Tag Archives: Derek Capey

Sport for all at James Brindley Sports Centre

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Youngsters across Stoke-on-Trent are being invited to try different sports for all the family at James Brindley Sports Centre this month.

The Centre, at James Brindley Science College in Chell will be featuring a host of sports throughout at day as part of the city’s “Festival of Sport” which will be officially launched later this year as part of the centenary celebrations for the city’s federation status.

Sports coaches will be there in the afternoon providing activities such as bench ball, dodge ball, basketball, football, swimming, a bouncy castle and face painting. The sports sessions are open to children aged 7 to 14 and swimming is open to all. The bouncy castle is for children 18 months to 6 years old.

In the morning there are also new sports sessions available. There are places left for the “Little Strikers” junior football coaching sessions from 9am – 9:45am, which is for three to five year olds. There also “Gym Tots” sessions which are for 18 months to 3year olds that start at 10:00am until 10:45am. These are both 10 week courses which cost £30.

Councillor Derek Capey, cabinet member for sport and leisure said: “The event is aimed at getting young people of all ages to get take up a sport, but also to remind them that it is not about being competitive, just having fun and taking part.

“This type of event is something that we will be rolling out continually throughout the year. We wants all kinds of sport to be accessible to everyone throughout 2010.”

Ride with pride with CycleStoke

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By Pits’n'Pots Reporter.

The first lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender cycle ride organised by the CycleStoke will take place this Sunday (November 8).

The ride aims to bring everyone together and allow members of the gay community, their friends, family and children to have a chance to enjoy cycling in the city.

It follows a fantastic response received by CycleStoke at the pride festival day in August where over 100 people left their details for information on future events and over 250 cycle maps were handed out.

Andy Murphy, network coordinator for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Network said: “This is a great opportunity to bring people together and if it proves successful it could be the first of another six similar events we plan to hold next year. We are asking for as many people from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community with their friends and families to come along and support the event”.

Councillor Derek Capey, cabinet member for sport, leisure, parks and open spaces added: “Cycling is a wonderful way for the different communities in our city to come together and enjoy the superb scenery that Stoke-on-Trent has to offer. Recently we have opened a number of new cycle paths in and around the city as part of our Cycling City status which events like this will be able to make full use of. With this status we can tap into communities which may not have considered cycling as a pastime and show everyone in the city the joys and benefits it brings.”

The ride starts at 1pm at Westport Lake car park taking and the surrounding area. It is suitable for all ages and any level of cycling experience. The ride will be marshalled by experienced cyclists.

The CycleStoke bike doctor will be on hand to give a free bike maintenance check to all bikes and give out free bike lights and goodie bags. CycleStoke will also provide a limited number of free to hire bikes on the day. Anyone interested in a hire bike is asked to call 01782 266998 in advance.

Kier Stoke completes work on new animal houses at City Farm

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By Tony Walley. The animals at City Farm at Bucknall Park have two new homes thanks to work done by Kier Stoke. The two new buildings will house some of the farm’s goats and ferrets, as well as a new aviary.By Tony Walley.

The animals at City Farm at Bucknall Park have two new homes thanks to work done by Kier Stoke.

The two new buildings will house some of the farm’s goats and ferrets, as well as a new aviary. Each of the new animal houses will have Perspex panels built in so visitors can see inside. Two apprentices from Kier Stoke, Ashley Timmis and Gareth Jones, spent two weeks working on the new buildings, and will be at the City Farm on Monday 27 July to officially open the new buildings. Ashley said: “It is good to see Kier helping out the local community, and I was happy to be part of the project.” Gareth added: “The public will enjoy this for many years to come.” Derek Capey Councillor Derek Capey, cabinet member for sport and leisure said: “We needed new homes for some of the animals and Kier offered to do the work for us. “Ashley and Gareth have both worked really hard on the project and gained some valuable experience. “Kier are providing the city with a new generation of skilled workers and it’s great to see them making such a positive impact at an early stage of their careers.”

Former Olympic Champion visits Stoke-on-Trent

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By Tony Walley.

Daley Thompson

Daley Thompson

Former Olympic Gold Medallist Daley Thompson will be cycling his way to Stoke-on-Trent on 8 July as part of a national campaign to halt knife crime.

The champion decathlete will be stopping by in Norton to see how a StreetGames session benefits the young people in the community.

The visit, organised by the Laureus Sports Foundation, which helps young people all over the world by spreading the message of tolerance and peace through sport, is part of a larger cycle ride by Daley throughout the country, and comes immediately after one of the city’s biggest cycling successes of the past year in the Tour Series race.

The ride is to present a report to the Government, addressing the role sport can play in reducing knife and gang crime in the UK. Daley will also be visiting Coventry, Milton Keynes, Oxford and Newbury on his way to Westminster, after starting from Manchester on Tuesday 7 July.

Daley said: “The report really struck a chord. A gang is actually not that different from a sports team, both provide you with a sense of belonging,
status and excitement.

“While sport also helps you develop control over your emotions and learn to respect certain boundaries, being in a gang can be destructive.”

Councillor Derek Capey, cabinet member for sport and leisure said: “To have an athlete of Daley’s calibre coming to

Derek Capey

Derek Capey

Stoke-on-Trent is brilliant for the city, but we must also heed to important message he brings with him.

“Sport can play an important part in showing people there is more to life than getting involved in gangs that can lead them down a dangerous path. The city has a responsibility to reinforce this message and Daley’s visit will help us highlight this.

“StreetGames has been a huge success in the communities where it operates, and it really helps young people understand the values of teamwork and co-operation, as well as health and fitness. It has also been a really effective way of tackling anti social behaviour in the city.”

“The fact he’s cycling here adds to our reputation as a cycling city. With both the Tour of Britain and Tour Series enjoying huge success here in the last 12 months, it’s actually quite fitting that Daley make his journey here by bike.”

Insp Mark Hardern, commander of Tunstall Neighbourhood Policing Unit (NPU), said: “We are working very hard with our partner agencies to engage young people in positive activities, and away from anti-social behaviour.

“A variety of activities already takes place throughout the week at local youth centres and a programme of activities is organised every school holiday.
“The ‘Breaking the Cycle of Violence’ scheme is another excellent example of partnership working with young people.

“The scheme highlights the importance of engaging young people in sport and away from youth crime.

“It is a real coup for the people of Norton to get a visit from Daley Thompson, who is such a well-known and respected sports star. I hope that young people in the community will involve themselves in the StreetGames event taking place when he visits.

“Only by everyone working together can we make a real difference to the community and the quality of people’s lives.”