Last Update - 27/07/10

JULY 2010

• Events updated with Bournmouth and Stevenage NBTA Regional competition pictures. - Thanks for the photos Mick !
• The counter is back !!!
• Well Done to First Impressions at the past two Regional Competitions in Bracknell & Stevenage. Many awards were won individually and there was some fantastic teams results.

APRIL 2010

• Team profiles updated.
• First Impressions will be involved in the following upcoming events over the next couple of months:-
  SATURDAY 8th MAY - NBTA PASSPORT DAY - EVERSLEY LEISURE CENTRE, BASILDON, ESSEX - SS13 2EF. 10AM to 5PM
  SATURDAY 15th MAY - KEMSLEY OPEN COMPETITION
  SATURDAY 5th to SUNDAY 6th JUNE - NBTA REGIONALS - BRACKNELL
  SATURDAY 26th JUNE - FEATHERBY SCHOOL FETE
  SATURDAY 19th JUNE - TWYDALL SCHOOL FETE
  
• The Pom-pon Electric Team achieved 4th place at the NBTA European Championships in Edinburgh over the Easter Weekend - Well Done to all squad members, coaches and organisers for ensuring the event was an amazing experience. A video of the performance can be view by clicking here - Thanks Shelley !

MARCH 2010

• Many Thanks to everyone who helped make the First Impressions Open Competition such a success. We are hoping to stage another competition later on in the year on the 11th September 2010.

FEBRUARY 2010

• Well Done to First Impressions at the first Regional Competition of the year in Bournemouth. Many awards were won individually and 1st places in the 3 team events was achieved !
• First Impressions are hosting an Open Competition on Saturday 6th March at Woodlands Sports Centre. All entry forms have been sent out so if you require more information please Contact Us.

JANUARY 2010

• It is with great pleasure that we announce that First Impressions have been awarded a grant by 'Grassroots Grants' with great help from Funding Buddies towards First Impressions' participation for ENGLAND in the NBTA European Championships to be held in Edinburgh in April. The grant will provide much needed financial assistance towards accomodation, travel and teamwear for everyone involved.
  The following is taken from an article to be published in the latest newsletter 'Oast to Coast' from www.ruralkent.org.uk who organise the Funding Buddies.
  
  'The First Impressions "PomPom" team have now reached a level that they have been able to enter, for the 3rd consecutive year, the National Championships of the NBTA. As well as successfully collecting an outstanding total of 46 awards they have also been selected to represent England at the European Championships in Edinburgh in April 2010. Of course this was very exciting news, and testament to the dedication and hard work the team and trainers have put in all year, but it also meant a rather large bill for tracksuits, travel and accommodation which is not easy for many of the parents in the current economic climate, and well beyond their own fundraising efforts.
  First Impressions approached Funding Buddies in Kent to help them through what they felt would be a daunting task of applying for grant funding. Their 'funding buddy' was a great help in identifying potential grants and writing their funding bids. The first application for a Grassroots Grant, has been successful and means the team are now well on their way to getting up to Edinburgh.
  For the girls competing it offers them the experience of competing at a higher level and gaining new skills, raising aspirations, and increased personal development - not to mention the honour of representing their country at the European Championships. "The grant will help us to get to Edinburgh to compete at the NBTA European championships. I'm very excited and proud to be part of the England team, it's a great opportunity for us and even though it is our first time we are determined for it to not be our last. We all love being part of the First Impressions team, we love what we do so we work hard on our routines but have lots of fun at the same time " - Danielle (13 years old)
  By the group attending such a prestigious competition it will encourage the membership of the group to increase, leading to more local talent being developed. Increased membership will also enable the club to develop the non-competitive side of the activity - providing a great local activity to many young people in the area, benefits of this are both physical health and social interaction. The group is run entirely by volunteers and offers the opportunity for many local people to get involved.'

DECEMBER 2009

• Everyone at First Impressions would like to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !!
• New Dates for 2010 added to the Events page.
• Thank you to everyone for helping with the First Impressions & Distinction Twirlers Disco - It was a great success. Well Done to all the winners and also many thanks for the contributed prizes for the raffle.

NOVEMBER 2009

• **** NEWS UPDATE !! **** A huge WELL DONE to all of First Impressions after impressive performances and England team qualification with Pom-Pon Electric at the NBTA Nationals in Devon!!! The award count was an incredible 46 awards in total, including 7 individual titles, 4 team titles, 1 perpetual award and England team selection for the European championships in Edinburgh 2010. The website will be updated with various facts and figures as well as many photos and video clips over the coming days !
• Team profiles updated.
• The November Newsletter is now available in the Documents section including England Squad details etc. Please read this thouroughly as it contains lots of training and membership information.
• Medway Lights Switch On. Medway Council have asked us to perform before the Xmas lights switch on. This is a good opportunity to attract new members, so please make sure you can attend. This is on Friday 27th November 4.15pm in Gillingham High Street.
• Fundraising Xmas Disco. We are joining up with Distinction to raise money to put towards England tracksuits so are having a fundraising Xmas disco at the Davis Estate Community Centre on Saturday 28th November. Entry is £5 adults £2.50 children, bring a plate of food please. Pay for entry on the night. Please make sure everyone tries to bring a raffle prize. We are also inviting Blue Shadows - as we are having training the following day, we may need to put up some girls overnight, so please let Leanda know if you can help with this.

JULY 2009

• Well done to everyone who competed at Stevenage with some excellent individual & team performances. First Impressions picked up an incredible 60 awards !

JUNE 2009

• Well done to everyone who competed at Burgess Hill with some excellent individual & team performances.

MAY 2009

• Well done to everyone who competed at Bracknell with some excellent individual performances.
• Thank you to everyone for helping with the First Impressions Competition - It was a great success.

APRIL 2009

• *** NEWS & INFORMATION UPDATE ***
  - First Impressions Competition, Sunday 26th April 2009 @ Woodlands Sports Centre, Woodlands Road, Gillingham, Kent ME7 2DU - Doors open 9am.
  Spectator Entry Fee : £2.00 - There will be hot food available throughout the day and various stalls including costume sales, CK Portraits providing professional photographic services,
  Splash Cosmetics and also the Dance publication, Dancing in Kent, will be in attendance.