Sporting Events that are happening locally.
Flood of offers for arson -hit rugby club.
Offers of support have been piling in for an arson hit rugby club after a blaze caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to the clubhouse.
Scores of teams have stepped forward tohelp Aldridge Rugby Club which lost kits and training equipment worth more than £5,000 in the fire earlier this week.An appeal was launched following the blaze which destroyed the 52 year old two storey building with its changing rooms and bar at the Bourne Vale ground last Wednesday afternoon.Now bosses at nearby Moseley Rugby Club are donating playing shirts for the squad to ensure they can compete in pre - season friendlies next month.Chairman Alex Reed said there has also been offers of help from teams as far away as Ross 0n Wye and a Wirral - based team which wants to provide training equipment worth £500.
Maudesport in Aldridge have also stepped forward toprovide support along with a number of rugby clud's including Sutton Coldfield,Walsall and Erdington.
Championship club Moseley also suggested a fllodlit fund raiser match as a possible way of further assisting the Aldridge side.Officials at Aldridge Rugby Club insist they aim to fulfil all their home fixtures at the start of the season which starts in September.
Firefighters from Aldridge,Walsall and Landywood were called to the 52 year old clubhouse off Little Hardwick Road at around 2.30am on Wednesday.
Any one who can help Aldridge should contact Mr Reed on 07886 - 907589 or e mail alexsreed@gmail.com
Tully aims to emulate Ellie.
Aldridge youngster Tully Kearney is hoping to follow in the footsreps of Paralympic swimming star Eleanor Simmonds after dipping her toes in the pool of success.
The 11 year old enjoyed unprecedented success at the West Midlands Regional Disability Championships,taking the trophy for "Top Girl" in the 11/12 year age group.
Kearney, a year seven pupil at Aldridge School and like Simmonds,a former pupil of Cooper and Jordan Primary School,was one of the stars of the event,held at the Ken Marriot Leisure Centre in Rugby.
Tully claimed gold medals in the 100mindividual medley breast stroke and 50m butterfly,plus silver in the 50m breaststroke and 50m freestyle as well as her " Top Girl " Crown.
Kearney - who has dyspraxia,a developmental co-ordination disorder - trains with the West Midlands Regional Disability Squad and competes in disability events as an S17 clasification.
She also competes in able bodied events with her swimming club,Perry Beeches and Sutton Swim Squad.She will now go on representing the West Midlands Disability Swimming Squad at the National Disability Championship on March 4th - 5th at the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in SheffieldShe said "Eleanor Simmonds " is my hero and has really inspired me to work harder in my training.Tullys mother praised Mark Trude and Helen Pordage,whoo coach her at Perry Beeches and Sarah Brown the Regional Disability co-ordinator.
Aldridge Swimmer
Aldridge swimmer Bloomer claimed a host of medals at the ASA Midlands Age Group Championships.The Shire Oak Science College student - who represents Chase Swimming Club - picked up three gold medals,two silver and one bronze at the event in Coventry.
After finishing eighth in 2007,and fifth in 2008,her aim was to secure a top three spot this year but she went two better to become the top 12 year old girl,achieving seven personal bests on the way.Bloomer won gold in the 100m and 200m free style races plus the 100m breast stroke,silver in the 200m individual medley and 200m breast stroke plus bronze in the 800m free style.She also posted times good enough toqualify for four events - 100mand 200m breaststroke,200m individual and 200m freestyle - at the National Age Group championships in July at Ponds Forge,Sheffield.
Rugby club base gutted in suspected arson attack.
The home of Aldridge Rugby Club has been destroyed in a suspected arson attack today.Firefighters from Aldridge,Walsall and Landywood were called to Bourne Vale ,Little Hardwick Road,Aldridge at around 02.30am.
But the 52 year old two storey building that housed changing rooms,a club house and bar was already well alight.An investigation into how it started has been launched,but club secretary Mike Halloran said he believed it was a deliberate attack,
"The whole building has been gutted" he said.
Over the summer we have been tidying it up,and now this happens its a real shame,he said that they did not think anything had been stolen from the clubbut the damage has caused thousands of pounds of damage.
The ground is also shared by Erdington Star Football club.
Dance city.
Twinkle - toed youngsters from an Aldridge academy danced their way to success to win a host of medals and awards.Girls from Dance City in Aldridge impressed with their ballet,modern and lyrical moves to scoop a number of top prizes,including six first places.
Fourteen youngsters competed in Rochelle Dance Festival in Warwickshire over three weekends in November.
The six 13 year old s took on girls from other schools to show case their techniques and come back with a range of leading finishes.In total the girls from Dance Cityclaimed six top prizes,six second placs,three third and two fourth placed rankings.
They scorced success in a range of categories including highest mark in ballet and theatre.
Among those to impress were ten year old Laura Santolamazza, Olivia Gannon,eight, Maesie - Mae Edwards,eight and Caitlin Carter aged seven,.Tracey Dicken,principal of the aadamy in Walsall Wood Road,Aldridge,said "I am really chuffed with them.They all did really well and are talented dancers.
Award Winner
Superstar Swimmer Eleanor Simmonds was "on top of the World " today after being named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year.The 14 year old from Aldridge,who became the darling of this years Para-olympics after winning two gold medals was named the winner at the star - studded event last night.She beat off competition from teenage Olmpic diver Tom Daly and Wimbledon junior winner Laura Robson to collect the award.But the teenager was back in training in Cardiff after shunning the glitzy aftershow party to get an early night.I thought I was in with a chance to win,but because there were some really impressive contenders,I thought Laura Robson would have won it,it was very exciting and amazing to meet all these really famous people.I met Joe Calzaghe and Michael Johnson,but unfortunately I did not get the chance to meet Lewis Hamilton because he had to leave early.
Eleanor is set to light up the town.
Swimming star Eleanor Simmonds who won two gold medals at the Paralympic Games has been asked to switch on the towns Christmas lights.Walsall Council has approached the teenager who wants to help light up her home town ready for the festive season.Eleanor aged 13,smashed her own world record when she won her second gold medal in the women's S6 400 metre freestyle at the games in Beijing last week,she won a gold in the 100 metres the week before.Eleanors father Steve said 2Eleanor has said she would like to switch on the Christmas lights if it can be arranged to fit in with her school and trainining commitments.We are really happy that Walsall Council wants to recognise Eleanors success but at the moment we need time to take stock.
Walsall golden girl Eleanor Simmonds is "shocked and amazed" at becoming the youngest ever recipient of a New years Honour.The 14 year old from Aldridge,has been awarded the MBE for her sporting achievements culminating in her record breaking run at the Beijing paralympics games last Summer.It topped a remarkable 2008 for Eleanor who was born with dwarfismand became Britains youngest paralmpic gold medalist when she won the S6 category 100,and 400 metres.
Lat month the youngster also won the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year Award during a glamourous ceremony in Liverpool in front of 9,000 people and the finest sports men and women in the country
Olympic star visits her old school
Aldridge Olympic wonder girl Eleanor Simmomds was back in her home town today after winning the hearts of the world with her stunning gold medal display in Beijing.The 13 - year old was given a standing ovation by 300 pupils and teachers at her former school in Aldridge this morning - the first of a wave of public appearances the teenager will be enjoying.Eleanor and her team mates were met from the plane by hordes of spectators at Heathrow Airport yesterday afternoon,including Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
The teenage swimming sensation won the womans S6 400 metres title smashing her own world record and won the 100 metres freestyle at the games.
She was whisked back to Aldridge,where she lives with her family,for a brief rest before heading to her old school,Cooper and Jordan CE School,The Green,Aldridge today.Eleanor said "Winning the medals was just unbelievinbly amazing and I just still cannot believe it.
A heros welcome for swimming star Eleanor.
Teenage swimming star,Eleanor Simmonds,has received a hero's welcome on her return to school after winning two gold medals in the Paralympic games.
Eleanor is set to turn on the Christmas lights in her home town of Walsall following her remarkable achievements in Beijing.Meanwhile,the 13 year old,who now lives in Swansea with her family,made a triumphant return to Olchfa Comprenhensive school in the Welsh city clutching her gold medals.Hundreds of cheering pupils carrying banners,who had witnessed the triumph on a big screen at the school ,were there to greet her as she stepped from a stretch Jaguar car.
The throngs of school chums rushed to hug her,presenting her with several bouquets,as she handed over her medals for examination.It is fantastic to be back,but I never expected any of this,said the tearful heroine.She then received a third gold medal in the form of a giant cake,while the schools 2000 pupils were all presented with cakes of their own commemorating the moment.
Afterwards, a private assembly for Year 9 pupils,of which Eleanor is a member,took place where she cut the cake.
Six of the best for Walters at Harriers awards do.
Aldridge athlete Debbie Walters was one of the stars honoured at the Birchfield Harriers 123st Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the Hawthorns recently.
Walters received no less than half a dozen trophies,including the Presidents Awards for distance running,the Mike Reynolds trophy and four Presidents Cups.
Eleanor strikes gold again at Paralympics
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Walsall's swimming sensation Eleanor Simmonds has clinched her second gold medal at the Paralympic Games in Beijing.
Simmonds, who was born with Achondroplasia (dwarfism), has been swimming since the age of five and was inspired to train as an elite athlete after watching the victory of Nyree Lewis at the Athens Paralympics on television four years ago.
Ellie broke down in tears last Monday as she become the youngest British Paralympian to clinch an individual gold medal when she stormed from behind to beat 39-year-old Dutchwoman Mirjam de Koning-Peper by half a second in the 100 metres freestyle, held at the National Aquatics Centre.
And she repeated her success on Sunday when she smashed her own world record, by almost seven seconds, in the 400 metres.
Ellie, who was born in Walsall and is a former Aldridge Science College pupil, is the youngest Brit ever to win individual gold in the Paralympics or Olympics at the tender age of 13 years, nine months and 28 days - six months younger than Olympic diver Tom Daley.
And she is the youngest British Paralympic champion since 12-year-old Joanne Round won a swimming relay gold in Seoul in 1988.
A tearful Ellie, who competes for Swansea and is a member of Boldmere Swimming Club, in Erdington, was stunned.
She said: "I went into the race on Sunday to do a personal best and see what would happen.
"I gave it my all and I was really tired coming out of the pool.
"I had dreamed of being a medallist but I didn't think it would happen yet.
"My target was always London 2012. "It is unbelievable. I don't really want to go home because I love the atmosphere - it is so unbelievably amazing."
A spokesperson for Boldmere Swimming Club said: "Following her memorable gold in the 100m event, Ellie produced another massive swim to prove that she is the undoubted 'Freestyle Queen of the Cube', winning the 400m freestyle with a huge personal best and world record time.
"With 200 metres to go, Ellie was being pushed hard by the Dutch swimmer Mirjam de Konning-Peper, but with Ellie having the better of the turns, she turned on the heat in the final 50 metres to win by more than two seconds.
"She knocked over seven seconds off the world record that she set at the Paralympic Trials at Ponds Forge in July.
"What a star!"
Dream race for teenager.
A former Aldridge swimmer has won a stunning gold in the Beijing Paralympics and admitted she had already dreamt of success.Elenaor Simmonds,aged 13 who is the youngest member of the G.B squad won the womens S 6 100m freestyle in one minute 18.75 seconds today.The former Aldridge ScienceCollege pupil has become GB's second youngest paralympic gold medalist ever but had to dig deep in the final.Trailing Dutch woman Mirjam de Koning - peper with 50 metres left she produced a sensational last 25 m to pip her 39 year old rival.
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Ellie Simmonds becomes GB's youngest champion
Ellie Simmonds has become Great Britain’s youngest-ever individual gold medallist in either the Paralympic or Olympic Games at the age of just 13, after storming to a sensational victory in the S6 100m freestyle in the Water Cube.
Ellie from Aldridge and now living in Swansea, produced an astonishing swim in the last 25m to come from behind in fourth to beat red-hot favourite Mirjam de Koning-Peper from Holland into second place, with a time of 1:18.75.
An ecstatic but tearful Ellie Simmonds was barely able to contain her delight at the finish, and described the result as “ just amazing”.
She said: “I’m just so happy, I didn’t believe that I’d be able to do that! All I did was kick my legs and just go for it.
“I didn’t realise that I was the first person, I just went down there and went my hardest, I just can’t believe it.”
She will now race again in the 400m freestyle on Sunday.
Swimmer wins gold as dream comes true.
A 13 - year old Aldridge swimmer has clinched a gold medal in the Beijing Paralympics today.
Elenaor Simmonds said she had dreamed of winning a medal.The former Aldridge Science College pupil timed her finish to perfection to finish first in the womans S6 100 metres freestyle in one minute and 18.75 seconds.
The teenager,who grew upin the borough but now competes for Swansea after moving to the area last year,broke her own record to take the gold medal for Team GB.The youngster,who has achondroplasia and turns 14 in November,said she predicted a medal - but got the wrong colour.She said "I had a dream about it,but I only came second."Her proud parents Steve and Val,and olderbrother Steven packed their bags to fly to china to cheer on the plucky teenager,who returns home at weekends.The swimmer transfered to a school in Wales,to work with her elite performance coach Billy Pye after being ear marked as a medal hopeful three years ago.Her training involved practising eight times a week - up to 16 hours.She is the world record holder in the 400m free style which takes place next Sunday,after setting the mark in the British Championships earlier this year.
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Double Gold Winner.
Debbie Walters Aldridge middle distance runner was a double gold winner helping Great Britain to victory over France in an International Vetrans track and field match held at the Julie Rose Stadium in Ashford.
Debbie completed the first lap in a faster time than in the mens equivalent mens race.
Debbie Walters earns a Great Britain Call up.
Debbie Walters an Aldridge athlete is one of five Birchfield Harriers that has been selected to represent Great Britain in the Masters International match against France and Belgium in Kent on Saturday 21st June 2008.
Debbie who is 39 years old and currently works as a teaching assisant at Aldridge Comprehensive school as been chosen to represent her country against continental opposition in both the 1500 and 3000 metres.
Debbie ran for Birchfield as a teenager in the 1980's has won several Masters national titles in recent years in the second phase of her athletics career.
Debbie has been in top form of recent and knocked off 6 seconds off her life time best at a time of 9.31 to take third place in the 3000 metres at the UK Womens League Division one match.
Aeroplanes perform Stunt Displays.
Model planes soared across the Aldridge airfield on the weekend to mark 20 years of the local flyers club.The popular Green Acres Model Aero Club based in Aldridge held a two day show event over the weekend as part of the clubs celebrations.
Visitors to the show observed stunt performances in the air as well as family attractions,including a bouncy castle.
The next event is planned for July 26th & 27th
Entrance is free and is scheduled to run from 10.am - 17.00pm
Olympic hockey team to prepare at Aldridge centre.
(Team -Building activities are held prior to Beijing Games).
Members of the Great Britains women's hockey team are coming to Aldridge as part of the preparations for the Beijing Olympics next month.
The players will visit the Outdoor Activity and Environmental Learning Centre in Aldridge next month for team building exercises ahead of the showcase event watched by billions across the globe.The centre was oficially opened by Princess Annein January and includes a classroom,changing rooms and rope adventure course.
The squad which consists of 19 women will use the centre's facilities for the final stages of their preparations.The centre isfunded by the BIG Lottery fund through the new opportunities for PE and Sport programme..It is used by schools and community groups for a range of outdoor activities including mountain biking,orienteering,land yachting and archery.With classroom and changing facilities the centre has been used to support environmental projects to provide on site teaching and learning.
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