WKO world president and head coach Jon Green brought the WKO England ring sports team to train at iconic Empress Building on Sunday 3rd March 2019. The event took place at the ATF Training and Kickboxing camp, based on the top floor of the Empress Building. Green said, “We heard about Adam (Cooper)’s move to the Empress Building and approached him to see if he would accommodate our first training session of the year. I’m grateful he said yes, as the gym turned out to be the perfect venue.”
ATF Training boss, Adam Cooper, who has recently moved his kick boxing and personal training operation from the Montague Building said, “It was really great to have the England team train here, the atmosphere was amazing and I have seen some super talent on show.”
Adam has been kickboxing for over twenty years and loves every aspect of the sport. He’s been running his own full-time facility for over five years and during that time has trained English, British and World Champion fighters. Adam went on to say, “At ATF Kickboxing we know what it takes to enhance our student’s wellbeing. Our qualified personal trainers’ unique approach to teaching make ATF Kickboxing more than just a physical kickboxing academy – it’s a life experience!”
England team coach Simon Blood said “The ATF Training gym made the perfect venue for the first WKO squad session of the year, everyone gave 100%. The gym has some great facilities, it’s a brilliant setup.”
Adam is seeing increased success since his relocation in December 2018, and in his first quarter has secured a contract with Tesco to become an official personal trainer as part of Tesco staff incentives and retention scheme. Adam has also secured concession deals with MB Sports Massage, as well as Miss Tuff Cookie, which specialises in women only fitness classes, and specialist coach and personal training operation, Primal Fitness.
The Empress Building is enjoying a new lease of life, thanks to investment from local entrepreneur Jason Mace, managing director of Manvers-based Gala Tent. Mace said, “It’s really great to see the building being gradually brought back to its former glory and now attacking local sports professionals.”
The Empress Building is also occupied by the youth charity, Dearne Valley Personal Development Centre, plus Grafters Ironworks Gym and Micky’s Athletic Boxing Club, with plans to launch an Indian Restaurant in the Spring of 2019. Over the past eighteen months, Jason has invested in refurbishing the former Empress Building ballroom and dance hall into a hub of business, health and community activity. The building, which dates to the 1920s, was built to mirror the great dance halls in places such as Blackpool and for decades it was the hub of social activity in the area, but in recent years had fallen into disrepair before Jason’s intervention.
