Greenbank Sports Academy, its sports hall and the Choices festival

Liverpool’s Greenbank Sports Academy is an organisation that makes sport accessible to everyone. It has its own premises, which are convenient for holding sports events such as the Choices festival. Learn more about the unique space that creates an equally unique experience for everyone who comes there at liverpoolski.com.

Greenbank Academy, a sports space for everyone

Greenbank Sports Academy has become an important part of Liverpool’s sporting life since its opening. Its idea is that sport is not only a chance to win medals or break records but also an opportunity for everyone to experience the joy of movement, the bright emotions of the game and the warmth of team support.

The academy primarily offers sports and recreational programmes for children and adults with disabilities. These include after-school classes, clubs and competitions. Moreover, Greenbank actively cooperates with local schools to involve as many people in sports as possible.

The institution is open to all residents of Liverpool. They can use the building and the raised funds to support charitable projects. Therefore, it is safe to say that Greenbank Sports Academy has become the real heart of Liverpool’s sports life.

History of Greenbank Sports Academy

The idea of ​​creating such an academy was born long before its opening in 1999. Back in the 1980s, the founders of Greenbank, Gerry Kinsella and Vincent Ross, dreamed of building a centre where sports would be accessible to people with various forms of disabilities. However, it didn’t work out as expected, as they needed £3,000,000 for the construction. Let’s be honest, it was a pig in a poke for unsponsored enthusiasts because of the large sum and the unclear recoup strategy.

In the end, the founders decided to take a bold step. In 1989, Gerry and Vincent embarked on an extraordinary tandem wheelchair race from Land’s End to John O’Groats, the longest route across Britain. This heroic feat raised around £30,000 and was the first step in fundraising. Later, they were supported by Sport England, the Foundation for Sport and the Arts, the European Regional Development Fund and several other charity trusts. Once the necessary funds were raised, the construction began on Greenbank Lane in the Sefton Park area.

The academy’s sports and recreational centre finally opened its doors in 1999. The event was graced by the presence of Princess Anne herself. Since then, Greenbank Sports Academy has been successfully operating and remains true to its original purpose of putting people and their needs at the centre of attention.

Activities and achievements

Greenbank Sports Academy is a part of the Greenbank Project, a charity owned and run by people with disabilities. Its mission is to provide access to physical education, sports and recreation for all, regardless of their financial capabilities. The academy provides a wide range of services, helping school clubs, organising sports competitions and providing the opportunity to train high-level athletes.

The peculiarity of the academy is its non-profit nature. All services, from training rooms to participation in competitions, are available for a nominal fee. Greenbank Sports Academy opens its doors to anyone who wants to play sports, overcoming any barriers that still remain in human society. Moreover, the academy offers unique opportunities for children during school holidays. This has made it an important platform for the development of amateur and professional sports. The Greenbank Sports Academy’s work model inspires similar organisations in Britain and beyond.

Choices Festival, a sporting celebration for young people

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One of the academy’s most iconic events was the Choices festival in 2015. This event gathered around 250 schoolchildren from Merseyside schools competing in a variety of sports, including athletics, football, basketball, new age kurling, polybat and boccia. The children tested their skills in a variety of sports and some of them felt how to be a winner.

Participants spoke enthusiastically about their experiences, saying things like: “It was incredible!” or “Football was the best.” However, it wasn’t just about sports, as the event brought joy and new friendships to spectators and participants. The event was made possible by sponsors Medicash and Cash for Kids, as well as the efforts of volunteers.

Festival organiser Steve Sullivan said:

“This event enabled disabled children to experience the thrill of competition … all of them have had a wonderful time.”

Uniqueness of the place

Greenbank Sports Academy and its sports and recreation centre are an example of how barriers can be overcome and people can be united around the idea of ​​equality. And if someone thinks that doing the impossible is just an eloquent slogan, just think of the tandem wheelchair journey that has given rise to this project.

Greenbank Sports Academy has broken the stereotypes about people with disabilities in sports. It has proven that sports competitions can be adapted in such a way that every participant has an equal chance of winning. Moreover, the academy has created a platform where people with disabilities not just compete but also demonstrate their talents and achieve success.

The entire Liverpool community benefits from this. After all, there is a special connection between the city and the academy, when each visitor, making a financial contribution, knows that thus they support initiatives for people with disabilities. Today, Greenbank Sports Academy is an example of how sports can go beyond ordinary physical activity. It becomes a platform for self-realisation and great victories (above all over yourself).

Innovation at Greenbank Sports Academy

Greenbank Sports Academy is known for its strive for innovation, which is proven by the development of The Equaliser, a sports wheelchair that is suitable for both power hockey and football.

The project began by examining existing limited-to-one-sport models in the USA. When Greenbank’s developers created the prototype, it turned out to be bulky and impractical. In search of a better solution, the academy turned to partners from LCR 4.0 and Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU).

The LJMU team developed a digital model of The Equaliser to analyse and test possible improvements. The collaboration resulted in a new lightweight material that significantly reduced the general weight of the wheelchair. In addition, the developers optimised a motor and battery, making the model more manoeuvrable and convenient to use.

This wheelchair has the potential to become even more affordable, as the developers announced plans to reduce its cost to half the price of existing analogues. So, Greenbank Sports Academy doesn’t just host festivals or care for a limited number of athletes in their city. It also wants to influence the lives of people with disabilities around the world.

To realise their plans, the creators have begun talks with British manufacturers to mass-produce The Equaliser. Despite the challenges they’ve faced, their efforts have proven once again that Liverpool can achieve great results. That ability is fuelled by the spirit and exciting events like the Choices festival. The more such events, the better it is for the community.