Sophie Mei

Beauty and the Beasts

Beautiful, educated and talented – Sophie Mei is all set to share top billing with the Legends of Rugby star names at the palatial indoor English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on Thursday December 17.

Television audiences were bedazzled by Sophie’s mesmeric belly dancing performance in Britain’s Got Talent.

Impressario Simon Cowell summed up Sophie’s display simply and splendidly as

” absolute star quality! ”

Legends of Rugby is an international touch event featuring the top names from League and Union.

England,Wales,New Zealand All Golds and the Buccaneers will clash with the aim of lifting the special glass trophy.

Sophie will perform – alongside the Legends’ team of top dancers – especially for the audience and just before the final in a routine which in her own words will be

‘an entertaining and stunning Christmas package of fun and excitement  which is set to thrill the large crowd.”

The fact that the Wooden Spoon charity will be the main beneficiary as a result of Legends’ night is something that pleases Sophie greatly

” I was very happy to take part in such a tremendous evening’s action but it is particularly pleasing to be involved knowing that we shall be helping to improve the lives of children at Christmas time.”

Some of the greatest names of both Rugby League and Rugby Union will take centre stage in the inaugural ‘Legends of Rugby ‘which will be held at the £38million English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on the evening of 17^th December.

Past and present stars of both codes will take part in a unique indoor tournament in the Athletics Arena at the EIS. Played under International touch rules, 4 teams: England, Wales, New Zealand All Golds and the Buccaneers will play each other to find the Legends of Rugby Champions 2009.

The event will be screened by Sky Sports as a 2 hours special in their Christmas schedule. Some of the players already declared include: Neil Back. John Bentley, Robbie Paul, Iestyn Harris, Paul Sculthorpe and local hero Mark Aston.

Team selection will be the subject of further announcements but the teams will wear specially commissioned indoor kits and play in squads of 9 with 6 players taking the floor at one time and operating unlimited interchange.

Tickets are on sale and are available from www.eis-sheffield.co.uk

With just 600 seats available to the paying public, tickets are strictly on a first come first basis.

The Wooden Spoon has been adopted as the events official charity and will receive a cheque on behalf of the winning team. Wooden Spoon will also benefit from other fundraising activity on the night.

Notes for Editors:

The English Institute of Sport Sheffield (EISS) it is one of the country’s most impressive indoor sports venues.

This multi-sport venue has a range of high quality facilities that are used predominantly by the community. With a seating capacity of up to 2,000 spectators the arena is a fantastic setting for a wide range of activity.

Since opening in December 2003 the Arena has hosted a selection of major sporting events including: Norwich Union World Trials, The AAA Championships, UK Inter City Cup and Channel 4’s The Games.

‘Touch rugby refers to games derived from rugby football in which players do not tackle in the traditional, highly physical way, but instead touch their opponents using their hands on any part of the body, clothing, or the ball.

A formal, competitive variety, known as Touch developed initially from rugby league and now exists as a sport in its own right. In addition, touch rugby games are played as training activities for rugby league and rugby union; as safer variants of rugby, particularly in schools and junior clubs, and as an informal social sport.’

Wooden Spoon

Wooden Spoon is the children’s charity of rugby, dedicated to improving the quality and prospect of life for children and young people to give young people across the UK and Ireland a chance to achieve their full potential. Over 25 years Spoon has helped more than half a million children through equipment and facilities in schools and hospitals and has used rugby (union, league and wheelchair) to help young people tackle obesity, manage aggression, gain qualifications and re- build their lives through the teamwork, respect and support built into the game.

Sophie Mei – Performer, Presenter & Actress

Twenty-one-year-old Sophie Mei, from Pitsmoor in Sheffield, shot  to stardom on the popular TV show Britain’s got talent.  Her determination and talent in belly dancing saw her reach the semi finals where she gained world-wide accolades, along with Simon Cowell’s declaration that Sophie has:  “Absolute star quality”.  Sophie recently sat on the elite judging panel of the biggest bellydancing championship in Europe, Raqs Britannia, with founder Miles Copeland (former manager of the Police and Sting) and she is set to welcome Raqs Britannia 2010 to her hometown of Sheffield. Sophie, who is mixed race (Chinese and English) is an established teacher in the art of belly dancing and an experienced TV presenter, having presented her own documentary in Egypt for YTV. She is soon to produce a bellydancing health-fitness DVD.   Sophie has trained extensively with Sheffield Theatres, Contact Manchester, as well as workshops at RADA, SKY Television and the Third Angel Theatre Company. Very recently Sophie has filmed with Channel 4’s Hollyoaks.  She has now also set up her own bellydance troupe ‘Mei Dance’ who recently made their debut at th O2 Academy in Sheffield.

For further details about Sophie, please visit  www.sophiemei.net

Contacts:

Tournament Directors

Lionel Hurst   07817 520789

Neal Coupland 07747 787509

www.legendsofrugby.com

For more information on Wooden Spoon and how you can make a difference contact Jai Purewal on 01926 863776 or

jpurewal@woodenspoon.com

For Sheffield International Venues,

Natalie Ross or Abby Worsnip HR Media Ltd

0114 221 0230.

Released on behalf of:

The Sports Channel, Aspect Court, Park Square, Leeds, LS1 2NL leeds@thesportschannel.co.uk

Sheffield’s annual Business Awards took place last Thursday at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre – a fitting venue as Sheffield is fast becoming the UK’s city of Sport (bellydance included!).  It is the highlight for most of Sheffield’s high-flyers to come together and celebrate rather than commiserate a year of recession.

And what a night it was…

Sheffield Chamber of Commerce annually hosts the prestigious event and this year it sold almost a thousand tickets, which packed out the venue and proved that Sheffield business is still thriving.

I was one of three finalists for SHU’s Young Business Person of the Year Award at the Sheffield Chamber Business Awards which was very gratifying; it’s been an amazing year. I have been developing my career beyond being a sole bellydance performer and I have joined forces with my business partner Louise Wilcockson to launch MEI International Ltd.  This involves delivering national and regional media relations campaigns for both public and private sector clients to increase health literacy; a new dance troupe called Mei Dance which incorporates not only the different styles of bellydance but Street and Bollywood and we are launching a bellydance school franchise.

To register your interest in being a potential franchisee, please visit my webpage where you will find further details: www.sophiemei.net

Louise Wilcockson, Co-Director of MEI International Ltd and owner of COMS, says: “The Awards Event was a delight to attend and we will enter Sophie again next year.  Sophie’s guests, who included YTV’s weather presenter Jon Mitchell, YTV’s Assistant News Editor Liz Fordham, BBC Sheffield Radio’s Steve Wight and the Star’s award-winning journalist Graham Walker all commented on the evening’s great atmosphere. We even managed to grab a few words with Paul Ross who congratulated Sophie on reaching the finals.”

It was a fabulous night and a sparkling end to a hard year for many businesses – it just shows you that Sheffield always comes out on top – come on the World Cup and City of Culture!

Showgirls strutted around with canapés, people huddled in poker circles and drinks were served at the bar.  I’m sure cigars would have been out if it wasn’t for the new legislation… it was just like a scene from Las Vegas.

In fact, it was the opening night of the G Casino the old Mecca Bingo on Queens Road, Sheffield.

The lovely guys from Exposed Magazine and I went to check out the new casino –not least out of intrigue! We were greeted by bouncers and showgirls as we were heavily vetted before entering the Casino where no coats were allowed.

Before the gambling commenced, we had to get some fuel off the A La Carte menu.  I had tasty soup and baked Stilton mushrooms – all very impressive at a Casino where I had been expecting scampi and chips with no vegetarian options. The guys were more adventurous than me and delved into Salmon En croute, Lamb Shank and Steak – all were dutily finished.

We then made our way around the buzzing Casino. After trying to understand the rules of Electronic Black Jack and Poker,  I had to have a sit down as my head was spinning and I half decided to be a mere spectator on the night.

I’ve always wanted a part as a Bond girl, perhaps in a Casino scene, and now I was I finally getting some real life practice…

All the gambling looked good fun but there were some very earnest-looking  punters who were taking it terribly seriously.  So much for Miss Moneypenny, I thought!  I don’t think they appreciated me sat next to them getting confused with my crunched up Fiver as they professionally chucked wedges of money onto the table in exchange for colourful chips.  Oh well, ignorance is lot cheaper!

I’ve decided I’m a bit more of a 2p slots girl  – lots of physical activity in that one and huge amounts of tumbling cash (well coins anyway) which make me feel like I’ve hit the jackpot.  I can dream, can’t I?

All in all it was a great night and something very different for Sheffield.  There was something for everyone – and if you don’t like gambling, there’s always a bit of footie on their TV or you can enjoy the Live music playing in their bar.

Kerching!

Get happy and healthy for life not just for xmas… and try learning to bellydance!

The first Sophie Mei School will launch on Sunday January 31st in Sheffield.

Day: Sunday

(monthly – first Sunday of every month)

Time: 5pm – 6pm

Price: £4

Venue: Greens Health & Fitness Club, Napier St, Sheffield  S11 8HA

Level: Beginners (open to the public)

Contact: schools@sophiemei.net

PLACES ARE LIMITED SO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST ASAP!

Love,

Sophie x

Friday 27^th November was a celebratory day for those who celebrate Eid, the District Commander for Sheffield was commended for his work within the community and I had a successful appointment with my bank manager

Paul Broadbent is the District Commander for Sheffield, South Yorkshire Police Service. He has over 25 years police service and has extensive experience within Uniform and CID posts at every rank up to and including Detective Superintendent, including periods in the Drug Squad, Robbery and Serious Crime Squads.  More recently he has been the head of the Force’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit as well as the Gun Crime Unit. Additionally he had responsibility for undercover policing methods.  Paul has led numerous homicides, kidnaps and other serious crime enquiries. He also has undertaken the role of Acting Chief Constable for South Yorkshire Police Service.

As Police Commander for Sheffield he has overall responsibility for policing of the City including Community Cohesion, Football, Firearms and Public Order Command, is a Senior Investigating Officer with National responsibilities and a member of the International Cadre for Hostage Negotiation.

Paul is a Graduate of the FBI Academy – Quantico and New York Police Faculty USA and holds a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Studies additionally he as taken the role of acting Assistant Chief Constable.  He is a Windsor Leadership Trust and Fulbright Fellowship Alumni having researched multiple homicide enquiries across the USA.

Paul has been the recipient of numerous awards but his latest Award is an extremely special one as it comes from the communities in South Yorkshire and extends recognition to Paul for his outstanding contributions to community safety, community cohesion and common citizenship in South Yorkshire. The Award was presented as a warm gesture of gratitude from Communities Together in South Yorkshire who comprises the diverse communities who make up the South Yorkshire Family.

The ‘South Yorkshire family’ came together on Friday and celebrated with a special ceremony in the Lord Mayor’s Parlour.