Sport conference held at NEWI

8 December 2006

NEWI was the chosen venue for a conference organised by Wrexham’s MP Ian Lucas today (Friday 8th December). The conference focused on sport and health and featured speakers from NEWI, as well as representatives from Wrexham council, Kelloggs and Groundwork.

The aim of the conference was to examine the current state of Wrexham’s health and fitness and how organisations can work in collaboration to create a healthier Wrexham. The conference focussed on the needs of both young people and the elderly in Wrexham with special presentations looking at the requirements of each group.

NEWI’s Assistant Principal Professor Kate Sullivan welcomed an invited audience of members of the local business community and public sector organisations, academics and sport professionals to the event this morning. “The idea behind this conference is fantastic. The conference highlights the importance of working together and pooling skills with the aim of improving public health within our community” she said.

Representatives from Wrexham Council gave a presentation on ‘Ill Health in the UK and Wrexham’ and discussed the needs of the young people of Wrexham. The presentation on ‘What’s Happening with our Old People?’ was given by the Healthy Living Manager at Groundwork and a representative from Kelloggs provided an employers perspective relating to ‘Healthy Living for the Workforce’

Dr Sue Taylor, a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science at NEWI summarised the day and provided an overview and action plan for the future in her ‘Where Do We Go From Here?’ presentation.

Speaking at the launch of the event Ian Lucas MP said “This conference will heighten the profile of Wrexham and the type of successful collaborations that are currently happening in Wrexham. I am determined to tackle the sort of headlines that we have seen recently naming Wrexham as the fattest town in Wales. It is vital that we start acting immediately and continue to collaborate together to solve these issues”