Virgin Active Reveals Team Va Ambassadors
Health club operator Virgin Active has revealed its latest brand ambassadors as part of its ongoing commitment to getting Britain active and trying new sports. Team VA, Virgin Active’s 2013 event team, consists of Olympic silver medalist gymnast Louis Smith MBE, boxing gold medalist Nicola Adams MBE, taekwondo gold medalist Jade Jones MBE and Paralympic sprinter Sophia Warner.
Each athlete will try a new sport in 2013, taking them out of their comfort zone at three high profile sporting events throughout the summer; Virgin Active London Triathlon, Prudential RideLondon and the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay.
The events provide an opportunity for these talented athletes to try a new sport, in a fun and inclusive environment, while continuing to inspire and challenge a nation to get going.
By tackling sports that are completely new to them, Team VA plans to show it’s good to get out there and try something new.
Since last year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games, Virgin Active has seen a marked rise in new members and participation in sports such as swimming, tennis and Group Cycle classes. The average number of attendances for Group Exercise Classes per month is 644,758.
Demand for group cycle classes, the most popular class on the timetable, has also risen dramatically in the last year and Virgin Active now runs 7,200 classes per month with an average of 158,000 attendances.
Virgin Active has also seen a rise in those wanting to take up swimming. There are currently over 24,000 children taking swimming lessons each month, making the health club operator the largest private provider of the ASA Learn To Swim scheme.
Commenting on Virgin Active’s golden Team VA, Virgin Active founder Sir Richard Branson said: ‘2012 provided us with so many inspiring moments, from the opening ceremony to our country winning countless gold medals; all of us at Virgin Active want to continue this legacy and inspire Britain to be great, get active and give sport a try. It doesn’t matter if you’re a world-class athlete or someone new to fitness, there is something for everyone – in Virgin Active health clubs and at many sporting events throughout the year.’
‘We are thrilled to welcome our amazing Olympians and Paralympian to the Virgin Active family for these events, proving that even the country’s greatest athletes are willing to step out of their comfort zone and get involved in some of the best events happening in Britain this summer. Let’s see if they manage to beat my 2012 tri team’s time at this years Virgin Active London Triathlon – I know they’ll have lots of fun trying!’
Taekwondo champion and gold medalist Jade Jones MBE said of the announcement: ‘During 2012, the whole of the UK was inspired and excited by sport and fitness – in a way never seen before. I hope that by taking part in these events and setting myself new goals, I can help to inspire a new generation of athletes and first-timers, to get active.’
Boxing star Nicola Adams MBE also took a gold medal home and feels fighting fit and raring to get going as part of the Virgin Active event team. Adams commented: ‘I’m a firm believer that you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it and I’m really looking forward to taking part in the three events during the summer. If I can help to inspire just one person to try something new and get active, I’ll be happy.’
Bloomberg Square Mile – 19th September 2013
The Bloomberg Square Mile Relay is an annual event, bringing together more than 1,000 runners, in over 100 teams, to fight it out for the ultimate bragging rights across the unique one-mile course within the most famous Square Mile in the world.
Last year, at the end of an incredible night, the 2010 champions Barclays snatched back their crown with a time of 51 minutes 12 seconds, beating Legal and General into second place by just 44 seconds. The fastest individual runner – showing that London’s City workers can hold their own in elite sport – was David Nightingale of Capstone, with a remarkable time of 4 minutes 36 seconds.
Now in its sixth year, the race marks one of the biggest nights in the City, with the excitement and intensity of the competition matched only by the famous afterparty in the historic Guildhall. Designed with the competitive nature of our participants in mind, runners will twist and turn their way around the one-mile route racing up and down stairs, through shopping malls and gardens, before handing the baton on to their teammate.
As well as the glory, the winning team is also presented with a cheque for £5,000 to donate to the charity of their choice.
Over 75 teams have already signed up to the annual event, does your team have what it takes? Sign up here.
Virgin Active London Triathlon – 27th to 28th July 2013
Virgin Active is the title sponsor to the largest event of its kind which sees over 13,000 participants swim, cycle and run around a specially designed course that winds through some of London’s most famous landmarks such as Big Ben and Tower Bridge.
Prudential RideLondon – 3rd to 4th August 2013
Virgin Active is the official health club for Prudential RideLondon. Over 40,000 people are expected to participate in this world-class festival of cycling in London.
