Archive for April 23rd, 2010

We have been appointed to promote tennis charity ‘Tennis For Free’, tasked with publicising this unique charity at firstly two locations (Ipswich and the Wirral) as it launches its new ‘Free Tennis Coaching Programme’ initiative.

Tennis For Free is a registered charity founded by comedian Tony Hawks. It aims to create healthy, vibrant tennis communities on FREE public park tennis courts creating new tennis players of all ages and backgrounds, and showing that tennis can be enjoyed by all.

Townhouse has been specifically tasked to promote its Parks Coaching Programme ‚ a community initiative creating a partnership between the local council, local LTA and the surrounding tennis clubs. Each Free Coaching Programme is a two year (100 weeks, 50 weeks per year) initiative for those who want to  ‘have a go’. There are fourteen sites across the UK and the next two are in Ipswich and the Wirral.

Also part of its commitment to free parks tennis, TFF also employs a team of researchers to continually update the list of UK public park tennis courts available for free. Their website www.tennisforfree.com enables the public to find their nearest free courts, allowing them to just turn up and enjoy a game of tennis.

Paul Jessop, CEO of Tennis For Free said, “The Townhouse team immediately showed their experience and passion for the sport.  They were recommended to me and I was impressed with not only their creativity but their desire to make a difference in tennis.”

Julian Fisher, Townhouse Communications Director said , “We have extensive experience of sports and events PR having worked for the Football Association plus Europe’s largest tennis coaching organisation – Registro de Professional Tennis.  The team looking is forward to serving up some great ideas for a sport we are very passionate about.”

Ex Baggies player and Bolton Wanderers‚ Paul Robinson officially opened the Salts Healthcare ‘Techstep Education & Research Centre’, the first purpose built clinic in the UK, solely for the understanding, development and support of the human foot.

The Aston- based facility boasts a £500,000 investment with state-of-the-art sensory treadmills, running strip with the latest movement monitoring software as used at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, teaching facilities, R&D offices and secure indoor parking. All managed by a team of specialists to advance the knowledge of podiatrists and orthotists.

Techstep aims to be the UK’s leading training centre for student podiatrists, R&D facility, treatment hub for professional sportsmen and women, and ‘walk in centre’ centre for people with foot problems. Techstep is a giant stride in pushing the boundaries of knowledge and product development available to healthcare professionals involved in the study, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower leg.

Student podiatrists and orthotists will be able to visit the clinic and see the latest technology in action.  Indeed, Techstep welcome educational visits as this will fuel its desire for further research and development in the field.

Paul Robinson is no stranger to Salts having had a pair of insoles specially designed for his boots and training shoes. Robinson, like many professional sportsmen understands the need to keep the feet in the best of health. He said “As a footballer most people expect players to tend to their feet but it doesn’t always happen and you hear of some horror stories.  Taking care of your feet is a must for everybody no matter what standard you play at and it’s even more important for the youngsters whose bodies are still developing.  Regarding feet, prevention is definitely better than cure.”

Adrian Priest, Techstep Senior Product Manager said “75% of the population has a problem with their feet, most of whom don’t know anything about it.  Feet problems affect virtually every other part of your body‚ there are literally the ’sole’ of your body and can affect people’s ability to balance, walk or run properly and could cause pain, fatigue or even damage to other parts of their body.  The UK is behind many countries like the USA, Germany and Sweden in the treatment of the feet.  Until now only professional sportspeople have had access to facilities taking care of their feet but now the benefits are here for all.”

Indeed, Priest wants people’s feet to become a priority.  He said “The term feet first couldn’t be more wrong in the UK.  The development of shoes, especially sports footwear hasn’t been matched by the knowledge and treatment of the foot. We have all paid, including myself, paid a fortune for the latest footwear, as worn by our heroes, without thinking whether they are actually the best thing to buy.”

Pictured at the opening are Peter and Philip Salt, ten-generation Salts family owners and Bolton’s Paul Robinson.  For more information visit www.saltstechstep.co.uk