News from Stafford and Stone

 

Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership Wins National Recognition Award

 

On 12 October, at the National School Sport Conference Gala Dinner in Telford, the Stafford and Stone SSP picked up a recognition award for their work associated with Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week 2011. 

Steve Glover, Partnership Development Manager was on hand to collect the award.  On stage Steve received the award from a Lloyds TSB executive and given the opportunity to hold one of the Olympic Torch Prototypes! The award will also see a top Olympic star visit Stafford in the build up to National School Sport Week 2012.

Steve Glover receiving the award at the Gala dinner.

 
The Conference was also a huge success for Stafford sisters - Katie and Hannah Gamston.  Katie was invited to attend the conference due to her past work as a Young Ambassador and Leader. Now, 19, Katie was given the role of leading all Young Volunteers. The Youth Sport Trust was delighted and she now hopes to be picked to be a volunteer at the School Games at the Olympic Park in May 2012.
 
Katie's sister Hannah performed at the closing ceremony by singing an Adel track and also 'Proud' by Heather Small. Both were outstanding performances and she received the biggest applause of the two day conference. On hand was Olympic Gold Medalist, Denise Lewis who was astounded by Hannah's talent.

 

Steve Glover, Katie and Hannah Gamston with Denise Lewis

Steve Glover stated, "I was delighted to accept the award on behalf of the Partnership. The last year has been a trying time, but all our schools have continued with their focus of providing high quality opportunities in PE and sport to all our young people. I was also so proud to listen to Hannah's performance, who will now be one of our Ambassadors for the year. It was also great to see the work of her older sister Katie - a product of all the Sports Leadership opportunities and activities schools are providing in Stafford and Stone."

 

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Sporting Promise for Teachers in Stafford and Stone

 

Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership recently played host to a Matalan Sporting Promise Training day for teachers in Stafford and Stone. Stafford Sports College was the venue where over 40 primary and middle schools were represented for a Career Professional Development day in gym, dance and games.  
 

The course and resources were provided free by the Youth Sport Trust through sponsorship from Matalan.   Teachers were engaged in a number of activities and programmes throughout the day. Partnership Development Manager, Steve Glover said, "It was a great start to the year for the Partnership. The course brought all our schools together for a valuable day of learning. We are extremely grateful to Matalan and the Youth Sport Trust for such an inspiring day.

 
The strength of unity the partnership has, was displayed throughout the day by the enthusiasm and dedication by all of the teachers present."
 
It is hoped another full trainding day will be provided in the new year which will focus on Key Stage 1 Physcial Education - once again provided by the Youth Sport Trust and sponsored this time by BUPA.
 
At the conclusion of the training, all schools in the Partnership met for a updates, cluster meetings and information from Stafford Rangers FC.

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Young Ambassador Conference October 2011

On Tuesday 11th October, 100 Young Ambassadors from 30 schools from all over Stafford and Stone descended upon Stafford Sports College for a Young Ambassador Conference.

The conference was arranged by the Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership but organised and led by students from Stafford College Foundation Degree programme and Staffordshire University Sports Coaching students.

 

Stafford College and Staffs Uni Students - organisers

 

The event focused on the Olympic and Paralympic Games and Young Ambassadors were given three challenges at the conclusion of the event:

• Promote the Olympics and Paralympics within their own schools
• Promote Healthy Lifestyles
• Increase Sporting Competition

The SSP has a number of placements from Stafford College and Staffordshire University to help fill the gap created when national funding was cut. Two students in particular (Tom Wellens and Andy Dale) are based with Partnership Development Manager, Steve Glover and they helped to pull the event together.

Steve Glover said, "I was really impressed with the way Tom and Andy worked to arrange this wonderful event. Not only did they put in many hours of planning but also persuaded 10 other degree students help run the event. We are grateful for the support we are receiving from both Stafford College and Staffordshire University to help continue many of our School Sport events."

The Young Ambassador Conference saw pupils work together in eight teams in a number of sports including Rowing, Basketball, Athletics and Dance.

A second conference will take place in January and it is hoped an Olympic Star will be present to support the event. 

 

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Girls Active Day at Stafford Sports College

Over 100 girls took part in a fun filled day of Sport at Stafford Sports College during week commencing 17th October. The Girls Active Event was organised by the Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership with the aim of inspiring more girls to take part in Sport.

Girls from 9 secondary schools were given a chance to participate in Boxing (non contact), Cheerleading, Zumba, Street Dance and Dance Mats.    On hand to support the girls was current England Women's Rugby International - Heather Fisher.  Heather spent time talking to the girls about her career in Rugby and also as part of the GB Bobsleigh team. The girls were fascinated to hear how she dealt with being a top female sportsperson and asked questions such as, "How do you cope with pressure?" Steve Glover, Partnership Development Manager said, "The day was a huge success.  The girls

Girls Active with Heather Fisher

were extremely enthusiastic from the start of the day. All have now been challenged with the task of getting more girls to take part in sport and also to develop an Olympic project at each of their secondary schools based on the Olympic and Paralympic Values. It was great to see Heather Fisher inspire the girls and give her perspective on being an international sportswoman."

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New Dance Academy and Boxing for Fitness Club

 

The Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership has recently launched new opportunties for local females in the sports of Street Dance and Boxing.   Both clubs are now running at Stafford Sports College and are currently free to all members.   The Street Dance Academy runs on a Tuesday night (5pm-6pm) and is led by Hayley Wenlock from Wolverhampton.  Currently the club is open to 14-18 year olds but it is hoped a new club for 9-13 year olds will commence before Christmas.  Girls are taught a variety of genres such as Hip Hop, Street and Break Dance.  New Members are always welcome and as mentioned there is currently no cost.

Street Dance Club

 

Boxing for Fitness

Also new this term is a Boxing for Fitness club targeting females aged 14-24.  The club is led by instructors from the Right Stuff Boxing club and takes place on a Monday night at Stafford Sports College (5.30pm-6.30pm).  The club is non contact and new members are encouraged to attend.  As with the Dance Academy this club is free but for a limited period.

Any questions regarding either of the two clubs should be directed to Steve Glover, Partnership Development Manager - 07825999088.
 

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Stafford Sports College pupils go fishing

 

Thirteen young people from Stafford Sports College aged 15yrs to 16yrs recently participated in a ‘Sportivate’ Angling Course organised by Chase Aqua Rural Enterprise.  The course, run by ADB (Angling Development Board) licensed, qualified Level 2 and Level 1 angling coaches took place at Carney Pools, near Rugeley over several ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ sessions totalling during September and October 2011. The programme was funded by the Sport England ‘Sportivate’ initiative managed by Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent.

Some of the young people on this course already fish with their grandparents who gave them rods and tackle that they brought along to the course. Others enjoyed trying fishing for the first time.   Some participants had never handled fish before and were amazed by the variety of beautiful colours, patterns, texture and shapes from the slippery, golden tench to the handsomely striped, roughly textured perch.     Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership Development Manager, Steve Glover said, "This was a great opportunity for the pupils of Stafford Sports College. They thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity and hopefully will now give the confidence and tools to continue finishing in their own leisure time."

‘Sportivate’ Angling Course

 

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Stephen Glover 
Partnership Development Manager
Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership