Strongman Competition visits Rowley Park Stadium, Stafford

Rowley Park played host to the competition on June 3^rd, with the council’s Leisure Services Team running a Fun Day alongside the event.  A representative from the FA was on hand to offer advice on how and where to get involved in football, and Jenny Moore, Sports and Physical Activity Development Officer for Leisure Services at Stafford Borough Council, was also on hand to signpost interested youngsters to an array of interesting sports and clubs.

”Thousands of people came along to witness this great exhibition of strength, and youngsters also got involved in fun activities at the same time.  The free admission made this a really cheep and fun event for all the family.  There was free access to tennis and new crazy golf facilities, football shoot-out, bungee run, a bungee trampoline, free face painting, and signposting to local sports clubs.  We had a really good turnout, and every seemed to really enjoy themselves,” said Sam Ferguson, Marketing Coordinator for Stafford Borough Council’s Leisure Services.

Events included strongman favourites such as a dead lift using a car, an over the head motorbike press, a Hercules hold, a truck pull, flipping railway sleepers end over end, and a loading event which involved lifting 5’ cylinders filled with sand onto a flat bed lorry.

Headline sponsors, ‘Recycle for Staffordshire,’ in partnership with the borough council, supplied the recycle lorry, which was used in the truck pull.  Weighing in at 14½ tonnes, the truck was pulled by each competitor over a distance of 25 metres.  “This event was a real crowd pleaser,” said Mark Parkinson, Environmental and Waste Management Services at Staffordshire County Council, “It’s great that we have had the opportunity to get involved, and generate a little awareness around recycling issues, at such a high profile event.”

Mick Gosling held the position of Britain’s Strongest Man for 2005 and has competed in the World’s Strongest Man competitions in both Malaysia and China.  He was also in Stafford’s Market Square on Friday 1^st June with overall competition winner, Mark Felix, promoting the main event.  They offered demonstrations, autograph signing and photo opportunities.  “It’s great to see how much interest the event draws, particularly the youngsters, who are just in awe of the size of the competitors, with most of them weighing in at over 20 stone!”

Geoff Capes was thrilled to be involved in the day’s activities at Rowley Park on 3^rd June; and commented that it was a pleasure to be present at such a well-organised event.  Geoff was twice the World's Strongest man and three times both Europe's Strongest man and Britain's Strongest Man.  He was also World Highland Games Champion on six occasions!

Contact: Sam Ferguson, Marketing Coordinator for Leisure Services

Tel: 01785 619354

Email: sferguson@staffordbc.gov.uk.