Local Sport
Issue 1143
Call 0114 283 1100
10th December 2020
www.looklocal.org.uk
13
Charlie skates to success
BARNSLEY College Travel and Tourism student Charlie Stringer is setting her sights on competing in the World Junior Synchronised Skating Championships in the near future.
The 16-year-old started skating at the age of seven, on the basic UK level scheme progressing through the 16 levels, which resulted in her joining the Sheffield Synchronised Ice-Skating club at the age of 10. This led to Charlie competing in competitions all around the world, against national and international teams, where she has regularly achieved podium finishes. Most recently she was
LEAGUE POSTPONED STOCKSBRIDGE Park Steels have announced that all first team games are to be called off until December 19. Following on from the announcement last week about the Trident Leagues and its clubs voting to continue the season pause, the Northern Premier League confirmed that all league games on December 5 and 12 had been postponed, and this has now been extended until at least December 19.
selected to join the Team GB development squad, with her synchro team at her home rink, Ice Sheffield.
On top of all this, Charlie competes in several solo competitions, gaining a lot of podium finishes up and down the country, and is committed to coaching the next generation to help younger skaters develop their skills and confidence. Charlie is part of the Barnsley Sports Academy within College and has been able to access an Elite Sports Performance Bursary to fund aspects of her competition such as equipment and travel. Charlie said: “I got into synchronised ice skating by
watching it at Ice Sheffield’s Christmas show when I was 10 and being amazed by how it includes all of the disciplines of skating into one with the speed, elegance and lifts. From then I started to train with the Sheffield Synchronised Ice-Skating Club and moved from being elementary to now competing at junior. “My greatest sporting achievement would be managing to qualify for the Team GB development squad. The Elite Sports Performance Bursary will ensure that I am able to access more of the things I need in order to go further with my skating.”
Stocksbridge Rugby eye up Christmas fixture
However, if in the interim the Government make any changes to the current tier restrictions that allow the return of fans to all NPL fixtures, the league will approve the reinstatement of any scheduled matches where both clubs are in agreement.
Tigers eye Holder return JACK Holder remains in Sheffield Speedway plans for next season after his Swedish club announced he won’t be returning. Aussie ace Holder has already signed a deal with Polish top flight side Torun which means, under controversial new rules imposed by Poland officials, he is only allowed to race in one other league.
“When we signed him I was excited about it, so like so many other things it was a huge disappointment when we didn’t get to see him race for us. “We have to be positive about 2021 and whatever the team looks like when we get to the tapes we will be competitive and do our very best.
Now Tigers are expected to hold more talks with Holder, who enjoyed a fine season in Poland and was handed the wildcard spot for the final two Grand Prix rounds of the year.
“Obviously there are aspects of the sport which mean things are a little uncertain with some riders but we are confident things will fall into place. I hope we can arrange for Jack to return and show us all what we missed this year.”
He was also in Australia’s plans for the Speedway of Nations but opted to head home to be reunited with his partner.
Promoters throughout the country are continuing discussions on the immediate and long term future of the sport.
Boss Simon Stead has backed Holder for a bright future in the sport and had been relishing the prospect of working with him this year.
The issue of Polish restrictions appears to have forced their hand into looking at changes in the two professional leagues with more discussions planned.
“Jack is a class act,” he said. “He’s got potential and if he applies himself properly and maintains a professional approach to his career he will go far.
One aspect of 2021 confirmed is the planned start date of Easter weekend in April with fans returning to venues and the prospect of a vaccination programme starting soon.
WITH the easing of the recent lockdown, the new tier system will allow Stocksbridge Rugby to play friendly fixtures, albeit under some Covid adapted rules. The Coal Pit Laners were quick to return to training, with a healthy turn out on Wednesday and the club have confirmed regular training sessions up until Christmas. The Pigs are pleased to confirm that they will play away to local rivals Wortley RUFC on December 19 with a 2pm kick off. “It’s great to see the lads running around with a smile on their faces again, we even had some spectators
at a training run,” said director of rugby, Andy Tyers.
way to get the boys back out on the park.”
“We were hopeful there were other local sides with the same mentality as we have, looking to get a run out to blow the cobwebs away.”
Under the updated restrictions there will be no mixing or socialising permitted afterwards.
And those hopes have proved to be true, with both sides relishing the pre-Christmas clash. However, the game may look a little different given new rulings around the maul, lineout, scrum and other restarts. “If we want to play, we will need to play under these new rulings,” Tyers said. “It will be new and the same for all concerned, but at least it is a
However, this is a small price to pay for the opportunity to lace up the boots again. Flying winger, Callum Green has resumed training and earned the ‘top trainer’ award in last Wednesdays session. He is now looking forward to resuming rugby with his team mates. “I’ve missed them,’ said Green. “Even Keeno! I’m enjoying the training and being around the boys again, it will be great to get a run out before Christmas.”
