Sport

Sport Pembrokeshire’s “Fit and Fed” project celebrates success

Published

8 months ago

September 15, 2023

SPORTS Pembrokeshire’s “Fit and Fed” initiative, aimed at helping children in disadvantaged areas to access nourishment and take part in a variety of sports, is hoping it can be expanded to more school holidays and even 52 weeks a year.

The project, which has support from the Bluestone Foundation, the community support arm of Bluestone National Park Resort near Narberth, Pembrokeshire, has been operating each summer for the past two years.

Over the course of this time, the project has supported children in Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven, Haverfordwest, and Fishguard.

Spearheaded by Matthew Freeman, Sport Pembrokeshire Manager, the initiative has not only provided essential sustenance to children but also enabled them to participate in sports activities through local clubs and groups.

Matthew said: “The success of the ‘Fit and Fed’ project has been truly amazing. We’ve witnessed children benefiting not just from nutritious meals but also from the chance to engage in physical activities. Our aim is to expand this initiative to all school holidays, including Christmas, ensuring year-round support for these deserving children.”

Matthew said he envisions the project evolving into a year-round project, making a positive impact every single week. He said the current project has focused exclusively on areas identified as deprived within Pembrokeshire, with hopes to broaden its scope to cover other communities in the county.

Marten Lewis, Director of Sustainability at Bluestone, said the project had proved to be much needed, playing a vital role in providing nourishment and exercise to children.

Marten said: “The Bluestone Foundation has been pleased to play a small part in contributing to such a crucial project. It serves as a catalyst for the creation of more initiatives that support our community’s young members.”

The Bluestone Foundation was launched in 2010 and has distributed over £250,000 in grants across Pembrokeshire. The Foundation strives to help people help themselves and to principally assist projects falling into economic, social, and environmental categories.

The initial success of “Fit and Fed” stemmed from its roots in assisting children to engage in sports via local clubs and organisations.

It was launched in response to the fact that many children in disadvantaged areas were missing out on both meals and opportunities for physical activity.

Matthew added: “It became evident that children were arriving at school and sports events without having had a proper meal. The ‘Fit and Fed’ project addresses this critical issue by ensuring access to food, leading to healthier and more active lives.”

The collaboration between Sport Pembrokeshire, community sports clubs, and third sector organisations such as Milford Youth Matters, Tanyard, Pembrokeshire Youth Service Haverfordwest Youth Club, and Sport Pembrokeshire, has been important to the initiative’s success.

Sue Lines of the Tanyard Youth Project, said: “I would like to thank Sport Pembrokeshire and the Bluestone Foundation on behalf of the trustees, staff, volunteers and young people of the Tanyard Youth Project.

“This exciting new partnership has enabled us to provide sporting opportunities and healthy meals to dozens of children and young people in Pembroke, many of whom arrive at the centre hungry or emotionally fragile. The benefits of physical exercise and healthy food bring immense improvements to their mental health and general well-being.”

As the project looks to the future, Matthew said: “Our ultimate goal is to extend ‘Fit and Fed’ to a year-round initiative, providing children with consistent support, if we can secure the necessary funding.”

News

Free disability sports event heads to Pembroke Leisure Centre

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE Leisure Centre will play host to a free disability sports and physical event later this month with lots of sports and activities to try.

The insport series, in partnership with Disability Sport Wales, Sport Pembrokeshire and Pembrokeshire Leisure is an inclusive sport and physical activity event.

It offers opportunities for disabled young people (ages 5 years+) and adults across Pembrokeshire and friends and family are welcome.

On offer to try are: boxing, boccia, swimming (on a separate first come first serve booking basis), football, wheelchair rugby, target shooting, adaptive bikes, cricket, golf, multisport, and more.

The event takes place Pembroke Leisure Centre, on Wednesday May 29^th between 10am-2pm.

Booking for the event and swim places is required.

For more information please contact: Jess West from Sport Pembrokeshire byemail [email protected] or by calling 07795305871.

News

Two changes to Scarlets side for Zebre match-up

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

HEAD coach Dwayne Peel has made two changes to his Scarlets starting XV for Friday’s BKT United Rugby Championship round 17 clash with Zebre Parma at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (19:35 BBC Wales).

Alex Craig has recovered from a hamstring issue to take his place in the second row, while behind the scrum Ioan Lloyd replaces fellow Wales international Sam Costelow at fly-half.

Ioan Nicholas, Tomi Lewis and Ryan Conbeer continue in the back three; Johnny Williams again partners Eddie James, while Lloyd links up with the experienced Gareth Davies at half-back.

In the pack, the front row of Kemsley Mathias, skipper Ryan Elias and Harri O’Connor get the nod to start again. Craig partners Morgan Jones at lock, while Taine Plumtree, Dan Davis and No. 8 Carwyn Tuipulotu are selected in the back row.

On the bench, Wales U20s centre Macs Page – part of Llandovery’s Indigo Premiership title-winning side last weekend – is set to make his URC debut.

Scarlets scrum and contact skills coach Emyr Phillips said: “We are looking to build some momentum in these last two games to fire us into pre-season. We are encouraging the boys to play high-tempo rugby and get the ball moving because that’s when we are at our best. We know Zebre will bring emotion to the game and we need to match that.”

Scarlets team to play Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on Friday, May 17 (19:35; BBC Wales)

15 Ioan Nicholas; 14 Tomi Lewis, 13 Johnny Williams, 12 Eddie James, 11 Ryan Conbeer; 10 Ioan Lloyd, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Ryan Elias (capt), 3 Harri O’Connor, 4 Alex Craig, 5 Morgan Jones, 6 Taine Plumtree, 7 Dan Davis, 8 Carwyn Tuipulotu.

Reps: 16 Shaun Evans, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Jarrod Taylor, 20 Ben Williams, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Macs Page

Players unavailable because of injury

Tom Rogers, Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Steff Evans, Joe Roberts, Josh Macleod, Teddy Leatherbarrow, Jac Davies.

News

Charity football match scores big for mental health awareness

Published

7 days ago

May 11, 2024

Tom Sinclair

IN an inspiring display of community spirit and sportsmanship on Friday (May 10), the Ogi Bridge Meadow stadium hosted a charity football match that saw local mental health charity, Give The Boys A Lift (GTBAL), triumph over 2Wish, with a final score of 5-1. The event drew a large crowd, who gathered to support both organizations dedicated to mental health and well-being.

GTBAL, a renowned Pembrokeshire charity known for its efforts in mental health advocacy, put on a strong performance, leading to a decisive victory that was met with enthusiastic applause and cheers from the spectators. The match not only provided an evening of thrilling sports action but also raised significant awareness and funds for the causes represented by the two teams.

Maria Elena Smith, a spectator and supporter, praised the event, commenting, “Amazing effort from everyone involved. As always, the charities that support so many families and individuals have come out in force. Well done all and thank you for all the support.”

Adrian Smith, another attendee, highlighted the importance of the charities’ work, stating, “Don’t underestimate what both these charities do. It was a fantastic evening raising awareness.”

The event served as a reminder of the vital role these organizations play in the community, offering support and resources to those facing mental health challenges. Congratulations to all involved for a successful event that went beyond just a game, fostering community unity and support for pivotal causes.