Old Tyme Strength enhances community engagement in the East Midlands with powerlifting
- Elina Strautmane CMktr
- Sep 27, 2024
- 4 min read
A charity gym at the heart of one Nottinghamshire town – Mansfield – has become a beacon of athletic achievement as it celebrates the success of powerlifters who have qualified for the prestigious British national powerlifting competition.
On Sunday (15 September 2024) Old Tyme Strength hosted its second UKIPL Qualifier September 2024 competition. The event, organised in partnership with the leading powerlifting organisation UK International Powerlifting League and accelerating digital marketing agency Kaiba Socials, provided a platform for aspiring powerlifters to showcase their strength and earn a coveted spot in the upcoming British IPL - The Ultimate Powerlifting Showdown, scheduled for December.
This local qualifier has not only put Mansfield on the map in the powerlifting world, it also highlighted the dedication and hard work of all the athletes who competed.
Labour MP for Mansfield, Steve Yemm, was among the guests to witness the positive impact of this competitive strength sport in the community.
He said: “I am fascinated to be here and see this live. The first time that I’ve been to an event like this and to see people from right around the country participating here in Mansfield is absolutely amazing.
“The fantastic thing about what the gym is doing here is an amazing community engagement. They are operating in a very inclusive way, providing means for people on benefits to take part in the sport more easily, I think that that’s really important. And also reaching right across the age groups. We know how important it is to engage young people in sports, but the health benefits for you right through your life are very important to recognise, and the contribution that this gym makes to that is very fundamental for a community like Mansfield.
“The important thing for the members of the Parliament office is to help charities in applications they make and help to build their profile. I was pleased to be invited to come along to this event and have a conversation with them about the support they so vitally need. It is important that we raise these issues in Parliament to the ministers, because these activities and how they benefit the community are so fundamentally important that I think the government needs to be aware of that.”
Dayle Longford, DL Fitness founder and president of the UK International Powerlifting League (a direct affiliate of the International Powerlifting League (IPL)), echoed this sentiment and commented on the growth of the powerlifting community: “The powerlifting community is experiencing significant growth, with a notable increase in athletes participating in competitions over recent years. Our continued collaboration with Old Tyme Strength to bring powerlifting to Mansfield has been extremely rewarding.
"The athletes we witnessed on Sunday demonstrated incredible skill, passion, and determination, which clearly paid off in their performances. I strongly encourage both potential competitors and spectators to attend these events and experience the atmosphere firsthand. The energy in the room is electric when you're surrounded by fellow powerlifters all striving towards the same goal.
"This qualifier was a tremendous success, and I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the athletes who participated."
Founder and Managing Director of Kaiba Socials, Elina Strautmane, expressed her enthusiasm for the event and its impact on the local community: "Collaborating with the gym and UK Powerlifting League to support the UKIPL Qualifier September 2024 has been incredibly rewarding. Since partnering with Old Tyme Strength this spring, we've witnessed remarkable growth in membership across all age groups, with many members progressing to compete at events like this. Our mission is to highlight the true diversity, inclusivity, and vibrancy of this community.
"In recent years, Mansfield, like many neighbouring towns, has faced challenges due to the economic downturn, including the closure of leisure facilities. Old Tyme Strength's powerlifting program offers a fantastic opportunity to revitalise Mansfield and inspire hope within the community. We're taking significant strides as a driving force for positive change, fostering collaborations with organisations such as the LGBT Powerlifting Union.
"While there's still much to accomplish, we're confident we're moving in the right direction. We remain committed to steering this initiative forward and continuing our efforts to make a lasting impact."
Chris Roberts, founder of Old Tyme Strength and international referee at the event, commented: "As a member of this community, our primary goal is to enhance people's well-being and encourage more young adults to engage in productive activities. Sunday's event once again demonstrated the importance of growing this sport in Mansfield. In our busy lives, we often neglect our own well-being, and that's precisely what we aim to change.
"Our gym community prides itself on its diversity and inclusivity. We extend an open invitation to anyone interested in taking that first step towards fitness to visit us for a session. Our approach differs significantly from standard commercial gyms, both in terms of equipment and culture. For instance, we've chosen not to have mirrors to accommodate members who struggle with self-image. We also cater to individuals with autism and physical disabilities, ensuring our facility is accessible to all, and working with some of the local schools.
"We tailor our approach to each member's needs, with our team always available to offer advice or assistance. These things have made a substantial impact on our athletes' well-being and have been instrumental in helping them achieve their goals."
Chris also highlighted the importance of local support, stating, "It was great to have Mansfield MP Steve Yamm join us on Sunday. As a charity gym, his support is crucial in amplifying our voice and enabling us to continue our work for the local community, which contributes significantly to the region's well-being."
For more information contact Kaiba Socials at infokaibasocials@gmail.com or fill in the below form.
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