Over 200 teenagers from all corners of Milton Keynes aged 12 – 16yrs attended 5 On It Foundation’s free ‘Hang Out Games’ Camps this summer at St Paul’s Catholic School run by the charity.
The programme has been supported by Milton Keynes Council, Sport England, Postcode Trust and Milton Keynes Christian Centre. Participants played in exhilarating finals events across three key sports – basketball, football and netball – it was tense and exciting to the end!
Deputy Mayor Councilor John Lancaster attended the Games and enjoyed a delicious lunch of curry and jollof rice with the 5 On It team and gave some words of motivation to the young athletes before their finals!
Sport was not the only feature of the Hang Out Games; a fantastic Nutri Troops Animation Workshop was run for SEN students who wanted to embellish their creative skills with artist and famous YouTuber, Raven Delgado plus a DJ workshop with worldwide DJ, DJ Cinderella. On finals day budding DJs tried their hands at mixing with DJ Cinderella who DJ’s for number one artists Becky Hill, Neyo and Lloyd! There was something for everyone this summer!
The Hang Out games, launched last year, aims to ensure teenagers have access to free activities and food during school holidays.
Peter Bakare, 2012 Volleyball Olympian and Programmes Director, said “The Hang Out Games provides an opportunity for young people to come together in a safe setting, to hang out, have fun, play sport, try something new and receive free coaching from professional athletes and industry professions. Young people across the country are being exploited by criminal gangs so it is so important that we as a community give young people a safe place to play and learn. It’s fantastic to see so much talent, enthusiasm and smiling faces amongst participants”.
At the heart of the Hang Out games is the anti-gang message ‘Gang Today, Gone Tomorrow’ which was created by the 5 On It Foundation. The local charity strives to keep young people on the right path by providing free sport and creative arts programmes that help teenagers focus on healthy activities and socialise in healthy spaces.
Role Models are at the heart of the charity which was set up by professional athletes in the City. The sports team consists of Coaches, Nigel Lloyd (Pro Basketball player and former Head Coach for Barbados), Jordan Spencer and Kai Williams (Pro Basketballer players), Stacy Lloyd (former Netballer for Barbados National team), Axel Ampedu (Pro Footballer) and Assistant Coach William Issekya (USA College Bound).
Nigel Lloyd, 5 On It’s Head Coach said:
“Role models who live in Milton Keynes are so important because they help guide the young people in the right direction as they begin to make life decisions. They provide inspiration and support when they need it most and they can observe and learn how they tackle and face difficult situations. It’s great for young people to see the likes of Jordan Spencer, one of our coaches who grew up in Emerson Valley, who is now playing professional basketball for Newcastle Eagles. It makes young people think… ‘if he can do it, maybe I can too!”.
One of the great things about the Hangout Games was that young people had the opportunity to be rewarded for their hard work each day, whilst learning soft skills, winning prizes such as sports vouchers, collecting points working in teams leading to a Finals on the last day. The top players from each sport with the most amount of points over the summer were awarded a pair of Nike Sports Trainers for their chosen sport. Next week the young sports stars will meet with their coaches to pick their trainers.
5 On It Foundation currently has no funding for their Winter Hang Out Games which is planned for December 2024 and they would love to hear from businesses who want to join them in their drive to keep future generations healthier and happier. For more information about sponsorship packages or to donate prizes for future programmes
please email: Lolly Marlborough on [email protected]
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For press information, please contact Debbie Sidwell – [email protected]/07754341558
@5onitfoundation
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