Previous Months

The Sussex Tornados, based in Littlehampton, are the number one cheerleading group on the south coast of England.  The group provides young people the opportunity to enjoy themselves while gaining in confidence and fitness, as well as teaching them sportsmanship and motivating them to overcome challenges.  This month we hear from Phil Jeffery their gymnastic coach.

In addition to coaching gymnastics, I work as an Anti-Social Caseworker for Arun District Council.  Part of this role is to intervene with children and young people to change their behaviour, reduce anti-social behaviour and ensure that interventions are robust and available.  It enables me to see at first hand how an organisation like the Tornados can compliment this work by teaching young people competitiveness, fair play and how to interact with other like-minded people.

I have coached gymnastics for over 35years, since my 2 daughters became young gymnasts.  My wife and I attended coaching courses and ultimately became an integral part of the Littlehampton Olympic Gymnastic club coaching staff.  We converted an old 2nd world war hangar in River Road Littlehampton into our club HQ and my wife and I continued coaching a very successful team for many years.

By 1998 my daughters had now grown and are parents themselves, so their gymnastic days are over.  I was then asked by a group of cheerleaders, who are now the Sussex Tornados, to help with some gymnastic coaching, as they wanted to enter competitions.

As I also sit on the Littlehampton Area Youth Action Team and during my interviews with individuals in my role as a caseworker, I am constantly hearing ‘there is nothing for us to do’. This seemed and ideal opportunity to combine something I love, coaching, with an opportunity to keep a further group of youths off the streets.

Originally with just 8 members, Sussex Tornados started training at the Flintstones Centre.  Lianne Weston and Helen Coe are the main cheerleading coaches, backed up by myself as their gymnastic coach.  The squad quickly grew and now consists of over 120 boys and girls aged 5 years to 30 years, with nearly 50 on the waiting list.

We sadly had to move from the Flintstones centre in 2004 and now train in Wick Hall.  We currently train on two nights but, due to the demand, could really do with opening a 3rd night.

We have recently bullied a now very active group of parents to take over the fundraising, which is very much a full time job.  Chauffeur Taxis have been our main sponsor since we were formed and have consistently over the years, paid for our training venue.

In our 13years we have been very successful, having competed in England, Scotland, Norway and Sweden (as European Champions).  We have also competed in South Carolina (in the Canadian/American Championships), then the following year in Disney World Florida.  We have competed twice in Germany, where last year we came away as senior champions having competed against semi professional groups sponsored by major companies like Nike etc.

We have had four members in the British Squad who have competed in Russia, China and again in America in the World Championships.  We are current Southern Area Champions and have been since it first came in to being 7 years ago.  We are also British Champions and will be competing in these Championships again in Manchester this April.

Due to the popularity of our sport we are now negotiating to take over two industrial units locally so that we can further enhance our training and get the kids on the waiting list fully enrolled.  This will enhance the opportunities for all of our teams to travel and compete worldwide, and the now very active fund raising squad work hard to keep the costs down to make it affordable for everyone.

The troupe attends and displays at Help for Heroes, and Chestnut Tree Hospice and at the Town Show and Annual Bonfire Society Display.

The Tornados have a very active web site (www.sussextornados.com) which our members use to communicate in a safe environment.  If you are interested in the group you can contact any of the coaches via the website.

If you operate a scheme or want to tell us about your area get in touch by emailing community.safety@arun.gov.uk

 

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Previous residents views

Pevensey Neighbourhood Agreement

Worthing's Woman's Aid, The Freedom Project

Miranda Cormell from ACCORD

Gez Watson of the Trees Estate Resident's Association

Robin Hargraves from the Neighbourhood Watch Association

Julie Roby, acting Manager at the Wick Information Centre

Carol Fullick, the Development Manager at Bognor Community Action Network in Bognor Regis

Derek Baker, the co-ordinator of the successful Arun Angels scheme in Bognor Regis.