RENOWED PARALYMPIAN, Ade Adepitan, is helping to inspire sports and fitness across Ealing after officially opening the new sports centre at the University of West London (UWL).

The new multi-million pound UWL Sports Centre on St Mary’s Road was officially opened on February 24 helping students, staff, and Ealing residents stay active.

Addressing guests at the launch, wheelchair basketball player and television presenter Ade spoke about the transformative impact sports can have on young people, as well as the benefits of wider initiatives to boost health and wellbeing.

He said: “It is a real honour to be here opening this fantastic facility because sport changed my life dramatically. I got into sport because I wanted something that would keep me healthy and strong and give me independence. I needed to be able to stand up for myself and have confidence and sport did that for me.

“Whatever you do in the gym, on the tennis court, or running, sport gives you the opportunity to be a better person every day and helps not only physically but mentally. It does so many things which is why the new UWL Sports Centre is such an importance place, and I am really proud to see how much the University is investing in that.”

Ade was a member of the Great Britain team that won the bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, and the gold medal at the 2005 Paralympic World Cup in Manchester. In 2005 he was made an MBE for his services to disability sport. 

The UWL Sports Centre has been supported by funding from Sport England and is part of the University’s ongoing investment to improving facilities and promoting health and wellbeing across the community.

The recent launch event at the St Mary’s Road site welcomed guests from across the University, Ealing’s sports clubs, councillors and dignitaries including MP Rupa Huq.

Professor Peter John, UWL Vice-Chancellor, said: “The opening of our new Sports Centre represents the significant development that has taken place on this campus over several years, and the start of ongoing investment in our sports and wellbeing facilities.

“We know that physical wellbeing and mental health are absolutely connected, and as we continue in our commitment to support long-term health and wellbeing, we are delighted to welcome our staff, students and neighbours to use this space for the benefit of our whole community.”