New sports centre a knockout with sporting heroes

HAVING a ball . . . the handball team practice over the heads of Anthony Crolla, Paul Scholes and Barrie McDermott

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Manchester United and England legend Paul Scholes was among the Oldham sporting champions at the official opening of the town’s new £15 million leisure centre on Saturday.

He was joined by boxing world champion Anthony Crolla and Leeds Rhinos and GB Rugby League star Barrie McDermott at Saturday’s celebration. The guests also included top handball and netball players as newly-elected Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon unveiled a plaque to open the Middleton Road Centre.

Facilities include a 25 metre, eight-lane pool, a gym, two dance studios, a spinning studio, an eight-court sports hall with seating for more than 500 spectators, an indoor bowls arena, a cafe and free parking. The centre opened in November, a month after the new £8 million Royton sports centre.

Former England and United midfielder Paul Scholes said: “It’s brilliant. You can’t be anything but impressed by it. My daughter uses it a lot for netball and when I come here it’s always packed. Hopefully it will produce a lot more sporting talent in Oldham — but it’s not just for kids, it’s for people of all ages.”

WBA lightweight champion Anthony Crolla added: “With facilities as good as this you just can’t help but produce future sporting talent.”

And Barrie McDermott, who won the Super League and Challenge Cup and is training for a charity trek to Everest base camp, said: “I am thrilled to bits. It’s what the town has needed for a while.”

The centre is home to Manchester Hawks handball club, which boasts several national players. They include Holly Lam-Moores, part of the first-ever Great Britain team which was formed to play at the London Olympics. The centre can create a full-size handball court — one of only a few in the north.

The hugely-successful Oldham Netball Club is also based at the centre after previously splitting training between two schools. Member Kerry Almond, who won the national Superleague with Manchester Thunder and has played for England, added: “It’s amazing to have a facility like this where the whole club can train. It’s got everything we need.”


Barrie McDermott is trekking to Everest Base Camp in October to raise money for rugby league charities and injured players. To sponsor him visit www.justgiving.com/Barrie-McDermott/