Doncaster Mumbler Awards ‘Healthy & Active Kids’ Award, nominees so far, sponsored by Doncaster: Official Host of the Rugby League World Cup 2021

The Doncaster Mumbler Awards nominations went live on July 1st and although we don’t usually publish the nominations and comments, I thought that every single person who receives a nomination deserves to read their messages of thanks & support at this time as things start to reopen.

It has been a tough time, so I hope that these comments show those nominated how much you are appreciated by Doncaster families!

Remember nominations are open here until 31st July and the 5 nominees with most nominations go through to the final for the shortlist vote in September. 

Caroline x

In alphabetical order – I’ve taken one nomination comment for each business that has been nominated:

ACMAC Martial Arts

• For keeping kids safe, active, healty body and mind. Lifelong ambition towards blackbelt that keeps fitness at its core, as well as respect and attitude for mental health.

Active Fusion

• Providing brilliant sessions in schools and the community

Activ8 Coaching

• Coach Ben and Coach Charlie have worked everyday of the pandemic with the children of key workers and those most vulnerable in our community. They have kept the children active, entertained and provided consistency during these uncertain times. They are supportive and encouraging to the children in their care.

All Stars T.K.D

• Teach taekwondo in schools outside of pandemic. Son has really enjoyed doing taekwondo and gains confidence as he progresses. The instructor is great with teaching all the children.

Arabesque Dance School

• I would like to Nominate Miss Rachel because she has been a ray of sunshine through these dark and confusing times. She has been an absolute rock for the all the children and adults and has never shown the worry or struggles she’s going through and always has a big smile on her face. She has organised zoom classes for nearly every day of the week, organised quizzes and fun games for all the children. She has been there throughout the whole of lockdown and kept a little Bit of normal for us. Miss Rachel is a very special lady, very selfless and really doesn’t realise how wonderful she is. We are all so very grateful and thankful for her.

Baby Bunnies

• Balance bikes – Got my children riding independently and really build their confidence.

Babybeatz Boogie & Dance

• Amy runs a fun interactive and sensory class for babies and toddlers which aims to get them dancing to a fun playlist of songs. There’s always a theme hidden beneath the parachute which the kids cannot wait to explore. Amy interacts so well with the children and parents and always makes people feel welcome and at ease.

Barnburgh Athletic Junior FC

• Jill and Ian set this club up from scratch, at the last minute, part way into season last year, which Ian and Tom coach for after a group of children were unexpectedly told they could no longer play for another football club. For no reason closed that age group team down and told us we were no longer welcome with no explanation. This was devastating for the boys and school friends. Jill and Ian persevered to get a brand new club up and running so the boys could continue to play as a team and get straight back on with the fixtures. They immediately found a location, raised funds, got sponsorship and sorted getting football kit so the boys didn’t miss out and the club and team manage gone from strength to strength with a younger team now also formed. Jill and Ian deserve a huge mention and praise. And even through lockdown have organised some online fitness activities to Keep the boys going.

Bentley Rugby Club

• They provide training and league games for all ages from 3 to teens. They help promote great values and discipline in a fun and healthy way through fitness and sport. Its like one big family.

Bessacarr FC

• Wayne Morgan, Chairman of Bessacar FC.  He organises the biggest grass root football club in Doncaster, helping lots of children do what they love to do. It is a community football club. He has joined forces with Doncaster Hub to provide food and essentials to the community

BodyRockers Dance Studio

• Through out the year Victoria Curran (owner and Teacher) is a massive inspiration for motivation and support for our kids who attend bodyrockers, she has created a space where the kids are free to express there self through dance and learn new styles and techniques. While we have been on lockdown Victoria has continued to send new dance routines via video and even live dance classes! (Including adult fitness to keep us sane too) she is a credit to the dance community and too our children, she help my daughter no end by giving her something to stay focused on in these uncertain times, Thank you Victoria.

Cre8ive Dance Academy

• The whole team at Cre8ive really do strive to encourage their students to think and behave in a healthy way. They not only encourage them to take part in more physical activity but they also highlight the positive effects it has in you in everyday life. A fantastic club run by a fabulous team.

Doncaster Amateur Rugby League Football Club

• This club is so family oriented and welcoming. Great facilities. With ex professional players giving back to the club that helped them grow into top quality rugby players by coaching at a very high standard.

Doncaster Athletics Club – Les Grant

• As part of Doncaster athletics club throughout lockdown Les has continued to show his dedication to his athletes of all ages 8-18 & set out training plans & to communicate fitness/athletics activities via zoom and advised athletes individually about their own personal training regimes to keep them in the peak of health and fitness ready to return to any competitions in the future – absolute Star Coach with DAC

Doncaster Eagles Basketball Club

• This club have been providing basketball coaching across Doncaster for generations. The coaches here go above and beyond to provide fun and energetic sessions to children and adults of all ages. No matter your ability or talents everyone is encouraged in the same way. Head coach Bob Martin has put his life in to building this club and although they have had previous struggles with finding a fixed venue and having to relocate several times they have continued to try their best and put sessions on wherever and whenever they can to keep the kids involved and active. Even during the Covid19 crisis he has been trying his best to keep the kids engaged doing online tutorials and competitions and has recently secured an outdoor area for them to return to training. Bob always wants to give to the kids and would coach 24/7 if he could. my son loves being part of the Eagles family & so do we!

Doncaster Toll Bar ARLFC

• Great friendly inclusive club which helps kids of all ages develop both confidence and sportsmanship through rugby league. It also creates a sense of community for all the parents/carers/grandparents etc. We have 10 rugby league clubs within 10 miles of us yet my son chose Doncaster Toll Bar over them all and spent 4 very happy teenage years there.

Edenthorpe Juniors

• An excellent club which has become part of our family.

Elmfield Gymnastics club

• Jodie, head coach, and all the coaches in this Club Have help my daughter achieve her goals. They have made her the gymnast she is today. Not only have they developed her skills, they have helped build her confidence and provided her with a second home and family.

Endeavor Martial Arts

• They teach Mixed Martial Arts to children from 4yrs old right up to adults through a variety of different classes. They not only provide fitness for their students but also teach about having a healthy lifestyle. They provide students with the tools to protect themselves, be confident in themselves and how to work as a team. They have created an Endeavor Family, not just a martial arts academy.

Expect Youth

• They organised and hosted many activities to get Doncaster children moving during the summer holidays and try to provide the sessions for free to so accessible for all. They deserve the recognition and more children would benefit from the publicity that this award would bring.

Hill House School

• Provide an amazing sporting facility for all children. The frequency of sport in the weekly time table is brilliant and so good for my children’s balance with learning. The skill level is also amazing

Jackie Everton Dance and Stage School

• The dance school is fantastic and the teachers have been amazing keeping in touch with the children Miss Angharad has given the children challenges , online classes and general support she has gone above and beyond in her support to the children !!

KT DANZ

• She is motivational and keeps the kids active with fun dance classes.

KIXX

• Shelley is enthusiastic and outgoing individual who is always able to encourage the children to take part in activities. She is always upbeat which makes the sessions for the children even more engaging.

Little Messys

• Dan, Connor & Ricky provide a fantastic, friendly, fun footballing experience for all the children. Their time, care and dedication to not only football but to the children is amazing. All the kids involved absolutely love it, my own 2 included. What a great way to say thank you!!

Locomotion Dance Studio

• Miss Alex has kept all classes going through Zoom during lockdown, even adding extra family and children fitness classes! A fun and brilliant dance school!

MA Performing Arts

• Brilliant dance school, they go out off their way, to help the students. Would highly recommend to people. They are brilliant with my daughter who is partially sighted.

MB Academy of Dance

• MB Academy of Dance is more than just a dance studio, it is a safe haven for children to be who they want to be. They offer a wide curriculum of dance for children from 18 months old, providing the highest quality of training, in ballet, modern, jazz, tap,singing and acro, which is evident at regional and National competitions. They have helped and trained children to secure places at the Royal Ballet school and many other top dance schools and collages around the UK. In addition to the superb dance training each child is offered Miss Gemma, the principal, offers additional workshops in mental health and well being to the children, ensuring children are equipped with skills to manage life both physically and emotionally. She provides a safe space for children to express themselves and become individuals with grit, determination and perseverance whilst ensuring they stay fit and active. The wide curriculum of dance offered is amazing and this has continued during the pandemic – Each child has been offered a full timetable if dance over Zoom, showing how much the team want to ensure our children stay fit and healthy both physically and mentally. We couldn’t ask for a better environment for children to develop in and I’m sure the dance training and ethos of the dance school will help them grow into a strong, healthy and well equipped adults of our community.

Mini Wheelers

• Andy is great with the children in his classes and makes then feel so confident. My son learnt to ride his bike with only 4 sessions and loved every minute! Would highly recommend to everyone!

Scott Downer

• Scott is an amazing person and role model for our children, he works full time but also gives all his spare time up to coach our under 8 grassroots football team, he has been through so much this last year but has stuck by every single child by continuing to put them first and even through lockdown he has carried out weekly virtual training sessions and chats to keep them occupied and fit… he really is an exceptional person and we are so grateful for his commitment to our kids! They love him, as we all do 🙂

Paul Ward

• Amazing coach and so much time for children and families

Puddle Ducks

• They provide an amazing lesson for parents and children in which the children learn to swim and the parents learn how to help them all while having fun.

Retford gymnastics club

• Supported the children through the lockdown to keep them moving. Going above and beyond

Rugbytots

• Rugby Tots allows children to stay both active and happy with its fun activities and challenges.

Stewart Cullen

• For making a difference with little ones in sport.

Thanks to everyone who has nominated and well done to everyone who has a nomination so far. I really hope you’ve enjoyed reading the comments.

Nominations are open until 31st July HERE and the 5 nominees with most nominations go through to the shortlist.

See the Summer Holidays area of the website for more information on things going on in Doncaster this school holiday.

If you missed it, the fixtures for the Rugby League World Cup 2021 were announced this week. Doncaster is an official host town and you can find out more here.