News

Driving sports initiatives forward

(4 December 2003)

Durham University has further enhanced its commitment to Tees Valley regeneration with the appointment of a post specifically aimed at utilising the University’s expertise in the promotion of sports participation and physical activity.

Steve Wright joins the University as Sports Development Officer, based at the fast-growing Queen’s Campus, Stockton. The new post has been created to maximise the opportunities for further integrating the university, sports providers, health groups and the wider community in close partnership.

Steve will be working in partnership with academic staff, students and Tees Valley partners to co-ordinate and develop projects which maximise Durham University expertise to enhance sports development opportunities within the Tees Valley. His work will include identifying and promoting opportunities for engagement with the University and acting as a contact point for sports development activity based within the Tees Valley.

Steve graduated from the University of Durham with a BA Sport in the Community degree where he developed expertise in sports coaching and sports physiology.

After graduating, he set up his own sports consultancy which provided a wide range of services including after school sports clubs for local primary schools, fitness training for professional footballers and developing health club facilities. For the last year he has worked with Middlesbrough Football Community Project teaching primary school children the benefits of healthy eating and exercise.

He commented: “I arrive at an interesting time as there are various sports development opportunities which the University and its partners have identified. One of my priorities is to provide support for students at the Queen’s Campus to gain or upgrade their current sports coaching qualifications so they can take up a growing number of coaching and volunteer opportunities within the community at schools, local leisure facilities and sports clubs".

The University of Durham has an excellent track-record in collaborating with local, regional and national community groups in the provision and delivery of expertise and facilities. It makes available its extensive sports facilities to outside bodies and local schools as well as providing coaching links and student placements.

The appointment has been facilitated by funds from One North East via the Tees Valley Partnership and is one of a number of initiatives within which the University is involved in the Tees Valley.

For more information contact:

s.j.wright@durham.ac.uk, tel: 0191 3340145

or Jan Cawood, PR Officer, University of Durham tel: 0191-334-0018

4 December 2004