ARCHIVE NEWS

Cash boost for potential olympic stars

A lottery grant awarded to a Chester sports club is being used to develop would-be Olympic stars of the future.

The Deva Handball Club, based at the Northgate Arena, has been given £5000 from the Awards for All scheme to pay for the advancement of its junior girls section.

The money will also go towards the funding of taster sessions at high schools in Chester.

Deva club coach and former National Handball Team player Jon Kelly says:"With lots of talk recently about funding for the 2012 Olympic Games and whether it will be all sports or only elite athletes who get financial assistance from the Government, this small grant will help the development of one of the country's minority sports, at a local level."

While handball has been an Olympic sport since 1972, its governing body receives just £10,000 a year to administer and develop the sport nationally.

"Unfortunately, many so-called minority sports in Britain receive very little financial help," Jon adds, "lottery schemes like Awards for All have given us the opportunity to access levels of funding we could only have dreamed about five years ago. This grant will ease the financial burden placed on the current players and allow access to the sport for a whole generation of girls who may not have played handball before."

The club is targeting young people in years 9 and 10 (13-14 year olds) who, when the London Games come around in 2012, will be in their early 20s and at their handball playing peak.

Deva Handball Club, which runs training sessions for boys and girls aged 10-16, currently holds the British Championship at u-13 level .

For more details about the sport visit the club's website at www.devahandballclub.org.uk or call the Northgate Arena on 01244 380444.

Arena’s wake up call to workers

NORTHGATE Arena is launching a new exercise class for fitness early birds.

It's the first time the Arena has organised an instructor-led exercise class at 7.15am , and follows research which identified how more people would keep fit if they could tone up before going to work .

The new class will be taught by one of the Northgate’s top instructors, Adam Russell, and will be designed to wake up business people and invigorate them for the day ahead.

It is designed to give Northgate customers the chance to arrive at the Arena before all the rush hour traffic, enjoy their class and be away for around 8.30am .

Jon Kelly, Community Recreation Manager for CADSART, which runs the Northgate Arena says: " Whilst the Arena has opened its doors to early customers for many years it has always been for casual sessions such as the gym and swimming where the customer motivates themselves. This is something completely different and designed to get you energised and ready for the working day.”

Arena Manager, Arthur Jones said: ‘We know there’s a need for early morning activities as we can have 30 or 40 customers through our doors between 6.30 -7.30 am every day to swim or attend our gym.

“We’re also very aware that people are changing their lifestyles and becoming more active at different times so we need to change our fitness programme to reflect their expectations. If the class proves popular don’t be surprised to see other early morning classes added to our programme in the future."

New Chester pool at the heart of community life

WATER-based exercise classes are being laid on at Chester's newest swimming pool to help put heart patients on the road to recovery.

The Aqua Aerobic sessions at Christleton Sports Centre's lottery-funded pool are being organised by the Chester Heart Support Group, for its members. The classes, on a Tuesday evening, are designed for people who are suffering from coronary heart disease or recovering from surgery.

Tom Doogan, Secretary of the Chester Heart Support Group says:"We have about 300 members for whom we lay on a wide range of activities such as golf, walking and social events. Some of our members have expressed an interest in taking gentle, water-based exercise which is not too strenuous and supports the body weight. These aqua aerobics sessions are an ideal solution."

The classes are taught by fitness trainer Jayne Atkinson, who is a specialist Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase 4* instructor (trained by the British Association for Cardiac Rehabilitation).

Jayne says: "Obviously there will be limitations on what people with heart conditions can do during exercise, so our classes are specially designed with their needs in mind. The sessions will be much slower than normal aqua aerobics and the warm-up time will be longer, to prepare the heart for exercise."

"I'm delighted that we are able to offer this service out in the community; it gives greater access for those who might find it difficult to travel into the city centre."

The sessions are run on Tuesday nights from 6.30-7pm. They are followed at 7pm, by a new hour-long aqua aerobics class which is open to anyone. The fee is £3.

Aqua aerobics are the latest in a series of activities being laid on at Christleton Sports Centre's pool, which opened last October. The state-of-the-art, multi purpose facility has five lanes and is 25 metres long. The £1.9million cost of the building came from the National Lottery's Big Lottery Fund.

Jon Kelly, Community Recreation Manager for CADSART (Chester and District Sports and Recreation Trust), which operates the Centre adds: "This is a fantastic facility which serves the whole of the community, from local schoolchildren to disabled groups. We hope to meet the needs of anyone who wants to access our sport and leisure activities."

To find out more about becoming a member of the Chester Heart Support Group contact 01244 335676 or 01244 659133.

Northgate Arena celebrates national award

The Northgate Arena in Chester has received a prestigious award from the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE).

At the 2005 Performance Network Awards, APSE named the Northgate Arena as the best national performer for sports and leisure facility management. 330 leisure facilities nationwide were judged against a range of performance indicators which focused on business efficiency, customer satisfaction and staff management. The Northgate Arena came top in its category and as a result, is officially recognised as an example of best practice in public services.

Managed by CADSART ( Chester and District Sports and Recreation Trust), the Northgate Arena is Chester ’s premier leisure centre and provides an extensive range of activities and programmes to the local community. Bob Dutton OBE, Chairman of CADSART is proud that the arena has received the recognition it deserves. He commented: “ The Board and I are delighted that we have received this award. It demonstrates the commitment of our dedicated staff to all our customers and confirms that the Northgate Arena is in the top flight of leisure centres in this country. We intend to continue to build upon our success and continue to provide facilities that attract as wide a client base as possible.”

Councillor Ann Farrell, City Council Cabinet Member for Culture said: “I congratulate everyone at the arena on this splendid achievement. It is good to see our excellent local leisure centre awarded in this way.”

Northgate Arena Manager, Arthur Jones (centre), with some of his award-winning team.

CADSART General Manager, John O’Neill celebrates the Arena’s achievement with Julie Muscroft of Walker Morris Solicitors and Adrienne Lawler of Sky News and the BBC.

Lets Get Active

New activity and fitness sessions for people over the age of 50 have just been launched at Chester’s Northgate Arena Leisure Centre.

The session’s are the result of collaborative working between CADSART management, Age Concern Cheshire and the Healthy Living Network. CADSART Community Recreation Manager, Jon Kelly said.

‘We have offered specific activities for customers aged over 50 for many years. But to be fair if you didn’t enjoy racket sports then we didn’t really offer you much of a service. The new sessions now offer a real mix of activities from Dancing to Pilates, Swimming to Table Tennis. All of the sessions are designed to help our customers become more active, help them relax, feel fitter and enjoy a good sports & social experience’

Much of the inspiration for the new sessions has come from the centre hosting Age Concern’s Get Active days over the past two years. Feedback from these sessions identified that what was on offer at the Arena wasn’t always what customers of this age wanted. So a review took place that included advice from the Healthy Living Networks Active for You programme co-ordinator and Age Concern – Cheshire’s Get Active co-ordinator. The next Get Active day is also now scheduled for Tuesday 1 st November 2005

Handball players take it to the Max

The North West u13 handball league based at Chester’s Northgate Arena will be called the ‘Pepsi Max Junior League’ for the coming season, following a sponsorship deal with Britvic.

The league, now in its 3 rd season is split into two divisions and will hopefully have a total of 10 teams this year. Clubs represented include, Deva, Wirral, Haslingden, Bolton, Garston and new kids on the block Blackburn.

Last season Wirral were crowned as Division 1 Champions for the second consecutive season. The Division couldn’t have been closer with Wirral beating local rivals Deva on goal difference after 6 tournaments. Division 2 was equally competitive with Garston triumphing in a last game winner take all match against Chester.

Jon Kelly, Deva coach and league co-ordinator said,

“It’s great to have such a global brand as Pepsi Max involved with the league. Hopefully sponsorship deals such as this will help us raise the profile of the sport and the quality of the young players as we move towards the London Olympics in 2012.”

Siobhan Fotheringham from Britvic said

“Britvic are delighted to be supporting the North West Handball Tournaments and we are looking forward to being involved with the competitions and seeing the children perform to their Maximum potential“

Looking forward to the new season, Jon Kelly said,

“Last year was very close in both Divisions and there’s no reason why this year will be any different. In Division 1 Wirral, Haslingden and Deva are very close in terms of ability. The recent games between the 3 sides have been very close. Bolton proved they can more than hold their own and Garston have been promoted from Division 2 last year retaining most of that strong team. Division 2 will also be close this year. The Division will include, Blackburn, Helmshore, Chester and Birkenhead. These players finished 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd and 5 th in last seasons National Mini Festival so the quality is already high and will only improve.”

New Cross Centre Squash League

CADSART is launching a new squash league covering both Christleton Sports Centre and the Northgate Arena.

The league is open to all players and matches can be played at either centre. It is hoped the league will stimulate interest in the sport following a £5000 investment in the 3 courts at Northgate Arena. They have been completely revamped with new floors and walls to provide the most upto date facilities for players.

Players who join the league will be made members of both centres free of charge and will be entitled to discounted court fees for their matches at weekends.

If you would like to join the league please complete this enquiry form and e-mail it back to admin@cadsart.co.uk with the subject of ‘squash league’. One the form is received you will then get a pack through the post containing all the details of the league and which Division you have been entered into.


Corporate Charisma Select Details
Corporate Charisma Select Application form
Direct Debit Form

New City Council Corporate Package

For the New Year CADSART is launching a corporate version of its monthly Charisma Select fitness packages aimed at Chester City Council employees and their partners.

The new package is priced at only £12.50 a month for the Weekday ‘til 2+ option and £25 for the full Everyday Allday alternative. Whilst the corporate packages are discounted they do offer exactly the same services at the Northgate Arena as the regular Charisma Select options. Plus they have the added bonuses of great discounts at up to 200 retail outlets in Chester. For the first time these packages are also available at the discounted rates for partners of Council employees.

For more information on what Charisma Select packages include please follow this link or give our reception a call on 01244 380444

Xmas fun for Arena tots

DESPITE his heavy work schedule, a very important guest will be making an appearance at Northgate Arena's children's Christmas party this year.

Father Christmas will be dropping in to see youngsters from the Arena's creche and Parent and Toddler group on Tuesday 20th December.

Assisted by Dee 106.3's Chester the Cat, Santa will hand out presents to the children. A party entertainer will also be laid on to keep the tots amused during the event.

Clive Donovan, Services Manager at Northgate Arena says:"All the staff working in the creche and Parent Toddler sessions are looking forward to the party with the opportunity to play a few games with the children and see their faces light up with the visit from Father Christmas and his helper Chester the Cat."

"Each child will receive a goodie bag with gifts from the staff at Northgate Arena and our local community partners, Dee 106.3 and Chester Gateway Theatre. It promises to be a fun-filled festive morning."

The party takes place from 10am to 12 noon on Tuesday 20th November. The session is £2 per child and is open to all customers. For more information contact reception at Northgate Arena on 01244 380444.

Get moving for Children in Need

NORTHGATE Arena in Chester is hosting an aerobics session to raise money for the BBC's Children in Need charity.

The Aerobafun event takes place in the Sports Hall on Saturday 19th November from 11am-1pm.

Customers are being asked to pay the Arena's standard £3 entrance fee - which will be donated to Children in Need. There will also be collection buckets for donations.

The manager of Northgate Arena, Arthur Jones says:"This fun fitness session will be hosted by several of the Arena's instructors, who will all be giving their time free of charge - so we can contribute as much money as possible to the appeal."

"If anyone watches the fun and games of the Children in Need event on TV this Friday and wishes they could have contributed in some way, this will be their chance. With our Aerobafun session, the people of Chester will be able to get up on Saturday morning and take part in an enjoyable and invigorating fitness session, while making a difference to disadvantaged children at the same time."

Last year, the Children in Need appeal raised more than £34million. Since it started, more than £350million has been donated.

The BBC's first televised appeal on behalf of disadvantaged children took place in 1955, with the first telethon being held in 1980.

The money raised is used to tackle a number of issues affecting young people in the UK, ranging from substance abuse and child prostitution to bullying, abuse, disability and homelessness.

Did you know...?

90% of cases of domestic violence occur with a child in the room or nearby.

19,000 children a year in the UK will attempt suicide - two will succeed every day.

One third of pupils in England and Wales have been bullied in the past year.

(Source - BBC Children in Need website)

For details of the Children in Need appeal visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey

Ready, steady go - for Chester's toddler waddlers

TODDLERS who attend Chester's Northgate Arena creche and Parent and Toddler group are gearing up for a mass waddle - in aid of charity.

The mini 'athletes' will be taking part in a sponsored Toddle Waddle on Tuesday 11th October, to raise money for The Meningitis Trust.

The tots will be waddling as fast as their little legs can carry them in the main hall at Northgate Arena, at 11am. They will be accompanied by their parents and Arena staff.

The event is one of a series of Toddle Waddles across the country. The money raised will go towards supporting people affected by meningitis, educating the public and health professionals about the disease and funding life-saving research.

Last year, 50,000 toddlers across the UK and Ireland took part in the waddles, raising £355,000. Over the past five years, £1.3million has been donated from the events.

Jon Kelly, Community Recreation Manager for CADSART, which runs the Northgate Arena says:"This will be a really fun day for everyone involved. We'll be holding Hook-a-Duck competitions and there'll be raffles - to raise money for this important cause. It's great that young children will be getting involved in some exercise too - we're getting them started early!"

New pool in time for school

Northgate Arena’s sister site, Christleton Sports Centre, can now boast a brand new £1.9 million swimming pool.

School swimming lessons will commence this month in the new pool, which was built thanks to a grant from the Big Lottery Fund of the National Lottery.

The state of the art, multi-purpose pool, is a 5 lane, 25-metre pool which has been designed to meet the needs of the local community and primary schools as well as Christleton High School.

The pool will be open to the general public from mid October, and will offer a variety of programmes including casual swimming, disabled groups and swimming lessons. It will also offer sports clubs like triathlon and sub aqua.

For further information contact Christleton Sports Centre on 01244 336664 or e-mail christleton@cadsart.co.uk.

HOT NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!

Due to the popularity of the New Beginners Pilates class on a Friday another class with the same instructor has been added to the Northgate Arena programme. This new class is also aimed at beginners and is for 45 minutes from 12.15 pm on a Wednesday. An ideal time for a lunchtime exercise programme. The first class is scheduled for Wednesday 27 July and places are limited so to make sure you’re guaranteed a place contact the Arena main reception on 01244 380444.

Northgate nurses heart patients back to health

Northgate Arena is helping to nurse heart patients back to health with two new fitness classes designed just for them.

On Mondays, the Arena in association with the local Primary Care Trust is runninng two classes for heart patients - Aqua Mobility and Pilates. The classes are only open to NHS patients who are suffering with a heart condition, and who have been referred onto the ‘Active for You’ programme by their specialist or GP.

Another addition to the Arenas fitness programme is ‘Medau’, which is designed to improve fitness and promote a sense of well being among participants. The Medau class is open to anyone, although it is ideal for those over 50 who have movement problems.

Community recreation manager at the Arena, Jon Kelly, said: “CADSART is delighted to be working so closely with the Primary Care Trust through the ‘Active for You’ programme. We’re sure that this new local partnership will thrive and the number of medical conditions we help through exercise and fitness will expand over the coming months”

Change To Swimming Timetable

As from Monday 4 th April the swimming timetable will be:-

Altogether now! Synchronized swimming comes to Northgate Arena

IT is probably the only Olympic sport where competitors wear full make-up and a permanent smile, despite the physical demands of their activity.

Synchronized swimming has been likened to ballet in water and even though its practitioners make it look effortless, the sport requires great skill, strength and endurance - as well as grace and flexibility.

Now, this glamorous sport is coming to the Northgate Arena starting on Saturday 9th April from 8.15 - 9am.

The sessions are aimed at competent swimmers and despite the Olympic sport being for women only, the Northgate Arena classes are open to all.

Qualified synchronized swimming instructor Donna Whitlow will be running the sessions. She says:"It's a lovely sport. Very glamorous, but also a lot of hard work. It's a great way to keep fit!"

"The sport requires a certain level of swimming ability so when people come to the first session we'll need to assess their competence in the water. This is a different skill from normal swimming, with its own strokes and moves. We also work in deep water and don't have our feet on the bottom very often - so people need to be confident swimmers before they start to learn synchronized swimming."

The sessions, which will be ongoing, can lead to synchronized swimming certificates. The cost is £9.10 a month or £8.30 if paying by Direct Debit.

Also starting on Saturday April 9th at the Arena will be new Parent and Child sessions from 9 - 9.30am and 9.30 - 10am. Children as young as six months can join the classes, with a parent.

For more information about the classes or any other activities at Northgate Arena ring 01244 380444