0 – 26 in 6 months!

Stanford in the Vale resident Ulen Neale is running in the Flora London Marathon on Sunday 13th April 2008 and raising money for Volunteer Reading Help (VRH), a national charity that inspires children to become confident and literate for life through the sustained support of trained volunteers.

Ulen hasn’t run competitively since school but has now embarked on a rigorous training schedule, which includes regular bike rides and short runs to build up his fitness before starting intensive running  training in the New Year.

Ulen says, “I am raising money for Volunteer Reading Help because I feel it is important to give children every opportunity in life. Primary school is such a crucial time and if a child can be encouraged to develop a love of reading at this age, then they will become confident and literate for life.”

All money raised by Ulen will be used to partner more reading helpers with more children. It’s a great cause and all donations will be warmly welcomed. You can sponsor him online by visiting www.justgiving.com/madasaboxoffrogs, or by phoning him on 01367 710306. He’s also taking part in the Helen & Douglas House Santa Fun Run on December 2nd, running with his daughter, and again, you can sponsor them by phoning or visiting www.bmycharity.com/ulenandlauren

We’ll be reporting on Ulen’s training over the next few months, and you can also read his marathon training blog at www.ulen.me.uk

Challow Ladies Netball Club achieves prestige sportsmark

Earlier this year and following the culmination of two years’ hard work, England Netball awarded Challow Ladies Netball Club both the Bronze CAPS (Club Action Planning Scheme) and the Club Mark award, the equivalent of  a Kitemark, for being a child-friendly, developmental club. This Clubmark is usually only awarded to clubs with dedicated junior sections but England Netball considered the Challow Ladies worthy of the award as they have clearly demonstrated commitment to young people.

To get this award the club must have valid England Netball coaching certificates at Level 1 and Level 2. At the start of the season Challow had no qualified coaches but they are now proud to boast four level 1 coaches. The coaches have given up a lot of their own time, attended several courses, read and prepared coaching drills and endured the stress of a practical assessment to achieve this, and without their personal commitment the club could not have even submitted a file to English Netball.

Apart from the obvious kudos such a Clubmark brings it will also mean Challow Ladies can continue to improve and grow as they now have access to many courses and schemes for accredited clubs, and can apply for lottery funding and other bursaries and grants available for sports clubs. More importantly Challow Ladies would like to show the local community that theirs is a well-run, approved club.

If you are interested in playing netball,  Challow Ladies would love to meet you. They currently train at Wantage Leisure Centre so why not go along to a training session? For more details please visit the club’s website  at www.challownetball.f9.co.uk or contact Wendy Ilsley on 01367 710712.

Swindon Town’s Triple Ticket Offer

Swindon Town have three home games over the Christmas period and the club are offering supporters the chance to attend all three games for just £45 with a Triple Ticket offer. Supporters who buy advance priced tickets for the Brighton & Hove Albion and Hartlepool United games (December 15th and 22nd respectively) and the visit of Huddersfield Town (Saturday 5th January 2008) will be able to buy a specially priced 'Triple Ticket' for all three games. (Arkells/Nationwide Stand - £45, Town End - £38)

Season ticket holders will also be able to bring up to two friends to the Huddersfield Town game at these reduced prices: Arkells/Kingswood Adult £9, OAP/Student £7, Junior £4. Town End Adult £8, OAP/Student £6, Junior £4*

*Juniors are not allowed in the Town End unaccompanied *The Triple Ticket will be available until 5pm on Friday 14th December. *Season Ticket Holders will be able to buy discounted tickets for the Huddersfield game up until 5pm on Friday 4th January 2008.

Should the Huddersfield game be rescheduled due to either club's involvement in the FA Cup, all tickets will be valid at the re-arranged fixture.

Ticket details for the FA Cup Second Round clash against the winners of Forest Green Rovers vs Rotherham United will follow this week.

To book your triple ticket or for further details, please call the STFC Box Office on 0871 223 2300.