FLAIR
Freedom Leisure Athlete Investment & Recognition - is a support scheme that offers athletes competing at a national level, FREE access to our facilities to support their training.
SEE BELOW STORIES FROM OUR CURRENT FLAIR ATHLETES.
FLAIR SPOTLIGHT - EVIE AITCHISON
See Evie’s story and update since being a FLAIR athlete.
I have been part of Freedom Leisure for 2 years, and previously a TASS athlete before being part of the FLAIR scheme. I am a 400m hurdler competing for Neath and Swansea Harriers, as well as Swansea university. I first started out in a triathlon club and running cross country where I was encouraged to join a track and field club. I began as multi-eventer before choosing to specialise in the 400m hurdles two years ago. I have competed internationally on numerous occasions and won international, national, and regional titles. To date, I am ranked 3rd in Wales and 13th in the UK for my age group.
Since being part of freedom leisure, some of my achievements include competing internationally in the pentathlon where we finished 3rd, and many individual titles. For example, in my first year of u20’s I won a bronze medal in the Welsh Senior Championships. I also signed a dual membership with Swansea Harriers which allows me to compete in the National Athletics League. last season we got promoted to the Premiership Division so this year, we will compete against some of the biggest clubs in the UK. I am extremely grateful to be a FLAIR athlete as I have been able to use their facilities to supplement my training on track, which contributes to my performances and success. I found them particularly helpful when studying for my a-levels at Morriston Comprehensive school as I could use the gyms during my free periods, and when I was injured, I could use the equipment to do my rehab programmes.
FLAIR SPOTLIGHT - FLO TOVEY
Meet Flo, one of our FLAIR athletes who trains across our sites in Swansea.
Hi, my name is Flo Tovey and I am a Welsh sailor competing in the ILCA 6 class (women’s Olympic single-handed dinghy), I started learning to sail at my local club in Mumbles bay when I was about 8 years old and really enjoyed being on the water which eventually lead me into learning to race and my love for the sport really grew.
I have spent the last season as a part of the British Youth Sailing Team and have been re-selected for the team this year, within this team I have been representing GBR at major International events throughout the year such as the U19 and U21 World and European championships, these events have been a really good testing ground for my performance and development as a sailor and I am looking forward more racing this season.
Although I haven’t been racing internationally for very long one of my highlights was finishing top GBR boat and only girl in gold fleet at the U19 European championships last April, another highlight was leading a race at the U21 worlds in the summer, this season I am excited to put all the work in and hopefully give my best performance.
Post A levels I am intending to transition into full time sailing with future ambitions to gain a spot in the British Sailing Team and a dream of competing in the Olympic games. In 5 years’ time I hope to be competing at a world class level and being able to pursue my passion of sailing as a career.
Being a part of the FLAIR membership has been a great asset to my training, for my off the water training to have access to a range of local, well equipped gym has allowed me to fit in all of my S&C sessions which are a vital part to being competition ready and improving my performance. The membership has also encouraged me to try new classes, recently I have started attending ‘cardio climb’ classes which have helped switch up my training, keeping it fun and have provided great opportunity to try something new.
FLAIT SPOTLIGHT - DEAN HARDIE
- What sports do you compete in and how did you first get involved?
Triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon, aqua bike and some running races. Been racing for 25 years. I’ve also competed in Cross triathlon and Cross duathlon this year. Represented Team GB this year in Alsdorf, Germany and Pontevedra, Spain.
- What is your current national ranking?
Ranked number 1 in Wales for triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon and aqua bike for my age group. Ranked 8th for duathlon in Great Britain and 25th in Triathlon in Great Britain.
- What has been your proudest achievement in your sporting career so far?
Proud achievements this year - winning the Welsh Triathlon Super Series (televised on S4C) and also for coming 2nd in the Xterra Trail 1/2 Marathon World Championships in Llanberis. I’ve always been super keen in sporting activities - multisport races keep me motivated to train hard, compete hard and be the best I can be
- What advice would you give to young people who want to follow in your footsteps?
Advice - enjoy the various disciplines, train regularly, learn from mistakes and steadily progress through the rankings to be the best you can be.
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time within your sporting career?
5 years - well I’ll be up another age group - hopefully I’ll still be fit and healthy and be able to compete at National, European and World level.
- What does being part of the FLAIR membership mean to you?
FLAIR membership really does help a lot - I use the gym and swimming pools. Gym work is key for the disciplines of running, cycling and swimming - building strength, endurance and helping reduce injury risk. Swimming pool work obviously very important as the weather in Wales means we can’t always train in open water
Not found what you need?
If you need help with anything, please visit our help centre or get in touch!