Two of the country’s top athletes were in Hastings to celebrate the reopening of the athletics arena at William Parker.

Ark William Parker Academy and Hastings Athletic club came together to celebrate the reopening of the high specification William Parker athletics facilities. Team GB elite athletes Adam Clarke and Charlotte Purdue officially declared the track open with a ribbon cutting ceremony and were joined by an enthusiastic gathering of local dignitaries, the William Parker Foundation, students and club members.

The rain held off and the sun finally shone and Ark students and club runners were able to run alongside the GB elite athletes and test out the newly laid surface with a lap of the track.

Adam is an ex-William Parker student and now training partner of the legendary Sir Mo Farah and Charlotte is an international marathon runner – both are rising stars in the British athletics scene and proved an inspiration to the youngsters present.

The arena, which is home to Hastings Athletic club has a freshly re-laid Olympic sized track, new and refurbished athletics equipment and now also has the ability to officially confirm records with an on-track timer.

Yvonne Powell, Executive Principal of Ark William Parker said: “It’s our ambition to provide excellent facilities for all our students and our community so that we can promote sport and sporting excellence. We’re proud to be the home of Hastings Athletic Club and look forward to welcoming more of our community to come and enjoy our high standard facilities.”

Terry Skelton, Chairman of Hastings Athletics Club said; “This is such great news for Hastings Athletic Club and the town to have the use of this fantastic arena. With so many great athletes coming from the local area over the years and with so many up and coming ones as well, I can’t thank ARK Academy enough. We have a great relationship with the school and long may it continue for many years to come.”

The reopening of the new track comes at the same time as Ark are offering sports and arts scholarships to students who can demonstrate commitment to their specialism.

To find out more about Hastings Athletic Club, please contact Katie Arnold, Club Secretary at secretary-hastingsathleticclub@live.co.uk or www.hastingsathleticclub.co.uk

Or to book the athletics track, please contact SLS at Ark William Parker on 01424 554 244 or email: arkwilliamparker@schoollettings.org