Lilleshall Battle Back Centre helps soldiers fight back from injury

Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle officially opened the £27m Battle Back Centre in Lilleshall, near Newport, yesterday along with the Rt Hon Mark Francois, Minister of State for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans.

The plush new centre at Lilleshall National Sports Centre provides sport and adventure training to help the recovery of injured and sick men and women from all three services.

Though it was formally opened yesterday, it has been delivering courses for a year – and has so far helped more than 200 servicemen on the road to recovery. The pioneering centre, headed up by Stevan Jackson, has the capacity for 600 courses a year.

And Pete Golding, the course director and a coach, said he was delighted with the location of the new centre.

Mr Golding, from Suffolk, said: "When we first heard it was going to be in Shropshire we thought 'what on earth are they thinking,' but it's been phenomenal.

"The response we've had around the area has been great. We've got the fantastic facilities at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre, but Shrewsbury Sports Village has also been really supportive and the Shropshire Climbing Centre in Newport has let us use their wall out of hours. We couldn't wish for a better place than Lilleshall."

The Royal British Legion has pumped £27m into the centre over 10 years.

It is run in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence and Sport England and gives wounded, sick and injured servicemen the chance to try new sports. Activities include wheelchair basketball, archery, indoor climbing, water sports and clay shooting.

Coaching and evaluation are provided by experts from Leeds Metropolitan University.

Mr Golding said sport was a great way for returning service personnel, many of whom are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, to regain their confidence.

He said: "It's been life changing for the boys. We use sport as a metaphor and try to link that smile they get while competing with their everyday lives."

Courses run for five days and the centre can accommodate up to 24 people on each course with 16 rooms for overnight stays.

Sapper Clive Smith, from Wolverhampton, lost his legs when he stepped on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2010. He took part in a course in Lilleshall in April – and has been back since.

Sapper Smith said: "There are a lot of sports people can do here but my favourite is wheelchair basketball. It's a bit more competitive than some of the others and being a bit of a footballer in my youth that appeals to me."

The Rt Hon Mr Francois, who has responsibility in parliament for veterans, said yesterday's opening was a milestone event.

He said: "This represents a significant milestone in the delivery of the Defence Recovery Capability and it is a shining example of what can be achieved when the Government and charitable sector work together to ensure our wounded, injured and sick personnel receive the very best care and support.

"I am extremely grateful to the Royal British Legion, and all of our other partners, for their hard work and generosity in delivering these important services around the country."