2020 Year Review

With a year full of twists and turns leaving many wondering what would come of sport and life in general, we have to rally round and celebrate the achievements of incredible sporting stories and heroes in the borough in 2020.

Unaltered life in the first two months of the year seems like a distant memory now, however we had some incredible local news taking place in life before the national lockdown.

A Denton primary school, Russell Scott, started off their year with a smile after a nomination for a prestigious national award. The school found themselves in the running for the National Youth Sport Trust Outstanding School Award 2020. The celebration is given to a school that has worked tirelessly to transform the lives of young people through physical activity.

Headteacher, Steve Marsland, believes heavily in physical and mental stimulating activity for children and implements this within his work at the school.

The sky was lit up in January above the Tameside Stadium as eight new floodlights were installed at East Cheshire harriers, transforming the club.

After months of fundraising, a generous donation from Sport England and help from Tameside Council, the club were able to switch on their ground improving dark training nights for the foreseeable future.

The project was driven by former club president Phil Pearson who has left his legacy not only within East Cheshire but within the whole community itself, bringing an array of smiles to both children and adults.

With a year of constant changes, the mental health of many has been in an endless fluctuating pattern, leaving many looking for healthy ways to improve how they feel.

Danny Hornsby, owner of Little Rocky’s, has made it his mission this year to improve the mental and physical health of children through his interactive school sessions.

Danny believes that teaching children simple healthy ways is vital at a young age. His sessions include taking the children through boxing and fitness programmes, as well as instructing them on how to make healthy choices and look after themselves.

He also works closely with Secondary Schools to implement the “Gloves Up Knives Down’ scheme, hoping to keep young people out of gangs and keep them focussed within sport. The initiative has proven a success in putting young people on the right path at a crucial age.

The Tour of Tameside is a huge triumph every year, with so many from across the borough taking part. The Running Bee Foundation decided to put that triumph to an incredible use this year, after deciding to donate £5,000 of profit to nine groups in the area.

With many groups being led by volunteers, funding is difficult in the best of times, so that boost of money is able to help out in so many ways. Groups such as Mind, Body and Soul and Ashton Albion Boxing were among those to receive a grant to provide new equipment and inspire more people to become fitter and healthier, therefore improving the lives of so many.

Tameside is known for its many sporting stories and achievements. Local goalkeeper Cameron Mason of Curzon Ashton Football Club proved his level of talent after he was selected to represent the England C squad for their friendly against Wales in March.

Unfortunately, the pandemic took its toll and Cameron didn’t see his chance to play in the squad. Despite the setback, he has shown tremendous talent in 2020 which did not go unnoticed. The 24-year-old shot stopper had without a doubt been a standout player last season and his efforts continue to be awarded.

When the first national lockdown struck in March, many found themselves taking up a new sport or activity to keep themselves busy. Sarah Crossley of Active Angels believes Yoga is an amazing sport to keep both the mind and the body busy. 

Taking up both online sessions and outdoor sessions in Cheetham’s Park, Stalybridge, Sarah works tirelessly to improve the wellbeing of those in the borough. She is especially focused on the children in the area, working with many schools to lead yoga sessions for the pupils.

Sarah believes that the activity helps massively to improve the mental state of young people, especially on teaching them how to manage their emotions, particularly through a year of difficult experiences.

Fitness fanatics have pushed challenges to the limit in 2020, with many using their talents to raise much needed funds for charities.

A team of motivated runners, Daddies Escape completed an immense challenge when they decided to perform 72 separate 10km runs in the month of July. This equated to two each day for 21 days and three a day for 10 other days.

The clubs used their efforts to collect money for both The Running Bee Foundation and the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity. They managed to reach an astonishing amount of £1,190 which was then split in half between the two establishments.

A sport which did see a rise in participants in 2020 was Tennis. Priory Tennis Club in Stalybridge saw a soar of members after gyms and leisure facilities were forced to close.

Players of racket sports such as badminton and squash, decided to take up tennis when that was allowed to be played outdoors under Covid guidelines. 

The Stalybridge club saw great success, especially since a loan of the Lawn Tennis Association allowed them to transfer their courts and club house, attracting members from far and wide.

Cycling UK launched their Big Bike Revival programme in November. Part of this initiative was the Dr Bike service which allowed local mechanics to work on maintenance of bikes for people in the community free of charge.

A local cycling hero who took part in this was Phil Bird who owns Birdys Bike Shed. His plan was to have as many people as possible out keeping active and healthy in a time when social interaction and physical activity couldn’t be more important.

The NHS have been thanked for their outstanding work and efforts during the coronavirus pandemic in many ways.

As a token of thanks, Avro Football Club offered all essential workers in North Manchester and Oldham free season tickets for the 2020/21 season.

The club had been vocal in terms of it’s support of frontline staff with members of the management team raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support as well.

Avro had their season prematurely ended in March but found themselves sitting in 10^th in the North West Counties Premier Division.

After months of closure and an altered way of functioning which no one could have predicted, schools in the borough were able to open at full capacity again in September.

In schools like Canon Burrows, PE lessons had to be adapted in order to fit with guidelines and ensure that every pupil is safe at school. Ben Richardson, who teachers at the school and also plays for Mossley AFC, had to change his regular way of changing to allow children to keep active in school.

With separate bubbles and equipment being used in different groups, safety as always is the number one priority and being able to have the children back participating in sport is an incredible stage for schools and children to be at.

Although many festive activities had to be halted in December, schools across the area kept spirits high whilst also raising much appreciated funds when they took part in the national santa dash.

Greenside Primary School in Droylsden were among schools in the borough who pledged to get kitted out in their best festive outfits and run around their school playground to bring smiles to pupils.

 Mike Ellis, a teacher at the school, committed to leading these sessions whilst also helping to raise money for the schools’ PTA after months of closure left them without funding.

Whereas St John Fisher RC Primary School in Denton raced around their yard to raise funds for the much worthy Believe and Achieve who have had a huge cutback in funding since the pandemic.

Looking ahead with optimism, we hope the sporting success stories of the borough continue on into the new year. This year despite all tragedy, has proven to be one of countless  community spirit and away from the limitations and restrictions, Tameside have continued to work together and impress on many occasions.