The Barbados Olympic Association (BOA) has formalised its plans to use K2 Crawley leisure centre as its pre-Games training camp.

Teams will use K2 Crawley, and other local sports facilities, for training camps in both the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic Games next year and the Pan American Games later this year.

(l-r) Kate Wilson, Community Services Manager at Crawley Borough Council; Erskine Simmons, General Secretary of the BOA; Councillor Lenny Walker, Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture at Crawley Borough Council; Jan Lensen, Arora Hotel General Manager; Steve Stoute, President of the BOA; Councillor Duncan Crow, Chair of the West Sussex Partnership for the 2012 Games; Matt Hunt, Area Manager at Freedom Leisure; Jacqueline Huggett, Arora Hotel; Carolyn Carr, West Sussex Coordinator for the 2012 Games

The President and General Secretary of the BOA, Steve Stoute and Erskine Simmons, joined representatives of Crawley Borough Council and West Sussex County Council at the Arora Hotel to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Friday (February 11).

Councillor Lenny Walker, Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture, said: “We’re both excited and proud for Crawley to be hosting the team and getting this kind of international approval says a lot for the town’s excellent leisure facilities.

“We’ve developed a great relationship with the BOA and they’ve already used our facilities, and others in the area, for their netball and hockey teams. This isn’t just about a few weeks in 2012; we’re looking to build educational, cultural and sporting links with Barbados over the next few years.”

During their stay, sports science and sports medicine support will be on offer from the University of Chichester, which has played an active role in preparing medal winning Olympic athletes since 1988. A range of local businesses will also provide other support services.

The partnership with the Barbados Olympic Association forms part of the activities of West Sussex-Ahead of the Game, the countywide initiative ensuring West Sussex residents, businesses and communities get the most out of the 2012 Games.

West Sussex County Council Cabinet member for Environment and Economy Deborah Urquhart said: “Today’s ceremony officially celebrates the partnership between Barbados, Crawley and West Sussex in the lead up to the London 2012 Games. Through working with the Barbados Olympic Association, we are forging new links which will produce many benefits for years to come.

“West Sussex-Ahead of the Game is continuing to demonstrate to nations the benefits of using the county as a base for their training in the lead up to London 2012.”

Councillor Lenny Walker, Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture at Crawley Borough Council; Steve Stoute, President of the BOA; Councillor Duncan Crow, Chair of the West Sussex Partnership for the 2012 Games