GIORGIO RYAN once again proved that he can mix it with the big boys after returning from the South East of England Tae Kwon Do Championships with two trophies and a medal.
The nine-year-old was competing against others up to a foot taller and over five years older than him, but still managed to pick up some silverware at the championships in Burgess Hill, West Sussex.
Giorgio won a silver trophy for coming second in the boys' under-15 category and then claimed gold in the black belt sparring, under 4ft 6in class.
The 4ft tall youngster's best display came in the sparring championship, where he claimed gold in the category for boys up to 5ft 6in.
Giorgio, who now sports a "Don't forget Madeleine" tee shirt at all his championship events, recently stepped-up his training in a coaching session with Shaolin monks, Kung Fu Masters, who are currently on tour in the UK.
Three of the Masters took time out from their shows at the Peacock Theatre to show him what he could achieve with determination and discipline.
Giorgio trains at the Enfield TAGB, which is based at Grange Park and Kingsmead schools, under instructor Richard Newcombe.
Bullying in sport
Bullying UK gets complaints about what happens on and off the sports pitch too.
It isn't just other players who are the problem but parents, coaches and team managers can also be guilty of bullying behaviour.
Professor Celia Brackenridge's research showed that many youngsters give up football because of the stress of parental pressure, the shouting and taunts from the touchline.
Football development officers have been very fed up with parents' behaviour with mini soccer being turned into a mega stress with a 'win at all costs' attitude.
Are you taking the game more seriously than you should, shouting vociferous encouragement from the side, displaying excessive disappointment at the missed goal and of course outright abuse or invasion of the pitch should never be tolerated and neither should abuse between rival team parents in the heat of the game.
If you're a parent think about the example you're setting to your child and other families.
A friend of Bullying UK who managed a youth soccer team in Leeds told of one match where there was so much trouble that the police had to be called and they refused to let parents leave until they'd taken their car registration numbers. On another occasion when he substituted a player, the substituted boy's father, who was a linesman, threw down his flag in a display of petulance and shouted to his son: "Come on Thomas, we're going home".
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The sports mad father may be pushing his son or daughter very hard and making unreasonable demands. Parents need to know that they can be guilty of bullying too and that constructive criticism about the effort they put in is acceptable but personal negative comments are not and neither is punishment for an off day.
If your child is being bullied in his/her sports club then talk to the coach or manager about it and ask them to make other staff aware of the problem.
Ask for the matter to be dealt with discreetly. If the coach catches the bully in action they can't accuse the victim of telling tales.
If the problem continues and the club doesn't seem sympathetic, ask if there is a complaints procedure and follow it. Clubs may have their own rules or guidance issued by the sport's governing body and there may be appeal procedures over disciplinary matters.
If your complaint is about the coach you need to be fair and objective when making a complaint. Not every child will be picked for the team every week and it's better to approach the coach in a friendly way to discuss any issues of concern. If you can't resolve matters at club level you could consider taking it to the sport's governing body.
Pushy mums and dads
Set a good example
If the problem continues
What name do you know this girl by?
Please turn off background music before watching video.
The Bridgeport Police Department is seeking information concerning the disappearance of Jovonna Stacey Crawford, who was born Aug. 29, 1979.
Jovonna was reported missing on June 5, 1981 from P.T. Barnum Housing Complex, 85 Taylor Drive, Building 8, Apartment 208, by her mother, Mary Crawford. Jovonna was 21 months old at the time of her disappearance. This is the 30th anniversary of her disappearance, and Jovonna would be 32 years old this year. She was wearing a blue and white jumpsuit when she was last seen.
Mary Crawford had a companion, Ronald Garrett. Crawford had two children at the time, Jovonna, and Michael Crawford Jr.
On the morning of June 5, 1981, she left Jovonna in the care of Garrett and instructed him to bring Jovonna to her maternal great grandmother, Mary Moales’ apartment, also in the Housing Complex.
When Mary Crawford returned later that evening, she asked Garrett if he had delivered Jovonna. Garrett told Mary Crawford an unidentified black male, about 10 years old with braids, had come to the apartment to take Jovonna to Moales’ apartment.
Garrett, who did not know the boy and had never seen him before, allowed Jovonna to leave with him. Jovonna has not been seen since.
There is no evidence the “boy” actually exists and Jovonna was actually handed over to him by Garrett. Garrett maintains his story and disavows any responsibility in the disappearance of Jovonna. Garrett was arrested by warrant on June 9, 1981 by Bridgeport Police Detectives and charged with risk of injury to a minor, a felony. Garrett received a one year sentence.
The case is active with The Bridgeport Police Department and The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children, Case Number 600865. NCIC Missing Persons Message Number is M382953687.
Reach The National Center For Missing or Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 or Detective Joseph Badolato, the Bridgeport Police Department, 203-581 5293 or 203-581-5201.
