Graves Tennis and Leisure Centre in Sheffield is to become one of three regional headquarters of the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine.

The Graves HQ will be supported by three other, smaller hubs in the north, west and east of the city and work is underway to finalise the locations.

Sheffield’s 2012 legacy centre aims to drive forward the physical activity and health legacy following the London 2012 Games.

The Government has allocated £10m to develop the Sheffield project as part of its £30m investment in the National Centre.

The plan for Graves includes proposals for a replacement swimming pool, additional tennis courts, gymnastics and outdoor football, an extended fitness facility and associated health, rehabilitation and research services.

The centre will promote physical activity and educate the public on improving health and productivity.

The National Centre has committed £5m to the Graves scheme and partners are now seeking match funding to complete the £10m-plus funding package. If all funding is secured, work will begin on site in late 2013.

Sheffield Hallam University and University of Sheffield, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield City Council, Sheffield International Venues, NHS Sheffield, Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, English Institute of Sport and voluntary sector will all be involved in the centre.

Steve Brailey, chief executive of Sheffield International Venues, which operates Graves, said: “We are delighted that Sheffield is one of the three hubs of the national centre. It is a great opportunity for us to really help improve the health of the people of Sheffield and the Centre will integrate into the sports facilities at Graves to deliver a unique service.

“We all know about rising levels of obesity and physical inactivity and Sheffield will be at the leading edge of the national effort to tackle these hugely important issues.”

The National Centre brings together health, academic and research partners in the three locations to tackle major healthcare issues affecting the population.

These include chronic long-term conditions such as obesity and musculoskeletal disorders.