News from April 2008

The 53rd Lincoln Grand Prix Cycle Race again brings top class cycle racing to the cobbled streets of the historic City with 175 entries on the programme.

Britain's top riders will face the challenge of tough foreign competition with teams and riders from Ireland, The Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Sweden and South Africa amongst the line up for the 86 miles race on Sunday May 11th.

The race starts from the Yarborough Leisure Centre at 10 am and covers 11 laps of the circuit before finishing in Castle Square at around 1.30 pm where the winners will be presented with their awards to the applause of the large and enthusiastic crowd. The 8 mile circuit takes the riders out of Lincoln, through Burton Village and its twisting tricky descent to the A57 and back towards Lincoln via Long Leys Road and West Parade before the difficult climb of Michaelgate to Castle Square.

The course includes Lincoln's tourist areas along Bailgate and passes through Newport Arch, Lincoln's 3rd century Roman Gateway and one of the few remaining examples of Roman architecture which is still open to traffic, but not on Sunday May 11th when the roads are closed for the safety of the riders in this classic race.

Organiser Ian Emmerson OBE watches the 2007 race unfold before him with Lincoln Castle in the background.
Source www.britishcycling.org.uk

For a full list of 2008 competitors please click here

For a full list of previous winner please click here

Today; in the presence of over 50 local businesses the Lincolnshire Sports Partnership launched LEAP; Lincolnshire’s Elite Athlete Programme.

LEAP is an innovative way of marrying sport & business, with the sole aim to help Lincolnshire performers reach their potential.

What will become a regular fixture on the county’s sport & business calendar, provides a rare opportunity for businesses to join forces & contribute to the county's and thereby the nations sporting future.

As we all know the County boasts some outstanding sporting talent, for example take the recent Olympic qualifying success of Lincoln swimmers Kate Haywood & Lizzie Simmonds.

Just a few weeks ago former Vulcan’s swimmer Kate set a new British Record in the 100m backstroke touching in 1:07:56, whilst Lizzie smashed the standing British Record finishing the 200m back stroke in 2:04:21.

Although Lincolnshire is becoming increasingly renowned for producing swimming sensations, it is evident that the County also has a wealth of untapped sporting talent, and it is this talent that LEAP will support.

Too often families are struggling to develop their child’s talent due to the fact that the nearest high performance centre is in either Sheffield or Loughborough; through a comprehensive support system LEAP aims to bridge this gap.

Gary Taylor- Junior Sportsman 2007; mimics the value of support:

“It is important to support young athletes because without it many of them wouldn’t be able to travel to many of their competitions in this country or abroad, or be able to buy the equipment that they need to compete.”

The current UK sports system provides funding for top and elite performers through lottery funding, but the tier below has what could be best described as a patchwork approach. The LEAP programme will offer a consistent level of support for performer, coach and parent alike at the sub lottery level.

Jim Cowan- Lincolnshire Sports Partnership commented:

“LEAP provides a support system offering courses & mentoring to prevent today’s young sports people making the mistakes of previous generations.” “When making the grade is measured in tiny finite amounts, whether seconds or millimeters this kind of support will make a vast difference.”

Becoming a member of the LEAP Business Club has numerous benefits; a few of these benefits are listed below:

• Invitations to quarterly networking events
  
  
• Preferential rates & discounts for other LEAP events, including the annual LEAP Sportsman’s Dinner, and the LEAP annual Golf Day.
  
  
• Receipt of quarterly LEAP Newsletter featuring news and updates of sportspeople who are benefiting from subscribers support.

In addition to the business satisfaction of investing and supporting the sporting community of Lincolnshire, subscriptions also benefit from tax breaks.

Membership to the LEAP Business Club is free to all companies making a minimum £600 per annum donation to LEAP.

If you are a business operating in the Lincolnshire area and want to help the County’s young sports talent develop & deliver upon their ability, please contact us on 01522 585 580 or e-mail emma.burke@lincolnshiresports.co.uk

This scheme is unique and the first of its kind in the country offering help and support to female coaches so that each individual can achieve their true potential. The aim is to increase the number of active coaches in the East Midlands (Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire.)

The scheme is the initiative of the Women and Girls Football Development Officers from the 5 counties Sarah Teal (Lincs), Sarah Larnder (Leics) Kathryn Hall (Northants) Keely Brown (Derbys) and Trevor Powell ( Notts)

Last weekend 54 coaches of the future participated in a day-long event hosted by Nottinghamshire FA. The day was led by Paul Smalley- East midlands regional coach development manager, assisted by Luis Fiddler England’s Under 17 coach, Jane Haslam-Chesterfield Centre of Excellence, Sarah Green- Nottingham Forest Ladies Centre of Excellence and Gemma Grainger-FA Skills Coach.

The day consisted of an introduction to the scheme followed by an in depth coach planning workshop, followed by an afternoon of practical demonstrations by the guest coaches. Over lunch the coaches had the opportunity to meet KATIE HOLTHAM Leeds Utd and England who signed autographs and spoke about the goal she scored in last season’s FA Women’s Cup Final Finally all the coaches completed a personal action plan which will be the basis of future events.

Helen Nuthall one of the future coaches said “thanks for an enjoyable but tiring day. Look forward to the next event”

The next event is planned for Saturday 12th July 2008 in Derbyshire

Somewhere in Lincolnshire there could be a potential Olympic athlete, and Geoff Capes- Former British & Commonwealth Shot Put record holder is set to find you.

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What a great time it has been for British cycling and in particular the superb haul of medals at the recent World Track Championships held at the Manchester Velodrome.

I was involved with the realisation of the velodrome which was part of the 2000 Olympic Bid by Manchester and provided a much needed facility. At that time I was the President of the British Cycling Federation and knew that the British climate never...

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Previously a purely equestrian event the Lincolnshire Sports Partnership Sports Zone will showcase 9 NGB Sports over the two day event April 12th-13th.

Displays are expected from Lincolnshire Dance, Cannons Volleyball Club, Fenland Netball Club, Kofukan Karate Club, & Jaguars Wheelchair Basketball Club, amongst others.

Also expected PGL Caythorpe Court’s Aero Basketball, & Concept 2’s Fitness Rowing.

What’s really exciting is that the Sports Zone will celebrate the launch of the Geoff Capes County Throws Challenge, the throws challenge will feature in all districts this summer, and aims to find someone who can throw 20metres 12 cm’s to guarantee them a place in the 2012 Olympic final.

Kicking off at Belton, junior & senior visitors will be encouraged to come along to the Sports Zone and try their hand at Shot put. A turbo challenge sponsored by Lincs FM will also be taking place 10:30-12:30 for the Under 11’s.

The Sports Zone will be officially opened by Geoff Capes- Former World’s Strongest Man at 10:30am Saturday 12thApril, and will be open 10:30- 4pm Saturday & Sunday.