Mr Malcolm, who is best known for being one of the fastest bowlers of his generation, played in 40 Test Matches and 10 One Day Internationals as part of the England Cricket Team, as well as playing for Derbyshire, Northamptonshire and Leicestershire during his 20-year career.

He said: “Health and fitness is of paramount importance for all of us. In order to live healthy and active lives, both physically and mentally, we should all exercise regularly.

"It is incredible to see this school investing in such brilliant facilities for its students and encouraging positive attitudes to fitness. I can see that this space will bring countless benefits for so many young people over the coming years, as well as supporting those students who may wish to pursue a professional career in sport in the future."  

Thanks to the support of the Guilsborough Multi Academy Trust, Guilsborough Academy's Fitness Suite features high specification gym equipment including treadmills, exercise bikes, rowing machines and weights that will be used by students of all year groups during PE lessons. Staff will be on hand to show students how to use the equipment safely, in order to contribute to everyday fitness, as well as providing specific strength and conditioning training for the Academy's sports teams and aspiring athletes. 

The state-of-the-art facilities will also be available for Sixth Form students to use after school and plans are also in place for staff to make use of the space as part of Guilsborough Academy's commitment to staff wellbeing. 

In 2020, Guilsborough Academy Trust started work on a major investment programme to improve the facilities for students at Guilsborough. Since then, £2 million has been invested in a new Business, Economics, Psychology and Sociology Centre, as well as new changing rooms, a fitness suite, a new ICT room and a new Food and Nutrition room.  A brand-new Sixth Form Centre will also officially open next term.

Simon Frazer, Principal at Guilsborough Academy, said: “On behalf of everyone at Guilsborough Academy, I would like to thank Devon Malcolm for joining us to open these amazing facilities and for inspiring our students that met him today.

"This is a really exciting time for everyone at Guilsborough Academy, as we begin to reap the benefits of the significant investment that has been made into our campus, opening up so many wonderful learning spaces and facilities for our students.  My heartfelt thanks go to our governors and directors of the Guilsborough Multi Academy Trust, who have made all of this possible."