Image credit: Nick Glackin
The Graystone Action Sports Academy in Salford has been nominated for the ‘Rising Star Award’ in this years Salford Business Awards.
Last December, the academy opened its doors for the first time, creating space not only for the public to enjoy, but for athletes who had their eyes set on the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Since then, they have hosted the National UK Skateboarding Championships and have helped raise over £4,000 for mental health charities.
Video by Nick Brien:
Kevin Gray, 48, who has been with the Graystone project for approximately five years, discussed the academy’s first year in Salford, saying: “It’s been very challenging, but it’s been very rewarding seeing people appreciating what we’ve done here;
“the young and old are having great days outs in what we’ve created.
“I think we’ve opened the doors to a lot more parents with younger children that maybe have been intimidated by action sports in other venues; (I think) we provide much more of a family orientated destination.
“While we host high-level athletes, and Olympic athletes, the majority of people are beginners and children who are experiencing these sports for the first time.”
The academy has also recently been nominated for the ‘Rising Star Award’ in this years Salford Business Awards. Mr Gray said: “It feels very exciting because it’s nice to be recognised. It feels like it’s almost a bit unreal at the moment.
“We were just wrapped up doing what we do here, not realising that anyone else had noticed what we were doing. We’re just taking care of our customers, making sure everyone has a good experience. We’re just building something special.”
The winners of the Salford Business Awards will be announced on October 31 at the Lowry Hotel in Salford.
To hear more from Kevin Gray, listen here:
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