Posted on Wednesday 3rd February 2010
Nineteen-year-old, young mum, Dani Jones, who runs the Streetcheer and Streetdance classes for young people in Matson, yesterday (2nd February) picked up a prestigious award in London.
StreetGames, the national charity for youth doorstep sport, held its third birthday celebrations in the House of Commons to celebrate achievements over the last year.
Dani was presented her award by MP Ben Bradshaw, Secretary of Sport and local MP for Gloucester Pharmjit Dhanda.
Dani said, “I am very pleased to be receiving this award, a big thank you to all the kids for their commitment and hard work.”
StreetGames Gloucester is run by Gloucester City Council sports development service and gives local people the skills and qualifications to run the sessions.
Martyn White, cabinet member for heritage and leisure said: “This is a great area of work that helps young people like Dani assist their peers. Sport is a superb way of building strong local communities.”
Dani qualified in June 2008 and has gone on to establish her own, weekly, community dance group for 8-16 year olds.
Her biweekly StreetCheer class, at the Redwell centre, has proved so popular there are already two squads, called Storm and Step 2 Street, of about 70 young local people (mixed ages and gender).
“When you tell people you left school at 14, they assume you’re not bright. That’s not true at all. I am responsible for all the club paperwork, grant applications and budgeting. I like doing it - gives you a sense of “yeah, I did that”. Lots of people have said I wouldn't do much. Well, they were wrong.” Dani added.
For further information about StreetGames in Gloucester visit www.gloucester.gov.uk.
ENDS
Posted on Wednesday 3rd February 2010