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December saw the launch of the 100th IFI Site in the main rollout of the programme, as disabled people enjoy better access than ever to fitness provision across England.

Michael Watson MBE, the IFI Patron joined the celebrations at Rushcliffe Arena in Nottingham where the latest IFI gym has launched. The Rushcliffe Arena gym has undergone a facelift in conjunction with the support they have received through the IFI. The Site has installed range of Cybex CV and resistance equipment, giving a comprehensive range of IFI accredited kit.

Craig Humphreys, Corporate Fitness Manager at Rushcliffe Borough Council comments,

“We are very proud and excited to launch our fitness suite. We have worked hard on making Rushcliffe Arena more accessible to our existing disabled customers and more appealing to potential disabled customers.”

Chris Easton, IFI Assistant Director and Regional Coordinator for the East Midlands added,

“Rushcliffe Arena and the staff at Rushcliffe Borough Council have embraced the principles of the IFI wholeheartedly. Disabled people across Rushcliffe, will now have access to a high quality inclusive provision, we look forward to seeing the results of the council’s hard work.”

Only days before the launch at Rushcliffe Arena, FIA Flame Awards Centre of the Year Hillsborough Leisure Centre opened their doors as an IFI Site with guest of honour, Sports Minister, Richard Caborn MP, placing Sheffield firmly on the map with three accredited IFI Sites.

Tim Hicks, Acting Head of Operations at Hillsborough, reflects on the work that has taken place at Hillsborough,

“Hillsborough Leisure Centre is very excited about the IFI accreditation, we feel now that all of our hard work has been rewarded. We are now actively sourcing more and more people to use our `all inclusive` centre and the feedback we have received has been extremely positive.”

IFI Site launches will continue in the new year with all 150 main scheme Sites operational by March next year. The IFI is currently planning an event to commemorate the final launches with further announcements to be made soon.

For further information please contact Chris Easton or any member of the IFI Team:
Tel: 0114 2572060
Fax: 0114 2570664
E-mail: chris@inclusivefitness.org Website: www.inclusivefitness.org


Notes to Editor
· The IFI recently passed the first year of quantitative monitoring and is attracting an average usage of 7%
· 12% of all new inductions delivered across IFI facilities are delivered to disabled people.