The Cath Thom Leisure Centre Officially Opens at Wilson Sports Village

Hyndburn Borough Council is proud to announce the official opening of the Cath Thom Leisure Centre, a state-of-the-art facility at Wilson Sports Village, on Friday 10 October 2025.

The centre was formally opened by Cllr Munsif Dad, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, alongside Kevin Mills from Sport England, the Mayor of Hyndburn, representatives from Hyndburn Leisure, members of Cath Thom’s family and a host of invited guests including the project team, suppliers, national governing bodies of sport, local schools and community clubs.

Named in honour of Cath Thom, a beloved former councillor and Mayor of Hyndburn, the centre stands as a lasting tribute to her decades of service and unwavering commitment to the borough. Cath was known for her warmth, determination and passion for community wellbeing.

Cllr Munsif Dad, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, said:

“This project is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through determination and effective partnership working. The Cath Thom Leisure Centre will be a focal point for health and wellbeing in our borough and a fitting tribute to someone who gave so much to our community. I’m delighted to see it open and ready to welcome residents.”

The centre offers a wide range of modern facilities designed to support active lifestyles for all ages and abilities. These include a four-lane 25-metre swimming pool with Poolpod 3.0 accessible entry system, a state-of-the-art gym and fitness suite, sauna and steam room, group exercise studio, wellbeing and meeting rooms, a large changing village, dedicated changing facilities for outdoor sports teams, a community club room and an on-site café.

Attendees at the opening were treated to a tour of the new facility, which is now open to the public.

Accessibility has been a key focus throughout the design, with level access, wide corridors and doors, accessible showers and toilets, braille signage, ramps, handrails and outdoor seating areas. A fully equipped Changing Places facility has also been installed to support individuals with complex needs and was officially opened by Zack Kerr, Freeman of the Borough of Hyndburn and award-winning campaigner for Changing Places facilities, alongside Councillors Kimberley Whitehead and Munsif Dad.

Zack Kerr, Freeman of the Borough of Hyndburn and award-winning Changing Places campaigner said:

“I was delighted to be invited to attend the opening of the new Cath Thom Leisure Centre today with my dad. It was a privilege to cut the ribbon on the new Changing Places  facility with my friends Councillors Kimberley Whitehead and Munsif Dad. The Changing Places campaign continues to be very important to me and this facility will make the leisure centre more accessible to far more people in Hyndburn and beyond.

I was also delighted to have the opportunity to tour the centre and talk to staff and representatives from Sport England and the Council about how the swimming and exercise facilities can be made even more accessible for users like myself who have more complex needs and disabilities.”

The centre is a flagship development in Hyndburn’s leisure transformation strategy, supported by a £12.9 million investment. Sustainability has been central to the project, with the building incorporating air source heat pumps, solar panels and low and zero carbon technologies to support the Council’s net-zero ambitions. Sport England provided a £2.64 million grant to support the project alongside the Council’s investment and provided support and guidance throughout the design and construction process.

Kevin Mills, Sport England, said:

“We are incredibly proud to have invested £2.64 million into the Cath Thom Leisure Centre through our Strategic Facilities Fund. This landmark development reflects our commitment to creating high-quality, inclusive spaces that help people of all backgrounds and abilities get active.

Hyndburn’s vision for Wilson Sports Village aligns perfectly with our goal of delivering the right facilities in the right places, and we’re thrilled to see this project come to life.”

Construction was delivered by Universal Civils and Build Ltd following the administration of the original contractor in 2024. Thanks to swift action by Council officers and Alliance Leisure, the project was restarted and completed with minimal delay.

Mark Gibbons, Lead Contractor, Universal Civils and Build Ltd, said:

“We’re proud to have played a role in delivering this landmark facility. Despite the challenges, the teamwork and commitment from all partners ensured we delivered a centre that the community can be proud of.”

The Cath Thom Leisure Centre complements existing outdoor facilities at Wilson Sports Village including a running track, sports pitches and woodland trails. Operated by Hyndburn Leisure, the centre has already seen an overwhelming response, with hundreds of memberships sold in the first week of pre-sale.

Lyndsey Sims, CEO of Hyndburn Leisure, added:

“This centre is a game-changer for Hyndburn. It’s a place for people to connect, get active and feel part of something special. We’re thrilled to welcome the community through the doors.”

Funding for the Cath Thom Leisure Centre was secured through a £12.9 million investment led by Hyndburn Borough Council, with £2.64 million contributed by Sport England as part of a wider leisure transformation strategy for the borough.

For more information about the centre, its facilities and membership options, visit: www.hyndburnleisure.co.uk/centres/wilson-sports-village

 Photo 1: Cllr Munsif Dad, Kevin Mills (Sport England) opening The Cath Thom Leisure Centre accompanied by the Mayor of Hyndburn, Cllr Kimberley Whitehead,  Ciaran Wells (Hyndburn Leisure), Lyndsey Sims (Hyndburn Leisure), Catherine Phillips and Laraine Chippendale (Cath Thom’s family members)

Photo 2: Cllr Munsif Dad, Ceri Davies (Father of Zack Kerr), Zack Kerr, Freeman of the Borough of Hyndburn, and Cllr Kimberley Whitehead and opening the Changing Places Facility at The Cath Thom Leisure Centre

Stanley Football courses return this June

Our popular Football development centres will return to Stanley Sports Hub on Monday 7th June 6pm till 7pm.

The sessions cater for all children aged 4-10, boys and girls. The sessions are a fun way to learn new skills and help develop your child into a better player; sessions cover a range of footballing topics followed by small sided games.

Head of Sport Lee Walsh explains ‘the sessions cater for everybody, whether it’s your first time playing football or you’re a regular player you will find each week extremely enjoyable’.

The cost of a session is just £3.50 when booked online or £4 if you turn up on the night.

Returning on Saturday 12th June is our football course for 2 -4 year olds, Stanley Kickers at St Christopher’s 9am till 10am and 10am till 11am.

The sessions are aimed at those children that are taking their first steps into football getting them used to the feel of the ball at their feet.

As well as this, the sessions help improve their body awareness, mobility as well as their fitness. All children work with a ball of their own allowing them to improve their balance and coordination which in turn gives them the ability to build the self-confidence and self-esteem.

Pre booking is essential for this course.

To book both of these course please visit  https://www.stanleytrust.co.uk/us/book-online/ or call the office on 01254 475013.

Alice Clarke has just made Lancashire League history, having been chosen for a competitive first team match for Accrington against Rishton in The President’s Cup last weekend and becoming the first woman to achieve this in the Lancashire League.

I caught up with Alice on the phone and asked her how it all came about.

“Cricket is a family thing,” she told me.

“My Dad played for and captained Accrington for many years and both my brother and cousin play. I’ve been going to the cricket almost since I was born.

“I started playing cricket at a very young age; well I don’t know if you could call it cricket at the time because I couldn’t even hold a bat properly, but I just wanted to be down with my family.”

Well Alice, look at you now.

Alice is a wicket-keeper and opening batter and in her debut scored 10 runs and caught her only chance behind the stumps without conceding any byes, so it was a pleasing debut.

Alice also plays for Lancashire Women where she progressed through the age ranks, and made her Lancashire Women’s first team debut at the age of 17. She is now preparing to take her place in the squad for The Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, the latest franchise for women players. She has been named on The North-West Thunder squad, including players for Lancashire, Cheshire and Cumbria and is now focused on getting as many match day games as possible in the hope of taking her place in the team at some stage. Preferably in the final on the 26^th September because that will mean that ‘Thunder’ made it all the way.

She is particularly looking forward to some of the away matches which will take place at County grounds such as Edgbaston and Trent Bridge, the homes of many a Test Match. Alice told me:

“It will be great to even experience that and we are training a lot to be a part of it all.”

I asked Alice who was her favourite woman cricketer and she didn’t hesitate.

“I’ve got to say Sarah Taylor.”

When I googled that lady, I immediately understood why. Not only is she a legend in the women’s game, she, like Alice, also keeps wicket and opens the one-day batting; an ideal role model for an up and coming cricketer. Sarah also played Test Matches where she kept wicket and batted in the middle order, her last one being in 2019 against Australia. Since then she has retired from International games. She made 146 test appearances, played 106 ODI games and 17 at T20I level.

I put it to Alice that someday she might don the England whites.

“That is what we all hope for,” she says, “but for now I’m concentrating on Accrington and the Lancashire Women’s team.”

I asked Lancashire and Accrington legend David Lloyd for his comments on Alice’s achievement and he thought it was excellent that she had done this with Accrington. He said:

“Terrific for Alice and women’s cricket. More and more women are breaking into League teams. Kate Cross, Emma Lamb.... doing fine with telling contributions.”

Alice is now 19 and in the second year of a university course at Edge Hill, studying human biology, although she is really hoping to make cricket her career.

It was a pleasure to interview her and I really hope she achieves every success in her chosen sport and makes it all the way to the top.

© Peter Jones 2020

The highly successful Burnley FC Shadow Youth Team programme that mixes football skills and academic study is coming to Accrington and Rossendale College from September.

Benefiting both male and female footballers aiming for a career in the industry or wider sports coaching and performance sector, the programme’s launch is part of a campaign to bring the extraordinary to Accrington and Rossendale College, after its merger with Nelson and Colne College – one of the leading colleges in the country across a range of academic measures.

Since the BFC Shadow Youth Team launched with Nelson and Colne College in 2015, 408 young people have completed the programme, with a further 32 completing the female equivalent, the Girls’ Post-16 Academy.

Last season, 117 students studied on the programme, and alongside their BTEC qualification, 28 Shadow Youth Team graduates secured their FA Level 1 Football Coaching award. Players have progressed onto impressive destinations both in the UK and overseas including university, employment, Apprenticeships, semi-professional and professional football.

The launch also comes at a time where the campus at Accrington and Rossendale College is undergoing £4 million of improvements, to ensure students have access to the best industry standard facilities to help them develop vital skills for their future.

Steven Buckley, Head of Division for Sport at Nelson and Colne College Group, said: “I’m delighted at this development, and it brings a high-quality, established programme with a track record of positive results to strengthen the vocational offer at Accrington and Rossendale College.

“The practical element of this full-time programme is delivered by an experienced team of UEFA licensed coaches, while the academic element is delivered by our brilliant teaching team within the Nelson and Colne College Group.

“As a student on the Burnley FC Shadow Youth Team – male or female – you can not only expect the highest quality of training from industry experts, but also a wide range of fantastic opportunities to enhance your learning, leading on to exciting futures.”

Olivia Riley, 17, is one of the existing female Girls Post-16 Academy players on the Burnley FC programme. She said: “I’ve played football from the age of 10, and this programme is absolutely perfect for me. As well as training and playing competitive football games, it is supporting my career aspirations of becoming a physiotherapist or a coach.

“In the classroom I’m learning a range of areas including anatomy, psychology and conditioning and fitness. On the pitch, female football is growing all the time, and the standard is improving with it. We’ve played and beaten Manchester City and Everton’s teams this year, so it is going really well.”

Harry Richardson, 19, was last year’s star award winner for the Burnley FC Shadow Youth Team, progressing on to Leeds Beckett University, where he now studies Science of Sport Performance.

Harry said: “The BFC Shadow Youth Team programme was definitely the best route for me. I love football and I always knew I wanted to work in sport, whether it was coaching, teaching, or in strength and conditioning. The fact I could study a BTEC and train and play football under high quality coaches was a win, win.

“In the classroom, the teaching was very good, and it really supported me to achieve my Triple Distinction* grade at the end of the course. Now I’m at university, I’m building on the knowledge I gained during my BTEC at College. Because I was from out of the immediate area when I went to College and didn’t know anybody, the progression to university has been quite simple for me as I had the confidence from doing it all before.”

Included within the £4million of improvements at Accrington and Rossendale College are brand new industry-standard Hair and Beauty salons, innovative study spaces, and a revamped specialist Learning Resource Centre.

There are also dedicated Learner Services and Careers areas and a remodelled and modern student Refectory. Coming soon is the redevelopment of the Construction and Automotive building and transformational green space creation to enhance the campus environment.

Applicants looking to apply to Accrington and Rossendale College still have the time. If you would like to apply to study at Accrington and Rossendale College, contact 01282 440272 or visit www.accross.ac.uk

Accrington Stanley community trust are delighted to announce they are launching their first ever Girls Development Centre. This will run every Monday evening 7:30pm – 8:30pm at Accrington Academy High School.

The sessions will be a great opportunity for girls aged 11-16 to take part in organised fun sessions aimed at teaching and developing their football skills. Sessions will be delivered by the clubs Female Development Officer Amy Bland, who has been working hard over the last 12 month developing female sports sessions across the borough. She explains;

‘The sessions will be aimed at those who already play football and those who just want to come and give it a go, sessions will be active and fun from the start and we encourage as many girls as possible to come and get involved’ for more info on the sessions please visit our website www.stanleytrust.co.uk or contact 01254 304071