Bees and Tigers

Nike Group of Companies

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Bees and Tigers make the grade

Students in the Thames Valley are being given a professional helping hand with their school work through two new initiatives, both operated in conjunction with Arena Leisuresport Promotions (ALP).
The first - 'Playing for success' - is funded by the Government. It gives children who are challenged at school help with numeracy and literacy skills through contact with sporting teams - in ALP'S case the Thames Valley Tigers basketball and Bracknell Bees ice hockey teams. The scheme takes place at John Nike Leisuresport, Bracknell.
As Connections went to press, Playing for Success was getting underway so more details will be published in the summer edition.
The second scheme is a Schools and Community Initiative, operated by ALP and sponsored by several local companies, including Indivisual Communications, HFC Bank and Honeywell. This time, it involves the Bracknell Bees and Thames Valley Tigers visiting schools to give practical help with lessons for pupils aged from seven to sixteen years old.
As well as the more obvious areas like physical education, where the players help pupils with teamwork and fitness, the teams also become involved in other core subjects in the National Curriculum. For example, in an English class, they may give a presentation about their sport, then encourage an interactive question and answer session. In mathematics, they could highlight the key points needed for the team's match statistics using a video of a recent game, then explain to pupils how they are calculated. And, as many players originate from Canada and the USA, they can share experience of these countries in geography lessons.
Richard Cronk, ALP's Sponsorship and Media Relations Manager, said: "We are very proud of the Schools and Community Initiative, which uses the interaction of top sports people to make a positive impact on pupils. Schools have a unique opportunity to use the players to motivate and encourage students and help them achieve their goals."
ALP is also exploring the possibility of linking with other professional sports teams in Europe and the USA. If this is a success then UK students will be able to communicate with other schools via the Internet, using sport as a common theme.
Visits from the Bees and the Tigers are taking place at the moment. If you would like more information, or are interested in sponsoring the scheme, please contact Richard Cronk on 01344 789200 or email alp@nikegroup.co.uk.

Helping Simon on his way to stardom

John Nike is giving young skater, Simon Waller a helping hand to achieve an Olympic dream.
On behalf of the Nike Group of Companies, John presented 14-year-old Simon with a cheque for £1000 and is committed to sponsoring the youngster up to his bid to join the British skating team fro the 2006 Winter Olympics.
Simon's 'skating home' is John Nike Leisuresport in Bracknell.

Continued >> OBE for John Nike

Prominent members of the local community have also paid tribute to John. Bracknell MP, Andrew Mckay, said: "I am absolutely delighted that John has been rewarded. Nobody deserves it more. He has done a huge amount for many different groups, particularly in the Bracknell area, more often than not in such a discreet way that it receives no publicity.
"We owe him a lot and I am pleased that The Queen has seen fit to recognise this with an OBE."
Mayor of Bracknell, Dorothy Hayes, added: "It is a great pleasure to congratulate John on behalf of the residents of Bracknell Forest. He has devoted a great deal of time and money over the years for the benefit of the community. Our thanks are due to him for the way he has used both his business skills and generosity to share his success."
And Vincent Pakiczka, Director of Leisure Services at Bracknell Forest Borough Council, said: "The award is very well deserved. John's contribution in creating Bracknell as the 'leisure capital of the South East' has helped shape this council's aspirations for its leisure services for a great many years."

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