New football equipment for Southtown Primary School U11s football teams

We’re pleased to announce we’re supporting Southtown Primary School with funding for football equipment.

Three years ago, we supported Southtown Primary School in Great Yarmouth with funding for a football kit and it’s great to see they’re now at a stage where they’ve entered two teams in an U11s football league. Their current application has been successful and will help the school purchase league-sized foldaway football goals, pitch-marking equipment, goalie gloves, footballs and bibs.

The equipment will enable the school to enter more teams from other year groups and promote physical activity for a wider range of children in the school, including after school clubs and lunchtime activities.

“Thank you so much for your funding which has enabled us to take part in football events which our children would otherwise have missed out on. The new equipment can help our childrens’ physical and mental wellbeing, increasing self-esteem, personal achievement and a sense of pride in their team; with the understanding that taking part and teamwork are just as important as winning.” Zoe Chilvers, School Support Manager.

We wish Southtown Primary School every success for the future and look forward to seeing their progress along the way.

For the latest news on Southtown Primary School, follow them on their website and Twitter.

If you are part of an amazing sport or leisure team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in September 2022.

Free training on identifying trees this Summer

Next time you’re out walking, wouldn’t you like to know about the different trees around you? Learning to identify broadleaf trees can not only help you connect with nature, but can also lead to an interesting career.

Working together with Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Trees for Cities, the Field Studies Council are excited to offer free training to residents living in the Great Yarmouth area, particularly young people who would like to know more about their local environment.

The training includes how to identify a range of broadleaf trees and will also offer insights into careers working with trees.

The training is perfect for young people with an interest in identifying, planting, protecting and caring for urban trees, who are looking to volunteer, learn or work in this sector.

The course will be delivered either as a one-day face-to-face course on 13th August or online starting 8th August. The 4-week online course includes self-led online study, activities, assignments and live Zoom sessions, with a time commitment of around 2-3 hours per week. An E-certification will be provided upon completion of the course.

Registrations are now open and will close on the 20th June at 9am. Numbers are limited, so register now!

To register, visit https://www.field-studies-council.org/free-tree-training/

Broadway Bella’s set the barre higher

We’re delighted to announce we’re supporting Broadway Bella’s with funding for a ballet barre and dance equipment.

The musical theatre company’s director, Gabriella Harvey-Mobbs has run Broadway Bella’s for the past 2 years and it was our pleasure to support Gabriella back in November 2020 with new uniforms and equipment to help her with start-up costs. 

Broadway Bella’s has gone from strength to strength and has now secured a studio in Great Yarmouth for their local qualified and experienced tutors to teach their 200+ members, from two years old to adult. Their new studio was previously a spray centre unit and has so far cost Broadway Bella’s £6,000 to renovate. Gabriella is hoping the renovated studio will provide a valuable resource not only for them to develop their classes, but also for fitness classes, such as Pilates and boxercise, so the whole community can be involved.

Gabriella is using the latest funding for dance equipment, such as ribbons and instruments to enhance lessons for their Broadway Baby classes; a speaker system for other classes; heaters for the comfort of their members; and a ballet barre.

The company are constantly expanding and wish to provide high quality, comfortable classes to all their members. They aim to provide the very best experience for their members and to continue to provide affordable classes to the local community. From the amazing feedback they receive, it’s clear their members feel the classes have improved their confidence and helped both their physical and mental health.

“We are so delighted to receive this grant, so kindly given by Great Yarmouth Sport & Leisure Trust. Broadway Bella's has grown rapidly in the last 6 months and now have 200 students and are ever growing. The studio allows us to have a home for all of our classes and the funding will be going towards new equipment for our studio. Not only will the base be used for singing and dance, but fitness classes and wellness classes, an amazing hub for the Borough. Thank you so much again.” Gabriella Harvey- Mobbs, Director.

Broadway Bella’s are busy preparing for two shows this year in July and November at St George’s Theatre.

We wish Broadway Bella’s every success for the future and look forward to seeing their progress along the way.

For the latest news on Broadway Bella’s, follow them on their website, Facebook and Instagram.

If you are part of an amazing sport or leisure team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in September 2022.

New kit and equipment for Hemsby Football Club

We’re pleased to announce we’re supporting Hemsby Football Club with funding towards kits and equipment for their two brand new teams.

Hemsby FC have around 50 adult members and 35 youth members and is enthusiastic about continuing to offer football playing opportunities to their members and the wider community. This season sees the club expanding to two new teams, in addition to their adult veteran and youth teams: a second adult veterans team and an under 10s team. The grant will contribute towards two new kits, two first aid kits and training footballs. 

"Hemsby FC are very grateful to Great Yarmouth Sport & Leisure Trust for their financial support, which has helped to establish two new teams for the 2021-22 season at opposite ends of the age spectrum. A new Under 10s team was started at the club by two former Hemsby FC adult players, to add to the club’s two other youth teams. Due to the number of Veteran age group players that attended pre-season training, the club took the decision to start a second Veterans team, under the name of Hemsby Veterans Norsemen, to complement the already established Hemsby Veterans Vikings. The financial support provided by GYS&LT contributed towards team kits, first aid kits and training balls for both Under 10 and Vets Norsemen teams, helping Hemsby FC provide football playing opportunities for an increased number of people.” Secretary, Hemsby FC

We wish Hemsby Football Club every success for the future and look forward to seeing their progress along the way.

For the latest news on Hemsby FC, follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

If you are part of an amazing sport or leisure team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in May 2022.

All female football club benefits from improved pitch facilities

We’re delighted to announce we’re supporting Yarmouth Football Club with funding for equipment to improve the facilities of their current pitch.

Yarmouth Football Club is a female only club for girls and women. The club has four teams: 6+ Skills Club, U11 Girls Team, U14 Girls Team and 16+ Ladies Team. The club is 48 members strong and provides a safe, fund and supportive environment for girls and women and the club’s main objective is to improve the physical, emotional and mental health of girls and women in Great Yarmouth, through playing team sports. Members of the Ladies Team are also offered the opportunity to attend Kickboxing training through one of the club’s sponsors.

The club is a small grassroots non-profit organisation, relying on member fees and sponsorship and any profits are used to improve quality and services provided. The new equipment will include folding sport benches, first aid kits, passing arcs, a rebounder and team shelter; to greatly improve team training sessions, safety and comfort.

The club’s vision for the future is to support girls and women in achieving their potential in both amateur and professional games. Lee Carter, Manager of the U11 Girls Team said “This grant will allow us to purchase additional training and flexibility items which will greatly improve the quality of training. The U11 team will benefit a lot from doing different drills using different training methods and equipment. I believe this way we can get the girls to achieve their potential, having a variety of training exercises to keep things challenging and their minds switched on, which will also help them focus whilst training and in matches.”

We wish Yarmouth Football Club every success for the future and look forward to seeing their progress along the way.

For the latest news on YFC, follow on their website, Facebook and Instagram.

If you are part of an amazing sport or leisure team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in May 2022.

New mats for performing arts academy’s gymnastics and new mindfulness classes

We’re delighted to announce we’re supporting DPA Performing Arts Academy with new mats for their gymnastic and new mindfulness classes.

Based at Longs Business Estate in Gorleston-on-Sea, the academy offers performing arts and fitness classes for children and young people. DPA currently has 102 members, enjoying classes including Imagine for children 18 months to 4 years; Impact, Ignite & Inspire for children aged 5 years+; BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Musical Theatre for young people aged 16+; ballet training, holiday workshops and a pro-industry masterclass. DPA is also an ISTD Approved Dance Centre so young people aged 17+ can gain a Level 4 Diploma in Dance Education.

Established in 2010, DPA bridges the gap between drama clubs and further education performing arts establishments. The charity has helped hundreds of children over last 11 years, continually growing by offering new classes and fundraising. Their latest fundraising campaign aims to raise almost £20,000 for a new floor to be installed.  

The academy aims to engage more young people in their classes and are in the process of creating a new fitness and mindfulness-based class. To make classes affordable for everyone, all classes are subsidised, and scholarships are offered for children that could not attend without financial help.

DPA Principal, Karen Thompson said “Just wanted to thank you - all our mats, balls and bands have been purchased and the children are so happy. We have been able to offer three free spaces in the class, thanks to the funding.”

We wish DPA Performing Arts Academy every success for the future and look forward to seeing their progress along the way.

For the latest news on DPA Performing Arts Academy, follow on their website, Facebook and Instagram.

If you are part of an amazing sport or leisure team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in May 2022.

Retro Skating Academy receives funding support for new venue

Trustees Albert Jones and Graham Plant present cheque to Retro Skating Academy

Retro Skating Academy is our latest applicant to receive funding for their new venue. Retro Skating Academy will soon provide top GB training with more British Artistic Roller Skating Champions than anywhere else in the country. Their club is also a safe, secure place in the heart of the community for all, and has many skaters who are registered disabled  who thrive in an inclusive, encouraging team environment. 

GY Sporting Academy CIC, who manages the Academy has used a grant from Sport England towards the total project cost for the conversion and operation of a building. A building has been converted with ample parking for locals and visitors, which can grow the base of skaters to enable them to become a viable not for profit business able to sustain themselves into the future.

Commenting on the funding, Graham Plant, Chairman of Great Yarmouth Sport & Leisure Trust, said "Our purpose is to encourage positive activity in the borough, and for us, Retro Skating Academy has the potential to be a UK leading operation that benefits the community on many levels. We can also see greater benefits for the area and cultural benefits for young and older visitors who would attend galas all year round.”  

Emma Parrott, Chairperson, Retro Skating Academy, explained, "Great Yarmouth has some challenging health demographics and we are championing the importance of physical activity for a healthy lifestyle. The SEND community is keen to set up an additional needs Roller Skating club, and we currently have many SEND members who thrive on routine and repetitive training. The events will be the most significant revenue for the Academy, and with GB Skate Artistic already committing to several events per year plus GB squad training, it's a positive and reassuring start for the Academy." 

Fifteen organisations receive funding from Great Yarmouth Sport and Leisure Trust

We’re delighted to announce that the following organisations and people have received grassroots funding to support kit and equipment for their members in 2021:

• Great Yarmouth Martial Arts

• Martham Cricket Club

• Sweeney Sports Club

• Engage Sports Coaching

• Yarmouth United Football Club

• Great Yarmouth Children's Theatre

• Dragon's Stage and Theatre School

• Caister United Football Club

• PT Pete

• Isabella's Dance and Musical Theatre Company

• Broadway Bella's

• DPA Dance Academy

• Hopton Harriers and

• Martham Football Club.

These local organisations are crucial to providing alternative activities in supporting children and adults in sport and recreation, and in some instances, support work around the safety of vulnerable people.

The borough has shown incredible resilience in the past 18 months. We are indebted to the volunteers for their commitment and enthusiasm to pick up and bring the community together and are keen to support more in 2022.

To apply for funding, please download our form here.

Artificial turf enables all year-round sports coaching

We’re pleased to announce we’ve supported SweeneySportsPerformance (SSP) with funding towards artificial sports turf for their indoor facility to ensure all year-round sessions for their members.

SweeneySportsPerformance offers coaching sessions for individuals and groups from young children to teenagers and adults. Their aim is to give as many people as possible the chance to develop in their sport, by providing top quality coaching and facilities.

By offering an indoor facility, more people can access facilities to practice, stay active and develop in their chosen sport. An important aspect is to provide a space for their members to develop practical, communication and social skills, in addition to becoming fitter and healthier.

Coach, Robbie-Lee Sweeney said “We believe that sport matters for people’s wellbeing and mental health. Being able to partake in sport in a friendly and professional environment helps to bring people closer together and enjoy sports, ultimately leading to a happier lifestyle. We want to give as many people as we can the chance to use our facility and help them to develop their skills. We hope to provide an all year-round facility that can help as many people as possible in a range of different sports and fitness aspects”.

We wish SSP every success for the future and look forward to seeing their progress along the way.

For the latest news on SSP, follow them on Instagram.

If you are part of an amazing sport or leisure team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in February 2022.

New rain jackets for family focused football club

We’re so pleased to support Hopton Harriers Football Club again, this time with rain jackets for their U15 team.

The club restarted last year after an absence of 12 years and the club has grown quickly with support from parents and over 20 adult volunteers. Despite dealing with difficulties due to the pandemic, the club has grown to 6 mixed teams and 3 female-only teams. Over 100 children aged from 3 to 15 years enjoy the village youth club which has built up a reputation of being a good family feel club, focusing on developing players and upholding good sportsmanship and fair play.

With the investment of new rain jackets, the children will be able to enjoy training and playing even in wet weather.

Rob Smith, Treasurer, said “Thanks for the funding approval, that is really great news. It means a great deal to the players as we come into the winter months, and the weather becomes wet and cold. From a club point of view, seeing all the players wearing the same looks good and gives them a good sense of belonging to a team. Once again, thank you!”

We wish Hopton Harriers FC every success for the future and look forward to seeing their progress along the way.

For the latest news on Hopton Harriers FC, follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

If you are part of an amazing sport or leisure team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in February 2022.

Mini soccer pitch for local village football club

We’re delighted to support Martham Football Club once more, this time with a mini soccer pitch so they can expand their number of youth teams.

The local village football club offers activities for all ages and for the 2021/22 season, they’re planning on running 11 youth teams and 6 adult teams, including 2 veterans teams and an under 18s team.

 The club applied for funding so the additional costs would not have to be passed on to members or their families. The new mini soccer pitch will enable youth teams to have the flexibility to play when they want and increase the number of participants.

Martham FC Treasurer, David Bradford said “We’re extremely grateful for the support from Great Yarmouth Sport & Leisure. The village of Martham is growing and so is our Football Club. We’re so very proud to be able to provide the facilities for our young players. Grants like this help us create new teams from the age of six each year, whilst keeping the playing fees at an affordable level for their parents. These goals will be used to create an extra pitch at the Coronation Ground, which brings our total number of pitches to an impressive seven.”

We wish Martham FC every success for the future and look forward to seeing their progress along the way.

 For the latest news on Martham FC, follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

If you are part of an amazing sport or leisure team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in February 2022.

New Crash Mats for Martial Arts Club

We are pleased to announce we’re supporting Great Yarmouth Martial Arts (GYMA) in providing safety equipment for mixed martial arts, judo, and self-defence classes.

New crash mats have been received by the community club, run by Head Coach, Peter Esposito and based at three venues in Great Yarmouth: Century Training Academy, St Paul's Church and St Mary's Church. GYMA is a not-for-profit community club, offering coaching in Judo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), Wrestling, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). The club is dedicated to promoting physical and mental wellbeing to all abilities and ages from 5 years upwards.

Activities on offer can help improve fitness, coordination, and mental stamina; increase flexibility; aid weight loss; promote social skills and help maintain better mental health. The club is keen to encourage new members to join and is proud to be fully inclusive, including supporting women’s empowerment.

We wish GYMA every success for the future and look forward to seeing their progress along the way.

For the latest news on GYMA, follow on Facebook and Instagram

If you are part of an amazing sport or leisure team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in February 2022.

Personal Trainer gives back to NHS and carers with free exercise classes

We are delighted to announce we’re supporting PT Pete UK in providing exercise classes for the community and free classes for NHS staff and carers. Owner, Peter Dewer, a personal trainer from Great Yarmouth, sought funding for exercise equipment to help more people in the local community achieve their fitness goals and maintain their physical and mental health.

Pete offers training through exercise; nutrition to help people gain self-confidence and feel better about themselves; opportunities for people to socialise with others in the community; and promotes overall better health physically and mentally. Options include one-to-one training, weekly boot camps, 30-day Fit Camp and a 12-week Booty Builder. Pete is passionate about helping people to be more positive about their physical and mental health “My aim is to help people better themselves, mentally and physically so they can live their lives fitter, healthier and happier.”

As a way to ‘give back’ to members of the community who are NHS staff and carers who have provided so much help and support through the pandemic, Pete is pleased to offer free exercises classes, “This is my way of thanking the NHS and carers.”

PT Pete UK aims to identify and work in partnership with like-minded people in providing affordable workout activities and events to improve communities through healthy living. The organisation recognises that building self-confidence, self-worth and personal resilience is a much-needed resource, and have found that those who struggle with more formal exercise settings, feel encouraged and supported with more accessible workout opportunities.

We wish PT Pete UK every success for the future and look forward to seeing their progress along the way.

For the latest news on PT Pete UK, follow on Facebook, including groups Great Yarmouth Boot Camp, Mums, Tums, Bums and Instagram @ptpeteuk_

If you are part of an amazing sport or leisure team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in November 2021.

Local cricket club has new sights set on accreditation

We’re pleased to support Martham Cricket Club, with lightweight and moveable sight screens, to help them improve their facilities.

The small village cricket club has two first teams and a thriving youth set-up for the under 9s, under 11s and under 13s. The club plays an important part in the local community, with training and playing at Martham Playing Field, and sharing its changing rooms with local Martham Football Teams.

The club is working hard to achieve ECB Clubmark accreditation, to show the club is ‘sustainable, well run and provides the right environment for its members.’ It also means the ‘club is recognised as a safe, rewarding and fulfilling place for participants of all ages, as well as assuring parents and carers that they are choosing the right option for their young people.’ The England and Wales Cricket Board

The grant will be used to replace sight screens which were damaged in high winds and, as a condition in achieving ECB Clubmark accreditation, the club is replacing the screens with new moveable and lightweight sight screens.

We wish Martham Cricket Club every success for the future and look forward to seeing their progress along the way.

For the latest news on Martham Cricket Club, follow on Facebook and Twitter

If you are part of an amazing sport or leisure team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in September 2021.

Sports coaching facility receives funding to help children catch up on lost play

A new sports coaching facility has been set up in response to the number of children in the Great Yarmouth area who have been affected by social isolation and inactivity during the pandemic and we are delighted to support the facility with funding for sports equipment.

Starting this summer, Engage Sports Coaching will offer school sports day camps, evening clubs and interschool competitions to encourage children to be more active and have more interaction with other children. Established by sports coach, Mathew Cooper, Mathew recognises that many children have experienced a change to activities over long periods of lockdown and have missed out on essential play and interaction with other children, which has resulted in them being disengaged and a lot less active. “Many children have lost play due to Covid and here’s our chance to help give them their childhood back. We owe it to the next generation of adults.” 

Mathew is also a PE teacher at a SEN school for children with special educational needs and disabilities and wants to make Engage Sports Coaching as inclusive as possible, with children from both SEN and mainstream schools: “If we can try to bridge the gap between the two, that would be perfect.” 

Mathew hopes that even children who are not so sports-minded at school will enjoy the activities in a different environment and that the interaction with children from different backgrounds and abilities will promote empathy, confidence, teamwork and leadership. “They’re giving us their time and if there’s something they want to learn, we’ll try to make that happen for them. The funding will give us the opportunity to offer a wider variety of sports to engage more children.”

Due to current Covid restrictions, summer holiday sports camps will be available for pupils from Ormesby Junior School and Caister Junior School this year. As the restrictions are lifted, more children from other schools can get involved. Mathew hopes to make the facility accessible to as many children as possible and hopes to offer reduced prices to help more families access the resource.

Mathew said “We want to be more than just a sports club. We want children to have the choice of doing something more constructive [than playing computer games, for example] when they come home from school. We want to engage as many people as we can, challenging children to turn their energy into a sense of leadership and community.”

For the latest news on Engage Sports Coaching, follow on Facebook and Instagram

We wish Engage Sports Coaching every success for the future and look forward to seeing their progress along the way.

If you are part of an amazing sport or leisure team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in September 2021.

Children’s Theatre receives funding to attract new members and offer help for disadvantaged young people

We’re delighted to announce we’re supporting Great Yarmouth Children's Theatre with funding for promotional materials, including t-shirts, flyers, and social media activities to help grow the group following the pandemic.

Established in 2014, the local youth theatre group teaches drama, dance, singing and confidence-building to local young people aged between 6 and 18 years. Based at East Coast College in Great Yarmouth, the group has 30 members and successfully performs around three to four public performances each year, plus events including the Clifftop Gala and Christmas Carol singing.

The children’s theatre group are eager to attract new members, as some older members will be leaving to attend college or university soon; and they understand that many young people may have been isolated during lockdown. They are keen to bring their members back together and encourage new members who are looking forward to start socialising again, being active and enjoy being part of something in their community. They are very aware that many families may have a reduced income due to the pandemic and so are hoping to offer free places or reduced places to young people who have been affected financially by the pandemic.

We wish Great Yarmouth Children’s Theatre every success for the future and look forward to seeing their progress along the way.

For the latest news on Great Yarmouth Children’s Theatre, follow on Facebook

If you are part of an amazing sport or leisure team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in September 2021.

New Football Club Receives Funding for New Kit

We’re delighted to support Yarmouth United Football Club, with a new full kit to help them get the new football club off the ground.

Yarmouth United FC has over 20 players and plans to encourage more people to be involved, increasing the number of players to include teams in all age groups. The funding will be used to purchase a full kit for their new men’s team, including full goalkeeper kit.

The club has appointed managers Mikey Grayson from Martham FC and Lee Hackleton from Great Yarmouth Town FC and the club has already had magnificent results from friendly games played in April.

Travis Manning, Yarmouth United FC Secretary said “We are absolutely thrilled to be in receipt of a start-up grant from Great Yarmouth Sports & Leisure Trust which has provided us with the opportunity to purchase kit for our new football club. As a new club, this funding means absolutely everything to us as the start-up costs are expensive so this will go a long way and help us by providing a kit for our new men’s team. Thank you so much GYS&L!”

We wish Yarmouth United FC every success for the future and look forward to seeing their progress along the way.

For the latest news on Yarmouth United Football Club, follow on Facebook and Twitter

If you are part of an amazing sport or leisure team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in September 2021.

Equipment for new and exciting dance and musical theatre company

We’re delighted to support Isabella Weller with equipment to ensure success in her new start-up: Isabella’s Dance and Musical Theatre Company.

Isabella is a dance/musical theatre teacher based at Gorleston Pavilion Theatre and currently has 65 students with more waiting in the wings to join up. Investing her own funds into her new venture, Isabella needed help with purchasing an iPad for storing choreography videos, music, and admin tasks, so she can continue to teach her online classes and her workshops and group classes which are due to start again in mid-April.

The funding will also be used to purchase dance mats and ribbons for Isabella’s babies’ classes and balance boards and yoga mats for other classes. The current timetable includes Bella’s Ballerinas, and musical theatre classes for babies, juniors, and seniors.

Isabella wants to encourage young people to be interested in the performing arts, including dancing, singing, fitness and performing and her future plans include showcasing the company’s student talent in events such as local fetes, charity events, carnivals and shows.

In receiving the funding, Isabella said “I am extremely grateful to have been given this grant, the money will be going towards a new iPad which will benefit me and the students massively. With starting this business on my own and funding everything myself, the new and up to date iPad will be a very important asset to my business. I cannot wait to open and meet all my new students and get started with rehearsals for upcoming local performances. Thank you very much!!”.

We wish Isabella every success in her new venture and look forward to seeing her progress along the way.

For the latest news on Isabella’s Dance and Musical Theatre Company, follow on Facebook and Instagram.

If you are part of an amazing sport or leisure team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in May 2021.

New women’s team at Caister Football Club receives funding for new kit

We’re only too pleased to support Caister Football Club with funding for a new women’s football team kit. With management and players already lined up, the club is establishing a female adult football team and the club want to ensure their team is kitted out ready for next season.

Established over 100 years ago, Caister FC have nine youth teams and three adult teams making them over 300 members strong. The club aims to enable people of all ages, genders, and abilities to participate in grassroots football and offer a facility for the community. The club is so passionate about being involved in the local community, that it helped to provide free meals for vulnerable people at the start of the pandemic. See here for the full story.

In their wish to promote the participation of female players, to increase awareness and to offer more women the opportunity to join a local team, Alan Pearce, Chairman commented “All of us at Caister FC consider that it is crucial to broaden our engagement with the local community. We believe grassroots sport will become ever more important in the future and our ambition is to provide the best environment for the club members. Obtaining this funding from the Great Yarmouth Sport and Leisure Trust will diversify what we can offer and enhance our sustainability. We are very grateful that they share in our vision for the future of the club."

Watch out for the new women’s kit which we’re excited to report will include Great Yarmouth Sport and Leisure Trust branding!

For the latest news on Caister FC, follow on Facebook, Twitter and their website

If you are part of an amazing sport or leisure team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in May 2021.

Movie-making equipment for Dragons

We are delighted to announce we’re supporting Dragons Stage and Theatre School with funding for camera equipment so they can incorporate ‘movie making’ to further involve their students and showcase their work to the community.

A well-known group in the Great Yarmouth area, the school teaches theatre skills, singing, dancing and acting to local young people between 6 and 16 years. The school started over 30 years ago from St. George’s Theatre and Caister High School and are now at Filby Village Hall. Students are welcome from all backgrounds and ethnicities and there are no auditions to join the group. Past productions have included the UK premier of 'Around the World in 80 Days'; Annie; Disney's Beauty and the Beast; and Alice in Wonderland, as well as recurring productions of Stephen Sondheim's 'Into the Woods' among over 40 others.

The school recognises the importance of developing a sense of self-worth and confidence in their students, incorporating theatre games, singing and dancing into their work, and encourage working together, where the students as a group support each other, with a sense of family and belonging.

During the past 12 months, the performing arts group have been actively thinking of new ways to engage their students, setting up an online teaching page and using social media to showcase activity the children have engaged with from home. Since their audiences are no longer able to attend their shows for the foreseeable future, the school are making their performances more accessible to the community by recording shows and including ‘movie making’ as part of the work they do.

The grant will enable the school to purchase a camera and equipment to produce videos of students’ performances and to enable the students to produce short films for their families, friends and the community. This participation from the students enhances their self-worth, wellbeing, confidence and develops character building; and the adults, tutors, fundraisers and parent helpers in the school will have the opportunity to learn new skills in photography, film making and theatre skills. The school hopes the short films will encourage other young people and the wider community to get involved.

Nigel Alexander, the school’s Director said “over the past year, performance groups, both large and small, have needed to become increasingly inventive when it comes to just doing what they do. This is just as true for theatre schools as it is for the adult theatre performers. The inability to have a live audience, whether that would be the children's parents and supporters or the general public attending the numerous fetes and carnivals in the area, has required a change in direction.

As we have been required to perform in a socially distanced way, the Dragons have exchanged their live audience for a virtual one by making movies of all their work. This has been challenging and during the past year we have developed a need for better recording equipment to further the school's new style of working. The grant supplied by the trust will mean we can now move forwards more rapidly with our productions, whether that is a show, dance or singing and then post these to the local area. Our thanks again for this wonderful support."

The school can be contacted on their main Facebook page or on their website

If you are part of an amazing sport or leisure team and would like to apply for up to £500 of funding, we are taking applications for awarding in May 2021.