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The Tony Blair Sports Foundation supports Local Heroes

Established in 2005, the Hat-Trick project is a unique link-up between Newcastle New Deal for Communities and the Football Association. The overall aim of the project is to help young West Enders keep fit, active and healthy through football and the opportunities it presents.

In 2007 Hat Trick linked with a variety of partners to develop the Local Heroes Project which in its first year attracted over 600 youngsters to take part in the four weeks of roadshows, multisport activities and music across10 West End sites.

In 2009 the Tony Blair Sports Foundation helped the project develop Indoor Rowing as one of the new and exciting road show sports. In partnership with Concept 2, rowing machines were taken to the streets of Newcastle and children of all ages and physical abilities were able to experience the versatility of Indoor Rowing as a new sport.

As a finale to the summer road shows, the Local Heroes 3 day Sports Festival was developed so that children could take part in a variety of taster sports sessions including; DJing, dancing, boxing, basketball, table tennis and trampolining.

The festival also included a presentation evening which saw one young volunteer receive the accolade of 2009 Local Hero. The award was presented by Jeanette Pickard to Paul Fradgley for his outstanding work over the summer and the Foundation has agreed to pay 100% of the costs of his Level 2 Coaching Football Certificate which will enable him to continue working with the Hat Trick project over the coming years.

Jeanette Pickard Chief Executive of the Tony Blair Sports Foundation said:

"The Hat Trick project does some fantastic work and we were proud to be part of this years Local Heroes Sports Festival. There's a lot of hard work done by a lot of people to make sure events like these are a success for the young people taking part. We are working with the project to recruit and train more local people to get involved in sports coaching so that more children can access the many sports activities run by the project."

Anyone interested in being part of the Foundation and finding out how you can help at great events like this should contact us on 0191 2760640.

Mark Oliver Hat Trick Development Officer said:

"I'd just like to say once again, thank you very much to the Tony Blair Sports Foundation for helping with our best Local Heroes yet and I hope we continue to work together in the future and at next year's Festival."