Sports news for the new year, compiled by Neandra Etienne
West Ham United U21s Kaelan Casey, Patrick Kelly, Levi Laing, Dan Chesters and Lewis Orford supported Irons Supporting Food Banks in the lead-up to Christmas as part of the Players’ Project.
The players were joined by founder John Ratomski at the hub on St Marks Industrial Estate in Silvertown. John showed the players the many items of food and clothing that had been donated by Hammers fans and West Ham United.
The players helped load items into cars and vans and took the goods to Ascension Church Community Centre in West Ham, one of the many places supported by Irons Supporting Food Banks in East London.
There, they met members of the church community and signed autographs. They then posed for photos with the FA Youth Cup and U18 Premier League South Division trophies, which the players had won in a memorable 2022/23 campaign.
Irons Supporting Food Banks has a longstanding relationship with the Club, and JointChairman David Sullivan has made several personal donations throughout the years, including when he helped to fund the purchase of a new delivery van.
Ratomski stated: “It has been great to have the Academy boys here. It has been good to be able to show them what West Ham fans do in the community and to get them involved and get their support.”
West Ham United U21s have reached the last 16 of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy for the first time in the Club’s history.
They will play Wycombe Wanderers in Bristol Street Motors Trophy last 16 in the week commencing 8 January
Via a programme of events, skate lessons and workshops, Stratford based City Mill Skate brings together a diverse community of skateboarders who want to use the spaces between buildings and bring fresh perspectives to the sport itself. www.ucl.ac.uk/ucl-east/citymill-skate
Clapton CFC Grounds Committee, won the Grounds Management Association award for the Best Volunteer Grounds Team! (Dec 2023) Clapton CFC January fixture list is available on their website www.claptoncfc.co.uk
Local musician Ghetts has committed to pay for the annual membership for 150 youngsters for 2024 at Newham and Essex Beagles AC . The club has a proud history of success at the very top of athletics, with world class notable athletes who include Daley Thompson CBE, Iwan Thomas MBE, Christine Ohuruogu MBE, Sir Mo Farah CBE, Asha Philip and Jonathan Broom-Edwards MBE.
www.newhamandessexbeagles.co.uk
Newham Council has joined forces with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to transform eight tennis courts in three parks across Newham, as part of the nationwide Parks Tennis Project.
The courts in Plashet Park, Royal Victoria Gardens and Little Ilford Park have undergone work, including court resurfacing, repainting, new fencing, nets and posts and a new gate access system.
The LTA and Newham Council will work together to ensure free park tennis sessions are available on the courts, providing regular opportunities for anyone to pick up a racket and play free tennis access for two hours a week. John Ratomski with the U21 players www.lta.org.uk/play
Active Newham are working with the National Tennis Association to deliver FREE Adult Wheelchair Tennis on the tennis courts at Little Ilford Park. Carers must stay with participants for the duration of the activity. Starting January 2024, Thursdays, 6 – 7pm
E13 Events presented Ryan Battrum with his frame to commemorate West Ham United’s recent FA youth cup victory.
Instagram @e13events
Newham Sports Club’s free programme for primary aged children during the Christmas school break includes 2hrs of sports, hot meal & a unique learning experience each day. Ages 5-11 – Tuesday 2 – Fri 5 Jan, 10-2pm, Rokeby School
Strawberry Kiwi Arts are offering a free taster kids Street Dance class on Friday 12 January at Britannia Village Hall.
East London Dance are offering young people aged 7-11 (Key Stage 2 only) and 11-17 (Key Stages 3-5 only) free in-person Hip Hop and Street dance classes.
All levels welcome Term Dates: From Thursday 18 January – Thursday 28 March 2023 (no session 15 February)
Thursdays after school from 5.30pm-7pm, starting on 18 January, 2024, The Talent House, 3 Sugar House Lane, E15 2QS
Frames of Mind new Heritage Lottery Funded project Full Cycle looks at the history of cycling in Forest Gate, through the eyes of Edward Etty, better known as Ted. At 95 years old, Ted has lived in Newham most of his life, running the Etty & Tyler Motor and Cycle Repair Shop since the 1950s.
They celebrated 60 years in business with the launch of the Full Cycle project.
Dates and times of all games and events are subject to change. Please email your news game fixtures to neandra.etienne@newhamvoices.co.uk
No news is bad news
Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.
The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.
If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.
Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.
Monthly direct debit
Annual direct debit
£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.
More information on supporting us monthly or annually
More Information about donations
Enjoying Newham Voices? You can help support our not-for-profit newspaper and website from £5 per month.