Blyth youngsters are being given the opportunity to learn a valuable lesson as they are encouraged to start looking after the pennies.
Pupils at Morpeth Road Primary School are being offered advice they can really count on by CUSEN as the Northumberland-based Credit Union introduces its School Savings Club to the youngsters.
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
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
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.
The Chief Executive of a telephone advice service is urging anyone from Blyth struggling with legal or financial problems to pick up the phone and join the hundreds of people from the town who have already turned their lives around by asking for help.
The Northumberland Single Telephone Advice Line, which was launched in autumn 2010, is now receiving on average 400 calls a month with around 50 calls being referred to the Blyth Citizens Advice Bureau(CAB) for further assistance.
Game Two of the Aspire 2 Achieve Northumberland Basketball League featured the same two teams as game gne, but the similarities ended there.
The Northumberland Knightflyers, who struggled during the first half of game one, came out strong at the start of the game, took a quick lead and then never gave up the pace. The game ended with a 62 - 22 point final score.
'We have struggled in the first half for the last year' said Knightflyers Head Coach, Alan Hoyle 'Our main focus for this game was to apply the defensive pressure early and let the offence come to us. We normally over think our strategies early and let our nerves take over, but today's game marked a huge improvement in our performance, we just need to keep it up for the rest of the season.'
2010-11 MVP Callum Wingfield lead all scorers with 13 points, while picking up his second triple double of the season with 11 assists and 10 rebounds to go with 6 steals.
League scoring leader, Adam Coxon scored 7 points to lead the injured and flu ridden Renegades, who all struggled from the field shooting a total of 31% as a team, while the Knightflyers shot 69%.
The duo of Ian Moffat and Simon Pound gave the Knightflyers a boost on the inside as the two combined for 12 points, 7 assists, 8 steals, 4 blocks and 29 rebounds, while the Renegades struggled rebounding with a team total of 19.
Next up for both teams is LTU who have the largest line up in the league.
For more information about the Aspire 2 Achieve Northumberland Basketball League please visit http://www.aspire2achieve.org.uk
Reader Ian Watkins sent this great picture of dawn over Blyth's south beach.
Send your pictures in to northumberland@ncjmedia.co.uk
Reader Ian Watkins sent this great picture of dawn over Blyth's south beach.
Send your pictures in to northumberland@ncjmedia.co.uk
With the unfortunate situation of a number of local Extended Services now closing, Aspire 2 Achieve are now offering an ever growing range of After School activities, which aim to provide students in Northumberland with a number of different opportunities to learn whilst having fun.
Aspire 2 Achieve is a Northumberland based organisation whose prime purpose is to raise the awareness, confidence and productivity of youths in the area via the medium of sport and other various fun and challenging activities.
All Aspire 2 Achieve activities are tailored specifically to meet the needs and abilities of the participants. The overriding theme of each activity is to provide a healthy, positive activity that encourages each individual to learn whilst having fun.
After School activates offer a wide range of benefits to the participants, including increased level of confidence, self esteem and discipline, socialising with pupils from different classes and year groups, trying out different activities, to name just a few.
'We are really excited to offer this range of activities to schools and community groups in Northumberland.' Said Aspire 2 Achieve Co-Founder Alan Hoyle 'Every activity is exciting, fun and will really get the people involved thinking and working together as a team.'
Currently Aspire 2 Achieve are offering ten after school activities, details of which can be found below :
Basketball Coaching - With Alan Hoyle and Isobelle Gibson.
Take to the Basketball court with our unrivalled Basketball Coaching programme! Both Alan and Isobelle have experience with coaching basketball in Northumberland and other areas in the UK. Their unique experience of training with the six time world champions, the Chicago Bulls and the Minnesota Timberwolves allows them to offer an unmatched and unique training programme to people of all ages and abilities.
Recommended Age : All Ages.
Basketball Statistics Course - With Alan Hoyle.
Take in the sights and sounds of some of the greatest games in Basketball history! Learn how to recognise, record and store Basketball statistics in this interesting course. Watch and analyse some of the greatest players in the world, whilst learning valuable skills to be used on and off the court, including Mathematics and English.
Recommended Age : 12+
An introduction to Video Game Design - With Alan Hoyle. (Free Software included.)
Use Mathematics, English, ICT and Graphic design to create your very own Video Game! This introduction course will teach young people the basics of creating video games using a simple click and create interface. This course will take participants from a blank canvas to an actual, fully playable gaming creation, the possibilities are endless!
Recommended Age : 6+
Fine and Gross Motor Skills Development - With Isobelle Gibson.
Gross Motor Activities are an essential part of every child's life. Through play, children should be developing their gross motor skills to prepare them for the demands of school such as handwriting, concentrating, following instructions, sport skills and team work. Staying active through gross motor exercise can also help children avoid the pitfall of obesity that can come through inactivity.
Recommended Ages : 3+
An introduction to Indian Cuisine - With Jasvinder Dehil.
Experience the exciting sights, tastes and smells of authentic Indian Cuisine! Learn how to create your very own authentic Indian cuisine.
Recommended Age : 6 +
Greenwood Work - With Simon Rippon.
Greenwood Work is the exciting craft of making useful and beautiful objects from green or newly cut wood.
Greenwood Work links the children to a pre-electricity, pre-plastic and largely self sufficient world where life's necessities were supplied locally using the materials to be found near at hand.
Recommended Age : 6+
Brazilian Soccer - With Tony Threlfall.
Fast paced and fun football sessions! Brazilian Soccer illustrates that the dreams of any football fan, combined with practice and a unique devotion to the ball, can produce players with previously unseen levels of technical and physical ability.
Recommended Age : 4+
Northumberland Countryside Experience - With Kevin Dawson.
Experience the wonderful Northumberland Countryside like never before!
The Northumbrian Countryside Experience is the ultimate countryside experience because it not only provides you a picturesque environment in which to enjoy the activities but this is backed up with excellent tuition which can cater for any level of experience from novice to experienced.
This breathtaking experience will show you the wonders of Northumberland like never before!
Recommended Age : 4+
Freestyle Dance - With Carol Gray
This exciting course offers various styles of dancing combined with gymnastics to create an unique freestyle dance which captures the imagination of everybody taking part.
Recommended Age : 4+
Bowls : It's not just for Grannies and Grand dads! - With Michael Grant
Bowls is a sport for everyone, but is highly challenging and combines not only physical skill but mental strategy. It can be said that the sport can be learnt in minutes and takes a lifetime to master.
Recommended Age : 5+
Whatever activity you may choose, wherever your location is, Aspire 2 Achieve will provide your school or other organisation with exactly what you require.
For more information on Aspire 2 Achieve, or to book an activity, please visit http://www.aspire2achieve.org.uk.
The Aspire 2 Achieve Basketball League tipped off on Sunday 27th November at Blyth Sportscentre. The first game of the new league featured the Blyth Renegades and the Northumberland Knightflyers with cheer leader support from the HTA Cheerleading group.
With over one hundred spectators at the game, the sports hall was buzzing with excitement for the start of the game, the Blyth Renegades won the tip but neither team seemed to be able to score as the game went scoreless for the first 2 minutes.
The Renegades scored the first basket of the game and lead by as many as 12 points in the first quarter, with Adam Coxon leading the way for the Renegades with 8 straight points, including back to back three pointers.
Finally after 14 straight misses the Northumberland Knightflyers finally put some points on the board and turned up the defensive pressure, however the Renegades kept on playing their game and maintained the lead behind a complete team effort on offence.
The 3rd quarter saw the Knightflyers start to take control of the game, behind a fantastic defensive effort, including 9 steals from the 2010/11 Most Valuable Player, Callum Wingfield.
The 4th quarter was the reverse of the 1st, as the Knightflyers took an commanding lead, the Renegades fought back, but the Knightflyers took control of the tempo of the game, with Glenn Armstrong scoring 8 of his 12 points in the 4th quarter alone.
'It was an amazing start to our new League' said Aspire 2 Achieve Co-Founder Alan Hoyle 'The turn out was fantastic, it was the biggest crowd I've seen for a local league Basketball game in a long time, I think we put on a good show for everybody. Both teams were a little nervous at the start, but after the first couple of possessions the game moved up to another level, the players on both teams played fantastic, the cheerleaders did a great job, the referee and official were great, we couldnt have asked for a better start to our league.'
One spectator, Mr Gill, agrees 'The set up of the whole event was something you would expect State side, I have never witnessed such an entertaining Basketball game in England, I cannot wait till the next game!'
Another spectator added 'This is exactly what Basketball needs! I came to the game with my son with little interest in the sport, I have left a fan.'
'It is great to get such positive feedback, we wanted to show people how fun the game of Basketball can be, it is a sport which anybody can play or just come along to watch and enjoy, it was a fantastic experience to see the people of my home town come out and thoroughly enjoy the game. Said Alan '...But just wait till the All Star game!'
The Blyth Renegades train each Sunday, 4pm at Blyth Sportscentre, the Northumberland Knightflyers train each Friday, 7pm at Coquet High in Amble. Players of any ages and abilities are welcome to either session.
Blyth Links
Wildlife - With Conservation Officer Kevin O'Hara
Ronnie Campbell - MP for Blyth Valley
Blyth Valley Scouts - Stu Bennett
Alan Hoyle - Basketball and local news
Blyth All-Weather Lifeboat - Barry Elliott
Jo Edwards - Local issues and news
John Dawson - History tales
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