A few months after the new Moorways Sports Village opened in Derby, we thought it would be a good time for one of our performance academy athletes to take a good look at the facilities.
EveryoneActive, which runs Moorways, is the headline sponsor of our fundraising dinner on Thursday, October 20 at the Reach Centre in Derby. Everyone is welcome.
Lexi West, 17, from Swadlincote, plays water polo for South Derbyshire, Rotherham Metro and City of Sheffield and is recently back from a Team GB camp.
You could say swimming is in her blood. Her mum Paula works for Swim England and assesses diplomas in sporting excellence and coaches and trains swimming teachers. Her dad Darryl is a starter and judge for swimming competitions.
Lexi’s inspiration came from her sister Leah who plays water polo for Leeds University. She was also encouraged by her PE teacher at Ashby School, and former water polo player, Vikki Rundle-Brown.
We at the Derbyshire Institute of Sport help Lexi with strength and conditioning, motivation, fitness and mental health in our performance academy.
Water polo is a tough sport – Lexi’s broken fingers and scratches all bear witness to that. It has been described as playing rugby in a pool.
The lovely people at Everyone Active, which runs Moorways Sports Village and Water Park, invited Lexi along to take a look.
Moorways boasts an enormous 50m swimming pool whichLexi has her eye on for creating three water polo fields!
Lexi, who is a champion athlete at the centre, said: “Having an Olympic-sized swimming pool is brilliant for those just starting with swimming and for those who want to compete. I wonder if I could persuade them to offer water polo too?”
Walking past the busy training pool, she loved the separate leisure pool with three flumes and slides, as well as a Wow Ball which create waves. “I’m itching to get in there,” Lexi said.
There are two soft playrooms but Lexi headed straight for the gym where she tried out one of the top-of-the-range Wattbikes and some weights.
Lexi said: “I love the noise of the Wattbike - and it is lovely and smooth. I use weights in training to build up my strength.
“That is really important for my arms. It means I can throw faster and further and be more accurate. It helps me swim faster too.”
Moorways has group fitness studios, a teaching pool, a sauna and steam room. Outside there is an athletics track, plus grass and artificial football pitches.
Lexi gave Moorways a 5-star rating both for keen competitors, beginners and those wanting to have fun. She said: “We are lucky in Derbyshire to have this facility and it is a terrific place and well worth the wait. The added extras such as the large gym and the playrooms are terrific. The complete package.”
Simon Morgan, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “We are delighted to see so many people enjoying Moorways Sports Village and experience the wide range of activities on offer.
“We have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback we have received from customers and it’s been a great start to life for the centre.
“We are really positive that we can grow our membership numbers over the coming months and that people from across the community and beyond will use this fantastic facility. No matter what your age, ability or interests, there is an activity for you here.”
The Derbyshire Institute of Sport's co-founder and managing director Chloe Maudsley said: "We are delighted Everyone Active has stepped in to be our headline sponsor of our fundraising dinner. Moorways is a terrific facility for everyone who loves sport."
The dinner on Thursday, October 20 is at the Reach Centre in Derby.
The guest speaker is the brilliant former world badminton champion Nathan Robinson. He memorably won a silver medal alongside Gail Emms at the Athens Olympics in 2004 and is widely regarded as one of Great Britain's best players.
If anyone wishes to join us for dinner and help boost our funds, please call 01332 418668 or email info@derbyshireis.co.uk
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