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Sport and fitness for today’s youth
May 2010 £2.75
Club gives a last chance to troubled teens By Louise Cordell TEENAGERS who are facing prison are being given a final chance to get their lives on track thanks to a health and fitness club. Ultimate Physiques in Castleford is working with young people from a local pupil referral unit, providing training to help them improve their self esteem and cut down on anti social behaviour. The approach has been so successful that others schools in the area are asking to get involved, bringing along their most challenging pupils in a bid to address their problems before they get out of hand. The club’s owner, Jason Matthews, said: “These kids are really in the last chance saloon, most of them have ASBOs and they are no longer in mainstream schools because they have gone beyond what the teachers can cope with. When they first came to the club a lot of them walked in smoking, some stood outside and threw stones and another threatened one of my instructors with physical violence. “They were really badly behaved and I thought that there was no way we were going to be able to train them.”
However, once the boys started training twice a week with the club’s instructors, who are experts in disciplines including martial arts, rugby and self defence, their attitude and behaviour began to improve. The training sessions are made up of a range of boot camp style exercises with T-shirts and water bottles handed out as rewards for improvement. The programme has become so popular that it now works as an incentive in itself, with pupils who behave badly during the week being stopped from attending the sessions as punishment. There has been such an improvement in the boys’ behaviour that the club is now starting work with schools in the area, including Airedale High School, where teachers are selecting pupils with challenging behaviour who they feel will benefit from the project. Jason added: “We have had an overwhelming response from schools and we are keen to work with as many young people as possible. The schools feel that we are providing something that they don’t have the expertise or facilities to do, but the pupils take the better behaviour that comes with the training back to classes with them.”
Dance leader scheme launched
Young people in Manchester are being given the chance to find out how they measure up to Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt. In a bid to take athletics to the streets, the organisers behind the Bupa Great Manchester Run and the Great City Games are giving people the chance to compare their time to the record breaker’s over a 150m sprint. The event will take place at the specially constructed running track on Deansgate where, at the Great City Games last year, Usain Bolt ran the fastest 150 metres in history.
YOUTH Dance England has launched a career development programme for the young dance leaders of the future. The organisation has selected 41 young people from across the country to take part in YDE Stride!, a scheme designed to help boost the career opportunities available within the dance sector for young people. The participants will take part in one of three residential courses where they will have the chance to complete their Arts Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards as well as learning from established industry professional and devise and coordinate dance projects.
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news 3
How sport can improve young lives
2010 hopeful Mark Branch with young swimmers
Hundreds take plunge at swimming gala HUNDREDS of children from across Coventry have joined together to take part in the city’s School Swimming Gala. Over 750 kids from 32 primary and secondary schools took part in the event, which was held as part of the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership for the 2012 Games’ Festival of Sport. The Gala was organised to target children which were new to swimming and provide them with a fun environment where they could try out the sport. Neil Parker, partnership development manager for the East Coventry Schools Sports Partnership, said: “With 2012 approaching we have a fantastic opportunity to inspire and encourage youngsters to take up new
Contacts Group editor: Andrew Harrod – ah@whpl.net Tel: 01226 734639 Reporters: Louise Cordell – lcordell@whpl.net Tel: 01226 734694 Christina Eccles – ce@whpl.net Tel: 01226 734463 Dominic Musgrave – dm@whpl.net Tel: 01226 734407 Sales and marketing director: Tony Barry Assistants sales and product manager: Rachel Collins rc@whpl.net Tel: 01226 734709
sports such as swimming. “This event is about giving as many children from as many schools as possible the opportunity to swim in a gala environment and hopefully encourage them to continue taking part.” City of Coventry swimmer and 2012 Olympic hopeful Mark Branch also attended to offer advice and share his experiences of international competition. He said: “Events like these are important for promoting sport in general and for trying to encourage more youngsters to get involved in sport during the lead up to the 2012 Games. “The gala has been great – there seems to have been a lot of team spirit from the schools and everyone has got involved.”
www.futurefitness.uk.net Studio manager: Stewart Holt sth@whpl.net Deputy group editor: Judith Halkerston jhalkerston@whpl.net Circulation enquiries to: Kelly Tarff kt@whpl.net Tel: 01226 734695
A NEW report is set to look into how sport can improve the lives of young people in Britain’s most disadvantaged communities. The study is being carried out by Michael de Giorgio, CEO of Greenhouse – an organisation that helps young people develop life skills through sport and performing arts. Michael, together with a number of other industry experts, including academics, teachers, business leaders and elite athletes, will be working to come up with a series of policy recommendations for the future. He said: “The question we want to deal with is how we can use sport to enhance the lives of disadvantaged young people. We are hoping to come up with some practical steps that can be taken and it is also important to me that the report is very readable so that it can be of use to the right people. We are hoping to look at best practice in this area and show what works and what doesn’t.” The report will look at a wide range of issues from the key benefits of sport and how these can be effective-
ly harnessed, to its provision in schools and extra-curricular settings. Specifically it will look at how sport can help tackle youth offending, drug addiction and educational failure, and how it can help disadvantaged people develop new skills including discipline,self-esteem and conflict resolution. It will also address the barriers to effective sport provision in schools and clubs and how effective the various approaches and programmes are in achieving their aims. Michael added: “One thing in particular we need to look at is the issue of short term funding – from my own experience I know that it is consistent, regular, long term funding that makes the difference, and that short term, taster programmes can be counter productive. “The report will also be looking at other factors that surround and affect the young people and their involvement with sport, for example the importance of family support and structure. We are confident that we can come up with some beneficial suggestions.”
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4 news
PT Emma keen to expand into schools By Mary Ferguson
Students take on hula mega challenge ... STUDENTS from Bebington High Sports Colleges have been taking part in a hula mega challenge in support of Sport Relief 2010. The pupils had the option of raising money by paying to enter the competition as a hula hooper, or by supporting the competitors and donating sponsor money. Mr Jordan, the school’s headteacher, said: “As a sports college we love getting our students and school actively involved as much as possible with
Sport Relief, and this year emphasis was to get the students up and active as well as making them aware of that the money raised through Sport Relief will help people living incredibly tough lives in this country and poor countries around the world. All the students were really enthusiastic and could not wait to do their bit.” The staff also joined in to raise money, competeting against the pupils and dressing up for the occasion.
A PERSONAL trainer who also works as a teacher is pushing forward plans to expand into other schools and help deprived communities. Emma Sconce, who has been a PT at Probalance in Manchester for five months, also works at a sixth form college teaching BTEC programmes. And as well as trying to gain access to primary and secondary schools she is setting up a mobile personal training business and hoping to secure funding to deliver sports programmes for challenged youngsters. She said: “Primary schools would really benefit from specialist PE teachers to help them meet government targets. My aim would be to deliver breakfast, lunchtime and after-school sports clubs as well as helping out during lesson times. “Secondary schools are similar in terms of targets but they already have specialist teachers in place. So I think I could help by delivering specialist units and it would be really good for the students to hear things straight
from the fitness industry. Because schools are so focused on educational targets I think a lot of the industry stuff gets left behind, so I think it will benefit pupils to hear about my work ‘on the front line’.” To help engage female pupils, particularly those in years ten and 11, Emma would like to run after-school group exercise classes that focus on social interaction. She is also looking to secure funding to work with intergenerational community projects and youngsters who engage in antisocial behaviour in the Salford area, by teaching gym instruction qualifications and increasing physical fitness participation. Emma added: “There’s different funding you can tap into through the local councils but I’m struggling a bit because I’m not a registered charity. I’m keen to help though because when kids get involved in exercise it gives them confidence, helps them concentrate and inspires them to make changes in all areas of their lives.”
Coaches give teens basketball insight OVER 130 young people from across the North East attended a recent StreetGames project to play basketball with the Eagles Community Foundation. The Foundation’s coaches led the teens through a two-hour skills circuit before they watched a game between the Eagles and the Sheffield Sharks. Gemma Hollywood, StreetGames
co-ordinator, said: “Events such as the Eagles Coaching Clinic are an important part of our calendar as they give the children from these various projects the opportunity to learn what it is like to take part in a major sporting event, showcase the skills they have developed, both social and sporting, and to simply enjoy sport in the company of other young people.”
Have you got news for us? Call the Future Fitness news desk on 01226 734694 or email Louise Cordell: lcordell@whpl.net
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news 5
Access to tennis plan nets success Pupils receive special awards
Pictured, back, from left: Jo Healy, Grace Carter, Kelly Sibley and Jo Parker celebrate with children from Nook Lane Junior School
By Louise Cordell
AN initiative launched to improve children’s access to tennis is set to expand after a successful first year. The British Tennis Schools Programme will now be going into secondary as well as primary schools as part of its mission to bring the game to players at every level. This new phase was launched at the first leg of the Schools Tennis Roadshow in Bolton, organised by the Tennis Foundation. The show is set to visit 15 locations nationwide over the next month, to demonstrate to staff how to provide the best tennis in schools. Over the past 12 months, more than 3000 primary school teachers have been trained in tennis delivery as part of the programme. The focus will now be extended to secondary teachers to help address
concerns among that group that tennis is a difficult sport to teach, or that there is a lack of courts available to do so. Paul Regan, head of education at the Tennis Foundation, said: “We are delighted that so many primary schools have benefited from free training and equipment. “Whilst this will continue, the focus now moves onto secondary schools and we are confident that the new resource will make a huge difference in making tennis easier to deliver for PE teachers.
“We're also now able to appeal to pupils of all abilities, through modified, alternative and traditional methods of teaching. “The Roadshow is a great opportunity for us to promote the resource and support available and help attract and retain more young people to our sport.”
PUPILS from four Sheffield schools have been presented with special awards by the country’s top female table tennis players. England’s number one and two Jo Parker and Kelly Sibley took time out of training at the English Institute of Sport to attend the Playing for Success presentation night. Alongside
GB Volleyball players Grace Carter and Jo Healy, they presented prizes and certificates to pupils who have completed an eight week programme. Almost 60 children from Shortbrook Primary School, Nook Lane Junior School, Longley Primary School and Handsworth Grange Community Sports College received awards.
Golden first for cyclist Francis FRANCIS Twizell has become the first young person to achieve the Gold standard in the Cycling Award for Young Volunteers programme. He was presented with his award at the British Cycling 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner, which also saw many other volunteers recognised for their work developing grassroots cycling. Over the last year Francis has been responsible for assisting at holiday coaching camps, officiating at club
races and attending club committee meetings to give a younger perspective on the club's developments. He said: “Participating in the programme has enhanced my CV because of the different skills you gain compared to the ones you gain at college and it can help shape your future career because now it has inspired me to work in outdoor education activity centres.”
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£10m bid to get students playing sport By Louise Cordell
A wheelchair basketball star from Yorkshire has become the youngest player to reach the final selection of the Great Britain’s men’s squad ahead of 2010 World Championships. Harry Brown, 16, who plays for the SSB Sheffield Steelers Wheelchair Basketball Club, will attend the final selection camp amongst the 21 other players selected at Stoke Mandeville. Paul Hudson, his head coach, said: “This is a
fantastic first time experience for Harry and he has the potential to be one of the world’s best players. “We welcome players of all different abilities and recognise that youngsters of Harry’s age still need to have fun as well as focusing on being the best they can be. “We have high hopes for Harry and are optimistic that he will go on to play in the London 2012 Para Olympics.”
SPORT England has announced a £10m National Lottery grant aimed at getting more university students playing sport. Currently just under three in ten students play sport regularly, so the Active Universities drive is aiming to get 100,000 more participating at least three times a week. This will be done by creating more accessible sporting opportunities for the 72 per cent who say that they would like to be more active. It is hoped that boosting participation among students will help the organisation achieve its 2012 Olympic legacy goal of getting a million people playing more sport, by reducing the number of people who drop out in their late teens and early twenties. Jennie Price, Sport England’s chief executive, said: “We know that young adults who are playing sport regularly by the time they leave university are likely to stick with it for the rest of their lives. “That’s why this themed round will really boost our drive to change the nation’s sporting behaviours, and why I’m urging people to come forward with innovative ideas to increase student participation. “There’s already a strong tradition of competitive sport within universities,
but this is a big opportunity to increase participation through more informal and social formats.” Sport England is now calling for innovative applications from universities for scheme that will help to tackle the barriers to student participation. In particular, programmes that address an insufficient number of coaches and volunteers, over-structured and inflexible provision that doesn’t cater for non competitive students and failures to replicate local sporting opportunities enjoyed by students in their home towns. It is also hoped that the money will be used to address capacity issues at universities that don’t have sports facilities on site and that haven’t formed partnerships with other providers. Ben Bradshaw, culture, media and sport secretary, said: “We want to encourage young people to play sport for life, not give up on it the minute they leave school. “This fantastic investment will inspire thousands up and down the country to keep playing and help thousands more discover a new found passion for sport. “I am sure universities will use the money to come up with exciting and innovative ways to get their students playing sport.”
Swimmer Thomas helps other talented youngsters A STAR junior swimmer from Wirral, Thomas Barton, is helping gifted and talented young people in the area achieve their goals. He spoke to over 60 of the borough’s most successful athletes at a Gifted and Talented Enrichment event, telling them that ‘commit-
ment, focus and dedication’ is the key to success. Tom is one of 250 young emerging athletes that Lloyds TSB has supported this year through its Local Hero programme, providing him with support for the costs of his travel, equipment and train-
ing. The enrichment events take place in all three of Wirral’s School Sports Partnerships throughout the year, developed by ex-EFC professional football legend Derek Mountfield. He said: “I think it is really impor-
tant that our local talented youngsters get as much guidance and support as possible. “The enrichment events give pupils a chance to ask questions in workshops and receive valuable advice from sports stars past and present.”
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news 7 Oxford Brookes University has announced a new partnership with 21st Century Legacy, a charity set up to ensure the 2012 Olympics have a positive, long term impact on UK children. Its coaching programme is now finding its way into schools all over the UK – Future Fitness found out more
Charity pushes Be the Best You Can Be programme THE 21st Century Legacy is a charity set up by former Olympic hurdler Dr David Hemery, after London won its bid to host the 2012 Games, with the aim of making the event an inspiration to the youth of Britain and the rest of the world. Working together with ambassadors including Darren Campbell, James Cracknell, Lynn Davies and Ade Adepitan, he has developed the ‘Be the Best you can Be’ programme. The programme will use coaching and mentoring to help children identify their objectives and dreams using the Olympic inspiration to reach them. Oxford Brookes University Business School has now teamed up with the charity as a local delivery partner, to help continue the roll-out of the programme into schools in the area. Laurie Miller, the university’s business development manager, said: “This scheme is all about giving hope to children and young people, and giving them the motivation to achieve their goals, whether this is getting the job they want or following their dream sport. “21st Century Legacy felt that the best way of doing this would be through a programme that is taken into schools, using a coaching approach to help them succeed. “We feel that this is a great idea and we really wanted to help get more schools and more kids involved.” Once a school has signed up to get involved the charity will send out a specialist coach, who will
Above, school pupils taking part in the scheme and, above right, Ade Adepitan, programme ambassador provide training for a selected group of teachers – usually around 12, but the number can vary depending on the size of the school. They are taught to use different coaching methods, including active listening and open questioning to help them understand what their pupils are going through and how to communicate with them effectively. The aim is to encourage the young people to think for themselves, learn to support their peers and plan their futures in a responsible way. So far the programme has usually been delivered to year seven pupils, but this can be changed depending on which age group the school feel
would benefit most. Laurie added: “It is really important that the school buys in to what the programme is trying to achieve and is really committed to supporting its pupils – because it is all about motivating them to do their best. “Once the teachers have been trained, an Olympian ambassador visits the school and to carry out an inspirational morning with the children – teaching them that it is about the journey, not the medals and that they need to work hard to reach their goals, rather than relying on quick fixes. “The aim is to help kids develop a success map. “For example, most young boys want to be professional footballers,
and we don’t discourage them in that, but we do encourage them to look at things realistically – for example by suggesting that they have two road maps, one looking at an alternative career, in order to prepare for whatever the future might bring.” The programme has now been introduced in at least ten schools so far and that aim is to take it into many more, including both private and state schools. Talks are also underway to find ways to help schools access financial support to fund the scheme and they are also being offered advice on how to appeal to local businesses for sponsorship.
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8 news
Liverpool’s youth scheme combats health inequalities By Louise Cordell
The first international Rock-It-Ball workshop has been held at the Wigginton Squash Club in York. Coaches from Sweden, Denmark and Hungary attended alongside those from the UK. Craig Buttery, IRIBF commissioner, said: “We are making history on a regular basis with this sport. This was the first international workshop and how wonderful to have representatives so far afield all supporting the sport.”
UK first as centre examines food and its relationship to obesity THE University of Hull has officially opened its Obesity and Nutrition Centre, which will be the first in the UK to examine food and its relationship to obesity. The Humberside Obesity, Nutrition, Education and Innovation (HONEI) Centre is the brainchild of Steve Atkin, professor of diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism at the university. Its focus will be on engaging interdisciplinary healthcare experts and linking their knowledge to the needs of the food and health industries. Professor Atkin said: “HONEI is already a real and successful project and it provides a unique opportunity for the university and the Hull York Medical School to liaise with the
industry for food studies at every level. “By aligning world-class research and priority health care issues to commercial needs, the centre will create regional wealth, enhance its profile and simultaneously address the local and national NHS health agenda.” At the launch it was pointed out that it is particularly relevant for the centre to be housed in Hull, because obesity and cardiovascular disease in the city are high. The city’s residents have also always been supportive of health research, which is important as the recruitment of patients for clinical trials in this sector is often difficult.
AN inclusive fitness scheme in Liverpool is working to combat health inequalities in young people and get everyone involved in sport. The aim of Sefton’s Free and Active programme is to overcome social barriers to participation and get young people with additional needs involved in sport and physical activity. To do this, seven leisure centres across the borough have started offering access to all children free of charge – giving them the opportunity to access a wide range of activities, regardless of income or ability. Activities provided include rock climbing, street hockey, swimming, cheerleading and archery at a range of locations. Jennifer Caine, business development officer at Sefton MBC, said: “It is vital to have additional support for children and young people with disabilities to help them participate in sport and physical activity. “So our Positive Futures team have arranged for additional training for staff at each leisure centre to help them continue to provide sport sessions that are suited to them.” A range of activities now take place in the area inclulding free lessons with expert tutors at Litherland Sports Park to give kids the chance to try out sports that would not usually be affordable and swim and activity sessions at Bootle Leisure Centre. So far the Free and Active project has been a success, with improved health and fitness levels for young people across the borough and reduced crime.
Success stories ... Jordan Kelly (13) attended the Free and Active programme at Litherland Sports Park and continued to attend the Athletics Club Southport Waterloo after the programme finished. Jordan continued to participate in the Merseyside Championships where he was "crowned" champion in the triple jump, picked up a silver medal in the long jump and made the final of the 100m sprint. Jordan is now listed 4th in the national rankings for triple jump and 20th in long jump. Coaching sessions across the borough of Sefton have attracted over 3,500 young people in Sefton and clubs have confirmed an additional 120 participants joining. Young people aged eight to 13 have progressed from Street Cheer camps on Free and Active to compete in the National Street Dance Championships. Jennifer added: “The benefits of the programme can be seen most clearly through its impact on the local community. “It has achieved health benefits for local residents, reduced levels of antisocial behaviour and a reduction in health inequalities for our most vulnerable residents.”
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news 9
Ex-Gladiator Kate comes to the rescue of ‘desperate’ teen
By Louise Cordell TEENAGERS from across the country are to be given the chance to join one of 3,000 new after-school clubs offering Olympic and Paralympic sports.
By Mary Ferguson A ‘desperate’ letter from an overweight teenager has inspired former athlete Kate Staples to set up fitness programmes in secondary schools. Kate, who also appeared on TV as a Gladiator, currently runs Adventure Boot Camps with fellow Olympic athlete Daley Thompson. She has been training a 15 year old girl after she begged for help to lose weight – and is now planning to roll out health programmes for all teenagers who suffer similar problems. Kate said: “This girl wrote me a heartbreaking letter, telling me how much she hated PE and how miserable she was. She suffers from depression and is a serial yo-yo dieter but after working with her for just a few weeks I saw a massive difference.” Adventure Boot Camps started life as fitness camps for women and moved into schools, who asked for camps to be run for the mothers of pupils – who then have a healthy influence on the rest of the family. Since then Daley has developed school athletic academies for 7-12 year olds, linking up with athletic clubs to draw out talent as well as increasing participation. And now he and Kate plan to move into secondary schools to encourage teenagers to get involved in exercise and learn about nutrition. “The problem is that most school sport tends to be competitive and just like the girl who wrote to me, it is hideous for a child to be picked last for a team. I want to help pupils exercise for health and enjoyment, not just to make the
After-school opportunity after £6m boost The government has announced that £6m of funding is being invested to create a new network of clubs in secondary schools and colleges around England. They will give young people the chance to take up sports including badminton, boccia, fencing, handball, table tennis, volleyball and wheelchair basketball. The money will pay for new equipment and qualified coaches to run the clubs alongside young volunteers. Ben Bradshaw, sports secretary, said: “We hope this will just be the start and that schools will build on this investment and deliver clubs offering every Olympic sport, long after the 2012 Games’ closing ceremony.” The first clubs will open in the autumn term this year, and all will be up and running by spring 2011, making up part of the ongoing ‘Change4Life’ campaign.
Kate and Daley first teams.” Nutrition will also play a key part in the programmes and Kate added that there are many myths flying around amongst teenagers that need to be dispelled. “The 15 year old I’m training is similar to many other girls in that she has a really bad relationship with food, feeling guilty about everything she eats. And she comes
to me with all these things she has heard from her friends about losing weight, that simply aren’t true.” This year, Kate and Daley plan to double the number of primary schools they work with, as well as moving into the secondary sector. They are currently looking for trainers to help expand the business.
Health secretary Andy Burnham added: “Research has shown us that by building up a sense of community spirit, everyone gets involved in activities simply because they want to feel part of the occasion. “2012 offers us a golden opportunity to get more people than ever involved in sport and these clubs will provide teenagers even more changes to be healthy and active.”
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10 news
Schoolchildren keen to take up indoor rowing By Louise Cordell PUPILS around the country are seizing the opportunity to take up a new sport with the growing popularity of indoor rowing machines. Schools are finding that the activity particularly appeals to kids who don’t enjoy more traditional games and can get them involved in keeping fit and competition. Tom Kay is head of education at Concept 2 a company that manufactures indoor rowing machines and works to help get the sport into schools. He said: “Rowing machines used to be used just to cater for rowing enthusiasts, but now schools are realising how much use they can be for general physical activity. “So much can be done with them, from regular training to team activities like relay racing and extra curricular clubs. “They also produce accurate and repeatable measurements, which means that they can be used in other areas of the curriculum like science and maths using the gathered data.” Tom works with the School Sport Partnership network to show teachers the sport’s potential, delivering CPD training to introduce different games and activities and showing how a range of special educational needs can be catered for.
He added: “Schools are always amazed at the kids who get into rowing, it is often the ones who have never been interested in sports before. “It especially appeals to those who don’t like other sports because they are overweight or tall and uncoordinated, which might be a hinderance in other sports, but can be an advantage in rowing. “They are then able to achieve success where they have never been able to before, and this is great for their self esteem and for targeting hard to reach groups.” Schools that get involved also use the rowers to take part in intra and inter school competitions, ranging from basic level contests and progressing up to partnership competitions, which feed into county, regional and then national levels. Tom added: “We have found that, despite its negative perception, competition is actually the best way to get kids involved – but it has to be the right kind of competition – not the wrong kind where you lose all the time. “On top of that, it is great for pupils to have something different to have a go at and to open up new opportunities for them. “It also means that when they leave schools they can go on to feel confident using the rowers in gyms and leisure centres, encouraging an active lifestyle.”
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news 11
Success comes early for Sachin By Mary Ferguson AN 18-year-old personal trainer has revealed how he makes a success of his business at such a young age. Sachin Premji runs SPFitness alongside studying for a BTEC in sport and performance at Stanmore College in London. He also coaches disabled children in badminton and takes Spinning classes at Aspire, a local leisure centre for people with spinal injuries. Sachin, who was inspired to become a personal trainer after seeing his brother succeed in the industry, told Future Fitness that getting people to take him seriously can sometimes be a challenge. He said: “To start with it was a bit of a struggle coming into the industry at 17 as people were a bit wary of my age, especially as I think I look even younger than I am. “ I do feel I have had to prove myself but I think my clients’ results speak for themselves.” Sachin qualified as a personal trainer at 17 last August after training with Premier Training International, paid for by a college scholarship. He immediately set up personal training company SPFitness, working from rented premises. He currently has 14 clients that he juggles around his academic work and his brother helps him out when he needs it. Aged between 25 and 35, Sachin’s clients all share a common goal of wanting to lose weight and he
claims none of them are put off by his age. In September, Sachin will begin a degree in Sport Science with Management at Loughborough University and said he would eventu-
ally like a management role within the industry. He added: “At 18 I feel I’ve achieved quite a lot in the industry and I definitely want to carry on my personal training business – as well as eventu-
ally doing some lecturing. “I love the flexibility of personal training because it’s not the usual 95, it’s a very sociable job and I really enjoy passing my knowledge on to people.”
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12 athletics
New website marks fresh approach for Welsh Athletics WELSH Athletics has launched a new website to mark a fresh approach to coaching and development. It has been designed to provide all the relevant information about coaching and coach development, taking place at the Welsh Athletics Coaching Centre. The organisation’s new head of coaching, John Dagata, has announced that 2010 will represent a shift in vision for coaching in Wales with new innovations leading to better results. It is hoped that the website will be a useful tool for the delivery of his vision. It contains a coach education calendar, which will be updated throughout the year and contains all the opportunities available for coaches, including formal education courses and informal development sessions. It also sets out a newly structured coach development pathway that introduces the revised coaching qualifications process that aims to ensure that every
coach can develop and expand their knowledge base. A UK wide implementation of all three courses will take place from September, with a new structure built around leadership and coaching roles rather than levels. This has been designed to reflect the importance teachers and coaches play in the development of the sport, regardless of the performance level of the athlete. The final new edition to the website is the coaches’ profiles page, recognising the success that Welsh coaches have enjoyed over many years and raising the profile of coaching at the highest levels. It is hoped that, over time, this feature will be expanded to recognise coaches both past and present. This month will also see the first of several new initiatives with the Leaders and Coaching Assistant Awards, followed by the Athletics Coach Award that is due to take place in July.
New awards will recognise personal achievement THIS summer sees the launch of the new Aviva UKA Academy Award scheme, designed to help children develop individual athletics skills by recognising and rewarding personal achievement. Replacing all the various existing award schemes, the new scheme will cater for children of all abilities from primary school upwards and offer a single, strong, effective and challenging awards programme. During 2009, UKA worked with key partners including all four Home Country Schools Athletics Associations, the English Schools' Athletic Association and the Eveque’s Sportshall Development Team to build a revised awards scheme to best reflect current practice and the evolving climate in school sport. These revisions offer every child a true test of their athletic skills. The awards are split into three sections, Sportshall, Track and Field and Endurance and all have primary and secondary versions. Badges and certificates recognise each level of achievement, ultimately leading the child up a ladder of success to Bronze, Silver and Gold recognition.
Over the next few weeks, UKA will be sending information packs to every school in the country with details of the awards. The first to be launched will be the Sportshall Primary Awards, based on the hugely successful Sportshall Athletics programme. The Awards take the form of either a Pentathlon or Decathlon and also neatly double as a fitness monitoring and improvement scheme. The Sportshall Awards will form a vital part of the athletics pathway and will consolidate the sport’s position at the centre of the curriculum by providing skill development for all sports, not just track and field. In addition, the same programme of events is being rolled out in places as far apart as Canada, South Africa, Qatar and Ireland and in the future it is hoped that children in all these countries can compete together in ‘virtual competition’ using the internet. This programme will eventually provide fitness level data not just from the various parts of the UK but also from many different parts of the world.
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athletics 13
Bid to take athletics to the streets By Louise Cordell AN initiative to take athletics to the streets and get a new generation of competitors involved is being launched in Manchester. The organisers behind the Bupa Great Manchester Run and the Great City Games are giving members of the public the chance to compare their running time to that achieved by Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt. The Great Manchester 150 will take place at the running track on Deansgate where Usain Bolt ran the fastest 150 metres in history last year. The event will take place in May and will form part of a weekend of running in the city, including the 10 kilometre Bupa Great Manchester Run and the Great City Games. Entrants will be able to race against friends, family or other members of the public and then see how their times compare to the international
athletes who race over the same distance. David Hart, Nova’s communications director, said: “The atmosphere and camaraderie at the Great Manchester Run is always special, so we wanted to provide an alternative for those who don’t think a ten-kilometre run is for them. “There’s often changing room banter about who is the fastest player in the football, rugby or hockey team. Now entrants can find out once and for all by signing up with their pals.” The initiative is the latest in a number of initiatives Nova have held to make athletics more accessible to young people. Last year they organised a match between England and Australia in the Great North CityGames, which ran alongside a series of schools' international races showcasing up-and-coming talent.
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Answered yes? Choose the way forward: • Daley Thompson’s Athletics Academy (7 -12 yrs) teaching core skills • Daley Thompson’s Teen Programme cultivating healthy lifestyles • Adventure Fitness camps keeping adults in shape For more details, contact enquiries@fitnesscamp.co.uk or call 01932 863240 to speak to Kate or a member of the team.
Booklet helps forge links between schools and clubs ENGLAND Athletics has launched a new resource to help forge links between schools and clubs and to support the next generation of sporting champions. The organisation has pointed out that these links offer children the best opportunity of a long term and successful involvement in sports and benefit schools with the better provision of opportunities and resources for pupils. So it has created the ‘Linking Schools and Clubs’ booklet, which has been specially designed to help both clubs and schools know how best to work together. It outlines some of the activities and support available for those wanting to provide young people with access to athletics and details where help can be found. There is also advice to help clubs
gain an understanding of what activities the schools in their area are likely to be looking to deliver, how they are likely to go about it and what issues they may face. Scott Grace, England Athletics national coach mentor for youth development, said: “Building strong relationships between clubs and schools really does benefit everyone. “The ‘run, jump, throw’ skills that are central to athletics underpin many other sports and that means that schools are keen to have their pupils develop strong competencies in athletics, even if they do not consider themselves an athletics focussed school. “This booklet should help clubs and schools gain an understanding of what they can achieve together.”
Campaign partnership announced SPORTS Leaders UK has announced a partnership with Change4Life and will be promoting the campaign’s message through its activities. Michaela Hutchings, UK operations director, said: “In order to complete an award of qualification, we are encouraging our prospective sports leaders to undertake regular physical activity and be aware of what they
eat. “We will be signposting our candidates to the Change4Life website for information on how to adopt a healthier lifestyle and asking them to keep a record of their activities. “This will become an intergral part of their training, so that when they go out into the community to do their volunteer hours, they will be acting as positive role models.”
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14 news
Young people given 2012 opportunity A level student Lewis Rimmer and National Diploma student Laura Wood with Emma Gardner
Students attend workshop SPORT students at Nelson and Colne College sixth form have attended a special sports science workshop, organised by Lucozade. Emma Gardner, a sport scientist, took the pupils through practical sessions including hydration testing and aerobic and anaerobic testing using ‘smart speed light gates’. This equipment is used to test aspects of sports performance such as agility and reactions in elite performers from a range of
disciplines. Katie Louise Chic-Taylor, who is currently studying for a BTEC National Diploma in Sport Development said: “I found the day to be really interesting and very useful for me. I plan to go to University after completing my course to study Physiotherapy and Biomechanics and during the day we learnt a lot about the biomechanics of running and exercise which I hope will help me on my degree course next year.”
FIVE hundred young people in England and Wales are being given the chance to become the first ever Opportunity 2012 Graduates. The scheme has been launched to target young people that other initiatives find difficult to engage, such as young carers, those not in education and those involved in crime or have behavioural problems by using the appeal of the Games. After completing the scheme, the 14 to 19 year olds will be offered Olympic themed rewards, including shadowing international fitness coaches and physiotherapists, watching athletes in training and work placements with LOCOG. The ‘graduates’ will be selected from existing schemes including the Youth Community Action initiative and Positive Futures. Tessa Jowell, minister for the Olympics, said: “These young people will receive intensive help, learn new skills and get new experiences that will change their lives for the better.” The scheme will operate under the management of youth charity, The
Prince’s Trust, between June 2010 and September 2012. Participants will volunteer in their communities as well as taking part in sporting and cultural themed events to put them on a pathway to employment or further training. Each graduate will also be supported by a mentor who will work with them to set objectives and create a personal development plan, as well as offer advice and encouragement to ensure they benefit from the full range of opportunities up until Games time. Schools minister Diana Johnson said: “More young people than ever are volunteering and making a positive contribution to their communities. This scheme will inspire all young people in England to play an active part in their community and help to close the generation gap. "It will offer increased opportunities for them to take part in different kinds of activities through their schools and colleges, giving them vital experience so they can give something back and prepare for the world of work.”
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news 15
Alesha Dixon and TAG student Helene Liber at the launch
TAG student Kirsty Oysten
TAG scheme creates over 200 new jobs By Louise Cordell OVER 200 new jobs have been created for young people across the UK by the Transforming A Generation scheme. The six-month TAG programme has been developed specifically to help teenagers get into careers in the health and fitness industry and is celebrating its biggest success so far. The initiative helps young people who are not in education, training or employment to secure a Level Two Health and Fitness Instructor Qualification, take part in a four
month paid work placement and build a career in the industry. Kirsty Oysten, a TAG student who is working for LA fitness Muswell Hill, said: “The scheme is great – after five weeks in the classroom gaining my qualification I am now working in a gym and really enjoying it. I think that TAG pushes us to be good employees by helping us with our CVs and by ensuring that we have the soft skills we need to work with customers.” The programme is now set to be implemented in almost 30 TAG centres in local communities around the country, and will
recruit over 1,000 young people over the next year. Fred Turok, TAG founder and FIA chairman, said: “TAG has taken a government funded initiative and is working with potential employers to develop a training model which meets their needs – which are to recruit staff with technical as well as vital people skills. We have created a young people centric programme which helps them take that giant step from disenfranchised unemployment to a fulfilling, rewarding career in an industry which is primed for expansion.”
Call for tough obesity action to avoid problems for future generations THE BMA in Scotland has issued a warning about the dangers faced by future generations if tough action is not taken to tackle obesity. Doctors have made the call following the Scottish government’s publication of its new obesity strategy and ahead of a Parliamentary debate. Dean Marshall, BMA GPs committee chair, said: “Prevention is much better than cure. “It is better, healthier and safer if children are given the tools to manage their weight, eat healthily and take more exercise. “But no-one is saying this is easy. We are in danger of raising a generation of children burdened with long term chronic health conditions. It is vital that we take action now.” The government strategy has been published with the
Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and outlines plans to make healthy choices easier. Dr Marshall added: “Doctors have a role to play in supporting overweight patients and talking about the dangers of obesity, but there is a limit to what they can do. “The BMA has been lobbying the government for some time to take real action on this issue to achieve a real improvement in the future health of our children.” The plans that have been set out include working with retailers and the food industry to control demand for high calorie food and drinks, using planning legislation to increase opportunities for physical activity and working with schools to encourage young people to take up healthy habits.
Fitness guru Rosemary Conley is encouraging students to eat more healthily for better academic results. She visited the University of Leicester to present researchers from the department of cancer studies with a cheque for £20,000 on behalf of Hallmark Cards. Rosemary offered advice to the students in light of a recent study conducted by the sociology department which revealed that fast food is firmly entrenched in the lifestyle of students. She said: “The better food you put into yourself, the better you’re going to be able to study, the better you’re going to sleep, the more active you’re going to be and the less tired you will be so you’re going to do a better job.”
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18 football
Tibshelf Community School is celebrating after its year 11 boys football team won the Derbyshire County Cup Final. Two years of practice paid off when the specialist sports college defeated the local Murray Park School at the Moorways Stadium. Tibshelf’s executive head teacher said: “With teams entering from about 64 schools across Derby City and Derbyshire this represents a fantastic achievement and crowns their exploits in the 2007/2008 season. The team as a whole played with the poise, maturity and calm authority of true champions – congratulations must go to all involved.”
Goals on look-out for sites GOALS Soccer Centres, the awardwinning provider of FA Advanced Accredited soccer facilities, has now developed 35 next generation soccer centres across the UK. Each facility represents a £2.2m investment by Goals and many have been developed on school campuses. The facilities are operated as dual-use with the school having unrestricted free use during the day and the facilities are then open to the public out of school hours on a pay-as-you-play basis providing the financial viability for Goals. With an additional £50million funding available for further investment Goals are currently looking for new school sites.
Have you got news for us? Call the Future Fitness news desk on 01226 734694 or email lcordell@whpl.net
Rio Ferdinand – the England World Cup Captain’s former coach Tony Carr will be attending the show
Top line-up for grass roots football event FOOTBALL coaches, PE teachers and young fans are being invited to an event devoted to grass roots football. Taking place in June at the NEC, Grass Roots Football Live is three days devoted to giving visitors access to the country’s top coaches and managers who will share their experiences and trade secrets. This year’s line up includes Alan Curbishley, Steve Coppell, Ian Holloway, Peter Taylor, Ian Dowie and Aidy Boothroyd. Special guest Tony Carr will also be attending to share his expertise gained during 30 years as academy director at West Ham United. He has been responsible for the early development of players includ-
ing Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard, Paul Ince and Jermain Defoe and will be offering advice on the best training methods. Visitors to the event will be able to watch coaching demonstrations provided by high profile professional managers, listen to expert advice, try out new equipment and learn new skills. There will be a precision training and conditioning area, where coaching drills for all ages will be held, aimed a developing improved fitness and a ‘Boot Room’ where 45 minute question and answer sessions with managers will be held, for them to offer advice on a range of relevant topics to grass root coaches.
In the player and coach development theatre there will be presentations and panel discussions featuring insider knowledge about player and coach development and the partnering club development theatre will host debates covering all aspects of running a grass roots football club. The show will also include a coaches resource centre, providing a one stop shop for coaches and teachers, including a range of DVD’s, books and training aids. Finally, the Skills Zones is available for young players to practice their dribbling, passing, shooting skills, acceleration and receive some expert and tailored coaching.
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football 19
Youngsters net football skills at free open days TENS of thousands of youngsters across the UK are being given the chance to improve their football skills for free at McDonald’s Open Days. This summer, 27 open days are being put on as part of the company’s commitment to grassroots football, providing qualified coaching sessions and skills games. Kids will also be given the chance to use the Soccer Matrix training aid, which uses audio tuition to instruct the player to aim the ball at a specific
panel. World Cup legend Sir Geoff Hurst and former Manchester United coach Eric Harrison will also be attending to pass on their top tips to youngsters. Richard Nugent, Soccer Matrix inventor, said: “McDonald’s has done more for grassroots coaching in the UK than any other brand. “We’re very proud to be part of McDonald’s Open Days this summer and look forward to providing thousands of skill sessions.”
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20 dance
Students at Bebington High Sports College have put on two evening performances as part of their Lets Dance 2010 event. The shows had a cast of over 100 students from all years and the performance included a ‘Fields of Gold’ dance sequence.
Ambassadors scheme aims to promote dance across the country By Louise Cordell ENGLAND’S first National Young Dance Ambassadors scheme has been launched by Youth Dance England. Seven young people have been chosen to help promote the organisation and its aim of improving standards of dance for children across the country. Their job will be to communicate with young people in schools and at events as well as advising YDE about its programme development. Linda Jasper, YDE director said: “I am delighted that we have appointed these inspirational individuals to encourage more young people to take part in dance. “They will make sure that we have direct access to young people’s views to ensure that our programmes are
meeting their needs and help us shape our future work.” The National Young Dance Ambassadors have all taken part in various YDE programmes including the Stride! leadership programme and the YDE Young Creatives. Lowenna Hosken, one of the ambassadors, said: “Dance has always been an integral part of my life and as I grew up I discovered the various other opportunities within dance, such as teaching and development. “I love to see other dancers and dance as a whole move forward and progress because of an input I have made. “I hope to help raise the awareness of dance for everyone however it may relate to them.”
Teenagers are being motivated by dance weekend workshops run by PGL, which make the most of the growing interest in street dance. The sessions are led by professional, specialist instructors who provide tuition in a range of dance disciplines. The groups start out by learning basic steps and motifs, they then build up short
and then more complex routines and the workshop then culminates in a performance. Many of the courses are also run at outdoor education centres, meaning that the dance sessions can be interspersed with adventures sessions including zip wires, high ropes, climbing and abseiling.
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dance 21
£8.9m Dance House chooses Junckers ... WHEN highly technical and specialist dance floors were needed for the £8.9m Jerwood Dance House in Ipswich, client Dance East visited Junckers at their showroom and training headquarters in Witham to
try out and dance on a range of their floor systems. This allowed them to choose the Junckers 22mm pre-lacquered SylvaSport Premium solid beech flooring and the New Era UnoBat cra-
dle system for their studios. Designed by John Lyall Architects to meet very exacting standards, the three-storey dance complex is operated by one of Britain’s leading dance organisations and required floors
Francesca dances to success THE finals of Young British Dancer of the Year 2010 have taken place at the Royal Opera House’s Linbury Studio Theatre. The competition saw almost 100 young dancers aged from 15 to 17 from all over the UK compete for the title. Sixteen finalist performed two solos each in front of a panel of judges including principal dancers from the Royal Ballet and the director of the Bavarian State Opera Ballet in Munich. The winner was 17 year old Francesca Hayward, Anna Rose O’Sullivan, 15, came in second place and Bruno Micchiardi, 17, came third.
Ricki Gail Conway, YBDY’s founding sponsor, said: “It is really exciting that Young British Dancer of the Year has become such an important fixture in the British Dance Calendar over the past ten years. “The competition continues to offer young dancers the valuable opportunity to develop their skills and artistry and to share their talents with the public in a sell-out performance. “It is also an opportunity to celebrate the tremendous talent we have in this country and to encourage it for the future of the art form.”
Francesca Hayward
Picture: Johan Persson
that would provide the correct resilience, shock absorption and friction characteristics in order for the dancer to experience the ultimate level of performance and comfort. For more information visit: www.junckers.co.uk or call: 01376 534 700.
Culture secretary sees dance mat scheme in action THE culture secretary Ben Bradshaw has visited Launde Primary School in Oadby to see a Sport Unlimited dance mat programme in action. The scheme is currently running across 26 schools and colleges in the area and has been a huge success, with 84 per cent of participants saying they would like to continue taking part in the future. Mr Bradshaw said: “It is wonderful to see young people given the opportunity to be physically active and enjoying themselves at the same time, particularly for young people who do not enjoy traditional sport. It gives them the opportunity to be active.” The programme consists of a ten week dance and fitness project using ZigZag’s five-step dance mats. An online league table is updated weekly and the programme culminates in a face-to-face Championship for the top scorers from each school.
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22 dance
Troupe dances off with top prize
Dance mats inspiring disengaged youngsters FITNESSGAMING provides an extensive range of dance mat solutions in the market, offering more schools the chance to invest in an initiative that inspires disengaged and disinterested pupils in quality physical exercise.
A YOUTH dance troupe has won first prize at Activity Sheffield’s Street Dance Competition. Jess Barber was one of the group of nine to 15-year-old girls, who took part in the masked dance. She said: “It was really amazing to win and totally unexpected as we were all really nervous but we’d put a lot of effort in.
It has a Just for Schools range, which can be played using the Nintendo Wii and this means that children can also practice at home using the same game.
“I think we won because we had the most unique and original dance because of our masks and the music we chose.
There is also a newly launched Blufit dance and multiplayer gaming system which has been designed to inspire all pupils to take part in a fun and challenging activity.
“Winning the competition has brought us closer together and things like this are a huge confidence boost for us.” The competition saw more than 200 dancers take part in cheerleading and two split ability street dancing categories.
Pictured, top row, from left: Jess Barber, Ruby Ramsden, Amber Cowan, Hannah Gent, Evie Hawkins, Eden Cowan and Eve Thompson
It offers an automatic performance monitoring website and a range of other games beyond dance to provide sustainability.
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dance 23
Celebrity Ian helps club in youth effort By Mary Ferguson A BERKSHIRE health club is using a celebrity member to encourage young people to get fit and help raise money for charity. Strictly Come Dancing star Ian Waite has been using the facilities at Pulse8 for years and recently fronted an open weekend held to support the FIA’s Let’s Dance Change4Life initiative. The government scheme is focussed on getting kids involved in a healthy and active lifestyle and the club in Sindlesham catered for almost 150 people of all ages during the event. Those taking part learned dances including salsa, modern jazz and hip hop, and collected donations as part of an ongoing charity drive for breast cancer care. Ian – who partnered supermodel Jodie Kidd during the last series of the hit BBC show – has been involved with dance masterclasses at the club in the past, some of which have been filmed. Paddy Halfhide, marketing director for the club, now has plans for more events with the dancer. He said: “We did a lot with Change4Life throughout the whole summer last year and we were the most
successful club in the country in terms of participation, reaching over 1500 people. “So from our point of view holding Let’s Dance Change4Life for just one weekend is a bit limiting, which is why we are planning to put them on once a month. “We are Berkshire’s biggest fitness club so feel its our duty to keep giving something new. “We want to keep things fresh for the 20 per cent of the population that already engage in exercise but also reach out to the other 80 per cent, and we think dance is a really good way to do this.” He also hopes that their success in attracting some of the harder to reach target markets will result in more positive publicity for the industry. Paddy added: “When we work with organisations like the FIA we want them to be able to feed back positive results to central government, as the fitness industry competes for funding against so many other sectors. “I think we have demonstrated that we can go beyond what other clubs do.”
Ian Waite dances with a club member Picture: Reading Post
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24 industry news
Vew-Do balance board aimed at teenagers PIPE Dreams are introducing a new Vew-Do Balance Board X-treme class to appeal to teenagers who enjoy the excitement of action sports training. The classes combine five components in a half-hour session – upper and lower body, abdominals, core balance and cardiovascular. Exercises are referred to as ‘tricks’ and instructors run the classes using an up to date play list of the latest chart hits. A typical class has a warm up phase, then goes straight into the main component where participants partner up and help each other learn the basic tricks before progressing to more difficult moves. The class can also be delivered as a circuit where those taking part complete two circuits within the half hour session. Each fixed station has an assigned trick which is performed by each person for two minutes at a time.
Why simple screening is a good idea RESEARCH has shown that interest in health screening in the fitness industry has always been a point of discussion. Simple screening starting with looking at the parents is a good idea. Not just height and weight, but peak flow score for lung condition, flexibility with a sit and reach box, the bleep test for cardiovascular fitness and explosive jump tests.
If you start to make physiology and PE sport specific, it becomes interesting and helpful. John Moore OBE, who started IDASS was sitting in a committee meeting years ago discussing international youth sport and aiming to fix age limits. Some countries had a youth programme for teenagers, but the Finnish delegate said they started at seven to eight years old for national selection.
The Russian could not understand why they waited so long, as they started from the moment kids started primary school. Sport and fitness are linked and if we want to stop kids dropping off at 15 to 16 years old we should engage them earlier and channel them as PE teachers, coaches and educators into the correct channel through health and fitness screening.
Cost-effective sports wear for everyone GFORCE, performance apparel sportswear from Gymphlex Ltd is available for all, bringing cost effective sportswear to the club and school sports market. This will be of particular interest to those schools and colleges who take their sporting performance seriously. The flexible GFORCE system presents the ultimate approach to high performance garments, teaming a large range of tech-
A collection to inspire schools
nical fabrics with an incredible selection of colours and a vast stock of contemporary designs. Performance is paramount with the GFORCE range. All available fabrics have inherent benefits, which make them perfect for playing a wide variety of sports.
GFORCE Performance Apparel was launched last year and is already establishing itself within schools, clubs and teams across the UK. The brand has been created by sportswear specialists Gymphlex Ltd and consists of high performance, technical team with with flexible customisation options. Simon Ward, sales director at Gymphlex, said: “We have tried to create the perfect collection that will inspire schools and clubs to develop their own customised kit. “The four designs we launched with have proved so popular that we have now added a furter two, meaning more style options are available.”
For more details just visit: www.gforcesportswear.co.uk or call our sales team on: 01507 523243.
Where sun, sea, sand, and fitness combine! Advertiser’s announcement THERE’S no better place to get to the top of your game than at Club La Santa in Lanzarote. It’s the world’s number one sports and activity holiday resort. Here, you’ll be surrounded by likeminded people, plus some of the best coaches and facilities around. With 25 sports on offer including running, cycling, aerobics, windsurfing, Pilates and yoga, you’ll never get bored. In fact, many guests take part in a competition during their stay, such as Ironman Lanzarote, or the Cycling Trophy. The resort also hosts themed training sessions throughout the year, so if you have a particular goal in mind, you can take part in one of the sport specific training camps. Here, world class coaches work with small groups on technique, diet, avoiding injury, and ongoing exercise plans. Club La Santa sits on the Lanzarote coastline, and overlooks a lagoon to one side, and stunning volcanic scenery to the other. The resort is completely self-contained, with cafes, restaurants, hire facilities and a wellness centre all on site, and all for free. This is so you can concentrate on the training, rather than worrying about food and where to get kit from.
Club La Santa is family friendly. So, while you train – or relax – your children will be well looked after. There’s a daily playtime for youngsters aged from three years old and older kids can take part in group classes to learn a new skill, like windsurfing, or improve their tennis or swimming stroke. Often, groups chose to come to Club La Santa to have a break away from it all and do some team-building. They’re more than catered for and the resort has conference facilities and can put together Group timetables to plan your time away. We provide an absolutely unique
holiday experience, where you can find new sports, new friends and rub shoulders with the top pros like Jenson Button and Mark Cavendish. Prices start from £557.00 per apartment, two free places in 20, plus early booking offers for winter 10/11 and special offers for summer 2010, why not check out www.clublasanta.co.uk for the latest offers, or call 0161 790 9890. Club La Santa is all about fitness and fun and that’s why our guests return year after year, with 25 sports on offer you’ll never get bored.
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news 25 After giving up lunch breaks and weekends for six years to help promote sport at her school in Worcestershire, Caroline Sidell has been named PE Teacher of the Year at the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year Awards. Future Fitness found out more
All the hard work pays off as Caroline nets top teacher award CAROLINE Sidell started at South Bromsgrove High School after qualifying as a teacher six years ago. As PE teacher and school sport coordinator, it has always been her aim to get as many of her pupils as possible involved in regular exercise. She has done this by introducing a huge range of activities to attract the traditionally non sporty kids and ensuring that special provisions are made for special needs pupils. Caroline said: “I think PE teachers need to engage all different types of student and give everyone a sporting chance. “You need to give up a lot of your time to put on the activities, I give up most lunchtimes and time after school, but is worth it for the improvement. It has really worked for us, for example I started up a cheerleading club a year ago and now over 100 pupils come to each lunchtime session.” Caroline has introduced many other new sports to the school, including roller hockey and tag rugby and, as part of her role as school sport coordinator, set up a lunchtime activity club for special educational needs students - a project that won the school £40,000 worth of Technogym equipment. She has also introduced a Girls Active Club, which is attended by 30 female pupils every week and an Active Lunchtimes scheme, which has got most of the school using sports equipment during their breaks. Caroline added: “You have to be quite clever and innovative to get them involved. But it is really
Caroline and her pupils important that they are active and lunchtime and after school as well as just in PE lessons, and that is a PE teacher’s responsibility too –
even though it is more recreational. I have been lucky because the head and the rest of the school have been very supportive and
have invested money in the Active Lunchtime clubs to get extra staff to supervise – because they can see how important it is.”
Projects to promote activity More projects introduced by Caroline to help get pupils active: A series of assemblies to get the students ready for the 2012 Olympics and setting up related projects that will involve the whole school and be led by the kids themselves. Festivals for cheerleading and dance organised each term and attended by over 100 local young people. Healthy breakfast and after school revision clubs for GCSE PE students – resulting in a 20 per cent increase in results over the last year. Taking female pupils out to a local gym during PE lessons to give them a chance to take part in boxercise, aerobics and dance. Using evenings and weekends to take the school’s cheerleading squad to competitions, festivals and performances at local football and rugby matches. Setting up gifted and talented workshops for PE students, giving them access to sport career pathways and advice.
Caroline accepting her award Pictures: Richard Lea-Hair
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365 directory 23 Training & Qualifications
Interactive Equipment/ Dance Mats
YMCA FIT 111 Great Russell St London, WC1B 3NP T: 0207 343 1855 W: www.ymcafit.org.uk E: info@ymcafit.org.uk
Pulse Dance Machine The Bromley Centre Bromley Rd Congleton Cheshire CW12 1PT T: 01260 294600 W: www.pulsefitness.com E: info@pulsefitness.com
Central YMCA Qualifications 111 Great Russell St London, WC1B 3NP T: 0207 343 1800 W: www.cyq.org.uk E: info@cyq.org.uk Jump Rope Uk Ltd 16 Riverside Park Wimborne Dorset, BH21 1QU tel: 01202 840590 fax: 01202 840577 jumpropes@ntjr.co.uk www.ntjr.co.uk National Extension College The Michael Young Centre Purbeck Road Cambridge, CB2 8HN T: 0800 389 2839 W: www.nec.ac.uk E: info@nec.ac.uk
Sports Facility Development Sports Solutions GB Suite One Copse Farm South Marston Park Swindon, SN3 4UQ T: 01793 833456 W: www.sportssolutionsgb.co.uk E: chris.bevan@sportssolutionsgb.co.uk
Training Equipment Crazy Catch Wall Tree House Farm Steane Brackley, NN13 5NS T: 01295 816765 W: www.flicx.com E: ricx@flicx.com
Cyber Coach Unit 1a Britannia Business Park Union Rd The Valley Bolton BL2 2HP T: 0845 869 2848 W: www.cyber-coach.co.uk E: info@cyber-coach.co.uk
Fitness Equipment Pulse Fitness The Bromley Centre Bromley Rd Congleton Cheshire CW12 1PT T: 01260 294600 W: www.pulsefitness.com E: info@pulsefitness.com SportsArt Fitness 2 Dean Court Unit 10 Shuttleworth Mead Bus Park Padiham, Lancs BB12 7NG T: 01282 779234 W: www.sportsartfitness.com E: mark.turner@sportsartfitness.com Mark Harrod Unit 1 Tilla Court Beccles Business Park Worlingham NR34 7BF T: 01502 476882 W: www.markharrod.com Hexa Sports Ltd New Bond Street Birmingham, B9 4EJ tel: 0121 7720724 sales@hexasports.co.uk www.hexasports.co.uk
Design & Build
Climbing Walls
Pulse Select The Bromley Centre Bromley Rd Congleton Cheshire CW12 1PT T: 01260 294600 W: www.pulsefitness.com E: info@pulsefitness.com
Freedom Climber Cherry Cottage Guildford Rd Cranleigh Surrey GU6 8LS T: 07554 016220 W: www.revolutionaryproducts.co.uk E: andrew@revolutionaryproducts.co.uk
Football Facility Build
Entre Prises Eden Works Colne Rd Kelbrook Lancs BB18 6SH T: 01282 444800 W: www.ep-uk.com E: info@ep-uk.
Goals Soccer Centres plc Orbital House Peel Park East Kilbride G74 5PR T: 01355 234800 W: www.goalsfootball.co.uk E: keithm@goalsfootball.co.uk Pulse Soccer Centres The Bromley Centre Bromley Rd Congleton Cheshire CW12 1PT T: 01260 294600 W: www.pulsefitness.com E: info@pulsefitness.com
Professional Associations Association for Physical Education Building 25 London Road Reading Berkshire RG1 5AQ T: 0118 378 2440 W: www.afpe.org.uk E: enquiries@afpe.org.uk British Colleges Sport 2/3 North Street Workshops North St Stoke-Sub-Hamdon Somerset TA14 6QR T: 01935 823444 W: www.britishcollegessport.org E: kate.paul@britishcollegessport.org
Audio Equipment Sound Dynamics 51 Bridge St Belper Derbyshire DE56 1AY T: 01773 828486 F: 01773 828475 W: www.sound-dynamics.co.uk E: support@sound-dynamics.co.uk
Sports Clothing Kitking 9, Upper George Street Leicester, LE1 3LP T: 0116 262 7332 E: sales@kitking.co.ukst rskitking@aol.com
Installation & Repairs Renovate Contracts Limited Unit 8 12 Moat Way Barwell Leicester LE9 8EY T: 01455 851900 E: duncan@renovatecontracts.– wanadoo.co.uk W: www.renovatecontracts.com
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