Christmas comes early with County Sports Partnership new look website

 

Santa has come earlier to Sport Across Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent and delivered a brand ‘new look’ website.  Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of an information network that attracts over 15,000 individual user hits a year. Why not use our website to promote sport, activities, clubs, coaching and volunteering opportunities.  Or what about local sports events, news, jobs and much more?

 

If you are interested in placing information on our website ( www.sportacrossstaffordshire.co.uk ) please click here or alternatively telephone 01785 619349.

 

Naomi Bird
Research & Marketing Officer
T: 01785 619585
E: nbird@staffordbc.gov.uk

 

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Olympic medallist joins County Sports Partnership team

The team, dedicated to boosting sport and physical activity across Staffordshire, has pulled off a major coup after adding a five-time Olympian to their ranks.  Olympic medallist Alison Williamson has taken up a role with Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.  The former world number one has represented her country at five Olympics - winning bronze at Athens in 2004. She was also part of the Great Britain team in Beijing earlier this year.

 

Alison Williamson at Beijing

Wolverhampton-based Williamson, 37, took on the role as Active Recreation Manager on 16^th December that will see her helping develop sports and physical activity opportunities for people across Staffordshire.  Williamsons’ international career has spanned more than 20 years in which time she has also been World and European silver medallist. She plays an active role behind the scenes of her sport and is currently the Chair of the International Federation’s Athletes’ Commission.

Alison said: "I am extremely pleased to have been appointed as the Active Recreation Manager for Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.  It is a very exciting opportunity for me to be able to assist and support SASSOT partners and people within their local communities to become more energized, active and healthier through sport and physical activity.  Prior to working for SASSOT, I was training full-time as a member of the British Archery team.  I have been competing internationally for twenty years and have represented Team GB at the past five Olympics.  The pinnacle of my career so far was winning a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic games in Athens. 

 

"I started my ‘full-time’ Beijing Olympic training in 2006, but prior to this I was working as a full-time teacher at Marian Vian primary school in south-east London.  I really enjoyed all aspects of the job and would encourage the children to participate in all different types of sport and physical activity.  Through teaching I was able to undertake a number of coaching courses in a variety of different sports including volleyball, netball, basketball and athletics.  For the past two years I have been a member of Team B & Q promoting their projects in the local communities and mentoring aspiring Olympians, and prior to teaching I worked for two years at the sports management agency, Nuff Respect, based in Twickenham.

 

"I am a member of Wolverhampton and Bilston Athletics Club and often run in local road races and I am planning on entering the Stafford half-marathon in the spring.  I still get to train with my team-mates on Monday and Wednesday mornings at the High Performance Centre at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham and am planning on competing at the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and the Olympic Games in 2012."

 

Partnership Director, Mark Thornewill, said: "It is great to know the work the partnership is doing to boost sport across the county can attract someone with Miss Williamson’s talent. She has been a big name on both the national and world stage and her experience will be invaluable to us and the role she will be performing."

 

Alison's contact details are:

 

Alison Williamson
Active Recreation Manager
T: 01785 619695
M: 07800 619695
E: awilliamson@staffordbc.gov.uk

 

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Train to Gain

Train to Gain is an initiative to raise the skill levels of people who are in work but do not already hold at least one Level 2 qualification. The aim of the initiative is to have all skilled employees trained to a minimum of a Level 2 certificate.  There are also opportunities for employees to gain a range of qualifications up to Level 3.

Those who sign up to the initiative will receive a free needs analysis for their business and will be given advice on qualifications, training providers and ways to pay.  There is a whole range of funding available including; free training to help your employees gain their first full level 2 qualification, a wide range of free training for low skilled employees, the possibility of a contribution to wage costs to cover the cost of the time spent in training and additional funding support from the County Sports Partnership.

 

We are holding a free Train to Gain event on 4^th Feb 09 at the Britannia stadium in Stoke.  It is aimed at Sports organisations across Staffordshire and we are hoping to attract as many as possible to take advantage of this training opportunity.

 

To register your interest in attending the event or if you have any questions about Train to Gain please contact:

 

Andy King
Acting Workforce Development Officer
T: 01785 619317
E: aking@staffordbc.gov.uk

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Workshops

The SASSOT website is now up-to-date with details of the Education & Training Programme for 2009. If you need to discuss any workshop, please contact Kam Webster on the contact number below.

We are currently working to produce a detailed programme that will contain information on the above, and much more with regards to areas related to Coaches and Volunteers.

Please note that an “Analyse Your Coaching” workshop is planned for the 19^th January 2009 at Cannock.  Bookings, to-date, have been slow which may result in the workshop having to be cancelled; so if you are interested in attending, please contact Kam on the number below.

As always we do advise that as some sports have more stringent First Aid requirements for Clubmark and coaching purposes, all delegates should check with their NGB before enrolling on these workshops in order to avoid disappointment after the event.  


Please be advised that in cases of cancellations, a 5 working day notice period is required.  Delegates can opt to change to another workshop or alternatively send another representative.


If you find that you cannot attend the workshops we have planned, contact Kam and she may be able to help you find alternatives.

For more information please click here 

Kam Webster
Education and Training Officer
Tel: 01785 619695
Email: sassotadmin@staffordbc.gov.uk

 

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Thanks to the success of inspirational projects that have gone through this funding scheme, the County Sports Partnership is making a further £5,000 available for individual awards of up to £500 through its ACCESS Across Staffordshire scheme. 

This funding scheme is designed to support projects which enable widened access to sport for the county’s under-represented groups including:  

• Women and Girls
• Disabled People
• Black Minority Ethnic Communities
• Low Socio-Economic Groups

The fund is open to Local Authorities and National Governing Bodies of Sport who require financial assistance to support or develop a new project which has an equality theme and fits into one of the following categories:

• Widening Access
  Increasing the opportunities for under-represented groups to take part in sport and active recreation
• Learning & Development
  Providing education and training opportunities to address skills gaps in the workforce
• Raising Awareness and Creating Sustainability
  Using effective marketing practice to raise the awareness and profile of sporting activities and opportunities to under-represented groups

 

The partnership has already awarded £10,000 to various projects across the county and would now like to encourage similar projects that focus on improving accessibility to sport and active recreation to submit applications.  The closing date, for this fifth round of applications is 11^th February 2009.

 

How to apply

For more information view the Guidance Notes and click here for an application form.

 

For more information contact:
Naomi Bird
Tel: 01785 619585
Email: nbird@staffordbc.gov.uk 

 

 

 

Sir Trevor Brooking visited Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Sports College to officially open its new sports facilities. He unveiled the centre at 11.15am on Wednesday 3rd December at Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Sports College, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, DE15 9SD.

 

Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Sports College was awarded £1.5m from various sporting organisations towards developing new state-of-the-art sports facilities, which will benefit pupils and local people alike.

 

The facilities at the site that Sir Trevor unveiled include:

• a brand new full sized 3G artificial grass pitch with floodlights and fencing
• a new changing block with 8 changing rooms, 2 officials rooms, MI room, and disabled facilities
• a coach education room and office space
• a refurbished sports hall, with a new adjoining community room, office and reception

The Football Foundation, the UK’s largest sports charity, awarded a grant of £800,000 to this project. As part of the application to the Football Foundation, the school produced a comprehensive football development plan in partnership with Staffs FA, East Staffs Borough Council, East Staffs School Sport Partnership and clubs representing Burton Junior Football League. This plan will support the development of grass roots football and has key areas to target e.g. provision of exit routes for school age pupils into local football clubs, social inclusion, women and girls’ development, training/education and health.

 

Sir Trevor Brooking, Director of Football Development, The FA commented: “This successful project is a great incentive and encouragement for pupils at Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Sports College and also the wider community to achieve their highest goals in the field of sports. One area of focus for me ,within my role at The FA, is skills development in the younger age groups and these facilities will provide a quality and safe environment in which to deliver fun and engaging sports activity. 

 

Sir Trevor went on to say, “The commitment and partnership shown by the school, the Local Authority, volunteers and investing partners to provide good facilities and therefore opportunities is at the very heart of the ethos at the Football Foundation, and I have no doubt that the benefit of this new provision will be felt throughout the community”.

 

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “The increased capacity at these outstanding new facilities at Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Sports College will provide far more opportunities for pupils and local people to play sport and stay fit. I am delighted that the Football Foundation is funding the new facilities with a grant of nearly £800,000.

 

“It is thanks to the investment by our funding partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – that the Football Foundation exists to support projects such as this one in Burton on Trent. I also want to acknowledge the Staffordshire County FA’s role in enabling the football part of this development to happen.”

 

Pictured above left to right: Andy Weston, County Development Manager - Staffordshire FA, Sir Trevor Brooking CBE, Director of Football Development, The FA, Eamonn Farrel, Regional Facilities Manager, The FA

Robert Sutton, a Catholic Sports College, is a caring, high achieving school which embraces the work hard and play hard mentality. The school firmly believes that dedicating more time to PE and sport significantly improves overall achievement.

 

The school also secured an award of £160,003 towards the cost of the pitch from the Community Investment Fund; National Lottery funding that is distributed by Sport England. This money has been used to enhance the project in a number of ways, most significantly allowing the astro-turf carpet to be upgraded to accommodate multi-sports, including hockey. Other funding organisations who kindly contributed to this project were Staffordshire Environmental Fund and Burton Consolidated Charities.  

 

A second award from Sport England’s Community Club Develop Programme (CCDP) of £350,000, was made towards the refurbishment of the sports hall, building of a community room and other ancillary rooms. This facility will become a regional centre of excellence for table tennis and become the home of Burton Uxbridge Table Tennis Club.

 

Steve Town, Regional Director, Sport England, said: “The new sports facilities on the school site will make a real difference to the local community and local sports clubs, as well as enhancing the sporting experience for all the school’s students. I congratulate everyone involved the project and look forward to hearing of their sporting achievements.”  

 

Pictured above from left to right: Diccon Gray, National Development Manager, ETTA, Chris Newton, Chairman, Burton Uxbridge Table Tennis Club, Sir Trevor Brooking CBE, Director of Football Development, The FA, Tony Downey, Headteacher, Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Sports College, Eileen Shaler, ETTC, Vice Chair – Development, Julie-Anne Weir, Director of Specialism,  Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Sports College   
 

Tony Downey, Headteacher of Robert Sutton, said: “These new facilities will ensure PE and sport is played in first class surroundings. Enhanced facilities will enable a significant increase in sports participation. We are ambitious for the future and look forward to more developments.”

For more information contact:

 

Julie-Anne Weir
Assistant Head/Director of Specialism
Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Sports College
T: 01283 749463 
E: pe@robertsutton.staffs.sch.uk

 

 

Young people representing Staffordshire’s Youth Parliament and Youth Forum joined fellow young people from the West Midlands Youth Parliament (WMYP) to meet Sebastian Coe, the double gold winning Olympic medallist and Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) on 8 December as he made a return visit to the region.

 

Hosted by the West Midlands Leadership Group for the 2012 Games, the event provided an opportunity for these young people to not only meet with Sebastian Coe but to ask him questions directly about the opportunities the Games will offer young people in the West Midlands. 

 

Questions ranged from whether the 2012 Games would deliver new sporting facilities for young people in the region, to how talented sportsmen and women could go about obtaining funding or sponsorship for training.

 

Staffordshire Youth Parliament member Caitlen Moon and Staffordshire Youth Forum Members, Joe Loverock, Zoe Shipley, Lewis Stone and Charlotte Aspley were present and also took part in a session led by Chris James, 18, who is WMYP’s representative on the West Midlands Leadership Group for the 2012 Games and Bethan Dovey, 16, Chair of the WMYP.

Seb Coe to the West Midlands, where he met with Staffordshire Youth Parliament Member Caitlen Moon and fellow Staffordshire Youth Forum among other West Midlands Youth Parliament members.
Picture courtesy of: photographer Adrian Burrows

County Councillor Maureen Compton, one of the Staffordshire representatives on the West Midlands Leadership Group for the 2012 Games said: “We are working with our partners across the region to engage local communities in the spirit of the 2012 Games.  The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent 2012 Steering Group are planning to work closely with these young people in developing and delivering the opportunities from the 2012 Games”.

 

Caitlin Moon, Staffordshire Youth Parliament member said: "It was an amazing opportunity to be able to meet the 2012 decision makers and to find out how the Olympics will affect young people in the West Midlands. I personally enjoyed being able to question the committee on key factors that will affect the London 2012 games".

 

Caitlin added: “I asked a question about making the games the first Fairtrade Olympics, so ensuring everything from the cotton in Volunteer's t-shirts to the food sold at food stalls is fairly traded. I feel that the Olympic Games should be ethical and there are many people who benefit from producing fairly traded products”.

 

After meeting with the young people, Sebastian Coe went on to visit two of the region’s newest sporting facilities, the Gymnastics and Martial Arts Centre (GMAC) in Birmingham and the Xcel Leisure Centre in Coventry.  He also pledged his support for the National Charter of Rights for Disabled Children and Young People, led by Wolverhampton based charity, Include Me TOO.

 

For more information contact:

Steph Newport
Communications and Marketing Officer
Staffordshire County Council
T: 01785 278576
M: 07968 214576 
E: steph.newport@staffordshire.gov.uk

 

 

 

Congratulations go to Darren Barton, Community Sports Rowing Coach, who won the Participation Coach of Year award at sportscoach UK's award ceremony, at the Dorchester Hotel in London, on 17 December 2008. 

Simon Dickie, ARA Youth and Community Mananger, said: "I am  really delighted that Darren has won this award. Darren Barton is the Community Sport Coach based in Stoke-on-Trent. He works across a range of schools in the local area, as well as developing mass participation through indoor rowing. His proteges have gone on to win multiple medals at both the British Indoor Championships and the ARA National Championships. Darren is a dedicated and highly professional coach who has inspired the best from adults and young people in his local community".


Gerry Sutcliffe MP, Minister for Sport, praised all coaches and was glad there was a chance for them to be recognised: "Coaches are often the unsung heroes of sport, working tirelessly to help sportsmen and women achieve their best and win medals or trophies."


"The UK Coaching Awards recognises the achievements of coaches across the sports spectrum, from grass roots to elite level. It's an opportunity for coaches to pat themselves on the back following a phenomenal year, not least for the success Team GB enjoyed in Beijing, but also for those that have helped moved things forward in school and community sport."

Darren was a founder member of Trentham Boat Club in the summer of 2004. To read his article about the British Indoor Rowing Championships held at the NIA. Click here.

 

 

Cheadle C.C appointed Staffordshire Cricket Showcase Club

 

Staffordshire Cricket is delighted to announce that Cheadle C.C has been awarded showcase club status for NatWest CricketForce 2009.
In a national event designed to gain help from local businesses and volunteer help to improve cricket clubs’ facilities, Staffordshire have had a selection process which has seen the Staffordshire Moorlands club given the award.

Cheadle will be expected to gain help from hundreds of volunteers as they bid to improve the facilities for the many junior and senior players currently using the facilities.

Nationally, 2008 saw over 85,000 volunteers take part in NatWest CricketForce raising over£35 million of in kind help to the 1,350 clubs that registered. The ECB seek five clubs to take part as showcase clubs but 2009 is the first year Staffordshire Cricket has appointed it’s own showcase club.

The event will take place on the weekend of 28/29th March 2009 at Cheadle Cricket Club.

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Coaching Courses - PLACES AVAILABLE
 

Advice to all clubs that we still have places available on the following courses :

Level 1
Wolverhampton Girls High School
14/21/28 Jan-4/11/25 Feb

Leek High School
7/8/22 Feb

Oldbury Sports College
14/15/29 March

Level 2
Stafford Grammar School
28 Feb-1/7/8 March

For Further information and application form please contact Andy Grice below or see the coach education page.
andy.grice@ecb.co.uk

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Sky Sports Coach Awards 2009

Sky Sports sponsorship of ECB Coach Education once again allows the ECB Coaches Association to identify nominations for the annual Sky Sports Coach Awards. Now entering their third year, the awards are a way of saying thank you to people who have made a significant contribution to the support and development of coaches and coaching in cricket.

As in 2008, County Coaches Associations are invited to nominate 1 person from their county for each category. There will again be three categories for 2009, “Outstanding Contribution and Services to Cricket Coaching”, “Outstanding Coaching Achievement” and “Young Coach of the Year”

The county winners for “Outstanding Contribution and Services to Cricket Coaching” and “Outstanding Coaching Achievement” (40 from each category nationally – 80 overall) will be invited to attend an International Cricket Match where they will be hosted for the day, receive specially designed Reward and Recognition clothing and will be presented with their awards during an on pitch presentation. The county winners of “Young Coach of the Year” will be invited to attend a coaching day, details of which are still to be finalised.  

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Coalfields Regeneration Grants Available NOW

 

Can your club act quickly for up to £10,000?
Are you in a Coalfield Regeneration area?

If you are, the Coalfields Regeneration could help your Club through through the 'Bridging the Gap' Fund.
The fund is available for capital expenditure, coaching, refurbishment or new machinery as well as other things.

To qualify, you must be in a coalface poverty area or draw at least 50% of your member base from there.
You must also not take over £100,000 income in a year and your project needs to be in before xmas.
Areas That can be helped include
* Lots of Stoke-on-Trent
* The middle parts of Newcastle-Under-Lyme
* Barlaston and Oulton
* Most of Cannock Chase
* Parts of Lichfield inc Kings Bromley and Armitage
* Most of Tamworth

Further information can be gained from Andy Grice andy.grice@ecb.co.uk or 07831 158522.
For severe poverty areas there is also a main grants programme with up to £40,000 available if your application can be done by early January 2009.  

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For more information on the above articles view the December Edition of the Staffordshire Cricket Newsletter here.

 

For further information concerning Staffordshire Cricket please contact Andy Grice:

Email: andy.grice@ecb.co.uk
Tel: 07831 158522.

 

 

Shropshire Football Association hosted the regional event for this ever-growing sport at the new Shrewsbury Sports Village.  This was the first tournament of its kind in the country and its excellent organisation and delivery resulted in the Vice-Chairman of The FA’s Small Sided Committee (and Chief Executive for the Staffs FA), Brian Adshead, announcing the Sports Village as hosts for the 2009 Midlands Regional Futsal League. 

 

Organised by the Shropshire FA Football Development Team, the all-day event saw teams from all five counties of the West Midlands – Shropshire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire, Birmingham and Worcester competing at both Adult and Junior level.

 

The day kicked off with the U12 Boys Tournament followed by the U12 Girls. This gave the teams a taste of competition within the sport at regional level.  Staffordshire were represented by Cheadle High School in the U12 Boys category and Wolstanton High School in the U12 Girls category.

 

The boys from Cheadle High School gave an excellent account of themselves in a format of the game which was very new to their staff and players alike, and the girls at Wolstanton High School exceeded all expectations by winning all 4 of their games, scoring 14 goals and conceding only 1 on their way to lifting this prestigious trophy – a fantastic achievement for the school, and their teacher Danny Robb, who have really embraced the game of Futsal and regularly deliver it in both the curriculum and out of school hours.

Pictured above are the victorious team from Wolstanton High School celebrating their success at the inaugural Regional Futsal Tournament.

Shropshire came out on top in the men’s competition as The New Saints of Oswestry Futsal Club beat Team Birmingham in their final game; the New Saints will now be hoping to make the most of the home advantage in the Regional League starting in early 2009. The Staffordshire men’s team was made up of Partnership Development Managers from Sports Colleges within Staffordshire, along with other key personnel who will hopefully help to promote the game of Futsal throughout schools across Staffordshire now they have experienced this exciting format of the game first hand!

 

For further information on the game of Futsal, including Futsal initiatives within Staffordshire, please contact Gareth Thomas at the Staffordshire FA for further information on  

Gareth Thomas
Football Development Officer
Staffordshire FA
T: 01785 256994 (Option 2)
M: 07815 295723
E: Gareth.Thomas@staffordshirefa.com

 

 

The aim of the evening was to reward the Clubs, Schools and Volunteers in Staffordshire who have gained the Charter Standard Award, and to continue to raise the profile of the scheme in the County. The Awards evening also provides the Staffordshire Football Association with the opportunity to reward some of the dedicated ‘Football Workforce’ from around the County who volunteer so much of their time to raising the standards within grassroots football.

 

Listed below are the individuals and organisations that picked up an Award on the evening for their hard work during the 2007/08 season. 

CLUB Awards: Club Adult Club         Development Club Community Club Coach Administrator

Bradwell Bombers FC Brocton FC Pelsall Villa Colts FC Cheadle Town Juniors FC Paul Agnew June Smith

(Newcastle) (Stafford) (Walsall) (Staffordshire Moorlands) (Whittington FC) (Stafford Soccer School)

SCHOOLS Awards: Primary Development Secondary Secondary Dev. Special School  Sports College

St. Joseph’s Primary School Cheadle High School James Brindley High School Walton Hall Special School Chasetown Sports College

(Rugeley) (Staffordshire Moorlands) (Stoke on Trent) (Stafford) (Chasetown)

WORKFORCE Awards: John Condron    Peter Fisher Paul Griffiths Daz Hodgkiss Paul Sherratt

Betley FC Brereton Social FC PRD United FC Pelsall Villa Colts FC Florence FC

(Newcastle) (Rugeley) (Wolverhampton) (Walsall) (Stoke on Trent)

WORKFORCE Award (Young Person):

Ross Everton-Doyle - Whittington FC - (Lichfield)

West Midlands REGIONAL Award:

Coach - Paul Agnew - (Whittington FC)

 

The Staffordshire FA were delighted to present Paul Agnew, of Whittington Football Club, with the ‘West Midlands Regional Award’ for Charter Standard Coach of the Year. This prestigious award was not only a fantastic achievement for Paul and Whittington FC, but also great recognition for grassroots football in Staffordshire.

Pictured above is Paul Agnew from Whittington Football Club, receiving the ‘West Midlands Regional Award’ for Charter Standard Coach of the Year, for Season 2007/08. Presenting the Award to Paul is Mike Stokes, Chairman of the Staffordshire FA Football Development Committee, and Charter Standard Working Party.

 

 

For further information on the Charter Standard scheme, please contact Gareth Thomas at the Staffordshire FA on 01785 256994 or at gareth.thomas@staffordshirefa.com

 

 

Back2Netball is a project aimed at women who would like to get back into sport. Women often lose touch with sport after leaving school, pursuing a career and having a family, but now there’s the opportunity to get back into sport and why not do this by getting involved in NETBALL!

 

Netball is a great female sport, which caters for all ages and abilities. It’s a great form of exercise, which uses both the upper and lower body. You are a part of a team and it’s a great way to meet new people.

 

You can come and try the new Back2Netball taster sessions at Shobnall Sports Complex, Burton upon Trent. The sessions will be lead by a qualified coach and the emphasis will be on fun and getting back into netball.

 

 

Sessions are as follows:

Shobnall Sports Complex, Burton upon Trent
Time: 8.00pm – 8.50pm

 

Week 1 - Wednesday 28^th January 2009 
Week 2 - Wednesday 4^th February 2009         Week 3 - Wednesday 11^th February 2009
Week 4 - Wednesday 18^th February 2009      Week 5 - Wednesday 25^th February 2009

 

All five sessions are FREE!

 

No previous experience necessary!

 

Participants should wear suitable clothing and bring a bottle of water.

 

 

For more information contact:

 

Emma Warren
Netball Development Officer
Sport Across Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent/
Black Country Sports

T: 01785 619605
M: 07800 619605
E: ewarren@staffordbc.gov.uk

 

 

For the fifth year running SRA/Trentham Boat Club attended the British Indoor Rowing Championships held at the NIA.  A little earlier than in previous years, so less time to prepare and get people involved, but we still managed to fill a 57 seater coach with children who wanted to take part; some new to the experience others you would say were like veterans with this being their 4^th time.


Sunday 26th October, 2008 was a fantastic day with non-stop racing from 9am-5pm with plenty of things to do in the competitor’s area like shops and games to keep everybody occupied. 


SRA/Trentham Boat Club's races started at 11.30am, which allowed plenty of time to get prepared after arriving. Children took part in almost every event; starting off from Year 7 J12 category they had to race for 2 minutes to try and get as many meters as possible. Year 8, 3mins and so on until Year 11 where they had to race the full distance of 2,000 meters.  Children were involved in team events to; this involved a team of 4 all rowing together over a certain distance, Year 7s 500m each, Year 9s 750m and Years 10 & 11 1,000m.


As a group, there were some amazing performances, mainly all getting a personal best.  Picking up a total of 21 medals in the team events and breaking championship records.  Poppy Emery achieved 4^th place out of 68 participants and was only 4 meters off 1^st place.  Lee Harrison, 5^th place out of 79 only 3 meters off bronze position.

Team Results

Gold and championship record Girls J14 event
Nicole Stevenson, Emily Butler, Eleanor Thomas, Becky Dell.
Gold Boys J14 event Matthew Fair, Joe Anderson, Tom Hall, Paddy Brookes
Silver Girls J15 event Tammy Bloor, Charlotte Mycock, Laura Cruxton, Lucy Cruxton
Silver Girls J12 event Carrie Lanceley, Jodie Tipper, Natalie Nixon, Francisca Ponce
Sliver Boys J12 event Ben Evans, Ryan Dennis, Dan Meakin, Ryan Harrison

Lee Harrison joined forces with 3 other lads around the country, who called themselves the oarsome foursome quite fitting really as they grabbed another team gold to go with the one they claimed last year.


With a total of 49 juniors racing this was a fantastic display of team work. Three schools took part this year; Trentham High School, St. Peter's High and St. Joseph's College.


Thanks go to Alan Renoylds, Gemma Lovatt and Sarah Butler who all helped throughout the day by getting children through the warm up and being with them in the holding bay.

  

British Indoor Rowing Record Holders Girls J14 Team Event 2008
Emily Butler, Eleanor Thomas, Becky Dell, Nicole Stevenson

The next indoor rowing event will be the English Championships held at The National Valodrome Centre in Manchester on the 8^th February 2009. Fingers crossed for another great day of racing.

 

For more information contact:

Darren Barton
Community Sports Rowing Coach - Stoke on Trent
M: 07813 911998

 

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Stop Press...Stop Press...Stop Press

Congratulations go to Darren Barton, Community Sports Rowing Coach, who won the Participation Coach of Year award at sportscoach UK's award ceremony, at the Dorchester Hotel in London, on 17 December 2008. 

To read more about the prestigious award and Darren's recognition click here.

 

 

 

Work has started on building a new watersports facility at Trentham that is due to be completed in early March. The £350k building, within the Trentham Estate, will be home to Trentham Watersports Association and includes Trentham Boat Club, Trentham Canoe Club and Eccleshall Scouts. The building has been principally funded from two Sport England programmes, the Community Club Development Programme, a Government funded programme, and the Community Investment Fund, the National Lottery fund for sport. Other funding was provided by the Staffordshire Environmental Fund and Eccleshall Scouts, as well as other fundraising activities.

 

 

The community facility will be located at the south end of Trentham Lake and will comprise of increased boat storage for canoes, kayaks and rowing boats, as well as changing and meeting rooms. The TWA are still seeking grants and sponsorship to fit out the interior of the boathouse for such things as specialist racking, floating pontoons, and teaching aids.

 

Already over 1000 participants a year benefit from the club’s current facilities and with the new building, the clubs hope to build on their success, retaining many of the people that come to try canoeing and rowing as regular members.

 

For more information please contact Ruth Holdway by emailing ruthholdway@hotmail.com

 

 

On the 12^th November, at Lichfield RUFC, 15 schools from Staffordshire took part in the HSBC Year 8 Rugby Festival with Weston Road School, Stafford crowned Champions and 16 teams from the County took part in the Year 9 Festival, with Barr Beacon School running out winners.

 

The HSBC School Rugby Festivals are aimed at grass roots rugby, they form a clear pathway enabling greater success for non established schools to play more regular appropriate competitions.
Staffordshire staged their Year 8 and 9 Competitions at Lichfield RUFC with 15 schools taking part in the Year 8 festival from across the County, all schools played their pool games with the top 4 teams progressing to the semi finals which saw Walton Priory lose 2-1 to Weston Road and St Edward's Middle School beat King Edward's, Stafford 2 -1.  In the final, after some tremendous rugby, Weston Road were crowned winners defeating St Edward's Middle School 3- 0.
In the Year 9 competition, 16 teams contested the title; after some hard fought pool games the semi finals saw Weston Road lose 2-1 to Walton High School and Barr Beacon comfortably beat Kingmead Technical College 5 - 1. The final was a tense affair which saw Barr Beacon come out 2 - 0 Winners against Walton High.
All winners will progress to the HSBC Regional Festival on the 26th March 2009.   For more information please contact : Tom Bartram Staffordshire Rugby Development Officer   Email: tombartram@rfu.com

 

 

 

Nathan Hilton, the Partnership Club Development Coach, has now had the opportunity to visit every swimming club in the partnership and has presented his development plans.   The partnership can now look forward to further swimmer development opportunities for the talented youngsters we have in our clubs.

 

More clubs are achieving Swim 21, the asa accreditation, which will give them access to increased funding opportunities for the development of their teaching/coaching personnel.

 

More work is being undertaken to encourage young people to volunteer within the sport of swimming with the introduction of the Young Aquatic Organiser Award.  This ten hour certificated course for young people aged 14 to 19yrs was first delivered in Lichfield and included a Timekeeping course for the young people.  These young qualified Timekeepers now enjoy using their skills for the benefit of their fellow club members.

 

Any clubs interested in providing this award for their members are to contact:

 

Sheila McLeod

Swimming Development Officer
T: 01785 619693.

M: 07800 619693

E: smcleod@staffordbc.gov.uk

 

 

The second Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent 2012 Conference will take place on Thursday 26 February 2009 at the Britannia Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent followed by the Staffordshire Cultural Conference. 

The event will offer a national and regional perspective on the approach to the opportunities available from the London 2012 Games and will also provide the platform for the launch of the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent 2012 Legacy Action Plan.  The Plan, which has recently completed its consultation phase, highlights how our county can play its part in making the London 2012 Olympic Games a resounding success.

 

The conference will conclude with a series of discussions focusing on local case studies including marketing in the context of the Cultural Olympiad, business intelligence, young people, support for sports clubs and health.

 

Attendance for the conference will be by invitation only, however, if you wish to find out more please contact:

Chris Kirkland
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Co-ordinator for the 2012 Games 
T: 01785 854595 
E: chris.kirkland@staffordshire.gov.uk

 

 

Quarterly figures for Sport England’s quality accreditation scheme for sports clubs with junior sections report a record increase in newly accredited clubs taking the total to 4,700 Clubmark clubs.

 

Clubmark was originally created in 2002. Knight Kavanagh & Page (KKP) was contracted to manage and drive its strategic development and operation in 2006 when the number of accreditations stood at 1,250.

 

Since then, the number of accredited clubs has increased by more than 350%. There are now Clubmark clubs in more than 35 sports; plus a further 4,000 actively working towards achieving this recognised stamp of approval.

 

KKP has, working closely with Sport England, NGBs and CSPs, has taken the raw product and turned Clubmark into a robust, high quality, defensible scheme endorsed by wider stakeholders across the sector.

 

Only clubs affiliated to a Sport England recognised NGB can gain Clubmark accreditation. However, clubs are not disadvantaged simply because the NGB in their sport is not licensed to accredit. A licensed CSP can accredit clubs in its area that belong to a Sport England recognised but not licensed NGB, such as handball, ice hockey and korfball.

 

During November, Sport England awarded three more CSPs a licence to award Clubmark taking the total number of licensed organisations to an astounding 42!!

 

Nottinghamshire County Council is carrying the mantle for the CSP and clubs in the County, working through the licensing process in record time and providing high quality evidence along the way.

 

Clare MacLeod, National Clubmark Manager said, “Each organisation has to provide written evidence of the process that they will follow to support and assess clubs. These are commonly known as “protocols”. Those submitted by Nottinghamshire are as good as I have seen and we shall definitely be sharing these with others as an example of best practice.”

 

Club Development Officer for Nottinghamshire, Anna Quick said “We are really pleased to have not only achieved our licence but also to have accredited our first Clubmark club in such a short space of time.  It is a credit to the members of the Club and Volunteer Development Group, sports development officers and, of course the clubs all working really hard to achieve our goal of getting more clubs with the standard in the county.”

 

Sutton Sting Ice Hockey Club (Sutton in Ashfield) achieved all criteria required to become the first in Nottinghamshire to be awarded Clubmark under the new county licence.

 

Ian Johnson, Club Chairman said “we’ve been wanting to achieve Clubmark for over a year now. We realised this accreditation will open doorways for us to apply for funding and will also give organisations more confidence both to allocate funds and offer us support.  If more ice hockey clubs get this award then the sport will start to get the recognition it deserves. I’m sure this will also apply to other sports receiving the award.”

 

The continued strength of club development in the East has been further cemented by the award of a Clubmark Licence to Active Norfolk – the 4th of 6 CSPs in the region to achieve this.

 

Its workforce development team of Ben Jones and Ian Grange has led the CSP through the licensing process, working closely with two pilot clubs, Acle Indoor Bowls Club and Strikers Ten Pin Bowling of Club, North Walsham to finalise the license award.

 

Acle became the first bowls club to be awarded the coveted Clubmark by Active Norfolk, demonstrating its high quality and the fact that it offers a welcoming, safe environment for young participants.

 

“We have been working hard over the summer period preparing our application for Clubmark and putting everything in place ready for the inspection,” said manager Denis Goodley. “We have always encouraged youngsters into the club and have been rewarded with national championship appearances in junior events.”

 

Another first in Norfolk saw Strikers Ten Pin Bowling Club of North Walsham achieving Clubmark accreditation. Coach Suzanne Benton said “It has been a great experience taking the club through the process, and we’re certainly a stronger organisation as a result. We’re really proud to be the first ten pin bowling club in England to achieve Clubmark, and we hope now to inspire many more to follow in our footsteps”.

 

Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport is also celebrating not only achieving the license to accredit but also the accolade of accrediting Clubmark to the first disability sports club.

 

Burleigh Inclusive Multi Sports Club in Loughborough offers young people with disabilities between the ages of 8 and 19 the opportunity to participate and receive quality coaching in a variety of multi-sport activities. It has been operating for the last 5 years during which it has increased membership and the variety of sports on offer.

 

The CSP has managed a rigorous process to ensure quality at every stage. Natalia Marshall, Sports Development Officer supported the club to ensure that the necessary policies and procedures are in place.

 

The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) has supported the CSP team and the club throughout the process. Emma Gibson, EFDS Club Development Manager has been the driving force behind developing Clubmark for inclusive sports clubs, which were previously unable to benefit from Clubmark as they offered more than one sport.

 

She said, “I am delighted that Burleigh has successfully come through the process and been awarded Clubmark. We have a number of other clubs currently working through the criteria and I hope that they will now follow suit. There are many disability sports clubs operating effectively around the country and the EFDS will support anyone suitable who wishes to go through the Clubmark process.”

 

Andy Reed MP, Chairman of Leicester-Shire and Rutland Sport added “I am delighted that Leicester-Shire and Rutland Sport can now accredit local sports clubs with a Clubmark award.  Burleigh Inclusive Sports Club is the first disability club in the England to have attained Clubmark status, this is a testament to its hard work and innovation in providing high quality opportunities for people with a disability to take part in sport. Leicester-Shire and Rutland Sport has been delighted to support it throughout the accreditation process”.

 

This recent surge in club accreditations and licence awards signifies that the quality base of the scheme is completely embedded with its NGB and CSP partners who recognise the sports development benefits that Clubmark brings.

 

Against the backdrop of policy change and economic uncertainty, the intention is to ensure that Clubmark continues to go from strength to strength. What better legacy could there be from 2012 than a national network of safe, accessible, accredited community clubs offering high quality sporting opportunities for young people?

 

For more details on these newly licensed organisations visit the Clubmark website – www.clubmark.org.uk or contact Clare MacLeod, National Clubmark Manager on  0161 764 7040.

 

 

East Staffordshire Borough Councils ‘Sport in the Hood’ programme went forward as the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent CSP nomination for the BBC Midlands 'Power of Sport' Award earlier this month.

The project, which was put forward by the East Staffs Community Sports Network, was chosen to attend the glitzy BBC Midlands Sports Awards ceremony held at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham on Sunday 7th December.


Sport in the Hood is an all year-round holiday programme that has been providing free sport and physical activities, for 6-16 year olds, over the last 12 years. The programme has grown significantly in the past 2 years to include new venues across East Staffordshire and aims to provide communities with access to high quality sport and physical activity provision from qualified sports coaches and leaders.

 

 

Summer 2008 saw 1,095 young people attend Sport in the Hood sessions. Sport in the Hood works in partnership through the Community Sport Network, East Staffs United, with Community Centres, Youth Service, Parks and Countryside and local sports clubs. Partners are invited to provide alternative activities to traditional sports to help breakdown communication barriers with the other agencies participants coming into contact with Sport in the Hood children during their day-to-day usage of community facilities.

Pictured above: Certificate presentation by Mark Thornewill, SASSOT Director
to East Staffs CSN – East Staffs United

 

Sport in the Hood has also seen a number of former participants progress onto volunteering on the project and are now working as paid casual coaches after completing a number of coaching qualifications, with support of the Sports Development Team. These coaches have now become role models for the 6-16 year olds who attend Sport in the Hood.

Vicki Brearley, Head of Sport, Physical Health & Community Development quoted: “We were absolutely thrilled to be nominated for the award, the impact of the scheme has been wide-reaching and it has been excellent to see how sport has helped improve the quality of life of thousands of young people throughout East Staffordshire; it was an honour to be at the awards evening, and sit amongst such prestigious company.”

 

 

 

For more information contact:

   

Emma Gilbert
Sports Development Officer 
T: 01283 505915
M: 07966342222
E:  emma.gilbert@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Runners from Staffordshire and beyond are being invited to join in silver anniversary celebrations as the annual Stafford Half Marathon celebrates 25 years.

 

To mark the occasion and meet the ever-increasing demand for places, promoters Stafford Borough Council’s Leisure Services, are increasing the race capacity from 1,500 to 2,000 runners for the event on Sunday 15 March 2009.

 

Entry forms are available from various locations including the Civic Offices, Stafford Leisure Centre, Westbridge Park Fitness Centre, Alleyne’s Sports Centre and Stafford Tourist Information Centre as well as online at   www.staffordbc.gov.uk/halfmarathon.  The closing date for entries is Friday 27 February 2009 or earlier once race capacity has been reached (online payments available until Friday 20 February 2009).

 

Councillor Mike Smith, Cabinet Member for Leisure, who competed in the first race, which took place on 8 April 1984, commented, "It’s great to see the Stafford Half Marathon celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009 and go from strength to strength. Athletes from all over the country come to compete in what is one of Stafford’s premier annual sporting events, with many using the road race as a final warm up for the London Marathon. Once again, it’s a key event in the North Staffs Road Runners Association event calendar."

 

 

The Half Marathon starts in Stafford’s town centre at 10.30am and for 2009 there will be a revised route, with removal of the town centre loop to open up the start area for the increased participants and respond to previous participant feedback – details to be finalised in the next couple of months. The route will then head off into Stafford’s surrounding countryside on traffic-controlled roads, incorporating two steady climbs before returning to the town centre via Victoria Park.

 

Crowds line the route to cheer on the diverse field of athletes and help them enjoy the thrill of the race and for 2009 we will be encouraging local community groups, bands, school children and anyone else to get involved and offer support to the runners along the course.

 

All Half Marathon participants will receive medals or t-shirts and other prizes are awarded for open and vet categories.

 

Also on Sunday 15 March as part of the Half Marathon event day programme young 12 – 16 year old athletes will compete in the Stafford Junior Mile from 10.00am, Handcyclists will take to the Half Marathon route from 10.20am, and at 10.40am the School and Family Fun Run will fill the town centre with fun and fancy dress. For more information or to register for any of the events in the Stafford Half Marathon programme visit www.staffordbc.gov.uk/leisure

 

For more details, please contact:

Hannah Clifford
Marketing Projects Officer                                                                 
Stafford Borough Council

Tel: 01785 619590
Email: hclifford@staffordbc.gov.uk

£480 Million investment in 46 sports to deliver sporting opportunities for all

On December 16^th 2008 Sport England announced an investment of £480 million to deliver grassroots sporting opportunities and a lasting Olympic legacy of one million people playing more sport. 46 sports, including all 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sports, have been awarded funding on the basis of their ability to increase the number of people playing and enjoying sport, and to create development pathways for those with talent. For more information visit the full article here.

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Sport England’s Active People Survey 2 - results

Please view the WM regional press release here. Active People 2 – view the West Midlands’ fact sheet

 

View the main AP2 page on SE’s site

 
The main news item on the SE’s main website:

More people playing sport
The number of adults in England who regularly play sport has risen by more than half a million over the past two years, according to new research. Click here for More info.

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‘BBC Power of Sport’ winner and news of other awards made on 7 December

CSW Sport – share the delight in Active Meadowlands  (Coventry) winning the Power of Sport Award.

All CSPs  celebrate their nominated projects involvement with the BBC  Midlands Awards evening.

CSW Sport should be congratulated in supporting the Power of Sport Award and nominating Active Meadowlands – Coventry – the winner of the ‘BBC Power of Sport Award’ (POS) on the night at the extremely successful ‘BBC Midlands Awards 2008’.

 

The 5 other CSPs played their part in the success of the SEWM sponsored POS, as without them and their partners we couldn’t put forward the excellent nomination for the BBC judges to deliberate over.

 

Thanks to all six CSPs and their partners for supporting the award.

Please view our promotional leaflet for the POS Award
View the BBC Midlands site for the details of all the award winners

 

Congratulations to our local nominee, East Staffordshire Borough Council's Sports Development Team for their excellent 'Sport in the Hood' project.

Pictured above: Mark Thornewill, SASSOT Director presents Emma Gilbert, Sports Development Officer for East Staffordshire (left) and the Youth Service with their Power of Sport nominee certificate

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SE’s ‘Shaping places through sport’ series of documents – announced 3 December 

Hopefully, most of you will have received news of this series of new publications through SE’s ‘The latest from the pitch’ e-newsletter.

This new series replaces and updates the very successful series of publications ‘Sport playing its part’ and is in line with SE’s new strategic direction.

There  are five themed reports in the series and an accompanying executive summary:

Download the 5 reports:

Building communities

 

Healthier communities

 

Transforming lives

 

Creating safer communities

 

Increased prosperity

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Communities and Local Government and BERR – latest Sub-National Review document

Prosperous places: taking forward the review of the sub-national economic development and regeneration. The Government response to public consultation, 25 November 2008.

Download a copy

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Some interesting articles on SNR and LAs working in partnership

Heather Jameson – 28 November 2008 – Municipal Journal

Councils are to be given a new, strengthened role in boosting the economy, under new plans published for the sub-national review (SNR) this week.

Bigger role is set for councils in new SNR

…………………………………………………………………………..

John Tizar  MJ3 December 2008

The recession will create new pressures to deliver services through public-public and public-private partnerships, and gain from their economies of scale. John Tizard offers some advice for local authorities and agencies on how partnerships can help them withstand the downturn

How partnerships should respond to the recession

……………………………………………………………………..

MJ 04 December 2008

Shared services took a step forward this week when a county council partnership was set to take on a third partner – a unitary from another part of the country.

Counties to pioneer shared service plan

……………………………………………………………………..

Chris Smith (Source – LocalGov.co.uk) 3 December 2008

The Queen’s Speech has not been a resounding success with critics already warning the Government has not gone far enough.

The Local Government Information Unit (LgiU) called on ministers to beef up plans to empower communities...

Queen's Speech lacks direction and drive say critics

 

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DoH funding for CSPs

Dawn Primarolo, Minister of State for Public Health, announced at the FIA Summit on 27 November the Department of Health’s intention to support County Sports Partnerships through an allocation of £1m of funding in this financial year (08/09). The money will be available for distribution across all 49 Partnerships to assist in the continued delivery of physical activity.

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8 young athletes from the WM chosen for the Australian Youth Olympic Festival 2009

Read the BOA’s press release about the event here.

There are 8 regional young athletes – view the list here.

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SE Research eBulletin

December 2008

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National Skills Academy

View the November newsletter here.

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BOA reactions to UK Sport funding announcement

 

Wednesday, 3 December 2008 (BOA PR)

Commenting on UK Sport’s funding allocation announcement today, BOA Chief Executive, Andy Hunt said:

"It is disappointing that, despite extensive lobbying we find ourselves in the position now, just three months after the most successful Olympic Games for Great Britain in 100 years, where the Government has failed to honour their funding promise to all our Olympic sports.  Andy Burnham and his Department’s (DCMS) valued work to reduce the shortfall in funding for our members’ sports is appreciated. UK Sport has had to make some difficult investment decisions, having been clearly instructed to make commitments to athletes and training resources with the full £600 million funding package in mind. 

Read BOA’s PR here.

BOA anger at funding cuts for Britain's minority sports 

(Reuters) 4 December 2008

The British Olympic Association (BOA) accused the Government of turning its back on less popular sports on Wednesday when a breakdown of funding for sports in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics was published.

Read the full article here.

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DCMS announces funding for Olympic and Paralympic sports

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has announced a new funding deal to help support 2012 Olympic and Paralympic medal success. The funding will see £550million of public money allocated to UK Sport which will lead a new range of private fundraising efforts to raise a further £50million.

 

DCMS Secretary of State, Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP, commented:

“This is a good result for British Olympic and Paralympic sport, but one that is realistic in a tough economic climate. It represents a record investment in elite sport - more than the Beijing cycle - and keeps our medal ambitions for London 2012 in place. But I have made it clear that we have reached the very limit of public investment in Olympic sport. The challenge now is for all sports to pull together behind our Medal Hopes scheme to achieve our overall funding ambition. Today's announcement puts that within our reach.”

 

For more information, please click the link below http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/media_releases/5645.aspx

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Big Lottery Fund consults on its funding strategy

The Big Lottery Fund is consulting on its funding strategy for the period 2009-2015. BIG, which is the largest of the Lottery good cause funders, has created a dedicated website for the consultation process.

 

Individuals and organisations are invited to participate, either in the full online consultation or through shorter online polls. There will also be a series of consultation events, but there will not be any hard copy or email options for responses.

 

The consultation closes at the end of February 2009.

 

For access to the BIG consultation website, please click the link below

http://www.big-thinking.org.uk/

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CCPR – news items

To view the Key Issues from CCPR Meetings – Autumn 2008 - click here.

To view the CCPR Policy Update for December 2008 click here.

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CCPR – pre budget statement  (PBS) disappointment

CCPR was disappointed with this week’s PBS when the suggested tax exemption for club subscriptions failed to receive attention.

Read the brief news item here.

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regenWM eBulletin

December 2008

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StreetGames

View the latest newsletter here.

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2012 Activity Calendar

Please view the latest information here.

 

 

 

npower Disability Sports Awards nominations 2009

The npower Disability Sports Awards 2009 is planned for Thursday 2^nd April 2009 at the Aston Villa Football Stadium, Birmingham. 

It is through these awards that you have an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of  individuals, teams or organisation involved with sports for disabled people, in your area. The TOP 3 short listed nominations, in each category, will be invited to attend the prestigious Awards Evening and have the opportunity to meet the 25 West Midlands Paralympic athletes who were part of the successful GB team that competed in Beijing.

 

We want to encourage you to make as many entries as you believe to be worthy. Please note that there are 11 categories this year, an increase on previous. If you need any guidance completing the form please do not hesitate to contact the EFDS office. You can photocopy the nomination form as many times as you require. An electronic PDF file can also be sent to you on request.

 

Please feel free to photocopy forms as appropriate and/or circulate copies to other partners. Completed nomination forms should be returned to the EFDS West Midlands office no later than Friday February 6^th 2009.

 

For further information and to view the Nomination Forms for the npower Disability Sports Awards please click here. 

 

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Winners of the IFI Awards 2008 On Wednesday 10th December 2008 the first annual IFI Awards sponsored by Cybex was hosted at the ICC, Birmingham. The evening was a great success and celebrated the fantastic work of IFI accredited facilities across the country.

Chris Holmes MBE, Britain’s most successful Paralympic swimmer, hosted the evening, with Michael McGrath as the after dinner speaker who gave an inspirational insight into his experiences as a polar adventurer being the only disabled person to have reached both the North and South Poles. Michael also presented one of the winners with their award as one of the first IFI Inspirations. IFI Inspirations is a new project that was launched during the IFI Awards, with all 8-award presenters been the first to commit to the scheme.

 

IFI Inspirations is a collaboration of individuals who support and endorse the work of the initiative. All of these people have a story to tell and are role models to motivate other disabled people into physical activity; the IFI would like to thank the first 8 Inspirations for presenting an award at the event and for their continual support.

 

Although there can only be one winner on the night, the IFI were delighted with the response they received, being overwhelmed by the number of nominations and the exceptionally high standard of work that has been carried out by IFI accredited facilities. Bernard Atha, Chairman EFDS Operating Company, reiterated this during the evening and looked at the IFI achievements to date and the future of the initiative.

 

Sue Catton, IFI National Director, 

“The IFI Awards are a clear signal of the momentum that the IFI has gathered and just what it now means to the industry to be regarded as inclusive.  The industry has made staggering steps to progress from where the IFI started in 1998, yet it is important not to rest on our laurels.  This year’s winners will need to raise their game even further to replicate their success next year. 

 

The winning facilities:

 

Innovation in Inclusive Marketing (Sponsored by Power Plate International)

Aspire National Training Centre (Stanmore, Middlesex)

  

Building Outstanding Partnerships (Sponsored by Precor)

Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre (Chelmsford, Essex)

 

Creating Inclusive Environments (Sponsored by HUR)

Pent Valley Leisure Centre (Folkestone, Kent)

 

Engaging Volunteers (Sponsored by YMCA Fit)

Aspire National Training Centre (Stanmore, Middlesex)

Individual Commitment to Inclusive Fitness (Sponsored by Proactive London and Wellbeing South East)

Anne Meachem (Pendle Leisure Trust)

 

Developing Sport for All (Sponsored by The Physical Activity Network- West Midlands)

The Pemberton Centre (Rushden, Northamptonshire)

Demonstrating Corporate Commitment (Sponsored by West Midlands Travelwise)

DC Leisure

 
IFI Award of Outstanding Achievement (Sponsored by MLS Ltd)

Pent Valley Leisure Centre (Folkestone, Kent)

 

The event itself brought together accredited facilities, fitness equipment suppliers and key industry representatives who all play a significant role in the development of inclusive fitness opportunities. The IFI would like to thank everyone involved with the event, with an extended thank you to Cybex the event sponsor, without who the event would not have been possible. The night was truly inspirational and makes looking ahead to 2009 extremely exciting.

 

For more information contact:

Michelle Dent
Regional Inclusive Activator (West Midlands)
Inclusive Fitness Initiative
T: 0114 2572060 (add prefix 18001 for Typetalk)
M: 07984 110358
E: michelle@inclusivefitness.org

 

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Up to £450,000 of Community Spaces cash up for grabs until January 2009

Community Spaces is a £50m grants programme that provides funding to community groups across England to improve or create green open spaces. The programme is funded through the Big Lottery Fund's Changing Spaces initiative and is managed by Groundwork UK.

Although the majority of Community Spaces funding will go towards small and medium sized grants (under £350,000), the programme is also offering a limited number of large and flagship grants of up to £450,000. Grants of between £50,000 - £450,000 are only open for one round of application; deadlines have been set for January 2009 and are now fast approaching.

There will only be four large grants (£50,000 - £100,00) and one flagship grant (£100,001 - £450,000) awarded in each English region. This means the application process will be highly competitive.

If you are aware of a community group in your area that would benefit from a large or flagship sized grant and are able to get freehold or leasehold ownership of the land on which they want to carry out a project - then please encourage them to apply. To ensure applicants have sufficient time to put together an application before the deadline it is important that community groups begin to develop their applications as soon as possible.

 

How can I apply?

More detailed information about applying can be found on the Community Spaces website www.community-spaces.org.uk

 

Applicants should read all eligibility criteria and guidance notes before completing the application form.

Alternatively you can contact the advice Line on 0845 3 671 671 for more information.