Active Anglesey Leisure and Sports Development Newsletter October 2013 - Monthly Bulletin
Anglesey Hawks off to a flying start The first ever wheelchair basketball club is setting up on Anglesey. The Anglesey Hawks aim to train at the RAF Valley Camp and are in the process of arranging taster sessions to generate interest and show people what the sport is all about. Wheelchair Basketball is the largest Paralympic sport. It embraces a wide range of disabilities and is based on a classification system (which can also include able-bodied players). As well as its physical health benefits, it is a great way for members to socialise. The Anglesey Hawks will train towards joining the North Wales League where they will play competitively against Caernarfon, Conwy, Rhyl and Wrexham. The cost of purchasing wheelchairs for the club is high and they are in the process of applying for funding towards these costs. They are also looking for any assistance with fundraising or for local businesses to sponsor a wheelchair (name of the business will be printed onto the chair). For further information or to assist the club, email angleseyhawkswcbb@gmail.com or contact Karen Williams on kawlh@anglesey.gov.uk / (01248) 752046 An informal evening to: Find out how what grant funding is available for your club Learn what qualifies for a Community Chest grant Learn more about recruiting and retaining volunteers Register on the new Volunteer Anglesey Sport website www.volunteerangleseysport.com Ask questions over tea/coffee
In this issue:
* Island events * Menai Bridge Badminton * Outdoor Partnership Festival
Island Youngsters Aim High
Tour de Mon—Family Cycle Ride/Tour de Teulu Always Aim High Events staged their very first Tour de Môn Cycling Sportive, starting at Newry Beach in Holyhead. Right by their sides, were the Anglesey Sports Development Team, who helped with a Family Cycle event of 6.5 miles. The route, which led from the beach, around the Breakwater Country Park, through Llaingoch and around South Stack Road, was a huge success. 100 children and adults of all ages headed out on their bikes and were directed around the route by volunteer marshals.
Kid’s Sandman Tri For the third year running, the Sports Development Unit arranged children’s triathlon races in partnership with the main Always Aim High Events Sandman Triathlon at Newborough. Guided by volunteer marshals, various age groups took to the sea for a swim, cycled around the forest and finished with a trail run, with distances depending on their ages. They enjoyed finishing over the line of the main Sandman Triathlon event and soaking up the atmosphere.
Island Trail Race—Dragon’s Dash 190 kids took part in the Sports Development Unit and Welsh Athletics Dragon’s Dash Trail races at Newborough Forest before the main Always Aim High Events adult 10k and half marathon trail races. With various age groups and participants ranging from 6 to 15 years, the races (from half a mile to a mile and a half) were closely fought. Participants received a medal and certificate for their efforts. For full results please visit http://islandtrailrace.com/
New Gold and Silver Ambassadors on Anglesey have been selected to join the workforce of the Young Ambassador Anglesey Team. Newly crowned Gold Ambassadors Gwenan Williams and Ffion Jones from Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni, Tom O’ Brien from David Hughes, Katie Roberts from Holyhead and Mathew Magee from Bodedern will be the latest additions to the team. The YA have been selected by the school’s 5x60 officer and PE Dept based on their outstanding contribution to developing sports in the school and local community, and the pair have many exciting and innovative ideas to take the project even further. The newly promoted Gold Ambassadors will attend a National Conference at Cardiff’s City Stadium on October 23rd.
An award ceremony will take place on Thursday, October 10th to celebrate the medal winners at the Island Games 2013. Couch to 5k Running starting Thursday, October 17th. Meet outside Amlwch Leisure Centre for 6pm. For further information, contact Karen Williams on (01248) 752046 or email karenwilliams@anglesey.gov.uk 5 x 60 Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni gym sessions take place at the Fitness Room, Plas Arthur leisure centre on Tuesday and Thursdays, 3.30 -4.30pm for Years 9, 10 and 11. £1.50 Free Kayaking sessions for Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni and Ysgol David Hughes. See 5x60 officer Barry Edwards for details
Lions FC Recruit A pan-disability football club is on the look out for new members. The Lions meet every Monday from 5-6pm at Plas Arthur Leisure Centre, Llangefni. Thanks to support from Age Friendly Communities, the club is offering new members two free starter sessions (usually ÂŁ2 a session). The club has been running for ten years and is open to all ability levels/disabilities. Sessions are for male and female players, aged 16 and over. For further information, contact Karen Williams on (01248) 752026 or turn up at a session. The Lions will be playing on October 20th at Amlwch Primary School Field from 10.30-12.30, as part of a fundraising event to raise money for the RDA (Riding for the Disabled) on Anglesey.
Funding helps new club swing into action A new badminton club has been set up at David Hughes Leisure Centre, Menai Bridge, with the help of Community Chest funds. Most of the grant will be spent on qualifying coaches to Level 1 standard and a minor proportion on equipment. The grant award of ÂŁ1,500 will substantially help the Club fulfil its' main aims:
1. Establish a new club (which means that all five leisure centres on the Island will have a badminton club). 2. Provide a link from the current 5x60 after-school junior club, at Ysgol David Hughes, to the adult club. 3. Qualify coaches to attend club sessions, in order to improve performance and stimulate interest in competitive badminton.
4. Ensure that an Anglesey-based club plays at competitive standard (two teams from the new Menai Bridge club have been accepted into the Conwy County Badminton Association & League).
5. Long term goal for players to represent Anglesey at the Island Games. A Welsh Badminton Union Coaching Course will take place at Canolfan Hamdden David Hughes on October 19th and 20th and Menai Bridge 'B' will play the club's inaugural fixture in the Conwy County and District Badminton League on October 1st, against Rydal, Penrhos. Menai Bridge 'A' will play their opening fixture on October 14th v Vardre 'B.'
Grant for sports clubs and organisations NEXT DEADLINE November 15th 2013 Contact Karen Williams (01248) 752046 / kawlh@anglesey.gov.uk
Crowds flock to Annual Outdoor Festival Some of North Wales’ most adventurous and active people came together for the Outdoor Partnership Outdoor Activities Festival at Plas y Brenin, Capel Curig. This annual event brings together outdoor activity clubs from all over north Wales, allowing members and volunteers to showcase their skills and try out new activities.
Anglesey Bronze in Major Event
Talented Kayakers make Regional Final
After an outstanding year of cycling, Anglesey cyclists from Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni, Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones and Ysgol David Hughes were selected to compete in the junior Tour of Britain, hosted by Gwynedd Council in the mountains of Llanberis. Anglesey finished in a very respectable 3rd place out of North Wales.
Anglesey’s 5x60 scheme along with Canoe Wales and the Outdoor Partnership organised the first ever Anglesey Schools Kayaking Championships.
Young pupils from across Anglesey were privileged to race in such a high profile event and at the end of the day several pupils enjoyed autographs and pictures taken with team sky (Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish). Star of the day was Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni pupil Gweno Hughes who came 2nd throughout North Wales in her individual category, only to be beaten on the line by less than a second. Gweno said: “This was a fantastic opportunity and will be one of my favourite moments ever competing on the same route as team sky rider and Tour of Britain winner Bradley Wiggins.”
With great weather and a brilliant venue at Holyhead Harbour, pupils were in their element. After several individual and team races the overall winners seen below will make their way to the North Wales Kayaking Final on Friday, October 4th. Barry Edwards Active Young Peoples Officer said: “This is a great experience for the pupils and these skills that youngster learn will be with them to pass on to future generations. Thanks to the excellent partnership with Canoe Wales and Simon Jones from the Outdoor Partnership, the new Kayaking championships on Anglesey has been a huge success and will no doubt be an annual event.”
Volunteer Anglesey Sport Meet new people—learn new skills www.volunteerangleseysport.com