SPORT FOCUS
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TAXIS AND PRIVATE HIRE
STEP AWAY FROM THE SCREENS According to a recent study by techadvisor.co.uk ‘of the parents asked, children are spending on average around 17 hours a week in front of a screen.’ Gulp. When you add it up those couple of hours a night after school/in the car/before bed really get scary and whilst of course we want our kids to be tech savvy and ready for the technological world and work place, a well placed few hours a week dedicated to a physical activity could be the screen break time our kids need. The benefits of physical activity in young children and teens is huge and certainly no secret. Any parent whose child attends regular sport sessions a week will notice a marked improvement in many aspects of their life. From the obvious physical benefits of moving their bodies on a regular basis to the social benefits of team work, meeting new friends and hugely important mindfulness that comes from concentrating on moving the body rather than in a passive or overstimulated brain state from school pressures and screen time. There’s no doubt in my mind, I see it daily, that time away from the screen for just a few hours a week in a dedicated sport has a profound impact on their lives. 07813 205 852 olgc-gymnastics.co.uk
The sun shone down on Inclusive Football Club Wigston Foxes this April when Future Foxes Foundation co-founders Steve Walsh and Muzzy Izzet presented them with 25 new training kits. After a training session with the Leicester City legends there was a chance for everyone to grab a photograph and autograph. See more about the Future Foxes Foundation on page 110.
DAVE SMITH
THE JOYS OF SPRING IN LEICESTER
W
e have just experienced the wettest March since 1947 and that is being followed by traditional April showers. Consequently, Paul Nixon’s preparations at the Fischer Cricket Ground have all had to take place indoors and the Watling JCB Lions have hardly had any track time at the Paul Chapman and Sons Arena during the opening weeks of the 2018 season. Pride of place in the Leicester sporting pantheon at this moment, however, has to go to the team from the Morningside Arena as Rob Paternostro’s Jelson Homes Leicester Riders have clinched the BBL Championship for the third successive season. Now the focus will turn to the play offs. Also basking in spring glory are the Tigers, who have put together a string of victories to climb from mid-table into a potential play off place in the
Aviva Premiership themselves. Could something yet be salvaged from a generally disappointing campaign? All of which leaves us to mention the team from King Power Stadium. An extra time quarterfinal defeat to Chelsea ended a promising Emirates FA Cup run and recent home form has left City adrift of seventh place in the table and a potential Europa League qualification for next season. A rare quiet end to the campaign looms as Claude Puel continues to shape his squad for next season. Now what else was there? Oh yes, did I forget to mention the way that sponsorship seems to be creeping ever wider into sport in the modern era? Without it, just how many of our local clubs would be able to survive? dave@crossproductions.co.uk NICHE | 63
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GARRY WOODFORD
JON MUTCH