Initially subject to critcism because of its location at the edge of town [LINK] Leeds's new Leisure centre is set to open to the public - and it has diving boards.

"Olympic diving hopefuls took the plunge at Leeds's new £16m Aquatic Centre, six days before it opens to the public.

Intrepid youngsters, the elite of the City of Leeds team, plunged from the 10m board into the pool.

"Some of these divers are prospects for both the Beijing and London Olympics," said Ian Waller, sports operations manager for the city.

The new aquatic centre at the John Charles Centre for Sport in south Leeds was visited for the first time by leisure supremo Coun John Procter.

He said: "I am thinking of bring my little boy and girl because the children's changing facilities are fantastic. Often this is a problem with pools – where do you put youngsters while you change? "

(Via : .)

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| in the news | 26 October 2007; 9:02:15 AM |# | | Discuss |

On one hand we have to wonder why it has taken until now for sport England to take a serious look at sponsorship. On the other hand it is no secret that there are big changes at Sport England with a lot of their funding being redirected to the holes appearing in the Lea Valley. The cost of those holes has created 10,000,000 reasons to appoint now and, we are told, they have appointed well.

"Sport England has appointed Thomas Godfrey as its first ever commercial director, where he will be responsible for securing partnership funding from the private sector for community sport.

Thomas was formerly a partner at sports marketing company Spring Worldwide. He has also been chief executive at Planet Sport which provides outsourced sports education to primary and nursery schools and founded Activate UK, which pioneered the concept of corporate involvement in grass roots sport in the UK.

Jennie Price, chief executive of Sport England said: Thomas will bring a new dimension to Sport England with his direct experience of working on the commercial side of sport. Sport England needs to tap into all the know-how the private sector has to offer and Thomas has the knowledge and experience to make that happen."

(Via Leisure Opportunities: Sport England appoints commercial director: .)

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| national news | 26 October 2007; 9:01:57 AM |# | | Discuss |

For full details go to the Kings Meadow website. Want to know how it will go - click here and for the news CLICK HERE. ...more ---> ...

| Kings Meadow, Reading | 26 October 2007; 9:00:49 AM |# | | Discuss |