22/05/2003
Granby ready to take on rivals

Leicester Riders mascot Granby Panda is set to take on rivals from across the midlands in a charity race this weekend.

Granby will take on Leicester City's Filbert Fox and Cousin Dennis amongst others for the Fastest Mascot in the Midlands Cup. The race is part of Leicester City's Community Open Day which takes place at the Walkers Stadium on Sunday (25th May).

The mascot race will take place at half-time of a charity football match between Leicester City All Stars and the cast of Hollyoaks & Brookside.

Other attractions on the day, which is being sponsored by Alliance & Leicester, include Billy Bates fun fair, Leicester Sound roadshow, Rice Bowl Final 2003, Bollywood Dancers, exotic food, arts and crafts and other live entertainment.

As well as the charity match inside the stadium there will be the LCFC Community Cup under 12s Boys Final, under 17s girls final, the fastest mascot in the Midlands race plus win the chance to be an England mascot at the forthcoming friendly at the Walkers Stadium. There will be no charge for entry into the stadium for the kids’ football finals until 2pm.

This great family day out runs from 10am until 5.15pm. The Hollyoaks charity match kicks off at 3pm and admission is £3. All ticket prices go to local charities including Rainbows and LOROS.

Tickets for the charity game are now on sale from City's main ticket office or just turn up on the day.

14/05/2003
Riders launch Primary Scheme

The Leicester Riders are launching a major primary school and junior development community programme it was announced today.

The initiative, which will see the Riders provide daily coaching in primary schools in Leicester and Leicestershire, has been backed by Spearing Waite Solicitors, as well as Sportsmatch.

"This scheme will allow us to develop basketball skills in the primary schools in Leicestershire," said General Manager Kate Crane. "But its not just about basketball, as with many of the schemes we run it is about promoting a healthy lifestyle for the children of Leicester.

"We will be spreading the positive message of healthy living and general fitness and this in turn helps develop confidence in young people from all sections of the community."

Over 1000 pupils are expected to take part in the programme which begins after the forthcoming half-term break.

Spearing Waite Solicitors, based in Friar Lane, is now one of the major firms in Leicester. The opening of the new commercial offices in 1998 in the heart of Leicester has established the firm as a dynamic Midlands-based practice, recently gaining an entry in the prestigious Legal 500 Directory.

Sportsmatch is a business sponsorship incentive scheme that is administered in England by the Institute of Sports Sponsorship on behalf of the government and Sport England. It aims to provide a much-needed boost to grass roots sport and physical education throughout Great Britain.