Famous Durham cricket player opens £15k Chester le Street school gymnasium

A Durham CCC cricketer, Will Smith, has opened a new gymnasium at a Chester-le-Street primary school.

Durham County Cricket Club batsman, Will Smith visited St Cuthbert’s Primary School in Chester-le-Street today (January 29), officially opening its new gym.

St Cuthbert’s RC, situated less than a mile away from Emirates Riverside, has funded the gymnasium with a £10k fund as well as £5,000 raised by the parent teacher group.

Smith, who returned to Durham CCC at the end of the 2017 season after leaving Hampshire, took time out of his pre-season training schedule to speak to the children about his sporting experiences, offering advice on how to get involved in cricket.

Will said: “It’s brilliant to be given the chance to visit one of the local schools and have the chance to talk to the children about getting into sport and offer them some advice.

“The new facilities look fantastic and it’s great for the youngsters to have access to them every day of the week.

“It’s important for children to keep active and it’s nice to see St Cuthbert’s encouraging their pupils to stay fit and healthy.”

The gym is suitable for all junior children and is aimed to keep the children active during their time at school.

The children will be encouraged to use the gym for fitness purposes during break times, lunch hour and as part of their timetabled PE lessons.