Commonwealth Games cage installed at Croydon Arena
A new throwing cage, which was used at last year’s Commonwealth Games, has been installed at Croydon Arena.
The cage is part of the Commonwealth Games legacy programme and has been donated to Croydon Harriers by England Athletics. The cage was used in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last year, which included Croydon Harrier Lawrence Okoye who won silver in the men’s discus.
The event took place on the 20th July 2023 with dignitaries including four-time Olympian Donna Fraser OBE, England Athletics CEO Chris Jones, Warren Leigh from Sport England and Commonwealth Games medallist Lorna Boothe MBE. Following speeches and a ribbon cutting, there was a demonstration from Croydon Harrier young athlete hammer and discus throwers.
Commenting on the installation of the cage, Mike Fleet, Coaching Secretary at Croydon Harriers said:
“We are very grateful to England Athletics for choosing Croydon Harriers as the recipient of this legacy cage. It will be instrumental in helping the next generation of throwers in the Borough and allow us to host high calibre competitions in the future.
“It is particularly special knowing that Croydon Harrier Lawrence Okoye won Commonwealth Silver in that very cage”.
England Athletics CEO Chris Jones said:
“England Athletics is delighted to be able to partner with Croydon Harriers through the implementation of this important facility project and to continue to work with and through the GLL, Croydon Council, and Sport England to ensure that our sport can continue to flourish to benefit athletes of different ages, abilities, and backgrounds moving forward. I am sure that it will be hugely motivational, and inspirational, for throwers to be able to hone their skills using this facility, knowing that they will be following in the footsteps of 2022 Commonwealth Games and European Championship medallist Lawrence Okoye and whilst we are celebrating the opening of this important throws cage, we must also take time to recognise the invaluable contribution of the volunteer throws coaches whose skills and dedication will ensure that this facility is utilised and enjoyed by many throwers from the Croydon club and surrounding area”
Croydon’s public leisure facilities are provided by charitable social enterprise GLL in partnership with Croydon Council. GLL’s General Manager of Croydon Arena Steve Stredwick said:
“Thousands of athletes use Croydon Arena every year through club training nights, school and Borough competitions. The installation of the new cage is a fantastic addition to the facility and ensures we have one of the best throwing cages in the region.”
“Coming on the 30th Anniversary of GLL and the 15th Anniversary of the GLL Sport Foundation, this new facility will support the borough’s future track and field stars – including those heading to the Paris Olympics in 2024 and the Commonwealth Games in 2026.”
The cage was used in the Commonwealth Games and donated to us as part of their legacy project. Croydon Harrier Lawrence Okoye won 🥈in the discus in that very cage. He sent us this video message pic.twitter.com/vFqCnPV7Xp
— Croydon Harriers (@harrierscroydon) July 21, 2023