IN PICTURES: Sports group to build on year of success

A crowdfunding scheme to help clubs and groups apply for funding will be launched in 2016, while thousands of youngsters are expected to take part in two school sports festivals during the year.

The initiatives are being developed by county sports partnership Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, which says it has a packed calendar of events lined up for people of all abilities.

Chris Child, chief executive of Energize, said: "It's been a rewarding 12 months for us. We firmly believe there is an activity out there for everyone, regardless of whether they see themselves as 'sporty' or not.

But now Shifnal Europeans have risen from the ashes and have settled in a new home.

The football club for children from as young as three up to 16 is now thriving, and members train every weekend at the town's cricket club.

John McGlasson has taken over as chairman in recent months and the club has gone from having four youth teams to offering games for youngsters of all ages.

Mr McGlasson said: "It was the old adage with junior or grass roots football clubs volunteers come with their children and as they get to 16 or 17 and leave the clubs so do the parents.

"We've really engaged with the local community, and our partnership with Shifnal Cricket Club has been a massive help.

"The facilities they have got there just add to the attraction.

"The volunteers we have do an excellent job and we're just getting stronger and stronger.

"We do things differently because we don't just focus on individuals, we encourage every player of every age and ability.

"Our motto is inspiring better players to be better people and that is our focus."

Mr McGlasson is now coaching teams of children as young as three and four.

Richard Carless, who helps run the club, said: "With a new generation coming through the club is going from strength to strength and under the control of our new chairman we really are a club to recognise in the community now.

"We have gone from having around 4 teams playing from aged group of under 7 to under 16 to now having development football for children as young as 3 years old and having teams in nearly every age group.

"We also a fantastic girls side that needs some help to recruit new players and even a men's side too."

Last year the cricket club had a major redevelopment, with its outfield being excavated, flatted and reseeded - among other works.

"We work with many organisations to help people find the activity that gets their hearts beating faster, in both a physical and emotional sense."

The crowdfunding scheme is a joint venture between Energize and specialist online funding charity Podium Partners. Clubs, groups and organisations can now make their pitch for funding.

People looking to raise funds can create a campaign' on the site – energizestw.podiumpartners.org – explaining their aims and objectives.

Once approved, the campaign will be given a page on the site which can be promoted to the public, who are invited to make donations towards the target figure.

"It's a great new initiative and we have already had a really positive response," said Mr Child. "It could be a young athlete struggling to meet their training costs, a disabled football team who need a new kit, or a school sports coaching initiative."

Energize has also worked hard during the year to build a network of 'satellite clubs', making sport easier to access across the county. Thirty new clubs were set up in 2015, bringing the total to 72 – and one of these has just won a silver award from Sport England for best satellite clubs in the country.

Through Sportivate – a Lottery funded project which gives 14-25 year-olds access to free or subsidised coaching in a range of sports – a total of £70,000 has been invested in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin in 2015.

A new funding pot will open in January, with a particular emphasis for 2016 on more activities for women and girls, and for those aged 19 and above.

Energize is also promoting an 'Inclusively Fit' project for adults and children with disabilities which includes bursaries, club development workshops and training, and an annual celebration of achievement event.

"One of Energize's other primary aims for 2016 is to increase the number of volunteers in sports clubs," said coaching and volunteering manager Elliot Pottinger.

"We currently have just one local leader who promotes clubs' volunteer opportunities, and we want to increase this to six by March."

Preparations are now well under way for the Winter Shropshire Homes School Sport Festival, on March 1 and 2 at Shrewsbury Sports Village.

It's part of the build-up to the Winter Shropshire Homes School Sport Festival, where up to 2,000 primary and secondary pupils will compete across 25 different sporting challenges.

The winners of the School Games Has Got Talent competition will get the chance to take part in the opening ceremony of the games, which will be held at Shrewsbury Sports Village on March 1 and 2.

The festival, part of the national School Games programme, is co-ordinated by the county sports partnership Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin.

Harry Cade, youth sport manager at Energize, said: "We are looking for budding singers and bands, talented dancers, magicians, or any other kind of talented entertainers from local schools, to put themselves forward.

"Last year, we had 11 fantastic winning acts performing during the opening ceremonies of our winter and summer Shropshire Homes School Sport festivals – so we know the talent is out there.

"We want to continue to help celebrate the amazing talent that exists within the county, and give them the platform to perform in front of a large audience."

To enter the competition, acts can either send an online video link of their performance to harry.cade@energizestw.org.uk, or post a DVD to School Games Has Got Talent, Energize, Guildhall, Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury, SY3 8HQ.

Mr Cade said: "The performance should last no longer than five minutes, and all entries must be received before 6pm on January 8."

Nearly 2,000 primary and secondary pupils will compete across 25 different disciplines.

Harry Cade, youth sport manager at Energize, said: "Those competing will have already beaten the best teams and individuals which other schools in their area have to offer."

The School Games programme also has its own youth forum which helps shape, create and organise aspects of the Shropshire Homes School Sport Festival.

Mr Cade said: "The idea is that these festivals are, where possible, organised for young people by young people. This year's youth forum is made up of 22 pupils from schools across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin."

One of their roles is to come up with cross-curricular competitions which ensure as many young people as possible engage with the programme.

For example, a School Games Have Got Talent search will give pupils the chance to perform at the opening ceremony, and winners of a writing competition had the opportunity to meet British tennis coach Judy Murray when she visited the Aegon championships in Shrewsbury.

Energize also works with Shropshire companies, encouraging them to use sport and activity to improve staff motivation, and boost productivity.

A half-day conference will be held at the Guildhall in Frankwell Quay on January 28, bringing together a host of expert speakers for a 'one-stop shop' packed with advice and support.

Professor John Buckley from University Centre Shrewsbury, a leading academic in the fields of exercise, sedentary behaviour and cardiovascular health, will deliver a keynote address.

Energize has also moved into a new base in the Guildhall in Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury.

Its annual awards ceremony celebrating the efforts of those taking part in sport, and those who give their time to coach and volunteer was held at Shrewsbury Town FC's Greenhous Meadow in November.

Chris Hinks, chairman of Tennis Shropshire, was one of the big winners at the 2015 Energize Awards, backed by the Shropshire Star.

The former chairman of High Ercall Tennis Club picked up the Volunteer of the Year award.

Other winners included Bridgnorth Rugby Club, named Community Club of the year to top a season which saw them reach a Twickenham final.

Young golfers Jack Dirkin from Telford, Emily Price from Cleobury Mortimer – alongside Hawkstone Park's Ashley Chesters who performed so well at The Open championship in 2015 – were also rewarded at the event, where England's Rugby World Cup winner Neil Back was guest speaker.

Ken Jones of Dudleston Heath won the Outstanding Contribution award for tireless service to the village football club, and there were trophies too for Shrewsbury cricket coach Louise Pugh, and teenager Shannon Noon from Dawley Re-active over 50s Connecting Communities programme.

The Energize awards celebrate their 10th anniversary in 2016, and there are plans to mark the milestone in style in another Olympic and Paralympic year.

Dave Sherratt, who chairs the Energize board, said: "The awards are always special, celebrating the hard work and successes of dedicated local sports people, innovative project workers and employers, and coaches and volunteers. We also salute the wider community, without whom most sports and physical activities wouldn't take place."

Find out more about the work of Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin at energizestw.org.uk