Run4Fun Thursday, May 17th, 2012

Sale Sports Club are organising a Run4Fun event that will take place on the Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend, Monday 4th June at Sale Sports Club, Clarendon Crescent, Sale, M33 2DE.

You can run, walk or toddle (anything goes) either 1km, 2km or 5km. Fancy dress is welcome and the idea of the day is FUN and to help raise funds for Sale Sports Club facilities, that are used by the local community and also to support Christie Hospital Trust.

There is a medal for everyone taking part and anyone who raises over £100 will be placed into a Super prize draw.

For more information and how to sign up click here.

School Games meets Olympic Venues Thursday, May 17th, 2012

Over 1,600 of the best school-aged athletes last week made the most of their opportunity to compete in the Olympic and Paralympic venues in the Sainsbury’s 2012 School Games finals.

As competition in 12 sports reached its climax, Prince Harry was named as President of the competition, which is backed by National Lottery funding from Sport England.

On Monday and Tuesday badminton, fencing, gymnastics, judo, table tennis, volleyball and wheelchair basketball all took place at the ExCel Centre, while the final day of competition on Wednesday saw athletics in the Olympic Stadium, track cycling at the Velodrome and swimming at the Aquatics Centre.

“Competing in the Olympic Park ahead of this year’s Games is an amazing opportunity for these talented young athletes,” said Jennie Price, Sport England Chief Executive. “Their performances and those of the London 2012 athletes will help us build a lasting legacy and inspire a generation to create a sporting habit for life.”

With 700 volunteers and support staff helping across the four days of competition, other sports included rugby 7s at Barking Rugby Club, hockey at Old Loughtonians and road cycling at Redbridge Cycle Centre.

Commenting at the conclusion of the School Games, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Huge congratulations to all the winners, runners up and everyone who took part in the School Games Finals this week.

“Without a doubt, one of the most important parts of the Olympic and Paralympic Games has always been the legacy, so it’s brilliant to see over 12,000 schools signed up to the School Games, encouraging children to take part in competitive sport, and it’s very fitting that some of these young people are amongst some of the first athletes to experience the thrill and excitement of competing at the Olympic Stadium, Velodrome and Aquatics Centre.

“Perhaps we have seen some of the great sports heroes of the future compete this week, but more importantly, I hope they will inspire many more young people to get involved in sport.

“It’s a great way to mark the lead-up to the 2012 Games.”

Sport England announces new Club Leaders programme Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

Sport England has announced the launch of the new Club Leaders programme, which aims to help 10,000 community clubs across the country in developing improved business skills.

The initiative has been established to offer free training and support to those involved in the day-to-day operation of community sport, while also creating an enterprising club network.

Club Leaders will have the chance to develop business and financial planning skills, as well as marketing, governance and facilities management in ways that benefit their groups.

A Learning Bus will tour the country – initially along the route of the Olympic Torch Relay – to reach rural and inner city areas. PricewaterhouseCoopers is delivering the Club Leaders scheme.

Sport England chief executive Jennie Price said: “We asked the people who run clubs what they needed most, and their advice has guided every aspect of the Club Leaders offer.”

Hugh Robertson, minister for sport and the Olympics, added: “This training and support offered by Sport England will help people develop the broad range of skills they need to run a successful and dynamic sports club.”

Find out more on www.sportenglandclubleaders.com

Sport England opens latest round of Protecting Playing Fields fund Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

Sport England has announced the opening of the application process for the latest round of its Protecting Playing Fields fund, which is allowing groups to apply for a share of £2m.

More than 100 projects have already benefited under the first two rounds of the fund, which has distributed £4.8m worth of National Lottery cash as part of a 2012 legacy programme.

Grants worth between £20,000 and £50,000 will be awarded by Sport England to help fund schemes such as bringing disused fields back into action and improving current facilities.

Sport England chair Richard Lewis said: “Every playing field that benefits will be protected from developers for at least 25 years, giving a generation of young people great places to learn sport.”

Find out more information at www.sportengland.org

Football Coaches Required for Manchester United Soccer Schools Monday, May 14th, 2012

Manchester United are looking to recruit coaches for their Soccer Schools – you must be available from 1 to 27 July 2012.

What are they looking for?

• Coaches who are committed, flexible and looking for development opportunities
• UK work requires a minimum to level 2 qualification
• International work requires a minimum of level 3 qualification
• An ability to relate and inspire children of all abilities
• To be self-driven, hardworking, an excellent communicator and have passion for the game

For more information and how to apply click here

Making Rounders ‘Simple’ in Manchester Monday, May 14th, 2012

On Thursday 17 May 2012, a new Rounders league will be launched in the south Manchester area. Simple Rounders League will be hosting their first league at William Hulme Grammar School in Fallowfield and they’re looking for teams and players who would like to get involved.

Simple Rounders League is the sister company to Simple Netball League, who successfully organise netball leagues in the Manchester and Liverpool areas.  This summer, they decided to try something different and have discovered just how popular rounders is becoming!

The Simple Rounders League is based on a similar concept to the netball leagues.  Teams can be made up of groups of friends or work colleagues but they’re also interested in helping individual players without a team to join together and get involved.  All players will also have the opportunity to be a “ringer” and play as stand-ins for other teams when needed.

This format makes it a social and friendly league suitable for beginners and experienced players alike.

Joanna Blain from Simple Rounders League said ‘Many people have great memories of playing rounders at school but haven’t really had the opportunity to play since then.  We’re making rounders accessible and fun and we expect it to be a big hit this summer’.

To get involved, please go to the Simple Rounders website (www.simplerounders.co.uk) or you can drop an email to Joanna@simplerounders.co.uk and ask for further details or ask for a registration form.

Promote Your Club with the BBC Friday, May 11th, 2012

BBC Sport is supporting our mission to get more people playing sport by offering sports clubs a platform to promote their activities on bbc.co.uk.

From June 22, the BBC Things To Do website will promote sport taster sessions to the public on behalf of sports groups. It’s part of the BBC’s work to help inspire the public to try out sport this summer and build a lasting Olympic and Paralympic legacy.

The project will be promoted throughout the summer by BBC Sport and to the 3.3 million unique daily visitors BBC Sport’s website, so it’s a good way to promote sporting opportunities to a wide audience.

Not-for-profit and/or publicly-funded clubs are eligible to register and upload sport taster activities on Things To Do, if they meet the following criteria:

·      The activities must be run from 22 June 2012 onwards

·      Sessions must include active participation in sport

·      Activities should either be free of charge or run on a cost recovery basis

·      The sport must be accessible to the general public, not just members

·      Sessions must happen on a specific time on a specific day.

The BBC suggests that a natural fit would be a club open day, many of which are run already, which could see increases in the numbers attending.

Clubs can find out more, sign up and start promoting their sport taster activities at www.bbc.co.uk/thingstodo/activitymaker

The Forever Manchester Backwards Fun Run Friday, May 11th, 2012

The Forever Manchester Backwards Fun Run is taking place at 10am on Sunday 27 May at Heaton Park.

That’s right, run or walk one mile backwards, through one of Manchester’s most beautiful parks. You can dress up in fancy dress, put your clothes on back to front, or just tog up in your sports gear and run flat out.

All you need to do is register which costs just £10 for an individual or a team (this gets you a tshirt, a medal, a drink and a donation to Forever Manchester). You can then start raising money for the cause of your choice.  If you choose to raise money for Forever Manchester, registration is FREE and you simply need to fill in a registration form to secure your place.

If you’d like to take part in the Backwards Run please fill in the online registration form or if you would like to request a manual registration form please email Forever Manchester’s events coordinator Craig Hough at craig@forevermanchester.com.

Good luck and have fun!

Would you like to meet the England Women’s Football Squad? Friday, May 11th, 2012

As part of the build up to the England v Holland Women’s first Euro Championships Qualifier at Salford City’s new Stadium on 17 June 2012, the England Women’s squad will be at the launch party on the Main Stage in the Orient Food Hall at the Trafford Centre on Saturday 12 May, starting at 12 Noon (until 2.00 p.m.).

There will be opportunities to have a team photo with some of the England players as well as:

• Free England goodie bags
• Entertainment on stage
• Q&A with England Players on stage
• Free face painting
• Photo opportunities with England Players
• Signing memorabilia from England Players

Rounders Home International v Isle of Man Friday, May 11th, 2012

The Rounders England U14 squad will be playing an international match against the Isle of Man at UCLAN Sports Arena.

Who: England Under 14 Squad

When: Saturday 30 June 2012

Where: UCLAN Sports Arena, Tom Benson Way, Preston PR2 1SG

For all enquries contact michele.golland@roundersengland.co.uk