GYSLT Top Tips for Self-Care

Turn up the music!

Something you can do to improve your mood now: turn on that music and turn it up loud. Dance around the house and move. A powerful tool for shaking off a bad mood.

Treat yourself

Eat the treat! It’s all about moderation, fit your food into a healthy lifestyle and enjoy it. Eating healthily and enjoying a treat now and then means you are less likely to overdo it!

Get in the kitchen and cook.

Sending the time to make a nourishing and healthy meal can actually have a positive impact on mind and body.You’ll find it may encourage you to explore more healthy recipes. 

Get a massage (be aware of Covid-19 advice on this)

At a spa, from your partner, a local beauty salon or an at home therapist – massage is a great way to take care of your body (and slots into ‘you’ time that I think should be happening every week)

Put aside some ‘you’ time

An hour once or twice a week – schedule in a little relaxation time! If you struggle to give yourself a breather and are weighed under a workload this is a great thing to schedule and stick to. Go somewhere relaxing, meditate, do a yoga class… the only rule... no phones allowed.

Screen time ban

Set boundaries with your phone and create some ‘no phone zones’ in your life! Set aside time in your day to unplug from technology and be fully present.

Breathe

Life is just too fast. Pause for a moment right now and close your eyes to take a few deep, cleansing breaths – make some space.

Move it

The very core of what we are about – moving, exercise is so important daily, it doesn’t have to be strenuous – do whatever you feel like doing. Swimming, walking, jumping, marching in front of the TV, yoga, weightlifting, HIIT - you’ll never regret exercise.

Cliffside Royalettes receive funding for equipment and training kit.

DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS, WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS.  

Photo Credit: Cliffside Royalettes

It’s that time again, and we are thrilled to announce the latest recipient of one of our grants. The Cliffside-Royalettes, a BBTSA twirling troupe, based in Gorleston, Great Yarmouth.

They currently have 14 members and have been a part of the community for 40 years, training regularly at Cliff Park High School and a club with community spirit at the heart of what it does. 

The funds will go towards the purchase of equipment and training kit, allowing the troupe to not only train and practice but to enter national competitions.

Their members regularly meet with other baton twirlers from around Norfolk at regular training sessions and equipment is often shared. The purchase of more kits means they will be able to accommodate more members and continue to operate within the community, as they have for the last 40 years.

“Many members have been involved for over 10 years and this is a regular source of fitness and activity for everyone involved” - Susan McWilliam, Chairperson. 

You can follow the team’s progress here

If you are part of a fantastic team in our borough and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in September 2020.

East Anglia Gymnastics Receive Funding for Acropad Air Slopes

DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS, WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS. 

We are delighted to announce another round of funding awarded pre-lockdown for June 2020. The very talented and dedicated team at East Anglia Gymnastics.

Running since March 2019, they run gymnastics classes for all ages and abilities with a current, 230 members!

The funding provided has contributed towards Acropad air slopes. These help with forward and backwards walkovers, hand springs, flicks, ariels and other acro tricks. 

Having this standard of kit helps us attract older children to stay in sport and keep active into adulthood. This will mean the gymnasts can achieve skills they haven’t previously been able to; and all of our club members love using it!

"Our vision is to help children build confidence and achieve things they once didn’t think was possible and with your help we will be one step closer to achieving their goals." ~ Benjamin Walker, Director.

You can follow the team on Facebook and Instagram and we are hoping to see some of those acro tricks in motion soon.

If you are part of an amazing team in our borough and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in September 2020.

Cliff Park Comets Receive Funding for International Competitive Racing

DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS, WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS.

Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, it’s the Cliff Park Comets!

We are thrilled to announce our latest round of funding has been awarded to a very ambitious and worthwhile team: The Cliff Park Comets. The talented student team from Cliff Park Academy have received our latest funding to help support their build and race initiative.

The project allows students to learn, build and race self-built electric cars (within certain specifications) to compete in an international race series alongside other schools involved in the initiative.

The contribution from the Trust will allow the team to have a competitive edge, which sits well with our ambition to help grow youth interest in sport in all its forms.

“This vital grant will go towards the development of the car for the coming season, allowing us to purchase vital new parts to make the car more competitive," said Nick Herridge.

You can follow their progress here and on social media. 

If you are part of an amazing team in our borough and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in September 2020.

Winterton Cricket Club receives our latest grant

DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS, WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS. WHILE YOU AND YOUR TEAMS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MEET IN PERSON, PLEASE #STAYHOMESTAYACTIVE. 

Winterton Cricket Club receives our latest grant.

We are delighted to announce our latest grant recipient: Winterton Cricket Club!

The club has operated for over 30 years, offering competitive and friendly cricketing opportunities to residents. Usually operating two adult teams and a ladies team at the weekend, the club plays league and friendly fixtures, as well as two junior teams during the week. In recent years the club has grown significantly, with over 75 adults members and around 20 juniors, bucking the trend of local participation for many clubs.

Providing these opportunities in a small, rural catchment is crucial because sport in the local area has declined. However, the club has managed to become sustainable and grow its ladies and junior sections. 

'The funds will have an instant and long term positive impact on our club,' said Ben Utting, Chairman of the Cricket Club. "Helping to fund a batting cage that can be transported onto the club's pitch to increase participation in netting and practice sessions for the ladies, adult and junior teams, who will train with specialist coaches. It is a galvanised steel cage with netting, that allows for safe and secure practice, instead of the netting currently used (which was sadly subject to vandalism)."

The grant will help increase the number of practice sessions, encouraging more people to attend in a safe and secure environment for players of all ages and ability to participate.

You can follow their progress here and on social media.

If you are part of an amazing sports team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in May 2020.

Stay Home Stay Active

#stayhomestayactive

During these turbulent times, we are pleased to see the government supporting the sports sector response to keep children and families active and healthy during the COVID-19 crisis. 

This is a virtual, weekly sport and physical activity programme to ensure children are staying active throughout the period of school closures.

There’s a workforce of more than 450 trusted leaders of PE programmes who will be providing online activities and easily accessible online content to ensure children are getting their 60 active minutes a day - in line with the chief medical officer’s guidance.

Headed by Sport England and children’s charity The Youth Sport Trust this is now a key initiative to bring the sector together and maximise their impact together.

The weekly programme will include an array of fitness activities including personal challenges, online contests, problem-solving games and those which support mindfulness, 

The programme aims to be fun and engaging; as well as easy to navigate the daily content from well-known figures in this area such as Joe Wicks The Body Coach, organisations like the Premier League and the national governing bodies of sport.

The weekly programme and all resources will be made available here: www.yourschoolgames.com and we will keep you updated as to when this is released.

In the meantime we can recommend:

• Joe Wicks live PE classes on YouTube Monday - Friday for the foreseeable (all classes are available after too)

• Cosmicyogakids - great for little ones and adults alike!

• In our region, ActiveNorfolk for keeping you and your family active in the safety of your own home.

Image credit: Your School Games

Great Yarmouth Sea Cadets receives funding for new branded kit

During the Covid-19 crisis, we are still accepting applications. Whilst you and your teams may not be able to meet in person, please #StayHomeStayActive.

We are thrilled to announce a grant has been made to the Great Yarmouth Sea Cadets to purchase new football kits.

The Great Yarmouth Sea Cadets are hoping to encourage more cadets to participate in football competitions by providing an official football kit. The Sea Cadets are a youth charity focused on maritime fun and adventure for young people aged 10-17, based on the traditions and regulations of the Royal Navy.

With 26 cadets, the grant will go towards paying for a brand-new football kit for both districts and are football competitions. They have never had an official kit meaning previous competitions have been played in old unit t-shirts making them feel and look unprofessional and out of place. This funding will not only help to provide the kit but change mindsets allowing the cadets to look the part and feel part of a unified team.

“We participate in these competitions every year but have never been able to afford a new kit for the cadets that work so hard all year round. We hope the new kit will encourage more cadets to participate who wouldn’t normally” Lydia Chilvers, Officer in Charge.

If you are part of an amazing sports or community team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, then we are taking applications for awarding in May 2020.

Update from the Trust

We’ve been working hard over the past year to reach communities, teams and individuals in the borough of Great Yarmouth, and need your help to reach more. The Trust has granted funds to football clubs, basketball teams, gymnastics clubs, boxing clubs, schools, running groups and carers in the community encouraging the community to get active. The funds are for kit, equipment, marketing costs or maintenance of facilities.

To give an idea of how our funding has helped in our borough, we have collated those who have successfully received grants. We hope you enjoy reading the full stories.

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Flegg High Parkrun: We are pleased to announce that we have supported what we hope will be a fabulous venture: the Flegg High parkrun. To set up a parkrun requires funds, so whilst we have provided funding, we would love to help them reach their target with your support.

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Spartans Amateur Boxing Club: The grant was used to purchase specialist equipment that allows young boxers to compete to required AIBA equipment standards. These items will allow all their boxers to compete at the highest level and at national boxing events.

"The funding is a fantastic contribution to the club as it will be spent on extra equipment for the ever-growing number of young children joining Spartans ABC."

“The funding bought boxing gloves and head-guards so more members can be involved in boxing shows.”

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Yarmouth Football Club: Funding to support a new girls football club will increase opportunities for younger girls to get active in Great Yarmouth. The planned purchase list includes cones, bibs, balls and a new training software called ‘dribble up’, which is a fun and interactive way of developing ball skills.

“Having the money to invest in training facilities allows us to attract more local young people as we can provide high quality football coaching that is engaging and specific to their needs.”

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East Norfolk Sixth form Basketball offers great sporting opportunities. Football is a big part of the college, and they are looking to diversify to attract other students into a different sport. The college is trying to grow the Basketball Club, which currently has between 12-15 students who regularly take part in Basketball training sessions at the college.

The grant will be for new branded kit as the team are now playing in regular fixtures, but only have an old very limited basketball kit. The grant will also help to provide the team with new balls for matches and training sessions. This means the small team can grow next year as the new equipment and kit will help to recruit new players from September 2019.

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Hopton Primary School PTA:  The children were playing football matches in their PE kit, and it was felt that funding for proper kit would encourage those who don't participate in sport to do so outside of school hours. Some families can't commit to rigid training and games being held at the weekends. These children would have the opportunity of belonging to a school team, and the proper kits would help achieve this.

Mr Petersen from the school said: “The 'buzz' around football games is palpable with children so keen to know which number they are going to have and where they are going to play. The children look so smart, and it has made a difference in their confidence and sense of belonging."

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Air Training Corps No 221: is a charity connected to the Royal Air Force. The squadron helps young people aged 12-21 to become better leaders, sportspeople and promote a spirit of adventure. The 29 members are mainly from the local area of Great Yarmouth.

 "We had an old outdated batch of t-shirts to play sports in. With new sportswear we can encourage more members from the community to join, and it will increase team spirit and motivation."

With new kit, the group will actively push more sporting activities weekly to encourage a healthier lifestyle and promote wellbeing.

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Willow Tree Works provides a variety of activities for adults and children with additional needs. The activities include gardening, catering, DIY skills development and fitness and healthy eating programmes. Willow Tree Works is setting up a new fitness class which is open to learners and the wider community. The funds from GYSLT will provide specific fitness equipment for a new fitness session. The learners have access to a developing selection of activities which gives them a sense of purpose, increasing their skills base and allowing them to integrate not only with their peers but also working towards a healthier lifestyle. 

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Caister Football Club: Received an extra boost to its attempts to improve the playing field with a £500 award from Great Yarmouth Sport and Leisure Trust. This award maximised Caister FCs fundraising efforts to purchase their own ground maintenance equipment enabling people of all ages and abilities to participate in football nearer to home.

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Shrublands Junior Football Club: Shrublands JFC is a youth football club with 200+ members including one of a few girls’ teams in the area. The club was fundraising for new equipment to maintain the community club for 3-16 year olds. If you look closely, you can see the Great Yarmouth Sport and Leisure Trust logo on this brilliant team of under 14s at the Shrublands Football Club in Gorleston. 

“Fantastic investment into our club meaning we can replace old kit with new, we can't thank you enough” said the club’s spokesperson. 

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Tai Chi for health NORSUF Running Group: Established in 2016 NORSUF Running Group is a free and friendly welcoming environment for new runners. You do not have to be a runner or achieve any standard to join; everyone takes part their way. 

With funding from Great Yarmouth Sport and Leisure Trust they were able to train two volunteer Run Leaders allowing them to offer more opportunities to join our group over a wider area around the borough. Those volunteers have now completed their training and are just awaiting their licence from England Athletics before they set up groups in Caister, Bradwell and Gorleston!

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Southtown Primary School teaches 220 pupils in Great Yarmouth. We were very happy to support their application for football kit for all ages as it helps children participate far more in competitions and inter-school events. 

The school want to increase self-confidence as it gives all children a chance to play. Having a professional looking kit can’t be underestimated for children’s pride and motivation. 

Nuno in Year said “We feel proud to represent our school in our new kits. We all looked smart and it made us play better!”

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East Norfolk Gymnastics Club: We were thrilled to have been able to push East Norfolk Gymnastics Club up to the funding amount they needed to buy new equipment.

They're a community-based gymnastics club, teaching both boys and girls from the age of 5 up to 18 years old. They have 75 members and a waiting list of over 200. The funding we've contributed to helped to buy a new set of asymmetrical bars. The old bars were over 20 years old and unable to be adjusted which they need to be able to do. The new equipment will help the gymnasts to perform greater skills and linking moves between the bars with greater confidence, which will help them when they compete in competitions. 

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Revolutionary Roots: A Youth and Community Group working on various projects across the borough of Great Yarmouth. The group applied to the Trust for funds towards sports equipment which will aid holistically against substance abuse, anti-social behaviour and criminal activity. 

As well as working with mainstream young people the charity also helps other members of the community by: Working with young people to get involved in sport and physical activity and lessening boredom and anti-social behaviour, instead empowering towards personal development

The charities ethos is about running cost effective sessions across the borough, and the funding has enabled them to offer sessions out to other groups to utilise their equipment with the instructor.

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If you are part of an amazing sports team or an individual and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, then we are taking applications for awarding in May 2020.

Let’s get moving!

We all know that exercise is good for you, keeps you active, keeps weight in check, makes you stronger, healthier and all those other good things. For us, the fact that it can make you a happier person is the biggest motivation to get up and active. So with our hashtag #getGYactive in mind, we have compiled some of our favourite benefits of moving more.

A good work out and staying active on a regular basis, you’ll notice, makes you feel better, less anxious and generally happier.

1. The release of ‘happy’ chemicals in your brain.

Dopamine, a chemical that plays a role in happiness, is a neurotransmitter in the brain that’s necessary for feelings of pleasure and happiness.

So, increase dopamine production with exercise, jump, run, disco, parkrun, walk, swim however you do it and whatever you do, make sure it makes you happy!

2. It reduces stress and anxiety

Not only will working out ease stress in the short term by helping you sweat out the day's worries, but regular exercise will also help you become less stressed out in the long term as well.

That’s because when you exercise, you’re subjecting yourself to a low-level form of stress by raising your heart rate and triggering a burst of hormonal changes. When you subject yourself to the stress of exercise enough, your body will eventually get better at handling the rest of life's stressors. Less stress equals a happier, healthier life.

3. It energises you!

Even on the days where you feel like you can’t move from the sofa; you’re tired from a long day and the last thing you want to do is exercise - it’s at that point you need to muster your energy because you’re very likely to feel MORE energised by going and getting all those feel-good chemicals running. More energy equals greater happiness.

4. It’s a confidence booster

We all have body hang-ups and when you don’t feel good about yourself it’s all too easy to impact on your self-esteem. In turn, this can have a negative impact on so many areas of your life – relationships, career, friendships, goals and dreams. However, we believe that with exercise and dedication seeing transformation will not only improve your relationship with your body but help you feel stronger, more confident and more in charge of your goals.

5. It eases anxiety

If you suffer from anxiety, exercise can support relief from it.

Studies* show that in people suffering from anxiety the immediate boost from exercise is followed by longer-term relief on a par with some mediation and therapies. So, if you feel anxious, try a gentle work out and see if it helps to boost your

6. Sleep

If you have trouble sleeping exercise can help with that. Rather than reaching for medication, staying active and exercising regularly has been shown to improve sleep for those with sleep disorders.

7. Connecting with people – doing group or team activities can help you meet new and like-minded people and make new friends.

Thanks to mind.org.uk for the source of information regarding anxiety and NHS.uk for information on hormone release and depression/stress studies.

GYSLT have contributed to the funding pot to support the Flegg High Parkrun

We are pleased to announce that we have supported what we hope will be a fabulous venture: the Flegg High parkrun. To set up a parkrun requires funds, so whilst we have provided funding, we would love to help them reach their target with your support. Flegg High, as part of Ormiston Academy Trust, runs a project called #iwill. This is a scheme that looks to help students to contribute to their local community.

The school is looking to host a weekly 5k parkrun as a way of promoting health and wellness in and around Martham. The students and staff hope to inspire and encourage local people by providing a venue where anyone can participate; for their health, to socialise and volunteer and contribute.

With over 250 Facebook members who want to support Flegg High parkrun we know the school is the heart of the community and stands for all that GYSLT supports. We believe it has the potential to be a staple of Martham life; bringing a community together once a week and getting people fit, feeling good and forming friendships. So far, the team heading up the project are in good communication with parkrun and are working through the requirements including measuring the course and so far, meeting parkrun requirements. However they need further support to get the scheme over the starting line.

With a wonderful start up of £1,500 allocated from their own funding pot, funding from GYSLT, a large Facebook membership and volunteers ready to be involved, the next stage of funding will get the event up and running! If this is something you would like to support and/or be involved in, then please let us know and we will put you in touch.

Flegg High hopes to start a new parkrun in 2020

A CELEBRATION OF NORFOLK’S ACTIVE COMMUNITIES

We were proud to join hundreds gathered at Open in Norwich on Thursday, November 21 to celebrate the sporting excellence and physical activity achievements of our county at the Active Norfolk Awards. 

View fullsize

ITV Anglia presenter Becky Jago played host to the crowds, who came to cheer on and support the finalists in 11 sport and physical activity categories, in what was a truly inspiring night. Here are the amazing winners of the category we sponsored, Wymondham Town United Football Club which has grown from 270 youth players in 15 teams to nearly 600 players in an amazing 27 teams. 

For the full write up (prepare to feel inspired!), please click here.

Spartans Amateur Boxing Club receives funding boost to support young boxers

We know sports clubs play a vital role in their community - not only do they help to unite different groups of people; they provide an escape from everyday life. A boxing group in Great Yarmouth is leading the way with this as it engages members in physical activity and supports young people who need self-confidence to deal with anti-social behaviour. Only opening in 2018, they already have 3 title winners under their belts!

We are thrilled to announce we have awarded funding to the wonderful boxing club the Spartans ABC. The grant was used to purchase specialist equipment that allows them to compete to required AIBA equipment standards. These items will allow all their boxers to compete at the highest level and at national boxing events.

“The funding will buy boxing gloves and head-guards so more members can be involved in boxing shows.”

“The funding is a fantastic contribution to the club as it will be spent on extra equipment for the ever-growing number of young children joining Spartans ABC. We have a large number of enthusiastic, talented and aspiring young boxers and the funding will buy boxing gloves and head-guards so more members can be involved in boxing shows which we actively participate in on a weekly basis, across the country,” said coach Tony Norman.

If you are part of an amazing sports team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, then we are taking applications for awarding in February 2020.

Great Yarmouth Girls Football

With the success of England’s The Lionesses, we are seeing huge leaps and bounds in female football. We are therefore incredibly excited to announce that our latest approved funding will be going to Yarmouth Football Club, a new girls football club to promote the women’s and girl’s game; increasing opportunities for younger girls to get active in the Great Yarmouth area. With weekly training and participation in a competitive league they are a very exciting endeavour we look forward to supporting.

Despite being relatively new they already have 14 players signed up and 5 committed committee members!

The funding will allow the club to purchase new training equipment for their weekly training sessions. Fundamentally, this will not only support the needs of the start up but boost the quality of training the girls undertake. The planned purchase list includes cones, bibs, balls and a new training software called ‘dribble up’, which is a fun and interactive way of developing ball skills!

“Having the money to invest in training facilities allows us to attract more local young people as we can provide high quality football coaching that is engaging and specific to their needs. With the equipment that we intend to buy, we will be able to run activities involving more people as we will have more balls or more cones to mark out a larger number of work zones. It also gives our members a sense of pride in their club as we will be able to provide facilities that other clubs offer.

Lastly, it will allow us to continue to grow our coaching team as we can offer the tools most coaches look for when joining a club. This in turn will help us to achieve a club development plan and continue to strengthen the quality of coaching that we offer at our club,” said Glen Joyce, Chairman.

We can’t wait to see what these girls achieve, and we are so excited that our funding will have such an impact on their club, giving them stepping-stone needed to continue developing and to maintain maximum engagement with their members who are all aged 9-12 years of age.

If you are part of an amazing sports team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, then we are taking applications for awarding in February 2020.

Stock image: Pexels

Health Benefits of Regular Exercise

Exercise boosts immunity

If you are looking to boost your immune system this cold season, by exercising regularly there’s a good chance you won’t just be helping your mind and body, but you’ll be helping to boost your immune system too. Numerous studies* suggest that by exercising just a few times a week you can reduce the number of colds you get every year. Exercise not only keeps you healthier but actually can help the body fight off harmful diseases and keep the common cold at bay. The research is ongoing, but this is what we know about the positive impact exercise can have.

How Exercise Boosts the Immune System

By exercising weekly or regularly, there are a number of benefits to the body. Exercise strengthens the heart and allows you to pump more blood throughout your body when you get moving. Your lungs in turn improve their oxygenation process and your muscles strengthen. Well, your immune system is no different. It has been found that exercise provides a boost to the cells in your body that attack bacteria… and appear to work more slowly in those who exercise less or not at all.

Exercising Too Much Can Hurt Your Immune System

It’s also important to remember that balance is very important. You can have a detrimental impact on your immune system if you don’t give your body enough rest. For example, if you are doing a lot of exercise in a short period or intensely training for a marathon you can start to feel run down and tired. So, remember we always promote good health and exercise in the right moderation. Rest properly in between your work outs and don’t push yourself over capacity.

Improving Your Immune System by Exercising

You don’t have to be a super human or athlete to boost your immune system, but we recommend you exercise sensibly a few times a week or walk for half an hour each day. While it won’t make a cold vanish, studies by Forbes have shown that those who work out take fewer sick days and you are likely to make a quicker recovery.

Sources

*British Sports Journal

*WebMD

*Department of Health

We’re sponsoring the Active Norfolk Awards ‘Community Club of the Year 2019’

The Active Norfolk Awards is a night to celebrate and reward the physical activity achievements and sporting excellence of our county.

 This year, we are thrilled to announce that this year we will be sponsoring the ‘Community Club of the Year’ category.

This category will celebrate and recognise a club that has increased participation in the activity, has made a big difference to a community, or made great progress during the year and we are honoured to be amongst some wonderful sponsors, including: UEA Sportspark, Easton & Otley College, BBC Radio Norfolk, City College

Now in its 13th year, the Active Norfolk Awards (formerly the Norfolk Sports Awards), will be a night to recognise and honour those people and organisations that are helping the people of Norfolk to achieve their best, improve their health and well-being through physical activity, and those who are achieving incredible things in sport.

The awards night will be hosted at OPEN Norwich on Thursday 21st November, and with over 400 expected nominations will be a night of diverse, inspirational and heart warming stories.

We want to make sure that as many of our wonderful community clubs have the opportunity to be nominated: please make sure you nominate by the 6th October 2019 HERE.

East Norfolk Sixth Form receives funding for basketball teams branded kit

East Norfolk Sixth Form College is trying to grow the Basketball Club to provide additional sporting provision for students at the college. They currently have between 12-15 students who regularly take part in Basketball training sessions.

A new grant provided by the Trust is for new branded kit as the team are now playing in regular fixtures, but only have an old very limited basketball kit. The grant will also help to provide the team with new balls for matches and training sessions. This means the small team can grow this year as the new equipment and kit will help to recruit new players.  

Max, one of the players said: “We are thrilled to receive a new kit and can’t wait for our fixtures to start!”

If you are part of an amazing sports team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, then we are taking applications for awarding in November 2019.

Grant provides funds for fitness equipment at “paradise” Willow Tree Works

Great Yarmouth Sport and Leisure Trust are pleased to announce a grant has been made to Willow Tree Works in Belton to provide specific fitness equipment for brand new fitness sessions for people with additional needs.

In 2009 a forgotten, neglected piece of land was purchased and the volunteers at Willow Tree Works made what was a neglected area into a garden for people with additional needs. The area was dense with gorse, and all sorts of rubbish, but slowly they cleared it to produce a blank canvas.

The BBC called it ‘a little piece of paradise’ and urged the volunteers to look after this special place. And that is exactly what they have been doing ever since. Over the years it has been built from the ground up and now has classrooms, toilets, chickens and an outside area that is utilised as much as possible, from planting to dog agility workshops!

Willow Tree Works is a unique project, driven solely by the needs of those with disabilities and their carers in the Norfolk and Suffolk area. The project aims to deliver individually targeted skills-based learning that will promote employment potential, along with personal achievements and well-being. The ethos of the garden is summed up in their motto, 'growing stronger together'.

The learners have access to a developing selection of activities which gives them a sense of purpose, increasing their skills base, improving their day to day lives and allowing them to integrate not only with their peers but also working towards a healthier lifestyle. Fitness plays a large part in their ethos and activities and Willow Tree Works is setting up a new fitness class which is open to learners and the wider community. The funds from GYSLT will provide specific fitness equipment for these brand new fitness sessions.

With a high percentage of learners being considered overweight this is a fantastic opportunity for them to work on their fitness, skills and confidence especially with the equipment being provided: Reebok steps, weights and yoga mats.

There are a considerable number of children and adults in the Great Yarmouth area who have learning difficulties. Many have no access to a useful base to spend their days. The activities at Willow Tree Works deliver skills-based learning, and fitness is needed to tackle the projects. Getting fitter with the new equipment which the Trust are helping to fund will help the learners develop their skills and confidence in other projects tackled at the Garden.

If you are part of an amazing project helping your community and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, then we are taking applications for awarding in November 2019.

Check out the latest fundraising project! The Gofundme page is here

10 reasons why basketball is such a beneficial sport!

Basketball is a team sport played widely across the globe and one of the most viewed. It consists of 2 teams of five active players looking to score points against one another by throwing a ball through a 10 foot high hoop, or basket. It can be played indoors and out and the size of court, height of the basket and length of game-play can all vary according to the age and skill level of the players!

1.      As a fast moving game, it involves dribbling, defence, rebounding and shooting meaning its incredibly active, fun and an amazing workout

2.      An hour of basketball can burn up to 750 calories, and while its stop-start nature means it isn’t considered aerobic it’s a big workout to play a game whether serious or fun

3.      It improves balance and co-ordination

4.      Builds up muscle

5.      Builds up endurance

6.      As with all team sports it develops self-discipline

It’s a fantastic sport for kids and as well as being a great way to stay fit it can:

7.      Help build friendships and teach the importance of being a team player

8.      Can be played by everyone – all ages and abilities

9.      It’s an all year sport because it can be played indoors and outdoors

10.  You don’t need a full team to play – you can enjoy basketball alone (just you and a hoop!) or with two people practising dribbling and defence. Although an official game requires 10, we say the more the merrier for a fun summer activity!

Getting started with basketball

Check out your local sports centres in Great Yarmouth and associations for information on how to join a team or start your own. You can always get in contact with us to point you in the right direction.

 If you are already part of a team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, then we are taking applications for awarding in November 2019.

East Norfolk Gymnastics Club receives new asymmetrical bars

Photograph by David Woodcock

It is so great to see the asymmetrical bars being used at East Norfolk Gymnastics Club!

We were thrilled to be able to push East Norfolk Gymnastics Club up to the funding amount they needed to buy the new bars. A community-based gymnastics club based at Ormiston Academy, both boys and girls are taught from the age of 5 up to 18 years old. They have 75 members and a waiting list of over 200!⁠ ⁠

We're over the moon that the East Norfolk Gymnastics Club members can now properly use the equipment they need. If you’re a club or an individual that needs new equipment, or a coach needing kit, or maybe a new club needs marketing costs supported, we're accepting applications now from projects and individuals in the borough of Great Yarmouth, please download your application form here!

Case Study: REVOLUTIONARY ROOTS

Our Grants have been benefiting different groups and teams since April 2018. We have invested funds across 11 organisations to get new kit, buy equipment and much more.

One such beneficiary is Revolutionary Roots, a Youth and Community Group working on various projects across the borough of Great Yarmouth. The group applied to the Trust for funds towards sports equipment which will aid holistically against substance abuse, anti social behaviour and criminal activity.

As well as working with mainstream young people the charity also helps other members of the community by:

• Working with young people to get involved in sport and physical activity 

• Lessen boredom and anti social behaviour, instead empowering towards personal development

The charities ethos is about running cost effective sessions across the borough, and the funding has enabled them to offer sessions out to other groups to utilise their equipment with the instructor also. For example, Claydon Pavilion, Wicked Wednesdays Junior Youth Club were able to utilise these resources, paying only £20 for the instructor to cover the whole 2 hour session.  Cobholm community day also made use of the resources and they are happy to disseminate the activities appropriately with the instructor across any appropriate community events/ groups.

The photos have all been taken during groups, with Circus skills instructor Simon Wiseman.  Their junior instructor and volunteer, Dylan, aged 11, has completed all his Norfolk Youth Awards for volunteering this year, and was nominated for OPENS' Youth Award for volunteering 2019. Dylan attends a specialist school and this project has given him the chance to excel and be proud of his skills. He was described as demonstrating 'high levels of commitment to helping his community and making a difference' with his 'dedication and determination’. He has helped raise hundreds of pounds and is very hard-working, putting his all into everything Dylan does and always coming up with new ideas for fundraisers.

HOW OUR FUNDING IS HELPING

Heidi, who volunteers for the organisation, said "The funds have been utilised in a number of ways: First the funds were invested in circus skills equipment that can be used across all of our youth projects across the borough. This included Juggling balls, Spinning plates, Diablo's and Flower sticks. These can be used as both inside and outside activities depending on the limitations on indoor space. The second element of funding was to fund two sessions in the main town to offer something to inactive and hard to engage young adults after the main funding had run out. This has enabled us to run a further two sessions in central Great Yarmouth.”

We are accepting applications now from projects and individuals in the borough of Great Yarmouth, please download your application form here!