Princess Royal to officially open jockey rehabilitation centre

09 April 2015

Gazette & Herald

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THE Princess Royal is set to make a second visit to Malton this summer to officially open the Injured Jockey Fund’s (IJF) new rehabilitation and fitness centre in the town.

A handover of Jack Berry House is being made from the main contractor to the charity this week with the facility expected to welcome its first clients by the end of the month.

Princess Anne, who is patron of the IJF, will visit the centre at the beginning of June, for the official launch. She unveiled a plaque to mark the opening of Racing Welfare’s new accommodation and offices in Old Maltongate, Malton, in February.

Jack Berry House, will provide a second facility in the north of England to complement the IJF’s existing facility, Oaksey House, in Lambourn.
The project has cost £3.1m, with money raised by a fundraising campaign as well as a range of supporters.

Lisa Hancock, CEO of the IJF, said two new members of staff had been appointed,Scarborough-based Danny Hague who would be joining the team as full time Strength and Conditioning Coach and Gemma Darley as a part time physiotherapist.”

She said Danny brought with him a wide breadth of experience having worked locally as an S&C coach for a variety of sports as well as experience working with Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Gemma had a thorough knowledge of racing and the injuries associated with it being from a racing family and an accomplished rider herself and has been working in a Harley Street Musculoskeletal clinic most recently but had been keen to return to Yorkshire.
Both Danny and Gemma take up their posts this month.

Lisa said:”It really is a fantastic facility and we are delighted to be receiving the keys.”

“Jo Russell, our manager, has now been able to move into her home on site and we are in the final stages of fit out.”

Jack Berry House will have a state-of-the-art Reuben Foundation Rehabilitation Pool, a large fully equipped gym, named the ‘Don’t Push It’ gym to celebrate AP McCoy’s 2010 Grand National triumph, four treatment rooms and four en suite respite rooms, with shared communal area.
It will also have the Al Shaqab boardroom and 2,000 named bricks donated by supporters at £50 a brick.