Tag: sport

Local Golfer Sets Sights On Further International Success

By on 14th November 2018in Sport
golfer

A North East golfer has his sights set on further professional golfing success after being awarded the China PGA Tour’s number one merit.

Callum Tarren, from Darlington, is attached to Rockliffe Hall and is sponsored by boutique Stockton-based insurance broker, Erimus Insurance Brokers. This latest achievement sees him receive a full playing card for the Web.com Tour, the developmental competition for the US PGA Tour.

“It’s been a fantastic tour. I’m lucky enough to have made 27 out of 27 cuts in a strong competition and I’m delighted to be taking part in the 2019 Web.com Tour,” he said.

Callum started 2018 ranked at 587 in the world and has progressed through to 319 thanks to his hard work and determination in the China Tour.

Paul Davison, managing director of Erimus, said: “We’re so proud of everything that Callum has achieved this year. He’s worked hard and that’s been evident in the way that he’s played.

“Sponsoring Callum seemed like a natural choice for us. We have always had a corporate membership at Rockliffe Hall and enjoy working to support our local community and causes.

“Callum’s success has also gained our business great exposure, raising our profile and increasing awareness of our brand; we enjoy following his success.”

Erimus is a member of the Willis Commercial Network, providing commercial and corporate insurance services to businesses of all sizes, from owner-managed SMEs to companies with turnovers over £200m. The company is a top 100 UK Independent Insurance Broker and offers a unique proposition; the service levels of a small and caring team, with the buying power of a global broker thanks to its Willis membership.

The Web.com 2019 Tour begins in January, in the Bahamas. It features 27 tournaments played in 17 US states and four other countries. Callum’s progress can be followed on the Erimus Twitter feed @erimusib, and via their blog http://www.erimusib.com/blog/.

To find out more about Erimus Insurance Brokers, visit http://www.erimusib.com

Twitter: @callumtarren

Early Bird Offer For Muddy Mayhem At Hardwick Park

By on 21st January 2017in Events

Early birds can catch a discount for a day of muddy good fun at County Durham’s Hardwick Park.

The North East’s ultimate obstacle course returns on Sunday 1 October, with a host of challenges awaiting runners in the beautiful surroundings of the popular 18th century, Grade II listed parkland, near Sedgefield.

Cllr Maria Plews, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for leisure, libraries and lifelong learning, said: “Muddy Mayhem is always a popular event and from cargo ​nets to ​climbing ​walls, ​tunnels, ​freezing ​open ​water and ​lots ​of ​other ​surprises this year once again promises a real test for everyone taking on our tough 5K or 10K courses.”

Anyone who signs up before midnight on Tuesday 31 January 2017 can bag a 5K place for just £35 or £40 for the 10K.

And if you’re considering taking part as a group then there’s no better time to book, as teams of 10 or more will receive an extra 10% discount – making it just £31.50 per person before the end of January.

Once the early bird offer has finished the individual price will increase to £42 for 5K and £48 for 10K.

Runners must be aged 16 and over to enter, and have a reasonable level of fitness.

For more information and to sign up visit  HYPERLINK “http://www.durham.gov.uk/muddymayhem” www.durham.gov.uk/muddymayhem.

County Durham Leisure Centres Hold Sport Relief Fundraiser

By on 27th February 2016in Lifestyle

Council fitness coaches are inviting families to spin, swim and sprint in aid of Sport Relief…

As part of their continuing efforts to improve the health of people in County Durham, staff at Freeman’s Quay and Riverside leisure centres have organised fundraising fitness events this March.

Cllr Maria Plews, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for leisure, libraries and lifelong learning, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for people to visit our Durham and Chester-le-Street leisure centres, use some of the fabulous facilities we have, and support a great cause.”

A 24 hour ‘spinathon’ will take place at Freeman’s Quay Leisure Centre from 8pm on Thursday 17th March until 8pm on Friday 18th March.

Members of the public can book themselves in for a 30 minute slot – or longer if they feel up to the challenge – on one of the centre’s 13 spin bikes between 6.30am and 10.30pm.

Staff – including coaches Aiden McDaid, Steven Gardiner and Sam Renwick – will then continue the trial through the night.

With cyclists busy on the bikes, coaches Laura Gwynne, Claire Fothergill, Chloe Heslop and Carol Shaw will invite swimmers to take part in an hour long ‘aquathon’ on Friday 18th March.

From 9.45am to 10.45am visitors to the Freeman’s Quay pool will be able to dance along to everything from Abba to Glee, and the Beatles.

Meanwhile, at Riverside Leisure Complex, schoolchildren and sports club members will be encouraged to walk, jog or run a mile on its running track between 9am and 3pm.

The track will also be open from noon to 1.30pm for any member of the public who would like to take part.

All the events are free, but donations to Sport Relief will be requested.

QE College Hold Rugby Academy Open Evening

By on 15th February 2016in In & Around

Rugby fever has swept through Darlington…

Following the launch of the Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College Rugby Academy, in association with Darlington Mowden Park RFC, in January 2016, an open evening is taking place for all interested students and parents at the Northern Echo Arena on Tuesday 23rd February at 6pm.

The open evening will provide more information about Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College and the Rugby Academy, along with the opportunity to see the world class facilities at Mowden Park where the Rugby Academy will be located.

Staff involved in the Academy from both QE and Mowden Park will be on hand to answer any questions.

For further information regarding the open evening or the Rugby Academy, call into Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Vane Terrace, Darlington, or ring 01325 461315. You can also email enquiry@qeliz.ac.uk.

Alternatively, email Academy Manager, Michael Garmston at michael.garmston@mowdenpark.com.

Durham County Cricket Club Announce 2016 Super Sunday

By on 18th December 2015in Entertainment

Durham cricket fans are getting themselves in a spin over DCCC’s announcement regarding next year’s Super Sunday…

Following the announcement this summer that Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground is set to host the second Spring Investec Test between England and Sri Lanka (27th-31st May 2016), Durham County Cricket Club has today unveiled the third test day will be dubbed ‘Super Sunday’ – offering spectators a family-friendly day of International Cricket with a distinct local accent.

David Harker, chief executive at Durham County Cricket Club, said: “Super Sunday is going to be just that – a brilliant day, excellent food, drink and of course, some top-class cricket! The test match will be a great advert for cricket in the region, but Sunday in particular will be an occasion with real carnival atmosphere, whether you’re a regular at the ground or not.

“We have long-hosted high-profile cricket matches right here in the heart of the North East, and it is always an honour to do so.”

It’s estimated that the second Spring Investec Test between England and Sri Lanka will have an overall economic impact of £1.5m, highlighting the value of hosting international sporting events. Full details about what’s on offer to spectators across Super Sunday will be confirmed in the New Year.

David added: “The five-day Investec Test Match will bring the thrill of international sport back to the region, and will also be an exciting preview to a series of international matches set to take place in the coming years, including the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. We hope Super Sunday will allow us to add to the already exciting cricketing experience with fantastic local fare and entertainment.”

Tickets are now on sale for what will be the first Test Match at the ground since England dramatically won the Ashes in Durham in 2013. It is the only opportunity for fans to see England compete internationally in the region in 2016, and special early-bird ticket prices are available until Christmas.

Visit www.durhamccc.co.uk/international-cricket/ for more details and to buy tickets.

Darlington Table Tennis Academy: Reigniting The Sport

By on 30th October 2015in Have Your Say, Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?

Giulio Pontone, secretary of Darlington Table Tennis Academy, talks about the group’s history…

Darlington Table Tennis Academy was formed in 2013 to try and revitalise the sport in our area, and to stop the demise of the Table Tennis League.

Over the past thirty years, the Darlington Table Tennis League has seen a reduction from six divisions and seventy-two teams, to two divisions and twelve teams, which prompted a group of league players to get together and form the Academy, hoping to reverse this trend.

With the support and funding of the Darlington Sports Development Team, Sport England and Durham County Community Foundation, we were able to purchase equipment, cover our initial venue hire and coaching course fees, and eventually established the Academy at the Education Village in Darlington.

Within a very short time, interest and membership grew beyond all expectation, and in need of the flexibility to run more sessions, we moved to Longfield Sports Hall, and finally to our current venue at the Kings Centre Darlington.

When establishing the Academy, we agreed three main objectives:

  • To increase table tennis in Darlington and the surrounding areas.
  • To increase the number teams in the Darlington T/T league.
  • To ensure interest in table tennis is sustainable, and to promote and increase participation within schools.

These objectives are ongoing, and we have made significant progress in all these areas.

The Academy now has over a hundred members of all ages, and offer sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursday evenings, and Friday mornings.

Along with these sessions, we’ve also set up satellite clubs at two secondary schools, offering further sessions on Wednesday and Friday evenings.

This year, we’ve entered eight teams into the Darlington League, representing the Kings Centre, which is a 50% increase over 2013.

We’re currently working with four secondary schools in Darlington, running weekly after-school clubs with average attendance of over a hundred students per week.

We firmly believe that inspiring youngsters within schools is key to sustaining interest in Darlo’s table tennis, and over the past two years – through taster sessions and demonstrations – we’ve involved over 1,500 children in the sport.

As the Academy has developed, so has the ability of our youngsters, who are now playing in the local league, entering local, regional and national events, and establishing themselves within the junior England rankings.

Because of costs and availability of volunteers and coaches, we were unable to offer more sessions at the Kings Centre to cope with the increase in membership, but with the support and funding of Tees Valley Sport, we were able to extend the influence of the Academy by setting up satellite clubs in Polam and Longfield secondary schools, offering more sessions to youngsters and the community.

 

Our partnership with the schools has resulted in the Academy receiving the award for the North East Regional Satellite Club of the Year 2015, recognising the hard work of our dedicated coaches and volunteers.

Our challenge for the future is to continue maintaining that impetus and achieve our core objectives. However, every successful sport organisation needs dedicated volunteers to make it happen, and we encourage you all to get in touch.

Interested in taking part or volunteering?

You can contact Giulio at giulio.pontone@yahoo.co.uk, visit the DTTA website, or call 01325 300942.

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