Membership levels for sports facilities at the University of York have exceeded expectations, as figures continue to soar for both the York Sport Village and the Heslington West sports centre. Over 3,200 people have signed up to the new Sport Village, while a further 1,000 have joined the highly-affordable gym on Heslington West. The £5 add-on for the gym, which is becoming increasingly weights-orientated, has proved highly popular.
The past few weeks have seen numerous new students sign up, and membership levels are increasing daily. The balance between students and members of the public has tipped towards students, but the new gym has proved popular with both groups. What is particularly encouraging is the warm reception that the new facilities have received, as both sites revel at the arrival of a new intake of students.
York’s cycling expansion looks as if it won’t stop with the construction of a new track, as there are plans to hire a professional Go-Ride coach in the form of Andrew Samanjoul. BUCS are also looking to create a series of university-based cycling hubs across the country. With the funding being poured into the latest project, which will see the cycling track open by May next year, York is hoping to become one of these hubs. Funding for the project from British Cycling has been confirmed. There are also plans to host a cyclo-cross event on 22 Acres this December.
Planning application to place a dome over the existing tennis courts will be put forward in December, with the University hoping the council will approve the plans. The plan also involves hiring a tennis coordinator, who will oversee an expansion of tennis at the University. This is aimed at benefitting the University teams and providing more opportunities for students and staff. In other news, £10,000 has been invested in gym equipment this year with six new benches added to the gym at Heslington West. The gym is focusing on weights, with heavier dumbbells being added to the existing weights.
New strength and conditioning coach, Peter Ashcroft, has made an immediate impact at York, and has been running sessions for UYRUFC. Ashcroft formerly held a similar role at the University of Glamorgan and in that capacity worked both with university societies and Cardiff City Academy. He is now translating that experience to benefit the students at York, by running sessions which are tailored to the particular needs of individual sportsmen. He has run sessions for the rugby club, which have focused on building up key physical attributes such as strength and speed. In the future he is looking to increase this service to other clubs including rowing, athletics and football.