Pure gold as centre signs up to host team for 2012

11:54am Wednesday 20th August 2008

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A KING's Somborne equestrian centre has been signed up to host a team training for the 2012 Games.

Hoplands Equestrian Cen-tre is the second business in the area to benefit from a contract for the next Olympics, staged in London.

The centre has already hosted teams training for other Olympic games and hopes to cater for many more teams.

"We are over the moon with the news," said Frances Wain, owner of Hoplands.

"We've worked very hard since we took over the centre in April last year and feel that it has all paid off.

"We have hosted the Australian team twice this year already, and hope to have a team of similar stature for the games in 2012."

The other business benefiting from an Olympic contract is based in Chandler's Ford.

It's the first time the government has given a financial incentive for such contracts.

Romsey MP Sandra Gidley has welcomed the news and hopes it will encourages other businesses to become training centres.

"This is great news for Hoplands and the local area," she said.

"The Olympics will benefit the whole UK and local businesses must make sure they get their fair share of these contracts.

"I applaud both Hoplands Equestrian Centre and Chandler's Ford-based The Southern X', both of whom are carrying the torch for our local area. I hope that other local companies will now follow their lead in search of Olympic glory!"