will help me and my family with the cost of using these facilities, and I plan to use all of these benefits to help me succeed in my chosen sport."

Dan Reynolds, Community and Sports Development Manager for Fusion, says: “The scheme was introduced to support the national sports people that we have who live or train in the city.

“Many national athletes receive little or no financial support for the additional training and costs needed to compete at the top level

“The FANS scheme is about supporting these athletes to help local sports people reach their full potential.”

For more details and application forms for the FANS ( Free Access to facilities for National Sports People in Oxford) scheme please visit the Oxford City Council website (www.oxford.gov.uk opens in new window)  or contact 01865 252692.

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NOTE TO EDITORS
About the Inspire programme: The Inspire programme is run by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is an opportunity for everyone to be a part of the London 2012 Games – a broad participation programme spanning sport participation, education, sustainability, volunteering, and business opportunities & skills. New opportunities are being created to inspire young people and encourage the whole of the UK to join in.

About London 2012: The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are delivered by two key organisations – the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).

LOCOG is responsible for staging a memorable Games in 2012. They will deliver the best possible Olympic and Paralympic Games experience for everyone involved, enabling a lasting legacy and inspiring people to join in.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is the public body responsible for developing and building the new venues and infrastructure for the Games and converting the Olympic Park for long-term use after the Games.

In the summer of 2012, the UK will come alive with the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

[The four-year Cultural Olympiad will reach a climax with the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony on 27 July. This event marks the start of the 60-day festival of sport and culture across the UK that is the Olympic and Paralympic Games.]

Find out the latest from the London 2012 HQ blog – www.london2012.com/blog (opens in new window)