Queensway Stadium Celebrates ‘Memorable Year’

Wrexham’s Queensway Sports Stadium is hoping to attract more elite sportspeople following a hugely successful year, which included hosting Olympic athletes.

2012 has been a memorable year for the Stadium after it welcomed a string of top class athletes and sporting events.

The stadium attracted national interest this summer after it was used as a base for the Lesotho Olympic Team for their pre-Olympic Training Camp in the build up to London 2012.

Queensway was also used by Wales Rugby League as part of their preparations for their match against England in Wrexham, as well as hosting student and U18s Rugby League internationals.

Queensway also played host to the North Wales Crusaders and the stadium’s excellent facilities were given the thumbs up by the 2013 Rugby League World Cup Committee after it was chosen as a training venue for the 14 nation competition which begins next October

The stadium also continues to be a strong community hub. Queensway is home to Wrexham’s amateur Athletics, Gymnastics and Rugby League clubs where the potential stars of tomorrow are being put through their paces. Queensway also offers a range of leisure facilities for the general public, including 5-a-side football pitches, squash courts and a gym and hosted the Sport Relief Mile.

Sports development and increasing sport participation is also a key aim, with its touch rugby sessions and Street Rugby festivals, run in collaboration with Wales Rugby League, proving increasingly popular.

In the past the Queensway has attracted some of the world’s top international athletes, including Wales’ own Colin Jackson, Jamie Baulch, Iwan Thomas and Christian Malcolm.

And the stadium is hopeful of attracting more big names in the future.

Cllr David Griffiths, Lead Member for Health said “2012 has been am amazing year for sport and I’m proud that Queensway Stadium has been able to play its part.

“The fact that we have had Olympic athletes and other elite sportspeople at Queensway is a ringing endorsement of this excellent sporting facility.”

“The fact that we have a top class facility on our doorstep – one that is being by both the community and elite athletes – is something to be proud of. We are committed to sports development here in Wrexham, starting as grassroots level and we hope that the events of 2012 will inspire residents to get active and involved in sports.”

“2013 promises to be another big year for the Queensway, especially with the Rugby League World Cup coming to Wrexham and we look forward to hosting more top class athletes and sporting events in the near future.”

(Picture: Team Lesotho with pupils from All Saints School at Queensway)