YMCA

There was more than 20 hours of activity which took place at the YMCA, including table tennis, dance, football, dodgeball, netball, badminton, cricket, rugby, basketball and handball.

All the activities were delivered or assisted by Sporttrain participants who would also like to thank the YMCA staff for allowing them to carry on with their learning at the YMCA while Pill Mill is out of action.

WHO CARES? WE CARE!

Michelle and Cheryl would like to thank Pill Communities First team, Pill library and the West of England for their help in relocating the group while the Pill Mill is closed.

Without their help the girls would have lost their club for a number of weeks. Thank you!

OUTDOOR ACTIVITY DAY: On Tuesday, February 20, a group of Pill children went on a team building/paintballing activity day at Teamforce in Swansea.

Throughout the day the boys and girls attempted various challenges, with the emphasis on working as a team. The trip was funded by Pill Communities First and Who Cares? We Care!

NETBALL: On Wednesday, February 21, Pill Community Sports entered two teams in the Newport Community Sports Netball Festival held at Duffryn High School.

Team 1 were undefeated with many players performing exceptionally well. Team 2 recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat. The children who represented Pill on the day were a credit to the area.

A special thank-you to 14-year-old Danielle Sievwright, volunteer netball coach, Danielle is a product of the Pill Positive Futures Programmes.

BASKETBALL: There was a recent community sports basketball match played between Pill and Gaer at Newport YMCA.

The match was for boys and girls aged 12 and under. This was the first of many basketball games due to be played between Pill and other areas of Newport.

During the game the boys and girls from both teams showed excellent basketball skills and good sportsmanship, with the game ending in a draw.

POSITIVE FUTURES FOOTBALL MATCH: In the half-term there was a six-a-side football match played between Pill and Duffryn Positive Futures.

The players, who were all aged 16-plus, enjoyed 90 minutes of competitive indoor football, with Duffryn coming out on top by means of a penalty shoot-out.

The game was played in good spirit with many more matches to come.

DANCE: During the February half-term the young girls in Pill were treated to three sessions of dance at the YMCA.

The sessions were free of charge and were delivered superbly by volunteer dance leaders Nicole Lao and Alex McGuire.

The girls have gained their award in Dance Leadership from Sports Leaders UK within the last month. They are the latest young people in Pill to benefit from Positive Futures funding.

FOOTBALL FESTIVAL: As well as the activities taking place at Newport YMCA, Pill children also attended city-wide events.

Football - on February 9, boys aged between ten and 14 attended the Newport Sports Development Football Festival in Bettws.

Pill provided two teams at under- 12 and under-14 levels, with both sides playing some lovely football. Thank you to Kevin Phelps, father of Liam, for running the under-12s team, also volunteers Blair Bailey and Dominic Lu for their work with the under-14s.

PRAM RACE: A meeting took place at the Alex pub on Wednesday, February 21, to discuss the pram race and fun day on spring bank holiday Monday. Entrants for the pram race to Jayne on 263719.

We hope to have a good turnout for the race, and discussions are going ahead for a really good family day. Further details later.

CARNIVAL DAY: The tenders are now out for carnival day (August bank holiday Monday). Food vans, ice-cream vans, etc. we are also looking for marching bands, majorettes, cheer leaders, etc for the procession (let Jayne know).

We are going to give Pill the best carnival ever. The support we have had from the local people has been truly amazing, and we know everyone will be behind us again this year.

Next meeting will be on March 7, 6pm, at the Alex pub. You are welcome to attend. We are fundraising to pay for the generator that was stolen from the field on carnival day. The cost is £1,175.

Congratulations to Norman and Mary Parselle, who are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary on Friday. Good luck and best wishes to you both.