Issue 11

June 2015

SSC-zine

Southport Lions

Marcon

Marine re-name ground as

The Marine Travel Arena

SSC Sponsors

Alan Edwards

Photography

info@seftonsportscouncil.co.uk

www.seftonsportscouncil.co.uk

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Marine announces the reaching of an agreement with their main sponsor Dave Thompson, managing director of the Marine Travel Company of a nine year agreement to have the stadium named “The Marine Travel Arena” until 2024.

The football ground in College Road was known historically as Rossett Park from 1903 until 2006 when Arriva became the stadium sponsors until the end of last season. The marine travel company became front of shirt sponsors of Marine in 2012 and last year the travel company extended that agreement for a further ten years until 2024 and the agreement to name the stadium “The Marine Travel Arena” will run alongside that sponsorship for the same duration. The new name for the stadium was chosen by a Marine Travel Company employee Heather Wells who was presented with a special momento of the occasion by Marine chairman Paul Leary in the clubrooms also attended by local news, media and invited guests. The nine year stadium agreement was also signed by Dave Thompson and Paul Leary at the same event. The Marine Travel Company, is the UK's leading independent marine travel company and provides dedicated maritime travel, crew logistics, seaman fares and ships crew travel services to the Shipping and Marine industry, as well as the Oil & Gas sector.

Walking Basketball Success in Sefton

Sefton Stars Basketball introduced “Walking Basketball” to the borough several months ago and there is a thriving community of basketball play-ers on Merseyside. So much so that recently Merseyside sent a team to the first ever WB tournament in Surrey and had success as Merseyside won the competition.

Rob & Joan Porter

Jeweller, Silversmith

&

Qualified Hand

Engraver

CLUB LOGO’S Please note If your club logo is not on these pages it is for one of two reasons: We don’t have your logo Or You have not renewed your Affiliation The following clubs have re-affiliated but your club logo’s are required: Blundellsands Lawn Tennis Club, Bootle Firwood CC, Bootle & NLSC, Botanic Gardens Bowling Club, Crosby Scout & Guide Marina, Formby Artisans GC, Hatton Hill Gym Club, Liverpool Pembroke & Sefton AC, Marsh Lane ABC, Netherton Sports, North Meols LTC, Redgate Rovers JFC, Sefton Lifesaving Club, South Sefton Gymnastics Club, Southbank Tennis Club, Southport Argyle Tennis Club, Southport Cricket League, Southport Sailing Club, Waterloo Judo Club, Waterloo Lawn Tennis Club. Please forward a copy of your logo to wilko_paul@hotmail.com

Player of the tournament was Michael Valentine who is 70 yrs of age. Sefton Stars have sessions free of charge every Sunday at South Sefton College in Sterrix Lane Netherton 10am-Midday. They are particularly interested in 50 plus age group male and female but anyone can come and try it. No experience needed it is low impact and ideal for keeping fit, socialising and having a bit of fun. There is a website www.walkingbasketballmerseyside.co.uk or Facebook and twitter@wbmerseyside.

!!! Urgent Notifications !!!

Please remember Affiliations are now due

Single Sport Club £15.00 Multi-Sport Club £30.00

Please note we have noticed that a number of clubs have not altered their standing order payment for several years and are therefore not paying the correct amount. Would you please check your standing order is correct. We will be contacting those clubs. Affiliation fees should be sent to: Peter Bull—Treasurer C/o 20 Delph Park Avenue Aughton Liverpool L39 5DG

Playing Pitch Strategy gathers pace

ONLINE SURVEY

Over the last few months Knight Kavanagh & Page have been carrying out face to face consultations with clubs with regard to the state of our local pitches and sports fields to identify the condition and needs of the borough and clubs. An online survey has been distributed to clubs and it is extremely important that clubs and teams should respond to this survey. This is your opportunity to have your say and your response will be listened to at the highest level. If you do not reply you are letting down your club, your sport and your members. You are also compromising the validity of the survey in the eyes of your National Governing Body, the Council, Sport England and the Sports Council. The strategy was initially for the main stream team sports such as football, cricket, hockey, rugby union and rugby league. It has now been extended to include bowls and lawn tennis. The Sports Council urgently requests that you support this initiative fully. The more information we have the stronger our case for better pitches, greens, fields and changing facilities.

Do not miss this opportunity to have your say!!!

Blundellsands Archers

Alt Golf Club

SSC Clubs

Freshfield Bowling Club hosted 11 Children from Belarus as part of the Chernobyl Children’s Life Line charities month long support for children from the Chernobyl area. The nationwide charity brings over 4,000 children to the UK each year for four weeks of fresh air, uncontaminated food, fun, love and attention, as well as dental and eye check ups, and the local branch has supported around a dozen children each year. Doctors in Belarus say the holiday boosts the children’s immune systems for at least two years, helping them to resist, or recover from, serious illness. The Freshfield Bowling Club bowling green has certainly not seen games played on it like it did on 14

th June, but members, and their

wives and friends, gave the children a feast of food, and games of boulles and fun games on the green, with the afternoon topped off by the entertaining Mr Trix magic and fun before we packed the children off with goodie bags, sweets and balloons. The afternoon was funded by Bowling Club members, with the surplus of £380 going to fund 50% of the cost of one of next year’s children.

Well done Freshfield

Freshfield Bowling Club host a great day

for children from Chernobyl

Free Hockey at Northern

The Northern Clubs FREE 'Back to hockey' coaching programme is due to

start on Tuesday 7th July 6.30pm - 7.30pm running until the 11th August. The

coaching will take place on our fantastic astro facility which now has flood

lights (support by Sport England Inspired Funding in 2014). The Northern

Club is situated on Elm Ave, Crosby, L23 2SX cont.

Hesketh Golf Club

Blundellsands Sailing Club

Back to Hockey is suitable for 7-77 year old's who are new to hockey, returning to the game, or looking for a new club to join. We encourage people to come as families as well as individuals which worked fantastic last year with 140 people taking part in our sessions over the 6 weeks which England Hockey told us was the most successful programme in the country! The first session on the 7th July will be followed at 7.30-8.45pm by a free BBQ and a competitive men's /charity game which will give people the opportunity to see a live competitive game being played at a high level. For further information please see the attached flyer or contact Simone McCaskill

Tel: 07939864592 or email Simonehill@hotmail.co.uk

KEY SIGNINGS FOR MARINE AS COOPER, CLAIR

AND MENAGH AGREE DEALS.

More signings to follow in bid to retain squad from end of season heroics.

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Marine announces that Goalkeeper Matty Cooper, midfielder Karl Clair and winger Jamie Menagh have all signed new contracts this week ahead of the new season. Discussions with the players have been taking place with manager Sean Hessey since the end of the season and the contracts have now been completed and submitted to the Football Association. Goalkeeper Matty Cooper, 26, joined the Mariners last summer from Witton Albion where he made over 150 appearances in three seasons. He made an FA Vase final appearance at Wembley for Glossop Town before joining Witton Albion in 2010. Matty made 54 appearances for Marine last season and was also the winner of the Supporters’ and Manager’s Player of the Year awards.

Karl Clair, 22, a central midfielder, joined Marine in summer 2014 from Vauxhall Motors. He originally joined Vauxhall in September 2012 after he was released by Liverpool in May 2011. He played in the 2009 FA Youth Cup Final for Liverpool and his last involvement with the Reds was on the youngster’s 2011 end of season tour to the Caribbean. Last sea-son he made 52 appearances for Marine, scoring 6 goals and won the Players’ Player of the Year accolade. 21 year old winger Jamie Menagh was with Blackpool as a youngster and had a spell at Stoke City before signing a contract with Chester FC. He joined the Mariners in January and made 19 appearances scoring 2 goals, with memorable strikes against Frickley Athletic and Buxton.

Liverpool Mercury Cycling Club

Southport RFC

Southport Flat Green Bowling Club

Chairman Paul Leary said: “These are important signings for Marine as we start our preparations for the new season, thankfully in the NPL Premier Division. Matty, Karl and Jamie played a huge part in our survival battle and I am really pleased that they have decided, after talks with Sean, to remain at Marine. This is the first of further announcements that will be made in the coming weeks as we hope to sign the majority of players who played such an immense part of Marine’s history at the end of last season.”

Marine manager Sean Hessey added: “I am absolutely delighted that Jamie, Matt and Karl have committed themselves to Marine for the new season. If they continue to progress I believe these lads have got a bright future ahead of them. To have them on board is great news for all involved at the Club. It will be superb working with them again as we all strive to step up from

the end of last season and bring success to Marine Football Club. ”

New Gymnastics Club in Bootle

A new mini gymnastics group has recently opened at St. Paul’s church hall, Sonning Ave, Litherland.

Hatton Hill Gymnastics has been launched through the recent increase shown by local people for children to attend basic gymnastics classes. Local clubs have large waiting list and this is where the new group is hoping to step in and act as a sister club. Hatton Hill Gymnastics is taking place after school and is run by volunteers, not for profit and

classed as a grass roots fun gymnastics sport. The group started in February on a Tuesday night and in a very short time has increased to include Wednesday night after school. The club has held a Bring A Friend Day and has held its fist in-group competition. The club are also arranging a summer fate along with St. Paul’s church, working towards holding school holiday events and opening competitions to other clubs and schools. Through the hard work of the gymnasts over £200.00 has been raised to help with matting plus the good news that Radio City have donated towards the project. From the beginning the club have been supported with help from Litherland Carpets and Tesco’s donations. The next fund raise will be at the summer fate and tables are available for hire. If any groups would like to come along and get involved, the more the merrier. To contact the group email hhgymnastics@yahoo.co

NORTH WEST FESTIVAL OF CROQUET

HELD ON 27 & 28 JUNE AT SOUTHPORT &

B I R K D A L E C R O Q U E T C L U B

What a wonderful weekend it was, sunshine, close cut sweeping green lawns in the park and croquet with a gentle scent of the sea. Teams came from all over the North West to join in the 21st annual Festival of Croquet at Southport’s Victoria Park, playing on 10 full lawns and 6 short lawns; beautiful lawns, carefully mowed and cared for by the club members for weeks in advance. The sun shone throughout, and the lawns shimmered with the colour of bright tee-shirts in the various team colours.

Over 100 people were present each day as 30 teams battled it out in 286 games, playing Advanced, Handicap, Short and Golf Croquet in the joyful challenge to find Best of the North West. Teams came from Bowdon, Bury, Chester, Craig Y Don (Llandudno), Crake (Lake District), Fylde, Isle of Man, Southport and Westmorland to take part. This is one of the largest croquet gatherings in the world and a great experience for croquet players at all levels; a master-class in croquet and was enthusiastically attended by novice players from all teams. Playing in the Festival for the first time, were 6 from Southport, Terry Dunbar, Brian Bostock, Chris Winnard, Gail Moors, Gordon Melville and Jan Mort.

John and Barbara Haslam, regular Advanced Team players, flew in from America in time for the competition, whilst Gail Moors, a Southport member won two of her Short Croquet games, playing in her first Festival and was enthusiastic in her praise of the event, saying that it was a wonderful experience.

The challenge of the event was softened somewhat by the joys of meeting and greeting past friends and oppo-nents, compensating for the hard work put in by Southport’s members, their groundsmanship and catering efforts. But when the final scores were totalled sadly Southport once again only achieved 3rd place for the Festival Cup. Advance Shield went to Fylde, Handicap Shield to Fylde, Short Shield to Bury, Golf Shield to Chester and overall winners of the Festival Cup were Bury.

Sefton Sports Awards

Winners

2014

Botanic Bandits secure a hat-trick of league

wins

The only match last week-end in the

West Lancs & Sefton Junior Bowling

League was the visit of Southport's

"Botanic Bandits" to the notoriously

difficult green at Burscough Cricket

Club for their away match against

"Burscough Warriors". A full Botanic

team of eight players went to Burscough knowing that an away win

would see them win the 2015 league title despite having another match

still to play. The outcome was a 6-0 win for the Southport team and so

securing for the "Botanic Bandits" their third League title in succession.

The first singles game was between Jessica Hodge, Burscough's much

improved player, and Botanic's Matthew Greenwood. As expected it

was a very good match with both players on top form. Matty quickly

mastered the green and romped to a 15-7 lead, only to be pulled back

by Jess to12-15. The last few ends were close but at 19-17 Matty closed

the game out to win 21-17. In the second singles Fergal Wright

(Bandits) was on top form and steadily built up the points to lead 20-9.

His opponent for the Warriors was Alicia Gregson and although she

fought back Fergal's lead was too great and he took the game 21-14.

In the third singles Kyle Dawes (Bandits) was merciless against Laura

Callaghan (Warriors) and took just 11 ends to win 21-6. The last of the

singles games was between Botanic's 12 year old Connor Peake and

Burscough's Elise Mills. Both struggled on the very tricky green but from

13-13 Connor found his length better and was the 21-14 winner.

The first of the two doubles games was a re-match of 2014 when

Burscough's Jess Hodge & Alicia Gregson beat Botanic's pairing of

Adam Wood & Luke Dawes 21-18. The Botanic pair were told to put that

out of their mind and that is what they did. They played the green

sensibly and reversed last year's loss to win 21-14. The last game on

the green was an all-girl contest with Laura Callaghan & Elise Mills

(Warriors) taking on Emily Clare & Ellie McNeill (Bandits). To be honest

all four of them struggled to find any real form on the tricky fast green

but eventually Emily & Ellie prevailed 21-17 to give the "Botanic Bandits"

a 6-0 clean sweep.

Sefton Sports Council SSC Officers

President

Neil Edwards

Chair

Paul Wilkinson

Vice Chairman

Neil McQuaid

Secretary

David Morton

Treasurer

Peter Bull

Archery Golf Swimming

Blundellsands Archers C Alt Golf Club Bootle & North Liverpool SC

Athletics Formby Artisans Golf Club Formby Swimming Club

Liverpool Pembroke & Sefton AC C

Hesketh Golf Club Tennis

Bowls Park Golf Club Birkdale Tennis Club C

Botanic Gardens Bowling Club

Southport Old Links Golf Club

Blundellsands Lawn Tennis Club

Gymnastics Campion Lawn Tennis Club

C Hatton Hill Gymnastic Club Formby Holy Trinity Tennis

Club C Southport Bowling Club

(Flat) South Sefton Gymnastics

Club Hillside Tennis Club C

Hockey North Meols Lawn Tennis

Club C

Boxing Formby Hockey Club C Southbank Tennis Club

Marsh Lane ABC Southport & Birkdale Hockey Club

Southport Argyle Tennis Club C

Canoeing Sphynx Tennis Club C

Friends of Allonby Canoe Club

Martial Arts Waterloo Lawn Tennis Club

Cricket Waterloo Judo Club

Firwood Bootle Cricket Club C

Weight Lifting

Formby Cricket Club C

New Victoria Cricket Club Rugby Union Others

Southport & Birkdale Cricket Club C

Southport RFC C

Crosby Scouts (Watersports)

Southport & Dist Cricket Lge

Waterloo FC Formby Ju-Jitsu

Sailing Friends of Allonby

Canoe Club

Croquet Blundellsands Sailing Club Netherton Sports

Southport & Birkdale Croquet Club

Southport Sailing Club Sefton Stars Basketball Club

Cycling West Lancashire Sailing Club Sefton Lifesaving &

Swimming Club

Liverpool Mercury Cycling Club

Squash Southport & Formby Special Athletes

(Disability Sports) C

Southport Cycling Club Formby Squash Club

Fencing Southport & Birkdale Squash Club

Football Sub Aqua

Forefield Rangers FC Southport British Sub Aqua

Club

Litherland Remyca FC C

Marine FC C

Maghull FC C

Redgate Rovers FC

C Sport England

Clubmark

C Sefton Sports

Council Clubmark

Advertisements

Rob & Joan Porter

Jeweller, Silversmith &Qualified Hand Engraver

The Bluecoat,School Lane, Liverpool L13BX 0151 708 6330

porter.engravers@virgin.net

Sports Rep

Jim Kavanagh

Sports Rep

Joan Upton

www.seftonsportscouncil.co.uk

Other

Agencies

Diary Dates

Sefton Sports Council

Meetings

30th September 2015

Rampworx, tbc

25th November 2015

27th January 2016

Park Golf Club tbc

30th March 2016

25th May 2016

AGM

All meetings on a Wednesday with

a 7.30pm start

Park Golf Club

Dates 2015

AUGUST

Wed 27th Junior Open

JUNE

Saturday 6th Founders Day

JULY

Friday 24th Gerry Bond Memorial Invitation

AUGUST

Saturday 8th Mick Fletcher Charity Trophy

Open

http://www.parkgolfclubsouthport.co.uk/

Hesketh Golf Club

Dates 2015

Henriques 11.05.15

Gents Senior 4BBB Stableford 01.06.15

Mixed 4BBB Stableford 09.08.15

Junior Open 10.08.15

Ladies 4 Person Stableford 10.08.15

Gents Team of 4 Stableford 11.08.15

Gents Senior 4BBB Stableford 12.08.15

Gents Team of Four Stableford 13.08.15

Gents Team of Four Medal 14.08.15

Gents 4BBB Stableford 15.08.15

www.seftonsportscouncil.co.uk

Marine FC

Pre Season Friendlies

All games at The Marine Travel

Arena:

14 July 2015 Southport 7.30pm

18 July 2015 Tranmere Rovers

4.00pm

25 July 2015 Accrington Stanley

3.00pm

Diary Dates

cont

West Lancashire

Yacht Club

24 Hour Race

This years race

12th and 13th September 2015

The WLYC 24 Hour Race, 2015 will take place on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September 2015 around a triangular course on the Marine Lake Southport, starting at 12.00 hours on Saturday 12th September. The warning signal will be at 11.50 hours.

Entry form at

http://wlyc.org.uk/24-hour-race/entry-form

BLUNDELLSANDS BLUNDELLSANDS BLUNDELLSANDS

ARCHERSARCHERSARCHERS

Est. 1876Est. 1876Est. 1876

Indoor competitions to be held at Crosby Leisure Centre, 1pm till 4pm The Club will be acting as “host club” on Sunday 5

th July, holding the BLBS [British Long Bow

Society] Clout Championship. This being the 14th

year holding the competition at Merchant Taylor’s Playing Fields, [Spinney Crescent, Hall Road], starting at 12 midday. The club has arranged “Have A Go Days”, when the Club is open to the public, who wish to come along and try the sport of Archery. No charge involved, so come along if you want to try the thrill of shooting on; Sunday May 24

th & Sunday August 31

st. from 12

midday till 5pm [ both Bank Holidays ] www.blundellsandsarchers.co.uk

Southport Flower Show

20th August 2015 to 23rd August 2015

The theme is China

Bring the thought of summer that little bit closer - buy your flower show tickets now! We've extended our brilliant 2 tickets for £30 offer so you can kick start the New Year. Enter code 2for30 in the code box to get this special price.

http://www.southportflowershow.co.uk/

Diary Dates

cont

‘Get Involved in Hockey @ The Northern Club!’

Hockey @ The Northern Club All sessions take place On the Astro @ The Northern Club, Elm Ave Crosby, L23 2SX

Web: www.northernclub.co.uk Tel: 0151 9241594 Twitter: @Northern_Club and @NorthernHockeyC

FREE Tuesday Taster Sessions for Juniors & Adults – ‘Summer Back to Hockey Campaign’ (Mixed) Date: Starts Tuesday 7th July 2015 (running up until the 11th August 2015) - new players welcomed every week Time: 6.30pm – 7.30pm Who: Anyone aged 7-77 that is new to hockey or returning to the game. Adults and children’s groups will be run separately but on the same pitch at the same time so parents can give it a go. 2014 saw The Northern Club run the most successful Back to Hockey Campaign in the country! We look forward to doing it again this year too! Cost: FREE to all as part of our 2015 ‘Back to Hockey’ campaign Contact: Simone McCaskill - 07939864592 *Our 7th July launch night will also celebrate the installation of our new floodlights! Following the hockey coaching a BBQ will be available and an opportunity to find out more about the hockey section which celebrated 125 years of hockey in 2015. We are also hoping to host a men’s competitive game at 7.30pm which we welcome people to watch to get a feel for the live game! Tuesday Summer Fitness and Skills Training - Age 14 and above (Mixed) Date: Starts Tuesday 14th July (running until 11th August 2015) Time: 7.30pm – 9.00pm Who: Squad members from all senior teams Cost: £2 a session for non- members and Free to club members Contact: Craig Moran – 07902828617 Tuesday 2015/16 Season Training & Coaching – Juniors and Seniors (Mixed) Date: Starts Tuesday 18th August running until the end of March 2016 Time: Juniors 6-7pm Seniors 7-9pm - new players welcomed every week Who: Juniors (Mixed) and Squad members (Ladies and Men’s teams) Cost: £2 a session for non- members and Free to club members Contact: Craig Moran – 07902828617 *League games take place Saturdays September – April. Those playing league games must be club members

Sunday Junior Training & Coaching (age 7 - 14’s Mixed) Day: Sunday’s (Restarting September 2015) Time: 10.30am – 12.00pm Who: All abilities aged 7-14 years of age – new players welcomed every week Cost: £2 a session for non- members and Free to club members Contact: John Corrin – 07968150934 *Junior competitive games will take place as arranged on Saturdays or Sundays between September and April

Kit for Hockey:

Please bring shin pads and a gum

shield to all hockey sessions. For

those coming for taster sessions and

junior training, sticks are available to

borrow free of charge. For those

interested in Goal Keeping there are

also club kits available for use.

‘Get Involved in Hockey @ The Northern Club