CARDIFF DEPRIVED AREA TO GET IMPROVED SPORTS
FACILITIES
A new £60,000 all-weather playing facility
is taking shape in one Cardiff's most deprived wards. The
multi-use games area, or Muga as it is known, is being
constructed after a long-running drive to improve the state
of the area's sports and fitness amenities for youngsters.
Judith Woodman, deputy leader of Cardiff council, said:
"The Muga is the culmination of extensive consultation with
the local community, agencies such as the police, and young
people who demonstrated a clear demand for this kind of
facility.
"It will feature basketball hoops and football goalposts
and will be open to all, but will not be floodlit.
"It will provide a valuable new amenity for young people to
get involved in sports, keep fit and socialise."
GOLF IS THE ANSWER TO FITNESS SAYS PRO
A PGA professional is urging youngsters to
take up golf to improve their health.
While parents are constantly being told television, video
and computer games are leading to a nation of unhealthy
children, John Gregory from Dartford believes golf could
hold the answer to providing a healthier lifestyle.
He said: "The great thing about golf is the fact it doesn't
matter what shape or size you are, you can still play the
game.
"We believe golf is the perfect game for all kids and what
they learn serves them so well in other areas of their
lives.
"The nature of the YMG Junior Golf programme we offer at
Dartford Golf Club also helps them to make new friends,
improve social skills and nurture self-belief and
confidence."
YMG is the first-ever structured educational syllabus
designed not only to introduce boys and girls to the game,
but also help develop the skills and knowledge of the game
to keep them interested and motivated long enough for the
golf bug to bite.
VIRGIN GROUP AIMS TO GET AUSSIES FIT
Richard Branson’s Virgin Group is
getting ready to make Australia fitter.
Already a major player in health and fitness in the UK,
Italy, Spain and South Africa, Virgin Active is to open its
first club in Frenchs Forest, Sydney, in December. It is
now one of the largest health club businesses in the world,
with over 170 clubs and more than 900,000 members.
"From machine waiting times and intimidating environments
to high fees and poor customer service, consumer
dissatisfaction with the current gym offerings is clear,"
said Mark Blackman, MD of Virgin Active Australia.
"Virgin Active will redefine the gym experience in
Australia with world class facilities, a friendly,
welcoming environment and that great value for money and
customer service that people have come to expect from
Virgin."
SNAP FITNESS IS INDIA BOUND
Snap Fitness, the franchisor of 24/7 fitness
clubs, is to open new clubs in Bangalore and Mumbai, India.
The clubs will be owned and operated by Deepak Lalvani, an
experienced developer of fitness franchises in India.
Founded in 2003 by CEO Peter Taunton, Snap Fitness now has
more than 1,500 locations across the US and Canada, with
some 30–40 new stores opening each month.
In addition to the two new club openings in India, Snap is
looking to expand internationally throughout Europe, Latin
America, the Middle East and Asia.