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School aims to net sports college first

28/12/2001

INVESTORS are needed to help create the north west's first dedicated sports school - right here in Tameside.

Astley High needs to raise £50,000 to complete its bid to become the first high school in the region dedicated to the development of sports.

Headteacher John Mayes said the Dukinfield school is planning to enter bids for capital and lottery funding on March 8 - but without a sponsorship plan it might not happen and up to £1.5m could be lost.

He added that in exchange for the investment, the school's new sports centre, all weather pitch and fitness suite would be available for any business willing to offer sponsorship.

But the deal would only have to be down on paper in March, as the actual exchange does not need to take place until August 2003.

And as the deadline for the school draws nearer, school governors Cllr Brian Wild, Cllr John Taylor and education councillor Jim Fitzpatick have been drafted in to help out.

Cllr Wild said: "It's a brilliant opportunity for the people of Tameside to have a sports college and it can only be a benefit.

"I know it will be a tremendous bonus to the borough and I'm very pleased that it's coming to Dukinfield.

"We are all working as hard as we can to bring this dream to the borough and to Dukinfield - it will be a tremendous facility."

Not only would the school be offering state of the art facilities to pupils and business investors, but the sports areas and equipment would also be open to the surrounding community.

And with Cromwell Special School moving on site from September 2002, all types of disabilities can be catered for as well.

"We believe that academic performance is increased by having a healthy body going back to the old saying of 'a healthy body equals a healthy mind'," Mr Mayes said.

"With the co-location of Cromwell the school will cater for all people - whether they have physical disabilities or not."

If you want to help, call the school on 0161 338 2374.