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26/02/2013 - Permalink

National Sports Centre makes racketball available for the local community

Related topics: Leisure, culture and heritage

News from our partners Serco.

Lilleshall National Sports Centre is helping to promote one of the UK’s fastest growing sports by introducing a weekly racketball session for players aged 50 and over.

The sport of racketball is played on a regular squash court and is similar to squash.  In racketball a larger ball, which does not need warming up like in squash, and a shorter racket are used.  The fact that the ball is bigger, more bouncy and does not need warming up means that the rallies last longer, as the ball moves slower, giving the opponent more time to react and get to the ball.  The shorter racket also helps with hand/eye co-ordination, making the ball easier to strike.  Overall this makes the game much easier to pick up than many other sports like squash or tennis.

The sessions are to be lead by a qualified coach and are aimed at all fitness levels and abilities.  There is no need to pre-book as the sessions, which are due to start on 8 March between 11.30am and 12.30pm, are offered on a pay-and-play basis with a £2 fee collected at the beginning of each session.

Lilleshall National Sports Centre has a total of five squash courts – two of which are completely glass-backed.  They are all available for use by the local community seven days a week.  The centre also has equipment to hire including rackets and balls.

The centre also plays host to Lilleshall Squash and Racketball Club who make use of the centre’s facilities on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.  The club also has a thriving junior section with sessions running on Saturday lunch times.  Memberships are available for all abilities and ages.

For further information please contact Martin Barrett on 01952 603003 or martin.barrett@serco.com.  

Further information

The Over 50s Racketball sessions will take place every Friday in Queen’s Hall from 11.30am to 12.30pm starting on 8 March 2013.  Cost £2 per session.

Lilleshall National Sports and Conferencing Centre is one of Sport England’s National Sports Centres based in Shropshire, charged with meeting the following objectives:

  • Supporting delivery of a National Governing Body (NGB) driven sporting system by providing a unique environment which can accommodate community, club and elite activity
  • Supporting and enhancing the delivery of talent development and world class performance by the NGBs, through the provision of a mix of high quality sports facilities co-located with supporting provision in a unique aspirational sporting environment
  • Supporting effective coach development, research, innovation and inspiration through the delivery of relevant programmes and activities which make a significant impact on sport and the delivery of sport, within the sporting landscape
  • Ensuring cost effective delivery solution through the development of commercial and community participation activities.

Lilleshall is owned by the Sports Council Trust Company and managed by Serco Leisure Operating Limited on behalf of Sport England.  Lilleshall is the home of the following National Governing Bodies of Sport and partner organisations helping Sport England to deliver its Grow, Sustain, Excel strategy. 

  • England and GB Hockey
  • English Institute of Sport
  • Archery GB
  • British Gymnastics Association
  • Lilleshall Sports Injury Rehabilitation Limited
  • Shropshire County Sports Partnership
  • European Institute of Fitness

For more information about Lilleshall visit www.lilleshallnsc.co.uk

For more information about Sport England visit http://www.sportengland.org

For more information about Serco visit www.serco.com.