Hundreds rise to the challenge and do the Sport Relief Mile!

Derbyshire folk turned our in their hundreds to do the Sainsbury's Sport  Relief Mile on Sunday 21 March. 

Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Miles were staged in all nine districts and boroughs of Derbyshire, including Derby City, which made Derbyshire one of only three counties in the country to host at least one event in each of its districts.

Events were held at various venues, including Sharley Park Leisure Centre in Clay Cross, Queen's Park in Chesterfield, Rutland Sports Park in Ilkeston, the Pavillion Gardens in Buxton, Swadlincote Woodlands and Ashbourne Recreation Ground.

Sport Relief Mile events were also held at Shipley Country Park, Moorways Sports Complex in Derby, Creswell Crags in Bolsover, Bishop Pursglove Primary School in Tideswell and Manor Park in Glossop.

All of the events were full to capacity, with participants opting to walk, run or jog either one mile, three miles or six miles.

All of the participants were also given information about other local sporting opportunities taking place in their area, including their nearest Jog Derbyshire groups, to encourage them to continue to be physically active.

Events were organised by various local authorities and community groups with the help of volunteers. 

Success for reformed Derbyshire squad

Following five years of inactivity, Derbyshire U18 football squad has reformed this year and achieved a great degree of success. Under the guidance of Chesterfield College sports lecturers Neil Cluxton and Ryan Bullock, the team has now won the Midlands Counties League, beating representative teams from Nottinghamshire, Humberside, Sheffield and Lincolnshire on the way. The squad will now face either Staffordshire or Warwickshire in the Counties League semi finals next month.

The 18-man squad consists of players from Chesterfield-based Brookfield and St Mary’s School as well as Chesterfield College, Belper School and Derby’s Repton school, Merrill and Landau Forte College. The squad and coaching staff would very much like to thank Mike Radford from ‘Black Square’ for kindly sponsoring the playing kit.

Chesterfield College student bags a place in England Colleges Football Squad

Chesterfield College student, Chloe Foster, 18, from Swanwick, has achieved a place in the final 22-woman England Colleges Football squad. Chloe is the only representative for the entire East Midlands region and the first female student from Chesterfield College to make the squad.

Chloe is currently completing a 2 year course in fitness and coaching at Chesterfield College. When she is not studying, Chloe plays for Women’s Premiership team, Nottingham Forest, in her natural position of centre midfield.

Chloe explains, “To get into the squad I took part in a trial last year of 30+ women. College staff were great throughout the entire process, giving me confidence in my abilities. I’m now focused on getting in the starting eleven for our first game against Australia, then I can look forward to the tour we will go on later in the year. In the long term, once I’ve finished my College course I’d like to go into a career in one of the different areas I’ve studied, such as coaching, personal training or nutrition and the England Colleges squad gives me great experience that I can use towards that goal.

Born (to coach) in the USA

Four Chesterfield College students are set for the experience of a lifetime when they jet off to the United States of America to coach youngsters in the art of football, or should that be soccer?

The College has teamed up with various organisations, including ‘Challenger’ British Soccer Camps, to forge links that give coaching students the opportunity to find employment. Last year, Ashley Rhodes became the first Chesterfield College student to go to the USA on a coaching scheme and whilst he is returning this year, three others will also take part in the life-changing experience. Along with Ashley, Jake Ball, Oliver Ridgway and Mark Shepherd will all be venturing to various states to coach for a minimum of six weeks.

Jake Ball, 18, from Kirkby-in-Ashfield and currently in his second year of a Sports Coaching National Diploma, explains, “The College made me aware of the coaching opportunity after inviting various soccer camps in to speak with us. Following this initial trip to America I would ideally like to gain a scholarship out there, something that all of my tutors have been working really hard to make a possibility. The experience should be fantastic and will give us a great sense of independence as we’re all going to different parts of the country; I’ve been allocated a camp at Rhode Island.”

Oliver Ridgway, 20, from Renishaw, a first year National Diploma in Sport student, remarks, “I knew someone who had taken part in something similar and decided to investigate it further via the soccer camp’s website. Things went from there really and the fact that College staff were heavily involved really helped me in terms of organising what the trip required. The programme is great, whilst we’re out there we earn a weekly wage, are supplied with food, accommodation and travel. I’ve been allocated a space in Seattle and I can’t wait to go!”

Neil Cluxton, Sports Lecturer at Chesterfield College, explains, “Fellow Lecturer, Ryan Bullock and I have been working closely with a number of coaching organisations both in this country and abroad to create a passage of progression for our NVQ level 2&3 coaching students to gain employment into the coaching industry.

These students are the second wave to go to the USA after Ashley set the ball rolling last summer completing a successful 10 week contract. The fact he had the character to take this opportunity last summer and work with Challenger Sports in the USA has encouraged further students to grasp this life changing experience.”

Youth Sector Development Fund launches at Clowne Campus

Chesterfield College’s Clowne campus has played host to the launch of Sporting Futures project in the Bolsover area. Working closely with the College’s Further Education Sports Co-ordination team, the project aims to raise participation in sport and recreational activities in the district in an effort to keep young people off the streets and out of trouble.

An exciting array of activities was on offer throughout the launch, which was attended by schools from throughout the region. Activity groups including extreme three-wheeled pedal bikes, rock climbing, martial arts, football and dance were available for the schoolchildren to try out. Information on how to join each of the groups and many more activities was also available from Sporting Futures and College staff as well as College students who helped out on the day.

Healthy Bridget already a winner in 2010

2010 is already a winning year Bridget after she won a free gym membership as part of a Derbyshire Dales District Council competition.

To read all about how you can also be a winner and to read Bridget's story click here...