Inspiring images of the country’s top aquatic stars are set to go on show at one of Sheffield’s leading leisure centres.
Ponds Forge International Sports Centre will host the ‘Dare to Dream’ exhibition, which focuses on swimming, synchronised swimming, diving and water polo and is aimed at inspiring young people to realise their sporting ambitions.
The exhibition will be installed at the venue to mark the start of the 2010 British Gas Swimming Championships, which will see Britain’s best swimmers fight it out for a place in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October.
Helen Broadbent, general manager at Ponds Forge, said: “The exhibition photographs are truly amazing. They not only highlight the hard work and commitment of the athletes, but also help to create a profile for them so that they become recognised around the venue.
“We hope that the remarkable images will inspire young people to participate in aquatic sports, making them realise that they too can have dreams and ambitions whatever level they are participating at.”
The images have been taken by amateur photographer Simon Wright, from Sheffield, who has snapped thousands of UK aquatic sportspeople.
His portfolio includes Ponds Forge based GB divers Ben Swain and Nick Robinson Baker, as well as members of the City of Sheffield Swim Squad, who are also based at the Sheffield International Venues (SIV) managed facility.
Simon, an IT consultant from Millhouses who regularly swims at Ponds Forge, said: “The idea behind the photographs initially was to help promote and support local aquatic stars at the City of Sheffield Swim Squad and water polo club. But the project proved to be more successful than I ever really anticipated and I’m thrilled that my photos are now being used for the Ponds Forge exhibition.
“The exhibition will focus on the big aquatic stars, as well as the up and coming kids. I hope that the photos will highlight how hard these youngsters work to be the best they can be at their sport, especially those who are putting so many hours of their lives into training.
“My hope has always been to have a gallery at Ponds Forge to showcase the stars of today, as well as the stars of tomorrow. Ponds Forge is a centre of excellence and people need to know more about this place and how great it is.”
Helen added: “It will be great to see the images brought to life at the exhibition, showcasing them for both members of the public and sportspeople to see. We are very much looking forward to helping Simon realise his ambition of having his images exhibited at Ponds.”
The images will be showcased in the main reception area at Ponds Forge from 29 March 2010 until April 2013. For more information about the exhibition, visit www.ponds-forge.co.uk.
