Meetings
Members

This website uses cookies as explained in our Privacy and Cookie policy. 
Only use this website if you are happy with this.                            

 

 

 

Devizes Lions
Chartered 1970 (District 105SC)

Devizes Lions Club (CIO) is a Registered Charity No.1185977

Welcome to our Sports Coaching page

Sports Coaching Weekend 2024
Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th April 2024

Our Sports Coaching Weekend is over for another year.

Over 380 children took part and to see the smiles on their faces when they finished their sessions made all the months of hard work worthwhile.

Lions would like to thank all those who have helped in any way to make this year's event so successful.

Here are a few of the comments that have been left on our Facebook page:

Emma Clark  - Used to love this as a child , very successful and such a good experience for the children, good to see it’s still going !

 Darren Nichols - Thank you Devizes Lions. All of my daughters have enjoyed this weekend over the years.

 Rachel Henly - Thank you so much, my son absolutely loved fencing and came home full of enthusiasm both days  [😊]

 Lucy Self - Thankyou Oliver absolutely loved archery and it's great he was able to attend  [🥰]

 Emma Stalham - Thank you! Char really loved the fencing on both days. The opportunities the children get to try something new is amazing  [😁]  thank you again.

 Rachel Henly - Emma Stalham no way, Wilf did fencing too!

 Kerry Lewis - Thank you for all the effort you put into these sessions. Our boys love trying something new each year!

 Vicki Grew - Thanks again - my daughter had a brilliant time and loved every minute of it.

On Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th April 2024 Devizes Lions held their popular Sports Coaching Weekend where, for just £10, children in school year groups 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 could try one of up to 16 different sports that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience, with tuition provided by qualified coaches.  

You can download a copy of the poster here that you can print and pin on your wall: 2024 Sports Coaching poster.

Here are the activities on offer and their venues.  Click on an activity to access more details about it.

Activity Venue
Adventurous Activities Braeside Education Centre, Devizes
Archery Green Lane Playing Fields, Devizes 
Artistic Swimming (pm) Devizes Leisure Centre
Badminton (am) Devizes Leisure Centre
Canoeing Dauntsey's School
Golf (pm) North Wilts Golf Club
Gymnastics Devizes School
Judo (am) Silverwood (formerly Rowdeford) School, Rowde
Netball (pm) Devizes Leisure Centre
Poolside Diving (pm) Devizes Leisure Centre
Skateboarding (pm) Green Lane Skate Park, Devizes
Sword Fencing Devizes School
Table Tennis Devizes Leisure Centre
Trail Biking (am) Devizes School & countryside
Trampolining Devizes School
Volleyball (am) Dauntsey's School

What happens next?

A Devizes Lion will be coming to your school between 8th and 19th January to tell you all about the weekend.  All information is contained in the application forms which will be available from your school or on line after we have made our presentations.  

We are asking for a contribution of £10 per child - the same as last year.  There will be two ways to pay: either by cash (no cheques, please) through the school or online using TicketSource.  

Parents can either return their completed application form with cash in a sealed envelope to schools as in previous years or they can pay using TicketSource and email the application form to Devizes Lions at sportscoaching@devizeslions.org.uk  The strict deadline for both will be Wednesday 7th February.

Lions will collect envelopes from schools on the 8th or 9th February and notify the children of the activity they have been offered by post by the 16th March.

If you miss the presentation, you can download a copy of the PowerPoint presentation from here to view at home:

SC24 PowerPoint.pptx

APPLICATION FORMS will be available from your school  after we have made our presentation in January or you can download a copy.

 

Devizes Lions reserve the right to cancel any sport due to insufficient numbers or other unforeseen circumstances.

The Club would like to thank SCC Self Storage Ltd for supporting this year's Sports Coaching Weekend.

Head over to our Projects Page to find out what we did in previous years. 

Back to top

And here are a few pictures

 

Some of the archery children with their medals presented by the Devizes Bowmen at the end of their session. 

All of the children at Braeside Education Centre were able to face the challenge of the thirty-foot climbing wall.

The high ropes at Braeside Education Centre were probably the most adventurous of the Adventurous Activities.

Lions have been running these events for over thirty years, and they have always been popular.  In some cases this year the children's parents had themselves enjoyed Lions Sports Coaching sessions when young.  Often children have gone on to develop a long-lasting love of their new sports, sometimes competing at county and national level, and in at least one case at the Paralympics.

 

 Devizes Canoe Club introduced children to a range of different craft at their base in Devizes.
Some fell in!

 
And this fabulous photo from Tracey:
"Thank you so much for the coaching weekend, my daughter had a wonderful time at the gymnastics. She really did, as you can see from the photograph. Thank you again."
 

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

 
 

Back to top


BACKGROUND TO THE ACTIVITIES

(The activities that are greyed out will not be available this year but have been retained for reference.) 

Adventurous Activities 

Adventurous Activities at Braeside for those who enjoy an adrenaline rush.  The low ropes course involves climbing around a ship-like course without falling 'overboard'.  High ropes involve wearing safety harnesses as it's all pretty high, but can you think, communicate and remain coordinated at that level?  Have you the courage to jump for the trapeze bar?  (Challenge by choice - no one is forced to).

back to TOP

Archery

  

 

Archery is a great sport and can be enjoyed by everyone regardless of age, gender, ability or disability.  Being able to accurately and safely shoot a bow is a skill that requires discipline, high levels of concentration and self-confidence.  Experience the thrill of drawing a bow, aiming and hitting your target with coaching from Devizes Bowmen.

back to TOP

Athletics

Athletics gives you a chance to try all athletics disciplines: hammer, javelin, discus, hurdles, jumps, sprints, long distance and relay.  Learning the basic techniques required with an emphasis on fun.

back to TOP

Badminton

Badminton  is the fastest racket sport in the world, with the shuttle (the bit you bash) travelling faster than a Formula 1 racing car! It is one of the most popular sports in the world with over 250 million people playing. It's an indoor sport that's fun, sociable and keeps you very fit!

 
Basketball

Basketball is a fast moving game and one of the most popular sports in the world. It is a great workout that is good for health, stimulates the brain, allows you to make new friends and to have fun while being active. It can be played year-round.

 
Canoeing

 

Canoeing.   Have a taster and learn the basics of canoeing.  Going forwards, backwards, sideways, around corners, emergency stops, staying afloat etc. and also have some fun playing games using the strokes learned.  The coach has been a BCU Canoeing Instructor for 30+ years and has run various courses, including for the Lions, for over 11 years.  You can then join a local canoe club!

back to TOP

Clay Shooting. is a safe sport in the right environment with qualified instructors.  You will be taught how to shoot the gun safely, you will then be able to have a go at shooting the clays which are discs made from clay and not live birds or animals. You will need stout shoes or boots and warm clothes (waterproof jacket if wet).  All other equipment will be supplied.

back to TOP

Frisbee.  

Frisbee.  "Ultimate" frisbee is a fast-moving team sport enjoyed by millions of players the world over. It’s played with a flying disc. Anyone can take part. Beginners find the game easy to learn and fun to play. "Ultimate" players require skill, agility and endurance….. Grab a disc and get out there!

back to TOP

Golf

 

Golf is a sport where you don’t have to be big, strong or fast to be successful.  The traits of successful players are: patience, persistence, skilled practice and focused ability.  It promotes a spirit of friendly competition and relies on honesty and courtesy.  Overall, golf is a game in which to make friends and is one to be enjoyed for a lifetime. 

 
Gymnastics is fun!
 
Tracey sent us this fabulous photo and said,
 
"Thank you so much for the coaching weekend, my daughter had a wonderful time at the gymnastics.
She really did, as you can see from the photograph. Thank you again."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gymnastics is a safe, enjoyable and challenging sport that offers opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.  It has something for everyone, providing a wide range of movement experiences for participants and spectators while providing the opportunity to focus on fun, fitness, friendship and fundamentals.

back to TOP

Hockey 

Hockey.  The Olympic Gold winning sport from Rio 2016, is a fast, fun team game, where you use sticks and a plastic ball to score goals.  It is played on artificial pitches, making it faster and exciting!  Come and learn the skills you need!  Your local Club is Devizes, with a thriving Junior section.

back to TOP

Judo 

 

Judo is one of the world's most widely practised Olympic and Paralympic sports and showcases breath-taking throws and ground fighting techniques as competitors illustrate why they are among the best conditioned athletes in the world.  Our qualified coaches will teach you coordination, balance and agility, and if you want to be the best we will show you how.

back to TOP

Netball

Netball is an activity that requires quick thinking, agility and teamwork. It can help you improve your aerobic fitness, stamina, strength and balance. You can enjoy a game of netball indoors or outdoors and it is suited to any age or physical ability.  You’ll learn skills and tactics to take back to your club or school and make new friends along the way.

back to TOP

Pool Activities
Poolside Diving 

 

Poolside Diving is offered to children who can swim at least 25 metres and who are confident in deep water.  They will be introduced through progressive water and poolside exercises to jump and dive into the water.  They will learn straight, tucked, piked, somersaulting and twisting positions in the water to gain confidence to enjoy diving.

 
Artistic Swimming
 

Artistic Swimming.  Girls and boys who can swim 100 metres plus will learn how to put basic sculls, strokes and moves together to form a routine.  Synchronised swimming is a very strenuous and skilful sport because competitors need strength and flexibility to perform the routines, as well as rhythm and flair to synchronise and interpret the music.

back to TOP

Riding

Riding.  The one hour session at the Children’s Riding School is aimed for beginners.  They will be meet some of our wonderful native pony breeds and gain a little understanding of a pony.  They will be able to borrow riding helmets of the correct standard and will be introduced to handling the ponies and to mounting and riding in the outdoor schools.

Skateboarding 

  

Skateboarding These taster sessions are great fun and really engage and inspire young people - leading to healthier active lifestyles and positive mental attitudes. Our coaches bring all the equipment needed, so that everyone will be all kitted out properly with safety gear to tackle the exciting challenges ahead.

 
Squash 

Squash can be played all year round.  It's a great workout and teaches hand-eye coordination as well as stamina. It's a game of not only fitness but of strategy, and it doesn’t require a whole team of people to play. It's fun!

back to TOP

Sword Fencing

Sword Fencing is the fastest growing sport in the UK. In the age of chivalry, duelling was favoured as a method of settling matters of honour, because of its grace and simplicity.  These remain the most attractive aspects of the sport today, developing all round fitness, flexibility of movement, stamina, mental agility, co-ordination, balance and self-confidence.  It’s great fun learning to duel.

back to TOP

Table Tennis

     

Table Tennis is an Olympic sport, and one of the world’s fastest games.  It is a “Sport for Life” and played and enjoyed by people of all ages.  Come along and try it, with the help of our experienced table tennis coach.

back to TOP

Trail Biking

    

Trail Biking.  There is no more exhilarating way of keeping fit and having fun as you bike along Wiltshire’s fabulous trails - the hills, the woods, the fields, the hedgerows, the waterways are all waiting for you!  Bring your mountain bike for training on Saturday followed by the cross-country bit on Sunday!

back to TOP

Tae Kwon-Do  encourages interest in martial arts in a nonthreatening way. It also improves flexibility and fitness, develops pride, focus, and self-discipline. Tae kwon-do increases attention span, promotes concentration, and positively impacts other school activities. It is an excellent supplement to other sports.  Students learn respect for themselves and others.

back to TOP

Target Shooting.  An Olympic sport since the first modern games, shooting suits all ages.  It helps develop strength, stamina, hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. During Sports Coaching you will learn to fire an air rifle at a fixed target on a modern 25 yard range, and you will enjoy seeing your ability increasing.

back to TOP

Tennis. You can play tennis whatever your age.  There are many places to play across the country.  It's a great way to get fit and can be a great way to make friends.  It's easy to get started and we provide the equipment, so come and have a go.

back to TOP

Trampolining

 

Trampolining.  Want to try something different and stand out from the crowd?  While anyone can begin and jump on a trampoline, high level trampolining requires strength, stamina and skill.  It is a fantastic sport for keeping fit and good for posture and balance and is a really fun way of exercising. It is also an Olympic sport.

 
Volleyball 
 

Volleyball is a great sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.  It can be played year round both indoors and outdoors and has many benefits: it burns calories and improves muscle strength and tone, hand-eye coordination, reflexes, and balance.  Last but not least, volleyball teaches teamwork and communication and is a great social activity.

Devizes Lions reserve the right to cancel any sport due to insufficient numbers or other unforeseen circumstances.

 

 

Lions Clubs International News
Connect with Us Online
Twitter