Active Anglesey Leisure and Sports Development Newsletter - Issue 8
Lifting Anglesey on to the World Stage Grabbing a Personal Best, representing Holyhead’s Weightlifting Club and doing the Mo-Bot with Mo Farah...weightlifter Gareth Evans had the time of his life representing team GB in the London 2012 Olympics. Gareth, 26, who competed in the 69kg weight category, saved the performance of his life for the London ExCel Arena crowd. He smashed his previous records by lifting 130kg in the snatch and 158kg in the clean and jerk. Showman Gareth, was cheered on by friends and family, as well as his coach and mentor Ray Williams. He said: “It was an absolutely fabulous experience that I will remember as one of the best times of my life.” On the Olympic Highlights: “The opening and closing ceremony, the fireworks, the crowds were all amazing. I had the chance to meet lots of great athletes, Chris Hoy, Mo Farah, the GB women’s and men’s footballers, but the highlight for me would have to be competing. It was the biggest rush I’ve ever had in my life.” For the last 18 months, Gareth, left the comforts of Holyhead’s improved weightlifting facilities and gave up his day job as a painter and decorator to train with the GB weightlifting elite team, based in Leeds. On Holyhead Weightlifting Club: “That’s where the magic happens” But it was straight back to reality for the Olympian, who returned to work as a painter and decorator and spending time with his little girl Lexie. So what’s next for Gareth? The pride of Holyhead will get back to training in September but take it easy until next year when he begins to gear up for Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games in 2014 with national and world championship competitions. Coach and friend Ray Williams, a Commonwealth Games gold medal winner said: “For Anglesey to have an Olympian was brilliant and Gareth was the very best role model for our community.” Gareth added: “I’d like to thank all of the people in Holyhead who have supported me—my family, friends and of course Ray Williams for all of his advice and support over the years.”
In this issue - Anglesey’s Olympic Fever
- Summer Sports Fun
- Golf Special Offer
Anglesey’s Olympic Fever PUPILS from Anglesey primary schools celebrated the lead up to the Olympic and Paralympic games by joining in the Olympic 30 Days to go festival during Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week. 450 local children were given the opportunity to participate in activities including badminton, table tennis, gymnastics, tennis, basketball, rugby, football, athletics, swimming, judo, hockey and mountain biking, getting everybody inspired by what the London 2012 games had to offer. Pupils enjoyed a full programme including an opening ceremony provided by Anglesey Gymnastics Club. This was followed by a mass warm up with children participating in Zumba. Welsh National Badminton players attended the day along with Olympic Torch Bearers Connor Laverty, Sacha Jones and Leon Jones. Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week used the excitement of the London 2012 Games to inspire young people to do more sport. The initiative, run in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, was part of the London 2012 Get Set education programme. In Wales it is promoted by Sport Wales. Young Ambassadors and young volunteers from the 5 x60 scheme contributed to the success of the day and without their assistance this would not have been possible. Local clubs such as Anglesey Gymnastics Club, Menai Bridge Tennis Club, Bangor Hockey Club and the local Judo Club led their specific activities. Owain Jones, Active Young People Officer for Anglesey Council said: “Providing an Olympic 30 Days to go festival proved to be a huge success. A huge thanks goes out to all the local clubs that assisted with the day, young volunteers and also Badminton Wales. This was the final Olympic Activity organised through the Active Young People Team following the success of Ysgol Y Bont Olympic Day and the 100 Days to Go secondary schools festival back in April.”
My Journey to Olympic Gamesmaker By Diana Airey “It is incredible to think that it was two years ago that I filled in an online application form to volunteer at London 2012. As a student I had visited the Munich Olympics in 1972 and was able to experience the atmosphere of the stadium and Olympic Park. When London won the bid to host the Olympics I knew that I wanted to play a part in it. After a nine month wait I travelled to Cardiff and was interviewed for a job in Press Operations and was successful. Excitement grew and following training I was ready to join my team in the Main Press Office on the Olympic Park. I started work a week before the Olympics, based in the International Olympic Committee Press Operations Team. I was responsible for handing out tickets to journalists for high demand events such as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. As all journalists were working at the top level of journalism it was interesting to talk to them and read the stories that they were sending round the world. I probably saw less of the actual events than in previous Olympics but the insight and excitement of being at the centre of the operation was amazing. Highlights included walking through the park every morning and evening and sensing the incredible atmosphere, meeting a wide range of people from all walks of life and of all nationalities, making new friends and the satisfaction of playing just the tiniest part in making the games such a huge success.” Diane Airey is a retired teacher from Ysgol y Bont and has worked closely with the Sports Development Unit over the years to provide activities for people with disabilities.
Turning up the heat for Island Games training The Ynys Môn Island Games Athletics team are preparing for warm weather, world class athletes and lots of fun for the 2013 Bermuda Island Games. Eight members from the team travelled to the Algarve (Portugal) in July for warm weather preparations, with a tough athletics programme and key fitness tests. The aim of the warm weather training camp was to ensure that athletes experienced training and competing abroad in temperatures ranging from 2540 degrees, similar to what will be expected in Bermuda. Ynys Môn Island Games Athletics Co-ordinator Barry Edwards said: “The experiences, conditions, emotions, and performances will be hugely valuable towards the athlete’s preparations, as well as their mental and physical state during the 2013 Bermuda Island Games.” Athletes who compete in 100m, 200m, 400m, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Shot Putt, and Discuss enjoyed a fantastic opportunity in preparing for next year’s games at a sporting complex which host’s world class indoor, track and field, and additional throwing and jumping facilities. The Anglesey team trained alongside London 2012 Olympians and Luton Town Football Club at Monte Gordo (The Vila Real de Santo Antonio Sports Centre). Barry added:“Thanks to the support of the NatWest International Island Games Association, members of the athletics team have benefited significantly and have experienced exactly what to expect in Bermuda next year, that being warm weather, world class athletes, and a lot of fun. Being able to train at such a great venue with fantastic facilities has been significantly beneficial to the athletes. All athletes have since been selected for the North Wales Track and Field team and three athletes have represented the Wales U20 and U17 national team.”
Surf’s Up At Rhosneigr A new Surf Lifesaving Club in Rhosneigr has proved a huge success. The club is made up of a mixture of ages and proved popular with locals and tourists over the Summer months. The group, who meets at Broad Beach on Thursday evenings from 5.30pm, practise surfing and lifesaving techniques, with qualified instructors, at sea. There is also the opportunity to work towards gaining instructor qualifications, as well as meeting new people of all ages and learning new skills. For further information, see their group on Facebook.
Swimming Success 31 children from Holyhead attended free swimming sessions over the summer, funded by the Welsh Government Free Swim Initiative Scheme. They attended one of four swimming courses of 45 minutes duration every day for 10 days after school for two weeks. Mike Dilworth (Anglesey Aquatics Development Officer) said: “Every child improved considerably in swimming ability and water confidence as a result of attending these intensive swimming lessons.” Local primary schools were also offered taster sessions in Water Polo, Kayaking & Snorkelling at Anglesey leisure centres under the scheme with a number of schools taking up the offer.
Financial boost to local sport clubs Positive changes to the Community Chest grant will benefit new and existing sport clubs on Anglesey and across Wales. An additional £500k has been allocated to the 2012/13 budget for local panels. Clubs and organisations can still apply for up to £1500 to help contribute to creating new clubs (equipment, volunteer training etc). Now, clubs and organisations also have the opportunity to apply for an additional £1500 to target key areas:
Helping clubs and organisations be better prepared so that they can make the most of the interest that will be generated on the back of the Summer Olympics and Paralympics. This could mean training additional coaches or running additional sessions.
Additional funding will also be available to help specifically tackle major sports participation inequalities that exist in Wales, including opportunities for BME populations, disability (inclusion), women and girls, children, young people and families experiencing poverty.
Community Chest started in 1999 and is a small grant scheme, supporting the development of grassroot sport throughout Wales. It is not always necessary for grants of tens of thousands of pounds to make a huge impact. Sport Wales continues to be committed helping the grant scheme improve the quality and standards of new and existing opportunities.
Every local authority has a grant awarding panel to ensure local decision making. For more details on Community Chest or to discuss your application contact: Karen Williams on 01248 752046 or kawlh@anglesey.gov.uk
Play Scheme A brand new scheme has encouraged inclusion between disabled and nondisabled children. The 'Play Together - Inclusive Play Scheme' ran throughout the Summer as a pilot scheme and is the first of its kind to be held on Anglesey. The scheme has been developed through the partnership work of the Sports Development Unit Disability Sport Wales Programme and the Specialist Children's Services. The scheme is designed for both mainstream children and children with special educational needs. Children and volunteer helpers across Anglesey enjoyed the varied activities on offer and the scheme has been hailed a success. For additional information, please contact Karen Williams on (01248) 752046.
All Ages Enjoy New Orienteering Course
Pupils from Ysgol Llanfaethlu joined members of the Island’s Age Well Clubs for a spot of orienteering before the summer break. Funded through the EU Interreg programme, the Anglesey Age Friendly Communities project aims to break down the barriers that exist between generations. A new orienteering course on the Carreglwyd Estate has been developed as part of the project - thanks to the support and kind permission of Mr Tom Carpenter. Maps in hand - youngsters and older counterparts joined forces to explore the Carreglwyd Estate in Llanfaethlu during the facility’s official opening recently and has a fantastic time working as a team. Anglesey’s Age Friendly Communities Physical Activity Co-ordinator, John Pritchard, explained, “The day was a huge success. It provided a great opportunity for everyone to try their hand at orienteering - a sport which is ideal for all ages. Orienteering can help fitness levels and places a firm emphasis on enjoyment and fun, learning and improving health.” The Age Friendly Communities project on Anglesey also works to bring communities closer together, reduce isolation amongst older people and promote healthy lifestyles through developing a variety of physical activity opportunities within local communities. For more information about the new orienteering course at the Carreglwyd Estate, please contact Age Friendly Communities Project Officer, John Pritchard on (01248) 751895 or email: jlplh@anglesey.gov.uk
Summer Adventure Children and young people with disabilities enjoyed an exciting six-month programme of outdoor activities. Môn Young Adventurers, organised by the Disability Sport Wales (DSW) Officer alongside the Outdoor Partnership and Aquatics Development Officers, ran monthly sessions at the Conway Centre, Llanfairpwll, from October 2011 until March 2012. The children gained experience in climbing, sailing and bush craft skills along with other adventurous activities such as the ropes courses and zip wire. During the six months, there was consultation with parents and the Gwynedd and Môn Asperger and Autism Support Group on how they would like to see the programme develop and to look at a regular programme of activities. The support group worked with the DSW Development Officer to provide a summer of outdoor adventure activities for children within the group along with siblings and friends. Following on from the Summer sessions the group are now looking at producing a calendar of activities where the children have access to a variety of fun, new and inclusive opportunities in outdoor adventure. For further information, please contact Karen Williams, Disability Sport Wales Development Officer on (01248) 752046 or email: kawlh@anglesey.gov.uk
Commonwealth Legacy Event for Island
An exciting trail running event for Anglesey aims to bring excitement to Newborough and Llanddwyn, as the legacy event of the 2011 Commonwealth Ultra Distance Trail Championships returns this September for a festival of running. Taking place on September 30, the Island Trail Race, organised by Always Aim High Events, contains some unique all off-road courses, following beautiful single track and forest paths in the heart of the Newborough Forest. Runners can choose from one of three race distances, a 10k Trail, a Half Trail Marathon and the main event, a Full Trail Marathon. The event will also be hosting children's and junior Dragon Dash races run in partnership with Anglesey Council's Sports Development Team. The event follows on from the Anglesey Sandman triathlon (September 16th 2012), also in Newborough, which catered for over 600 competitors, taking part in junior, sprint and full-distance triathlons throughout the day. For further information visit www.alwaysaimhighevents.com