Canterbury Christ Church University Receives Seal Of Approval As Official London 2012 Olympics Training Camp

Main Category: Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 14 Oct 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Ltd has presented Canterbury Christ Church University with a certificate which officially confirms the University's status as a London 2012 Training Camp.

The University's new state-of-the-art sports centre, world class sports and exercise science laboratory and student accommodation will be available to prospective nations wishing to compete in the London 2012 Olympics.

Principal Lecturer, Dr Andrew Balsdon, who headed up the University's bid to appear in the London 2012 Training Camp Guide, welcomed the decision.

Dr Balsdon said: "Canterbury Christ Church University is an ideal Pre-Games Training Camp and we are delighted to receive this official seal of approval. The University's Department of Sport, Tourism and Leisure has provided sports science programmes for over 25 years and has designated sport and exercise laboratories for biomechanics, physiology and psychology. We are included in the Pre-Games Training Campus for badminton, basketball and fencing, however, the facility is designed for multi-purpose sports activity including indoor hockey, volleyball, netball, table tennis and five-a-side football. In addition, the University regularly participates in British University Sport Association competitions and therefore is well placed to organise multiple sports events."

Canterbury Christ Church University and London 2012 Olympics

Canterbury Christ Church University is a member of the 'Kent 20in12' learning programme, a project which aims to ensure all young people across the county can engage in educational activities relating to the Olympic and Paralympic values. Led by Kent County Council and supported by Canterbury Christ Church University, 20in12 is in line with national aims to inspire and capture the imagination of Kent's young people in the lead up to the London Games.

In addition, the University's Centre for Sport, Physical Education and Activity Research (SPEAR) is currently undertaking a number of research projects in the run up to the 2012 Olympics, including an initiative to help regions situated outside of London capitalise on London 2012.

Christ Church Sports Centre

Building work has begun on land previously belonging to Barton Court Grammar School to pave the way for Canterbury Christ Church University's new state-of-the-art sports centre. The site is situated on Pilgrims Lane, Canterbury. Pellikaan Construction is overseeing the development of the £4 million 'Christ Church Sports Centre', which will provide brand new sports and recreation facilities for members of the University and Barton Court Grammar School.

Christ Church Sports Centre will feature two full-sized netball/basketball courts within which there will be provision for other sports including volleyball, badminton and cricket; a fitness suite with cardiovascular and weights equipment; changing rooms with locker rooms; shower and toilet facilities; office spaces; a first aid room; and an aerobics room offering a range of dance and exercise classes. The sports centre will also feature a soundproof partition for the middle of the sports hall so that it can be used simultaneously by Barton Court and University students as well as having separate sets of changing rooms.

Sports and Exercise Science Laboratory

The facility features the latest state-of-the art equipment which enables undergraduates, PhD students and academics to effectively study sport and exercise in a precise manner. The facility includes devices to access body composition (the lean and fat tissue in the body), gas analysis systems that can assess stress from expired air measurements, and blood analysis technology for the monitoring of various parameters associated with health and exercise. Another key feature of the laboratory is the ability to measure mechanical work at extremely high resolutions; the cycle ergometers, treadmills and other force measuring devices are linked to PCs to carefully monitor and assess the external forces that athletes can produce. The laboratory apply the data obtained from the laboratory assessment of athletes to support them in attaining personal goals.

Previously athletes that have used this service have been to the Olympics and taken part in the Tour de France.

Canterbury Christ Church University