Wheels Extreme - Sports Development Company

SPORTS & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Wheels Extreme CIC is a Sports and Personal Development company created by World Class athletes Jenna Downing and Neil Danns. Set up in July of 2015, the aim of Wheels Extreme is to improve the lives of young people using alternative sports provision.

We believe that extreme sports are fantastic for releasing the frustrations and stresses of daily life, and at a time when exam pressures are higher than ever, mental health issues are on the rise, and youth unemployment figures are rising, we know that through the power of extreme sports and our personal development programmes, we can make a difference to young peoples’ lives.

MEET OUR COACHES

Jenna DowningDirector & World Champion Inline Skater

Jenna is a former World Champion Inline Skater and a ten times British Champion. A natural competitor, Jenna has competed in rollerblading events since she was seven years old and became the youngest ever female to turn pro aged 12. Since then she has represented her country across the globe in major international events, scooping the NASS title three times over, winning an X-Games silver medal and becoming LG Action Sports World Champion. To date, she is the only European female to perform the 900-degree spin.

Growing up in a deprived area with a single parent mum, Jenna has had to work incredibly hard to get to where she is today whilst facing a multitude of obstacles. Having recently retired from her competitive career due to two serious knee injuries, Jenna’s focus is now on ‘giving back’ to young people and inspiring others to achieve their potential in life.

Neil DannsDirector & European Skateboarding Champion

Neil became a completely self-taught skateboarder. His talent earned him sponsorship from a local shop and an introduction to the English Skateboarding Association. He was invited to take part in his first major competition aged 17 and won his first British Championship aged 22. Neil was soon repeatedly winning European and British titles, whilst travelling the world representing the UK.

Neil’s career wasn’t without setbacks. The complexity and physical challenges of skateboarding saw him suffer severe injuries. Yet he continually returned from injury, pushing himself through rehabilitation to continue competing.

Now, Neil shares his experiences, including the highs and lows he has gone through in life, to inspire and influence the lives of others as well as providing coaching sessions to youngsters.

Coaching

We offer inline skating, scooter riding, skateboarding and BMX coaching sessions tailored for all abilities, from the complete beginner to the more advanced. Maybe you would like a birthday party with a twist? Or something a bit different at your corporate event? Get in touch to get a Wheels Extreme coaching session at a venue of your choice.

Schools

Do you have a group of pupils that need re-engaging back into education? Maybe they are underachieving or on the verge of exclusion and need some motivation to get back on track? We offer a range of personal and social development programmes at Wheels Extreme to provide your students with the level of support required.

Community

Sport is a fantastic tool to engage young people in their local communities and build community cohesion and social capital. We offer a range of personal and social development programmes for 16-25 year olds in the community, combining extreme sports with employability skills development. Get in touch to find out more.

Public Speaking

Do you need a Guest Speaker at your upcoming presentation or celebration evening? Both Jenna and Neil have inspirational stories that will inspire and motivate your audience.

Fitness

Our popular ‘Girls Only’ Rolla Fitness sessions provides a fun way to get fit on skates! Did you know that inline skating burns more calories than any other cardiovascular workout out there and, when compared to running, causes less than 50 per cent of the impact shock to joints? Get in touch to find out where your next local Rolla Fitness session is taking place!

Workshops

Our workshops are aimed at character building, specifically developing team work, resilience, self confidence and communication skills. Get in touch to find out more of what we can offer.

TESTIMONIALS

“Wheels Extreme met all of our expectations and more. They came highly commended from another project that they had worked on and we brought them in to try and engage a group of youngsters in Yr 9 with low aspirations and behavioural issues. Jenna and Neil provide an inspiration to the youngsters as both share the numerable barriers that they have encountered in their own lives, whilst training the youngsters to be mentors for other students. There has already been a real positive shift in attitude from most of the youngsters involved but the real value will come in embedding the mentoring programme in the school. We can’t recommend Wheels Extreme, Neil and Jenna highly enough and we are already exploring further opportunities to work with them.“

– Jamie MacDonald / Assistant Headteacher at Ysgol Clywedog

“Jenna and Neil are simply inspirational people. Wheels Extreme have worked effectively with selected groups of our pupils this year to maximize the impact of our pupil premium funding by promoting the personal development, behaviour and welfare of the individuals involved. The pupils all have moderate learning difficulties or autism and are in need of that extra something to boost their confidence and self-esteem and make them behave in a positive way towards others. The sessions with Wheels Extreme have fully met the brief, the pupils cannot wait for the next sessions. Jenna and Neil have helped the pupils to recognise their strengths and become mentors and role models in their own right by delivering projects for the local community from ‘snow angels’ to boccia activities for the elderly. I cannot recommend the highly enough.”
– Dan Keefe / Deputy Head and Director of Sport, Clare Mount Specialist Sports College