Horncastle Group are doing their bit to support the UK Olympic effort by allowing the local Hammer Squad to practice their Olympic training in a vacant industrial unit at St John’s Business Park in Hull.
Unit Four at St John’s, located on Southcoates Lane off Hedon Road, is currently unoccupied so Hull’s Hammer Squad, who are busy training for both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, have been given the opportunity to use the unit to train indoors on dark nights and when the weather is too cold and wet to practice outside.
Ian Hodges, Director of the Horncastle Group said, “Horncastle pride themselves on offering innovative space and solutions to businesses and are also keen supporters of local community projects and charities so this was a fantastic opportunity to combine both by making an innovative use of space to support a talented local team.
St John’s is in a great location so it’s been easy and convenient for the athletes to get to. We’re really glad they have managed to make good use of the empty unit and hope to be able to cheer them on at the Olympics next year!” added Ian.
The Hammer throwers usually train outdoors but due to the extreme weather conditions that started just prior to Christmas, training was beginning to suffer. Now the team have the unit they have valuable shelter for the squad and can train all the time, whatever the weather.
The Hammer Squad Olympian Dave Smith along with his colleague Shane Peacock, who previously represented England at the Commonwealth Games. The current training squad, consisting of both men and women includes Alex Smith, Pete Smith, James Bedford, Abbi Carter and Sam Blain.
Dave Smith said, “We’re thrilled that Horncastle have been kind enough to offer us the unit at St John’s Business Park in Hull. This space has been invaluable as it’s meant that despite snow, rain and dark nights, the squad have been able to continue training whatever the weather, which is crucial in providing a solid foundation for this coming season and onward to selection for London 2012!”