CHRISTMAS FUN WITH THE ARMY

Just before Christmas SCORE was the home for the Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) Community 6-a-Side Football Tournament in association with the British Army.

With LOCSP continuing to work with the British Army on a number of levels through a variety of initiatives, this Army-funded day celebrated this partnership and LOCSP's engagement with young people throughout 2009.

The tournament featured over 120 participants from Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge and Hackney from a wide mix of ethnicities, religions and postcodes. Many of the youngsters had never played in an organised tournament, let alone on a full-size Astroturf.

The day saw two 6-a-side competitions for boys and girls, one at U12 level and one at U16. Alongside these tournaments Army Officers were on hand to offer advice and support as well as guiding youngsters through the special Army ‘Reaction Station’ – a device which involves hitting different lit-up pads to test reflexes over 45 seconds with points given for accuracy.

Prizes were on offer for winners and runners-up in both age group competitions, points winners in the Reaction Station, MVP awards for players who showed good sportsmanship. In addition, Army t-shirts, key rings and water bottles were given out to each participant.

The U12 final saw the North London Muslim Community Centre team (NLMCC) from Hackney beat Noor-ul-Islam from Waltham Forest and the U16s tournament saw NLMCC beat Kelmscott from Waltham Forest whilst U12 participant Abdal Khan won the reaction competition.

Participant Hafis Ahmed, 10, from Waltham Forest said:

“I never played a tournament before and we got into the finals on my first time, even though I lost it was the best day I had playing football'.

Shamajul Motin, LOCSP Community Development Manager said:

“The Army’s support has not only helped to aid us to deliver such a competition but I also felt it helped break down the perceived barriers that young people have to their understanding of what the British Army is all about - which can be negative at times.

“Throughout the day young people were talking to Army Officers and having good banter with them.

“Today was a great day out for everyone and we welcome anyone who wishes to supports us like the British Army have done today in providing tournaments like this.”

NEW LOCSP NEWSLETTER HERE

Read our Winter 2009/2010 Newsletter here:

http://www.locsp.org/locspnewsletter.pdf

(Adobe Acrobat Reader required)

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

LOCSP would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We are open again for business on Monday 4th January 2010.

LOASS WIN LONDON FAC CLUB OF THE YEAR AWARD

Full article here:

http://www.thefa.com/GetIntoFootball/CountyFA/NewsAndFeatures/2009/londonfa-awards-011109.aspx

WF SCHOOLBOY EXCELS ON S2R

To see the full article:

http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/archive/2009/12/02/newsinbrief/4773625.LEARNING_FOR_LIFE__Schoolboy_becomes_a_journalist_as_part_of_2012_project/

Kelmscott schoolboy Rayhill Dhansey excels on Supporter to Reporter programme

By Mhairi Macfarlane

A SCHOOLBOY became a reporter for the day during a London 2012 project.

Rayhill Dhansey, a pupil at Kelmscott School in Walthamstow, is one of 41 teenagers in the borough taking part in the Supporter to Reporter (S2R) programme, which aims to give young people confidence and skills by reporting on sports events.

Rayhill has been part of the project for six months, receiving training at BBC Television Centre and taking part in a reporting trip to Canada to explore the legacy left by the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary.

He was also selected from the 250 young people taking part as Reporter of the Month.

The 16-year-old reported at the 2012 third annual Pierre de Coubertin lecture, where he interviewed Olympic athletes Kriss Akabusi and Jonathan Edwards.

He said: “It has been really interesting and has given me insight into radio and television broadcasting and interviewing people.

“Canada was the best experience I've ever had and my confidence has built up. I used to be shy but now I can open up to people and it has benefited me in school too."

For more information visit www.radiowaves.co.uk/s2r for more details.

Rayhill published a written report, as well as a video and audio report on Monday's event. Here is his report:

Puttnam Points Out Our Olympic Values

By Rayhill Dhansey

The London 2012 third annual Pierre de Coubertin lecture was presented by London’s Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG)in association with the British Olympic Foundation.

It was on Monday, November 30, at The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).

Oscar Winning director, Lord Putnam delivered the main speech highlighting the work that is being done to broaden the humanity, cultural and community spirit aspect of the Games, and the wider benefits London 2012 will provide.

Celebrities such as former Olympians Jonathan Edwards and Kriss Akabusi spoke at the event, which is the third of its kind.

Lord Puttnam, produced one of the greatest Olympic films of all time, Chariots of Fire, for which he won an Oscar. This film shows what films and the arts can do to publicise sports and bring people to love and enjoy sports.

Remember back to Lord Coe’s successful London 2012 bid? It was all about reaching young aspiring athletes and inspiring a generation, London 2012 was to be the games that achieved this dream.

Lord Puttnum spoke about how this is happening internationally and locally. Lets hope we can continue to make this dream a reality, London 2012 and beyond.

Rayhill was attending the event as part of Supporter to Reporter, a London 2012 Inspire Mark Project, based in Leyton Orient, that provides young people with opportunities to learn journalism skills.

See www.radiowaves.co.uk/s2r for more details.