DOES your junior football club need a brand-new strip? You could win one with this competition.
Funding for junior clubs is often hard to come by, which is why local promotional products and branded clothing specialist company Recognition Express has launched a competition in Tamworth for Under 16 teams to nominate their unsung heroes.
The prize is a complete set of new football shirts, shorts and socks for the team’s 2017/2018 season in a design of their choosing.
Sam Giddy, Director of Recognition Express Tamworth explained: “A brand new kit has a motivational effect on boys and girls playing in any football team, but it’s much harder for junior clubs to find sponsors and many parents can’t afford to pay out for new strips.
“Every football club has an unsung hero whether it be a coach, player, supporter, groundsman or a player who works tirelessly on match days and behind the scenes, always going the extra mile for the team.
“We want to recognise the contribution these unsung heroes make to junior football teams and thought it would be a fitting reward for them to win a brand-new strip for his or her team ready for next season.
“In junior clubs this could also be a teacher, parent or even a grandparent who is turns out to help come rain or shine.
“We wanted to give something back to the community we serve and as we specialise in recognition products, promotional items and branded clothing it makes sense for us to combine by donating a new team strip to a local junior football club with recognising an unsung hero.”
Anyone can nominate a junior football club hero. The competition is open to all under 16’s junior football clubs playing in the Tamworth area.
To enter visit this website and complete the simple entry form.
The competition closes on Friday 7 April 2017 and the winner will be announced on Tuesday 18 April 2017.
The football hero will be presented with the team’s new kit in September in time for the start of the 2017/2018 season.
The race to get a place in IRONMAN® 70.3 Staffordshire has started as registration for the event is now open.
In the first two years the event has proved a sell-out success and organisers say people will need to be quick off their marks to be part of the line-up for the event on Sunday, June 18.
Once again, the event will see competitors complete a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile half marathon, starting at Chasewater, passing through Cannock Chase before culminating at the historic Shugborough Estate.
Mark Winnington, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, said: “After a hugely successful Olympic Games for Staffordshire with Adam Peaty and Joe Clarke leading the gold rush for Team GB, we expect even more people to be inspired by their sporting success and sign up for IRONMAN in 2017.
“The event is not just fantastic for competitors, but for the whole county and this year we will be really encouraging residents, businesses and schools to play an even greater role in making Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire 2017 an even bigger success story.”
Further details about the event and how to book your place are available here.
Kevin Stewart, Managing Director IRONMAN UK & Ireland, said: “We get so much great feedback from athletes about their experience in Staffordshire that I am sure many people will be keen to return once again.
“Places are limited and when they are gone they are gone, so we would encourage anyone wanting to take on the Ironman challenge to sign up as soon as possible.”
ONE of Tamworth’s biggest and most diverse grassroots football club, Cottage Farm Rangers FC, is inviting both experienced grassroots coaches and brand new football coaches to get involved with a Club inspiring the next generation of footballers.
Volunteer roles exist to coach players of all ages, gender and abilities at the FA Charter Standard Development Club, based in Tamworth, Staffordshire.
If not already attained, funding for FA Level 1 Coaching – the basic requirement – will be offered to candidates who have the right qualities and desire to create a positive coaching and playing environment (in-line with the FA’s Respect programme and The Future Game).
Opportunities also exist for teenagers and young adults to get a taste of coaching under the supervision of respected youth coaches Charlie Hembry and Ian Ashman, at the Club’s thriving Development Centre for four to seven year olds.
All the roles are needed to help lead the development of players throughout the 2016/17 season and beyond – ideally for another 20 years.
Also, to support coaches in all aspects of running a team at Cottage Farm Rangers FC, we will have from next season, a new Club Coach Mentoring Programme in place based on the current FA Club Mentoring Scheme to help and support all its Club Coaches.
Cottage Farm Rangers FC is an inclusive club operating 16 teams ranging from under sevens to open age as well as the longest running Development Centre for budding footballers from four years old. It also continually looks to build innovative community partnerships through football. The Club is also a member of the Nike Club Partnership Programme, which provides grassroots clubs with things like training bursaries and CPD events.
If you want to coach with Cottage Farm Rangers FC please contact Club Secretary, Nicole Wright on 07814 676947 or by email at: [email protected]
SUPERMARKET giant Aldi has been announced as the major sponsor of the Aviva Women’s Tour when it comes to Warwickshire on Thursday 16th June.
The supermarket, which employs over 500 staff in its head office in Atherstone, will sponsor Stage 2 of the internationally-recognised cycle race when it comes to Warwickshire this summer.
Hannah Peyton from Drops Cycling Team, one of the 3 UK teams taking part in this year’s Aviva Women’s Tour and based in the West Midlands, was joined by representatives from Warwickshire County Council and North Warwickshire Borough Council outside Atherstone’s Aldi store on Station Street and in the town’s historic Market Square to mark the sponsorship announcement and officially launch Atherstone as the race’s start location.
The race, which is being hosted by Warwickshire County Council and partners the University of Warwick, will see the world’s leading female cyclists go head-to-head on a challenging 140km ride from the north to the very south of the County
The Tour stage will start in Atherstone’s historic Market Square on the morning of Thursday 16th June before wending its way through the North Warwickshire villages of Ridge Lane, Birchley Heath, Church End, Ansley, New Arley, Wood End and Fillongley.
From North Warwickshire, the cyclists will pass through the heart of the County, taking the riders through the world-class University of Warwick campus, Kenilworth and Warwick town centres, before climbing to the highest points in Warwickshire, through Burton Dassett Hills Country Park, Edge Hill and Ilmington. The race will finish in spectacular style in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Given the supermarket’s strong connections with Atherstone and Warwickshire, and its high profile support for UK sport as the official supermarket of Team GB, Aldi is an ideal sponsor for the Aviva Women’s Tour in Warwickshire.
The Tour is expected to bring an economic boost to North Warwickshire and the County as a whole as thousands of spectators and tourists come to watch the event and Warwickshire is showcased globally as an outstanding place to work and invest.
Hosts Warwickshire County Council, with the support of North Warwickshire Borough Council, are working with the region’s businesses to maximise their support and engagement in the Tour and the economic opportunities that it will bring.
Leader of Warwickshire County Council, Councillor Izzy Seccombe, said: “I’m delighted that we have Aldi as official sponsor of the Aviva Women’s Tour in Warwickshire.
“They are one of our major employers and, given their strong links with Atherstone, where this internationally significant sporting event will begin, and with Warwickshire as a whole, they are perfect partners in helping us to boost awareness of the Tour and the lasting legacy that it will bring to our beautiful County.”
Jonathan Neale, Joint Managing Director of Corporate Buying at Aldi, said: “We are thrilled to sponsor stage two of the Aviva Women’s Tour. We look forward to working closely with Warwickshire County Council and inviting some of the world’s finest athletes to Warwickshire, the home of our UK Head Office.”
“2016 is set to be a fantastic summer for us, with the Aviva Women’s Race and our sponsorship of Team GB on their Road to Rio. We wish the best of luck to all the participants in the race and welcome those cycling fans who may be visiting Warwickshire for the first time.”
Jerry Hutchinson, Chief Executive of North Warwickshire Borough Council, said: “I am delighted that a key North Warwickshire business is the sponsor of the Warwickshire stage of The Women’s Tour. Aldi is a forward thinking company, they have a household name and their headquarters are here in Atherstone, so I couldn’t think of a better brand to be associated with this important event. We are equally proud that North Warwickshire is hosting the start of Stage 2 of this international women’s cycle race.”
Mick Bennett, Race Director of the Aviva Women’s Tour, said: “We have been thrilled by the support we have received for Stage Two of the Aviva Women’s Tour from across Warwickshire and are delighted to see communities and businesses from Atherstone in North Warwickshire all the way through to Straford-upon-Avon getting behind the race and supporting women’s cycling.”
Councillor Philip Johnson, Chair of Warwickshire County Council’s Communities Overview & Scrutiny Committee, said: “The Aviva Women’s Tour brings with it an excellent opportunity to showcase Warwickshire as a place to work, invest and visit and I’m sure that Aldi’s sponsorship will help us put the County on the map as somewhere that has the talent and infrastructure to make a sporting event on this scale, and all the benefits that it brings, a big success.”
The www.warwickshire.gov.uk/womens-tour website is packed with information about the Tour, the route through Warwickshire and the plans for Race Day itself. The site will continue to be updated with information as the Tour gets ever closer, so keep checking back.
You can follow the latest Aviva Women’s Tour in Warwickshire news by following @ChooseMoveWarks on Twitter, following the #AvivaWT2016 hashtag and liking the ChooseMoveWarks Facebook page.
ON Sunday 17th April at Birmingham Bike Park, Tamworth BMX Club is hosting the first West Midlands Regional of 2016 on April 17th at Perry Park in conjunction with Birmingham Bike Park.
Hosting a race day is a significant achievement for Tamworth BMX Club and signals a huge shift in the clubs competitive fortunes.
A regional race meeting is a chance for clubs throughout the area to display their skills and compete with each other. Tamworth BMX Club will be flying the flag for Tamworth at the event and hopping for medal glory for local BMX racers.
The race meet also marks Tamworth BMX Clubs 5th birthday and the club has been reflecting on the past five years and its many successes. Some of these include:
- Achieving the Go-Ride Clubmark status, incorporating Sports England Clubmark
- Training three level 2 coach’s, with funding for three further coaches
- Membership has increased to 331 members
- The club being rated as the third in the West Midlands
- Securing funding for indoor winter training for the teenagers
- Exclusive use of Birmingham Bike Park at Perry Park on Thursday evenings
- Coaching sessions with Kelvin Batey, who is three times BMX world champion
The club caters for all ages and young children are invited to Tam Youth Sports Hall for the winter club sessions. These features coaching and fun games on the bikes to improve bikers skills. The club believes it’s a great way to keep younger riders fit and happy throughout the winter.
Mike O’Brian, Chairman of Tamworth BMX Club said: “As the Chairman of Tamworth BMX Club I am so proud of all the riders in the club. Whether it be their individual achievements in this Olympic cycling sport or just having fun riding around the Deltic track. I have a committee of ten who think the same as me who are dedicated volunteers with a passion for Tamworth BMX Club. Its down to the parents and grandparents who bring their budding BMX champions to the Deltic track and other BMX tracks around the west Midlands that makes our club so successful.”
He added: “If you are interested in this fast developing sport, races for 6 and under to 45+ come along and meet us at the Deltic track. We operate regular club training sessions and on Thursday 21st April we will be holding our summer club nights from 4pm till dusk.
The club operates both competitively and socially and the public is invited to get involved in any of their open days at Deltic BMX Track. For more information, or if you want to get involved, follow Tamworth BMX Club on Facebook.
SAIL into spring for FREE when Tamworth Sailing Club and Shustoke Sailing Club host early season Open Days on Saturday 9 April.
Anyone, of all ages, abilities and experience, is welcome to go along and get out on the water (weather permitting) with an experienced club member while getting a taste for all the activities you and your family can get involved in at both clubs this year and everything social club life offers.
Tamworth SC, at Kingsbury Water Park, will be welcoming visitors between 10am and 3pm and Shustoke SC, on Shustoke Reservoir, from 11am-5pm.
Sailing is a real family friendly sport, with different boats that mums, dads and the kids will all enjoy. Once you get into the sport, you can sail on your own, in pairs or altogether as a family depending on what boats you most enjoy sailing. You can start to race too and racing is a popular part of club life.
The Open Days welcome people who may never have even considered stepping into a boat before, people who already know they would like to learn to sail but want to sample the sport first or sailors who may be new to the area and are looking for a club or perhaps haven’t sailed for some time.
All you will need to enjoy the Open Days is some comfortable clothes and some old trainers you don’t mind getting wet and, weather depending, a waterproof and/or sunscreen. Buoyancy aids, equipment and safety brief will be provided by the clubs and refreshments will be available.
Both Shustoke SC and Tamworth SC are recognised RYA Training Centres meaning they conform to the highest standards of quality and safety. Both clubs are running a range of RYA learn to sail and improver courses throughout the year and both will also be opening their doors for more ’taster’ sessions as part of the RYA Push The Boat Out ‘have a go at sailing’ festival between Saturday 14 - Sunday 22 May.
For full details on the Open Days, upcoming courses and where to find each of the clubs visit the club websites at www.tamworthsc.co.uk or www.shustokesailingclub.co.uk or for more information about RYA Push The Boat Out visit www.rya.org.uk/go/PTBO
TAMWORTH FC take on Stockport this Saturday and here at Tamworth Informed we are hoping that they can make it the forth consecutive win and maintain their position just below the play-offs in the Vanarama National League.
Victories over Curzon Ashton, Gloucester City and league leaders Solihull Moors have got the Lambs back on track after a disappointing spell which saw them lose to Brackley and Corby.
The Lambs Goalkeeper, James Belshaw insists the Lambs are refusing to think too far ahead despite a hat-trick of wins giving them fresh hope in their pursuit of a National North play-off place.
Belshaw said:
“We are just taking it game by game, half by half right now.We dug ourselves a massive hole when we lost the Brackley and Corby games. Although confidence is high again now and we have some momentum, we can’t think too far ahead of ourselves.”
“I think the moment we start doing that again, the wheels are likely to come off. So we just have to focus. We have three home games now and hopefully we can take advantage of that fact. We are only thinking about Stockport, who will be a tough test for us.”
“It was a really good, hard match at their place which either side could have won and I expect them to give us a real game again.All we can do is just keep trying to pick up points.It’s out of our hands a bit in terms of the play-offs, we are relying on other sides to slip up but if we can keep picking up the points, who knows?”
If you want to support the team this weekend then head down to the Lamb Ground of Kettlebrook Road for a 3pm Kick off. If you can’t get to the ground then all Tamworth FC home games will now be available to listen to online. Tune in from 2pm on Saturdays at live.scratchradio.co.uk
ALTHOUGH it’s cold outside there is still plenty of fun to be had in the great outdoors: “It might be getting colder but we are still out on the water!” say Central SUP.
The great thing about SUP (Stand up Paddelboarding) is that it can be done all year around if you make the right preparations. Central SUP HQ are still running club paddles and lessons on Sunday mornings.
They may be a bit shorter than normal but its still enough time to get your water fix anyway!
In addition to that they are also doing a lot of planning over the winter period to make Central SUP even better for you. You can expect more from the club including a calendar of events and trips as well as MORE club paddles.
They have two sites that you can paddle from at Cliff lakes and Tamworth Castle grounds offering a variety of conditions for every level of paddler, and if its too windy then we can crack out our land paddle kit and have a good old skate around the castle grounds.
Their new shop and website are being developed as we speak and they will be relaunching in the Spring with with some very exciting news, but for now, they are keeping their lips sealed!
In the meantime they have some amazing bargains on both Starboard and Red Paddle Co 2014 and 2015 boards, so If you are looking for a Christmas present then get in touch and let them help you to get the absolute best and most suitable kit.
Central SUP recently held a club meeting and they would like to welcome some new volunteers to the club, they are Dave, Sue, Dave, Neil and Tiff. These guys will be helping out with the club to make it even better than before !
So in the meantime please get in touch with them for anything SUP related. Just email [email protected] or head over to centralsup.net
POLICE and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Ellis, has commissioned an independent review into the way football matches are policed in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
It will be carried out by a leading, national academic on crowd safety and look at the effectiveness of the arrangements for policing local football matches.
The review will involve all three league clubs – Stoke City, Port Vale and Burton Albion – and include visits to policed games at each club’s ground.
The Commissioner has already introduced new formal audit and appeal arrangements between local clubs and Staffordshire Police as part of improving rigour and transparency in deciding on the level and costs of policing matches.
He said: “Football policing has never been an exact science and the police have to make difficult judgements when assessing football intelligence from other forces, potential risk of disorder and the numbers of officers required to ensure safety for everyone.
“At the same time, some football clubs work within very tight budgets and face financial pressures on a weekly basis which means they need to keep policing costs for fixtures as low as possible.
“This review will look at how effective the current arrangements in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are and what can be done to make them stronger and more transparent in the interest of safety, the clubs, supporters and taxpayers.
“It will be carried out by a leading national authority on the subject who is independent of policing and I have an undertaking from Staffordshire’s Chief Constable that officers will cooperate in every appropriate way.
“The review should provide clarity in the effectiveness or otherwise of current arrangements and a future model for how things could be done in Staffordshire while accounting for safety and getting best value for clubs and taxpayers.”
The review will be led by Dr Clifford Stott, from the University of Leeds, whose research on football policing and public disorder has informed policy for the Home Office, the College of Policing, the European Union and UEFA among others. It will start this month and be completed by the end of December.
Assistant Chief Constable Bernie O’Reilly, from Staffordshire Police, said: “We want everyone to be safe watching matches in Staffordshire, so we welcome this review.
“We look forward to working with Dr Stott and his team and hearing their recommendations.”
THE 5th annual Tamwoth 10k returns to the town on Sunday October 11th at 10.30am and local radio station TCR fm have stepped in as event sponsors.
The announcement of the new sponsor means that the event is officially The TCRfm Tamworth 10K for the first time!
At the official launch Kevin and Paul from KP Events teamed up with the station’s sport presenter Mike Thomas in the studio to tell the people of the town all about the exciting new link up that is a key partnership for both organisations.
Firstly Kevin Wilson of KP Events said: “The new TCR fm Tamworth 10K is an important sporting occasion for the town as it sees hundreds of local runners and their friends mix with runners from all the over country to Tamworth.
“The race has a huge reputation amongst runners looking for a personal best time due to the largely flat terrain. What makes the route special is the scenic nature of the 2 lap 5k circuit.
“TCR fm is a community station broadcasting to a loyal expanding audience, they will be broadcasting live on the morning itself, chatting to people and even runners in true London Marathon style!!”
Mike Thomas from TCR FM agrees: “Sponsoring the Tamworth 10k is brilliant for TCR fm, it’s a fantastic occasion for the town and we can add to and capture live the unique atmosphere that is created in Castle Grounds, we are all very
much looking forward to it, we are are hoping one of the team will actually be running it for local charity too, will it be myself, watch this space!!! “
Entries for the run are available via www.kpevents.net following the ‘enter an event’ link on the home page, the cost is £20/£18
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