“As we approach the joyous season of Christmas, I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes to you and your loved ones. In the spirit of this festive occasion, I find myself contemplating a sentiment that encapsulates the true meaning of the season – being present.

In the midst of the holiday hustle and bustle, I suggest embracing the idea that giving ourselves to those we hold dear is, indeed, the most meaningful gift. This echoes the profound act of selflessness demonstrated by Christ, who gave himself for us.

Amidst the distractions that often accompany this time of year, I encourage you to shift your focus towards the cherished individuals in your life. Let us collectively endeavour to be present, both physically and emotionally, for our loved ones, to foster a deeper connection and create lasting memories.

May this Christmas be a time of reflection, gratitude, and the joy that comes from sharing meaningful moments with those who matter most. Wishing you and your family a blessed and Merry Christmas.“

Maybe! But we're going with these amongst a round of quickfire questions with two of our newest team members, Apprentices Victoria and Adam, who've settled in really well so far. 

                       Victoria                                                                         Adam

Age

21

24

Where you're from 

Born in Scotland, raised in the Lake District

Illinois, USA

Favourite colour

A really dark green - almost black 

British racing green 

Favourite sport to play 

Netball

Football or rugby

Least favourite sport to play

Snooker - does it even count as a sport? 

Lacrosse

Go-to karaoke song

Murder on the dancefloor, Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Piano man, Elton John

Fave celebrity

Maggie Smith

Jack Grealish

Last google search

Vegan Bean Chilli Fries

How to work out circumference of a circle 😂

Guilty pleasure to watch on TV

Law and Order SVU

Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins

If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to

Clarissa

Dafydd

Early bird or night owl

Night owl - I cannot function without a cup of tea in the morning 

It depends

Sport you want to try

Cross country riding

Murderball

Most embarrassing moment

Doing a radio interview at 8am in the bathroom because I overslept and forgot about it - Was this her recent interview for Sportily on BBC Radio Gloucester? I guess we'll never know!

Waving back at someone who was waving to the person behind me 😅

You can find Victoria in North Glos and Adam in the Forest of Dean so why not head over to their local Facebook groups and give them a warm welcome!

If you are struggling with anything similar or any aspect of your own mental health, please do find a trusted friend or adult to speak to. At the bottom of this article, we have listed a selection of mental health charities and how you can contact them. 

When did it start? 

Mark: 'From as young as I can remember I struggled with my mental health. Body image seemed so important when I was younger, and I didn’t feel like I fit in with social norms at school. I often found myself comparing how my school uniform looked on me vs my friends, it always seemed to fit them better. This led to me developing Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) which resulted in me excessively exercising, obsessively watching my diet and avoiding social situations due to fears I had about my physique.'

How did that affect you as you got older? 

'In 2017 I had a severe breakdown, was diagnosed with OCD and became very unwell to the point of needing to be hospitalised on several occasions.   

Through this period I felt that life was completely dark, hopeless and empty. I even stopped doing the things I used to enjoy such as hanging out with friends and my martial arts.'

What kept you going during this period? 

'Two quotes that greatly helped me through this season were ‘When you’re going through hell keep walking’ (Winston Churchill), and ‘The most courageous thing I ever did was keep on living when I didn’t want to.’

I found that both quotes reminded me that mental health recovery is a journey. It doesn’t change overnight, and you need to keep walking. There were many days I wanted to give in, but held onto my faith in God believing that He would walk with me through my valley. I constantly reminded myself that better days were ahead and that I was not in this fight alone. I remembered I had to take every day hour by hour not even day by day, and I was determined to be courageous in the face of fear. 

In 2019, I decided that I would keep fighting my illness even if it meant walking through hell. I had tried many therapists, medication and other treatment options – but nothing seemed to be working.

I knew I had to keep fighting my illness because this battle was not just about me. Sadly many of my friends passed away due to their struggles with mental health, so I wanted to fight on for their memories and to be a light in other people’s darkness.  I can truly say today I’m so glad I made that decision because life is so different now and I’m incredibly privileged to be able to walk with others who are struggling in similar ways with their mental health.'

What changed? 

'In 2021, I was admitted to the National OCD and BDD Ward in London. Whilst there, my therapist massively helped me, got me on an upward recovery trajectory for the first time in years and gave me the roadmap to get my life back.  I left the hospital in 2022 and with the help of God and my Christian faith, I have continued to invest in my mental health and today am doing much better. Knowing God loves me and is always there for me has been significant for me.'

What key message helped you through this difficult time in your life? 

'My encouragement to anyone facing a mental health battle, whatever it may be, is that there is hope. You may not see it right now, you likely don’t feel it but remember, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. There are so many of us on the journey with you.

I’ve always found being around others on the journey has helped me massively. Whether that’s by meeting them in a hospital setting, mental health community group, social media platform, or even just talking to my friends.  My friends have been lifelines for me in the most difficult of circumstances.'

What now?

'I wish I could end this article by saying I’m 100% recovered and well now, but that’s not my story. I still take medication, need therapy, and have good and bad days – but I’ve learnt coping strategies to help keep me well and recognise when I need to reach out for help. I’m still trusting God that one day I will be completely healed of my OCD illness, but I’ve determined whether that day comes or not – this battle is not just about me. This battle is not just about you.  We’re in this together and there’s a whole world out there that needs to hear your story too. Will you join me in this fight?'

If you'd like to share your story, please email madiy.warner@sportily.org.uk.

If you need help, you can use any of the charities listed below by clicking on the logos: 

In this blog post, we'll explore a variety of easy exercise activities for children that are not only fun but also engaging. These activities will not only get your kids moving but will also put a smile on their faces. Let's dive in!

1. Dance Party

Crank up their favourite music and let them dance their hearts out. Dancing is a fantastic way to improve coordination and cardiovascular health. Plus, it's a great outlet for self-expression. We have dance classes for little ones in the Forest of Dean because we love dance parties, too. Find out more and book now here. 

2. Obstacle Course

Set up a mini obstacle course in your backyard or living room using pillows, hula hoops, and cardboard boxes. Have them crawl under, jump over, and navigate through the obstacles. We love obstacle courses and often include them in our sessions. To find out what's on near you, click here.

3. Nature Scavenger Hunt

Take them to a nearby park or nature reserve and create a scavenger hunt list. Include items like colourful leaves, acorns, or specific types of birds. This activity combines exercise with outdoor exploration. 

4. Bike Ride or Scooter Adventure

Take a family bike ride or scooter adventure around your neighbourhood. This is a great way to explore while staying active. 

5. Yoga for Kids

There are many child-friendly yoga videos available online. Yoga helps improve flexibility, balance, and mindfulness. Make it fun by using animal-themed poses. We run yoga sessions for adults which you can find out more about here.

6. Balloon Volleyball

Blow up a balloon and set up a net using a piece of string. Kids can play a friendly game of volleyball indoors, which is a fantastic way to improve hand-eye coordination. 

7. Mini Olympics

Create a mini Olympics event in your backyard with activities like sack races, relay races, and long jumps. You can even award small prizes for participation. 

Exercise doesn't have to be a chore for kids; it can be a delightful adventure! We love these easy exercise activities for children as they're not only enjoyable but also beneficial for their physical and mental development.

So, pick a few activities from this list, get moving, and watch your kids stay active, healthy, and happy. Remember, the key is to keep it fun!

After such a strong performance by the England Women’s team in the Euros last year, bagging the win, we know it's going to be great to watch the Lionesses. 

Although their 30-game winning streak was broken by the Australians earlier this year, this makes for an interesting tournament – and perhaps with a few surprises along the way!  

For us it’s so inspiring to have female football players as positive role models, and so important for young people to have someone who they can relate to, and that encourages their aspirations. 

Seeing the positive attitudes of people like Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, who aren't part of the squad due to injury, and Nikita Parris, who didn't get picked for the team, has been motivational for our young people who can't always participate in our activities but still want to come along and do as much as they can. 

In the last 12 months, 48% of our participations were female, and we've found that the rise in popularity of women's sports has given young girls a new group of inspiring women to look up to.

Whether you’re a sports lover or not, international tournaments like this really rally communities and unite people.

Football is a beautiful game, no matter whether it’s your first time kicking a football or whether you’re a retired Women’s Super League legend – it teaches us to win and lose graciously, it teaches determination and discipline, there’s nothing else quite like it! 

Nelson Mandela captured this perfectly when he said ‘Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand.’  

We offer football sessions in a variety of locations across Gloucestershire, simply click here to find your location and join in near you, today. 

The whole event lasts 3 weeks and sees riders from 22 different teams competing over 19 stages, all seeking to come away with a rider in the coveted yellow jersey. 

The 2023 edition of the Tour de France showcased a meticulously crafted route, covering approximately 3,500 kilometres across diverse terrains. From the picturesque coastal roads to the towering mountain climbs, riders face a true test of skill and determination, with their bodies having to endure the demands of riding as fast as they can, for as long as they can. The route features iconic stages, including individual time trials, punishing mountain stages, and exciting sprints, captivating both riders and spectators alike. 

The Tour de France 2023 attracted a competitive lineup of professional cyclists from around the globe. Reigning champion, Jonas Vingegaard, sought to defend his title against fierce competition, including the likes of Tadej Pogačar, Ben O'Connor, and Egan Bernal. Intense rivalries and tactical battles emerged as the race unfolded, making each stage a thrilling spectacle.  

Outside of fitness, the teams will all have different game plans in place to deal with the varying weather, mechanical issues, injuries, recovery times and their opponent’s tactics; all of which would have been meticulously planned and thought through by the team managers. Tactics have already proven to be an issue with Brit Mark Cavendish, who rides for Astana Qazaqstan Team, going the wrong way at a roundabout in stage 4.  

As easy as it looks on the TV, just getting to the start line of the TDF is an achievement, yet from there it only gets harder. The average person could not comprehend the ascents these athletes have to race up, let alone the speeds being averaged. In 2015, Rohan Dennis averaged just under 25mph to win Stage 1 of the TDF on a time trial stage. Earlier on in 2015, he had already broken the 1 hour time trial world record, which was later broken 4 times that year, with two of the records coming from British riders, Alex Dowsett and Bradley Wiggins.  

There are so many characteristics and values we at Sportily can take away from the Tour de France riders; their determination and commitment to succeed in the most awful conditions, under high levels of fatigue being one of them.

Instead of flying out to the Alps, our locations have been practising perseverance and understanding what it means to keep giving our best, even when we are tired. This has fitted in nicely with the Sportily Sports Day events that we are running in nearly 20 schools by the holidays.  

Like anything, the more you understand cycling, the more interesting you will find it. So why not take some time getting into the basics of things this year and maybe by 2024, you’ll be carefully selecting your riders for the Tour De France Fantasy Team? 

Sport and Faith Trainee Will is here to talk to us about what it involves.

"It’s unique, and that’s part of what I enjoy about it. It takes us out of our usual environment – whether that’s home, school, or holiday club – and out into the woods, which lends a whole different atmosphere to a session. It’s an opportunity to utilize the nature that’s all around us, although of course you have to be careful to be sustainable – something that bushcraft prioritises."

If you wanted to try Bushcraft at home, it’s actually not as difficult as you might think!

"You need a space to do it in, but that can be as simple as a clear space at the bottom of the garden, a clearing in some trees near your house, anything like that.

There, you can have a look around and find some fallen wood – which is the best way because it means you don’t damage nature!

A great way to start is by building a shelter or den out of logs and using leaves to cover it up – whilst you might get a little cold, you could even spend the night in one of those (I spent a weekend in one once, and it was great fun!).

At Sportily, the most common Bushcraft activity we run is Shelter Building.

In the Forest of Dean, we took a group out and built three different shelters, all for different animals – they need shelters just as much as us!

We built them out of fallen wood, rope, and a sheet – and they all held up! The young people all had a great time getting out into nature, and so did we.

If you’re interested in nature or just fancy a change, why not give it a try?"

We don't currently have any scheduled bushcraft sessions coming up so make sure you keep an eye out for when we have more.

In the meantime, why not do what Will has suggested? Make sure you take photos and tag us in them on social media if you do!

Hear from her below:

Have you volunteered anywhere else before joining Sportily?

"I was the Group Scout leader for the first Stonehouse Scouts for ten years, as well as being an elected town councillor for five years where I sat on the business and finance committee as the deputy conveyancer, and as a member of the working parties for youth provision and recreation.

I also served as a director and trustee for All Pulling Together, a community hub located in Park Estate and held the role for 3 years having volunteered for 2 years prior."

What made you want to start volunteering for Sportily?

"I began volunteering for Psalms for 3 years before it became Sportily, and when I moved to Hunts Grove [from Stonehouse], I was asked if I would support Tim as a volunteer for the youth hangout."

Where do you volunteer and what do you do?

"I volunteer at Sportily youth hangout in Hunts Grove, which is located opposite my home at the local primary school.

It's been two years since I started volunteering with Sportily in Hunts Grove, and my role involves assisting with the general running of the sessions, interacting with the young people, and inquiring about their week."

What do you love about it?

"I enjoy working with young people in various capacities, as they possess a refreshing perspective that hasn't been tainted by life's experiences. Their enthusiasm and aspirations serve as a great source of motivation."

What made you decide to become a trustee and what new responsibilities do you have?

"I strongly believe that God led me to make this decision. The work that Sportily and its youth workers do significantly impacts the young people in our community, and I wanted to be more involved. I've taken on a supporting role where I can use my life experiences and achievements to make a positive difference whilst still being able to work full-time in my day job.

As a trustee, I have numerous responsibilities that I cannot list exhaustively. However, I can summarise by stating that my primary role entails ensuring that the youth in our community are mentored by individuals with high moral standards and Christian values as they strive to introduce God and the Christian faith through sports and communal interactions with children and young people."

Wow, doesn't that sound epic?

If you're interested in finding out more about becoming a part of the Sportily volunteering team, click here.

Volunteers, have you sent your RSVP to our summer gathering? We'd love to have you so make sure you let us know if you can make it. Please email hello@sportily.org.uk if you didn't receive an invite and you were expecting to. 

We caught up with Luke and Ydson - two of our Sport and Faith Coaches to hear their thoughts and how they're using it to inspire their sessions.  

Luke: ‘’Hey everyone, if you’re a basketball fan, you’ve come to the right place!

Me and my colleague Ydson love basketball a lot, and when I say a lot, I mean we really really love basketball.  

Ydson: You can say that again bro. I absolutely agree. Luke, what’s your favourite NBA team again?

L: Definitely the Goldenstate Warriors man, they've been doing so well this season and have made it all the way to the NBA Playoffs. I’m sure this year they can win the whole playoffs. We have the best 3 pt shooter in the NBA, Steph Curry, who brings his A-game, every game, and basically never misses. He scored 30 pts last game against the Sacramento Kings, contributing to a great playoff win.  

It's not just him but the whole team is great, 'cus they give it their all and are working so hard to get that W (win, for those who aren't up-to-date with the youth slang!).  

Y: I like your passion for Goldenstate, but I’d have to disagree with you there. Miami Heat is going for that championship, and we'll get the W in the end. 

Bro, look at Jimmy Butler, just last Wednesday he had his highest-scoring game ever with the Heat, a huge 56 points. He's a scoring machine, and his hard work and skill are certainly going to help us win this year.  

Yes, you have a great 3pt shooter but can your players rack up as many points as Jimmy, I don’t think so!  

L: Those are valid points, so we’ll just have to wait and see. But they don’t call Goldenstate the ‘W squad’ for nothing mate. I know they're gonna win! 

Y: In all honesty, it's difficult to predict where the basketball playoffs will go based on recent performances. We can, however, highlight the impact of players like Jimmy Butler, who tends to play his best game during the playoffs, his competitive side really coming out. 

L: Actually I do see that, The playoffs bring the best out of him.  

Y: Relating all this to our Basketball sessions at Sportily, like the NBA players in the playoffs we always give our all, and encourage each other during every session, even when faced with challenges.  

Whenever someone in the session misses a shot, we make sure we all encourage that person that they don’t have to give up as it's not about being the perfect player, but about being determined and always giving it your all.  

L: It's all about teamwork and communication, skills that are essential in all parts of life.

Y: So next time you’re at a Sportily basketball session, listen out for encouragement because you gonna hear a lot of it!  

L: Well said Yds!

Both: Sportily over and out!"

We love this picture of Reuben showing off his handmade Easter card.

Here are some highlights from across the sessions:

"One little girl was so shy she wasn't sure about joining in, but an older girl befriended her and helped her through the day. Before long, they were great friends and got involved with every activity. So great to see kindness and compassion being shown."

"10/10 holiday club! The children responded brilliantly to the organised games as well as space for free play. We had already seen around 9 of them at other activities this week – it's great they're so engaged."

"All of the children said that they had a really good time. There was quite a large age range from year 1 to year 6, but they worked really well together and had fun."

Head to Facebook and share what your children thought if they attended any of our sessions.

Click here to see what's going on in your area this term, we'd love to see you!

"I love running! I love it on a level that occasionally borders on obsessive. But I wasn’t always this way.

I used to be that friend we all have who publicly declares they like running, but if they're being honest, haven’t been for a run in the last 12 months. 

So what changed?

Well, firstly, I decided to challenge my wife! Both Sarah (that’s my wife) and I are reasonably competitive, so when she suggested we run a half marathon together, I jumped at the chance. We signed up for the Hackney half marathon and began to train together. We did the same runs and ran the same routes, but when it came to race day, Sarah proudly announced that she was going to move further forward in the start pens as I “would slow her down”!

This got my competitiveness riled up, and I went out to prove her wrong. I finished in a highly respectable 1h59m, but before I bask in the glory of my new PB, I discovered that Sarah had finished a whole 15 mins ahead of me! In a moment of self-preservation, I acknowledged her accomplishment, quickly adding that while she’d done a half marathon, she couldn’t do a full marathon (I’d done one marathon, it had been a disaster, but I felt like I still had the upper ground!).

She called my bluff, and the next thing I knew, we were booked in to run the Berlin marathon.

Again we trained together (minus about ten days where I had some reasonably severe man flu), but just like groundhog day, when it came to completing the marathon, I crossed the line in 4h31m, this time to discover that she finished a full hour ahead of me!

This led to an endless rotation of marathons, slowly chipping away at my time until, 15 marathons later, I finally beat her time.

Along the way, I joined a local running club and started participating in local Parkruns. If you haven’t come across Parkrun, they are a glowing example of what a true community can look like. Every Saturday, at 9 am, millions gather in parks worldwide to run, jog or walk 5k. Some are pro athletes (my local Parkrun often hosts Lucy Charles, the current women’s no. 2 world Ironman champion); most are not.

While some fly by in subhuman times, there will always be people who walk, take the dog or hop around on crutches (okay, I’ve only seen this once, but It makes the point!). The events are open to everyone, young and old, male and female, fast and slow, celebrities (my claim to fame is narrowly beating Ronnie O’Sullivan) and mere mortals like you and me.

But the incredible thing is the community that it creates. People cheer each other on, stay back to encourage slower runners, and pace each other to new personal bests. Some of my good friends are people I’ve met at Parkrun. It’s a community that effortlessly accepts you, encourages you and which you feel inexplicably part of. 

When I reflect on why I run and that fateful half marathon in 2017, I’ve watched something change within me. I used to be driven by the desire to prove myself and to be the best. But what I’ve noticed is that I now run for the community. I run to run with people, to cheer people on. I love to celebrate, offer advice and run physically and metaphorically alongside people."

If you're interested in giving running a go, whether it's because you like the social aspect, or because you're fiercely competitive as Jimmy used to be, why not join us in Kemble for our next Couch to 5k running club! 

We like to start and end at the pub, what more could you want? Join the Sportily Thameshead Facebook group to find out when we're running the next one (pun intended).

Starting new things can be daunting for anyone, let alone children. For us, and for many, we don’t want to fail, or try something new and feel silly if it doesn’t work out. But sometimes, we find places and opportunities that allow us to by get past all the worry and anxiety of trialling new things.  Enter Korfball! 

Korfball is gender-equal team sport that looks a little like a combination of netball & basketball. It’s the worlds only mixed-sex sport. By passing and quick movement, players must elude their personal opponents to shoot the ball through a korf – the Dutch word for basket.  

Children need safe spaces to ‘try’, to ‘fail’, and to ‘learn’, and Korfball provides that with its core value of teamwork that prioritises team participation over individual performances. Solo play is outlawed and so it gives us a wonderful opportunity to find value in every single player regardless of their height, jumping ability or speed. 

We’ve been running it over the last 3 weeks in a school with 28 first languages, where ease of access is paramount. Korfball ticks all those boxes – with its bright yellow visible hoops that are adjustable, allowing multiple ages and abilities to engage from day one.

We’ve had such fun learning the sport, and failing as we go!

It’s played all over the world, but why check out a Sportily Korfball group near you and #giveitago. 

For adults, why not check our Gloucester Lions Korfball club and go along to one of their games, or ‘Beginners welcome’ sessions. Details here: https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-gloskorf/  

Gloucester Lions Korfball Club https://www.facebook.com/gloskorf/  

Korfball England https://englandkorfball.co.uk/  

To celebrate Easter Sportily will be running loads of incredible sports holiday camps for children and young people across the network this April.

These camps will be packed full of games and activities that will get you moving and active in a variety of different and fun ways. 

We want to give you the opportunity to try new sports, play new games and talk life.

Some of our camps will also be exploring the Easter story in an interactive and fun way - a place to discover something new about the story and to ask questions about it: What did come first, the Easter Bunny, the Easter Egg or Jesus?

Whether it be running, jumping, throwing or laughing, why not come and #Giveitago and see for yourself the fun that a Sportily Easter holiday camp can bring.

Click below to check out and book for an Easter camp near you.
(Beacon, Cirencester, Cheltenham, Blakeney, Gloucester City, Hardwicke, Nailsworth, Innsworth, Stonehouse, Kemble)
(Some camps are offered within the Holiday Activity and Food Programme, free to those receiving eligible free school meals. Click here for more info)

Nathan and the team would love you to join us for a free Fun family day out full of Sports, Games, Easter Egg Hunts, Food and Fun for everyone as we celebrate the work of Sportily in the North Glos area.

11-12pm - Twigworth Green
Driveway Sports in the New Housing area.
Join in with lots of different games and activities on different peoples driveways!
Meet outside Jane's Pantry for information about where to go (GL2 9SB)

12:30-2pm - Innsworth Junior School
Unique Sports and Hot Cross Buns
We run lots of activities in the school during term time. Join us from 12.30 to try out some unique and unusual sports, and for some free hot cross buns.

2:30-4pm - Longford Skate Park
Easter Egg Hunt, Basketball, Coffee Van, Family Rounders
This part of the day will include a visit by the Bishop of Gloucester as we share with her how great North Glos is.

If you have any questions, please speak to Nathan or email nathan.youlton@sportily.org.uk 
The events are all free and we really would love you to come and join in with what's going on and have some fun with us.

Check out all our regular activities, clubs and sports camps in North Glos: 
BOOK NOW: north glos

Join our North Glos activity information email list:
north glos email list

Check out our North Glos Facebook Group:
north glos facebook group

Our Sport and Faith Leader Adam, sat down with one of his groups at the end of a session to ask them if they’re excited about World Book Day.

“Books invite me into a world where I can escape,” shared one of the young people he was speaking to.

Nellie explained that books were the first and the last thing she sees in a day.

Adam asked if books are still important to them in this online world of gadgets and phones. All of the young people were quick to reassure him that they absolutely are.

Shona exclaimed that books are really important as they teach a lot through the lessons the heroines and heroes endure.

James said that books made him funnier as he learns and memorises jokes.

Another young person brought out a book that he had been writing about penguins who danced and frolicked on frozen pools of water. For him it was a chance to express himself and express some of the feelings that are difficult to articulate.

It's fair to say that this group are big literature lovers!

So this World Book Day, what could you read? A comic? A Bible? A novel? Whatever it is, pick it up and get started.