Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme

CHRISTMAS FUN WITH THE ARMY

2009-12-29T16:22:00.000Z

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

2009-12-24T19:10:00.001Z

Read our Winter 2009/2010 Newsletter here:

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

(Adobe Acrobat Reader required)

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

2009-12-24T19:09:00.001Z

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

2009-12-02T20:55:00.000Z

Full article here:

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

WF SCHOOLBOY EXCELS ON S2R

2009-12-02T20:48:00.000Z

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.

LOASS PLAYER SHORTLISTED FOR PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

2009-11-27T20:03:00.003Z

Steve Jones, 15, has been shortlisted for an award in the Hero of London Category at the inaugural Spirit of London Awards, being held at Alexandra Palace on Friday 27th November.

Steve has been shortlisted with two others for the Hero of London award at the ceremony which takes place tonight at Alexandra Palace.

Steve, from the Golden Lane Estate in the east of the City of London, is captain of the Community Charter Standard club LOASS at U16's level and during his school holidays regularly volunteers his time to work with the Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme and the Fulham FC Football in the Community Programme. He is also a qualified London FA Referee and Mentor.

He is a keen all round sportsperson, regularly swimming with Anaconda Swimming Club, in Islington and playing rugby league, in the Summer, with the Brixton Bulls U/16's. He also represents the City of London in the London Youth Games in the Aquathlon and Judo.

Since 2005 Steve has raised around £3500 for various charities, including Leukaemia Care running in the London Mini-Marathon and on three occasions for the Lord Mayors Appeals in the City Dip, swimming 5000 metres (3 miles). He is currently helping to raise money with LOASS FC for the BBC Children in Need appeal.

Steve and his Dad visited Downing Street yesterday to meet the PM ahead of the awards.

For more information on the awards, go to www.spiritoflondonawards.com.

To see a short video on Steve prepared by the Spirit of London awards team:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-IO2OK15lw

For more information and to see Steve’s video please visit:

http://www.spiritoflondonawards.com/index.php

http://www.facebook.com/l/bf4ad

http://www.londonfa.com/news/spirit1.htm

http://www.spiritoflondonawards.com/awards_young-heroes.php

Good Luck Steve!

LOASS WIN AT THE FA CLUB OF THE YEAR AWARDS

2009-11-26T19:59:00.006Z

LOASS / LOCSP Press Release: Monday 30 November

LONDON FA CLUB OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2009

LOASS win Charter Standard Youth Club of the Year

By Dominique Hume, First Year BA (Hons) Sports Journalism Degree student, University of East London.

Wednesday night saw Leyton Orient’s Matchroom Stadium play host to the London Football Association’s (FA) Fourth Annual Awards evening.

The awards (2006-present) previously hosted at Soho Square and Millwall’s ground, The New Den, were conceived to honour those who have made a significant contribution to the development of football in London. Many of those who received awards are volunteers.

Steve Bartlett picked up an award for his work with disabled footballers in Hackney and the Leyton Orient Advanced Soccer School (LOASS) won the Charter Standard Youth Club of the Year award.

Formed in 1997 LOASS provides a direct link between the local football-playing community and Leyton Orient FC through its 13 teams and is supported by Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) and the University of East London (UEL).

The night’s youngest winner, Ian Wood, accompanied by his father Andrew, won the ‘Workforce Under 18’ award for his coaching role with Charlton Athletics’, Junior Reds Football Team.

“It’s brilliant to get this award, I’m over the moon” said the young coach. “It helps to increase your confidence when coaching and I’m now looking forward to doing my Level One coaching badge”.

Diane Culligan was also a proud recipient after receiving an award for her outstanding contribution to female football. Diane, who is connected to Hampstead Ladies and a qualified referee, also received a signed England Ladies shirt.

“Its lovely to receive this award from the London FA” said Diane. When asked if she thought female football could carry progressing, she replied “There are lots of girls wanting to play and if we put our heads together and work together then it will happen”

Josie Clifford, Development Officer at the London FA and former England player, described the awards evening as a chance to “give back something to football’s key supporters”.

For more information about LOASS please contact Steve Jones on 07815 764808, email loass_secretary@hotmail.com or visit http://loass.intheteam.com/.

For more information about the London FA please contact Josie Clifford LFA Football Development on 020 7610 8360.

Award Winners:

Award	Winner
Charter Standard Coach of the Year	Richard Braham
Charter Standard Administrator of the Year	Phil Leeds
Charter Standard Development club of the Year	Junior Reds
Charter Standard Youth Club of the Year	LOASS
Charter Standard Community Club of the Year	Phoenix Sports Club
Male Fair Play Award	Waterloo under 13’s
Female Fair Play Award	Long Lane under 14’s
Charter Standard Female Club of the Year	Parkwood Rangers
Outstanding Contribution to Female Football	Diane Culligan
Football Workforce U18	Ian Wood
Football Workforce U25	Chris Roberts
Football Workforce	Julia Town
Football Workforce	Glen Laing
Football Workforce	Yakup Huseyin
Football Workforce	Mark Pearson
Football Workforce	Chris Dickenson
Football Workforce	Dennis O’ Connor
Education Partner of the Year	Graham Swann
Education Partner of the Year	John Larter
Contribution to Development of Refereeing	Jeff Pettitt
Disability Partnership	Steve Bartlett
North London Partnership of the Year	Michael MacNeil
South London Partnership of the Year	Sally Dolan
Special Partnership Award	Sarah Mawle
Special Partnership Award	Derek Bennett

QUEENS ROAD AND NOOR ISLAM MOSQUE FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

2009-11-23T19:57:00.000Z

LOCSP Press Release: Monday 23 November 2009

Yesterday SCORE hosted an U12's and U16's 5-a-side football tournament as part of a monthly tournament between Queens Road and the Noor-Islam project.

The Waltham Forest Community Engagement team were on hand to present the awards and all the teams who participated received tickets to the Leyton Orient v MK Dons game on 12th December.

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

BARKING BOYS RETAIN SCORE SIX-A-SIDE TITLE

2009-11-22T19:44:00.002Z

LOCSP Press Release: Saturday 21 November 2009

BARKING BOYS RETAIN SCORE SIX-A-SIDE TITLE

By Zsanett Furka, UEL First Year BA (Hons) Sports Journalism degree student

O’S FANS gave a rapturous welcome to the winners of the SCORE six-a-side tournament during last Saturdays’ game against Tranmere. Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) Coach, Howard Gould handed out the medals to pupils from Barking’s Eastbury School.

Winners for the second year in a row, Eastbury’s team, Arian Retkoceri, Bekim Shakeri, Ben Bickford, Danny Fuller, Denis Tomkins, Emmanuel Johnson, Jack Baldwin and Lee Lucas along with manager Wayne Baldacchino were ecstatic to win again.

Manager Wayne Baldacchino explained how they became champions “We entered it for the second time in a row, after we won it the previous year. We have two teams of players from our school in Barking. We played in a big group tournament, and came top in both [groups]”.

In the final Barking Eastbury were up against a team which beat them in the first round, but “luckily this time the result was on our side and we won the tournament” added Bladacchino.

Captain, Jack Baldwin, was really pleased be on the pitch at half time. “The experience of being on the pitch was very good. And of course all the others of the team enjoyed it as well.”

The best part of the day was receiving their prize from the Sergeant Steve Faulkner, Sergeant Scott Meadows and Adam Wilshire which made it, according to Jack, “a good day. It was well organised and everyone made it very enjoyable for us. Thanks to Leyton Orient and the Army.”

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

LOASS ON BBC CHILDREN IN NEED TONIGHT

2009-11-20T19:52:00.000Z

LOASS have agreed to raise money for the BBC Children in Need by taking part in a penalty shootout competition on the show tonight.

Each player will donate money either by sponsorship or donation and take part in the heats which will be per age group.

The winner of each age group will go on the final which will take part at Brisbane Road at half time during the Colchester and MK Dons games.

Photos to come...

LEYTON ORIENT FC ‘ADOPT-A-PLAYER’ DAY

2009-11-20T19:31:00.001Z

Friday 20 November 2009

Leyton Orient FC ‘Adopt-a-Player’ Player Day

SCORES of local schoolchildren were given the chance to meet first team Leyton Orient players this week as part of the club’s Adopt-a-Player scheme.

Adopt-a-Player is a Leyton Orient FC community initiative that began last year with 20 local schools and provides an excellent way for the club to support schools in their local area through player visits and ticket giveaways, whilst increasing awareness of the Club among people in Waltham Forest and its surrounding boroughs.

Schools from the London Boroughs of Waltham Forest, Redbridge and Hackney were involved, with players visiting their schools to take part in activities ranging from coaching to presentations and question and answer sessions – all related to curriculum-based learning such as healthy living schemes, sports days and education competitions in partnership with the school.

Hundreds of complimentary tickets have been distributed to the participating schools for this Saturday’s home League One match against Tranmere Rovers, when Orient will be hoping their new supporters will cheer them on to a vital victory.

Goalkeeper Glenn Morris, visited St. Helen’s Primary School in Leyton and took part in a penalty shoot-out against some young pupils, he said:

“It was fun today; we were teaching the kids a few skills and it’s great for them to see them rather than hear about them. Hopefully they can take something from today and if there is something going on in their life they will get away from it.”

Charlie Daniels and Loick Pires visited Jubilee Primary School in Hackney where they took part in an assembly and some fitness test. Leyton Orient Community Coach Yassin Abidou said:

“The pupils asked them about healthy eating and nutrition during their professional careers, their playing history, their diets and what they do away from the pitch. After this they took part in some fitness exercises; leg power tests and flexibility tests in front of the whole school!”

Ben Chorley and Harry Baker visited St Josephs Catholic School in Leyton alongside Leyton Orient Community Liaison Officer Daniel Fenner. Daniel said:

“The players were asked all sorts of questions such as ‘what age did you start? and ‘who do you play for?’, but then Ben got asked about how many kick-ups he could do. He answered ‘5,000’ at which point a ball was presented to him and he only could manage 26!”

Scott McGleish and JJ Melligan visited Barncroft Primary School in Walthamstow where they were asked a wide variety of questions in front of an enthralled audience.

Adrian Patulea, Adam Chambers and Matthew Hall visited the Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme Education Centre and Adrian said:

“The kids look up at you as a professional footballer and see you, importantly, as someone who has achieved. It’s important to give everything to understand them as when I was a child I wanted to be someone – they need to have the belief that they can do something with their life.

“We got asked some really good questions about how we started, our future plans and what we look forward to – we had some really honest questions and we responded with honest answers.

“This educational facility is great; there are so many computers here that the children won’t be bored when they are learning which is very important. Even when they wake up in the morning and sleepy they will have coming to this to look forward to at the end of the day - these are the kids that really want to achieve something in their life.

“It is very interesting for me to come here today because Leyton Orient provides such a great development for the kids in the community. They are doing fantastic work with the kids and I am very happy to be with a club like this.

“I will never forget I was a child - I always wanted the support of footballers, I think its important to not just be a footballer and talk about but give everything to the child and how they should be in life - to be a good person in life.

“It’s important for to make them understand that they can achieve things in life by being good and to be themselves. Here they can develop on the right path and we can take advantage of that as players and help them on their journey.”

For more information, or to be part of Leyton Orient FC’s ‘Adopt-a-Player’ programme please contact Daniel Fenner, Leyton Orient Community Liaison Officer on 020 8556 5973 or email daniel.fenner@locsp.org.

The schools and players participating yesterday were:

Selwyn Junior School, Highams Park

Sean Thornton

Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme Education Suite, Brisbane Road, Leyton

Adrian Patulea, Adam Chambers and

St. Joseph’s Catholic School, Leyton

Ben Thornley & Harry Baker

St Helens Primary School, Walthamstow

Andrew Cave-Brown, Jason Demetriou, Jamie Jones and Glenn Morris

Our Lady of Lourdes School, Wanstead

James Scowcroft and Darryl Sydes

Jubilee Primary School, Stoke Newington

Loick Pires and Charlie Daniels

Barncroft Primary School, Walthamstow

Scott McGleish and JJ Melligan

Jenny Hammond Primary School, Leyton

Ryan Jarvis and Luke Ashworth

HON ALDERMAN OF BARKING & DAGENHAM @ GOALS FOR LOCSP

2009-11-14T17:51:00.002Z

LOCSP Press Release: Monday 16 November 2009

BARKING & DAGENHAM GOALS TOURNAMENT SUCCESS

Hon Alderman Fred Jones was the special guest last Friday (13^th) in attendance at the Goals Soccer Centre on Ripple Way, Barking as he presented trophies to the latest winners of the Leyton Orient Community Sports Programmes’ (LOCSP) Friday Night Goals 5-a-side Football League which has been running since 2006.

The Gascoigne C team romped home ahead of their B team counterparts to the league championship, and also won the Fair Play Award, having picked up points for good behaviour, sportsmanship and attitude.

The league has, on average, 15 teams participating every week from across the borough and further afield.

Hon Alderman Fred Jones came down to support the players and hand out medals and trophies to the winners before talking to them about the opportunities that young people have in the borough and praising them for their behaviour and respect towards each other.

Taskin Huseyin, LOCSP Barking & Dagenham Development Officer said:

“On the whole this was the closest league we have ever had; up until a couple weeks ago there were at least five teams that could have won it, which shows just how much the standard has improved.

“The behaviour of all the participants has been superb and their attitude towards our staff has really improved - lots of these young boys are now maturing into young men.

“It was a real honour to have Mr. Jones come down and support us and it gave the youngsters a real sense of ownership and pride as he lives where some of the teams are from, just close by.”

For more information on LOCSP’s work in Barking & Dagenham please contact Shamajul Motin, LOCSP Senior Development Officer on 020 8556 5973 or email shamajul.motin@locsp.org.

CIRCLE 33 FUN DAY AT SCORE

2009-11-02T08:46:00.000Z

FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER 2009

Circle 33 Housing Trust brought a bunch of youngsters to SCORE today to participate in a multi-sports day. Pictured with them are Community Coaches Chelsea and Zak.

CLM FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT - OCTOBER ROUND

2009-10-30T19:51:00.000Z

Friday 30 October 2009

The latest round of the CLM Football League, run by LOCSP, took place at SCORE this evening.

OCTOBER HALF TERM FUN

2009-10-30T18:47:00.000Z

Friday 30 October 2009

Participants celebrate the end of the LOCSP October half term activities at SCORE.

HALF TERM FUN AT 'GHOULS' CHINGFORD

2009-10-30T14:46:00.000Z

Goals in Chingford was transformed in 'Ghouls' today as young people participating in our October Half-Term Football Fun Week competed for a different prize - the best fancy dress costume ahead of Halloween.

Pictured above are the finalists in the competition, accompanied by Dave Green, LOCSP Football Coach/The Joker.

LOCSP AT THE VOICE BLACK LIST AWARDS

2009-10-29T23:21:00.002Z

LOCSP Press Release: Thursday 29 October 2009

LOCSP staff members John Mensah, Andrew Bontiff and Andrew McSteen attended The Voice 'Black List' awards at Wembley this evening.

Pictured below with the LOCSP staff are Hope Powell OBE (England Women Manager), Chris Hughton (Newcastle Manager), Rodney Hinds and Joel Campbell (The Voice) and Paul Elliott (Former Chelsea player and World Cup 2018 Ambassador).

For more information, follow this link:
http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/NewsAndFeatures/2009/BlackListAwards2009.aspx

KICKZ AWARDS 2009

2009-10-29T21:05:00.000Z

LOCSP Press Release: Thursday 29 October 2009

Rewarding Kickz Success

The 2009 Kickz Awards took place at Wembley this evening.

Jackie Loftus, pictured above, picked up an award as part of her patnership work with Hackney Homes on the Leyton Orient Kickz programmes based in Hackney.

Pictured below are participants from the Leyton Orient Kickz programmes from around East London, accompanied by Dwayne Uylett (left) and Shamajul Motin (right) from Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme.

In the group is James Staley from Tower Hamlets who picked up the Leyton Orient Kickz Volunteer of the Year Award.

More to come...

NFL CHEERLEADERS TAKEOVER EAST LONDON

2009-10-23T14:07:00.003+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Friday 23 October 2009

NFL CHEERLEADERS TAKEOVER EAST LONDON

Leyton, London – East London was drenched in the Florida sunshine yesterday as cheerleaders from Tampa Bay ran two Waltham Forest workshops in partnership with the NFL UK and Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP).

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are playing the New England Patriots at Wembley this Sunday in the NFL International Series match and as the home team the Buccaneers have been travelling around London promoting their team and the match.

PICS: Tampa Bay Bucs cheerleaders @ Orient with Lammas & Willowbrook schools: http://www.flickr.com/photos/locsp/sets/72157622522996035/

PICS: Tampa Bay Bucs cheerleaders @ Jenny Hammond Primary School:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/locsp/sets/72157622522935109/

MORNING
The morning workshop saw 25 Year 5 & 6 pupils from Willowbrook Primary School put through their paces in the Olympic Suite at the Matchroom Stadium, home of Leyton Orient FC, whilst the afternoon session saw over 40 Year 5 & 6 pupils at Jenny Hammond Primary School learn the skills from the best.

First up was the camp at SCORE and Leyton Orient FC with cheerleaders Corinne, Kelli, Jaime, Anna and Sara - who include a dental hygienist and political science student amongst their ranks - working with the youngsters for over an hour on various cheer routines.

“It’s been real fun to come and work with the kids here so close to the Olympic site,” said Corinne Colon, who has been a cheerleader for the ‘Bucs’ for the past two years. “London is beautiful – we love the weather here and we’re happy to experience the fall (autumn) – we never get to have real seasons in Tampa.”

Whilst the ‘cheer camp’ was in full swing, across the road in SCORE Year 8 pupils from the Lammas School and Sports College in Leyton competed in a NFL Flag Football tournament run by LOCSP Community Coaches, Paul Motion and Farrakh Khan. NFL Flag Football is a simplified version of American Football that uses flags rather than tackles.

NFL Flag Football forms part of the multi-sports coaching that LOCSP run throughout east London in their school and estate-based work and the session yesterday certainly had an impact.

“It's something out of the ordinary – it makes a big change from rugby,” said Lammas PE co-ordinator and former GB Olympic sprinter Darren Braithwaite. “It’s always good for our pupils to try different sports – a few of them are familiar with NFL, but with the game on Sunday and having the cheerleaders here adds a lot more to their experience today.”

Alongside Farrakh, LOCSP Community Development Coach Paul Motion has a personal interest in the game after a visit from the Miami Dolphins in 2007 to LOCSP and SCORE.

“The Dolphins came over for the first NFL International Series Wembley match and ran some community workshops with us (LOCSP). Since then we have had the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay (in January) come down and work with local young people.

“When these teams come to town they are excellent in engaging with the local community and really blaze a trail for the NFL in London.

“Personally, once I came to understand the rules of the game, I was definitely hooked. The kids really enjoy it – it's something they've never seen before and they're really looking forward to the game on Sunday. Of course, they all want the Bucs to win and get off the mark for the season.

“The Bucs have made a lot of friends and fans here today.”

Both sessions were then wrapped up with a prizegiving ceremony, Q&A session and photoshoot on the Leyton Orient FC pitch.

Kwame Taylor, 12, in Year 8 Lammas School, said: “Playing American Football was a bit different and quite fun - I really enjoyed meeting the cheerleaders.”

AFTERNOON
However, the takeover of east London by the NFL wasn’t complete until the afternoon as five different Bucs cheerleaders; Tiffany, Tomoko, Courtney, Meagan and Jeni, came to Jenny Hammond Primary School in Leyton to run another cheer camp, but this time with a guest appearance from Leyton Orient FC first team players Jimmy Smith and Sean Thornton.

Unfortunately Jimmy or Sean couldn’t be persuaded to don their pom-poms but over 40 Year 5 & 6 pupils could, and the hall was packed with eager, aspiring cheerleaders.

The five Bucs cheerleaders, consisting of two students of mass communications, a dance instructor, a broadcast journalism student and an Economics graduate from Japan, each took turns to run through dance routines including one where each move was related to the preparation of a particular food; whether it be mashed potatoes, bananas or sweetcorn!

After the session finished, the girls held an in-depth Q&A session before signing autographs and posing for photographs.

“Today was wonderful,” said Bucs cheerleader Tiffany Jimenez, 21.

“All the kids were really talented and they all got involved; we did a couple of games and some cheers and chants - we were so happy to get a chance to work with them today.

“They asked a lot of questions – they were so cute when they asked them!” continued the four-year veteran of the Bucs cheerleaders.

“They were interested in how we became cheerleaders, if dance experience was required before trying out and how you audition for the team.

“We told them it’s never too late to do what you want to do whether that is dancing, cheering or something else - if you want to do something then go for it!

For Tiffany and the rest of the Bucs cheerleaders going out into the local community and working with the youngsters is the same as performing on the field for their team.

“Working with schools and these young children really hits the heart and it really means a lot to us be able to work them,” said Tiffany, who is also a Dance Instructor when she is not working with the Bucs.

“Being a performer on game day and performing on the field in front of the fans is one of the main aspects of our job but coming into the community and getting involved means so much to us because if we can change one or two lives then that is great.”

And the cheerleaders certainly had an effect on two young pupils of the school and participants in the session.

Jade, 10, Leytonstone (pupil and participant at Jenny Hammond School) said:
“I really enjoyed the routine, especially the mashed potato. I asked them were they were all from in Florida and the places they said are some of my favourite places in America.

“I learnt a lot from them and they told me it was never too late to do anything, especially dance.”

Anoushka, 10, Leytonstone (pupil and participant at Jenny Hammond School) said:
“I didn’t know anything about cheerleading before today but I thought it was really exciting and funny in a good way.

“It was really fun to do and I really enjoyed it. I liked it when we played the game and my best bit was the mashed potato as we got to jump around. I want to do more cheerleading now, I really like the energy!

“My favourite team is now Tampa Bay!”

Once the session was over and the excited youngsters had gone home Tiffany took time to reflect on the small amount of time they got off to explore one of the world’s most famous and historic cities.

“We were luckily enough to see some of the sites of London on an open-top bus tour,” she said. “We saw the London Eye, Tower Bridge, Big Ben and we really got a chance to see some of the historical things along the way - we were very lucky.”

However, the girls are over here to support their team who have so far lost all six of their games in the current NFL season and it won’t get any easier on Sunday as the Bucs will be facing the New England Patriots who can boast four wins already, a traditionally large British support and one of the games most highest profile and highest profile quarterbacks – Mr. Gisele Bündchen, also known as Tom Brady.

But the game at Wembley is something everyone is looking forward to.

“Back in Tampa we perform at the Raymond James Stadium which holds 65,000 fans, but Wembley is much bigger and we will just try to perform to our best.

“We can’t wait to until Sunday and to see how the London fans take to us, and we hope to be celebrating a Bucs win!”

For more information about Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme and its work in the east London community please call 020 8556 5973, email https://mail.locsp.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=d0653090bce14ffa9bb7fa4bc552c9a8&URL=mailto%3aenquiries%40locsp.org or visit their website at www.locsp.org

Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots is live on Sky Sports 2 & HD2 this Sunday from 4.30pm, with highlights on BBC Two from midnight. The match is also live on BBC 5 live sports extra.

TOWER HAMLETS PUPILS LEARN ABOUT THE FOOTBALL INDUSTRY

2009-10-22T19:45:00.000+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Thursday 22 October 2009

Young people from Tower Hamlets recently came to SCORE to learn from the LOCSP coaches about what it's like to work in the football industry.

More to come...

O'S STARS IN HACKNEY FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH

2009-10-22T19:40:00.002+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Thursday 22 October 2009

Leyton Orient first team players Loick Pires and Charlie Daniels took time out to visit Jubilee Primary School to discuss Black History Month with the pupils.

LOFT joins forces with LOASS

2009-10-21T09:48:00.000+01:00

Wednesday 21 October 2009

LOFT joins forces with LOASS

LOFT Chair, Doug Harper, has joined the LOASS (Leyton Orient Advanced Soccer School) committee as part of our continuing efforts to cement closer links with the local community.

LOASS was formed in 1997, and runs a successful football school for children, based at Leyton Orient Community Sports programme at SCORE. LOASS' teams for boys range from those aimed at the under-7s, right up to the under-18s. They also have a disabled team, and an under-10s girls' team.

A joint objective is to increase the Leyton Orient fan base across LOASS FC, especially with the younger age groups, and to increase awareness of the good work that LOASS does in the local community.

LOASS attracts many talented young footballers, from across an ethnically diverse local community, and LOFT wants to encourage more local fans from all ethnic backgrounds to Brisbane Road; both on the pitch and in the stands.

This link-up is the latest in a long line of close links for LOFT with football in the local community, which started with sponsorship of AC Leyton a few years ago.

EAST IS EAST WITH FUTSAL COMMUNITY DAY

2009-10-20T18:25:00.001+01:00

SCORE Press Release: Tuesday 20 October 2009

EAST IS EAST WITH FUTSAL COMMUNITY DAY

Leyton, London – 38 teams from across England travelled to east London last week for the annual Russian-speaking Futsal Family Day held at SCORE in Leyton in an event organised by Oleksandr Saliy, founder of the White Bear FC Futsal team who are based at the Waltham Forest venue.

A close cousin of the five-a-side game, Futsal (‘Futebol de Sala’) is played indoor with a weighted ball to reduce bounce and aims to improve close ball skills through an increased number of touches during the game. Futsal is a worldwide sport, with a FIFA World Cup and UEFA Futsal Cup alongside the annual FA Futsal Cup and FA Futsal leagues.

Oleksandr, or Alex as he is known, moved to England ten years ago and also runs the ‘Futsal Super League’ at the same venue with a new league just started.

Alex founded White Bear Futsal Club, a team set up in Hackney back in 2003 alongside other social activities that he was organising for people from the Russian-speaking minorities of former USSR countries such as Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and Estonia who were living in England.

The 38 teams competing at the annual Community Day consisted of London teams made up of nationalities hailing from 15 ex-USSR countries, alongside teams representing Romania, Serbia, Poland, Bulgaria and Slovakia.

Competing against the London teams were teams from Essex (T-34 – Russia), Manchester (Galitch – Ukraine), Stoke-on-Trent (Novator – Ukraine) and representative teams from the Embassies of Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaidjan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Featuring players aged 16-55 years old, the tournament is about developing Futsal skills as well as celebrating the Russian-speaking minority in England. It is also a chance for old friends and family to relax and socialise in a sporting environment.

In a keenly contested final, Moldova beat Baltic FC 1-0 to retain their title, thanks to a solitary Vitaliy Lungu strike, whilst FC Lietuva beat Latvia 3-1 in the third/fourth place play off.

Besides the final match other awards were given to the competing teams which included the ‘Fair Play Cup’ awarded to Obolon (Ukraine), Best Goalkeeper - Vladimir Tcherabaev (Latvia),
Best Defender - Nerius Smatavicius (Baltic FC – Lithuania), Best Striker - Gregoriy Badea (Moldova) whilst the overall award for Best Player went to Volodimir Andrushko (Shakhtar Ukraine).

The whole event was made possible by the hard work of Alex, alongside support from LCC Trans Sending, Gary Magan from Obolon and The New Muscovy – Ivan the Terrible vodka.

For more information on Futsal, White Bear Futsal Club or the activities SCORE can offer you call 020 8556 5973 or email neil.brown@locsp.org.

WF YEAR 5 GIRLS FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

2009-10-16T19:49:00.000+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Friday 16 October 2009

Year 5 Girls from across Waltham Forest descended upon Douglas Eyre playing fields for the LOCSP Schools Cup.

With the final going to a dramatic penalty shoot-out, the tournament was full of ups and downs.

More to come...

GREAT BRITAIN HANDBALL WOMEN TAKE A TRIP TO THE ORIENT

2009-10-13T13:34:00.000+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Tuesday 13 October 2009

GREAT BRITAIN HANDBALL WOMEN TAKE A TRIP TO THE ORIENT

Leyton, London – The GB Women’s Handball team trained in east London yesterday ahead of their 2010 European Championship qualification match against Austria in Feldkirchen tomorrow night.

The team were put through their paces at SCORE, home to the only Olympic-sized Handball court in London and less than a mile away from the Olympic Park site.

SCORE is also the home to the award-winning Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) as well as playing host to regional schools finals and national league fixtures.

Following their tough training session the GB Women’s squad then visited the Leyton Orient FC stadium for a brief tour and photoshoot.

Neil Taylor, Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme Chief Executive said:
“It was a real honour and pleasure to have the GB Women’s Handball team train here and make use of our Handball facilities which we have established over the past three years.

“Having them here adds to a long list of Handball events that we have worked on as an organisation and we are looking forward to hosting more events like this building up to London 2012.”

Jesper Holmris, GB Women’s Head Coach said:
“Being here in Leyton today, which is so close to the Olympic Park, we all can feel the London 2012 Olympics getting closer.

“For a long time we haven’t actually played or even had training camps in Britain or London so for us all to be back on home soil again is great.”

Neil Brown, SCORE Operations Manager said:
“SCORE has a proud history of working with Handball and to have the team train here today ahead of such an important match was a great privilege for us.

“We look forward to welcoming them back again and wish them good luck in their European campaign.”

Everyone at Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme and Leyton Orient FC would like to wish the GB Women’s Handball team the very best of luck in their 2010 European Championship qualification campaign.

For more information about SCORE please call 020 8556 5973, email enquiries@locsp.org or visit the website at www.scorelondon.com.

COPING THROUGH FOOTBALL CELEBRATES SUCCESS WITH O’S STARS

2009-10-09T16:45:00.002+01:00

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 2009
COPING THROUGH FOOTBALL CELEBRATES SUCCESS WITH O’S STARS

LOCSP Press Release: Friday 9 October 2009

Leyton, London – Coping Through Football celebrated its second anniversary yesterday with a five-a-side football tournament that coincided with the lead up to World Mental Health Day tomorrow (Saturday 10th).

Coping Through Football is a groundbreaking mental health project run in Waltham Forest by The London Playing Fields Foundation (LPFF) and Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) alongside the North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) and supported by The Football Foundation, City Bridge Trust, The Henry Smith Charity, Capital Volunteering, Sport England and London Catalyst.

Jeff Davis, FA National Football Development Manager, sits on the Coping Through Football steering group and with funding due to finish in May 2010, following the initial three-year period; all parties are currently working towards having the project commissioned into the mainstream mental health service.

The project aims to create a sustainable recovery model for one of society’s most marginalised groups; the long term mentally ill.

The tournament featured participants from Waltham Forest who were watched in action by Leyton Orient FC first team players Stephen Purches and Tamika Mkandawire.

Club captain Purches and defender Mkandawire were in attendance to offer encouragement and advice to the participants and fielding questions in an open Q&A session with the group.

The tournament featured teams split into names of London clubs with awards given to winners and runners-up as well as for the most improved player and top goalscorer.

However, the event wasn’t just a celebration of the past two years as it also provided an opportunity to promote the work to more service users and provide information and advice for participants through informal discussions with various NHS professionals.

Leyton Orient FC player Tamika Mkandawire said:
“Sometimes players don’t really understand the effect they and football can have on people until they actually come to events like this and see it for themselves. Football is a sport that unites everybody and reflects people from all walks of life.

“It was good watching the group play here today. Everyone was enjoying themselves which is the main thing about this session and sport in general.”

Leyton Orient FC Captain Stephen Purches said:
“It’s great to be involved in something like this and the questions they asked us show just how much they are interested in football.

“We have personal responsibilities as players to come into the community and if being here can make a bit of difference or help, then that’s what it’s all about

“Whether or not we are here every time you can clearly see the enthusiasm of them playing and getting together like this is obviously making a big difference to their lives.

“One of the lads has got one hell of a shot on him – they all want the ball and all want to get involved. There are completely different standards of players here but they don’t care as long as they are playing and kicking a ball around.

“It’s been good to come down and not just watch but interact with the group and share our experiences that we have had along the way in our careers and hopefully they have found that interesting.

“We got a lot of questions we weren’t expecting so it keeps you on your toes – it’s all good fun and it’s been great coming down here, Tam and I have really enjoyed it.”

Robert Tromans, LOCSP Football Development Officer said:
“We decided to stage this tournament to celebrate the second anniversary of the project, to coincide with World Mental Health Day and to show people our facilities and what the project can offer.

“It was brilliant having the Leyton Orient FC players here today as our players really opened up; they loved them being here and wanted to show the players how good they were at football.

“The question and answer session saw some really funny questions alongside some coaching tips. Our players were really buzzing - the sun was shining and the day couldn’t have gone any better.”

Alex Welsh, Chief Executive London Playing Fields Foundation said:
“The tournament captured what Coping Through Football is all about; coming together to play sport in an environment that enriches the mind body and spirit.

“The participants in the project have benefited enormously from the experience and have been able to get their lives back on track.

“The project illustrates the value of working in partnership and the LPFF is both proud and grateful for the support it has received from the NELFT and LOCSP in delivering this groundbreaking initiative.

“Our next step is to transform this project into a long-term mainstream service that will continue to benefit local people with enduring mental health problems.”

Coping Through Football runs twice-weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Peter May Sports Ground and SCORE, Leyton.

For more information please contact Matthew Howard-Jones on 0844 600 1268, 07825 527 170 or email matthew.howard-jones@nelft.nhs.uk.

Editors Notes

1. Named 'Community Club of the Year' at the 2009 Football League Awards, Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) exists to help young people develop the skills and confidence to succeed in their lives, with our core work taking place in the six London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Newham, Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham and Hackney - a total combined population of over 1.3 million people.Established in May 1989 by Leyton Orient Football Club and the London Borough of Waltham Forest, LOCSP started with 150 young people a week and now provides over 4,500 sporting and educational participation and engagement opportunities every week for young people across London - equating to 225,000 a year.LOCSP has invested £5.5 million in the east London community since 1998 and work with some of the most challenging young people, jointly confronting difficult issues including racism, sexism, lack of cultural awareness, crime, unemployment, lack of education and training and ageism.

For more information visit http://www.locsp.org/

2. The London Playing Fields Foundation was formed in 1890 and is the largest charity (registered number 302925) in London for the protection, provision and promotion of playing fields. The Foundation currently owns and manages eight large playing fields (totalling over 200 acres) spread across the capital. Its mission is not only to save threatened sites but also to help playing fields enrich the lives of the eleven million people who work, visit and live in London. It focuses on young people and disadvantaged groups, using sport as a means of improving their social skills, health and well being, education and employment aspirations. Through targeted use of its grounds, it aims to widen, increase, sustain and extend participation in sport and physical activity.
http://www.lpff.org.uk/

3. Coping Through Football is a ground-breaking project delivered in London Borough of Waltham Forest since 2007. It demonstrates how two sports charities (London Playing Fields Foundation and Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme) can work with the statutory health service (North East London Foundation Trust) to create a sustainable recovery model for one of society’s most marginalised groups, the long term mentally ill. It aims to help people diagnosed with enduring mental illness to engage more fully with their current care provision, enhance their mental wellbeing and improve their physical health.

The project outcomes are:

· Raise the group’s self-esteem and confidence
· Improve the group’s interactive skills
· Improve the group’s commitment to participating regularly in physical activity and adopting a healthy lifestyle

Coping Through Football is not a sports project in the traditional sense, it is a social inclusion project which uses football as a tool to engage with a hard to reach group.

Alongside the twice weekly football sessions, the project encourages participants to access mainstream activities such as training courses, commercial five-a-side leagues and Football League matches.

Healthy lifestyle workshops focusing on issues such as smoking cessation and healthy eating have been delivered to the service users. Interest in these sessions has increased as the participants have begun to understand the positive impact that a healthy lifestyle could have on their performance on the pitch.

All participants are referred to the project via NELFT and they undergo a physical and mental health assessment before joining the activity sessions.

The Project Coordinator, seconded from NELFT, undertakes quarterly interviews with participants as part of a system of robust monitoring and evaluation using recognized assessment tools.

A bespoke computer package has been designed to manage the project data.

Coping Through Football was shortlisted for the Beyond Sport London Legacy Award in 2009 which saw it recognised for the best project or initiative in London which uses sport as a vehicle for positive social change.

For more information about this nomination visit:http://www.beyondsport.org/the-awards/london-legacy/shortlist.php
4. World Mental Health Day on 10 October raises public awareness about mental health issues and was started by the World Federation for Mental Health.
The Day promotes more open discussion of illnesses, and investments in prevention and treatment services. WHO statistics for 2002 show that 154 million people globally suffer from depression, only one form of mental illness.
Mental, neurological and behavioural disorders are common in all countries around the world, causing immense suffering and staggering economic and social costs. People with disorders are often subjected to social isolation, poor quality of life and higher death rates.
WFMH is an international membership organization founded in 1948 to advance, among all peoples and nations, the prevention of mental and emotional disorders, the proper treatment and care of those with such disorders, and the promotion of mental health.
The Federation, through its members and contacts in more than 100 countries on six continents, has responded to international mental health crises through its role as the only worldwide grassroots advocacy and public education organization in the mental health field.
Its organizational and individual membership includes mental health workers of all disciplines, consumers of mental health services, family members, and concerned citizens.
The organisation’s broad and diverse membership makes possible collaboration among governments and non-governmental organizations to advance the cause of mental health services, research, and policy advocacy worldwide.
For more information please visit:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/world_mental_health_day/en/index.html
http://www.wfmh.org/00WorldMentalHealthDay.htm

BOXING CLEVER FOR EAST LONDON YOUNGSTERS

2009-10-05T13:40:00.001+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Monday 5 October 2009

BOXING CLEVER FOR EAST LONDON YOUNGSTERS

ExCel Arena, London Docklands – Youngsters from across Waltham Forest attended the ExCel Arena in Custom House last Friday night for the innovative and popular ‘Prizefighter’ boxing event.

Korey Dyer-Stewart and Charlie Saywood from Walthamstow alongside Jack Matthews from Chingford took the opportunity to interview the personalities involved in the event for their work towards their Contemporary Pathways BTEC Level 2 – Sports Industry course which they are currently studying at Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP).

Prizefighter, promoted and managed by Matchroom Sport whose Chairman Barry Hearn is also Chairman of Leyton Orient Football Club, have linked up with LOCSP to offer youngsters on the course the opportunity to study their work in the world of sport at close quarters.

Back in May, youngsters from LOCSP visited Earls Court for the Cruiserweight contest of Prizefighter, but last Friday saw the turn of the Heavyweights, the third time such a contest had been held at that weight division.

The youngsters spent the evening picking the brains of both the paying public, members of the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) and the boxers themselves to hear their thoughts on the boxing industry – they even managed time to meet Amir Khan, Barry Hearn and David Haye, who was there commentating for Sky TV.

In what was the most high-profile contest so far in the series, the tournament featured Heavyweight Gold Medallist for GB at the Sydney Olympics, Audley Harrison, alongside the current British Champion Danny Williams and six other fighters desperate to get their hands on the £32,000 winning prize.

With Danny Williams being eliminated at the first hurdle the path was open for Harrison and with three TKOs in all three of his fights he grabbed the opportunity with both hands to take the honours in front of a sell-out 5,000 fans in east London.

Korey Dyer-Stewart, 15, Walthamstow said:
“It was a great experience to go to Prizefighter. It took a lot confidence to go up and interview the public and boxers. We are just ordinary guys and they could have said they weren’t interested but they were all very cooperative.

“Audley Harrison was very scary; his appearance – he is physically big. I was intimated just by looking at him, let alone getting into the ring with him!

“This event has made me more interested in boxing. Watching it live you really get a lot of access to the personalities and behind-the-scenes - something you don’t really get when you go to football.”

Charlie Saywood, 15, Walthamstow said:
“I’ve not been to see live boxing before and it was a great atmosphere. Afterwards we got to mix and talk with the boxers themselves – I didn’t realise there were so many people involved with putting on a show like this.

“I wasn’t very good at the interviewing at first, but when I got used to it I was ok at it – I even managed to interview the ring girls!”

Jack Matthews, 16, Chingford said:
“I’ve been to see live boxing before when I saw Ricky Hatton fight and the atmosphere here was exactly the same. The seats we had at the Hatton fight weren’t close to the ring but the seats we had tonight were so close it really added to the whole experience.

“It came quite naturally to me to interview the public – I just asked them who they thought would win and what they thought of the event. I managed to interview the ring girls and a group of boxing fans from Swansea who were really funny.

“I wasn’t expecting the Sky TV commentary box to be so close - we saw David Haye in there and we had a chat and he waved at us – it was a fantastic experience.”

Tony Murphy, LOCSP Education Officer said:
“I would like to thank Barry Hearn and John Wischusen from Matchroom Sport on behalf of LOCSP for giving the boys such great tickets to allow them the opportunity to experience a really well-run and exciting sporting event.

“The event was really useful as they were able to develop their skills through media interviews. I thought they were very mature, respectful and well-behaved for their age.

“It would have been easy for them to just watch the event, lose focus and not conduct any work through the night. However, the lads produced a lot of high-quality work and didn’t want to stop all night.

“It’s good to have a positive story to tell about young people on a Friday night in east London rather than all the negative stories you sometimes hear.

“The work they have produced is extremely useful for their BTEC course and will help them towards gaining their grades.”

For more information and pictures please contact Andrew McSteen, LOCSP Communications Officer on 020 8556 5973, email andrew.mcsteen@locsp.org or visit the website at www.locsp.org.

GIRLS GET MOVING ON GOVERNMENT CRIME AGENDA

2009-09-15T11:14:00.002+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Monday 14 September 2009

GIRLS GET MOVING ON GOVERNMENT CRIME AGENDA
Free sports taster sessions success at SCORE

Leyton, London – Last week saw girls across the country join together to and get involved with sports, arts and leisure activities as part of Positive Futures’ National Girls Get Moving Week.

Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) Positive Futures held a free multi-sports taster event for girls aged 8-21 years old at SCORE on Friday with a range of activities available including football, basketball, handball, volleyball and badminton.

Over 20 girls attended from across Waltham Forest to participate in the week, with many of those present having an interest in sport but not necessarily the access to facilities or coaches to become involved.

Hajan, 14, from Leyton said:
“I like playing sports especially handball and football. Handball was a really fun activity today.

“Sometimes girls just play the more ‘traditional’ girls sports like netball because they know that they are only played by girls and they feel they shouldn’t play any other games, but I think boys and girls should play everything.”

Kana, 14, Walthamstow said:
“At school we have a girl’s netball, football, athletic and aerobic team so I am used to playing sport, but today has shown me other sports. If I wasn’t here today I probably would be at home or with my friends.”

Dohar, 17, Walthamstow said:
“Events like this are important because it is about equal opportunities. Girls shouldn’t feel restricted and think that ‘boys only play sport’ or they can’t play because they think ‘I am the only girl playing’.”

Aisha, 14, Walthamstow said:
“There are some people in some places who provide opportunities for girls but in most places there isn’t. However, I do Kung Fu at school, but we don’t really have much for just girls-only like this.”

Nadia, 19, Leytonstone said:
“I had a lot of fun today and there were a lot of opportunities to play different sports I hadn’t played here before. There were lots of girls of all ages here today participating and I’ll definitely come back, but will be bringing my friends.”

Shamajul Motin, LOCSP Community Development Officer said:
“Today was a fantastic opportunity to display and showcase the various sporting activities LOCSP can offer girls and it was really pleasing to see such enthusiasm and commitment from the participants here.

“The feedback we got was great as the group wanted to continue the sports on offer here back at their various youth clubs and schools which is exactly the message we want to hear.

“At first, when explaining the different types of sports they would be playing such as Handball and Volleyball, some girls were not very keen as they have never played the sport before. However, after trying each sport, Handball was their favourite sport by some distance and they were all very keen to continue playing it.

“A lot of the time sports are offered to young people without really any consultation in what they actually want, however, after today we will now look at delivering Handball to these participants at their clubs and schools and hopefully attract more girls to participate in sports and physical activity.”

To find out about Positive Futures and LOCSP projects in east London call Shamajul Motin, LOCSP Community Development Officer on 020 8556 5973 or email shamajul.motin@locsp.org.

LOASS INTRODUCTION

2009-09-15T11:13:00.000+01:00

About LOASS
Formed in 1997 Leyton Orient Advanced Soccer School (LOASS) provides a direct link between the local football-playing community and Leyton Orient FC through its 12 teams.

Supported by Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP), LOASS received national recognition after gaining the prestigious Football Association Chartered Standard Community Club Award - presented to those clubs who have consistently raised their standards and lead the field in promoting best football practice, both on and off the pitch in grassroots football (http://www.loass.intheteam.com/).

Maintaining an ethos all the way through its teams of developing players as well as people, LOASS provides opportunities for their players to play at a slightly higher level of football than what they are used to.

The club is open to anyone and everyone, including other coaches and managers and actively shares its ideas with other teams and has no problems with other teams coming in and looking at their sessions – even to opposition players.

Every summer sees all the LOASS teams join together for their annual awards ceremony held at Leyton Orient FC’s Matchroom Stadium with over 200 young people plus coaches, managers and adults involved - highlighting the inclusiveness and family feel that LOASS has.

The links with Leyton Orient FC are an integral part of LOASS and many of their players have passed through the Leyton Orient FC Centre of Excellence, which is run by former LOASS Director of Football Ross Embleton.

LOASS currently has around 10 players with the Leyton Orient FC Centre of Excellence and in the next few years more will hopefully get a showing in the academy team and many of these players can be seen in action in the regular LOASS v LOFC Centre of Excellence Football Festivals.

Away from the playing side LOASS encourages its players through LOCSP to help out with coaching and refereeing for their community sessions across London and provides pathways to becoming a coach.

This extra curricular work continues with college-leaving aged players enrolling on courses at the University of East London (UEL) and UEL sports students using LOASS to complete their courses.

LOASS exists through its generous team of volunteer coaches and administrators combined with player subs and its sponsorship with UEL. However, you can help LOASS to continue to produce the next generation of young players and coaches by donating to their cause.

Club Secretary Steve Jones said, “The FA Chartered Standard Award shows potential fund donors that we are a club who will not misuse funds and ensure that it is put into the right areas of the club and players’ development.”

For more information about how you can help please contact Steve Jones, LOASS Secretary General on 07815 764808, email loass_secretary@hotmail.com or visit their website at http://www.loass.intheteam.com/

LOASS 2009/2010 SEASON PREVIEW

2009-09-15T11:10:00.001+01:00

U8
Manager: Tom Prendergast
2009/2010 League: Rural Friendly League

U9
Manager: Gavin Prince
2009/2010 League: Rural Friendly League

Last season was a good one for the 2009/2010 U9’s squad. They were one of the best passing teams in their age range, winning the ‘Best Footballing Team’ award at in the Brimsdown 5-a-side Football Tournament.

However, they did lack the physical edge to their game which showed on the end of season tour to the Butlins Football Tournament in Skegness, as they were unable to progress out of the group stages.

U9s Manager and LOASS Manager of the season, Gavin Prince said:

“’I was extremely pleased with my team last season; they played good football, won loads of games and scored loads of goals. Throughout the season, they developed really well.”

Although there wasn’t a competitive league for the U9s last year, they applied themselves admirably in their friendly games dominating teams with their football.

Gavin has progressed six players from LOASS U9s to the Leyton Orient FC Centre of Excellence for the 2009/2010 season, highlighting the success of his side.

Gavin is optimistic for the coming season where his team will be playing in a league for the first time.

“The league will be extremely difficult, but I hope every player improves. As a squad we have lost a large number of players to the Centre and because of age, therefore I hope the team I do have will gel as quickly as possible and continue to play good football.’’

U10
Manager: Robert Tromans
2009/2010 League: Rural Friendly League

A good last year for the U10s 2009/2010 squad where they narrowly missed out on winning honours. They finished second in the Super League, got knocked out at the quarter-final stage of the League Cup and to cap the season off; were beaten semi-finalists at the end of season tour to Skegness.

Manager Rob Tromans was happy with how things went though:

“’We struggled at the start of the season due to losing players and new ones starting. Throughout the season though the players developed extremely well and team performances reflected this.’’

With every age group the ultimate aim is for the players to develop and move up to the Leyton Orient FC Centre of Excellence, something that Rob strongly agrees with, but Rob also hopes to win something whilst seeing his team develop:

“Hopefully next season one or two of my players will move up to the Centre, but I want to continue the development of each individual by steady individual improvement and team performance throughout the season.’’

So a good season of development and hopefully success is ahead of the U10’s with this being their last season at 7-a-side level before moving to the full 11-a-side format.

U10 GIRLS
Manager: Athena Yennaris
2009/2010 League: Essex County Girls Football League

A new team starting this season for LOASS is the Girls U10 side, managed by Athena Yennaris.

A large turnout was present for the trials this year and a competitive pool of players to chose from to represent LOASS.

Manager Athena Yennaris is eagerly waiting to work with, and progressing, them, after honing her coaching skills in the United States this summer.

“I am looking forward to coaching and helping these young girls progress as footballers and achieve their highest ability in football.

“I feel this year, as it’s my first, I have a lot to learn personally but I have great experience from playing myself which I hope to pass onto my players.

“Our main aim this season, as of all the LOASS teams, is to promote players to the Leyton Orient FC Centre of Excellence and we hope to do this by getting the girls to play as a team and improve not just as individuals but teammates as well.”

U11
Manager: James Gladwin
2009/2010 League: Rural Friendly League

Last season saw the U11s current squad secure a strong fifth place in their division. No cups were won but the fact that two players signed for the Leyton Orient FC Centre of Excellence meant that at least the team were making the right step forward.

Last season’s Manager Jimmy Lenton was very pleased with their season as a whole.

“We played good passing football, with a good balance throughout the team. It’s never about winning at LOASS; it’s about developing a player so they can be the best they can be. We had good teamwork and developed them so they can get ready to go from 7-a-side to 11-a-side when they move up their age group this season.’’

With 24 players in their squad, Jimmy said that it was vital they all got the same opportunity to showcase their skills.

With Jimmy stepping down from managerial duties, James Gladwin is the new manager and is looking forward to working with the squad.

“This season I would like the team to establish itself as a strong Under 11 side and adapt their game to playing 11-a-side football which can be quite a jump for these players at their age.”

U12
Manager: Bradley Wiginton
2009/2010 League: Echo Junior Football League

Last season saw the current U12 squad play their first season in the 11-a-side format, performing well, something that their then manager, Paul Motion was delighted with.

“It was the boys first year at 11-a-side and they adapted well. They played really good football, which I expected as they all have good footballing brains.’’

“Last season we had a really bright start but just lacked consistency. Overall it went well - we finished mid-table in the league as well as making the semi-finals of the League Cup.’’

This season, Paul has stepped down to allow Bradley Wiginton to take charge and he is looking forward to it.

“Obviously, I want to take them to the next step and get them playing more consistently whilst still playing good football.’’

After a year of experience on the 11-a-side pitch, the U12’s can take the experience gained from last year to help them with their quest for silverware this year and the ultimate aim of players reaching the Leyton Orient FC Centre of Excellence.

U13
Manager: Tony Murphy
2009/2010 League: Echo Junior Football League

After a cup-winning season and promotion from the Echo B Division last season for the current U13 squad, there is much optimism for this season, something reflected by Manager Tony Murphy.

“Last season was very successful. The team produced some excellent football. We won the League Cup and were unlucky to finish runners-up in the league. The team is showing signs of turning into a really good side.’’

With a 2-0 victory over Woodford B, the team secured LOASS’ first piece of silverware of last season. Promotion was soon to follow and that capped off a great season for Tony and his team. When asked about his ambitions for next season, Tony said:

“Obviously to keep developing as a team, but we all like to win things, so finishing top of the league and winning the cup again!

“However, the main focus is developing all the boys to the best of my ability and making sure that they enjoy every minute of it.’’

A very successful season was also completed with a tour to Skegness for the Butlins football tournament which started brightly but then crumbled as they didn’t manage to get out the group stages.

“It was disappointing after having such an impressive season. The team performed well on the first day winning both games but the second day ended in disaster losing both games 4-0.’’

Despite this setback, there is still hope for next season in a higher division and hopefully more silverware can be gained.

U14
Manager: Andy Asque
2009/2010 League: Echo Junior Football League

The U14s had an excellent start to last season at U13 level, with the whole team gelling extremely well.Pre-season was promising with a 16-1 win on the first day leaving everyone in a buoyant mood.

Travelling away well the side even beat Dagenham away, 22-0 with every player in the squad scoring including the ‘keeper.Going into the league saw eight straight wins and alongside a good League Cup run everyone was feeling positive. However, an extra time defeat in the County Cup to one of the top three teams in London blighted their form going into the Christmas break.

The start of 2009 saw bad weather disrupt the fixtures and the team, who went lost their first league match in 14 months at home to Jets, followed by an away draw to title contenders Barn Sports.

However the players showed resilience and belief going on to win every game right through tothe end of the season beating both Jets (5-1) and in the League Cup Final Barn Sports (4-0), to complete another double winning season.
The end of season stats showed the side had scored 147 league goals and 50 in the cups.

Manager Andy Asque said:

“We all think of last season with fond memories. I would like to say a big thank you to all who took part in this most enjoyable campaign.

“Our best wishes go to those who have left the club and we welcome those who will be joining us for the new season ahead.”

U15
Manager: Kofi Mpiani
2009/2010 League: Echo Junior Football League

The current U15 squad gained promotion to the Premier Division and won the Division A Cup Final last season in what was a hugely successful one for the team and their manager Kofi Mpiani.

The Cup Final was a particularly great occasion because it was the best ever result for any LOASS team in any cup final. Their opponents were Millwall Albion; a team that had gone 36 games unbeaten having secured the league title and beaten the LOASS boys twice en route

However an all-round spirited display from LOASS won them the cup with a thumping 5-0 scoreline.

Kofi recalls the season:

“We had a slow start but an excellent finish. We finished second in the league gaining promotion to the Premier Division.

“This season I want to keep improving as a team and my personal ambition is to do better than last season. I hope we finish in the top three - that would be a very good achievement.”

So a great season last year for the current U15 squad and we hope that the rise to a tougher league in the Premier Division will see them continue improving and hopefully bag more silverware.

U16 Disability Team
FA Disability Counts League

U16
Manager: Yassin Abidou
2009/2010 League: Echo Junior Football League

After a good start to last season, the now U16 squad hopes of securing the Echo Premier Division filtered out after a few unwanted results towards the end of season, with the side finished a respectable third, just five points off of the eventual winners Redbridge.

The team can take great pride in reaching the London Cup Semi-Final where they were unlucky to lose 2-1 in a nail biting game and lost in the semis of the the League Cup.

An end-of-season tour to Valkenberg, Holland followed where the team played well to finish fifth overall out of 32 teams in the PSV 35 Tournai.

This season, the U16’s can look forward to hopefully gaining the Echo Premier Division title and another long run in the London or League Cup.

U17
Manager: Rob Unwin
2009/2010 League: Cheshunt Youth League

U18
Manager: Bob Carn
2009/2010 League: Cheshunt Youth League

A great end to last season saw the now U18s win their last seven games to be crowned champions of the Chesunt Premier Division to compliment their quarter-final position in the London Cup.

The last year junior team in the LOASS structure before becoming seniors, there is an ambition this year to again win the league and go further in the London Cup.

Looking back on last season manager Bob Carn said:

“They did exceptionally well. They respected all teams who they played and were a real credit to coach and a credit to LOASS.’’

There is hope of another good season with all of last years players re-signed, something that shows their determination to succeed in their last year as juniors at LOASS.

Bob adds:

“They are looking to forward to playing for LOASS this year and I am looking forward to having another good season.’’

COLTS & SENIOR TEAMS
Essex Business Houses Football League

Steve Jones, LOASS Club Secretary and Director said:

“The Senior team did really well last season, winning the Essex Business Houses Premier Division and reaching the semi-final of the London Cup - the League was won in just their third season together.

“They were managed by Gavin Prince who had a very serious injury that kept him out for most of the season and for the start of the next.

“First team player Leon Smalls, was invited for trials to the Barbados national squad, where he did exceptionally well and has been invited back, with possible opportunities opening up at the American Major League Soccer (MLS) side LA Galaxy - also, goalkeeper Steven French has been invited for trails at Bournemouth FC.

“The Colts did really well in their first season in senior football. It was obvious that several teams in their division were no match for the Colts technical ability and it was quite a wake up call for them seeing certain teams trying to bully their way matches, which is something they learned to overcome with Nugent and Kofi Mpiani giving them direction on the pitch.

“This season I hope to see players from our U17 and U18 squads start to make to make an impact into the Colts, who in turn will be making a push for places in the first team – we had over 340 players come to our trials this pre-season and we all hope to have a successful 2009/2010 season.”

Danny Fenner, LOASS Director of Football said:
“I really enjoyed my first season at LOASS as Director of Football.

“I would like to thank Steve Jones who puts his heart and soul into the football club. Without his services we would be without the Charter Standard Award and the organisational skills which are needed for LOASS to operate on a day-to-day basis.

“Many thanks to the hard work the coaches put through the season; they inspired and motivated individuals to achieve such high standards.”

LOASS 2008/09 Achievements
U8s Rural Friendly League Bill Cox Tournament Best Football Side
U9s Rural Friendly Super League Runners-upU12s Echo Division B Cup Winners - Echo Division B League Runners-upU13s Echo Division B League and Cup Double WinnersU14s Echo Division A Cup Winners - Echo Division A League Runners-upU16s Echo Premier League WinnersU17s Cheshunt Youth Premier League WinnersSeniors Essex Business Houses Premier Division Winners
LOASS 2008/09 Club Awards

Parents Player of the Season 2008/09
U8 Ben Thompson & Jamie Yila
U9 Iuran Barbosa & Zak Pianim
U10 Hugo Rosetti & Myles Judd
U11 Matty Crook
U12 Louis Monk
U13 Fergus Morgan
U14 Bobby Barker
U15 Andrew Buckley
U16 Scott Hill
U17 Greg Omeonga

Team Man of the Season 2008/09
Colts Andrean Kostadinou
Seniors Steven French

Players Player of the Season 2008/09
U8 Bradley McDonald & Dan Naughton
U9 Joe Clark & Aron Fontenelle
U10 Tyler Walden & Elijah Dobson
U11 Tom Harnack
U12 George Pullen
U13 Grieg Stewart
U14 Rokhib Choudhury
U15 Charlie Saywood
U16 Abiola Balagon
U17 Riess Silva
Colts Andrean Kostadinou
Seniors Gavin Prince

LOASS Awards & Honours

FA Charter Standard Club Award (Youth).

FA Charter Standard Club Award (Adult).

FA Charter Standard Community Club Award

Waltham Forest Adult Team of the Year

Steve Jones Short listed for Waltham Forest Volunteer of the Year

LOCSP's EMMA TO PLAY IN adidas NBA 5 UNITED TOUR 2009

2009-09-07T16:31:00.002+01:00

LOCSP Basketball Development Officer and English National Basketball League player Emma Omo-Bare will be playing in the event below next week.

LONDON TO HOST adidas NBA 5 UNITED TOUR 2009

- Outdoor basketball tournament takes over The O2, September 12-13 -

- Registration at the adidas Sport Performance Store, Oxford Street, London -

LONDON, July 30, 2009 – London will host the fifth and final stop of the adidas NBA 5 United Tour 2009 it was announced today by the National Basketball Association (NBA) and adidas. adidas NBA 5 United, a competitive outdoor 5-on-5 tournament that incorporates interactive basketball activities, will take place at The O2 arena, September 12-13.

Team registration is now open at the adidas Sport Performance Store, Oxford Street, London or by visiting http://www.5united.nba.com/ for more information. The adidas NBA 5 United Tour is open to both male and female players, aged 10 and over. All skill levels are welcome to register teams of between 5-7 players that will play a minimum of three games.

“adidas is proud to partner with the NBA for the third consecutive year on such a fascinating grassroots basketball event that promotes team-play and not the individual player," said Franck Denglos, Vice President of Sports Performance for adidas Region Europe/Middle East/Africa. Franck Denglos went on to add, “Our brand embraces the idea of We vs. Me from the NBA level on down to grassroots basketball and the adidas/NBA 5 United Tour is the perfect platform to deliver this message.”

“We are excited to bring the adidas NBA 5 United Tour to two new countries this year, Greece and the UK, as we join adidas in providing opportunities to bounce the basketball in our region,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, Managing Director NBA EMEA. “5 United combines competitive games with spectator activities to engage basketball fans of all ages and ability in this unique grassroots event.”

The 5 United Tour tipped off in Athens, Greece and has since visited Madrid, Spain; Rome, Italy and Istanbul, Turkey attracting 921 teams, 5,686 players, and over 64,000 spectators.

This year’s 5 United Tour will feature daily final competitions on Center Court, in addition to the opportunity for spectators to participate various basketball activities, including a three-point shootout and a slam dunk competition.

EA Sports and Powerade will support the adidas NBA 5 United Tour in London together with England Basketball. EA Sports will conduct daily competitions with their popular game NBA Live 09, challenging gamers inside the EA Sports Video Arcade. On court players can show off their dunking abilities on baskets at varied heights at the Powerade Slam Dunk Court.

About the NBA
The NBA, founded in 1946, is a global sports and entertainment brand that features 30 teams in the United States and Canada. During the 2008-09 season, NBA games will reach 215 countries and territories in 41 languages. The league’s worldwide reach will be reflected in the 76 international players from 32 countries and territories on NBA rosters. NBA merchandise is sold in more than 100,000 stores in 100 countries on six continents. NBA.com averages more than five million daily visits, with more than 50 percent of the site’s visitors come from outside of North America.

About adidas
adidas has been providing innovative products for the world’s best athletes for more than 50 years, from past legends to today’s superstars, such as Kevin Garnett, Dwight Howard, Candace Parker, Derrick Rose, Tim Duncan and Tracy McGrady. On April 11, 2006 adidas and the National Basketball Association signed an 11-year global merchandising partnership making the adidas brand the official uniform and apparel provider for the NBA, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the NBA Development League (D-League) beginning with the 2006-07 NBA season.

LEYTON ORIENT FC GIRLS CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE – U10s 2008/09 SEASON REVIEW

2009-09-07T16:23:00.003+01:00

LEYTON ORIENT FC GIRLS CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE – U10s 2008/09 SEASON REVIEW
Young O’s Learn the Football Trade

Lisa Brivati, the U10 Girls Manager described their season as the “best year” writes Alex Gordon.

Some of the results maybe don’t back this, but according to Lisa, the improvement in her players “was very noticeable from the first game to the last.”

Matches in the U10 league are played with 7-a-side teams and to monitor her team’s progress, Lisa has now introduced a feedback sheet so players can rate their performance after each game so she can see how they think and whether or not they feel they have improved.

We can see this improvement in the girls’ two fixtures versus Arsenal this year.

After losing 15-0 against the Gunners in their first game, the second game only saw them lose 6-2; “the toughest game of the season” said Brivati.

What also pleased Lisa was the focus the girls showed on playing good attacking football, passing the ball along the floor. This was evident throughout the year and through this style of football the girls were allowed to develop technically throughout the season.

Lisa mentions the match against Northampton Town at home late in the year as her particular season highlight.

“It was great to see the girls’ improvement over the year and to see how many girls had come out of their shells in the Northampton match compared to the start of the season where they weren’t saying a thing on the pitch.”

With Leyton Orient Girls Centre of Excellence boasting an U12, U14, U16 and the U10 squad the opportunity to progress through the sides and make it to the top level is there for all – highlighted by the success of Danielle Carter who has just left Orient for Arsenal after playing for the Centre all her career.

Lisa admits that Danielle, 16, who captained England and has played in the U17 UEFA European Championships and U17 FIFA World Cup, has been a massive positive for not only her side but the whole Centre of Excellence.

“The Danielle Carter effect been noticed and has given extra motivation for everyone at the Centre - especially the U14 side and the U10s too.

“I don’t think the players here can get their head around that Danielle Carter has been off playing for England in New Zealand at the World Cup!”

However, like Danielle, it is at the U10 level where girls learn how to play the game and as the youngest age group in the Leyton Orient Girls Centre of Excellence, they have a long time to grow and mature into all-round players and this season was just the start in their long footballing journey.

GIRLS CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE ALUMNI INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS

2009-09-07T16:23:00.001+01:00

GIRLS CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE ALUMNI INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS
Former Player now playing for South Carolina Upstate University

Sian Jenkins, former goalkeeper at the Leyton Orient Girls Centre of Excellence is now studying Physical Education at South Carolina Upstate University in the United States whilst playing in goal for their Spartans Women’s Football Team.

Sian, who received international recognition with Wales High School is in her ‘freshman’ year and is flying the east London flag in the east of the USA!

For more information on Sian follow this link:http://upstatespartans.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/mtt/jenkins_sian00.html

LEYTON ORIENT GIRLS CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE – 2008/09 AWARDS

2009-09-07T16:21:00.004+01:00

LEYTON ORIENT GIRLS CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE – 2008/09 AWARDS
Orient achieve first in League

The Centre held their annual awards at SCORE, Leyton.

The winners were:

AFA Player of the Season U16's Ms Soobadoo
AFA Player of the Season U14's Ms Revell

To receive these prestigious awards coaches from the clubs that we played each week in the South East Region League vote on the opposition’s player of the match.

These are collated and at the end of the season the player with the most votes in each age group (Under 10s, 12s. 14s and 16s) receives the AFA Player of the Season Award. It was also a first in that no other Club had achieved two awards in one Season.

U10s Managers Player of the Season Ms Scarr
U12s Managers Player of the Season Ms Shaw-Salmon
U14s Managers Player of the Season Ms Tripp
U16s Managers Player of the Season Ms Carter

GOOD LUCK DANIELLE

2009-09-07T16:21:00.001+01:00

GOOD LUCK DANIELLE
Carter joins Arsenal and celebrates her GCSEs!

Even though Leyton Orient Girls Centre of Excellence legend Danielle Carter was off at the 2008 FIFA World Cup in New Zealand during her GCSE revision, she passed with flying colours last week and has elected to stay on at school in Romford to join her sixth form

Danielle now leaves Leyton Orient to make the step up to women’s football, joining Arsenal Ladies and everyone at Leyton Orient Girls Centre of Excellence would like to wish her the best of luck.

HANDBALL TRAILBLAZERS JOIN FORCES FOR UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP

2009-09-07T16:19:00.001+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Monday 7 September 2009

HANDBALL TRAILBLAZERS JOIN FORCES FOR UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP
Olympia Handball Club and Leyton Orient come together for youth handball in east London

Leyton, London - Olympia Handball Club and Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) today announced they are joining forces to launch the first partnership in the UK between a handball club and community sports organisation.

Aimed at promoting the game and capitalising on its profile ahead of London 2012, the partnership will look to unearth players whilst developing the skills and passion of those who are already playing.

Starting on Friday 25 September and then every following Friday Olympia and LOCSP are running coaching sessions aimed at players aged 14-17 years old of all levels.

The session is split into boys and girls with 6pm – 7pm for girls aged 14-17 and 7pm – 8pm for boys aged 14-17 and will take place at SCORE, Leyton – the current home to the England Handball National League in London.

Coaches from Olympia Handball Club who have both national and international experience will run the training sessions which will feature a variety of skills, fun games and matches.

Neil Taylor, Chief Executive of Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme said:
“We are always developing sporting opportunities for young people in our local area and Handball has been close to our heart for some time now.

“One of our key philosophies is to link in with clubs and with Olympia and Handball in general going from strength to strength over the last year, they are the natural choice to help build on our work over recent years.”

Tobias Julen, Chairman of Olympia Handball Club said:
“This is another step in the development of Olympia as a handball club for the future, and one which we have wanted to take for some time now.

“With several of our players having expressed an interest in coaching junior players and with a growing interest in the sport not just in London, but in the country as a whole, we are of course very pleased to have the opportunity to work with Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme.”

What London Olympia Handball Club Coaching
Day Friday 25th September and every following Friday
Times 6pm – 7pm (Girls 14-17), 7pm – 8pm (Boys 14-17)
Where SCORE, 100 Oliver Road, Leyton, London. E10 5JY
Who Boys and Girls aged 14-17 years old
Cost £3 per session
Contact Olympia (Tobias): info@olympiahc.co.uk, 07503 173 885, http://www.olympiahc.co.uk/.
LOCSP enquiries@locsp.org, 020 8556 5973, http://www.locsp.org/

BRINGING THE SOUTH AMERICAN SUNSHINE TO LEYTON – VIA UKRAINE!

2009-09-01T12:49:00.003+01:00

SCORE Press Release: Tuesday 1 September 2009

BRINGING THE SOUTH AMERICAN SUNSHINE TO LEYTON – VIA UKRAINE!
The Brazilian game of Futsal is live and kicking in east London.

Leyton – London: SCORE - the sports club and community facility with a difference in the heart of London’s East End now adds another sport to its never-ending list of activities - the sport that the likes of Ronaldo, Denilson and Roberto Carlos all grew up playing – Futsal.

A close cousin of the five-a-side game, Futsal (‘Futebol de Sala’) is played indoor with a weighted ball to reduce bounce and aims to improve close ball skills through an increased number of touches during the game, whilst players are nearly always placed in reduced space situations and are constantly forced to make decisions demanding speed of thought and quick reflexes.

Futsal is a worldwide sport, with a FIFA World Cup and UEFA Futsal Cup alongside the annual FA Futsal Cup and FA Futsal leagues.

The man responsible for bringing Futsal to SCORE - home to the only FA-approved Futsal court in London - is Oleksandr Saliy, a 35-year-old Ukrainian who moved to England ten years ago and who now runs the ‘Futsal Super League’ at the Leyton venue with a new league starting on September 6th.

The Futsal Super League, now in its seventh championship will then run every Sunday from 12pm – 6pm with all teams welcome, including an adult league (16+) and youth league (U16).

Alex, as he is known, founded White Bear Futsal Club, a team set up in Hackney back in 2003 alongside other social activities that he was organising for people from the Russian-speaking minorities of former USSR countries such as Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and Estonia who were living in England.

Over the years White Bear have become extremely successful in the Futsal structure, winning the FA National Futsal Finals in Sheffield in 2004 and playing in UEFA events abroad.

The team enjoyed this success largely due to the fact that its players had grown up playing the indoor game in their homeland.

“Every school in what is now Ukraine had large-sized sports halls which were perfect for Futsal,” explained Alex.

“During the winter playing sports indoors was a necessity due to the weather conditions. Therefore ‘mini football’ as we knew it was extremely popular and a sport that all young people played.”

White Bear FC moved to SCORE in 2008 as it was an easier location to reach and it had a much larger profile - located next door to a professional football club; Leyton Orient FC.

Thanks to part funding in the past from the Russian Embassy in London and discounted courts at SCORE, Saliy has been able to further build the game of Futsal in England and in the future he believes it can be marketable to all in its traditional manner and hopes to have home-grown talent in his team.

“My aim is to bring more English players through as well as develop a youth league,” he said.

“Futsal in England is just at the development stage but I think there are lots of skilful English players. What we need to do is point these guys in the right direction.

“We tend to recruit a lot of players from the Power League and Goals five-a-side leagues and sometimes even off the street!

“We explain to them how the pathway to the English National Futsal Team works – we have had players picked from the league represent England before and there is no reason why this can’t happen again.”

Finding qualified officials for the league isn’t a problem either as Alex himself is not only a fully-qualified Futsal referee and referee trainer but also a National List Assistant Referee here in England.

“When I was growing up in what is now Ukraine playing football I always looked up to the Ukrainian referees and thought that I would like to do it – so I did.”

After refereeing for many years in the Ukrainian league, officiating the likes of Dynamo Kiev and stars such as Andriy Shevchenko, Oleg Luzhny and Sergei Rebrov, Alex moved to England and didn’t want to hang up the whistle just yet.

However, despite his standard of refereeing in his homeland, Alex had to start from the bottom again, but worked his way on to the National List as an Assistant Referee with his first fixture in the Football League at Wycombe Wanderers in December 2006.

“It was a big surprise for me to get the letter halfway through the 2006/07 season to say that I would be running the line in the Football League – it was one of the greatest moments of my life. I read it three times before I believed it!”

Alex has worked twice at Orient as the Fourth Official, but his most high-profile fixture to date was running the line at Reading v Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Championship last year, with the teams at that time first and second in the league table.

But even though the level was as high as he could get outside of the Premier League – he had to treat it the same as any other match.

“I was very proud that the Football League trusted me with the Reading v Wolves game, but whether it’s Championship, League 1 or League 2, every game for me is important. If you want to reach the Select Group [the Premier League referees and assistants] you have to perform to your best every game.’’

As one of two Russian-speaking officials on the National List alongside Slovakian-born Sasa Iringhova, running the line in England has proved an interesting experience for Alex, but having to start from the bottom up is an experience he is keen to share with any potential officials from Ukraine thinking of following in his footsteps.

“I know how difficult it is to be promoted in this country and there might be some referees who will expect to go straight in at the Football League level – but this isn’t the case; it’s really, really hard to get on the list.

“I started refereeing at local league here, and then moved to the Essex and Hertfordshire League before moving to be an Assistant Referee in the Ryman League, which was a strange experience for as I was only ever refereeing in the Ukraine.

“However, England has been great for me – everyone here likes a Russian Linesman! Seriously though, I do feel a responsibility as I am representing not just myself and my family, but my country and region too.

“I feel immense pride in my work here in England and love the country. I even supported England when I was younger and used to love watching Gary Lineker, Peter Beardsley and Paul Gascoigne.

“Our children were born here and I have lived here so long that I am at least half English! This country taught me how if you want to reach something in your life then you can be strong and gain it.”

So Futsal; a game that is still new to a lot of people but has become one of the fast growing sports in England and although no English team is yet to get past the preliminary rounds of the UEFA Futsal Cup, there is optimism yet.

Through the drive and determination of people like Alex and others, it is safe to say that Futsal will have a bright future in England.

For more information on Futsal, White Bear Futsal Club or the activities SCORE can offer you call 020 8556 5973 or email neil.brown@locsp.org.

GIRLS GET MOVING ON GOVERNMENT CRIME AGENDA

2009-09-01T12:46:00.002+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Tuesday 1 September 2009

GIRLS GET MOVING ON GOVERNMENT CRIME AGENDA
Free sports taster sessions for girls aged 8-21 at SCORE

Leyton, London - Up and down the country this week girls will be joining together to get moving and get involved in sports, arts and leisure activities as part of leading social inclusion programme, Positive Futures’ National Girls Get Moving Week (31 Aug – 6 Sep).

Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) Positive Futures will be holding a FREE multi-sports taster event for girls aged 8-21 years old at SCORE, 100 Oliver Road, Leyton this FRIDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER, 4.30PM – 6.30PM with a range of activities including football, basketball, streetdance and handball.

The event is expected to be attended by girls from Hackney, Waltham Forest, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Redbridge and Barking & Dagenham.

The week, the first of its kind, includes summer camps, beach sports days, yoga, ice skating and knife awareness workshops. It aims to inspire more girls into physical activity, increase participation levels of young girls on the programme and help support the Government’s drive to tackle youth crime, particularly the rise in girl-related underage drinking which can lead to crime, disorder and nuisance.

Youth crime is being tackled through the Government’s Youth Crime Action Plan, a three-year programme targeting intensive activity in priority areas, and this initiative as part of the Positive Futures programme specifically supports a focus on girls who might be drawn into crime.

The week also supports the Government’s Open Drive, which seeks to make full use of the government’s investment in positive activities to increase provision and participation on a Friday and Saturday night, particularly of those young people who are most at risk of getting involved in anti-social behaviour.

The Positive Futures programme, managed by young people’s charity Catch22 and funded by the Home Office, has 118 projects working with young people aged 9 -19 in some of the most deprived areas of the country. LOCSP currently work on five of these projects across east London.

Joyce Moseley, Chief Executive, Catch22 said:
“Positive Futures projects are fantastically successful in engaging girls in activities that are fun and exciting, and this is clear when you look at the diverse range of activities on offer for Girls Get Moving Week. When our project workers can build relationships of trust and respect with girls, they open up new opportunities for achieving, education and employment.”

LOCSP are working with Positive Futures to encourage girls across the country to get involved by either joining in with activities on offer or creating their own.

If you would like to get involved and to find out about a Positive Futures projects in east London then call Shamajul Motin, LOCSP Community Development Officer on 020 8556 5973 or email shamajul.motin@locsp.org.

LOCSP EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMME LAUNCHED

2009-08-06T03:21:00.001+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Thursday 6 August 2009

LOCSP EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMME LAUNCHED

Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme have today launched their new Education and Training Programme for 2009/2010.

It has a wide range of programmes and lessons available for those working with young people in educational environments; from Playing for Success (PfS), Supporter to Reporter media training, Olympic-themed work including lessons relating to stadium design and games legacy, healthy lifestyles and a new ASDAN peer mentoring programme.

Phil Rudling, LOCSP Education Manager said:
“There is something for everyone in this new booklet; from Key Stage1 to University level we have it covered.

“However, we are flexible with the programmes it contains and can tailor courses to particular need.”

To download the brochure follow this link: http://www.locsp.org/pdf/pdf_educationbooklet.pdf

For more information please email education@locsp.org, call 020 8556 5973 or visit the website at www.locsp.org

O’S LEGEND RETURNS TO LEYTON FOR SKILFUL SESSION

2009-08-05T20:01:00.004+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Tuesday 4 August 2009
O’S LEGEND RETURNS TO LEYTON FOR SKILFUL SESSION
Matthew Joseph puts youngsters through their paces at SCORE, Leyton.

Former Leyton Orient defender Matthew Joseph was back at his old club yesterday to deliver specialist coaching sessions as part of The FA’s Tesco Skills Programme in conjunction with Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP).

The FA’s Tesco Skills Programme gives boys and girls aged 5-11 opportunities to develop all aspects of their game, with the coaches focusing on the technical, physical, social and psychological aspects of player development.

Former Orient defender Joseph who started at Arsenal before making over 200 appearances for the O’s between 1998 and 2004 is now the FA Skills Essex Team Leader and feels the sessions are a great way to get the kids playing comfortably.

“We aim to give the kids fundamental skills such as balance and co-ordination, getting the kids comfortable on and off the ball and to further develop their understanding of the game.

“We want the kids to really express themselves and enjoying playing football.”

And Joseph believes that the FA is a great place for him to better himself as a coach, following a respected playing career, representing England when he was younger.

“It’s a massive challenge and one that I relish; it tests me as a coach. In this project we get to work with kids from all ages and different abilities and it really broaden your horizons.

“The FA is the best place for me to learn and become a better coach. I’m working with some fantastic, likeminded coaches and I really enjoy the ethos at the FA.

“We have a massive responsibility to give the children the best guidance and understanding we possibly can.”

Joseph was working alongside LOCSP coaches at SCORE, Leyton where they are currently running their summer holiday programme of activities and events and for Daniel Fenner, LOCSP Football Development Manager it highlights the ongoing push to improve and develop the skills of the youngsters.

“Having Matthew and his fellow FA Skills coaches here this week reinforces what we are all about at Orient – helping to develop the potential of all the youngsters who come to our sessions.
“Our whole week this week is free and the FA Skills course was part of this and open to anyone who wanted to improve their technique or just learn new skills.”

For more details about The FA Tesco Skills Programme, as well as coaching videos, football tips and fun games for boys and girls of all abilities, go to www.TheFA.com/Skills.

For further information about Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme email daniel.fenner@locsp.org, call 020 8556 5973 or visit http://www.locsp.org/

Article on Leyton Orient FC website:

http://www.leytonorient.com/page/LOCSP/0,,10439~1743912,00.html

LOCSP GO BEHIND-THE-SCENES AT LOFC SQUAD PHOTOSHOOT

2009-08-04T13:25:00.002+01:00

Andrew Bontiff, Communications Assistant, LOCSP went behind-the-scenes at the Leyton Orient FC photoshoot this morning!

LOASS v LONG ISLAND - PRE SEASON FRIENDLY @ SCORE

2009-08-03T20:06:00.003+01:00

LOASS played a visiting team from Long Island, USA today - Monday 3rd August.

Report to come.

MIDNIGHT MADNESS: CHALLENGING LONDON PLAYERS TO EARN THE CROWN

2009-08-01T12:52:00.001+01:00

SCORE Press Release: Friday 1 August 2009

MIDNIGHT MADNESS: CHALLENGING LONDON PLAYERS TO EARN THE CROWN
Basketball Tournament at SCORE this weekend

Midnight Madness (MM) returns to SCORE this weekend in search of the UK’s best basketball talent.

This year, NBA superstar, LeBron James and Nike are asking all players at the U23 and U18 age group (males and females) to come down to the qualifying Midday Madness events for the chance to ‘Earn the Crown’ and ‘Show & Prove’ their commitment, desire, skill, dedication and unyielding passion for the game.

Nike, Midnight Madness’ major supporter for the last five years, has upped the stakes for this year’s event and is working with the MM team on developing the next generation of UK basketball superstars.

As with previous years the MM regional tour will take place around the country, this year under the guise of Midday Madness.

Winners from the finals earn themselves a place on the MM Travelling Team, which will fly out to America and Europe to compete in international tournaments against the best young players in the world.

The scouting staff will be looking for players who show ability across all fundamental parts of the game: shooting, rebounding, passing, ball handling, defense and game understanding, while also keeping an eye out for players with athletic potential.

Event creator and MM’s ‘Voice of Reason’ Nhamo Shire said:

“This is our 10th year anniversary and each year the competition gets tougher and tougher.

“Midnight Madness always draws out the most talented ballers from across the country, from the raw to the refined, and tests them mentally and physically all through the night to see if they have what it takes to be amongst the elite.

“With the best player on the planet coming to assess the top UK ballers himself, the stakes are at an all-time high! I know the players are hungry, but they are going to have to bring their ‘A’ game if they want to impress LeBron James and truly earn the crown.”

Pre-event registration is the only way to secure a place to play or be a spectator at any qualifier. Visit http://www.midnight-madness.com/ for further details.

For further information please contact SCORE on 020 8556 5973, visit the website at www.scorelondon.com or email neil.brown@locsp.org

Notes to Editors
Pre-event registration is the only way to secure a place to play at any qualifier
Minimum age limit to enter is 16, however all 16 & 17 year olds need to get their participation waiver signed by a parent/guardian. Participation waivers will be available online.
For U16’s Midday Madness events also provide coaching clinics which offer expert tuition and tips and drills for the next generation of ballers from 10am-12pm.
Entry is free for all players and spectators and pre-registration is essential to reserve your place.

Midnight Madness began in 1999 and is a non-profit organisation which specialises in bringing together the finest in high-flying, slam-dunking basketball action, urban music and upfront entertainment through a series of unique events motivated by positive community action and the spirit of summer fun and good times.

Links for more information:
How the tournament works: http://www.midnight-madness.com/#/the-tournament/4533776393
About Midnight Madness: http://www.midnight-madness.com/#/who-we-are/4533445153
Player Registration: http://www.midnight-madness.com/#/mdm-player-registration/4533942738

SUMMER STARTS AT GOALS, CHINGFORD!

2009-07-31T12:30:00.000+01:00

The LOCSP summer sessions started at Goals, Chingford this week!

WALTHAM FOREST BBC TAKEOVER

2009-07-30T12:00:00.002+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Thursday 30 July 2009

WALTHAM FOREST BBC TAKEOVER
Young reporters from Leyton Orient go to White City to learn new skills

Young reporters who are currently learning the skills on the Supporter to Reporter project through the Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) Education Centre visit the BBC’s digital learning centre in White City last week to be trained on video techniques by the professionals.

The digital learning centre, known as 21CC, has been set up to explore creative ways of using multimedia and new technology in teaching and learning across the curriculum and works with schools and community groups to drive online learning opportunities and to develop a dynamic rolling programme of innovative digital projects whilst drawing on expertise from across the BBC and beyond: from film, radio and music through to web design, digital art and animation.

Split into two groups who visited on consecutive days, the Leyton Orient students attended workshops where they planned their TV news item focusing on current sporting issues.

They learnt camera techniques, how to use the equipment (including video camera and boom) and then went out collecting voxpops – speaking to members of the public and even grabbing expert opinions from Mihir Bose, BBC Sports Editor..

Following this they edited the footage using Final Cut Pro and then used the programme Pro-Animate to create the news studio.

Watch their work here:

BBC 21CC Workshop Day 1 Video: http://www.radiowaves.co.uk/story/78078
Programme by Sam, Ben, William, Najaf, Raif, Nishat, Rayhill & Adam

BBC 21CC Workshop Day 2 Video: http://www.radiowaves.co.uk/story/78073
Programme by Anthony, Vhai, Kane, Luke, Jordan and Kurtis
For more information about Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme please call 020 8556 5973, email enquiries@locsp.org or visit the website at http://www.locsp.org/.

Notes to Editors

1. To view the Leyton Orient Supporter to Reporter Channel visit this link: http://www.radiowaves.co.uk/s/s2rLeyton

LOCSP SUMMER OF FUN IN TOWER HAMLETS STARTS TODAY

2009-07-27T23:10:00.001+01:00

Press Release: Monday 27th July 2009

LOCSP SUMMER OF FUN IN TOWER HAMLETS STARTS TODAY
Award-winning community programme launch their summer programme

London – The award-winning Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) today launched their Summer 2009 sports programme for Tower Hamlets and the Isle of Dogs, supported by Tower Hamlets Community Housing (THCH), Action for Bow and the Antill Area Residents Association.

Starting today, the programme lasts right through until the end of the summer holidays (August 28th).

A variety of sports are on offer across the borough including; football, handball, basketball, tennis, cricket and lots more fun games alongside camps, activities and courses as well as an invitation-only cross-borough 7-a-side league.

The free activities take place at the Shadwell Estate Ball Cage, Hermitage Wall Ball Cage, Dinmont Estate, Ian Mikardo School/Talwin Street, Spitalfields Estate, Langdon Park School, Bigland Cage, Haverfield Green Park, George Green School and the Minerva Estate.

Kofi Mpiani LOCSP Tower Hamlets Community Development Officer said:
“We are organising a variety of free activities across the borough at different locations to ensure that everyone can come down and play.

“All of our sessions are run by fully-qualified and CRB-checked staff and we are looking forward to seeing our regular participants as well as anyone who hasn’t been to one of our sessions before but wants to play sport this summer.”

For more information on LOCSP activities this summer visit www.locsp.org/summer.html.

For more information on LOCSP activities in Tower Hamlets visit http://www.locsp.org/towerhamlets.html call 020 8556 5973, or email enquiries@locsp.org.

LOCSP SUMMER OF FUN IN WALTHAM FOREST STARTS TODAY

2009-07-27T23:09:00.000+01:00

Press Release: Monday 27th July 2009

LOCSP SUMMER OF FUN STARTS TODAY
Award-winning community programme launch their summer programme

London – The award-winning Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) today launched their Summer 2009 sports programme for Waltham Forest.

Starting today, the programme lasts right through until the end of the summer holidays (August 28th).

A variety of sports are on offer across the borough including; football, handball, basketball, tennis, cricket and lots more fun games alongside camps, activities and courses as well as an invitation-only cross-borough 7-a-side football league.

The free and paid-for activities take place at SCORE in Leyton, Wanstead Flats and Goals in Chingford.

Highlights include a FREE Girls-Only Football Fun Week starting on the 10th August, a Spartans-Excelsior/LOCSP Basketball Camp and the ever-popular Football Fun Camps at Goals in Chingford.

Paul Motion LOCSP Waltham Forest Community Development Officer said:
“We are organising a variety of free and paid-for activities across the borough at different locations to ensure that everyone can come down and play.

“All of our sessions are run by fully-qualified and CRB-checked staff and we are looking forward to seeing our regular participants as well as anyone who hasn’t been to one of our sessions before but wants to play sport this summer.”

For more information on LOCSP activities this summer visit www.locsp.org/summer.html.

For more information on LOCSP activities in Waltham Forest visit http://www.locsp.org/walthamforest.html call 020 8556 5973, or email enquiries@locsp.org.

2009 GIRDLERS CUP SUCCESS IN NEWHAM

2009-07-27T23:05:00.000+01:00

Girdlers Company / LOCSP Press Release: Monday 27 July 2009

2009 GIRDLERS CUP SUCCESS IN NEWHAM
Teams from across east London compete in Stratford tournament to break down barriers

Stratford, London – On the day that signalled three years to go until the start of the London 2012 Olympics, just a stones throw away from the Olympic Stadium in Newham Park youngsters from three Olympic boroughs came together to compete for honours at the 2009 Girdlers Cup.

The Girdlers Cup takes it name from The Worshipful Company of Girdlers, one of the old Livery Companies of the City of London with a history dating back to 1327. The Girdlers Company are still going strong today through their charitable trust work which benefits their local communities.

Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) is one such beneficiary, working closely with Girdlers to deliver professional, fully-qualified multi-sports coaching sessions in Newham (Stratford Park, Little Ilford Youth Club), Hackney (Queensbridge Sports Centre, Lions Boxing Club) and Tower Hamlets (George Green School, Robin Hood Gardens).

Every year all the U16 participants from these sessions descend upon Stratford Park to compete for the prestigious silver cup in a multi-sports (cricket, uni-hoc, tennis, futsal, basketball, track athletics, handball) and football tournament.

The cup featured brought together participants, many of whom who had hardly ventured out of their own ward, to compete whilst representing their locality with a specially emblazoned 2009 Girdlers Cup t-shirt, highlighting which borough they were from.

Winners on the day were:

5-a-side Football Tournament
Winners Stratford Park (Newham)
Runners-up Little Ilford Youth Club (Newham)

Multi-Sports Tournament
Overall Winners Lion Club for Young People (Hackney)

Peter Trinningham, Pastmaster, Girdlers Company said:
“To see the kids here today enjoying themselves through playing sport is good to see. Everyone in life needs exercise, especially kids – and those here today have great enthusiasm.

“It’s good to get kids playing other sports as opposed to football as that is probably the first sport they want to play, but when we first linked up with Leyton Orient we were very insistent that we wanted other sports being played – different sports can not only help development such as hand-eye co-ordination, but they also give people the opportunity to try something different.

“It’s terrific to hear the kids say that if they weren’t here today they would just be sitting at home; children in the world, wherever they are, it’s really important to keep them occupied because they could get up to nonsense - which we all did!”

“We are excited about these sessions and looking to take them further and further forward.

“We are not interested in sponsoring the winner of the 100metres, we want to sponsor the children in our local areas to get into the spirit of the Olympics and this is working extremely well – everyone here today has done a great job.”

Participant quotes:

Jonathan Tony-Bugno, Newham said:
“I enjoyed today very much, the sports were all very interesting and fun - I enjoyed them all the same.

“If this wasn’t on today I would just be sitting at home doing nothing.”

Jermaine Pierre, 14, Stratford, Newham said:
“Appreciation to the people [Girdlers] who put this on today because without them we wouldn’t have the facilities and have to pay for the sessions.

“I am really enjoying today; everyone is getting together to do sports and then we will play football at the end.

“It’s an advantage to play people from other areas because all of us from Newham will stick and play together and we know how each other plays, but if we are playing other, different people we don’t know what skills they have got so we can get tested.

“I’ve also enjoyed basketball as well as football, but also got a chance to try hockey and tennis, which I liked.

“If I wasn’t doing this I would probably be at home playing X-Box or outside getting into trouble!

“It’s keeping us off the streets instead of doing stupidness, but this helps us do what we do best – sports.

“I am looking forward to it next year, with more people from more areas playing more sports.”

Neken Majek, 13, Stratford said:
“We have got really nice facilities here, ready for 2012. It’s good to do something different and enjoy a sport, particularly hockey, but I don’t normally like it.

“It was enjoyable playing this as I hadn’t done this before. Normally you have to pay for competitions but this is free, so you can take advantage of that.

“I enjoy learning new sports and the coaches here have helped us out and made sure we do them properly. I enjoy playing people from the other boroughs, I have got to know them now - it’s always good to interact.

Joel Taleybeulgo, 10, Plaistow said:
“If I wasn’t here today I would be doing boring stuff, but there are good activities here; tennis, hockey, cricket, handball, basketball.

“If I wasn’t here today I would probably be sitting and watching TV or on my Playstation, it’s been good – I’ve enjoyed everything, especially cricket as I do it at my school.”

Calvin Oumbe, 13, Plaistow (20) said:
“It’s been good today doing a lot of activities, handball and hockey are new to me.”

For more information about the Girdlers sessions at Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme please call 020 8556 5973, email enquiries@locsp.org or visit the website at www.locsp.org.

Notes to Editors

1. Girdlers were makers of belts and girdles, but are now no longer closely related to their original trade; however they still have the privilege of presenting the sword belt for the Sword of State and stole for each Sovereign's coronation.

Girdlers Charitable Trust aims to:

- improve the quality of life of those disadvantaged by poverty, disability or ill health
- provide education and training support in the pursuit of excellence
- preserve or improve the physical fabric of the local community

Within these aims the Trust supports work in the following categories: Education, Welfare, Medicine and Health, Heritage, Environment, Humanities and Christian Religion (HEHR).

For more information visit http://www.girdlers.co.uk/

2. Named 'Community Club of the Year' at the 2009 Football League Awards, LEYTON ORIENT COMMUNITY SPORTS PROGRAMME (LOCSP) exists to help young people develop the skills and confidence to succeed in their lives, with our core work taking place in the six London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Newham, Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham and Hackney - a total combined population of over 1.3 million people.Established in May 1989 by Leyton Orient Football Club and the London Borough of Waltham Forest, LOCSP started with 150 young people a week and now provides over 4,500 sporting and educational participation and engagement opportunities every week for young people across London - equating to 225,000 a year.LOCSP has invested £5.5 million in the east London community since 1998 and work with some of the most challenging young people, jointly confronting difficult issues including racism, sexism, lack of cultural awareness, crime, unemployment, lack of education and training and ageism.

Leyton Orient - Community Club of the Year 2009: Watch our video - CLICK HERE!

Norlington School for Boys at SCORE

2009-07-16T17:54:00.002+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Thursday 16 July 2009

Norlington School for Boys held a sports day at SCORE today.

The day included Handball, NFL Flag Football and a whole lot more.

LLOYD’S CUP SUCCESS

2009-07-13T11:57:00.000+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Monday 13 July 2009

LLOYD’S CUP SUCCESS
East London youngsters compete in Community Cup

The Ashes took a back seat in London on Friday as Lloyd’s Community Programme’s annual Football Cup, in conjunction with Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP), was held at SCORE, Leyton next to Leyton Orient FC.

Over 160 children from nine schools in Tower Hamlets and Hackney competed in the tournament with each school entering a boys and girls team.

The children, aged 10-11, battled it out on the pitch with each team vying for a place in the final and the chance to compete for obtaining free sports equipment for their school.

Manorfield School, from Tower Hamlets, and Millfields School, from Hackney, emerged for the final for both the girls and boys teams with Manorfield taking the honours in the boy’s event and Millfields triumphing for the girls.

Both teams were presented with the Lloyd’s Cup by Nick Furlonge, Chairman of Lloyd’s Community Programme and Director of Risk Management at Beazley.

Nick also presented the Fair Play awards to Sebright School in Hackney and Old Palace School in Tower Hamlets for displaying outstanding sportsmanship.

Volunteers from Lloyd’s and the London Market supported the schools by coaching in at the schools in the weeks leading up to the cup and then refereeing on the day.

Whilst the tournament was taking place all the schools had the opportunity to visit Brisbane Road, home of Leyton Orient FC, for a stadium tour and question and answer sessions.

James Gladwin, LOCSP Football Development Officer and coach on the day said:
“The Lloyds Cup was very successful - it went well and was a very good opportunity for young kids to come and play football here at Leyton Orient.

“It was very successful due to the fact that all the children participated and learnt something throughout the day.

“I also felt they learnt a lot from the stadium tour which was very successful as they got an understanding of the day to day running of a professional football team.’’

Natalie Marijetic, Lloyds Volunteer and member of their Risk Management team said:
"The day was a great success and the kids really enjoyed themselves.

“Having the opportunity to coach at Sebright School prior to the tournament and then take them on the day to compete against the other schools was fantastic - you get a real sense of achievement."

Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme Chief Executive Neil Taylor said:
“We are delighted to have such a positive relationship with Lloyds of London and every year we run this it seems to get better and better.

“It’s also good that Lloyds have such a good relationship with the schools in Tower Hamlets and the children really seem to benefit.

“We all look forward to running this again in the future.’’

Notes to Editors

1. For more information about Lloyds Community Programme visit this link: http://www.lloyds.com/About_Us/Corporate_responsibility/Community/Lloyds_Community_Programme.htm

2. Named 'Community Club of the Year' at the 2009 Football League Awards, LEYTON ORIENT COMMUNITY SPORTS PROGRAMME (LOCSP) exists to help young people develop the skills and confidence to succeed in their lives, with our core work taking place in the six London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Newham, Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham and Hackney - a total combined population of over 1.3 million people.Established in May 1989 by Leyton Orient Football Club and the London Borough of Waltham Forest, LOCSP started with 150 young people a week and now provides over 4,500 sporting and educational participation and engagement opportunities every week for young people across London - equating to 225,000 a year.LOCSP has invested £5.5 million in the east London community since 1998 and work with some of the most challenging young people, jointly confronting difficult issues including racism, sexism, lack of cultural awareness, crime, unemployment, lack of education and training and ageism.

Leyton Orient - Community Club of the Year 2009: Watch our video - CLICK HERE!

REMEMBERING MICHAEL

2009-07-13T01:39:00.000+01:00

Dream Factory Press Release: Monday 13 July 2009

REMEMBERING MICHAEL
Fundraising Day in aid of former Norlington School for Boys PE Teacher

Leyton, London – Saturday saw the annual Michael Mensah Memorial Day Charity 5-a-side Football Tournament held at SCORE with all proceeds going to the Hainault-based children’s charity Dream Factory.

Organised by Michael’s close friends and family the day was in memory of Michael Mensah who was killed in a road traffic accident three years ago in Brighton, aged just 26.

A popular man who was liked by all that knew him, Michael went to Norlington School for Boys and Sir George Monoux College and after passing his Sport and Fitness degree at Luton University returned to Waltham Forest to work as a PE teacher at Norlington, training towards working with young people in sport with disabilities.

The past two years has seen his former work colleagues at Harrods organise the tournament but this year Michael’s brother, John, took it upon himself to do something for him with the main to beat the figure of £5000 that was raised last year.

John, who is the Waltham Forest Community Development Officer for Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme used his skills to organise the tournament which featured eight teams battling it out for the honours, whilst those not playing had the opportunity to join in with face painting, bouncy castles and games.

Despite the rain trying to put a dampener on proceedings the event attracted a large crowd, there to watch the teams compete for the much sought-after MMMD Cup.

The trophy and medal presentation drink and dance followed at Leytonstone Social Club with a raffle and public auction to raise extra funds and a live band providing the audience gathered with some all the hits.

The overall total raised so far is still being calculated but you can still give money now – please contact John on 07939 366 992 or email john.mensah@locsp.org for a sponsorship form to donate.

John Mensah said:
“The whole emphasis on the day wasn’t about winning but about raising money for a good cause and bringing friends and family together for a fun day out.

“I would like to say a personal big thank you to Duaine Homer, James Ayling and Barry Wood for initially having the idea to organise something like this and for taking the time out to plan something like this voluntarily.

Also, to those of you that donated money and raffle prizes, your generosity has been greatly appreciated.

“A special thanks has to go to the team at the Dream Factory for helping out, providing activities for the children and gifts for the auction.”

Avril Mills, Trustee of the Dream Factory, said:
“The day was well organised with a good theme and despite the weather it was still a good turnout.

“The day demonstrates how much work John and his friends have put in and it’s good to see everyone enjoying themselves and contributing towards such a good cause.”

To make a donation to the Dream Factory or for more information please contact John on 07939 366 992 or email john.mensah@locsp.org.

For more information about The Dream Factory (Registered Charity Number: 1123662) visit http://www.yourdreamfactory.org/, call 020 8501 1234, email info@yourdreamfactory.org or write to The Dream Factory, South Eastern House, 62 –70 Fowler Road, Hainault, IG6 3UT.

Notes to Editors
1. The Dream Factory fulfils dreams and grants wishes for young children with severe disabilities and terminal illnesses in the UK in order to bring joy and happiness into their lives.

Waltham Forest Schools learn what 2012 can do for them

2009-07-07T23:02:00.001+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Tuesday 7 July 2009

Uniting Schools, Exciting Communities
Waltham Forest Schools learn what 2012 can do for them

Score, Leyton, London – Teachers from across Waltham Forest descended upon Score last Thursday for the inaugural Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) Waltham Forest Olympic Schools Conference.

Working under the banner of ‘Uniting Schools, Exciting Communities’ the conference showed how the London 2012 Olympics can benefit their educational establishments by helping them to gain an insight into the progression of construction of the Olympic Park so far, a better understanding of the Olympic Legacy post 2012 and the chance to get involved in the consultation for the site.

As well as encouraging networking opportunities, the conference also enabled those present to discuss Olympics curriculum ideas, Olympic resources and sports projects to inspire ideas. It also saw the launch of the LOCSP ‘Pass the Baton’ pledge.

’Pass the Baton’ enables schools to sign up and book a week up to July 2012 for their school to hold a whole week of Olympic activities which can be lesson-based and before or after school with the emphasis on getting parents and the whole community involved.

Throughout the day youngsters from the nationwide ‘Supporter to Reporter’ (S2R) project were on hand to take photos and videos and to ask questions of the day. S2R is currently working with LOCSP to train youngsters in media and interviewing techniques, ready to be experienced and skilled reporters for 2012. [All of their work is available on the S2R Leyton website – see Notes for Editors below].

Attendees were welcomed by Philip Rudling, LOCSP Education Manager/Deputy Chief Executive, before hearing from Andrew Martin, Education Programme Manager, London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG).

Jon Widdows, Sports Development Manager, Waltham Forest Council, then introduced the Waltham Forest Ambassadors who talked about what the Olympics means to the youth of the borough.

Samantha Sifah, Community Engagement Manager Olympics Legacy, London Development Agency (LDA), then talked about the plans for the site and its legacy.

Then followed two workshops for the attendees with the first based around the Olympic ‘Get Set’ educational website. This workshop aimed to get the teachers on to the website and look at how they can use it back at their school. Teachers then looked at how they could link it in with their curriculum with all their feedback and thoughts shared around.

The second workshop saw Carlo Roberts from Hackney 2012 look at the resources that they have available, particularly their ‘Personal Best’ programme. Attendees were shown a whole week-long curriculum for Primary Schools and how they can benefit from that and what else the borough has to offer.

After a break for lunch the event at Score was rounded up with a passionate speech by Natalie Fitzgerald, Development Manager, Waltham Forest School Sports Partnership about how school sports will benefit from the Olympics before all attendees made their ‘Pass the Baton‘ Olympic pledge.

All attendees then finished their day with a trip to the Olympic Viewing Platform at Holden Point in Stratford to see the progress of the Olympic Park construction site.

LOCSP have just released their 2009/2010 Education Programme booklet. For a copy of this and for more information about LOCSP Education please contact Phil or Andree on 020 8556 5973, email education@locsp.org or visit the website at www.locsp.org

Notes to Editors:

1. Quotes:

Andree Selner, LOCSP Education Centre Manager said:
“We wanted to coordinate all the schools in the borough together before the summer break so we could speak about all the resources and information regarding the London 2012 Olympic Games.

“It was great to return to the Olympic Viewing Platform after two years – it was flat then but now you can really see the site taking shape. It was the first time for a lot of teachers and being up there, rather than on site, enables you to see so much more and where things are in relation to each other.

“We had over 50 attendees from 30 educational establishments in Waltham Forest here today plus representatives from the WF Healthy Schools Team, WF Extended Schools team, WF School Sports Partnership and the City Learning Centre.

“We had some great feedback from people here today, particularly Andy Martin from LOCOG. He was really impressed by our S2R reporters and said that his workshop was really useful, as it was great to experience firsthand how people react to the website that he created.

“Overall, I am really pleased with the day and hope it has helped to enthuse schools into joining our borough-wide Olympic project.”

Samantha Sifah, Community Engagement Manager Olympics Legacy, London Development Agency (LDA) said:
“Hopefully the Olympics will raise the aspirations of children in the area. There will be some amazing sports facilities left as well as some amazing cultural and arts facilities and exhibitions.

“Of course, retail and job opportunities will exist too so even if you are not particularly interested in sport there will be opportunities available beyond the games. There is a lot to draw you into the Olympic Park; you may want buy a house there, work there or just enjoy the public open space.

“It’s great that the Olympics are in London, particularly east London and today’s event has been a perfect way to engage with important members of the local community who are going to be directly involved with the games.”

Richard Mackintosh, Teacher, Joseph Clarke School for the Visually Impaired, Highams Park said:
“I was in Australia for the 2000 Olympic Games and it will be great to experience them for the second time here in London.

“It’s been good to come here today to get a bit more of an idea about how our school can get involved with the Olympics.

“You will have the world’s best athletes here and London is good at dealing with large events so it will be a positive event for everyone.”

Desre Spencer, Teacher, Willowbrook Primary School, Leyton said:
“We have been running a lot of taster sessions for Olympic sports and assemblies too, also some of our topics in Year 4 and 5 are based around the Olympics.

“The kids are positive about the Olympics and as they get nearer they are getting more and more excited - especially about the new sports that they have not heard about.

“The athletes coming in here will have a positive influence as role models and perhaps inspire our kids to be better than they are at the moment.

“We have seen very clearly today how we can get our children more involved with the whole of the Olympics.”

Tom Howell, Teacher, Kelmscott Secondary School said:
“Our school has already had an Olympic day and we will be focussing on running more Olympic themed days in the future.

“I’m excited about the prospect of what we will have after the Olympics have visited and I’m excited about seeing some of the elite athletes here doing their thing.

“When the athletes come over we need them to influence young people to get involved with sports and teams.

“Young people won’t change just because the athletes are here – it’s about getting them engaged, keeping them busy and stopping them from being bored.”

2. For more quotes and hi-res pictures please contact Andrew McSteen, LOCSP Communications Officer on 020 8556 5973 or email andrew.mcsteen@locsp.org.

3. This event was not an official London 2012 Olympic/Paralympic event and was organised independently by Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme.

4. Radiowaves/S2R links:
http://www.radiowaves.co.uk/story/73971
http://www.radiowaves.co.uk/story/73975
http://www.radiowaves.co.uk/story/73985
http://www.radiowaves.co.uk/story/73976
http://www.radiowaves.co.uk/story/73993
http://www.radiowaves.co.uk/story/73961

5. About Leyton Orient Community Sports ProgrammeNamed 'Community Club of the Year' at the 2009 Football League Awards, LEYTON ORIENT COMMUNITY SPORTS PROGRAMME (LOCSP) exists to help young people develop the skills and confidence to succeed in their lives, with our core work taking place in the six London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Newham, Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham and Hackney - a total combined population of over 1.3 million people.Established in May 1989 by Leyton Orient Football Club and the London Borough of Waltham Forest, LOCSP started with 150 young people a week and now provides over 4,500 sporting and educational participation and engagement opportunities every week for young people across London - equating to 225,000 a year.LOCSP has invested £5.5 million in the east London community since 1998 and work with some of the most challenging young people, jointly confronting difficult issues including racism, sexism, lack of cultural awareness, crime, unemployment, lack of education and training and ageism.

Leyton Orient - Community Club of the Year 2009: Watch our video - CLICK HERE!

LOASS ANNOUNCE NEW U12 TRIALS

2009-07-07T23:00:00.001+01:00

LOASS Press Release: Tuesday 7 July 2009

LOASS ANNOUNCE NEW U12 TRIALS

Leyton Orient Advanced Soccer School (LOASS) are holding NEW player trials for next seasons’ U12 boys’ team.

For more information please contact Daniel Fenner, LOASS Director, on 020 8556 5973 or email: daniel.fenner@locsp.org.

CELEBRATING THE YOUTH IN REDBRIDGE

2009-07-07T22:58:00.000+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Tuesday 7 July 2009

CELEBRATING THE YOUTH IN REDBRIDGE
Leyton Orient showcase work in Newbury Park

Newbury Park, London – The London Borough of Redbridge Youth Opportunities Fund (YOF) team hosted a celebration and presentation evening last Wednesday at the Holiday Inn hotel, Newbury Park for groups, clubs and individuals who have benefitted from the funding to present and showcase what they have spent their allocated money on.

The night featured a plethora of displays including dance troupes, rappers and beat-boxers whilst there were up to 20 stands highlighting the work the awardees do in Redbridge.

Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) were invited to showcase their work as part of their continuing partnership work with Redbridge Council through the YOF.

Thanks to the YOF funding LOCSP have been developing multi-sports sessions in the Rivenhall Estate on the Snaresbrook/Wanstead border in response to the needs and requests of the young people who live there, with the sessions named 'Skillz R Us'.

YOF funding is dependent on an initial application submitted by a young person and 14-year-old Dorian Glover who lives on the Rivenhall Estate took on this responsibility, completing the successful application.

Alongside Dorian, Saif Shah, 14 from Wanstead, was also present at the event.

Saif has been compiling the 'Skillz R Us' folder; a diary of events from its conception to current day. The folder highlights the feelings of the children on the estate and include photos and other evidence that the YOF funding is being put to good use.

Howard Gould, LOCSP Redbridge Community Development Officer said:
"It was terrific event, hosted superbly and certainly an eye-opener in respect of what work the YOF actually do.

“The diversity of talent and effort of the young people was a pleasure to witness and that obviously includes our boys who presented a fine diary and photo record of their sessions.

“We will have to re-apply soon as our funding runs out but this has spurred us all on to make sure it is another successful bid!

“The sessions at Rivenhall cater for a regular 20 local young people aged 6-15 years old who would otherwise have nowhere to go due to the lack of local facilities.

“Thankfully, agencies like YOF make it possible for these young people to participate and help with their personal and sporting development".

Photo Caption (l-r): Howard Gould LOCSP Redbridge Community Development Officer, Saif Shah, Dorian Glover and Richard Oloyede, LOCSP Community Development Coach.

For more information about LOCSP sessions in Redbridge please contact Howard Gould, LOCSP Redbridge Community Development Officer on 020 8556 5973, email howard.gould@locsp.org or visit the website at http://www.locsp.org/.

GAINSBOROUGH HANDBALL TOURNAMENT

2009-07-07T22:55:00.000+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Tuesday 7 July 2009

GAINSBOROUGH HANDBALL TOURNAMENT

Newham, London – Gainsborough School in Newham held a Handball tournament this week which marked the last one run by LOCSP Handball Development Officer Miriam Pupalova before her move to Denmark where she will be training with the world’s best Handball coaches for the next four months.

Miriam said:
“I have been coaching at Gainsborough for two years and they have always been excellent at Handball, winning many of the tournaments and competitions I have been running.

“They are fantastic kids and have very good hearted teachers there; I will miss them a lot.”

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

LCSN HARROW AND BRENT FUNDING FAIR SUCCESS

2009-07-07T19:58:00.000+01:00

LCSN Press Release
Tuesday 7 July 2009

HARROW AND BRENT FUNDING FAIR SUCCESS
Community sports groups from both boroughs get in the know about funding

Harrow, London – Last week saw over 30 voluntary sports-related clubs and groups from across Harrow and Brent attend the Harrow Civic Centre for the London Community Sports Network (LCSN) Community Sports Funding Fair.

LCSN helps organisations within London's voluntary and community sports sector to develop and grow, so they can attract more resources and deliver better sporting and personal development opportunities to their members and communities.

The free event, in partnership with the London Boroughs of Brent and Harrow and Pro-active West London Partnership, was aimed at groups who traditionally slip through the net of funding and support and offered the opportunity for them to find out more about different funding and support opportunities direct from the funders themselves.

Sport England (Small Grants Scheme), Grassroots Grants, Help a London Child, the John Lyons Charity, Middlesex FA, London Borough of Brent, London Borough of Harrow, Clubmark and the North West London Community Forum were all on hand to speak directly to those present about what funding was available and how organisations should go about obtaining it.

During the evening there were also speeches and presentations from John Lyon's Charity (Erik Mesel) and Sport England (Sangita Patel) who explained about how their funding works and is accessed.

Dylan Cox, LCSN Community Development Officer, who organised the fair said:
““The event really demonstrated the ethos of LCSN which is supporting frontline groups and giving them opportunities.

“These groups have some great ideas but they have not been able to secure funding for them either because they don’t know where the funding is or they don’t have the capacity or skills to apply for it.

“This was a way of negotiating the funding minefield for them and to help increase their knowledge of what is available to them allowing them to speak directly to funders and to find out what the funders are looking for.

“I will now have meetings with some of the groups who attended the fair and push them to complete their funding applications, therefore turning events like this into results in terms of building infrastructure and successful projects.

“I have had some great, positive feedback – and we would now like to make it an annual event.”

Manish Popat, Bessborough Cricket Club (Headstone Manor Cricket Ground), U11 and U13 Manager said:
“We are now coming to the end of the cycle for some of our facilities like our nets, and our cricket pitches need some extra help with maintenance, but all of this costs money which our subscriptions don’t cover.

“The fair has been a very positive experience for us because, as volunteers, we don’t have enough time to search out funding opportunities - you can spend hours and hours searching the internet, running up phone bills, wasting time and hitting brick walls, so having everything consolidated here in one place was great.

“This has saved us lots of time and we all have a lot of food for thought after coming here - we’ve all got a lot of information to take away and think about.”

Steeven Sharpe, Football Development Officer, Middlesex County FA
“This is just down the road for us and having opportunities like this, face-to-face are excellent as people may not believe there is assistance available and what funding there is available to them.

“It’s been good to actually put names to faces and go through with the groups how we can actually help them – it is useful to both us and the groups themselves.

“We have met a few groups I was already aware of – Harrow Stars and Londonium Athletics – and also a few groups we weren’t aware of, so it was really useful to put them in contact with the right people back at my office – particularly a few disability projects that we didn’t know about.

“I think there are some real key developments we can make in Harrow and Brent which will be fantastic for us.”

Jemima Morris, Partnership Manager, Pro-Active West London said:
“It makes a big difference having events like this which are face-to-face, rather than just sending emails back and forth.

“As an organisation it has been very useful for us to meet people as we get to learn a lot about the issues facing smaller organisations that are chasing small pots of funding regularly. We had the opportunity here tonight to discuss how they can look at being more sustainable rather than constantly thinking where their next grant is.

“The event allowed people to relax and mingle with each other asking questions as often, when you have presentations people are a bit nervous to talk up. It was a great turnout and we look forward to being invited back again.”

For more information about how London Community Sports Network can help you in Brent and Harrow please email dylan.cox@locsp.org, call 020 8556 5973 or visit the LCSN website at www.communitysports.org.uk

- Ends -

Notes to Editors

1. LCSN is hosted and run by the award-winning Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP), an organisation with more than 20 years experience of delivering sports development, education and training to people across London.

2. Attendees included representatives from the following organisations:

Middlesex Cricket Board, PACE, Harrow Council, Hut Association, Watford FC, Harrow Stars FC, LOCSP, Link Up, Harrow St Mary's Cricket Club, Active Aspirations, Kensington Dragons Football Club, Insights Independent School, Active Aspirations, Harrow Special Olympics, Harrow Cricket, Streetleague, Greenhouse, LCSN, Middlesex FA, Capital Help A London Child, Official Sports, North West London Community Forum, OK Club, Ilays, Phoenix Canoe Club, FC Eagles Kosova, Edo State Women Association, Survive and Save Club, Northolt RFC, Queen Mary Sailing Club, Bessborough Cricket Club, Leisure Connection/Willesden Sports Centre, Harrow Mencap, Asian Peoples Disability Alliance, Ealing Council, Gendai Karate Association, Jesus for the World Community, Community Links, Walthamstow YMC, Harefield Academy, Londinium Athletics and Grassroots Grants.

3. Hi-res photos available upon request please contact Andrew McSteen, LOCSP Communications Officer on 020 8556 5973 or email andrew.mcsteen@locsp.org.

4. More quotes available upon request please contact Andrew McSteen, LOCSP Communications Officer on 020 8556 5973 or email andrew.mcsteen@locsp.org.

OLYMPIANS LEAD YOUNG SPORTS LEADERS

2009-07-06T21:58:00.000+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Monday 6 July 2009

OLYMPIANS LEAD YOUNG SPORTS LEADERS
LOCSP youngsters join over 200 youngsters at national event.

Four Olympic athletes led 200 young people, including Bushara Hamida from Newham and Zaq Mohammed from Leyton, both young coaches from Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP), at the first Sports Leaders UK national convention at MK Dons stadium on Saturday. (July 4)

‘Leaders for Life 2009’ took the young Sports Leaders through a range of practical activities to develop leadership skills and show paths to further education, employment and volunteering. Also on offer were work and volunteering opportunities and five scholarships to summer camp jobs in the USA.

Sports Leaders UK is the Milton Keynes-based charity that delivers sports leadership awards and qualifications for over 200,000 young people every year in schools, colleges, youth clubs, prisons and community groups. The ‘Leaders for Life’ convention is part of a development programme that boosts Sports Leaders UK involvement in community delivery of sport and physical activity.

Olympians leading the day’s activities were: Katharine Merry (400 metres), Steve Parry (swimming), Sarah Pavely (Fencing), and Brendan Reilly (high jump).

Katharine Merry said:

“There’s no difference in the skills and disciplines needed to be an Olympic athlete than to be best at college, best in education, best in the workplace.

“Hard work, dedication, teamwork, communication: that’s what sports people do on a daily basis. That’s why the Sports Leaders UK convention here today is so important because there is no line between sport and those skills for life.”

Sports Leaders UK chief executive, Linda Plowright said:

“The day was a great learning experience and a lot of fun for the all participants. For some it will offer real opportunities to further careers or widen volunteering horizons As well as creating activities for young people, we hope the convention provided an opportunity to listen to what they have to say about sport, education and employment.”

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

ORIENT COMMUNITY PLAYER OF THE YEAR IN FOCUS

2009-07-06T20:09:00.002+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Monday 6 July 2009

ORIENT COMMUNITY PLAYER OF THE YEAR IN FOCUS
O’s star Loick reflects on his award and faces tough questioning from young reporters

Leyton, London - O’s player Loick Pires took time out of his intensive pre-season training today to reflect on his Community Player of the Year Award with a group of local young people from the Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) Education Centre.

The 19-year-old winger, who recently signed a new deal at Brisbane Road answered questions from the youngsters on a variety of topics ranging from his experiences as a professional footballer, his Congolese and Portuguese heritage to current affairs such as the money involved in football and the death of Michael Jackson.

The youngsters are currently working with LOCSP on the national ‘Supporter to Reporter’ (S2R) project which aims to train the nations youngsters as sports journalists, ready for the London 2012 Olympics.

“The questions they asked were really interesting,” said Loick. “I wasn’t expecting such a variety but they really dug deep and asked questions that no-one had asked before – it makes a change from the usual questions you get around a matchday.”

After the trainee journalists had finished their Q&A, Loick reflected on his first season as a professional which culminated in the Leyton Orient Community Player of the Year Award.

The accolade, which is awarded by coaches and staff from LOCSP, was given to Loick at the clubs’ annual ‘Player of the Year Awards’ ceremony back in May and it was something that Loick was surprised, but honoured to receive.

“I had no idea I was going to win the award,” said the former Stoke City player. “All the lads at my table seemed to know I was going to get it, but when I did it came as a surprise.

“After the ceremony I went straight and showed it to my mum.

“She always said to me that when you have got something you should always share it and this is why it is important for me to work in the community.

“I am truly honoured to win this award and it is the start of a formidable partnership between the community programme and me.

“It’s something close to my heart and for me to be part of it in any way is a real honour.

“I’ve been living in the Waltham Forest area for the past three years and seen how LOCSP has an effect; it’s more than a community sports programme - it brings lots of different people together.

“If there is anything we as players can do to raise the awareness of the work they do then it can only benefit everyone connected with it.

“It’s a privilege to work with one of the best community sports programmes in the UK and I hope to do my best for them in the future.”

For more information about Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme please contact 020 8556 5973, email enquiries@locsp.org or visit their website at www.locsp.org.

Additional quotes:

Daniel Fenner, Football Development Manager, Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme said:
“Loick has been a complete role model for everyone involved with Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme.

“No matter what is asked of him – interviews for the kids, education events, and community or sports development events – he always says yes and comes along and conducts himself in a personable and professional way with a smile on his face.”

“Everyone here wishes him well in the forthcoming season and we look forward to continuing our work with him.”

Neil Taylor, Chief Executive, Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme said:
“2009 is our 20th Anniversary as an organisation and with our award for Community Club of the Year we thought it was fitting to introduce this new award.

“Players can often get a negative press, but Loick particularly has gone over and above what is expected of a modern day footballer and this award is truly deserved.”

LAST CHANCE TO VOTE FOR COPING THROUGH FOOTBALL TO WIN EXTRA FUNDING

2009-06-25T19:18:00.000+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: For Immediate Release

LAST CHANCE TO VOTE FOR COPING THROUGH FOOTBALL TO WIN EXTRA FUNDING
All votes have to be cast by tomorrow for LOCSP/LPFF project to win £60,000.

Coping Through Football has been shortlisted for a Beyond Sport London Legacy Award.

The winner of the award receives £60,000 funding. Winning this award would help extend the project and reach more Londoners who suffer from long term mental illness.

The award will be decided by a public vote and we would like you and everyone you know to help us by voting for the project.

Please click the link below to vote and send this email to as many people as possible to help us win! Voting closes 26 June (tomorrow) so vote now!

Read and vote about Coping Through Football here:
http://www.beyondsport.org/the-awards/entries/view.php?Id=377

Click on this link directly to vote for Coping Through Football here:
http://www.beyondsport.org/the-awards/london-legacy/shortlist.php?AwardId=377&Vote=5

See the ‘London Legacy’ shortlist here:
http://www.beyondsport.org./the-awards/london-legacy/shortlist.php

--------------------------------

The Beyond Sport London Legacy Award is the search for the best project or initiative in London which uses sport as a vehicle for positive social change.

In partnership with The Mayor of London's Office and The Evening Standard, the Award will celebrate the best such project that London has to offer and will provide a tangible legacy for Beyond Sport's Host City for 2009.

A shortlist of five projects for this Award was announced on Monday 15th June with each project receiving an invitation to attend the Beyond Sport Summit. Click here to view the shortlist and vote for the winner.

The winning project will be announced at the Summit during a special presentation ceremony, hosted by Mayor of London Boris Johnson, on the evening of Wednesday, July 8. The project will receive £60,000 of funding, provided jointly by Beyond Sport and the Mayor of London, over three years.

Coping Through Football is a ground-breaking project delivered in Waltham Forest since 2007 which sees two sports charities (London Playing Fields Foundation and Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme) working with the statutory health service (North East London Foundation Trust) to create a sustainable recovery model for one of society’s most marginalised groups, the long term mentally ill.

The winner will be chosen by an online public vote and we therefore need as many people as possible to click on the website and register their vote.

For any further information please contact us Jo @ The London Playing Fields Foundation on 0845 026 2292 or email jo.mckenzie@lpff.org.uk. Alternatively, contact Andrew McSteen at Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme on 020 8556 5973 or email andrew.mcsteen@locsp.org.

FREE SUMMER 2009 SPORTS COACHING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE

2009-06-23T19:13:00.000+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Tuesday 23 June 2009

FREE SUMMER 2009 SPORTS COACHING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE
Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme start new project for 16-25 year olds

Are you a 16-25 year old male or female? Are you interested in community sports coaching? Do you want to gain Key Skills in IT? Do you have an interest in the media world? THEN OLYMPIC OPPORTUNITIES IS FOR YOU!

Olympic Opportunities is a new summer sports, IT and media based project that combines workshop sessions with practical sports coaching. Aimed at young people who have an interest in working in the sports and leisure industry and run by the award-winning Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP), the course will be delivered by LOCSP staff within Leyton Orient’s stadium and the adjacent SCORE

Olympic Opportunities is open to Waltham Forest residents, aged 16-25 years old* (*certain criteria applies) who have an interest in sport/media, are available for the summer period and are motivated to participate!

Running on MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS from 11AM – 4PM with an Open Day / Interview on Monday 29th June at SCORE, this is your chance to improve basic IT skills in a non-formal professional sports environment and to gain practical based sports qualifications ready for a move into training, employment or education.

Everyone on the course will gain coaching skills in a number of Olympic sports including football, handball, volleyball, athletics and a whole lot more.

All successful candidates completing the course will be signed up, free of charge, for the Football Association (FA) Level Coaching Certificate in Football!

For more information and to apply please contact Philip Rudling, LOCSP Education Manager on 020 8556 5973, email philip.rudling@locsp.org, visit the website at www.locsp.org or write to Philip Rudling, LOCSP, SCORE, 100 Oliver Road, Leyton, London. E10 5JY.

To download the flyer, cut and paste this link into your browser: http://www.locsp.org/pdf/pdf_olympic_opps.pdf

HACKNEY YOUNGSTERS LEARN ABOUT THE DANGERS OF GUN AND KNIFE CRIME

2009-06-22T19:15:00.001+01:00

Press Release – Monday 22 June 2009

HACKNEY YOUNGSTERS LEARN ABOUT THE DANGERS OF GUN AND KNIFE CRIME
Specialist firearms command talk at Haggerston School.

Haggerston School was the setting as Hackney youngsters learnt about the dangers of gun and knife crime and gang affiliation from the Metropolitan Police’s CO19 Specialist Firearm Command - the branch of the Metropolitan Police Service that provides firearms-related support to its unarmed colleagues.

The youngsters aged between 10-16 years old regularly attend the Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) Kickz sessions at the school, but took a break from football to participate in a presentation and group discussion aimed at increasing the youngsters’ knowledge about gun and knife crime, whilst diverting them and their friends away from possible involvement in such crime.

Sergeant Paul Young from CO19 showed footage from a recent Sky TV News documentary about the unit and the various scenarios it faces before discussing each scenario with the youngsters, their coach - LOCSP Hackney Development Officer Yassin Abidou and local PC Joy Sivaji.

Sergeant Young also discussed both the consequences and sentencing outcomes associated with gun and knife crime before taking a variety of questions from the inquisitive group.

Sergeant Paul Young, CO19, Specialist Firearms Command said:
“The presentation is part of the CO19 initiative ‘Operation Makepeace’ which started in January and aims to divert people away from guns, knives and gangs.

“We feel it is important to be pro-active and engage with our community.

“We want to go out and teach youngsters about the consequences of gun and knife crime and gang affiliation so we can divert them away from it.

“We are here to send an important message and the youngsters here today asked good, direct questions - it was a really good group to present to, normally we find one or two ask questions in a group but this group had five, six, seven asking different questions.

“I feel that the information discussed has really been taken in and I hope everyone got something out of it.”

Yassin Abidou, LOCSP Hackney Development Officer said:
“Unfortunately some people in London can be exposed to crime at a young age so it is paramount for them to understand what the law says about gun and knife crime.

“When you ask any young person why people carry knives they will say it is for protection but Sergeant Young highlighted and explained the downfalls about this in a really eye-opening way.

“Hopefully this workshop can act as a deterrent; we are not here just to solely deliver sport – we are here to deter young people away from bad factors in their lives where possible, using sport as the ‘hook’ to get them interested.

“I was proud of my lads today. They are young, but asked some very incisive questions. They attended the workshop in their own time and sat down and concentrated on what Sergeant Young was saying.

“You could clearly see that it had an effect on them and they really took in the answers to their questions.

“I like to keep them on their toes by continually refreshing and stimulating their minds through workshops like this and, of course, the sport and activities.”

LOCSP Kickz sessions in Hackney run at Mabley Green on Tuesdays and Thursday, Gascoyne Estate Hardcourt on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and Haggerston School on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

For more information about LOCSP sessions in Hackney please contact Yassin Abidou, LOCSP Hackney Development Officer on 020 8556 5973, email yassin.abidou@locsp.org or visit the LOCSP website at http://www.locsp.org/ or www.locsp.org/pdf/pdf_hkickz.pdf.

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors
For photos and further information about this story please contact: Andrew McSteen, LOCSP Communications Officer on 020 8556 5973, email andrew.mcsteen@locsp.org or visit http://www.locsp.org/

· The award-winning Kickz is a groundbreaking football project partnership between the Premier League, Football Foundation and the Metropolitan Police and is aimed at engaging young people in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country. For further information on the Kickz Programme visit their website at: www.footballfoundation.org.uk/kickz

· For further information about CO19 please visit their website at: http://www.met.police.uk/co19/

· Named 'Community Club of the Year' at the 2009 Football League Awards, LEYTON ORIENT COMMUNITY SPORTS PROGRAMME (LOCSP) exists to help young people develop the skills and confidence to succeed in their lives, with our core work taking place in the six London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Newham, Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham and Hackney - a total combined population of over 1.3 million people.Established in May 1989 by Leyton Orient Football Club and the London Borough of Waltham Forest, LOCSP started with 150 young people a week and now provides over 4,500 sporting and educational participation and engagement opportunities every week for young people across London - equating to 225,000 a year.LOCSP has invested £5.5 million in the east London community since 1998 and work with some of the most challenging young people, jointly confronting difficult issues including racism, sexism, lack of cultural awareness, crime, unemployment, lack of education and training and ageism. Watch our video - CLICK HERE!

· Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme runs Kickz sessions in the four east London boroughs of Waltham Forest (Tom Hood School, Kelmscott Leisure Centre, Thomas Gamuel Park), Redbridge (Hainault Youth Centre), Tower Hamlets (Ian Mikardo School, Devons Road) and Hackney (Mabley Green, Gascoyne Estate, Haggerston Girls School)

WALTHAM FOREST PROJECT LEADS WAY IN DRIVE FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

2009-06-22T19:11:00.000+01:00

WALTHAM FOREST PROJECT LEADS WAY IN DRIVE FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

- GET SET FOR OPEN WEEKEND - 10/ 11 JULY -

A Waltham Forest multi-sport training session, commissioned by the Council, is leading the way in a major campaign to give young people interesting things to do on Friday and Saturday nights. A weekend of free nationwide activities on 10 and 11 July will kick start the campaign, which is part of the Government’s Aiming High strategy for young people.
Now teenagers from around the Cathall estate in Leytonstone and across Waltham Forest have something positive to look forward to on a Friday night, thanks to a weekly evening multi-sport session.
The evening, set up by Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) in February 2008, has been made possible as a result of funding from Waltham Forest Council’s Youth Opportunity Fund and through the Football Foundation ('Kickz').
Taking place at Tom Hood School in south Leytonstone it attracts around 45 young people aged between 11-19 keen to hone their sporting skills and make constructive use of their Friday nights.
Open Weekend on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 July is a key milestone for local authorities and their partners to work together to improve positive activities for young people making sure there are things to do for young people on Friday and Saturday nights, the time young people and communities say they need them the most. Under Aiming High £679m is available between 2008 and 2011, £4.3m in Waltham Forest, to ensure there are places to go and things to do for young people.

Running between 6-9pm, the Waltham Forest sessions are often supported by a number specialist LOCSP coaches including LOCSP Basketball Development Officer Robert Youngblood, who has played in the NBA and is a current English National League basketball player for the MK Lions.
With access to both indoor and outdoor space, the variety of sports and activities on offer changes throughout the year through participant feedback and suggestion, helping to ensure it is fresh, innovative and that the people keep coming back. Current activities include Football (inc. Futsal, 5-a-side, 6-a-side), Basketball, Cricket, Athletics and Handball coaching sessions and tournaments.
The session has already helped to uncover some budding sporting stars, with one young man captaining the award-winning and FA Community Charter Standard club LOASS (Leyton Orient Advanced Soccer School) reserve side, and another now training at Reading FC
However, the evening is not just about creating local sports stars. It also provides an opportunity to engage the young people in educational and training schemes. Some of them are now working towards accreditation to become sports coaches themselves; one member is now a part-time teaching assistant, helping to motivate and be a role model to the other youngsters.
There are also plans to attract more young people to the evening, in particular girls, with Street Dance, Drama, Creative Writing and DJ sessions in the pipeline.
The evening has really given the young people from Leytonstone a sense of purpose and worth, taking them off the streets and helping to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in the area. It’s also supported by the local Metropolitan Police whose officers, alongside the PCSO Community Liaison Officers often go along to meet and engage with the young people, discussing a variety of topics and concerns.

“This project has really turned my life around and helped me cope with life on the streets. I’ve now got much better communication skills, am more confident and have become a team player. I now feel really motivated about my life and have made new friends who are supportive of me,” said an 18 year old participant.

Dawn Primarolo, Minister for Children and Young People said:

“It’s no surprise that young people want and need activities on Friday and Saturday evenings. In a recent survey 66% of young people said that more activities would do most to keep them out of trouble. And yet a recent survey of local evening provision showed that only around 15 per cent of evening activities are available on Friday evenings and just 2.5 per cent on Saturday evenings.

“The Open Weekend is a fantastic opportunity for local authorities to really look at the type of youth provision in their area and involve young people so that they are given a say in the activities on offer. We must make sure young people have things to do and places to go at the times they need them most because this is the best way to tackle the minority of young people who cause disruption. Preventing young people from getting involved in anti-social behaviour should be everyone’s responsibility and we are playing our part by making sure the support and funding is available.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. In July 2007 the Government announced a £679 million investment supplemented by 160million from the Children's Plan to ensure places to go and things to do for young people aged 13-19 as part of the Aiming High for Young People: A Ten Year Strategy for Positive Activities
2. Under the Aiming High strategy, nearly £4.3 million has been made available to young people in Waltham Forest between 2008 and 2011.
3. Open Weekend on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 July is part of Aiming High with a specific purpose of focusing on weekend provision especially Friday and Saturday nights, when young people and communities feel activities and facilities are most wanted and needed.
4. Experience shows that young people are more likely to get involved in positive activities when they have a say in what is available, and that taking part helps them to learn new skills, as well as divert them from behaviour that might be considered by the wider community as anti-social.
5. All local authorities receive funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families for the Youth Opportunity and Youth Capital Funds, the purpose of which is to enable young people to make decisions about positive activities and places to go in their communities. A total of £173 million is available for YOF and YCF in England between 2008 and 2011 with an extra £25million invested to expand into the most deprived areas. Local Authorities also receive funding to provide intensive activity-based programmes targeted at young people at risk of negative outcomes such as involvement in anti-social behaviour and crime. In total the Government is investing £222 million in such programmes in England over the 2008-11 period.
6. The Open Weekend is the culmination of a week of activities to celebrate young people through Shine, the national festival to celebrate the talents in all young people taking place for the second time this year between 6-10 July 2009. Shine this year is evolving to have a stronger youth focus bringing an even higher profile to young people and their achievements. For more information visit www.shineweek.co.uk
7. More information on Aiming High is available at:
http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/youthmatters/aiminghigh/

LOCSP Handball Coach is a World Beater

2009-06-22T10:19:00.000+01:00

Press Release: Monday 22nd June 2009

LOCSP HANDBALL COACH IS A WORLD BEATER

London – Miriam Pupalova, LOCSP Handball Development Officer passed her international Handball degree at Bratislava University in Slovakia last weekend.

Congratulations from everyone at LOCSP Miriam!

Pictured is Miriam receiving her degree certificate from the University.

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

EAST LONDON YEAR 9 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SUCCESS

2009-06-10T19:02:00.000+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Wednesday 10 June 2009

EAST LONDON YEAR 9 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SUCCESS
Newham team win, Waltham Forest side finish runners-up

Last week saw the ‘Five Olympic Borough’ Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) Year 9 Boys Basketball Tournament take place at SCORE, Leyton.

Over 100 players from teams in the Olympic host boroughs played in the day-long festival of basketball with NEWHAM represented by St Bonaventures RC Secondary School and Rokeby School , HACKNEY represented by Hackney Free and Parochial CofE Secondary School Specialist Sports College and Mossbourne Community Academy.

WALTHAM FOREST were represented by The Lammas School and Sports College,
Rush Croft Sports College and Tom Hood Community Science College, TOWER HAMLETS represented by The Raines Foundation School and making the journey across the River Thames, GREENWICH were represented by Woolwich Polytechnic School and Eltham Green School .

The tournament saw action taking place on three courts with an initial two-group stage that saw the top four teams in each playing off in the quarter-finals, eventually progressing to the final, with a break in the middle for lunch which allowed for the chance to inject a bit of the NBA razzmatazz as individuals tried their hand at the ‘Three-Point Challenge’ and the ever-popular ‘Killer’ game.

The final saw the unbeaten St Bonaventures RC Secondary School from Newham confirm their status as the best team in the tournament as they comprehensively beat Tom Hood Community Science College from Waltham Forest 28-9, with their Number 10 player Daniel Ogunseye also walking away with the MVP (Most Valuable Player) Award.

Speaking after the event, Emma Omo-Bare, LOCSP Basketball Development Officer said:
“All the schools who we invited came down and competed at a very high level and sportsmanship was evident throughout the whole day - if a player hurt someone they would say sorry. All the players watched each others’ games, taking notes and learning. Even when some teams were losing heavily, the encouragement from the sidelines was non-stop, which was great to see.

“All of the coaches here spent time talking to the young players about exit routes from schools basketball into team basketball and the coaches themselves also used the tournament as an opportunity to network and watch how other coaches worked.

“We are looking at running a Year 9 Girls tournament soon and will also repeat this tournament, if not in September then next year and make it an annual event.”

Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme ran a wide-range of basketball courses, including a ‘Basketball Camp’ in partnership with the Spartans from August 10-14 at SCORE.

For more information please contact Emma Omo-Bare, LOCSP Basketball Development Officer on 020 8556 5973, email emma.omo-bare@locsp.org or visit http://www.locsp.org/.
Notes to Editors:

1. FULL RESULTS

Group A – Results
Winning Team Losing Team
Hackney 22-14 Rokeby
Hackney 14 - 7 Lammas
Rokeby 21 - 2 Eltham
Mossbourne 21 - 8 Lammas
Mossbourne 28 - 13 Eltham
Rokeby 27 - 10 Lammas
Mossbourne 21 - 19 Hackney
Mossbourne 28 - 20 Rokeby
Hackney 15-3 Eltham
Lammas 12-11 Eltham
Group B – Results
Winning Team Losing Team
Tom Hood 25 - 29 Rush Croft
St. Bons 25 - 4 Raines
Rush Croft 9 - 7 Woolwich
Tom Hood 22 - 8 Raines
St. Bons 24 - 2 Woolwich
Rush Croft 9 - 6 Raines
St. Bons 31-21 Tom Hood
St. Bons 20-12 Rush Croft
Tom Hood 14-10 Woolwich
Raines 14-11 Woolwich

Group A – Final Placings
1. Mossbourne
2. Hackney Free
3. Rokeby
4. Lammas
5. Eltham

Group B – Final Placings
1. St Bons
2. Tom Hood
3. Rush Croft
4. Raines Foundation
5. Woolwich Poly
Quarter Finals
Raines 15 – 26 Mossbourne
St. Bons 36 – 8 Lammas
Hackney 14 - 12 Rush Croft
Rokeby 19 - 27 Tom Hood

Semi Finals
St. Bons 20 – 9 Hackney
Mossbourne 13 - 16 Tom Hood

Final
St. Bons 28 – 9 Tom Hood

2. SCHOOLS REPRESENTING THEIR BOROUGHS

Newham
St Bonaventures RC Secondary School
Rokeby School

Hackney
Hackney Free and Parochial CofE Secondary School Specialist Sports College
Mossbourne Community Academy

Waltham Forest
The Lammas School and Sports College
Rush Croft Sports College
Tom Hood Community Science College

Tower Hamlets
The Raines Foundation School

Greenwich
Woolwich Polytechnic School
Eltham Green School

3. FULL SQUADS

Mossbourne Squad
Muhammed Yahya, Ladi Soyege, Ashan, Cundale, Jelani Okoruwa, Pascal Paulsen, Daniel Ilelaboye, Stein Khallum, Zulfi Azom, Sam Frith-Salem, Kennady Adamu, Ezra Walcott, Modou Gaye

Lammas School and Sports College Squad
Stefan Bennett, Alexander Braithwate, Romario Essel, Ashley Smith-Louis, Jack Cookson, Cozmin Anton, Johnathon Akinrinwa, Yojuanda Blaize, Andrei Stsepanenka, Max Gasparian, Joseph Molly-Smith, Edmond King, Jernik Manham

Rush Croft Squad
Simon Omope, Krisnik Krishniq, Kashif Jones, Nyan Dajmore, Luke Felthan, Dominique Esprit, Jule Banny, Mitchell Denehay, Haffizulua Kadamzadeh, Deva Fletcher, Billy Jago, Aaron Yeboah

Raines Foundation Squad
Kamal Thompson, Emmanual Hambe-Manu, Jago Streete, Julian Gordan, Joel Francis, Daniel Nwaonuma, Daniel Hambe-Manu, Denzel Kwarteng

Hackney Squad
Michael Adewole, Odaine Davis, Salim Sharman, Daniel Gushman, Ashann Siddik, Freddy Hussey, Farthad Daqik, Joel Toney, Shyhiem Newell-Samuels, Shendemi Ajiayi, Bailey Mackenzie, Endurance Eiche

St. Bonaventures Squad
Alex Semanda, Aljay Javier, Joselito Bumatay, Jeremy Atta-Owusu, John Hills, Obhi Ejele, Travis Edwards, Dwayne Baptiste, Jeric Tuaino

Rokeby Squad
Jonathan James, Sydney Ekiyo, Rolando Macanas, Isheanesu Gwegweni, Jany Rahman, Tristan Lafronte, Japy Terera, Kasparas Baksys

Tom Hood Squad
Dinnis Limmo, Junior Das Santo, Dugo Blardeny, Harry Hughs, Jason Strasser, Shakeel Vadiverlu, Derek Larbi, Kevin Nkrumah, Jack Matthews, Davidas Lankoustaa, Zureel Perkins, Theral Kittoe

Woolwich Squad
Mohamed Cyuzuzo, Metin Gozde, Nishan Rama, Rohan Halle, Charlie Fletcher, Richard Olarinoye, Sadiq Akanmu, Andrew Munonye, Lawrence Folashade, Oyewumni Makinde-Akanni

Eltham Squad
Michael Omoigie, Abdulrahman Youssef, Jordan Osbourn, Ibraheem Agbaje, Chukwudumebi Idegbema, Ryan Mulhere, Tyler Smith, Mustapha Abbas

SPORTS LEADERS OF THE FUTURE

2009-06-10T10:29:00.000+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Wednesday 10 June 2009

SPORTS LEADERS OF THE FUTURE

Leyton, London – Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP), supported by CLM, recently ran a free ‘Sports Leaders UK Level 1 Award in Sports Leadership’ at SCORE.

10 girls and boys aged 14-16 from Newham, Waltham Forest, Hackney and Tower Hamlets took the week-long course which enabled them to learn the key skills on the road to becoming a sports coach and gain a nationally recognised qualification.

The first day of the course saw the youngsters learn about what is needed to be a sports coach, with the second day progressing to assisting qualified coaches with their sessions.

The last two days are a test as the young leaders have to plan and execute their own sessions with their contemporaries.

One such young person was Courtney Taylor-Preville, 14, from Leytonstone who on completion of the course said:

“I have been doing multi-sports at SCORE for three years and wanted to try something new. My Dad found this course on the website and I wanted to do it so I came along with my brother.

“I enjoyed taking my own session the most as we had all done a lot of hard work and to see where it finished was satisfying.

“This course has opened up my eyes to a lot of other sports and as I have always been quite a good basketball and handball player I would like to give coaching them a go. I aim to now complete the CSLA [Community Sports Leaders Award) and then my FA Level 1 in coaching like my dad.

“I would tell anyone reading this to go and do this course as it is good and can not only help your sporting work but it can help you in life.”

LOCSP is running two Sports Leaders courses at SCORE this summer:

Sports Leaders UK Level 2 Award
Monday 27 July – Friday 31 July, 10am-4pm - 16+ years
(FREE if referred by LOCSP or partner agencies / £50 for the week otherwise.)
Please note – this course must be PRE-BOOKED. Attendance every day is compulsory and students have to compete an additional 10hr Work Placement and Emergency First Aid course to pass.

Sports Leaders UK Level 1 Award
Monday 24 August – Friday 28 August, 10am-3pm. 14-16 years
(FREE if referred by LOCSP or partner agencies / £30 for the week otherwise.)
Please note – this course must be PRE-BOOKED. Attendance every day is compulsory

For more information or booking forms please contact Philip Rudling, LOCSP Education Manager on 020 8556 5973, email philip.rudling@locsp.org or visit the website at www.locsp.org.

Leyton Orient Girls Centre of Excellence and Player Development Centre - 2009 Trials

2009-06-09T19:09:00.000+01:00

Leyton Orient Girls Centre of Excellence and Player Development Centre

Open Trials for 2009/2010 Season
24, 27 June and 1, 4 July at Low Hall Sports Ground, South Access Road, Walthamstow, London

The highly respected and successful Leyton Orient Girls Centre of Excellence and Player Development Centre are holding open trials for the forthcoming 2009/2010 Season for its Under 10, Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 age groups.

Trials will take place at Low Hall Sports Ground, South Access Road, Walthamstow, London E17 8AX on:

U10s, U12s and Goalkeepers (All age groups)
Wednesday 24th June: 6pm – 8.30pm
Saturday 27th June: 10am – 1pm

U14s and U16s
Wednesday 1st July: 6pm – 8.30pm
Saturday 4th July: 10am – 1pm

The trials are an opportunity for talented players to ‘try out’ for the Centre with the day consisting of coached skills practices and small-sided games.

All trialists will be notified if they are successful or not by letter which will be sent by Monday 20th July.
Successful trialists will compete in the 2009/10 Centre of Excellence League (East Region).

The Leyton Orient Girls Centre of Excellence and Player Development Centre is based in Leyton, east London and strives to provide an outstanding football development programme for elite young female players, incorporating a technical coaching programme, an extensive FA fixture programme against other FA centres, a structured fitness programme and detailed player assessments.

Our team of qualified coaches are experts in the field of coaching and empathetic towards the individual and collective development needs of female players. In our short six year history we have produced a number of successful international players and coaches.

Our new U10s Player Development Centre (PDC) links into our Centre programme and has been entered into a mini league which will be monitored and assessed by coaches from the FA Charter Community Standard and multi-award winning Leyton Orient Advanced Soccer School (LOASS).

Map for Leyton Orient Girls Centre of Excellence and
Player Development Centre Open Trials

Address: Low Hall Sports Ground, South Access Road, Walthamstow, London E17 8AX
(Free parking available on site)

Leyton Orient Girls Centre of Excellence and Player Development Centre Open Trials 2009/2010 - Player Detail Form

To register please complete this form for the attention of ‘MICHAEL MORRIS’ and return by POST, EMAIL or FAX.

Post: Michael Morris, Girls Centre Trials, Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme, Score, 100 Oliver Road, Leyton, London, E10 5JY.
Email: michael.morris@locsp.org Fax: 020 8539 7439

Player Name:

Date of Birth:

Address:

Postcode:

Contact Telephone Number: Day – Evening –

Current Club (if any):

Age Group 2009/10 season (please tick): Year 4/5 □ Year 6/7 □ Year 8/9 □ Year 10/11 □

Playing Position:

Medical History or Allergies:

I will attend the Open trials on Wednesday 24th June 2009 (Years 4/5, 6/7 Goalkeepers) □
I will attend the Open trials on Saturday 27th June 2009 (Years 4/5, 6/7 Goalkeepers) □
I will attend the Open trials on Wednesday 1st July 2009 (Years 8/9, 10/11) □
I will attend the Open trials on Saturday 4th July 2009 (Years 8/9, 10/11) □

I agree that no liability whatsoever is accepted whether to person or property in connection with this programme unless criminal or negligent (please tick). □

Parent / Guardian (Delete as appropriate) Signature…………………………………............

Date………………………………………………………………………………………………….

I will not be able to attend the trial dates but would like to be considered for a trial □
(If you can not make the trial dates for any reason but would like to be considered, please contact Michael Morris)

Players should arrive 15 minutes before their trial for registration and will need appropriate clothing, footwear, lunch and drinks for the day.

ENGLAND HANDBALL ASSOCIATION U15 BOYS SOUTH OF ENGLAND TOURNAMENT AT SCORE

2009-06-05T19:06:00.000+01:00

ENGLAND HANDBALL ASSOCIATION

U15 NATIONAL SCHOOL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS

SOUTH OF ENGLAND RESULTS, FRIDAY 5TH JUNE 2009

BOYS COMPETITION:

The German School v Barking Abbey School 0-10
The Howard School v Hayes School 7-2

The German School v The Howard School 2-2
Barking Abbey School v Hayes School 5-3

The German School v Hayes School 5-5
Barking Abbey School v The Howard School 5-2

BOYS POSITIONS:
1. Barking Abbey School
2. The Howard School
3. The German School
4. Hayes School

Barking Abbey School and The Howard School qualify for the National Final Tournament on Saturday 20th June 2009 at Aldersley Stadium, Wolverhampton.

GIRLS COMPETITION

Hackney Free School v Barking Abbey School 5-7

GIRLS POSITIONS
1. Barking Abbey School
2. Hackney Free & Parochial School

Barking Abbey School and Hackney Free School qualify for the National Final Tournament on Saturday 20th June 2009 at Aldersley Stadium, Wolverhampton.

THANKS
My thanks to Toby Julen of Olympia Handball Club for refereeing all the matches, to Neil Brown, SCORE Operations Manager and to LOCSP Handball Development Officer Miriam Pupalova for organising the table officials, to the table officials for running the table and tournament so efficiently and finally to the staff for preparing and coaching the teams.

MAY HOLIDAY FUN FOR WALTHAM FOREST YOUNGSTERS

2009-05-29T10:27:00.000+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Friday 29 May 2009

MAY HOLIDAY FUN FOR WALTHAM FOREST YOUNGSTERS

This week saw over 200 Waltham Forest youngsters attend the Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) May half-term holiday sessions at Goals, Chingford and Score, Leyton.

Youngsters from across the borough attended the Football Fun Week in Chingford and the Fun Factory (Multi Sports) week at Score which featured Basketball, Handball, Cricket, Futsal and Uni-Hoc.

Those present at Score were in for a surprise as a very special guest in Theo the Leyton Orient FC Mascot attended to present prizes and certificates.

LOCSP will be running a variety of sessions over the Summer Holidays, keep an eye out for the flyer out soon!

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

Picture caption: Youngsters at Score celebrate with Theo the Leyton Orient FC mascot.

LEYTON ORIENT’S COMMUNITY STAFF WIN PRAISE FROM GOVERNMENT

2009-05-26T10:37:00.002+01:00

Press Release – Tuesday 26 May 09

LEYTON ORIENT’S COMMUNITY STAFF WIN PRAISE FROM GOVERNMENT
Following a prestigious award to the national Kickz programme, Minister for Sport commends the Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme team for their part in its success.

Kickz, the groundbreaking football project aimed at engaging young people in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country, has received a prestigious award for its work. Minister for Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe MP, has praised Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme for their part in making Kickz such a successful programme.

Kickz scooped the Community Programme Award at the recent national Sport Industry Awards 2009. It gives young men and women (aged 12-18) the chance to play quality football, other sports, as well as becoming involved in other activities, such as music production and dance. Kickz also offers them an opportunity to volunteer in their community, learn to coach and officiate in the game and in some cases gain employment in the clubs themselves.

At the same time, Kickz is also breaking down barriers between the police and young people, reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and encouraging them to think about serious social issues such as the dangers of being involved in gang activity, carrying guns and knives or alcohol and drug abuse.

Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme runs Kickz sessions in the four east London boroughs of Waltham Forest (Tom Hood School, Kelmscott Leisure Centre, Thomas Gamuel Park), Redbridge (Hainault Youth Centre), Tower Hamlets (Ian Mikardo School, Devons Road) and Hackney (Mabley Green, Gascoyne Estate, Haggerston Girls School), thus playing a major part of making the Kickz programme such a huge success right across the country.

Gerry Sutcliffe MP, Minister for Sport, said: “Winning a Sport Industry Award is no easy task so this recognition just goes to show what a triumph Kickz has been nationwide.

“Everyone working on Kickz has played their part and should be proud of the positive impact they've had on the lives of tens of thousands of young people.

“I want to congratulate Leyton Orient Community Sports Programmes’ staff and their local partners for their work in making Kickz the success story it is.”

Kickz began in 2006, after discussions between the Premier League, the Football Foundation and the Metropolitan Police. From an initial four pilot project, Kickz has grown rapidly. It now has a staggering 106 projects being delivered three nights a week, 48 weeks a year, by 39 professional football clubs, local authorities across the country and 17 major police forces. Having originally set out to engage with 12,000 young people, it has instead impacted upon over 24,500 young people.

Kickz is also playing a significant part in reducing crime and Anti Social Behaviour (ASB). As part of local strategies the police and local partners have indicated that Kickz has helped contribute to reductions of up to 50% in the communities where Kickz projects are based.

The Football Foundation has invested £4.7 million into the scheme, the Metropolitan Police Authority £3 million, £1 million through the DCMS from the Premier League’s good causes fund and a further £700,000 from v, the national youth volunteering charity. Recent additional contributions from the Brit Trust and the Home Office have also allowed the programme to enhance its music offering to young people and deliver a national anti-knife crime campaign and tournament.

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “This Sports Industry Award is recognition of the hard work, initiative and investment that has gone into making Kickz the leading sport-based social inclusion programme in the country.

“I am very proud of my team at the Football Foundation who have delivered and managed the national project centrally. Alongside the programme’s other lead partners – the Premier League and the Metropolitan Police Service – 39 professional football clubs, v and the Brit Trust, together with many other key organisations, we have worked in partnership on delivering Kickz projects in some of the most deprived communities across the country.

“Moreover, it should not be forgotten that this success would not have been possible without the dedicated and enthusiastic support from thousands of young volunteers from the estates where Kickz projects operate. The fact that many of them began as Kickz participants also makes them themselves shining examples of the programme’s success.”

Tim Godwin, Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, said: “The Metropolitan Police is very proud to be working with the football world on the Kickz project, which through this award has been recognised nationally as best practice for sports based inclusion projects.

“This project has changed the lives of many young people and the fact that Kickz is the success it is due to the hard work and commitment of the project team and the many other people who work so hard behind the scenes and I would like to thank each and every one of them. Without them, Kickz would not be the fantastic project that it is, making such an incredible difference to the lives of so many young people.”

Richard Scudamore, Chief Executive of the Premier League, said: “Football clubs have a crucial role to play in their communities and Kickz is perhaps the best example of the positive impact a club can have.

“The Sport Industry Award is great recognition for the enormous strides that Kickz has made over the past three years. To have engaged over 24,500 young people in that time is a real achievement and one I am sure that the project will continue to build on.”

ENDS

For photos and further information about this story please contact:
· Andrew McSteen, LOCSP Communications Officer on 020 8556 5973, email andrew.mcsteen@locsp.org or visit www.locsp.org

Notes to Editors
· For further information on the Kickz Programme visit: www.footballfoundation.org.uk/kickz

· Named 'Community Club of the Year' at the 2009 Football League Awards, LEYTON ORIENT COMMUNITY SPORTS PROGRAMME (LOCSP) exists to help young people develop the skills and confidence to succeed in their lives, with our core work taking place in the six London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Newham, Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham and Hackney - a total combined population of over 1.3 million people.Established in May 1989 by Leyton Orient Football Club and the London Borough of Waltham Forest, LOCSP started with 150 young people a week and now provides over 4,500 sporting and educational participation and engagement opportunities every week for young people across London - equating to 225,000 a year.LOCSP has invested £5.5 million in the east London community since 1998 and work with some of the most challenging young people, jointly confronting difficult issues including racism, sexism, lack of cultural awareness, crime, unemployment, lack of education and training and ageism. Watch our video - CLICK HERE!

LEYTON ORIENT’S COMMUNITY STAFF WIN PRAISE FROM GOVERNMENT

2009-05-26T10:37:00.000+01:00

Press Release – Tuesday 26 May 09

LEYTON ORIENT’S COMMUNITY STAFF WIN PRAISE FROM GOVERNMENT

Following a prestigious award to the national Kickz programme, Minister for Sport commends the Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme team for their part in its success

Kickz, the groundbreaking football project aimed at engaging young people in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country, has received a prestigious award for its work. Minister for Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe MP, has praised Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme for their part in making Kickz such a successful programme.

Kickz scooped the Community Programme Award at the recent national Sport Industry Awards 2009. It gives young men and women (aged 12-18) the chance to play quality football, other sports, as well as becoming involved in other activities, such as music production and dance. Kickz also offers them an opportunity to volunteer in their community, learn to coach and officiate in the game and in some cases gain employment in the clubs themselves.

At the same time, Kickz is also breaking down barriers between the police and young people, reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and encouraging them to think about serious social issues such as the dangers of being involved in gang activity, carrying guns and knives or alcohol and drug abuse.

Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme runs Kickz sessions in the four east London boroughs of Waltham Forest (Tom Hood School, Kelmscott Leisure Centre, Thomas Gamuel Park), Redbridge (Hainault Youth Centre), Tower Hamlets (Ian Mikardo School, Devons Road) and Hackney (Mabley Green, Gascoyne Estate, Haggerston Girls School), thus playing a major part of making the Kickz programme such a huge success right across the country.

Gerry Sutcliffe MP, Minister for Sport, said: “Winning a Sport Industry Award is no easy task so this recognition just goes to show what a triumph Kickz has been nationwide.

“Everyone working on Kickz has played their part and should be proud of the positive impact they've had on the lives of tens of thousands of young people.

“I want to congratulate Leyton Orient Community Sports Programmes’ staff and their local partners for their work in making Kickz the success story it is.”

Kickz began in 2006, after discussions between the Premier League, the Football Foundation and the Metropolitan Police. From an initial four pilot project, Kickz has grown rapidly. It now has a staggering 106 projects being delivered three nights a week, 48 weeks a year, by 39 professional football clubs, local authorities across the country and 17 major police forces. Having originally set out to engage with 12,000 young people, it has instead impacted upon over 24,500 young people.

Kickz is also playing a significant part in reducing crime and Anti Social Behaviour (ASB). As part of local strategies the police and local partners have indicated that Kickz has helped contribute to reductions of up to 50% in the communities where Kickz projects are based.

The Football Foundation has invested £4.7 million into the scheme, the Metropolitan Police Authority £3 million, £1 million through the DCMS from the Premier League’s good causes fund and a further £700,000 from v, the national youth volunteering charity. Recent additional contributions from the Brit Trust and the Home Office have also allowed the programme to enhance its music offering to young people and deliver a national anti-knife crime campaign and tournament.

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “This Sports Industry Award is recognition of the hard work, initiative and investment that has gone into making Kickz the leading sport-based social inclusion programme in the country.

“I am very proud of my team at the Football Foundation who have delivered and managed the national project centrally. Alongside the programme’s other lead partners – the Premier League and the Metropolitan Police Service – 39 professional football clubs, v and the Brit Trust, together with many other key organisations, we have worked in partnership on delivering Kickz projects in some of the most deprived communities across the country.

“Moreover, it should not be forgotten that this success would not have been possible without the dedicated and enthusiastic support from thousands of young volunteers from the estates where Kickz projects operate. The fact that many of them began as Kickz participants also makes them themselves shining examples of the programme’s success.”

Tim Godwin, Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, said: “The Metropolitan Police is very proud to be working with the football world on the Kickz project, which through this award has been recognised nationally as best practice for sports based inclusion projects.

“This project has changed the lives of many young people and the fact that Kickz is the success it is due to the hard work and commitment of the project team and the many other people who work so hard behind the scenes and I would like to thank each and every one of them. Without them, Kickz would not be the fantastic project that it is, making such an incredible difference to the lives of so many young people.”

Richard Scudamore, Chief Executive of the Premier League, said: “Football clubs have a crucial role to play in their communities and Kickz is perhaps the best example of the positive impact a club can have.

“The Sport Industry Award is great recognition for the enormous strides that Kickz has made over the past three years. To have engaged over 24,500 young people in that time is a real achievement and one I am sure that the project will continue to build on.”

ENDS

For photos and further information about this story please contact:
· Andrew McSteen, LOCSP Communications Officer on 020 8556 5973, email andrew.mcsteen@locsp.org or visit www.locsp.org

Notes to Editors
· For further information on the Kickz Programme visit: www.footballfoundation.org.uk/kickz

· Named 'Community Club of the Year' at the 2009 Football League Awards, LEYTON ORIENT COMMUNITY SPORTS PROGRAMME (LOCSP) exists to help young people develop the skills and confidence to succeed in their lives, with our core work taking place in the six London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Newham, Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham and Hackney - a total combined population of over 1.3 million people.Established in May 1989 by Leyton Orient Football Club and the London Borough of Waltham Forest, LOCSP started with 150 young people a week and now provides over 4,500 sporting and educational participation and engagement opportunities every week for young people across London - equating to 225,000 a year.LOCSP has invested £5.5 million in the east London community since 1998 and work with some of the most challenging young people, jointly confronting difficult issues including racism, sexism, lack of cultural awareness, crime, unemployment, lack of education and training and ageism. Watch our video - CLICK HERE!

SIX-A-SIDE FOOTBALL LEAGUE RESTARTS AT STOKE NEWINGTON SCHOOL

2009-05-26T10:35:00.000+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Tuesday 26 May 2009

SIX-A-SIDE FOOTBALL LEAGUE RESTARTS AT STOKE NEWINGTON SCHOOL

Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) are restarting their ever-popular FREE weekly six-a-side football league at Stoke Newington School this Monday, 1st June 2009, following the May half-term break.

The U14s league is open to boys and girls aged 10-14 and takes place EVERY Monday from 4:30pm – 6:30pm on the Astroturf at Stoke Newington School, Clissold Road, Hackney, London, N16 9EX.

Participants can turn up individually, or in teams with trophies and medals for the winners and runners up at the end of the six-week period.

For more information about the league please contact Yassin Abidou, LOCSP Hackney Development Officer on 020 8556 5973, email yassin.abidou@locsp.org or visit www.locsp.org.

WIMBLEDON PLAYERS BRING QUALITY TENNIS COACHING TO SCORE

2009-05-26T10:32:00.000+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Tuesday 26 May 2009

WIMBLEDON PLAYERS BRING QUALITY TENNIS COACHING TO SCORE

Leyton, London – Score, Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) and WimX Tennis recently joined forces to launch Monday afternoon and evening tennis sessions run by former professional players.

The ‘Junior and Tots’ Tennis’ programme at Score runs every Monday from 3:30pm – 7:30pm and offers a fun approach to learning and developing tennis skills; coaching both individuals and groups.

Session Info:
Times Description Age Guide Cost
4:30 – 5:30pm MINI TENNIS 6 - 9 yrs £3.50
5:30 – 6:30pm JUNIOR TENNIS GAMES 10 yrs+ £3.50
6:30 – 7:30pm JUNIOR TENNIS GAMES 10 yrs+ £3.50

The new sessions also offer options for Adult and Children coaching and individual lessons.

WimX Tennis was founded in 2003 is a unique coaching brand that was established by five former Wimbledon players who have combined their Wimbledon experience to create a thriving tennis coaching community where players develop in a respectful, challenging and fun environment.

Leyton Head Coach and Associate WimX Coach Joe Chadwick said:
"This is a very exciting opportunity for the WimX Community and I'm glad to be heading it up. In the little bit I've seen at Score so far, there are some great kids with great attitudes who will be a pleasure to work with."

Former Olympic tennis player and WimX Co-Founder Lorna Woodroffe said:
"We are delighted to be working with LOCSP and we believe that kids of all athletic levels should be encouraged to play sport. For too long, tennis hasn't been a natural option for some of the sportiest youngsters in the UK and we plan to bring to Leyton a chance for all youngsters to enjoy and progress in tennis."

Notes to Editors:

1. Wimx X (Wimbledon Experience) was established by former Wimbledon players Jo WardAndrew Foster, Lorna Woodroffe, Helen Crook and Victoria Davies. For more information please visit http://www.wimx.org.uk/.

2. The founding members all continue to play active roles through on-court coaching and off-court program management, player guidance, tournament support, and establishing the WimX Academy ethos through the associate coaches. The WimX philosophy stems from many years of playing tour level tennis at the top of the British game; experiences which include competing at all four Grand Slams, the Olympics, Davis Cup, European Cup, Federation Cup, and Hopman Cup, as well as playing against such figures as Pete Sampras, Martina Navratilova, and Steffi Graf.

Associate coaches and sports science professionals have been hand-picked to deliver excellence in their specialist fields.

3. To view the WimX/Score/LOCSP flyer cut and paste this link into your internet browser: http://www.locsp.org/pdf/pdf_wftennis.pdf

A 'PRIZE' NIGHT FOR EAST LONDON YOUNGSTERS

2009-05-21T16:02:00.002+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Thursday 21st May 2009

A 'PRIZE' NIGHT FOR EAST LONDON YOUNGSTERS

Tuesday night saw four youngsters from Leyton and Walthamstow take their seats at Earls Court in west London for the Matchroom Sport promoted 'Prizefighter - The Cruiserweights'.

More to follow...

INTER-FAITH CRICKET TOURNAMENT THIS SATURDAY

2009-05-18T13:28:00.000+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Monday 18th May 2009

INTER-FAITH CRICKET TOURNAMENT THIS SATURDAY

Leyton, London – Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) in conjunction with the Waltham Forest Metropolitan Police, are running an Inter-Faith Cricket Tournament this Saturday at Drapers Field, Temple Mills Lane (off Leyton High Road).

The event is open to any teams or individuals from across east London of all religious or non-religious backgrounds and will take the format of the successful LOCSP ‘Hit 4 Six’ cricket format.

Entry for individuals and teams of six people is free, with the competition running at U12s, U15s and 16+ age levels.

The competition runs from 12:30pm to 5:00pm with prizes for all the winners and runners-up.

Paul Motion, LOCSP Waltham Forest Development Officer who is running the competition said:

“Having worked on a lot of partnership work with the local police we decided to run this event which aims to work with people from a wide cultural background across east London - we are looking forward to everyone coming down and competing for the prizes.”

For more information contact Paul Motion, LOCSP Waltham Forest Development Officer on 020 8556 5973, email paul.motion@locsp.org or visit the website at www.locsp.org.

FREE LEADERS COURSE FOR YOUNGSTERS NEXT WEEK

2009-05-18T13:18:00.000+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Monday 18 May 2009

FREE LEADERS COURSE FOR YOUNGSTERS NEXT WEEK

Leyton, London – Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP), supported by CLM, will be running a FREE ‘Sports Leaders UK Level 1 Award in Sports Leadership’ next week at Score, Leyton during the May half-term school holidays.

Open to any boys or girls aged 14-16 from Newham, Waltham Forest, Hackney and Tower Hamlets, the course enables youngsters to learn the key skills on the road to becoming a sports coach and gain a nationally recognised qualification.

The course runs from 10am – 4pm on Tuesday 26th May, Wednesday 27th May, Thursday 28th May and Friday 29th May.

Course Leader and LOCSP Education Officer Tony Murphy said:

“For anyone reading this that wants to get into coaching and has some spare time during half-term next week this course is an excellent opportunity to get on the first rung of the ladder and to see what the job entails.

“Everyone that has completed and passed the course says to me how beneficial it was to them – in fact we now have staff working here who completed the course as their first sports-related qualification.”

For more information or a booking form about the Sports Leaders Level 1 Award please contact Tony Murphy on 020 8556 5973, email tony.murphy@locsp.org or visit the website at www.locsp.org.

May 2009 Half Term Activities in Waltham Forest

2009-05-15T10:59:00.004+01:00

Whitsun Holiday Activities in Waltham Forest 2009

Click HERE to read as a Word Document

Click HERE to view the flyer

Click HERE to download the booking form

Monday 25 May (Bank Holiday)

Kickz
Tom Hood School, Terling Close, Leytonstone, London. E11
6:30pm – 9:30pm
Ages: 12-18 years old
FREE

Tuesday 26 May

Fun Factory (Multi-Sports – Handball, Basketball, Futsal, Cricket + a whole lot more!)
Score, 100 Oliver Road, Leyton. E10 5JY
10am – 3pm
Ages: 5-12 years old
£5 per day (£20 for week – 26-29 May)

Football Fun Week
Goals Football Centre, Morrison Avenue, Chingford. E4 8SN
10am – 3pm
Ages: 5-14 years old
£10 per day (£35 for week – 26-29 May)

UK Sports Leaders Level 1 Award in Sports Leadership
Score, 100 Oliver Road, Leyton. E10 5JY
9.30am – 4pm (26 May – 29 May)
Ages: 14-16 years old
FREE
*This course must be pre-booked and qualification is only gained through compulsory attendance on every day*

Cross-Borough 6-a-side Football Tournament
Drapers Field
12pm – 4pm
Ages: Year 7 – 12
FREE

Kickz

Wednesday 27 May

Fun Factory (Multi-Sports – Handball, Basketball, Futsal, Cricket + a whole lot more!)
Score, 100 Oliver Road, Leyton. E10 5JY
10am – 3pm
Ages: 5-12 years old
£5 per day (£20 for week – 26-29 May)

Football Fun Week
Goals Football Centre, Morrison Avenue, Chingford. E4 8SN
10am – 3pm
Ages: 5-14 years old
£10 per day (£35 for week – 26-29 May)

Kickz
Tom Hood School, Terling Close, Leytonstone, London. E11
6:30pm – 9:30pm
Ages: 12-18 years old
FREE

Kickz
Kelmscott Leisure Centre, 243 Markhouse Road, Walthamstow, London. E17 8RN
6pm – 9pm
Ages: 11-19 years old
FREE

Manor Park Estate Based 5-a-side Football Tournament
1pm – 4pm
Ages: 11-19 years old
FREE

Priory Park Estate Based 5-a-side Football Tournament
1pm – 4pm
Ages: 11-19 years old
FREE

Langthorne Park Estate Based 5-a-side Football Tournament
1pm – 4pm
Ages: 11-19 years old
FREE

Thursday 28 May

Fun Factory (Multi-Sports – Handball, Basketball, Futsal, Cricket + a whole lot more!)
Score, 100 Oliver Road, Leyton. E10 5JY
10am – 3pm
Ages: 5-12 years old
£5 per day (£20 for week – 26-29 May)

Football Fun Week
Goals Football Centre, Morrison Avenue, Chingford. E4 8SN
10am – 3pm
Ages: 5-14 years old
£10 per day (£35 for week – 26-29 May)

Cross-Borough 6-a-side Football Tournament
Wanstead Flats
12pm – 4pm
Ages: Years 9 – 11
FREE

Friday 29 May

Fun Factory (Multi-Sports – Handball, Basketball, Futsal, Cricket + a whole lot more!)
Score, 100 Oliver Road, Leyton. E10 5JY
10am – 3pm
Ages: 5-12 years old
£5 per day (£20 for week – 26-29 May)

Football Fun Week
Goals Football Centre, Morrison Avenue, Chingford. E4 8SN
10am – 3pm
Ages: 5-14 years old
£10 per day (£35 for week – 26-29 May)

Cross-Borough 6-a-side Football Tournament
Score (Astroturf), 100 Oliver Road, Leyton. E10 5JY
12pm – 4pm
Ages: Years 9 – 12
FREE

Kickz
Tom Hood School, Terling Close, Leytonstone, London. E11
6:30pm – 9:30pm
Ages: 12-18 years old
FREE

Kickz
Thomas Gamuel Park, Colchester Road, Walthamstow, London. E17 8LG
6pm – 9pm
Ages: 11-19 years old
FREE

For information about any of these sessions please contact Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme on 020 8556 5973, email enquiries@locsp.org or visit http://www.locsp.org/.

CLM AND LOCSP FOOTBALL LEAGUE TOURNAMENT SUCCESS

2009-05-14T18:58:00.002+01:00

LOCSP Press Release: Thursday 14 May 2009

CLM AND LOCSP FOOTBALL LEAGUE TOURNAMENT SUCCESS
On the pitch at Orient as CLM football finishes for 2008/09.

Leyton, London – Since January 2009 Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) and CLM, the London 2012 construction consortium of CH2M Hill, Laing O’Rourke and Mace have been working together in partnership, providing sporting opportunities for the local communities around the Olympic Park construction site.

This week saw the culmination of the CLM six-a-side football league with the final round of league games and special, one-off tournament taking on the pitch at Leyton Orient FC.

The league has been running since January on the last Saturday of each month at SCORE in Leyton, east London involving three teams provided by CLM, bolstered by five adult teams representing the wider community.

This combination has brought a better understanding to the local community about the work of the Olympics, giving it a human face and allowing residents the opportunity to speak to ‘real’ people involved in building the 2012 games.

The final round of CLM Six-a-Side Football League matches took place on the pitch at Leyton Orient FC’s Matchroom Stadium pitch – a professional Coca-Cola League One playing surface with the Newham Allstars team cementing their lead at the top of the table and with it the championship.

Alongside the league, a special one-off cup took place, running in tandem with the final day of the league.

The CLM Community Cup allowed the opportunity for all of the CLM football teams and their related friends and family, as well as CLM employees, to interact with a wide-range of local community groups including the local police, army and service providers. It also formed part of the 20th Anniversary celebrations for 2009 Football League Community Club of the Year – Leyton Orient.

This prestigious event took place on the pitch at Leyton Orient, alongside the final round of CLM League matches with 20 teams participating – including those from the Olympic Park - CLM, Mace, Bow Boys Massiv, Steve Bridgens Hacker's, Hackney Marshalls, 2012 United, Newham 2 and Newham Allstars.

These teams played against a mixture of local community organisations including teams from the Westminster Police, Army, Waltham Forest Police and local Mosques.

The cup saw Newham 2 win the Plate final and the Goals Soccer Centre team beat Hackney Marshalls in the Cup final.

Steve Sugden, CLM Development Manager and organiser of the CLM Football League said:
“A big thank you must go out to all the teams that took, part both from CLM and the local community, for giving up their Saturdays and for the manner in which they played, giving Giles and the team from Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme an easy time.

“I would also like to say a very big thanks you to Giles and his LOCSP team for organising and running both the league and Community Cup competitions and look forward to working with them again next season when hopefully we will have more teams from the park involved. Until then..!’

Liam McKay, Marketing Administration Assistant, Mace said:
“We came today because we all thought it was a very good opportunity to get involved something we enjoyed doing as well as personally and as Mace, getting to know the local community and getting involved in a large community event.

“Tournaments like this show that Mace can play sport and gel together. Mace is a big place – full of different subsidiaries and sectors and it’s important to get everyone engaged and together. This is especially important from a marketing point of view – its staff engagement; getting everyone involved and doing something good – it’s good for everyone.

“Everyone at Mace is interested in the Olympics. It’s one of our biggest and proudest projects -everyone is excited and aware of our involvement.”

George Baffoe-Djan, Development Manager, Mace said:
“We all thought it would be good to test ourselves against other teams – I thought we may struggle but we held our own quite well. There was a lot of competition for places in our team – it’s not every day you get a chance to play in a professional stadium with such a long history.

“Our team here today is made up of people from all across Mace. There are people from our Hertfordshire office, Mace Plus, Marketing, Finance/Accounts as well as those involved with the Olympics.

“It has been really beneficial and interesting today for us to speak to local residents who are right next to the Olympic site and keen to learn more about it.”

Mario Solari, Part-Time LOCSP Development Officer and referee said:
“It went really well today, I got a bit of stick but it’s all good –it’s part of being a referee.

“The SCORE tournament has gone really well over the past five months – it has been full of good games, good players, and good teams all with a great attitude.

“It has also been really good to see friends and family come down to watch and support their family and friends.

“I am a local east-end boy from Leyton it makes me feel really proud to be part of London 2012, even if it is in just a small capacity– but I am still part of it. It’s really good for people like me and the young people around here to as it will inspire us all to do something constructive and not get involved with negative things.”

Giles Sandercock, LOCSP Football Development Officer / CLM Tournament Co-ordinator said:
“The five month tournament was really competitive with everyone enjoying this competiveness and personally I was pleased that all the teams came back month after month, through all weathers and conditions on Saturday mornings.

“The tournament at Leyton Orient FC was played in a good spirit, with all standards of players playing each other. There was an opportunity afterwards for everyone to mingle with some hospitality and then the presentations were conducted with our version of the ‘Wembley Walk’.

“Everyone enjoyed the fact that there were loads of different partners here from all different backgrounds.

“My coaches and I all got to know the players over the past five months and we would love to expand this next season to a 16, if not 32, team tournament.”

“I would like to single out Steve Sugden who was my link for this whole tournament - he helped out everywhere and very supportive – he was even the tournament’s official photographer!”

For more information about the CLM and LOCSP partnership work please contact LOCSP on 020 8556 5973, email enquiries@locsp.org or visit http://www.locsp.org/.