To mark this year’s Olympics, Brindleyplace is hosting its very own Community Games over two days in June.
Kicking into action at 12pm on Friday 29th June, the competitive events will coincide with the Olympic torch passing through Birmingham and is looking to attract competitors from across the local business community. Sporting events will include ping pong, five a side football, a long jump challenge and a relay race.
In addition to the business games, Brindleyplace will be hosting a family fun day on Saturday 30th June offering visitors the chance to try their hand at fencing, boules, sumo suit wrestling and traditional sports day games whilst enjoying live music from the Brian Newton Big Band and family arts and crafts organised by Ikon Gallery.
Both events will help to raise money for young pole-vaulter Rowan May who is hoping to make it to the next Olympics in 2016. By supporting Rowan, the Brindleyplace team is hoping the Community Games will leave a lasting legacy far beyond the Olympics 2012.
Rowan, aged 16 and from Solihull, has already broken the UK under 17 indoor record by vaulting an impressive 4.91m. Last year he won the AAA under 20 championships and competed as part of Team GB in the World Youth Athletics Championships in Lille.
Rowan, who is a member of the Birchfield Harriers athletics club located at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, said: “It would be an absolute dream to get to the next Olympic Games in 2016. I’ve been told that I’m on track to get there but to be of a high enough standardI need to reach vaults of over 5.6m, which is unheard of using my current 4.6m poles.”
Through the Community Games, Brindleyplaceis hoping to raise £2,000 to help Rowan purchase four much-needed longer poles suitable for reaching vaults of 5.6m and above.
Kate Fittall, destination marketing manager for Brindleyplace said: “Having the Olympics held here in the UK is hugely exciting, so at Brindleyplace we thought we should make the most of everyone’s competitive spirits and hold our very own Community Games.
“We met Rowan early-on in the planning process and really wanted to help him achieve his dreams of getting to the Games in 2016. He’s already had some outstanding achievements and it would be great to know that we have played a part in supporting a local lad in his goal to compete at the Olympics. We can’t wait to hear all about his progress over the upcoming months and years.
“We want to see huge crowds at the family fun day on 30th June, with everyone getting involved in the sporting activities, taking on the sumo suits and helping to raise money for Rowan’s quest to the Olympics.”
The Brindleyplace Community Games is part of the national Legacy Trust UK Community Games which started in the West Midlands. A number of events will be taking place across the UK to mark this year’s Olympics.
Businesses entering the Community Games on the Friday will be in with a chance of winning a night out in and around Brindleyplace as well as raising money for Rowan. The cost to register a team into the event is £100 per team. The family fun day is free for everyone to attend and participate in the games.
For further details and to register a team download the Community Games Information Pack and return the registration form by email to Ailsa Raine at ailsa.raine@brindleyplace.com.
