Tynecastle – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Pioneering exercise programme for men living with prostate cancer to take place at Tynecastle

The SPFL Trust have teamed up with Prostate Scotland to launch Prostate Football Fans in Training, a new 12-week pilot project for men living with prostate cancer.

The SPFL Trust have teamed up with Prostate Scotland to launch Prostate Football Fans in Training, a new 12-week pilot project for men living with prostate cancer.

An initial phase of this project will take place in the capital at Tynecastle, delivered by Heart of Midlothian FC.

The pilot is a tailored version of Football Fans in Training (FFIT) the SPFL Trust’s flagship health and wellbeing programme which takes place at football clubs across the country, helping people to get active and feel fitter, healthier and happier.

Working together with experts from Prostate Scotland, the University of Glasgow Health and Wellbeing Institute and The Exercise Clinic, the programme has been developed based on clinical guidelines for men living with prostate cancer, which recommend a structured 12-week exercise programme.

Prostate FFIT is open to all men living with prostate cancer, who can self-refer online, or be referred by a clinician.

As well as getting the opportunity to take part in exercise supported by trained coaches, participants will learn more about nutrition. They will also receive a personal workbook to help them follow the course and have access to specifically developed videos to continue exercise at home.

Crucially, Prostate FFIT will create space for men affected by prostate cancer to meet others in a similar situation, offering informal peer support.

For more information about the Prostate FFIT, visit: spfltrust.org.uk/prostate-ffit

SPFL Trust CEO Nicky Reid said: “Football Fans in Training is our flagship health and wellbeing programme, with over 7,000 people completing the initiative over the last 12 years.

“In this time we’ve learnt that a key strength of the programme is the environment – the familiarity of a football club can go a long way in encouraging people to take that first step.

“We are delighted to have been able to work with partners to tailor FFIT for men living with prostate cancer. Exercise is such an important part of their treatment, and we feel privileged to be a small part of their journey.”

Director of Prostate Scotland Adam Gaines said: ““Research and clinical guidelines show the importance of exercise for men with prostate cancer. This new and innovative exercise programme is aimed at helping tackle the impact prostate cancer can have on the lives of men living with prostate cancer, especially for those on hormone therapy.

“The benefit of Prostate FFIT courses, offered in professional football clubs, is in providing engaging, beneficial and helpful exercise and healthy lifestyle courses in line with clinical guidelines. There are too few specialist exercise courses for men with prostate cancer in Scotland. We aim to close that gap.

“We are delighted to have developed Prostate FFIT with our partners the SPFL Trust and the University of Glasgow.”

Chris Cottrell who lives with advanced prostate cancer and is co-founder of The Exercise Clinic who helped to develop the Prostate FFIT said: “My message is that for many, exercise is one of the best ways to get back some control of your life during a period when I certainly felt I was at risk of losing control.

“There are few things that are more bewildering and disempowering than being told that you have cancer, so regaining a sense of agency is vital. There is now strong evidence that men with prostate cancer who exercise consistently have a better survival rate.”

Gregg Veitch, Community Football Officer at Heart of Midlothian, said: “We are delighted to be involved in the pilot delivery of Prostate FFIT. We have seen first-hand how beneficial FFIT can be to our supporters and are delighted to be able to offer this programme to even more people.

“Prostate FFIT will kick off Tuesday 17th Janaury at Tynecastle. To get involved, contact Gregg Veitch by emailing GreggVeitch@homplc.co.uk “

Neilson: It’s all about today

Hearts ‘up for the battle’

Robbie Neilson has told his players to forget the last six weeks because it’s all about winning today’s Edinburgh derby.

Tynecastle plays host to the first meeting of the capital clubs this season, with both sides flying high in the cinch Premiership.

Robbie Neilson, who this week picked up the Scottish Premiership Glen’s Manager of the Month award, knows the match could be a frantic affair but he believes the Jambos have enough experience to handle the occasion and knows the importance of picking up three points.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, he said: “It’s been a good start but what’s happened in the last six weeks doesn’t really matter. It’s all about what happens when it kicks off on Sunday. We need to find a way to win the game.

“It doesn’t matter how you win it, it’s about winning a derby. It’s so important for the fanbase, the club and also for the players and their league position.

“It’ll be 200 miles an hour. It’s about being up for that battle at the start and then having the composure to go and play.

“We’ve got a number of boys that have played in it or played in Dundee or Glasgow derbies so I expect us to be ready for it.”

Robbie Neilson’s press conference can be seen on Hearts TV by clicking here.

Jack Ross revealed that star man Martin Boyle is fit for today’s Edinburgh Derby against Hearts.

The Australian winger went away for the September international break and came off against China, after scoring, which caused some concerns for supporters.

He subsequently missed the Aussie’s next game against Vietnam before returning back to Edinburgh and he went straight back into training.

Jack Ross explained that he wasn’t worried about Boyle’s injury, due to constant communications with the Socceroos: “We knew why Martin came off for Australia and that he wouldn’t play in the second game purely for precaution and not concern.

“We’ve got a good relationship with the Australian National Team, and I think they’ve been sensible with him. There was never any concern. We’ve looked after him today (Friday 10 September) and he’s ready to go on Sunday.

“He’s a match winner for us. He’s done that on a consistent level. You need them in your team. He’s had a feeling of winning and scoring goals at Tynecastle, and he wants that again.”

There’s been a two-week break ahead of this game, but with eight players returning from international duty, and a few knocks to contend with, Jack Ross may have a slight selection headache today.

“Longer-term absentees are Sean Mackie, Melker Hallberg, Christian Doidge and Jamie Murphy.

“Unfortunately, Jamie will be unavailable for a number of weeks due to a hamstring injury. We’ve had better weeks in terms of availability of players etc. and we have some concerns going into the weekend, but it’ll still be a team full of belief, confidence, and will have enough to go on and win that game.”

While Boyle’s availability is a huge boost for Hibs, it’s Hearts ‘twelth man’ that could well be the key ingredient this afternoon. The capital rivals will battle it out in front of a packed Tynecastle – and the noisy home support may just be the difference in this first derby of the season.

Return to full houses at Easter Road and Tynecastle

Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian football clubs have been granted dispensation by the Council to welcome back full capacity crowds at their upcoming home matches in the next few weeks.

The move follows the easing of Scottish Government Covid19 public health guidance.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “We’ve been working very closely and productively with both clubs on over the last few weeks and months to help ensure fans can safely attend home games within the parameters of the public safety guidance.

“It’s great that we’re now in a position to have both stadiums back at full capacity as Covid restrictions ease. I’m sure fans of both teams will be hugely looking forward to hearing the roar of their home crowds after such a long time and it’s bound to give a real boost to the players themselves too.

Depute Council Leader Cammy Day said: “This is great news for Hearts and Hibs fans who can get back to enjoying the football they love.

“Fans’ safety remains our number one priority and we’re delighted that with the easing of restrictions it’s now possible to welcome back the crowds at Easter Road and Tynecastle once again. We’ll keep things under review, as you’d expect, given the unpredictable nature of this pandemic, but for now we wish both clubs all the best with their return to capacity attendance.

Ben Kensell, Hibernian Football Club Chief Executive, said: “We are all really delighted to be able to welcome back our supporters. It is what everyone has been waiting for.

“While those fans who have attended our recent games have created a terrific atmosphere to spur the team on, we are looking forward to hearing what a full stadium can do. We would like to thank City of Edinburgh Council for their support throughout these challenging times.

Andrew McKinlay, Heart of Midlothian Football Club Chief Executive, said: We are thrilled that full capacity has been restored and would like to thank the City of Edinburgh Council for their support.

“We really can’t wait to welcome our fantastic supporters back in numbers for the visit of Aberdeen on August 21^st and look forward to hearing Tynecastle Park at full voice for the first time in 17 months.”

Big Hearts: Gorgie charity opens new helplines

Big Hearts, the charity of Heart of Midlothian FC, is shifting their activity to focus on phone and online support, through new dedicated helplines launched today.

Over the past two weeks the Big Hearts’ team of nine staff has been working on alternative ways to maintain their vital work to local groups at a high risk of loneliness, poor mental health, complex family backgrounds and food poverty.

The new Big Hearts helplines are designed to provide regular support over the phone and use digital means to address people’s urgent needs – whilst ensuring the safety of all staff, volunteers and beneficiaries.

Based at Tynecastle Stadium, the charity supports more than 150 vulnerable adults and children on a weekly basis, through a range of programmes including the Kinship Care after school club, The Changing Room project and Football Memories for over 65s.

Craig Wilson, Big Hearts General Manager said: “On 13 March we decided to suspend all our face to face activity to ensure everyone’s safety. Our staff team has been working remotely, completing hundreds of calls to families, isolated adults and older people to assess their immediate needs and offer some guidance and support.

“After a couple of weeks working in this new setting, we are delighted to announce a new series of landline numbers that people can call for a confidential chat and some targeted support.”

Kinship Care Helpline: 0131 603 4927
Advice on parenting strategies, peer support & service referrals for local kinship care families.

The Changing Room at Hearts: 0131 603 4929
Mental health support, wellbeing info and regular peer support in partnership with SAMH.

Community Helpline: 0131 603 4928
Social connection & advice for beneficiaries and volunteers at risk of loneliness & poverty.

www.bighearts.org.uk

Kinship superheroes enjoy a day at Tynecastle

Carers enjoyed a special day out at Hearts’ Tynecastle stadium earlier this week when the Gorgie club’s Big Hearts charity welcomed more than 300 guests at their fifth Kinship Care Family Day.

Monday’s free open day at Tynecastle Stadium offered kinship care families a host of fun activities to enjoy on the last day of the autumn school break. Hosted by Big Hearts, the event celebrated the resilience of children and adults living in a kinship setting.

As the charity wing of the football club, Big Hearts uses football to raise awareness of kinship care and identify vulnerable families in need of support.

https://youtu.be/TbJ1ldi7IPs

Craig Wilson, Big Hearts’ general manager, said: “At Big Hearts, we believe kinship carers are unsung super heroes who are doing an amazing job to raise and build a happy life for the young person they care for.

“Our charity has been helping kinship care families thrive since 2015 and we are committed to continue our work to increase public awareness and reach out to many of these hidden families who could benefit from practical or emotional support.”

There was a great variety of fun activities on offer: face painting, owls, arts & crafts, a detective workshop, magic shows, zorbing, stadium tours and multi-sports were among the most popular.

Children & adults also enjoyed a tasty buffet lunch and the opportunity to meet organisations and projects providing services and activities in the community.

The event celebrated Big Hearts’ Kinship Care programme which delivers a range of comprehensive support for young people and their kinship carers.

Tynecastle hate crime: man charged

Police in Edinburgh can confirm that a 19-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a hate crime at Tynecastle Stadium.

The incident happened on Saturday, April 6, and was reported to police on Monday, April 8.

The man will appear at court at a later date.

Inspector Kieran Dougal of Wester Hailes Police Station said: “These crimes are committed by a small minority intent on ruining a great atmosphere. Thankfully these types of incidents are very rare and are not a reflection vast majority of fans who attend football matches.

“However in order to protect everyone, we need all hate crimes to be reported to us. If you have been a victim of a hate crime you can report this to Police Scotland via 101.

“Alternatively you can report a hate crime through a third party. More details can be found on the Police Scotland website.”

Aileen Campbell: Time for bold action on obesity

Consultation on new strategy for a healthier future

The promotion of unhealthy food and drink is to be restricted as part of Scotland’s new diet and obesity strategy, Public Health Minister Aileen Campbell has announced. The news has been enthusiastically welcomed by celebrity chef and food campaigner Jamie Oliver, who said the action is ‘trailblazing’.

Public Health Minister Aileen Campbell was at Tynecastle Stadium yesterday to launch a consultation on ambitious plans to help people lose weight, including:

Measures to restrict the promotion and advertising of food and drink high in fat, sugar and salt
Over £40 million new investment to deliver almost 100,000 supported weight management interventions for people with, or at risk of, Type 2 diabetes
Supporting calls to ban broadcast advertising of foods high in fat, salt and sugar before the 9pm watershed

Ms Campbell said: “Obesity significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cancer cardiovascular disease and depression. Simply put, it’s harming the people of Scotland. It also puts pressure on the NHS, other public services and our economy.

“That is why we need commitment and action from everyone across all sectors and at all levels including government, citizens, the public sector and businesses right across the country.

“We are putting forward a package of bold measures designed to help people make healthier choices, empower personal change and show real leadership. Now we need people who live, work and consume food and drink in Scotland to tell us what they think.

“As with our ground-breaking strategies on alcohol and tobacco, this is the start of a progressive plan of action, learning from our experience in Scotland and further afield, that will make a real, lasting difference to the country’s health.”

The Minister launched the consultation at Tynecastle stadium, where she met participants in the SPFL Trust’s Football Fans in Training (FFIT) weight management programme.

Wattie Buchan, who lost four stone after suffering five heart attacks, said: “I was miserable before. I’ve had five heart attacks, I’ve had a quadruple bypass. My life was terrible. This is the best I’ve felt in four years, I feel better within myself being fitter.

“Twelve weeks ago I could hardly walk. I’ve been doing this for five weeks and now I walk a lot – even my dog has lost weight. It’s totally changed my life around. It’s made a massive difference to how I feel; I feel better mentally as well. It’s like night and day; I am loving it.”

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver said: “This is an amazing step towards making sure the healthiest choice is the easiest choice – for everyone. Today, Scotland has set an example to the rest of the world. It has picked up the baton that Westminster dropped last year. So, now the ball is back in the UK government’s court.

“We need to ensure everyone in Britain has a chance to raise their children in a healthy environment.”

The consultation is now live and will run to 31 January.

Police appeal for best behaviour ahead of Tynecastle clash

Police are requesting fans attending tonight’s Hearts vs Rangers match do so in a responsible manner. Continue reading Police appeal for best behaviour ahead of Tynecastle clash

Broken Hearts

It was inevitable. And while the international wrangling over who should administer the process may go on today, be clear – Hearts are going into administration.

The fragile edifice that was the complicated financial world of Vladimir Romanov has finally come crashing down. First Ukio Bankas, then UBIG and now – Heart of Midlothian FC, formed in 1874.

It seems hard to believe now, but when Lithuanian businessman Vladimir Romanov took control at Tynecastle back in 2005 there were some who welcomed him as a saviour. Now, eight years and SIXTEEN managers later, dreams of building a side to challenge the might of the Old Firm at home, and the cream of Europe abroad, lie in tatters. The challenge now is simply to stay alive.

In a game that lives by clichés, it’s been a rollercoaster ride. From the highs of Scottish Cup wins in 2006 and 2012, European adventures – and a 2005/6 season that might even have seen Hearts crowned SPL champions if only Vlad hadn’t started meddling with team selections and sacking managers – to the lows of unpaid bills, unpaid wages and now the ignominy of liquidation, there’s never been a dull moment under Vlad’s reign; for a while he was the man who gave the Hearts fans a dream.

But now, though, the dream is well and truly over. In the cold light of day reality has kicked in and the scale and complicated nature of Hearts’ predicament is truly frightening.

The Club owes £25 million to two of Romanov’s other companies – UBIG and Ukio Bankas, both of which went into liquidation last month, thus bringing the financial woes at Tynecastle to a head. Hearts also owe an undisclosed amount to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, having only partially paid an outstanding tax demand for £50 million, and last week the club’s players and staff found that their wages and salaries would not be paid on time.

Against this background the entire Hearts squad was put up for sale last week and an appeal went out to fans – unsurprisingly, despite Hearts’ fans undoubted loyalty, season ticket sales have been slow.

So what happens next? There are a number – perhaps as many as four – serious prospective purchasers, but meaningful negotiations have been hampered by the club’s complicated financial setup. What exactly would potential investors be getting for their money – what are the assets, and what potential time bombs may be unearthed within the club’s accounts? Until that becomes clear, it’s unlikely that any bid will be forthcoming.

While fans loyalty has been stretched to the limit they continue to rally to the cause, but they too should think before committing their own hard-earned cash: by donating money are they supporting the survival of and future of the team they love, or are they pouring cash down the drain as lawyers and accountants pick over the carcass of a once great club and argue expensively back and forward between Edinburgh and Vilnius?

While the current situation is bleak, it’s certainly not hopeless and Hearts will surely survive in some form. A fifteen point deduction at the start of the forthcoming season is probably the least of their worries; after all, SPL chiefs will surely at long last restructure the league setup at the end of the season, because the current ‘model’ certainly isn’t working.

For Hibs fans who are revelling in the Jambo’s current plight, I would only ask: what are the games you look forward to most every season, the games that get your pulse racing and your mouth dry with nervous anticipation? No, Kilmarnock or Ross County don’t really do it for me, either. Take away the Edinburgh derbies and the whole season is not quite meaningless, but seriously devalued. Derby games may well be p*sh – and they usually are – but there’s atmosphere and excitement that is lacking at so many other games. So should the unthinkable happen, I for one won’t be gloating.

And for fans of other clubs, beware – given the parlous state of football finances in Scotland, it could well be your lot next.

Good luck, Hearts. Here’s hoping you’ll aye be ‘making your mark’ for a good few years yet.

By the way, those managers were: John Robertson, Steven Pressley/John McGlynn, George Burley, John McGlynn, Graham Rix, Valdas Ivanauskas, Eduard Malofeyev, Riabouas Eugenijus, Valdas Ivanauskas (again), Anotoly Korobochka, Stephen Frail, Csaba Laszlo, Jim Jeffries, Paulo Sergio, John McGlynn (yes, once again!) and Gary Locke.

Gym Fest 2012 hits new heights

Edinburgh Leisure and Active Schools teamed up again to stage Gymfest, a celebration of the city’s young gymnasts, at Broughton High School yesterday. And with financial support from Active City the annual display reached new heights – quite literally! A wide range of gymnasts from across the city took part in the Broughton spectacular – from enthusiastic new dancers and fun gymnasts (some performing in public for the first time) to top young athletes who already participate in competitions – and the packed audience was entertained from start to finish by some spectacular performances. Given the high standards throughout the afternoon it was fitting that all the participants received medals, so take a bow: