Bannister Sports Centre in Harrow is launching a new athletics club for children, drawing on the expertise of two prominent figures in the sports world: two-time Olympic champion Daley Thompson and former TV Gladiator Kate Staples.
Fifteen years ago, Daley Thompson and Kate Staples, known to many as Gladiator “Zodiac” and a former record-breaking GB athlete herself, teamed up to create athletics clubs for children. These clubs, initially started in schools, have expanded into community facilities, fostering vibrant athletics communities.
Kate and Daley are dedicated to encouraging children to be active and enjoy the athletic disciplines of running, jumping, and throwing in a fun and inclusive environment. Their school-based clubs have reached thousands of children, and they are now partnering with Everyone Active, a public leisure facility specialist that operates leisure facilities in Harrow including the leisure centre and Bannister Sports Centre.
Kate Staples, who was a trailblazer in women’s pole vault and broke multiple national and Commonwealth records, shared her enthusiasm for the initiative. “We are thrilled to bring the Daley Thompson Athletic Academies to Harrow, which joins our network of clubs dedicated to promoting grassroots athletics and inspiring children,” she said. “Through our collaboration with Everyone Active, we aim to provide children in Harrow with access to top-notch coaching and role models to help them reach their full potential.”
She added, “Children love running around, jumping, and throwing, and that’s basically track and field athletics, so we aim to give them a great time and have fun while learning some techniques, coordination, and teamwork which are great for their health and fitness and can teach important habits for life.”
The Daley Thompson Academies recently won the Best Fitness category at the Surrey Business Awards 2024. Additionally, the new BBC documentary “Daley: Olympic Superstar,” available on BBC iPlayer, showcases Daley Thompson’s extraordinary athletic achievements and his significant impact on the sporting world.
The clubs will operate on Mondays and Thursdays from 5-6 p.m., with more information and online bookings available at www.aspiretogreatness.co.uk.
Harrow Online had the opportunity to speak with Kate about the inspiration behind the clubs and her experiences in athletics. Here is what she shared:
Q1: Can you share what inspired you and Daley Thompson to start these athletics clubs for children 15 years ago, and how have they evolved over time?
Kate: “Yes, the reason I started it was twofold. Firstly, I tried to get a place for my daughter at a number of athletics clubs when she was little, and they had nothing at grassroots, and they also had long waiting lists. I approached Daley and suggested that we should work with schools directly and offer our after-school clubs. During COVID, when schools closed, we were asked by our parents to put them on in the community, and here we are!”
Q2: What specific skills or qualities do you hope to instill in children who join the athletics club, and how do you think athletics can benefit them beyond physical fitness?
Kate: “Athletics underpins all sports, and there is something for everyone! With running, jumping, and throwing, children can find something that they love, plus it’s outdoors, and everyone can run! They will learn the early benefits of running well, and jumping and throwing. All the skills we learned as children being outside playing all the time, which sadly over time with screens dominating children’s lives is harder to achieve.
“Everyone Active is fully behind our initiative and has been fantastic at supporting us at the centre. Children will build so many life skills from a community club, resilience is the first one that springs to mind, but friendships outside of school are so important.”
Q3: As a former British record holder and Gladiator, how do you draw on your personal experiences to motivate and inspire young athletes in your programs?
Kate: “I broke my neck at the height of my career on Gladiators and underwent 12 hours of surgery, and I was extremely lucky. When I was a child, I had a fear of failure, and I was very shy. Athletics definitely gave me confidence, and we want to do what it says on the tin, aspire to greatness, whether that’s through athletics or building a love for sport! Our motto is to have a go and don’t give up!”
Q4: What are some of the most memorable moments or success stories you’ve witnessed through your athletics clubs?
Kate: “The most memorable moments are seeing children smiling, laughing, and loving being on the track! We are working closely with Harrow AC by feeding youngsters into the club, so building the sport from grassroots and being able to watch them perform and compete.”
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
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