About Us

• two community members who are users of OCLL’s facilities,
• three employee members elected by the employee members,
• two representatives of the voluntary sector,
• one representative of the sports sector,
• one representative of the health sector,
• one representative of the crime prevention sector,
• one representative of the business sector,
• two representatives of Oldham Council,
• two co-opted members,
• Company Secretary,
• OCL Chief Executive.

What does OCL do?
The company is responsible for the management, operation and development of fourteen Sports Centres/Swimming Pools and Synthetic Pitches in Oldham. In addition OCL is responsible for the Bishop Park Pitch and Putt and the bookings of grass pitches and playing fields in the district.

Since it was formed on 17th November 2002 OCL has operated the facilities in partnership with other agencies to improve the health, well being, and physical activity for the people of Oldham. 

The management team have continued to work hard with partners to secure additional funding to improve the leisure stock within Oldham.  From small beginnings OCL has:

• replaced the bowling green carpet at Oldham Sports Centre,
• refurbished the café at Oldham Sports Centre, 
• replaced the fitness equipment at all its sites,
• replaced the synthetic pitches at Chapel Road and Royton and Crompton,
• significantly invested in the Saddleworth complex.  Saddleworth saw £2m being invested to create a 55 station fitness suite and dance studio and three small sided 3G pitches.

In November 2009 the Chadderton Wellbeing Centre opened including a new swimming pool, 55 station gym and dance studio.

The annually reviewed Strategic Performance Plan (SPP)is now embedded in the culture of OCL  and focuses on:

• continuous improvement in quality service delivery,
• the need to improve the health of Oldhamers,
• breaking down barriers in communities,
•  offering health and physical activity to target groups in the community.

OCL has a Mission Statement of:
“a community more active more often”

Our vision is to create an environment in which sport, active recreation and leisure are integrated into the lifestyle of all Oldham citizens, in order that community cohesion and health benefits are continually improving.

Sport, leisure and active recreational activity will be used as an essential component in supporting and developing the infrastructure of the community and to improve the quality of life both physically and mentally.  We will actively work with partner organisations in order to facilitate this development through a better understanding of the issues and a sharing of resources to achieve success.

The values of our organisation will be based on the concept of continuous improvement. This will be achieved through the use of external quality recognition schemes including Investors in People and Quest for Facility Management (Based on the European Business
Excellence Model).

OCL will seek to provide best value in delivering services for which it is responsible. It will deliver its core themes of Health, Adult, Young People and Families, Community Cohesion, the Environment and Quality of life in a context of sustainability, accountability, flexibility
and innovation.

In order to achieve this mission, representatives of the key stakeholders in OCL, The Management Committee, the management, staff and partners have worked together meeting annually to create a Strategic Performance Plan on which the Company and its Employees can focus on.

We are governed strategically by a board of directors who are appointed annually. They meet 6 times a year including the AGM which is open to shareholders to receive the annual report, the accounts and to vote the directors onto the board.

To attend the meetings individuals are required to purchase a share.  Shares are available on a non redeemable, non transferable preference share costing £20 and available by emailing info@ocll.co.uk .

Becoming a member
Membership is open to anybody who is 16 or over, and who is employed by OCL (employee members) or who uses OCL facilities or has an interest in sport and leisure (community members). Young people who are under 16 but over 12 can become Associate members.  They can join by filling in an application form and paying £1 for a share.

Members can attend members meetings, receive information about OCL, vote in the election of Board Members, seek nomination for serving on the Board, and take part in the other member activities which OCL provides.

OCL is committed to a number of things, for example carrying on its business for the benefit of the community, retaining (and not distributing) its profits, respecting the rights of people and openness in the way it conducts its affairs.

Current Board Directors:

Jamie Edwards (Chair - Business sector)
A leading peak performance coach who helps athletes, coaches and organisations create the results they aspire to by "Thinking Differently". His work has been tested at the highest levels of sport such as the Rugby World Cup, the Ashes, Ryder Cup, World Cup Skiing, Extreme Sports and the Premiership and provides mental training for the All England Tennis Club and other noted performance academies such as PGA of GB, Sweden & St Andrews.

In the business arena Jamie works with a select number of Managing Director’s and Senior Executives to assist with raising their own game beyond the norm.

Tony Smith (Vice Chair - Community Sector) 

Nigel Harrison (Sports Sector)

He expresses his Interests in any sport but particularly in football which he enjoys both playing and watching. In his spare time he undertakes voluntary work within the local community supporting local grassroots clubs in South Manchester with their development.

Mohammed Rahiem (Voluntary sector)
Mohammed Rahiem has been involved with many notable oganisations within the local community including being the lead officer for the OMBC race hate forum. Other bodies include Community Sports development officer for Glodwick SRB and Regional Sports
Development Manager, North of England – Sporting Equals Ltd. Rahiem is the managing director of PS Events Ltd. His contribution to the Oldham Community Leisure board will be drawing on my experience of working with so many different organizations and understanding the needs of the community I serve.

Councillor John McCann (Council representative)
New assignment - details to follow