On Thursday 29th June US Girls Newton Aycliffe attended The Key Awards 2017 at Newcastle Civic Centre. The group had been short listed in two categories: ‘The Key Panel Innovators’ for a creative presentation to the funding panel and ‘The Key Inspirational Group’ for their work on inspiring other young females into sporting activities. The group have been working with The Key to gaining funding for activities at their local club held at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre on a Monday evening 7pm till 8.30pm.
The Key allows young people to access funding by working on 12 highlighted key skills which include improving their confidence, communication skills, dealing with people in power and authority and making decisions. On this occasion the group had achieved stage 3 of the funding, which saw them spend £1000 on a sport festival in the Easter holidays for young females aged 11 to 17. They had a disco, a photo booth, crossfit session, inflatable fun including bouncy boxing and sumo suits. There was also a mini didi car race and giant jenga. On the day the girls provide lunch for all attending which was a buffet from local café ‘Coffee Pronto’ in Newton Aycliffe.
There was also a surprise award in which Laura Langdale – US Girls pastoral support worker was nominated for ‘The Key Facilitator of the Year’ in recognition for all her hard work not only with the US Girls project but also for other Key Groups she has supported in the last year. Laura has been supporting the US Girls project for 2 years and while the project aims to encourage young females into sport, Laura also offers support in many areas including: healthy eating, confidence and self esteem, smoking cessation, sexual health advice and guidance, peer issues along with many other aspects of teenage life. Congratulations to Bethany Thompson, Amy Hall, Georgie Roberts, Sophie Bush, Allannah Bambridge, Courtney Tallentire and Savannah Patrick on their fantastic award. More information on US Girls and what clubs are available locally please contact Sarah Price on 01388 722317 or find us on Facebook ‘Sedgefield US Girls’.
