College looks to create more Lionesses with appointment of female FA apprentice

Atalentedfemale footballer is on a mission to encourage more girls and women into the sport.

18-year-old Daisy Stokoe has been appointed as Middlesbrough College’s FA Women’s Football Development Officer (Apprentice), tasked with creating a sustainable increase in participation in women’s football within Further Education (FE). A keen cricketer and footballer from a young age, Daisy grew up around sport and played for various teams before earning her current positions playing football for Sunderland’s Women’s U23s and cricket for Yorkshire Women’s first team.

At the College, she’s working alongside a team of experienced, ex-professional and expert coaches to develop the women’s football academy and has big goals in mind.

Daisy, from Whitby, said: “I’ve loved sport, particularly football, for as long as I can remember and always wanted to play like my brother and dad, but women’s football wasn’t anywhere near as popular as it is now.

“In fact, there were no girls’ teams in my hometown growing up and so a friend’s dad started one so just so I could play. I then played for Scarborough Ladies, and Middlesbrough before signing for Sunderland.

“I always knew I wanted a career in football, on or off the pitch, and was applying for university when I spotted the FA apprenticeship. It sounded perfect.

“I already coach at a local soccer school on a Saturday morning and felt like this was a great opportunity to develop my skills even further – and I’m already loving it.

“We’ve recently entered into a local college league and have fixtures every Wednesday which is giving the team the opportunity to play alongside each other and build their confidence.

“We won our first game, which was amazing considering some of the team had never played an actual game before. We’re making real progress and can’t wait to see how far we can get.”

Daisy works at the College full time, taking one day a week to study towards her apprenticeship qualification. As well as coaching, her new role sees her visit local schools and build vital relationships with external partners such as Middlesbrough Football Foundation.

Middlesbrough College launched its Sports Academies programme in 2012 and now operates academies in seven different sports, offering specialist coaching to develop sporting excellence, nurture talent and aid personal development.

The academies are staffed by ex-professional players and national coaches who have all played at the top level in the UK or abroad and now pass on their skills to more than 130 students.

More than 20 female students are currently enrolled on College’s Women’s Football Academy – ranging from beginners to talented Teessiders who play for local clubs.

Samantha Leigh, lecturer and head of sports academies at Middlesbrough College, said: “Daisy’s appointment demonstrates our commitment to developing women’s football not just here in the College but across the region.

“She’s already made a huge impression on the Academy, building vital partnerships in the community and encouraging more girls to be involved with the sport.

“Daisy’s talent on the pitch is undeniable and so it’s amazing for her to be able to share her experience with our Women’s team to help build their skills and confidence.”

Following the success of England’s Lionesses at the Euros in the summer, Daisy hopes the increased exposure to the game will encourage more young girls to consider playing.

She added: “I’ve followed women’s football since I can remember, and you used to get barely anyone at a game. People would turn their nose up at it and think it’s not a women’s sport.

“Now, we’re seeing record attendance at games and see so much more talent feeding through the system.

“You only have to look at the likes of Beth Mead who I’ve followed since her days at Middlesbrough and Sunderland. She’s incredibly talented and now she’s finally getting the credit she deserves – playing for Arsenal and England and winning player of the tournament at the Euros.

“The North East is one of the best areas when it comes to talent in women’s football. The amount of people who’ve come through the system like Jill Scott and Lucy Bronze is amazing. People don’t realise you can actually make it as a professional footballer, but they’re proof you can.

“My role at the College is to help develop those pathways in our region and I’m just getting started!” The College is hosting a series of Sports Academy Taster Days throughout January 2023, giving school leavers the chance to meet coaches, find out more and take part in some interactive sessions.

Its female football taster session will take place on Friday, January 13, 2023, from 6pm – 8pm. To find out more and reserve a spot, visit: https://www. mbro.ac.uk/about-us/events/detail/2022/12/07/ default-calendar/sports-academies-taster-days.

Saltburn WI

By Lesley Wilson

WhenI mention to people that I am a member of the Women’s Institute, people quite often assume I can bake, make Jam, arrange flowers and throw a pot when necessary!

Well, the news is I can’t! That’s not to say I’m not open to learning.

However,when questioned, our members say friendship and camaraderie are the main reasons for joining and staying with this long-standing organisation. Sometimes ladies have just moved into the area or find themselves alone and are looking for something new to try.

The meetings and groups simply provide the opportunity to meet with like-minded folk. The WI is not a secret society that you need special skills to be a part of, its something you can pick up when you need or want to,

Here in Saltburn we offer lots of opportunities to meet and learn from others. Our monthly meeting at Emmanuel Church Hall is when we gather to listen to a speaker, enjoy a cuppa and hear about future activities. Our guest speakers are quite often local people who have knowledge

By Lesley Wilson

It’salways traditional at this time of year to look back at the last 12 months and reflect on things we are proud of.

We celebrated Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee with a walk through the decades and afternoon tea, one of our members appeared on Gardeners World and then the National WI magazine showcasing her wonderful garden, we visited the walled Garden at Kirkleatham , they can share varying from local history to charitable organisations. As part of the wider WI Federation,we can take part in lots of activities with other members elsewhere in Teesside, such as walks, visits to places of interest and treasure hunts. Transport is rarely a problem as we all go together if we can.

But our activities here in Saltburn aren’t just once a month, we have a very successful book club which meets in The Marine on the third Thursday of the month. A brief discussion about the book is shortly followed with a bar meal and a chat. We also have a supper club {or sometimes a lunch club} where we try different pubs and restaurants, again a chance to go out together.

Walking groups provide that little bit more exercise and a chance to see our lovely surroundings both in the country and by the sea. These walks are not too long but enough to get you panting for the coffee that will no doubt follow! Our craft group meets monthly, this is the chance to develop or learn new skills with lots of laughs thrown in. You don’t have to be an expert,but we hope you will make something to be proud of.

This is just a snapshot of what we do, if you want to try before you join then your first three meetings are free, just so you can see if its for you, but its also a chance for you try some of the activities I’ve mentioned and get to know us. As soon as you walk through the door there will be a warm welcome,so you don’t have that feeling of walking into a busy room alone.

The good thing about the WI is that you may come alone but will leave with new friends.

If you more information please get in touch with Diane , our secretary at saltburnbytheseawi@ gmail.com who will be happy to help, or come along to the Emmanual Church Hall on the second Friday of every month at 7pm.

Auckland Castle, old town Middlesbrough to learn about the history of our local area. We’ve tasted local gin in Skelton and fish and chips from Saltburn! We’ve met for lunch and supper at lots of local venues and continue to plan for 2023 , these are just a few things to remember 2022 fondly.

So if you are wondering what to do in 2023 come along to meet us , 2nd Friday of the month in the Emmanuel Church Hall, 7.00pm. Happy New Year from all of us to all of you

Hutton Lowcross WI

By Anne Godley

Join us at Sunnyfield House, Guisborough

2nd Thursday of every month

A New Year… New Friends?

Looking to expand your interests and friends this coming year?

Why not consider joining us at the Hutton Lowcross Women’s Institute?

You don’t need to be able to bake, you don’t need to be able to make jam, you don’t need to be “crafty” …most of us aren’t. What you do need is a desire to enjoy other people’s company and an interest in wide ranging talks, visits and activities.

In 2022 we enjoyed a programme ranging from demonstrations by local artists and business people to talks on Local Murders from a retired Senior Police Officer.

In addition, several outings took place during the year, for example, to Kendal and York. More locally we had a tour around Guisborough’s

Christmas star party on Dec. 29th

By Dr. John McCue,

Itwas good fun at the stone circle above Skelton High Street.

We used the two telescopes shown in the picture, the larger one being home-made. The giant planet Jupiter and the first quarter moon, being in close proximity, were a spectacular sight. We put a mobile phone next to the eyepiece and got a passable picture of the lunar surface. All the craters are named after famous scientists or philosophers.

We spotted Maurolycus’ crater (15th. century Italian mathematician), which is 114km across, Georges Cuvier, who collected fossils, Abulfeda, who was a Syrian astronomer, and the bishop of Alexandria,Theophilus, who was around at the start of Christianity. We marked these names on the image we obtained. Mare Tranquillitatis was where Apollo 11 landed, of course.

Of Jupiter’s four main moons, only three were visible, since Europa was directly in line with the bright face of Jupiter, the cloud belts of which were also visible, all this in the smaller telescope. The image is also from Stellarium.

It was cold with cloudy spells but the perfect fresh air adventure between Christmas and the New Year.

We also viewed the Andromeda Galaxy (also catalogued as Messier 31), which is similar to our own Milky Way galaxy, but way out in space beyond us, in fact at a distance of about three million light-years. Our visitors contemplated the thought that the light from the Andromeda Galaxy that was entering our eyes set off on its journey through space at the same time as our ancient Australopithecus ancestors were roaming the plains of East Africa!

The low power view of the Seven Sisters (also known as the Pleiades, or Messier 45), a cluster of young stars about 400 light-years away, was also a wonder to see.

Thanks to everyone for coming along. Best wishes and Happy New Year, attacked he remembers unless it was a vicious attack. Generally it’s us that hasn’t moved on as we are very emotionally involved, and dogs aren’t.

Dogs will pee on your plants, then walk away and not even worry about it, refurbished Town Hall – which included sampling the Gin Shorty distills on the premises!

I often get frustrated owners that say, “my dog won’t listen.” THIS IS SUCH A CHALLENGE! every dog listens, it just depends how you talk to them, depends what you’re saying, and it depends on the tone of your voice. Generally, it’s our EXPECTATIONS of them.

Our December meeting was an Evening with Maggie Camp, a local singer/songwriter who regaled us with songs and stories about her childhood neighbours and friends.

Some of our members visited our neighbouring WI at Moorsholm for carols and supper.

Completing our December programmewe we had our waist expanding Christmas afternoon tea at The Chase in Slapewith.

We look forward to another exciting programme in 2023 and extend a warm invitation to anyone who may be considering joining us.

Our February meeting starts at 7pm on Thursday 9th February at Sunnyfield House. You are most welcome to attend as a visitor without any commitment for three meetings whilst you decide if it is for you. For more details contact Anne Godley on 07730309948.

Wishing all existing and potential members … … “a Happy and Healthy New Year….”

Owning a dog can be a little like decorating the bedroom, it seems a good idea at the time, so you start off with good intentions, and so far in, you wish you had never started, We humans home dogs expecting to have a Fairytale ending; that they’ll be so HAPPY to see us,ADORE all that’s bought for them. You DREAM of long walks together, some people even think the dog is going to be GRATEFUL that you took them home from a rescue centre!!

You give them toys and a new bed only to become frustrated that they’ve ripped them to shreds, they were probably having 20 minutes fun and this is what we call - A huge reality check.

You see, we could learn a thing or two from dogs,

Dogs live in the now.

Dogs don’t dwell on the past although, we assume they do. Many say “he was attacked when he was a puppy, he’s moved on from that,” but generally it’s our response to him being

I experienced this when I was at school; the lessons were so boring, I totally lost interest, I think I am a reincarnated Border Collie. I have a very very low attention span, I don’t go to the cinema very often as watching a film can’t hold my attention for an hour and a half, so then I tend to wander off into my own little world and that’s where many dogs tend to go too.

This is what makes me DIFFERENT as a behaviourist and trainer, I don’t do things by the textbook; besides that boring! Where’s the fun in that??, I reach inside the dog’s head and see what it’s telling me and when you have an owner that sees the dog working for me and then for them,then I see the smile on anowner’s face… That’s it!!, I’ve done my job.

I offer training packages to suit most budgets so if you want to know more? Check out my website Happy New Year www.dogschool.org.uk and send an email or Call Cath 07736 679178

Visit www.dogschool.

In 2022 the Woodsmith Foundation awarded 226 grants totalling £1,700,601 to support local community projects in the boroughs of Redcar & Cleveland and Scarborough and the North York Moors National Park.

Funded by Anglo American