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World Champion power-lifters Ann and Neil Thomas will be helping people across Babergh improve their fitness, confidence and strength through a new sporting initiative next month.
The ‘Suffolk Spartans’, a community-based club to demonstrate the fun and benefits of power-lifting, holds its first session at East Bergholt Sports Centre on Friday, February 2.
The club is the latest initiative from Babergh’s Be Active, an award-winning project which aims to give people of all ages and abilities access to sporting and leisure activities. Organisers are hoping that it will form part of an evening out for the whole family, since a Babergh-backed badminton club currently runs at the sports centre at the same time.
Those who have already been bitten by the power-lifting bug include Chris Rix, 21, from Alpheton near Sudbury, and Zoe Newson, 14, a pupil at East Bergholt High School.
Chris has cerebral palsy which affects his mobility and Zoe has dwarfism. But a special weight-lifting bench, recently bought for the centre and believed to be only such piece of equipment in East Anglia, means they can both hone their power-lifting skills in comfort.
Power-lifting is becoming more popular as a sport, and Babergh’s world champions prove it’s an activity which men and women can enjoy. To take their world titles in Australia last October, 54-kilo Ann – who serves with the RAF - lifted an amazing 130 kilos. Meanwhile Neil – who serves with the Army - pressed 200kg in the bench press competition.
The couple, who are based at Wattisham, recently set up after-school clubs at Holbrook, East Bergholt and Hadleigh high schools with backing from the Army. Shortly after the half-term holiday, they are due to start clubs at Sudbury and Great Cornard Upper Schools and another community club in Glemsford.
Neil said they are looking forward to bringing power-lifting to a new audience, and improving the fitness and confidence of participants as a result.
He said: “It’s a fantastic feeling competing, but there is a comparable feeling in helping other people achieve their goals. This is why we’ve decided to become involved with the club.”
The Suffolk Spartans club and bench have been funded through Babergh’s Be Active project, the Babergh East Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) , and the charity Optua with the aim of supporting the Suffolk Disability Sports Academy programme.
Chris Marsh, manager of East Bergholt Sports Centre, said: “We already have a number of gym machines suitable for people with disabilities and this special new bench is a valuable addition. It can be used by everyone – from teenagers through to pensioners, those with disabilities and those without, so we hope it will encourage more people to try something new at the centre.”
Greg Cooper, who heads up the Be Active project for Babergh District Council, added: “This is ‘partnership working’ at its best. We are grateful to Neil and Ann, and of course the Army and RAF, for making this union possible. We are confident this will provide more opportunities for people with disabilities and maybe even develop the skills of future Paralympians!
“Ultimately it is Babergh’s residents who will benefit, and we look forward to developing this initiative further across the county in the future.”
Join the Suffolk Spartans at East Bergholt Sports Centre on Friday, February 2, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Admission is £3 for adults and £1.50 for children and those with disabilities (Badminton included in these prices). For more details call East Bergholt Sports Centre on 01206 299340 or Babergh Community Development Assistant Stephanie Lloyd on 01473 826640.
More information about the Be Active Leisure Inclusion Project.
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