OB Sports Club

Old Bristolians’ Sports Club Failand

Pandemic rules have relaxed and sport has returned to Failand with Cricket and summer league Hockey in full swing.

There are a few restrictions on the club house use but hopefully we are as close to normal as possible. Sporting body rules are slowly relaxing following Government announcements but we are proceeding with caution to avoid overcrowding in the bar and changing rooms.

Last year league cricket was postponed but, having been promoted the previous season, the 1st XI are in the lower half of a more competitive WEPL league. The other three men’s teams are mid table in various Bristol and District leagues as are the Ladies team.

The areas of the top boundary hedge that looked like they were dying back have sprung into renewed life. All the gaps are filling up and security issues are therefore much improved. Planning permission for work to the Beech trees has been granted and will start in August.

We have reviewed the machinery at Failand and will look to trade in an old large tractor and the current mower for a heavier duty second hand mower to provide a better all year round cutting performance.

The major redevelopment of the pavilion envisaged now seems unlikely to go ahead in the short term due to the lack of significant funding availability from the sporting bodies as a result of the pandemic. A revised and more limited investment in improving the building is being considered and costed. This is likely to be funded from current OBSC resources and is intended to be of such a nature that when a more comprehensive redevelopment becomes possible, any interim development would not compromise this and would be capable of being integrated into the wider scheme.

We have been able to secure various pandemic and returnto-sport grants from the Local Authority and sporting bodies, particularly a large sum from the RFU. Finances are therefore as well as can be expected but we are still looking for a new treasurer to take over from Clare Coyne who would like to stand down.

The gate signs have been renewed giving a brighter welcome to the ground. The tractor shed roof and alarm system have been repaired but the shed wall could do with a face lift and if anyone knows of a painting artist who would like some practice the opportunity is there.

Apogee Education Ltd (see following separate article) is renting an area at the top of the ground. This will provide much needed additional revenue.

Simon Hunt, who is a member of OBRFC, and his team have built a classroom facility entirely from recycled materials in the top corner of Failand. This was a little used overgrown area which has been cleared and the “Cabin” has the look of an outback holiday home. Many of the materials have come from Ollie Hazel (OBRFC Captain) who has a recycling company.

The new facility in the green spaces of Failand is the perfect environment for a holistic approach to education.

Recent figures estimate that around 150,000 children in mainstream and special schools are suffering from Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH).

SEMH does not have to be a lifelong condition and with appropriate support children and young people can move forward and live successful lives.

Apogee Education Ltd. at Failand

Apogee is an approved Alternative Education Provider working with local schools and academies to provide for the needs of up to four students who do not thrive in the usual school environment.

SEMH needs are special educational needs where children/ young people have severe difficulties in managing their emotions and behaviour. They may show inappropriate responses and feelings to everyday situations. They often have trouble building and maintaining relationships with peers and adults, they can also struggle to engage with learning and to cope in classroom without additional strategies and interventions. Children with SEMH will often feel anxious, scared and misunderstood.

Apogee’s ethos is simple: ‘children and young people deserve the opportunity to become the best version of themselves’. This opportunity is provided through a variety of personalised education and training programmes, led by a team of highly trained, experienced and motivated individuals.

The aim is to build resilient, independent and well-rounded students through specialised therapeutic interventions, sportscoaching and outdoor activity to give students a platform to learn new skills in a way they haven’t been able to before.

Students will have access to a range of nationally recognised qualifications, certification and experiences which are often not available from other Alternative Providers.

Apogee can provide;

ASDAN (Preparing for adulthood, Raising Aspirations, Personal development programmes)

BTEC Courses, Animal Therapy, Nationally recognised First Aid Qualifications

Gymnastics Awards (Certificated British Gymnastics) Trampoline Central & Winstrada Awards/Certification, Swimming (British Swimming Awards STA), Mountain Biking, Orienteering, Health and fitness, Bush craft, Gardening, Paddle sports and water activities, Team Sports (Inc: Football, Basketball, Rugby, Cricket)

Apogee uses ‘The Thrive Approach (https://www.thriveapproach. com/the-thrive-approach) to help students gain the knowledge, skills and tools to optimise their social and emotional development. This focuses on the relationship with the student and their emotional development can be assessed and fed back to the school.

Mentoring, work experience and community projects for older students can help them to find appropriate work experience placements, college visits and training programmes. This helps to bridge the gap between school, further education, training and adult life.

We are proud to be able to support Apogee at Failand and welcome Simon, his team and students to Old Bristolians.

https://apogee-training.com

Old Bristolians’ Sports Club in the Community

In the last issue we reported that the Hockey Club had raised money to provide free school meals to 400 families over the Christmas period.

The initiative was nominated for, and won, a Gloucestershire Awards in Adversity 2021 award run by GRFU. Jan Bowen, Nick and Lisa Merrick received the award from HRH Princess Anne at a local awards ceremony.

Richard Leonard

OBSC Secretary leoharrier@gmail.com