KIDS ‘ALOUD’ IN NEW NURSERY

Press Release: Tuesday 21 April 2009

KIDS ‘ALOUD’ IN NEW NURSERY

This week sees Kids Aloud, a new Day Care Nursery based at the old Leyton Trinity Methodist Church, 274 High Road (opposite Somerfield), run two Open Days on Friday 24th April (3pm – 8pm) and Saturday 25th April (10am – 5pm).

Kids Aloud is the new venture from the people behind the successful Nappy Gang nursery based at Score, 100 Oliver Road and Tiny Toes, based at 71 Vicarage Road by the Leyton County Cricket Ground.

Nappy Gang originally started in 1985 back in the old Oliver Close estate, before moving to Score on Oliver Road with help from the Housing Action Trust in 2005.

Due to the success, popularity and demand from residents in the area, Tiny Toes opened in 2006 and now the need exists for another nursery in the immediate location.

“The church is a lovely location,” said Frances Handley, Chairperson, Nappy Gang, who is setting up the new location.

“My manager Serge and I spent a lot of time trying to find a new venue around Leyton as we had an overwhelming demand for places. We identified the church, and after more than a year of correspondence we managed to get a licence to run a nursery from the premises.”

“It has a lovely big hall which we are revamping at the moment and everything is getting renewed from the kitchen through to the toilets – everyone here is really excited about it.”

“Frandel O’Brien the Deputy Manager of Kids Aloud will be at the Open Days on hand to answer any queries and questions – everyone is welcome to come down and visit.”

For more information about Kids Aloud, Nappy Gang or Tiny Toes please call Serge on 020 8539 8359 or email nappygang@hotmail.co.uk.

Notes:
1. Kids Aloud opens officially on Tuesday May 5th.

2. Kids Aloud daily opening times are from 7:30am to 6pm

3. Vacancies exist for children aged 3 months to five years old with a Breakfast and After School Club available.

4. Kids Aloud is based at Leyton Trinity Methodist Church, 274 High Road, Leyton, London. E10 5PW

Score Nursery Expands in Leyton

Press Release: Tuesday 21 April 2009

KIDS ‘ALOUD’ IN NEW NURSERY

This week sees Kids Aloud, a new Day Care Nursery based at the old Leyton Trinity Methodist Church, 274 High Road (opposite Somerfield), run two Open Days on Friday 24th April (3pm – 8pm) and Saturday 25th April (10am – 5pm).

Kids Aloud is the new venture from the people behind the successful Nappy Gang nursery based at Score, 100 Oliver Road and Tiny Toes, based at 71 Vicarage Road by the Leyton County Cricket Ground.

Nappy Gang originally started in 1985 back in the old Oliver Close estate, before moving to Score on Oliver Road with help from the Housing Action Trust in 2005.

Due to the success, popularity and demand from residents in the area, Tiny Toes opened in 2006 and now the need exists for another nursery in the immediate location.

“The church is a lovely location,” said Frances Handley, Chairperson, Nappy Gang, who is setting up the new location.

“My manager Serge and I spent a lot of time trying to find a new venue around Leyton as we had an overwhelming demand for places. We identified the church, and after more than a year of correspondence we managed to get a licence to run a nursery from the premises.”

“It has a lovely big hall which we are revamping at the moment and everything is getting renewed from the kitchen through to the toilets – everyone here is really excited about it.”

“Frandel O’Brien the Deputy Manager of Kids Aloud will be at the Open Days on hand to answer any queries and questions – everyone is welcome to come down and visit.”

For more information about Kids Aloud, Nappy Gang or Tiny Toes please call Serge on 020 8539 8359 or email nappygang@hotmail.co.uk.

Notes:
1. Kids Aloud opens officially on Tuesday May 5th.

2. Kids Aloud daily opening times are from 7:30am to 6pm

3. Vacancies exist for children aged 3 months to five years old with a Breakfast and After School Club available.

4. Kids Aloud is based at Leyton Trinity Methodist Church, 274 High Road, Leyton, London. E10 5PW

HANDBALL AND BASKETBALL EASTER FUN AT SCORE

LOCSP Press Release: Friday 17th April 2009

HANDBALL AND BASKETBALL EASTER FUN AT SCORE

Today saw the end of a week-long Basketball and Handball Camp held at Score, Leyton as part of Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme’s (LOCSP) Easter holiday programme of events.

Throughout the week over 50 youngsters aged 5-12 years old from across Waltham Forest attended the camp which saw the youngster learn the individual skills and techniques of both Handball and Basketball and how both skill sets can be adapted and used across both.

Former NBA and National League Basketball players as well as former international Handball players were on hand to dispense their skills and knowledge to those in attendance.

Alongside the Basketball and Handball, multi-sports also featured with kabaddi, tennis, uni-hoc, futsal and football taking place throughout the week.

The week was rounded off with a certificate ceremony which included two free tickets to Orient’s home match against Northampton Town tomorrow. Trophies were also handed out for hard work and good behaviour.

Jimmy Lenton, LOCSP Community Coach said:

“It was interesting to see the young people transfer skills from Handball to Basketball and vice versa.

“Handball has a lot less rules than most ball sports and therefore is easier to pick up and understand. This means that is allows more freedom for its participants and they subsequently can find it more enjoyable.

“This week has been brilliant – everyone has really excelled at all the sports on offer. The young people have all been really friendly to each other and have developed a great bond with the coaches Emma, Bryony, Zack, Derek, Daniel, Miriam and Rob.”

For more information about Basketball and Handball at Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme please contact the office on 020 8556 5973, email enquiries@locsp.org or visit http://www.locsp.org/

THE ‘PF’ FACTOR

LOCSP Press Release: Friday 17 April 2009

THE ‘PF’ FACTOR

Last Wednesday Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) took 50 young people from Waltham Forest, Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Newham, Barking and Redbridge to the Royal Fusiliers Army Barracks in Hounslow for the ‘PF Factor’.

The ‘PF Factor’ is based on the popular television show, The Krypton Factor, and involved teams from across the Positive Futures projects that LOCSP run in London.

Young people had the opportunity to participate in a cross-borough six-a-side football tournament whilst learning about the life of a soldier.

Most of those in attendance hadn’t travelled to the other side of London, but quickly settled once at the barracks. Upon arrival the youngsters were given a tour of the site, whilst learning about what a day in the life of a soldier entails.

A question and answer session about the Army then followed before a hearty soldiers lunch in the canteen, the high quality of which surprised some of the young people present!

After lunch the young people were given a choice of a six-a-side football tournament – which was won by ‘SL Camp’ from Stratford - or laser clay pigeon shooting.

Paul Motion, LOCSP Development Officer said:
“All the young people here today have all made the effort to come up to me and say how much fun they have all had.

“During the question and answer session they asked some really good questions about how they can pursue a career in the British Army.

“It has really worked well today and the Army have really pushed the boat out to make us feel welcome – we are already planning the next visit.”

Army Recruitment Officer Sergeant Steve Falconer said:
“This is a great way to get young people to have a look at what the Army is all about.

“It is all very well us coming to visit the young people at football tournaments or at their schools, but today has given them an opportunity to see us at work in our environment.

“Next time the young people come down we will look to give them more of an army-based day, with assault courses, for example.

“Today has been a great success and this is just the first of many more.”

For more information about please contact Shamajul Motin on 020 8556 5973, email shamajul.motin@locsp.org or visit http://www.locsp.org/

CENTRAL FOUNDATION & LANGDON PARK GIRLS TAKE THE FOOTBALL HONOURS

LOCSP Press Release – Thursday 16th April 2009

CENTRAL FOUNDATION & LANGDON PARK GIRLS TAKE THE FOOTBALL HONOURS

Langdon Park and Central Foundation girl’s Secondary School teams took the honours of the Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) Tower Hamlets Girls Football League which finished its five-week run last week at Mile End Stadium.

Langdon Park took the honours at the older level, made up of Year 9, 10 & 11 pupils whilst Central Foundation took the honours at the lower level of Year 7 & 8 pupils.

The league, which started in late February, culminated over the Easter period and featured 10 teams from secondary schools across Tower Hamlets

Giles Sandercock, LOCSP Girls Football Development Officer said:
“The league had many ups and downs over the five weeks it ran, with teams losing one week and then coming back stronger the next week to win.

“It really highlighted the quality and depth of girl’s football in Tower Hamlets and it was a pleasure to see everyone involved really try their hardest.

“A great example of this were the pupils from Central Foundation who, in only their second competition, emerged as overall league winners in their age group.

“Everyone involved is looking forward to the next league, so watch this space!”

LOCSP will be running another Tower Hamlets girl’s league soon so for more information please contact Giles Sandercock, LOCSP Girls Football Development Officer on 020 8556 5973 or email giles.sandercock@locsp.org.

TOTTENHAM AND ORIENT GET THEIR KICKZ WITH FUTSAL

LOCSP Press Release: Thursday 16th April 2009

TOTTENHAM AND ORIENT GET THEIR KICKZ WITH FUTSAL

Leyton, London – SCORE was the venue on Tuesday night as Leyton Orient took on Tottenham Hotspur in an U16 Kickz ‘Orient v Spurs’ Futsal match-up in recognition of the final Spurs reserve match of the season at the Matchroom Stadium on the same night.

The Spurs Kickz team was made up of players from the joint Leyton Orient and Tottenham Kickz session at Kelmscott Leisure Centre whilst the Orient Kickz team featured players from the Orient Kickz session at Tom Hood School.

In a close, hard-fought match, the mixed Orient & Spurs side beat their Orient counterparts 14-10.

After the match, both sides made the short trip across Oliver Road to the stadium to watch Spurs reserves play Arsenal reserves in the Barclays Premier Reserve League South derby.

Both Kickz teams posed for a half-time photo with Spurs players John Bostock, Takura Mtandari, David Button and Jacques Maghoma.

A strong Spurs side featuring a host of famous names including Gareth Bale, David Bentley Gilberto, Pascal Chimbonda, Ben Alnwick and Jamie O’Hara ran out 2-1 winners, thanks to two wonder goals from Bentley.

After the match, John Mensah, Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) Development Coach, who organised the Futsal match-up said:

“As Spurs were playing their last reserve match of the season here in Leyton we thought it would be an ideal opportunity for our Kickz teams from opposite sides of the borough to test their skills against each other.

“It was really good to see the skills on show and then to be able to take them across the road for such a classic derby. Even though it was at reserve level the match had some great players on show, with two sensational goals scored by David Bentley.

“Both our Kickz teams had a great time and really enjoyed themselves – they were a real credit to themselves.”

LOCSP run Kickz across Waltham Forest with sessions every Monday (6pm – 9pm) at Kelmscott Leisure Centre, every Friday at Thomas Gamuel Park (6pm – 9pm) and every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (6:30pm – 9:30pm) at Tom Hood School.

For more information about Leyton Orient Kickz in Waltham Forest please contact John Mensah on 020 8556 5973, email john.mensah@locsp.org or visit the website at www.locsp.org.

Notes:
1. Kickz was created by the Metropolitan Police and the Premier League and is now managed nationally by the Football Foundation who oversees Premier and Football League club community teams across the country, working in partnership with local authorities and police safer neighbourhoods teams. 2. Kickz sessions are not solely about football, although they do offer the opportunity to take part in football leagues, tournaments and coaching sessions. A core part of the scheme includes educational sessions about issues such as healthy lifestyles and the dangers of drug use and carrying weapons. The scheme offers young people in the most deprived areas the chance to take part in activities three nights a week, 48 weeks of the year.
3. Kickz offers young people (12-18 yrs) the chance to develop their talents, with opportunities for education and training. Many of those who have taken part have gained qualifications, including FA Level 1 football coaching awards. Over 400 young people in London have volunteered at Kickz projects. Many of these young people who are giving back to their communities are going on to gain employment, including some who now work for the clubs community schemes.

CELEBRATING SUCCESS IN WALTHAM FOREST

LOCSP Press Release: Thursday 16th April 2009

CELEBRATING SUCCESS IN WALTHAM FOREST

Leyton, London – Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) held its ‘Playing for Success’ (PfS) Celebration Evening at SCORE last Tuesday evening with seven schools from across Waltham Forest in attendance.

Pupils from South Grove Primary, Sybourn Primary, Thomas Gamuel Primary, Gwyn Jones Primary, St Mary's C of E VA Primary, Leytonstone Secondary and Connaught School for Girls Secondary were all present to pick up awards for work they have completed with the PfS and ‘Supporter to Reporter’ (S2R) programmes since the beginning of the year.

Special guest speaker Samantha Sifah, Community Engagement Manager (Olympics), London Development Agency was on hand before the ceremony with an Olympic site ‘Model Puzzle’ where she explained the phases of its legacy to those in attendance whilst also allowing them an opportunity to have their say on the plans and help shape its future.

Samantha then opened the ceremony with a small speech and presentation before handing over to Steve Futter, Senior Development Manager for Education & Lifelong Learning at the Football Foundation who gave an inspiring speech to those in attendance and stayed on stage to hand out awards and certificates.

Students from the S2R programme received recognition of time volunteered and excellence produced as part of the ‘I Make a Difference’ campaign which asks all those who live, work or go to school in Waltham Forest to nominate young people who make a difference to the community or to the lives of others.

Steve Futter, Senior Development Manager for Education & Lifelong Learning, Football Foundation said:

“The Football Foundation is proud to support and work with Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme, not least through the national Playing for Success and Radiowaves work that they do.

“Supporter to Reporter is a great way for young people to experience and get involved with the media world and Leyton Orient have really taken the project on as our central delivery partner in London. Some of the young reporters were here tonight and it was fantastic to see them in action.

“It was great to see such a vibrant evening, full of energy with parents, families, teachers and friends coming down to support those who have worked so hard the past term and since the beginning of the year.”

Andree Selner, Senior Education Development Officer, Leyton Orient Community Programme said:

“It was a great night seeing the two projects come together like this. Many of our young Supporter to Reporter students actually took part in the Playing for Success programme themselves a few years ago.

“It was also great to have Steve Futter here to award the students and give him the opportunity to see first hand how the Football Foundation backing has helped to fund these two highly successful programmes.”

For more information about the Leyton Orient Education Centre please contact Andree Selner on 020 8556 5973, email andree.selner@locsp.org or visit the website at www.locsp.org.

Editor’s Notes:
1. Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme currently have 16 fully trained ‘Supporter to Reporter’ media reporters who are actively reporting at sports and media events from a grassroots and amateur level up to fully professional, international level.

Students from Tom Hood, Frederick Bremer, George Mitchell and our Handball team have taken part so far.

Kane Shearing alias ‘Mr Exclusive’ is currently the top S2R sports reporter in the country for his daily stories and blogs on the www.radiowaves.co.uk/s2r website whilst Vhaigunthan Thankjarajah alias ‘E17 Reloaded’ is the Radiowaves website reporter of the month.

Recruits from Kelmscott School are currently undergoing training for their first matchday experience which will be reporting on the Leyton Orient v Northampton Town game on Saturday 18th April.

2. PfS is a successful partnership between Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme, Leyton Orient FC, Waltham Forest Local Authority, The Department for Children Schools and Families and the Football Foundation.

Proven to motivate learners to perform better in literacy, numeracy and ICT, the ten-week programme takes place daily for different schools around Waltham Forest in the Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme Education Centre (LOEC), a fully equipped state of the art ICT suite.

3. Both S2R and PfS are funded by the Football Foundation.

LOASS GAIN PRESTIGIOUS FA COMMUNITY CLUB CHARTER STANDARD AWARD

LOCSP Press Release: Tuesday 14th April 2009

LOASS GAIN PRESTIGIOUS FA COMMUNITY CLUB CHARTER STANDARD AWARD


Picture Caption: LOASS with their award at half-time in the Leyton Orient v Northampton Town, League One fixture at the Matchroom Stadium, Leyton on Saturday 18 April 2009.

Photo Credit: Simon O’Connor

Back Row (L-R): Liam Crowley (LOASS U8 - U11 Fixture Secretary), Kofi Mpiani (LOASS U14 Coach), Loick Pires (Player - Leyton Orient FC), Harry Baker (Player - Leyton Orient FC), Solomon Shields (Player - Leyton Orient FC), Yassin Abidou (LOASS U15 Coach) Front Row (L-R): Steve Jones (Player - LOASS U15), Joe Crowley (Player - LOASS U10), Joe Clark (Player - LOASS U9), Steve Jones (LOASS Secretary)

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London, UK - Leyton Orient Advanced Soccer School (LOASS) have been awarded the Football Association (FA) Community Club Chartered Standard Award – one of only nine clubs in the whole of London to hold such a title.


LOASS, who work in conjunction with Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP), are based in Waltham Forest, east London and the award represents acknowledgement of a lot of hard work by a team of volunteers and those passionate about the beautiful game.

"Everyone connected to LOASS is over-the-moon to receive this award,” explained LOASS Secretary Steve Jones.

“We have worked extremely hard behind-the-scenes to achieve this award and have had quite a busy time off the field this season."


LOASS, current holders of the ‘Waltham Forest Club of the Year’ title, have teams at 13 age levels and this award represents real progress for Steve. "In November we gained the FA Club Charter Standard award, which was the lowest of three levels, for both our youth and senior sides,” he explained.

“I said then that we were not going to rest on our laurels and in a space of a few months we have now gained the highest level of Charter Standard, the Community Club, and put LOASS in a small band of clubs who have achieved this".

A key part of gaining this award was developing a three-to-five year ‘Club Action Plan’, aimed at giving LOASS a clear direction on how to achieve their goals and who is responsible for achieving them.

"I just thought about where would I like to see LOASS in five years time, and after discussion with Daniel Fenner (Football Development Manager, LOCSP) and the LOASS Committee, we drew up a wish list and worked through what we need to do to get there.



"Two areas we are developing from next season are Girl's and Disabled Football. We are introducing an U10s girl’s team and an U16's disabled team and hope that they both really take off so we can look at introducing a new girl’s team every season.

"We also want to further encourage our players and parents to get involved in football more and to encourage them to become referees and coaches.

“We are also keen to set up partnerships with local schools and with our sponsors the University of East London (UEL), who have been a massive support to us".


The FA Charter Standard Clubs programme was established in February 2001 and helps clubs to improve standards of coaching, administration, player development and child protection.



The award is presented to those clubs who have raised their standards in these areas and lead the field in promoting best football practice, both on and off the pitch in grassroots football.

The FA Community Club scheme builds upon the foundations of the Charter Standard scheme in placing clubs at the heart of their community.

Community Clubs, the pinnacle of the club development pathway, will be those that have a high quality, multi-team (minimum of 10 teams) set up with excellent social, training and playing opportunities for all. As such, the number of Community Clubs is one of the truest measures of success for The FA Football Development strategy.



All new FA Community Clubs are required to meet FA criteria, ensuring they provide opportunities for players irrespective of age, gender, religion and ability. Clubs must also provide qualified coaches, first aiders and child protection officers.

For more information about LOASS please contact Daniel Fenner on 020 8556 5973, email daniel.fenner@locsp.org or visit their website via http://www.locsp.org/.

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It’s not too late to register for the annual LOASS trials. You have until Friday 1 May to register. If you do not register you WILL BE turned away. The trials are for U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U18 and Senior males as well as an U10 Girls team. Trials take place from Tuesday 5 May to Thurs 14 May. Application forms are available at www.locsp.org.
If you have any queries by telephone, a LOASS representative will be available ONLY from 10am – 1pm, Monday to Friday on 020 8556 5973.
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LOASS have also announced a U8, U9, U10 and U11s 5-a-Side football tournament to be held at Low Hall on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June. To enter a team or for more information, contact Karina Barrow on 07771 677 361 or visit www.locsp.org.
For more information about LOASS please contact Daniel Fenner on 020 8556 5973, email daniel.fenner@locsp.org or visit their website via http://www.locsp.org/.

‘EGGSTRA’ SPECIAL DAY FOR YOUNGSTERS AT GOALS

LOCSP Press Release: Tuesday 14th April 2009

‘EGGSTRA’ SPECIAL DAY FOR YOUNGSTERS AT GOALS

Over 120 youngsters had an ‘Eggstra’ special day as Theo, the Leyton Orient FC club mascot, came down to visit and present certificates at Goals, Chingford to round of the first week of Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme’s (LOCSP) Easter half term ‘Eggstravaganza’!

Everyone in attendance received a certificate, two tickets to a Leyton Orient match as well as two tickets to the Arsenal v Tottenham reserve team match at Orient’s Matchroom Stadium tonight. There were also prizes and trophies on offer for the best performers and most sporting participants.

LOCSP are running two weeks of half-term activities across Waltham Forest - the second week starting today with a Handball, Basketball and Multi-Sports Camp at SCORE, Leyton. Costing just £5 per day or £15 per week the camp runs from 10am – 3pm every day and is for boys and girls aged 5-14 years.

LOCSP are also running a Football Camp at George Green School on the Isle of Dogs this week.

For more information please contact LOCSP on 020 8556 5973, email enquiries@locsp.org or visit http://www.locsp.org/.

LEYTON ORIENT GAIN FOOTBALL LEAGUE TRUST SILVER AWARD

LOCSP Press Release: Tuesday 14th April 2009

LEYTON ORIENT GAIN FOOTBALL LEAGUE TRUST SILVER AWARD

The Football League Trust has awarded Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) Silver status for their Community work, marking an excellent few weeks for the charity which also saw them win the ‘Community Club of the Year’ award at last month’s prestigious Football League Awards.

LOCSP will receive £48k to invest into Community activities as part of the Trust’s £1.72m pledge to Community schemes across the country.

LOCSP Chief Executive Neil Taylor said:

“I am absolutely delighted to have achieved this award. Unlike the Football League Community Club of the Year Award, which recognised the outreach work we do in the community, the Football League Trust Silver Award recognises our internal standards; how we are run, the policies and procedures we have in place and work plans, for example.

“This award highlights our quality assurance and self-sustainability, but we won’t rest on our laurels - we have already started working towards the Football League Trust Gold Award, the criteria of which the Football League are currently finalising.”

Football League Trust General Manager Dave Edmundson said: “I would like to heartily congratulate all the clubs who have achieved their Silver award.

“This is a wonderful indication of the new levels of impact and engagement that schemes are bringing to the communities they serve.

“More importantly, this demonstrates the impressive range of projects and initiatives delivered by League clubs in all four themes, and the partnerships being established in both the public and private sectors.”

Edmundson added: “Overall standards are high, and there is no doubt that the Trust, along with the support of all the clubs, intend to maintain this rising trend of improvement.”

To achieve Silver status, the clubs had to fulfil a range of criteria set out by the Trust.

These include:

· An approved level of governance, including representation of at least one senior club executive and at least two strategically-chosen external trustees on the scheme’s board

· At least one themed officer working on projects relating to one of The Football League Trust’s four core themes (social inclusion/ community cohesion, health, education and sports participation)

· A minimum of a three-year business plan showing sustainable programmes being delivered across all four of The Football League Trust’s core themes.

· Evidence of how funding provided by The Football League Trust is being utilized and how it will be used to attract additional funding into the schemes

· Evidence of how schemes are linked into local decision making groups, for example Local Strategic Partnerships

· Evidence on how the schemes works with the Football Club on issues relating to youth development

· A strong player appearance policy

· Charitable status in place

All clubs must also have met The Football League Trust Minimum Charter standard.

For more information, please contact Andrew McSteen, Communications Officer, LOCSP on 020 8556 5973 or email andrew.mcsteen@locsp.org.

Notes to Editors

1. The FL Silver Award was awarded on Wednesday 1st April.

2. The FL Silver Award application period started in September 2008 and ended on Tuesday 31 March 2009.

3.The FL Gold Award will be launched on Thursday 4th April 2009 at the national Football League Conference in Doncaster, with it likely to be awarded in March/April 2010.

CROSS BOROUGH TOURNAMENT SUCCESS AT WANSTEAD FLATS

LOCSP Press Release: Friday 10 April 2009

CROSS BOROUGH TOURNAMENT SUCCESS AT WANSTEAD FLATS

Last week saw young people from across six London Boroughs compete in Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme’s (LOCSP) Cross Borough ‘Elec-Trick 7’ football tournament, held at Wanstead Flats and run in conjunction with the City of London Playing Fields

The tournament featured U14 and U18 age groups with teams representing host borough Redbridge as well as Waltham Forest, Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Barking.

Elec-Trick 7 is LOCSP’s own take on 7-a-side football with rules shaped to allow free flowing skilful football matches where each participant is involved in the game.

It turned out to be a double delight for Newham as they walked away with both the U18 and U14 honours - ‘S.L. Camp’ winning the U18 age group and ‘Stratford Youngers’ winning at the U14 level.

LOCSP Senior Community Development Officer Shamajul Motin said:

“This is the first time we have taken young people to Wanstead Flats for a football tournament and also the pilot of Elec-Trick 7 in a tournament format.

“It is great that we are able to offer over 70 young people from a number of London Boroughs the opportunity to play in these free tournaments and today’s tournament was extremely competitive with some really great skills and teamwork on show.

“Thanks must go out to City of London Playing Fields, who marked out all the pitches and gave us use of the venue.”

For more information about future tournaments please contact Shamajul Motin on 020 8556 5973, email shamajul.motin@locsp.org or visit http://www.locsp.org/

ORIENT’S EMMA IS HAVING A BALL!

LOCSP Press Release: Thursday 9 April 2009

ORIENT’S EMMA IS HAVING A BALL!

For Emma Omo-Bare, Basketball Development Officer for Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP), the past few weeks have been a busy time – not least last weekend.

Emma, 25, also plays as a power-forward for the Brixton Lady Topcats and was in Derby on Saturday for the England Basketball Division 2 Women’s Playoff Final against Wellingborough Phoenix at the Moorways Leisure Centre after finishing second in the league and beating Stockport in the early play-off games.

In a tense and pulsating game Emma and her Topcats team ran out 74-73 winners with MVP and Topcat court captain Rochelle Davids (18 points, 10 rebounds) final jump shot on the fourth quarter buzzer taking them to the honours.

“I had never been in a pressure situation like that before - I got fouled to the free throw line at 73-72 down with 0:25 on the clock, but missed both my free throws,” explained Emma, speaking a few days after the result.

“We had to stay calm as we were only down by one – we had about 100 Brixton supporters there who were going crazy including our men’s team who were playing after us.

“There was a lot of panic from both sides at the end; there were steals, turnovers, missed free throws – the whole package, but with six seconds to go Rochelle drove to the basket, took a jump shot and the ball went in on the buzzer.”

The result now means the Topcats will face the best players in England in Division One.

“Division One is where the England and GB players play and I am looking forward to testing myself against them,” explained Emma who lives in Manor Park and can name Hackney, Youngbloods and Lea Valley as her previous teams.

“Our team are all around the same age and looking forward to the challenge – this season has seen a lot of old faces come back to play after finishing university courses and the like and we have got a lot to prove to ourselves and to show what the Brixton Topcats are all about and I think we have done that.

“Our coach Michelle Brown is a former international player who has played in the United States, and is a great inspiration to us all, always telling us that if we ‘buy into the system then we will be Number 1’.

“She has showed us things we have never seen before and, as players, it has been hard to adapt to them - but we have and this promotion highlights that.”

With success at elite level Emma’s attention now turns towards training and coaching the next generation of players at a Basketball and Handball Easter Half Term Camp at SCORE in Leyton next week.

Starting on Tuesday 14 April the camp takes place from 10am – 3pm every day until Friday and is open to boys and girls aged 5-14.

“The Basketball and Handball camp represents an opportunity for everyone from beginners to advanced to soak up a huge amount of knowledge from both sports to take away with them,” explained Emma who also runs a Mini-Ballers session at SCORE every Saturday morning.

“On the Basketball coaching side we have a former NBA and current National League player Robert Youngblood alongside me and Derek Edwards, who played National League for London Towers, Hackney White Heat and Brixton Top Cats.

“Coaching Handball will be former Slovakian international Handball player and Community Coach of the Year Miriam Pupalova alongside Anne Patterson, a former England and GB player. It really does represent a great opportunity for young people from across London to learn from those who have played at some of the highest levels in their chosen sport.

“Some of the players who play Handball can bring their skills into Basketball and vice versa so the players as well as the coaches can exchange ideas and skills.”

Once the camp is finished Emma will turn her attention to the summer – a busy period for sport normally, not least for basketball.

“I believe by the summer that Basketball at SCORE will be seen on a different level,” enthused Emma, who also coaches the Youngblood U14s Boys Basketball side.

“My team at LOCSP and I are working extremely hard behind the scenes - planning, meetings and looking at ways of creating new opportunities not just for young children, but for young adults too.

“We are looking not just at training, but open runs – we want young people to just come, play sports and go home. We are also looking at U14, U16 and adult summer tournaments and making SCORE a summer hub for Basketball in this part of London – the Tuesday night ‘Open Run Scrimmage’ that we have just started at SCORE has really taken off and is evidence that this area is a real hotbed of ball players.

“There are a lot of challenges ahead but I am always learning as a player and a coach. Winning the play-offs has given me a lot more insight into the world of basketball but being able to impart my knowledge, experience and skills into the next generation is really what it’s all about for me.”

For more information about Basketball and Handball at Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme please contact Emma on 020 8556 5973, email emma.omo-bare@locsp.org or visit http://www.locsp.org/

Notes
1 England Basketball match report of Topcats victory: http://www.englandbasketball.com/news/default.aspx?newsid=1783

2 FIBA Stats: http://www.fibalivestats.com/matches/123/00/62/56/820bwd0HRAI

LONDON FA HOLD CHARTER STANDARD WORKSHOP WITH LCSN AT SCORE

LCSN Press Release: Wednesday 8th April 2009

FA CHARTERED STANDARD WORKSHOP

Leyton, London – London Community Sports Network (LCSN) in partnership with the London FA held a FA Charter Standard and Funding Workshop yesterday at Score in east London.

The Charter Standard Scheme is a best practice guide and quality benchmark that sets standards of coaching, administration and child protection for all clubs outside the Football League and Premier League, whilst improving the playing experience for all.

LCSN is a second tier organisation providing support to frontline community and voluntary groups to capacity build and lobby government which is hosted and run by Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP).

The workshop was free to all clubs affiliated to the London FA and Essex FA and was aimed at all of those clubs who are thinking about getting Charter Standard and would like guidance and support as well as those who have already started the application process.

The workshop also looked at clubs who had achieved the Basic Charter Standard and are thinking about becoming a Development/Community Club as well as those working towards Charter Standard who would like funding information.

The workshop started with an introduction from everyone present then discussed about what barriers the clubs had encountered with gaining the award and what further support their club could benefit from.

Then the representatives from LCSN and the London FA explained the benefits of gaining Charter Standard and what the criteria involved in gaining it was.

David James, Senior Development Officer, London FA said:
“Charter Standard is the kitemark award for grassroots clubs and we have around 120 at this level in the 19 boroughs of London that we work in. Those 120 clubs will have a number of teams each with some working with 200-300+ people.

“We have been running these workshops for over two years now and are really seeing a lot more interest from across the grassroots football family.

“Often with the Charter Standard Award you need someone to lead on it to speed up the process. These workshops are a great tool to break down the application process and engage and interact with people - most people find that they have half of the criteria in place already.

“The step up from this award is the Charter Community Standard Award with only seven clubs in the whole of London reaching this level. Leyton Orient Advanced Soccer Schools (LOASS) recently achieved this award and we hold any club with this award at a high level, offering the best possible support and administration to those behind-the-scenes.

“Alongside LCSN, this has been a really successful evening and we look forward to running one again here soon.”

Sin Emanuelle, Community Coach, TAG FC (Teviot Action Group), Bethnal Green United FC, Mile End East United FC said:

“I came to the workshop tonight to represent the clubs who I work with and to see what I have to do to attain the Charter Standard for them.

“I saw the [Charter Standard] application forms on the FA website and thought that they looked a bit complicated, but just coming here this evening and seeing them broken down made it simple and easy to understand.

“From personal experience when I have applied, on behalf of one of my clubs, for funding I have been asked if we had the Chartered Standard level, which was necessary to gain the funding on offer, so gaining this award will be extremely useful.

“If I was choosing a club for my boy to play for and I was looking at two clubs one of which had the Charter Standard and one which hadn’t I know which one I would choose – as a parent it gives you piece of mind.

“It was a really worthwhile evening for me and I would say to anyone that if you have an opportunity to come to a Charter Standard workshop, then make sure you come.”

For more information please contact LCSN Community Development Officer Melanie Bindel on 020 8556 5973, email melanie.bindel@locsp.org or visit the LCSN website at www.communitysports.org.uk.

LOASS U14s WIN ECHO CUP FINAL

LOCSP Press Release: Tuesday 7th April 2009

LOASS U14s have won the the Echo Division A Cup Final at Aveley FC.

HACKNEY V REDBRIDGE - THE REMATCH

LOCSP Press Release: Tuesday 7th April 2009

It was Hackney v Redbridge - the rematch - at Haggerston Park today.