Call for Free Running sessions at Stratford Park

Some will know that Randwick young folk were involved in the Free Running accident reported in The Citizen today - see below - it was serious - very serious - last year a teen ended up in hospital after an incident in Cheltenham that some claimed was also Free Running - in my view we need to be acting to support this new sport - to work within the law and ensure that such risks are not taken.

Photos: See more Parkour photos here

I've now written to various Council Officers to see what ways forward are best - see my earlier comments on the blog re this here - I have hopes for Stratford Park - Moberley Centre in Brent for example runs sessions - the training focuses on developing the fundamental attributes required for movement, which include balance, strength, dynamism, endurance, precision, spatial awareness and creative vision. Anyhow when I hear more I'll scribble another blog...but here is The Citizen piece...and nice to see responsible reporting about such issues....

TEEN FREE-RUNNER FELL THROUGH A SHOP ROOF

A Free-runner practising on a shop roof surprised staff when he fell through up to his waist.Fire and rescue crews and paramedics were called to the roof of Peacocks in Russell Street, Stroud, last week on Wednesday.

"We were in the shop," said assistant manager Jenny Beard. "We could hear them running across the roof. It was very loud. "There was a loud bang and the roof came in. He did not appear to be injured. He fell in up to his waist in the roof. The fire brigade were here too."

The hole in the pitched roof has been covered temporarily with plastic sheeting. A 17-year-old free runner, Hunter Hubbard, claimed he saw what happened but said the youngster concerned was not hurt.

"I was up there with a few friends and we were sitting, as it was not a good idea to be up there," said Hunter, from Paganhill, whose hair-raising rooftop antics have been reported in the past by The Citizen. He claimed: "Another kid wanted to do it. He was okay and managed to climb out. We ran away and went back to check he was okay."

At the time, police issued a warning to youngsters to stay away from rooftops because of the risk of injury and damage to property. Inspector Nick Holmes, of Stroud police, stressed the enormous risks involved in practising free-running, or Parkour, on tall buildings.

"In this particular incident the potential for fatal or serious injury was considerable given the height of the building and the route taken to access the rooftop," he said.

"It was surprising that no one was seriously hurt, given the circumstances. As well as substantial police resources, paramedics and two fire crews were called to the scene. Police don't want to stop youngsters from practising their chosen sport, but they need to exercise some common sense and do it where there is no risk to property or life."

Four boys believed to have been engaged in free-running in the area, a 13-year-old and a 15-year-old from Randwick, a 16-year-old from Painswick, and a 17-year-old from Stroud, were subsequently arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. All four have been released on police bail until February 21.