February 2012 Archives

Scouts celebrate anniversary with a bang!

Posted by Blyth Valley Scouts on Feb 29, 12 08:41 PM in Clubs/Societies

BlythValleyScoutsGangShowCast

Over the February half term over 60 youngsters from the local area took to the stage to present the Blyth Valley Scouts Gang Show. The Scouts put on 6 performances from the
14th - 18th February at The Phoenix Theatre in Blyth.

The Cubs, Scouts and Explorers performed a wide range of musical numbers, packed full of song and dance, along with the traditional comedy sketches. The show included a sunny and upbeat 'holiday' section, along with a majestic 'Fire' number. There was also a number based on eighties music, the scouts very own take on the Dr Who theme and a Lady Gaga spectacular.

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The Northumberland Knightflyers shoot 85% from the field to defeat the YMCA Thunder.

Posted by Alan Hoyle on Feb 17, 12 01:34 PM in Bloggers

The YMCA Thunder opened their season against the league leading Northumberland Knightflyers. The Knightflyers, who came into the game with a two game winning streak, came into the game looking to extend their winning streak.

The Knightflyers won the top off and quickly scored the games first basket, however the Thunder quickly scored the games second basket behind a turn around jump shot by Conor Hakin.

The Knightflyers have strugged throughout the last two seasons during the first quarter, however it seemed that the curse has been broken as the Knightflyers quickly took control of the tempo of the game as the first quarter ended with a 34 - 6 Knightflyers lead.

The Knightflyers continued to control the tempo of the game, however the Thunder kept on fighting and played a fantastic game of Basketball.

'Considering that this is the first time the Thunder have played and the team haven't trained since early December, the Thunder did fantastic. The team was missing some players which could have been a problem, however everybody played a clean, solid game of Basketball where there was no foul trouble on either team.' Said Knightflyers head coach, Alan Hoyle 'The Knightflyers came out strong and played hard throughout the game, regardless of the score, I am really proud of our team, we have had a rough ride to reach where we are now, but everything is coming together, we have a great team on and off the court, everybody knows their role within the team and played it to near perfection.'

Near perfection it was, collectively the Knightflyers shot an amazing 82% from the field.

'There is little you can do to stop a team when everybody has the hot shooting hand' said Isobelle Gibson, head coach of the Thunder 'But I am so pleased with the effort the Thunder put into the game, everybody played really well and it was a great starting point.'

The Thunder was lead by Joe Philips, who scored 9 points, whilst handing out 4 assists and pulled down 5 rebounds.
'Joe has been coming along to the Knightflyers session and it showed' Added Isobelle.

The Knightflyers were lead by Callum Wingfield. Callum scored a league high 52 points, while adding 13 assists, 13 rebounds, 11 assists and 12 steals. Jonny May and Jake Watson also had season highs for the Knightflyers with 17 and 24 points respectively, whilst Glenn Armstrong had a season high 14 steals.

'The whole team played great, there were very few mistakes from any of our players' Said Alan 'Every Knightflyer played fantastic, we crashed the boards, made our shots, our passing was fantastic, our defence was the best we have played this season. If we play like that every game, nobody will be able to compete with us.'

The Thunder will next face the Blyth Renegades, while the Knightflyers will play LTU.

For more information about Aspire 2 Achieve please visit http://www.aspire2achieve.org.uk

LTU defeat the Blyth Renegades.

Posted by Alan Hoyle on Feb 17, 12 01:31 PM in Bloggers

The Blyth Renegades hosted LTU for their third game of the season, and as with the last two games, the Renegades came out strong, taking the lead after the first quarter.

The second quarter saw a change in LTU, who appeared to suffer an injury in the first quarter, as the team came out strong and fought for every rebound on both ends of the court.

With the Renegades having a smaller team, LTU suddenly took control of the tempo of the game and started to cruise to a 30 point lead heading into the third quarter.

The forth quarter saw more of the same, with the Renegades only having two subs and then two players fouling out the Renegades fought hard and got LTU into foul trouble, but it was too little too late as LTU continued to dominate on both ends of the court, lead by Donatas Aukstuolis who scored a league high 37 points, to go with 16 rebounds while the Renegades were lead by John Paul Coxon, who scored a season high 13 points while handing out a season high 7 assists.

LTU will next face off against the league leading Northumberland Knightflyers, while the Renegades will face the YMCA Thunder.

For more information about Aspire 2 Achieve please visit http://www.aspire2achieve.org.uk

Creative Sessions for Disabled Children

Posted by Headway Arts on Feb 8, 12 04:43 PM in Bloggers

To celebrate the success of Aiming High with Disabled Children, Headway Arts will be running three fun days of creativity for disabled children and young people living in Northumberland.
Participants will work together to create a show to be performed to family and friends on the Thursday afternoon.
The "We're Aiming High" sessions will take place at Collingwood School, Morpeth, on Tuesday 14th, Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th February from 10.30am to 3pm.
The sessions cost £5 per day, which includes a healthy drink and snacks. Transport through WATBUS can also be arranged when booking.
There are a few places left so if you would like to attend please contact Headway Arts on 01670 351962 or HeadwayT@aol.com. Places must be booked in advance, and participants should bring a carer or supporter if required.

Members of "Blast Off" creative sessions for disabled children and young people which run monthly on Saturdays - get in touch for more info!

Aspire 2 Achieve plans on taking the Olympic Festival in Alnwick to new heights!

Posted by Alan Hoyle on Feb 2, 12 02:07 PM in Bloggers

With just 176 days to go until the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Aspire 2 Achieve revealed some of their plans for the Olympics today.

'The festival in Alnwick to celebrate the Olympic Torch coming through the town is such a great idea' said Aspire 2 Achieve Co-Founder, Alan Hoyle 'And for Aspire 2 Achieve to be able to be part of the build up to this historic event is such an honour.'

Aspire 2 Achieve will 'tip off' all Olympic celebrations at 1pm, June 10th at the Willowburn Sportscentre in Alnwick with the Aspire 2 Achieve Olympic Activities Showcase, featuring the unrivalled Aspire 2 Achieve Basketball Programme along with Video Games Design, Fine and Gross Motor Skills Development, Greenwood Work, Brazilian Soccer, Street Dancing and much more. Also featuring at this event are the Hunter Theatre Arts Cheerleaders and the Daleks from the hit BBC show, Doctor Who.

At 2pm on the same day the Aspire 2 Achieve Northumberland All Star Game will tip off, featuring the best players in Northumberland, the game promises high flying, quality Basketball action! The All Star game is the first every All Star Basketball game which will be hosted in Northumberland.

Entry to this event will cost £2 per visitor and promises to start off Alnwick's Olympic celebrations in style.

'The whole day will be fun for the whole family, with all the different events we have going on, there will be something new for everybody to try, along with the cheer leading group and of course the Daleks and the All Star game, we are hoping to put on an entertaining show for people of all ages.'

On June 13th, at 7pm, once more at the Willowburn, Aspire 2 Achieve Basketball Clubs, the Northumberland Knightflyers, Blyth Renegades, L.T.U, YMCA Thunder, Sassco Lightning and Alnwick Warriors will take to the court to attempt to break two Guinness world records.

Taking place on June 14th, Aspire 2 Achieve will be at Alnwick Market Place to put on a special Basketball display, once again, a first for Northumberland. Players from the Aspire 2 Achieve Basketball League will be switching the hardwood for trampolines as the Aspire 2 Achieve Aerial Squad take to the air to excite the crowds with a dazzling display of high flying slam dunks.

Finally on June 15th the Olympic Torch will travel through Alnwick, does Aspire 2 Achieve have surprises left for this historic day? Stay turned.