The National rally this year was at Holkham Hall in Norfolk. The Suffolk Centre had one of its largest attendances ever.

The sport is a very important component of the rally but are not everything. The sport has two influences which help maintain membership of centres, firstly it brings people into the centre that like sport with their all important supporters. Secondly sport get different people mixing and forming friendships, which means more people come rallying, and you make good friends with most centres.

What can I say about the sports teams this year, but Thank You. You made the centre and myself so very proud and the teams done so well that next year we are going to win something I know it.

Everyone who took part and supported the teams either as a spectator or a sub contributed to all the success that was enjoyed by Suffolk. I am just going to go over some of the highlights for me this year.

Tug of war
We came fourth. What more can I say without using bad words, but taking an end up hill off Mid Anglia I got a bit over emotional, “you know what I am on about Nick and Bob”. One seasoned competitor from the leading teams in the event said “you scared us taking MA up hill you looked like you where going to win the whole event the hard way and if you had training you would of won it’’. Well-done boys lets go to the five centres and win it.

Under 15’s Football
A team of 4 girls and 3 boys (all under 12) would give Gary Linaker and Co a group heart attack. What a team, the girls were fighting like nothing I have ever seen and were pulling off tricks worthy of Brazil (the team not Alan).

We discovered a super keeper at the same time and the super sub Jake ran back to make a sliding tackle that I would have been proud of, after one of the girls got pushed over at the other end.

Netball
Almost the same team as the football but just as much grit and fight. Well Done ladies.

Volleyball
Quarter- finals were reached for both ladies and gents teams. The games where played in a 20 knot wind which made things challenging, but we got to see ‘the claw’ in action.
Thanks to Andy and Adam for guiding the team.

Under 35’s football
Well done boys, glad I was in goal the pace of the football was so quick you done so well the goals should have been on match of the day. A note to any other centres don’t come into my area when I am in goal I tend to get a bit possessive over my "D".

Over 35’s football
What can I say, this was the most entertaining thing I had seen all rally, and the team done so well. The team and the supporters played to win but did not go over the top like some of the other teams from the north west. There was some outstanding performance from all the players. Thanks to Mark from South Essex who was our keeper, there is nothing like having an ex pro on your side.

There is a lot more to mention so I will try and expand on this for the newsletter.

Thank you again to all the supporters and the people who helped me organise the teams at Holkham.

See you at the Five Centres.

Chris Stammers

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Three companies have generously donated funds to promote Suffolk Centre Sports.

The funding for two Football kits was donated by PARK RESORTS.

Netball tops have been donated by DANES DRY CLEANERS.

We have also received a donation  from ACCESS SECURITY for an additional football kit.

Thank you to all three companies !
 

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