This Saturday (26 March 2016) will see the grand opening of the Level Up Academy new premises in Beeston.
If you’ve heard of Parkour, or Freerunning, you probably associate it with young people jumping from building to building, taking risks and not worrying about trespass or damage. Level Up are keen to stress that the sport has grown up, is much more responsible and is now taught by qualified instructors.
The name Parkour comes from the French, parcours du combatant, which translates as obstacle course.
“The aim is to get from A to B in the most efficient way” explains Jim Key “Over, under, round and through. We use obstacles such as walls, vaults and bars to mimic the outside world.”
“Parkour is a movement discipline, using your body to overcome obstacles. It’s about learning what your body is capable of and achieving your potential.”
Jim has been practicing Parkour for 12 years and teaching for 7 years. Together with Martin Wan, he set up Level Up Academy as a social enterprise. They secured the lease on an industrial unit on the Parkside estate near to the John Charles Centre For Sport earlier this year. They have been transforming it thanks to a grant from The Big Lottery and a loan from the Key Fund. A partnership with Leeds College of Building has seen joinery students gaining valuable experience whilst helping Level Up to build blocks and obstacles.
As well as Parkour, Level Up want their space to be used by other sports that struggle to find space in school halls and sports centre. They have the largest sprung floor in Yorkshire which is already used by White Rose Cheerleaders to practice their gymnastic routines.
On Saturday you can see this fantastic facility and try out some of the activities in free taster sessions.
Open day programme
- 11:45 – 12:00 Official Opening
- 12:00 – 12:45 Parkour 8 -16 years
- 12:45 – 13:30 Cheerleading 4 – 12 years; Calisthenics 16+
- 13:30 – 14:15 Kickboxing 8+; Aerial Skills 18+
- 14:15 – 15:00 Parkour 8 – 16 years
- 15:00 – 15:45 Cheerleading 12+
- 16:00 – 18:00 OPEN SESSION 16+
Food and drink will be available throughout the day.
Level Up Academy, Unit 4 Lockwood Court, Beeston, LS11 5TY
More information at: www.golevelup.co.uk; www.facebook.com/golevelupuk; or email: hello@golevelup.co.uk.
