IT MAY not be a palace to look at and Whitecroft may not seem to be the ideal setting for a top sporting venue, but try telling that to the fitness enthusiasts who work out at the village gymnasium.
This year the club is celebrating its 15th anniversary and does so with the certain knowledge that in that time it has been an overwhelming success. The honours achieved by members are testimony of that.
For the club boasts an international lifter, two British champions, five South West of England champions and six county champions.
In addition club member Graham Jones has been selected as British team coach for the World Championships and will be overseeing the efforts of the club's mentor, John Brookes, who will be competing in the event to be held in Luxembourg next month.
Brookes is modest about the club's success.
"With less than a dozen members initially, we started competing in local competitions and within five years we started turning out senior and junior county champions.
"Our quest was to gain a full knowledge and understanding of health and fitness and through the British Amateur Weightlifting Association we attended courses available in nutrition, sports injuries, instructing, refereeing, first aid and coaching. With these qualifications we have been able to provide sound advice and provide training programmes which have been individually tailored to suit the differing needs of our members," he explained.
The club now has fitness programmes to help sportsmen from many different spheres from rugby and football players, to skiers, cyclists and runners.
And to keep everyone in the peak of condition they have the services of a top class sports massage physio, Mick Davies.
"A lot of our members have benefited from Mick's expertise. He has invested a lot of time in supporting club members and we hope this year will be our best ever with more champions, the focus on fitness and cross training to suit all types of sports," said Brookes.
Although the club is proud of its achievements in competitions, its main focus still remains to bring health and fitness to the Forest, he said.
•For more information contact John Brookes on Dean 564749.