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Leyton Orient in search of handball talent
It may seem odd but rather than search for a striker Leyton Orient are searching for handball players. Handball, although little known in this country is massive in the rest of Europe. It is played professionally in France, Spain and Germany with France the reigning World Cup holders and Barcelona the European Cup holders. It is played and watched by millions and is shown live on terrestrial TV.
As part of their remit to develop new sports Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme are searching for experienced and qualified Handball instructors who can develop the game in East London.
We have been thinking about this for a while, says Neil Taylor Strategy Development Officer for LOCSP, as the game offers something different to football and has the potential of attracting young people turned off by other sports. This project will therefore be focusing on girls and boys in our local area who may benefit from playing a new sport where the playing field is level.
Leyton Orient are therefore keen to hear from anyone who has a Handball background and is qualified to coach. They are also keen to hear from any teams who are playing in the London area. There are currently two teams the Great Danes and an Iraqi team who are based in Shadwell, there is also a successful womens team from Ruislip who Orient are aware of.
Leyton Orient have also joined forces with the English Handball Federation who are supporting this development. Likewise the European Handball Federation are taking a major interest in supporting these types of initiatives through the English Handball Federation.
If you are interested then please do not hesitate to contact Neil Taylor.
Island Club to be launched on back of Netball Phenomenon
An exciting new initiative is about to be launched on the Isle of Dogs. As part of the Isle of Dogs Community Foundations Confident Communities Programme, Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme have been delivering a comprehensive netball programme since September 2000 on the Isle of Dogs and in Blackwall involving all eight primary schools and George Greens School. Throughout this period, many young people on the Island (and some adults too!) have received netball coaching during curriculum time and after school and have had the opportunity to compete in a number of primary school tournaments at George Greens School. The response from those taking part has been phenomenal and the interest in netball has rapidly spread across the Island to areas that have not seen the game played for a generation.
To channel this enthusiasm and to further develop the potential that has been untapped over the past 18 months a dedicated Netball Club for the Island will be set up. At this stage the Club will have a women’s adult section for parents and teachers and a junior section for boys and girls who have taken a shine to the sport.
The club will be launched on Monday 14th January 2002 at George Greens Secondary School with regular training sessions taking place on Monday evenings between 5 and 8pm.
As well as training, regular matches will be set up for all the different teams throughout the year. The aim is to enter the junior sides and possibly the senior side into an affiliated netball league in the following season, which begins in September 2002.
This is a great opportunity for all of those that have played in our tournaments to progress and develop their skills, says Joanna Blain, Leyton Orients Sports Development Officer.
The aim, in partnership with the Community Foundation and the Island Sports Trust, is to build a club that everyone on the Island can be part of and be proud of. This type of initiative is long overdue and is a welcome opportunity to establish and sustain netball on the island that will have a local, regional and hopefully in the future national impact.
For more information about the club please contact Joanna Blain.
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