soar magazine issue 18

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EDITOR’S COMMENTSoar Magazine is back after a shorter than usual break following one of the most inspirational sporting summers in living memory.

Watching the world’s most talented athletes achieving their maximum in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and seeing so much outstanding success from the British representatives, has left those displaying even the most pessimistic of outlooks, with a great sense of pride.

The fact that one of the most memorable Olympic and Paralympic Games has been held in this country only adds to that pride. From a local perspective, Leicestershire has tasted medal success in the form of hockey bronze for four of Leicester Hockey Club’s !nest and silver for Loughborough-based discus thrower Dan Greaves, whilst many of our other athletes have put in equally inspiring performances, including young triathlete Lucy Hall, who gives us a taste of her London experience.

There has been much emphasis placed upon the importance of a legacy following the Games and we are seeing evidence of that in Leicester. You can read about how Leicester Hockey Club are encouraging new players to join and the extension of Leicester City Council’s successful Ping! and Free Swims initiatives into the autumn.

Moving on, but not forgetting the glory of the summer, we also focus on the winter sports. With the football and rugby seasons underway for Leicester City and Leicester Tigers we speak to two of the most in"uential characters at both clubs – Foxes captain Wes Morgan and Tigers Italian international, Martin Castrogiovanni – about their ambitions.

Hopefully those ambitions will be realised and all of Leicester’s teams will be challenging at the top of the table by the time our winter issue comes out at the beginning of December.

Until then, continue to enjoy and be inspired by the sporting action.

LineupSoar Sport 06 Wes Morgan

10 Lucy Hall

12 Jamell Anderson

14 Michael Thornely

18 Leicester Hockey

20 Paralympic Review

21 Ping!

23 Healthy Pregnancy

28 Leicester Marathon

Soar Health 32 Dean Hodgkin

33 Marc Sagal

35 SAQ® International

36 LR Sport

38 Stoptober

Soar Lifestyle 42 Green 4 Solutions

44 Inspire LeicesterShire

45 Evolution:man

46 SoarPoint: Martin Castrogiovanni

50 InPictures: The School Games ChampionshipsJon Reeves, Editor

Thanks: Jamell Anderson, Vicky Ball, Vicky Broadbent, Martin Castrogiovanni, Eleanor Donaldson, Celia Fisher, Lucy Hall, Jayne Henderson, Dean Hodgkin, Jayne Hough, Karen House, Steve Humphries, Jon Hunt, Kim Lillie, Andy Mann, Dan Mitchinson, Wes Morgan, Chris Mullins, Dan Nice, Alan Pearson, Ajay Pitrola, Marc Sagal, Gary Sherrard, Rob Snart, Michael Thornely, Sarah Treanor.

Soar Magazine is produced by Soar Media LtdPhoenix Square, Midland Street, Leicester LE1 1TGT: 0116 242 2851 E: [email protected]

Editor: Jon Reeves Design: Jamie Gallagher, Lee JohnsonContributors: Chris MortleyAdvertising: Call Soar Media on 0116 242 2851Photos: Soar Photo & PA Photos

The copyright of all material is owned by Soar Media Ltd and may not be reproduced or published without prior consent. Soar Media Ltd take no responsibility for the claims made by advertisers, nor all of the views expressed by contributors.

Editor’s Commentin association with:

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Loughborough-based discus thrower, Dan Greaves, receives his Paralympic silver medal at the 2012 Games in London.

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Arriving at Leicester City Football Club in January 2012, central defender Wes Morgan ended a ten-year career at East Midlands’ rivals Nottingham Forest.

One of Nigel Pearson’s first City signings following his return to King Power Stadium last season, Morgan fitted seamlessly into the Foxes fold, going on to play in every game in the second half of the season and impress at the heart of the defence.

Whilst it may not have been enough to help Leicester City break into the Championship’s top six, the summer gave the former Forest man the chance to enjoy a full pre-season with his new club, being named captain ahead of the new campaign.

The Foxes skipper admits that he’s settled in well even though it was tough to adjust to a new club following a decade at the City Ground, which saw him make over

400 !rst team appearances.

“I’m settling in very well. It’s been a good six months for me personally. I’ve managed to get into the team and since I’ve done so, I’ve been able to play in every single game. Overall it has gone really well.

“It was a hard decision to leave. Nottingham Forest was the only club that I had been at, so everything I learned there was all I knew. When Leicester City came

CAPTAIN MORGAN

SPORT

7

in, I just thought it was an ideal opportunity and the time was right. I needed a fresh challenge and everything at Leicester indicated that they were aiming high. The club wants to be in the Premier League and I want to be a part of that, so overall, it was a tough decision but I feel it was the right decision.”

Throughout his ten years with Nottingham Forest, Wes earned a reputation as one of the most consistent defenders outside of the Premier League; an impressive feat considering that just 18 months prior to joining the former European champions, he had come to terms with life away from professional football.

“As a youngster, I played at Notts County. I progressed through their centre of excellence but wasn’t taken on as a youth team player; I was devastated. After that, I went to college to continue with the business studies course I was enrolled on. In the back of my mind, I was wondering whether football

would really happen for me. Notts County invited me back to pre-season, but I decided to stick with college, playing semi-professionally in the meantime.

“I played for the college team too – and it was my coach there that got me a trial at Forest. A week-long trial turned into two weeks, and that turned into a month. I spent a season there and of!cially signed afterwards. I played a lot of games and things progressed. I honestly thought that my opportunity in football had passed, but I still loved playing.”

With all of that history in mind, it’s not surprising to hear what the 28-year-old sees as his personal highlight during a decade at the City Ground.

“The highlight that sticks out in my mind was during my last season at Forest, when I scored a goal against Notts County. It was

virtually the last kick of the game and it looked as though we were going to lose. There were so many elements involved and to score was just amazing.”

This season, Morgan is part of a City side hoping to return to the Premier League for the !rst time in ten years, but with a quieter summer in terms of new arrivals, Wes admits that that the sense of expectation is much calmer this term.

“From the outside looking in, and I can vouch for that having been at Forest at the beginning of last season, you could see everything happening at Leicester. The owners invested a lot of money and you had somebody like Sven-Goran Eriksson in charge, who brought in a lot of players for large transfer fees. You see that and you automatically think ‘wow, they’re going for it and they’re going to do it’.

CAPTAIN MORGAN


“In this division though, you have to realise that it is a tough, competitive league and no game is easy. There are a good !ve or six teams that could be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. You can make all the signings you want, but it’s going out there and doing it on the pitch on the day. Only then can you achieve what you want to.”

This season, 18 of the 24 teams competing in the Championship have played in the Premier League during their respective histories, with the division becoming more challenging every season; something that Wes and his team-mates are well aware of.

“A few years ago, clubs that were promoted were often favourites to go straight back down. You felt that you were guaranteed three points whenever you played them; that has changed. Teams are acclimatising to the Championship much better now and they have caused so many upsets. You can’t

take any team lightly and it makes it brilliant for the fans watching.”

Whilst Morgan remains focused on matters on the pitch, the City centre-half has been able to enjoy Leicester since his arrival from Nottingham. Whilst he still resides 25-miles north, Wes has spent time discovering a new city

“I have a couple of friends from Leicester. Spencer Weir-Daley, who used to be at Forest with me, is from the city. I’ve met up with him a few times and walked around and had a Nando’s. I like the city a lot.

“Off the pitch, I’m not the kind of person that is all football, football, football. Once I’m home, I like to chill. I like to spend time with my little boys and my mates and try to do things away from the game. Football can be quite overwhelming if you surround yourself in it constantly. You !nd yourself playing games all the time and I !nd that it’s important, once you’ve left the

training ground, to get your head away from the game. I play on the Xbox or PlayStation, surf the net or just watch TV. I’m into my boxing and always tune into the big !ghts from Las Vegas. I like to follow all of the British boxers too.”

Morgan displays plenty of his own !ghting spirit on the pitch, which can only help him as he focuses on realising his future ambitions.

“My aims are the same as the club’s – to get promoted. Then, for me personally, I want to get as much time out on the pitch and get a few goals when I can. However, overall, my aim is the same as everybody at the club – I want to be playing in the Premier League.”

If his rise in the game is anything to go by, Morgan will be leading the team out in the top flight sooner, rather than later.

“The club wants to be in the Premier League and I want to be a part of that.”

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After her surprise selection for the Team GB triathlon squad for the Olympics, 20-year-old Lucy Hall more than justified her place on the team with a stunning performance in the water, as the British trio of Hall, Vicky Holland and Helen Jenkins attempted to tailor the race to suit the strengths of Jenkins to help her achieve a medal.

Although the team didn’t ultimately reach their objective, as Jenkins !nished !fth, London 2012 provided an invaluable experience for Lucy, who tested her talents in one of sport’s most gruelling events, at the very highest level, and looked right at home.

Originally from Lutterworth but now based at Loughborough, Lucy spoke to Soar Magazine about her experiences this summer, starting with the build up to the Games.

“I never experienced anything like it before; the kitting-out process and the training camp beforehand, where I got to train with Helen Jenkins, who is one of the best triathletes in the world. To see what she does in training and where I need to be in a few years time is quite daunting, but it’s comforting to know that it can be done with a lot of hard work.”

Lucy’s recollection of the event itself includes memories of a partisan British crowd and

attempting to help Jenkins reach a medal position.

“It was incredible. I probably won’t experience that amount of support again from a British crowd. When we were running, I couldn’t hear anything, I was actually getting a headache, but in a good way! The support helped rather than having a negative effect and all three of us in the team found it a buzz.

“It’s cool to be able to perform in front of a crowd like that and do what I need to. Leading out of the swim was crazy because I thought Helen was there. I looked for her name and couldn’t see it, but we had a plan B, so I had to sit in and wait on the bike. The 10k for me

TRIPLE THREAT

11

was epic. It was so painful and made me realise why I need to run everyday.”

Hall also enjoyed the Olympic Village and meeting some of the country’s most famous athletes.

“It was awesome. You do get a little bit star struck because you’ve look up to these guys, like Jess Ennis and Dai Greene, for so long. You couldn’t help but people watch at the food court because there were so many different shapes and sizes. You get really tall guys walking around with ten Big Macs because they’ve !nished their events.”

Hall, who also studies Sports Science and Management at Loughborough College, revealed how she !rst got into the sport.

“I’ve been doing triathlon since I was eight-years-old and my dad got me into it because he did a half Iron Man. Swimming has always been my strongest discipline and I used to do a lot of football, cricket and ballet. My parents wanted me and my brother to have a variety of sports to choose from and I suppose you just go into one naturally, but somehow I ended up in three! I’m not sure if they were happy about it because !nancially it’s quite tough.”

Lucy and her family have been helped !nancially by Leicester-Shire and Rutland Sport’s Go Gold Talented Athlete Scheme, as she explained.

“You need a lot of equipment; bikes, trainers and it all adds up. I have to race abroad to get points as well, and for the Olympics I had to get to Peru and Ecuador, which obviously isn’t cheap. Go Gold have helped with that, accommodation and petrol. To

have that support and know that you’re county is supporting you to do something you love is fantastic. I really appreciate it and it’s hard to explain just how much Go Gold has done for me in the past few years.”

As well as the !nancial demands, triathlon puts unrelenting pressure on body and mind, which is evident when Lucy describes her training regime.

“I train three times a day, normally swim, bike, run and sometimes with strength and conditioning work as well. You do have to be mentally tough, but in any elite sport you have to be motivated. We’ll be on the bike for three hours before swimming for 90 minutes and then running for 75 minutes. Sometimes I’m knackered and think that I don’t want to do it, but then you look at the bigger picture and remember that you’re doing it for a reason.”

That reason is to succeed when it matters at major competitions, such as the Olympics, but can Lucy

use the experiences of London to help her succeed in Rio?

“I wasn’t there for the experience, I was there to do a job, but hopefully that won’t be my last time. I’ve learnt a lot and I know that I can do it under pressure. If I am at the 2012 Games in Rio, I might be a little more nervous as it could be my last chance, but I just want to get there. I’d really love to be a favourite and come away with a medal. That’s de!nitely my goal.”

With the determination, commitment and character that she clearly possesses, there’s every chance that Lucy Hall will realise that goal.

“I’ve learnt a lot and I know that I can do it under pressure.”

The Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport’s Go Gold Talented Athlete Fund is open for applications (1 September - 31 October 2012), for more information visitwww.lrsport.org/gogold

SPORT


Headlines are often forged by athletes overcoming obstacles to achieve success, but in the case of Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders forward Jamell Anderson, those obstacles have been considerable.

The 22-year-old was part of the record-breaking team that achieved a second-place !nish in the BBL last season, in addition to a spot in the Play-Off Final, and has signed a new three-year contract at the Riders in the close-season.

The journey to that recent success has been !lled with both physical and mental factors that Nottingham-born Jamell has had to deal with in order to play the game he loves at a professional level, as he explains.

“When I was young, I experienced heart palpitations. I used to ignore it, but I was playing in a big game with Nottingham, where we were down by one with four seconds remaining and my heart started doing it. I turned to my coach and told him that I needed a sub and once I was off, he asked me what was wrong. When I explained, he was p****d off that I hadn’t told him and he stopped me from playing basketball until I had the

problem seen to.

“When I saw the doctor, he diagnosed it as Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, which is a rare heart condition that’s quite serious. I was told

that I can either take pills every day for the rest of my life, have

an operation or just stop playing basketball. I tried the pills. After a month, it became clear that they weren’t working, so I went back to have the operation. Going back to basketball afterwards, the operation

MR. ANDERSON, WELCOME BACK...

13

SPORT

hadn’t worked, so I had to have a second operation which thankfully worked.”

Jamell’s road to recovery was nothing short of incredible. Shortly after undergoing the second operation on his heart, he was called up to represent Great Britain at under-20 level and admits that, for him, quitting was never an option.

“The idea of giving up basketball never came into it at all. I was trying everything. There were times when my mum was concerned and wanted to make sure that I was okay, but I was blinded by basketball. Of course, anything can happen in a heart operation, but it didn’t matter; I just wanted to play basketball. I look back on it now and I think ‘wow, I was crazy’, I could have stopped playing and had a simpler life, but that wasn’t an option.”

Jamell began his professional career with the now-defunct Essex Pirates in the BBL, switching to Leicester Riders in 2011. In addition to playing basketball professionally, he is also in the !nal year of a Sports Science with Management degree at Loughborough University.

Looking to the future, Anderson is full of optimism. Under head coach Rob Paternostro’s guidance, the young forward is hoping that next season sees his transition from boy-to-man and believes that Leicester Riders can go one better.

“I wish that I had been coached by Rob ever since I left college. He’s hungry and wants all of his players to be better. In no way, shape or form is he ever negative. In everything that he says, all he is doing is trying to make you a better player. On the court, even if he is shouting and getting into it; his coaching style just works for me.

“The fans at Leicester are great too. You see the same faces every week, they’re serious fans. That wasn’t so much the case at Essex Pirates, where there was a different crowd every week. You need that; otherwise it just doesn’t work. They’re great. At times, I wish we could do more for them.”

Riders have already started recruiting ahead of the new season, with Jamell joined by Drew Sullivan, Connor Washington and Barry Lamble in re-signing with the club. New additions have also been made in the shape

of American centre John Fraley and guard Zaire Taylor, whilst Spanish guard Jorge Calvo has also arrived at the John Sandford Sports Centre this summer.

“I hope that we ful!l, if not surpass, the expectations of us next season. I’m expecting a lot of ‘Ws’ and for us to be the team that everybody is scared of. The way that Rob recruits, he doesn’t just bring in any old guy, so I’m sure they’ll shape up with his mentality so that we’re ready to go.”

Whilst Jamell has high hopes for the team, he’s also optimistic that it will be a de!ning season for him personally – as he looks to build on last season’s Most Improved Player award.

“I want to be the guy that people start talking about. I don’t want to be ‘Jamell Anderson; potential’, I want to be more than that this year. The whole ‘potential’ thing is going to change.”

Fighting talk from Riders’ young star, but when he’s overcome so much thus far, who is going to argue?

For more information on the Riders visit www.leicesterriders.co.uk

“The idea of giving up basketball never came into it at all. I was trying everything...”

Photo: Ville Vuorinen

Photo: Ville Vuorinen


Throughout something of a frustrating season for Leicestershire County Cricket Club, batsman Michael Thornely has provided moments of delight for the Grace Road faithful.

Signing an initial one-year contract in June, his first-team debut against Glamorgan resulted in the former Sussex man achieving a first innings score of 97, before hitting his first Foxes century in the second, with Thornely going from strength to strength as his season progressed.

What makes Michael’s form arguably more impressive is the fact that the 24-year-old has been without a club for 18 months; playing competitive cricket for Unicorns following his release from Sussex in 2010.

Now coming to the end of an eventful year with Leicestershire, Thornely reveals exclusively to Soar Magazine how life at Grace Road has revitalised him as a player…

Firstly Michael, you must be happy with the season from a personal perspective?I couldn’t have asked for the season to have gone much better for me. From where I was at the beginning of the summer to now being involved here and playing, it’s all I could have hoped for, really. I’m glad that I have been putting in the performances in the opportunities that I have been given, and had the chance to show everybody what I can do. It’s been a pretty hard year-and-a-half for me, being out of the game and knowing what I was capable of, but to come in and prove to some people that I can, has done me a lot of good.

Have you played better in your career than you have done this season?I don’t think I can say I have ever played better than I have done this season. The past year has taught me a lot of very important lessons and really made me appreciate how much the game means to me and how

much I enjoy playing it. I’ve taken the opportunities that have come my way because I’ve had to. That’s something that’s very important. I certainly learned a lot and playing for Unicorns helped a lot; keeping me in the game and allowing me to play against professionals.

THORN AGAIN

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SPORTHaving come from a successful club in Sussex, how much have you enjoyed playing for Leicestershire?It’s been great to get into the dressing room and get to know the guys. It’s quite a young squad, so most of the guys are around my age and we get on well. They’ve been very welcoming and I’m just enjoying being in and around a team again, like I was down at Sussex. It’s nice to see how the team works and just to be playing again, really. To be doing it at a club like this is great – and being out on the hallowed turf is great.

Talk to us about your debut. It was quite an impressive way to mark your arrival…It was probably the best game I have ever had, for many reasons. I went into the game with nothing to lose and I didn’t put myself under any pressure. I stuck to my game and played how I know I can play. I stayed within my own little bubble in a way and, at the end of the day, I looked up and saw some runs next to my name, which was nice!

It was a frustrating !rst innings, that’s for sure, as I came so close (to a century), but that actually helped

me going into the second innings. I strived to bat for a long time again and to get over the line !nally. It was probably the best moment of the season for me and certainly one that I will remember.

What are your thoughts on the current group of players at Grace Road? There are a lot of really talented guys here and whilst they may not have played for very long and are still learning, being able to play together is a great opportunity to mould a team for years to come. Shiv Thakor has come in this year and done very well, Greg Smith is a very talented player and can hit the ball hard. I enjoyed playing with Ned (Eckersley) at Cardiff and he played brilliantly that day. Ronnie (Sarwan) has been the anchor in terms of batting this season. He’s a quality player and it’s good to have somebody like him in the dressing room.

Finally Michael, what does the future hold for you?I’ve just signed a two-year contract at Leicestershire, so I am going to be here for the next couple of seasons. It’s what I have wanted for the past year-and-a-half of driving around the country and being on trial. I feel I’ve earned it and I’m glad I have an opportunity to get back in the game. I look forward to scoring as many runs as possible in the future for Leicestershire.

Grateful for the opportunities presented to him by Leicestershire, Michael Thornely will now look to repay the club’s faith for seasons to come.

For more information on Leicestershire County Cricket Club visit www.leicestershireccc.co.uk

“I look forward to scoring as many runs as possible in the future for Leicestershire.”

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DirectoryAmerican FootballLeicester Falconswww.leicesterfalcons.co.uk

AthleticsLeicester Marathonwww.leicestermarathon.org.ukLeicester Orienteering Clubwww.leioc.org.uk

BadmintonLeicestershire Badminton Assoc.www.lbabadminton.org

BaseballLeicester Blue Sox www.leicesterbluesox.co.uk

BasketballLeicester Riderswww.leicesterriders.co.ukLeicester Warriorswww.leicesterwarriors.comLeicester Lady Hoopswww.ladyhoops.co.uk

BowlsLeicestershire Bowling Assoc. www.leicestershirebowls.com

CricketLeicestershire CCCwww.leicestershireccc.co.uk Leicestershire & Rutland Cricketwww.leicestershirecricket.co.uk

CyclingLeicester Forest Cycling Clubwww.leicesterforest.org.ukLeicester Monarchswww.leicestermonarchs.co.uk

FencingLeicester Fencing Clubwww.leicesterfencingclub.com

FootballLeicester City Football Clubwww.lcfc.comLeicestershire & Rutland FAwww.leicestershirefa.com

DodgeballLeicester City Ligerswww.leicestercityligers.co.uk

GlidingThe Gliding Centrewww.theglidingcentre.co.uk

GolfLeicestershire & Rutland Golf Unionwww.lrgu.co.uk GymnasticsLeicestershire Gymnastics Assoc.www.leicestershiregymnastics.co.uk

HockeyLeicestershire Hockey Assoc. www.lmha.co.ukLeicester Ladies Hockey Club www.leicesterhc.co.ukLeicester Mens Hockey Clubwww.leicesterhockeyclub.co.uk

KorfballLeicester City Korfball Clubwww.leicesterkorfball.org.uk

Local Leisure CentresLeicester City Councilwww.leicester.gov.uk/sport

Martial ArtsUrban Martial Artswww.urbanmartialarts.com

Matt Hampson TrustOf!cial websitewww.matthampson.co.uk

MotorsportDonington Parkwww.donington-park.co.ukMallory Parkwww.mallorypark.co.uk

NetballLeicestershire Netball Assoc.www.lcna.co.ukLoughborough Lightningwww.loughboroughlightning.co.uk

Outdoor PursuitsLeicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre www.lopc.co.uk

Roller DerbyDolly Rockit Rollerswww.dollyrockitrollers.co.uk RowingLeicester Rowing Clubwww.leicester-rowing.co.uk

Rugby League Leicester Stormwww.leicesterstorm.co.uk

Rugby UnionLeicester Tigerswww.leicestertigers.com

SailingRutland Sailing Clubwww.rutlandsc.co.uk

SpeedwayLeicester Lionswww.leicester-speedway.com

SquashLeicester Squash Clubwww.leicestersquashclub.co.uk

SwimmingLoughborough University Swimmingwww.loughboroughswimming.comLeicester Masters Swimming Clubleicestermastersswimclub.btck.co.uk

TennisLeicestershire Lawn Tennis Assoc. www.lta.org.uk

Ultimate FrisbeeLeicester Ultimate Clubwww.leicesterultimatefrisbee.co.uk

Wheelchair BasketballLeicester Cobraswww.leicestercobras.org.uk

YogaBikram Yogawww.bikramyogaleicester.co.uk

All County ActivitiesLeicester-Shire & Rutland Sportwww.lrsport.org.uk

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A TASTE OF GLORYAfter four of their players won bronze for Great Britain at London 2012 and following the team’s National League indoor and outdoor wins last season, Leicester Hockey Club are encouraging new players to join the club – whatever their age or ability.

Leicester stars, Hannah Macleod, Anne Panter, Chloe Rogers and Crista Cullen were in impressive form this summer as the GB hockey team sealed a bronze medal following a play-off victory over New Zealand at the Riverbank Arena in London, and their performances, like those of many of the nation’s top athletes, have inspired the general public to take a greater interest in sport.

It was the Great Britain women’s hockey team’s !rst

Olympic medal for 20 years, and Leicester’s ‘fantastic four’ certainly played their part, with penalty corner specialist Crista Cullen regularly hitting the target, Chloe Rogers !nding the back of the net and Hannah Macleod and Anne Panter putting in strong displays during the bronze medal match. To capitalise on the post-Olympic buzz, Leicester Hockey Club have hosted taster sessions at Leicester Grammar School during pre-season and are welcoming more players to join in.

The taster sessions are held every Wednesday evening between 7pm and 9pm at Leicester Grammar School and sticks and kit can be provided.

19

Club President, Sarah Treanor, spoke to Soar Magazine about getting more people involved in hockey and her pride at seeing the Leicester quartet’s commitment rewarded with a medal.

“It has been over four years worth of blood, sweat and many tears for the girls to get to the Olympics, let alone to succeed with a medal. I’ve known the girls for a few years now and when you know what they put themselves through to get there, it makes you happy to see them being successful.”

Sarah is keen to encourage more potential players into the club to try out the sessions. “Although a few people still think we are an elite club that is only one of our focuses. My message to people would be; what have you got to lose? Come and try, if you don’t like it, there’s no obligation. We cater for every

level. It could just be a training session once a week or a full-on hobby with like-minded people. We provide kit, a stick, a warm up, a chat with the coaches and some basics of hockey. It is all about fun and a bit of !tness thrown in, nothing scary, I promise!”

Treanor also talked about the wider bene!ts of hockey.

“It’s not just about turning up and playing for 70 minutes, it’s about friendships, meeting people, competing together and all the camaraderie of a big group of people with a common cause and it’s good fun. We are a big family and we enjoy ourselves.”

Anybody interested in attending a training session should email [email protected]

For more information on Leicester Hockey Club visit www.leicesterhc.co.uk

SPORT

Leicester Hockey Club’s Bronze winning quartet (L-R): Chloe Rogers, Crista Cullen, Anne Panter and Hannah Macleod. Photos: Ady Kerry


LEICESTER CELEBRATES THE PARALYMPICS

Leicester has been keenly anticipating the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games for years, having backed the London bid, petitioned for the Olympic torch to visit the city centre and been the only venue in the East Midlands to host the Paralympic flame.

As part of the continued dedication to the Games, On Friday August 24th, Leicester’s Paralympic Flame Ambassador, Paige Murray, accompanied Deputy Mayor Rory Palmer to Trafalgar Square in London to collect the "ame from the of!cial lighting ceremony.

Paige (above) is a local disability sport champion who works to promote disability sport in Leicester. She sits on the Big Mouth Forum for disabled children, giving presentations on the work being done to address disability access issues. Talking of the reaction to the Paralympics she said:

“It means so much to me. It proves the Paralympics are just as important as the Olympics – to me, more important. It’s vital to show we are equal, we can achieve, we can be the best in our sport.”

Paige plays basketball, table tennis and various other sports and has represented Leicester at the Stoke Mandeville Youth Disability Games and the Rotary Disabled Games, winning a total of 10 medals.

Whilst at the ceremony, Paige had the opportunity to talk to David Cameron, Boris Johnson and Lord Sebastian Coe about raising awareness of disability sport.

After collecting the "ame, the Leicester delegation returned it to the city where it was kept in a secure location overnight until the Paralympic celebration on Saturday August 25th.

During the Paralympic celebration thousands of people lined the streets to watch the Paralympic "ame, as Paige lead a parade of drummers, dancers and Paralympic athletes along Humberstone Gate.

As well as seeing the "ame, spectators were given a chance to try out Paralympic sports such as fencing, blind football and sitting volleyball, and to participate in numerous cultural activities and art performances and displays.

/LeicesterSport @LeicesterSport

21

CITY COUNCILSPORTS

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPEN-PING...Leicester was hit by a dose of ping pong fever this summer as people all over the city had chance to play table tennis for free as part of the Ping! Festival.

A total of 58 tables have been used at locations all over the city, including Humberstone Gate, outside the Town Hall, Highcross, Leicester Market and Abbey Park.

Cllr Piara Singh Clair, Assistant City Mayor responsible for sport and leisure, said: “Ping! has been absolutely phenomenal and an unrivalled success. An estimated 60,000 people have used the tables since the end of June and it’s been fantastic to see so many people playing sport.”

The public demand for table tennis has led to the tables being kept at a number of city locations during the autumn and all of the tables will be kept by the city, with many installed in city parks on a permanent basis, and the rest given to local youth and community centres.

For further details on where to !nd a table to play Ping! in Leicester visit www.pingleicester.co.uk or www.facebook.com/pingleicester

Only one in 20 of us are actually doing the right kind of activity each week to keep our minds and bodies healthy. It is recommended that adults should be undertaking at least 150 minutes of activity each week that increases the heart rate, quickens breathing and raises the body temperature.

Leicester Gets Active 4 Life is a campaign designed to encourage young people and adults, aged 14 and over and living in the city, to make changes that introduce more regular activity into their lives.

Those signing up to the Active 4 Life campaign receive a personalised Activity Plan and will be invited to evaluate their progress and rewarded with an incentive after 12 weeks.

With busy lifestyles, family, work and studying commitments it’s dif!cult for people to !nd time for exercise but there are many simple changes you can make to your lifestyle in order to incorporate regular physical activity. For example:

using the car

to the park

There are plenty of great facilities and classes available at all of Leicester City Council’s leisure centres, but you don’t need the gym to get active. As long as you are active for at least ten minutes a day, increasing your heart rate, feeling warmer and becoming slightly out of breath, then you are well on course to achieving 150 minutes of weekly exercise.

For your personalised Activity Plan, simply complete the Leicester Gets Active 4 Life questionnaire online at www.leicester.gov.uk/active4life, or !ll in a printed copy that may be collected from, and returned to, any Leicester City Council leisure facility or library.

To sign up or to !nd out more about the campaign, call 0116 252 7350 or visit:www.leicester.gov.uk/active4life

/LeicesterGetsActive4Life @LeicesterSport


LeicesterLeicesteractive 4 life

welcome to

live longer

eat well

move more

GET ACTIVE4 LIFE

CITY COUNCILSPORTS

23

The early stages of pregnancy are some of the most challenging experienced by mothers-to-be. Adjusting to the changes their body is experiencing whilst getting used to the emotional and psychological differences, and worrying about the health of the baby, can leave many women with little time to consider themselves and their own well-being.

In conjunction with NHS Leicester City, Leicester City Council are offering expectant mothers, who are overweight at the start of pregnancy, dietician and midwifery support through The Healthy Living in Pregnancy programme.

This unique programme for pregnant mums living in Leicester has been devised by health professionals to provide more information about healthy eating, body changes and exercise.

Held on Mondays at New Parks Leisure Centre (12noon -3pm) and Aylestone Leisure Centre (9.30am-12noon), the sessions also count as antenatal appointments and the !rst session is free.

Who is this Programme for? The Healthy Living in Pregnancy programme is speci!cally tailored for mums-to-be with a BMI of 30 and above at booking. Your BMI will be worked out at your very !rst appointment with your midwife, with details included in your notes. If you are unsure of what your BMI is please contact your midwife.

Staying Active and Eating Healthy During PregnancyThere are many positive reasons why exercise and the right food will help both mum and baby during pregnancy.

Being active helps you to cope better with the physical demands of both pregnancy and labour. It will reduce your blood pressure, increase your energy and help you sleep.

Eating healthily during your pregnancy ensures that your baby receives good nutrition, as maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy also means a more comfortable pregnancy and fewer birth complications.

What to expect? Dietician and midwifery support alongside an exercise session, where the topics covered will include:

Please bring your pregnancy medical notes to your !rst session along with a bottle of water to drink.

How you joinSpeak to your midwife or call the team on 01509 410 399 or 07717 694 344.

HEALTHY MOTHERS HEALTHY BABIES HEALTHY FUTURES

“It’s nice to meet other pregnant women and be able to ask questions.”- Recent testimonial

LeicesterLeicesteractive 4 life

welcome to

live longer

eat well

move more

/LeicesterGetsActive4Life

@LeicesterSport


GET YOUR SK8’S ON! Many children and young people are lost to sport when they reach their teenage years, as socialising with friends and the pressures of school work take over, but Leicester City Council and NHS Leicester City are introducing a new and exciting project that uses roller skating and chart music to keep local children interested in staying active.

The SK8 House Project, being delivered by SK8 House Ltd in Partnership with Community Projects Plus, is aiming to use roller skating to increase the number of young people aged between 14 and 25-years-old participating in regular physical activity in Leicester.

Funded by the PCT Health Inequalities Fund but run through the Leicester Gets Active 4 Life programme, the project is set to be introduced at !ve colleges across the city:

Each college will enjoy one full school day, from 9am until 3pm, of roller skating, followed by six two-hour skating sessions. Then, if the demand is high enough, weekly sessions will be held at each venue.

The SK8 House will cater for a mixed age-range of children and young people, as well as families, and a disco is played at each of the sessions to keep them as lively and entertaining as possible.

Using a fun and engaging activity, the SK8 House Project will encourage young people to enjoy 60

minutes of physical activity a day, for those aged between 8 and 18 and 150 minutes a week, for adults aged 19 and over, to address the huge drop-off rate of young people taking part in physical activity.

Roller skating is great exercise and provides inclusive fun for children and young people of all ages, as the music helps get them up and moving to the latest songs whilst socialising and keeping !t.

Heath Stone from the SK8 House talked about what the sessions involve and what young people can get from the activity.

“SK8 House turns the sports hall into

a roller disco that puts the fun back into !tness! There is a live DJ, free skates hire, free safety equipment and a healthy tuckshop. Young people and families can take part in a fun activity together and often forget they are exercising.”

For more information on the SK8 House call Heath Stone on 078146 00 111 or www.sk8hire.co.uk

/LeicesterGetsActive4Life

@LeicesterSport

25

The hugely popular free swims provided by Leicester City Council’s leisure centres are continuing this autumn and will be offered to local residents aged 16 and under.

After watching the talents of Michael Phelps, Rebecca Adlington and Ellie Simmonds make a splash during this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games, local residents aged 16 and under will be able to take the plunge for free at four of the Council’s leisure centres, during weekend sessions this autumn.

Spence Street Sports Centre, Cossington Street Sports Centre, New Parks Leisure Centre and Braunstone Leisure Centre will be opening their doors to young people trying to improve their swimming technique, get active or those just wanting to have fun in the water.

Children under nine have to be accompanied by somebody aged 16 or over. Anybody aged over 16 will have to pay the normal fees.

The free swims are open to all City residents and people don’t have to be members or phone ahead to book for their chance to make a splash.

Further activities are available for parents and toddlers and swimming lessons can also be booked at any City Council swimming pool.

Jayne Henderson, Facilities Manager at Braunstone Leisure Centre, talked about the positive impact that the free swims have had.

“The swims are very successful across all city pools. It is wonderful to see young people getting involved with the free swimming initiative especially in the year of the 2012 Games. Once again it has proved to be very popular for our young city residents to access our swimming pools.”

For more information visit www.leicester.gov.uk/freeswims

When and Where?

Braunstone Leisure Centre Sundays 11am – 1pm and 3pm - 4pm

Cossington Street Sports Centre Saturdays 3pm - 5.30pm

New Parks Leisure Centre Saturdays 12pm - 3.30pm

Spence Street Sports Centre Saturdays 1.30pm - 3.30pm

SWIMMING...

FREE-STYLE

CITY COUNCILSPORTS

/Leicester Sport @LeicesterSport


BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS The b-active Women Project aims to offer women in Leicester, including those who are the primary carers for children under the age of 16, the opportunity to take part in sport and tackle any barriers that they may face.

The project provides a ‘one stop sport shop’ for women who are interested in participating, coaching or volunteering within sport.

Alongside Leicester City Council, a number of partners are involved in the running of the project, including the Food and Activity Buddies (NHS), the Cyclist’s Touring Club and the Amateur Swimming Association.

The main sports that the project focuses on are cycling, badminton, athletics/running and swimming, with sessions provided in each sport.

As well as the sports speci!c sessions, there are a number of other elements attached to the project, including:

One of the main focal points of the project involves tackling some of the barriers women face that stop them from participating in sport, including cost, childcare, transport and self-con!dence and self-esteem.

The project has a number of things in place to try and tackle these barriers. Most sessions are free of charge for a speci!c period, there is childcare provision at certain sessions and many sessions are conducted throughout the city, allowing access to as many local women as possible.

The project has been mainly funded through Sport England’s Active Women fund, with additional match funding and in kind contributions from project partners such at Leicester City Council. It is funded until December 2013.

Eligibility The two groups being targeted through the project are:

who are the primary carers of a child under the age of 16.

the following areas of Leicester city:

- St. Matthew’s - High!elds - Braunstone - New Parks - Beaumont Leys - Saffron / Eyres Monsell

For more details about the project and a full timetable of sessions taking place, visit www.b-activewomen.co.uk or call 0116 2795041.

For information about badminton sessions contact Ajay Pitrola, Badminton Activator, on 0116 233 3127, [email protected]

Leicester City

Council’s popular

FREE SWIMinitiative will take

place during the

October half-term

between 22nd and

26th October

FOR YOUNG CITY RESIDENTS AGED 16 AND UNDER...


The 2012 Leicester Marathon is set to be the biggest ever. Now in its sixth year, the event will take place at 9.30am on Sunday October 14th and is open to all ages and abilities.

The Leicester Marathon starts and !nishes in Victoria Park, taking runners through a tour of the city centre, and incorporates four different races:

The marathon is an important fundraising event for organisers LOROS, a local charity dedicated to providing care and support for the terminally ill within Leicestershire and Rutland.

Race Organiser, Christian Weikert-Picker, is appealing to members of the Leicestershire public to make this year’s event the biggest ever and hopes it will attract a record number of runners and spectators.

“With the 2012 Nottingham Marathon being cancelled due to problems with the proposed route,

we’d like to encourage people around the midlands, and especially Leicestershire, to get involved in this year’s race. Although it’s an urban route, we think that competitors will be surprised by the many attractive rural areas and parks along the way. We are also hoping to see lots of spectators along the route.”

The 2011 marathon attracted over 500 runners and 1600 half marathon participants, and LOROS are currently receiving at least 10 applications a day for this year’s event. However, there is still enough time for non-runners to enter and train for the big day.

The Ted Toft Mile for Young People, is a mile long race for those aged between 10 and 16-years-old, which takes place at 9.15am before the full marathon and is free to enter for runners of all abilities. The race is held in memory of Ted Toft, who was one of most in"uential characters involved in local sport and a key player in the staging of the !rst Leicester Charities Marathon in 1979.

Christian Weikert-Picker is hoping that a memorable summer of sport will help recruit younger runners.

“The addition of the young people’s race is an integral part of the Leicester Marathon. I hope those inspired by this year’s London Olympics & Paralympics will sign up for this very special sporting occasion in Leicester.”

For more details on how to enrol in the Marathon, Half Marathon, Freeth Cartwright Corporate Relay and the Ted Toft Mile for Young People, and to download an online application form, visit www.leicestermarathon.org.uk

ON YOUR MARKS...

31

HEALTH

in association with:

HELPING PEOPLE STOP SMOKINGSTOP!

TRAIN LIKE A SPRINTERAnyone watching the 100m and 200m track events during the London 2012 Olympic Games couldn’t help but notice what incredible bodies the athletes possessed.

Muscular but mobile, powerful yet sleek, their training regimes result in phenomenal speed and the ultimate toned silhouette. Surprisingly, research at Oxford University revealed that the women’s record for the 100m has been closing in on the men’s record, leading scientists to suggest that it’s possible women may run faster than men in the future. They even put a date on when it will happen - the year 2156!

Now, I’m not sure how realistic this is and I suspect Usain ‘Lightning’ Bolt will disagree with the eggheads, but today’s sprint training techniques have certainly taken elite performance to previously unimaginable realms.

Copying a couple of their exercises can only do you good, so try slipping these into your next workout to boost your results...

DEPTH JUMPStand on a step platform with your feet about hip width apart and your knees slightly bent. Leap off the platform, aiming to land about a stride length forward. As you land on both feet, immediately drop into a deep squat by bending your knees. Your upper body should hinge forward slightly at the hips, but keep your tummy pulled in tight, and lift your arms high behind you. Without a second’s hesitation at the bottom of your squat, explosively leap upward from this crouched position using a maximal contraction in your

thighs and buttocks, also throwing your hands up to help increase the height to which you jump. This technique works on what physiologists call the stretch-shortening cycle, a principle whereby you use the elastic property of the muscle !bres to generate extra force. Ensure the landings are soft to reduce the risk of impact injury.

Target - 15 repetitions

CLAW RUNNINGWhen running, think of placing the ball of the foot on the ground and dragging it back, pushing off the big toe with your rear leg fully extended. Once the foot leaves the ground, immediately pull your toes up, ensuring they are always facing forwards. Think tall, never feel as though you are sitting on your hips and drive your elbows as high as they will go, ensuring they pump forwards and upwards on returning. Try to relax your shoulders, think "ow and speed rather than tensing and pushing. Try to feel like your legs are wheels beneath you, driving you down the track.

Target - Aim for 5-10 short bursts of between 10 and 25 seconds, either as stand-alone shuttles with rest between or weaved into a longer jog.

Dean Hodgkin was voted Best International Fitness Presenter at the One Body awards in New York and is a former three-time world karate champion. For more hints and tips on fitness, checkout his range of workout DVDs at:www.deanhodgkin.com

with Dean Hodgkin

The Olympics have come and gone, and athletes around the globe are in various stages of their careers, some looking for new challenges after recent successes, others looking to move past disappointments and failures; the cycle of sporting life.

Another cycle is occurring in the minds of top athletes – action and prediction. Effective action requires presence, the ability to be in the moment – completely focused on what is happening in real time. Prediction requires foresight and pattern recognition. Great athletes constantly take ‘mental pictures’. Their heads swivel, their eyes dart… looking for patterns and clues as to what will happen next.

Sport Psychologists are increasingly interested in improving an athlete’s capacity to shift attention effectively. The ability to be in a ‘"ow’ state, completely ‘in the moment’ can be enhanced by the practice of mindfulness - attending to things that are happening in the present by training the mind to let thoughts come and go.

There are innovative training programmes being developed to help athletes read and react to performance situations. One

relatively simple but powerful suggestion involves learning how to ask and answer the question ‘What’s next?’ while performing.By ‘What’s next?’ I mean what you need to be prepared for, deal with or make an adjustment to. The trick is to pick the right times to ask and answer this question, not when you need to be reacting or making a play, but in anticipation of action.

The question is a prompt to get you to take the mental picture to get the information you need to anticipate the future. Your objective is to build the habit of asking ‘What’s next?’ so that you are in a constant state of reading and reacting, shifting in response to the situation and not simply responding with what you are comfortable doing.

Let me give you an example from the football pitch…

Imagine you are playing as a lone striker. You’re about 20 yards from the edge of the box with your back to goal, being tightly marked by an opposing defender. The central mid!elder, who also has his back to goal, is about to receive the ball. As compelling as it is to keep your eyes !xed on the evolving play in mid!eld, top strikers will take advantage of the time it takes for

the ball to get to the mid!elder. In this instant, they will !rst glance quickly behind them and then to the side, !nding out where the goalkeeper is and looking for space in behind the defender.

Armed with the information quickly gathered from your picture taking (and generated from your willingness to predict what will happen next and your desire to anticipate play) you should now be able to make more effective decisions about your movement and what you can do when you get the ball.

So next time you go out to train or compete, keep asking ‘What’s next?’ If you do, I think your decision-making and performance under pressure will begin to improve.

For more information on Winning Mind visit: www.thewinningmind.com

Winning Mind’s clients have included... Manchester City FC, US Army Recruiting, J.P. Morgan, New York Rangers, Atlanta Braves, the Chris Evert Tennis Academy and the United States Marine Corps.

SO WHAT’S NEXT?with Marc Sagal of Winning Mind

33

www.soarmagazine.co.ukwww.soarmagazine.co.uk

Recently at SAQ® International we launched a revolutionary piece of training and rehabilitation equipment called the Aerofloor®.

This unique, world class piece of equipment has taken the English Premier League by storm. Over the years, SAQ® has had a major impact on the physical preparation of footballers throughout the UK and Europe and this has enabled us to visit many of the leading clubs’ training headquarters.

Developed and researched in conjunction with Peter Friar, previously Sunderland AFC’s Head Physiotherapist and Head of Sports Medicine, Aero"oor® utilises high speci!cation fabrics and ‘controlled energy return technology’ to provide an incredible energy giving and absorbing athletic training surface.

Aero"oor® is set to revolutionise the rehabilitation process of many top class sports people suffering from a variety of different injuries and has been used during acute to late stage anterior cruciate ligament treatment.

Due to the incredible response to the Aero"oor®, I have been on the road this summer re-visiting many of the Premier League training grounds around the country and it’s been amazing to witness the

transformation that has occurred over the past two decades.

Everton Football Club have recently moved into their new training headquarters and what a facility it is; a world class indoor football arena, a state of the art swimming and rehab pool, a gym and rehabilitation centre, medical rooms, dining areas, a state of the art kitchen, and of course, pristine football pitches. Not only are the facilities world class, but so are the back room staff, including doctors, physiotherapists, strength and conditioners, sports scientists and dieticians, who are leaders in their !eld.

Add Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Stoke City and Sunderland to this list and there is no doubt about it; the English Premier League teams have the best training and football preparation facilities in the world. This is one of the major reasons that, while on my travels abroad, so many young footballers talk about wanting to come and ply their trade in England.

For more on Aerofloor® visit www.saqaerofloor.com

SAQ’s previous clients have included Manchester United, Barcelona FC, Bayern Munich, the England Rugby Team and Nike.

For more information on SAQ® International visit:www.saqinternational.com

A REVOLUTION IN THE AIRWith Alan Pearson, Managing Director of SAQ® International

35

Follow us on Twitter@LR_Sport

Find Leicester-Shire &Rutland Sport on Facebook

‘Get Active Leicester-Shire & Rutland’ Promote your Club, Activity Session or Venue

A variety of physical activity sessions to encourage people to Get and Stay Active in Later Life!

www.lrsport.org.uk/activeageing / 01509 564888

Find out more about Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport…www.lrsport.org.uk

and much more...

‘Get Active Leicester-Shire and Rutland’ is the only Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland wide database of activities, venues and clubs. Whether you are looking for an activity session this coming weekend, a place to play badminton or do an aerobics class, or if you want to join a sports or activity club, ‘Get Active Leicester-Shire & Rutland’ can help you !nd it!

If you are a representative from a club, venue or activity then tell us what you have on offer by uploading your club, activity session or venue details!

Visit www.lrsport.org.uk/add-your-activity to start uploading and promoting!

LEICESTER-SHIRE & RUTLAND SPORT

and much more...

Shape your mind with knowledge and understanding – about health, diet and fitness, including sexual health. Peace of mind is important – knowing your HIV status and what your risks might be helps. Find out what to do if you are worried – where to go and who to ask.

Keep your mind open and flexible about your sexual health – recognise when you need to get checked at a sexual health clinic and develop the con!dence to walk in or make an appointment. It’s easy to ignore – but it is much better to be diagnosed and treated.

You can contact LASS if you have questions or need information.

LASS 25 year celebrationJune 2012 - June 2013

Flexible minds...

...and bodies


It’s like October…but without the smoking!

If you are a smoker you have probably thought about quitting at some point, maybe you have even tried to quit before? Stoptober, a brand new quitting campaign aimed at encouraging smokers to give quitting a go, is launching on Monday October 1st 2012.

The campaign is encouraging the nation’s eight million smokers to take part in the largest quitting challenge of its kind and go smokefree for 28 days. Smokers will get a range of free expert support to help them on their way.

Why 28 Days?Recent surveys show that 78% of smokers would like to quit but many are hesitant to give it a go, either because it feels like a daunting prospect never to smoke again or they don’t want to risk failing in an attempt to quit.

Stoptober is encouraging smokers to initially just focus on the short-term. Just give it a try for 28 days

and see how it goes. If you make it that far the evidence shows that you are !ve times more likely to give up for good!

So How do I get Involved?Throughout the next few weeks you will hear about Stoptober on the television and on national and local radio. There will be opportunities to sign up locally at pharmacies and other community venues, or you can sign up online at www.smokefree.nhs.uk/stoptober

When you sign up you will be sent a pack to help you prepare and join in with Stoptober. You will be offered support throughout the month and follow-up support to help you keep going.

The Local STOP! Smoking ServiceThe Stop Smoking Service in the city and county is keen to support you through your Stoptober quit attempt and beyond. If you would like support, give us a ring and we will offer you an appointment with a trained advisor.

Louise Ross, Stop Smoking Services & Tobacco Control Manager, said: “You may think you’ve tried everything. If you haven’t tried STOP! You’ve still got something new to try.”

STOP! offers:

If you would like help with stopping smoking give us a call and talk to one our friendly advisors on: Leicester City 0116 295 4141Leicestershire & Rutland 0845 045 2828 or text 07717420560

STOPTOBER EVENTS

39

Pepsico - 11th, 14th, 17th, 19th, 26th September and 2nd OctoberNational Grid - 11th SeptemberOtis lifts – Abbey Lane - 12th SeptemberGE Sensing - 13th SeptemberMars - 17th SeptemberKP - 27th SeptemberDHL - 26th SeptemberArriva – St Margarets Bus Station - 18th SeptemberLCC Ian Marlow Centre - 20th SeptemberSDI Displays – Thurmaston Bvd - 24th SeptemberLCC Passenger and Transport – Sulgrave Rd - 27th SeptemberATI - 8th OctoberSouth Leics College - 8th OctoberDe Montfort University - 10th OctoberUnipart - 10th OctoberLPT Staff Health & Wellbeing - Merlyn Vaz Centre - 11th OctoberWalkers Midshires – Cobden St - 16th October

Is Stoptober coming to your workplace?The following companies are supporting Stoptober and are running sign up events to encourage their workforce to join in, and a chance to talk to a Stop Smoking Service Advisor:

How much money could you save in Stoptober?Based on an average price of £6.59 for a packet of cigarettes, a 20 a day smoker could save:

£184.52 if you just stopped for Stoptober£560.15 if you stopped up to Christmas… wouldn’t that be handy ahead of the festive period!£2,405 if you stopped for a year!£48,107 if you stopped for 20 years!

How to get involved

www.stoptober.smokefree.nhs.uk

smokefree.nhs/stoptober

texting TIPS to 60046

HELPING LEICESTER STOP SMOKING

01162954141 STOP!

Saturday September 15th - The Stoptober National Event Team Come along and visit the Stoptober National Team Roadshow at Highcross Shopping Centre to find out more or to sign up and meet your local Stop Smoking Service Team.

Every Saturday September 29th to 27th October -The Health Bus The bus will be in the city centre on Humberstone Gate, opposite Sports Direct, from 9am to 1pm each Saturday, offering support to anyone interested in stopping smoking. Come along to sign up for Stoptober or just to talk to one of the Stop Smoking Service advisors to see what help we can offer you.

Every Saturday (ongoing) 10am-12pm Quit Smoking Drop-ins at:

Loughborough, Melton Mowbray, Earl Shilton, Coalville & Market Harborough.

Wednesday evenings Hinckley & South Wigston Monday evenings Thurmaston & Syston text 07717420560 for details


FLYERSMAGAZINESBANNERSBROCHURESBUSINESS CARDSPOSTERSLEAFLETS

Telephone 0116 242 2851Email [email protected] Square, Midland Street,Leicester LE1 1TG

soar

WWW.SOARPRINT.CO.UKAffordable, reliable, award-winning Leicestercity based design and print solutions.

AWARD WINNINGLEICESTERSHIRE

DESIGN & PRINT

LIFESTYLE

in association with:

41


Green 4 Solutions was founded in January 2006 and has grown rapidly to be the customer relationship management (CRM) market leading software developer and solutions provider in the Sport and Leisure industry. Green 4 software is used by iconic clubs, venues and associations in the UK and internationally. Leveraging the Microsoft Dynamics CRM platform, SQL Server and extensive .NET C# developed applications Green 4 supply solutions that uniquely focus on the customer experience. Administration solutions have also been developed for leading sports

bodies and clubs that allow them to engage with all participants and more ef!ciently administer their sports and manage the performance of their athletes.

Sports clubs and venues using Green 4 Solutions include over 30 English and International Football League clubs (including West Bromwich Albion, Celtic, Wigan Athletic, Leicester City, Hull City, MUC 72, Valenciennes and FC Porto), some of the country’s most iconic horse racing courses (including Aintree, Cheltenham and Epsom), and representations

from Rugby Union and Rugby League (including Gloucester, St Helens, Warrington and Wigan). The Football Association, the British Olympic Association, the Rugby Football League, and the South African PSL are some of the leading sports organisations using solutions. Leisure customers include The O2 Arena, which recently surpassed Madison Square Garden to become the world’s biggest concert venue, through to indoor ski venues such as Chill Factore and nationwide leisure chains such as Hollywood Bowl.

INTRODUCING

GREEN 4 SOLUTIONS

Customer relationships

needn’t be

a shotin the dark!

Green 4 Solutions, 16-17 Midland Court, Central Park, Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 4PNTel: 0845 508 8149 www.green4solutions.com

Just some of Green 4’s clients: WE’RE HIRING!Graduate Graphic Designer

-Software Developers - approximately 5

-IT Support Technician

-Front End HTML and SQL Developer

Green 4 Solutions is in need of talented individuals with relevant IT skills to cope with the demand for our services as the company continues to grow.

We are based in Lutterworth and employ approximately 40 people, which will be 50 people by the end of 2012. The company has established links with local universities such as Coventry, Warwick, Leicester and Loughborough.

PACKAGE AND BENEFITSSalary dependent upon experience

Laptop 25 days holiday

Death in service insurancePension

Certain positions provided with mobile phone

The vacancies are advertised with an immediate start, but we will wait for notice periods. Please forward CV’s in the first instance to [email protected]

Interview times can be flexible to suit current arrangements and face-to-face interviews are preferred. If you would like an informal chat in the first instance please call 0845 508 8149 and ask for Paul Gibbons.

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INSPIRED BY THE OLYMPICS

To find out more about Inspire LeicesterShire and how the legacy of the Games will be felt in Leicester and Leicestershire visit: www.inspireleics.org.uk Twitter @inspireleics

Local people at the heart of the Games With an incredible Olympic and Paralympic Games now over, we take a look at a few of the local people involved in the Games:

For the past two years Lizzi Major has been working with Loughborough University on the Medal Makers programme to recruit an ‘army’ of volunteers to support the of!cial Team GB Preparation Camp and create a lasting legacy for the area.

Lizzi said: “After all the build-up it is hard to believe that all 550 Team GB athletes, plus 450 support staff, have been to Loughborough to collect their kit ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games.”

Martin Bell (pictured second from the left), Training Of!cer for Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL), was a volunteer performer at in the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games. Martin added: “You probably wouldn’t have spotted me on the television but I was in the Industrial Revolution scene. My of!cial title was Peasant 783. If ever there was a summer to be a peasant, though, this was it”.

Find out more about Lizzi and Martin’s London 2012 experiences at www.inspireleics.org.uk/blog

Do you have your own Olympic or Paralympic story? If so, please contact us at [email protected]

My Games My LegacyHave you been inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic Games? Why not make a pledge for 2012 as part of our My Games My Legacy campaign and publicly commit to creating your own personal 2012 Games Legacy? Whether you want to try a new sport, get !t, learn a new skill, quit smoking or you have your own ideas, research suggests that making your pledge public acts as a driver and helps you to succeed.

Visit www.inspireleics.org.uk/mygamesmylegacy for more information

Olympic cheer for local charitiesOn Tuesday July 31st, the Inspire LeicesterShire 2012 Legacy Team visited Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People in Loughborough and LOROS in Leicester, with the London 1948 and London 2012 Olympic torches.

Torchbearer Aarti C Thobhani from Leicester, who shared her experiences with the patients, allowing them to get close to a piece of Olympic history, said:

“Though I had been given the honour of carrying the Olympic Torch, I held the Torch high for those that have come into my life and for those that were not there to share this special moment with me. Those four minutes of running with the "ame will last a lifetime in my heart and I can now share this experience with many others.”

One year since being established, EVOLUTION:man has become one of the region’s most renowned studios, specialising in treatments for men.

Affordable and practiced in a relaxed environment, EVOLUTION:man caters for all men who are looking to make themselves feel con!dent and revitalised, with treatments including a range of massages, body waxing and various facials.

Owned and managed by Chris Mullins, who learned the tricks of his trade whilst spending three years living in Indonesia, studying treatments on the ‘Spa Island’ of Bali. Upon his return to Leicester, EVOLUTION:man was born – bringing a taste of Indonesian treatments to the East Midlands as Chris explains.

“I became interested in male grooming once I started to take care of my own body. I !nd that the more I take care of myself, the more con!dence I have. It is that feeling of con!dence and pride that I want to pass on to each and every one of my customers.”

Experience one of four different massages available, ensuring you get exactly what you need....

Fire – An aromatic blend of ginger, clove and nutmeg, this massage is designed to warm the body and soothe aching muscles.

Ice – Using a blend of peppermint, lavender and rosemary, this massage is designed to keep you feeling fresh, whilst it also acts as a decongestant for anybody suffering from colds/"u.

Energy – A mix of spearmint, cardamon and ginger; this massage rejuvenates the body and leaves you feeling like the King of the World.

Zen – Compete relaxation; this blend of lavender, frankincense and geranium helps you de-stress and remain calm.

Also available is a range of body waxing, whilst you can also experience a cleansing facial massage. Designed with a range of natural products, the EVOLUTION:man facials cleanse, relax and moisturise your face.

Open at hours convenient to the working male, EVOLUTION:man’s studio is located on Leicester’s Welford Road and offers treatments up until 8pm in the evening during weekdays (except Tuesdays) – and is also open on Sundays.

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For more information, prices or to book – visit www.evolution-man.co.uk or call 07707 705779.

EVOLUTION: NOT REVOLUTION

The Soar Point with:

Words Jon Reeves

MARTIN CASTROGIOVANNI

SOAR POINT

One of the standout individuals at Leicester Tigers, due to his performances on the field of play and his rugged, instantly recognisable appearance, Martin Castrogiovanni is embarking upon his seventh season with the club.

The man affectionately known as ‘Castro’ by the Welford Road faithful was born in Argentina and moved to Italy to pursue a professional rugby career before going on to play internationally for the Azzurri and eventually arriving in England in 2006.

A combative performer with an infectiously positive personality, the 2007 Premiership Player of the Year has made over 100 appearances for Tigers, played in three Premiership Finals and captained his country.

Now 30-years-old, with plenty of top level rugby under his belt and one eye on life after Tigers – having opened two Italian restaurants in Leicestershire with team-mate Geordan Murphy – Castro still has plenty of !ght left for the battle and the lion-hearted prop is determined to get his hands on further silverware with the Tigers.

Jon Reeves: Firstly Martin, how was your summer?

Martin Castrogiovanni: It was short, but really, really good. I went to see my family in Argentina and visited Italy and Spain. I didn’t touch a rugby ball at all and it was the perfect amount of time to have a holiday and not think about rugby. I watched the Olympics, but we’d already started training by the time a lot of it was on.

JR: How did you first get into rugby, there’s a bit of a story about you playing basketball first isn’t there?

MC: I used to swim and play basketball because my mum never wanted me to play rugby. I had a lot of friends who used to play rugby and they wanted me to as well because of my size. During one basketball game I pushed a referee and not long after that, I took up rugby! I fell in love with the sport straight away.

JR: You moved to Italy at a young age to play professionally, what are you memories of that experience?

MC: I made too many mistakes, moving over at 19-years-old, living

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in a new place and having a little money with nobody there to control you. I made a mess in the house and things like that but the move helped me grow as a person and also helped my rugby career to progress. You mature a lot quicker and realise how much you miss your family when you’re not with them. It made me grow a lot and think how lucky I was to have a lot of things that other people don’t have.

JR: You’re now in your seventh season with Leicester Tigers. How do you reflect upon your time with the club?

MC: Seven years, I’m old now! It’s one of the best if not the best clubs in the world. The people, the atmosphere, the stadium;

Photo: Tiger Images

everything is really nice and I can’t complain about anything. The training and the !tness and medical departments all help put you in a position to play rugby. You have everything you need here to succeed but you need to be a professional and do your job. If you’re good enough, you will make it for this club. Also, the fans here recognise you for what you do and that’s really nice.

JR: You were born in Argentina but first played professionally in Italy before moving to England with Tigers. Where do you consider to be home?

MC: To be honest, it’s a mess! My family are in Argentina and I grew up there and I know how much Argentina means for my heart but I also know how much Italy and England have given to me. When I came here there weren’t too many Italians in this league and I joined

a club that had a lot of faith in me and helped me a lot in my rugby career and in my life. I’m happy in England but when I !nish my career I want to go somewhere with a little more sun!

JR: You seem to have settled well in Leicestershire and you’ve obviously got the two Timo restaurants that you and Geordan Murphy are involved with, how much do you enjoy that?

MC: Unfortunately rugby cannot be your whole life and one day your career as a player will !nish. Two years after you !nish playing, you’re no-one. It’s good to enjoy the moment but you need to be conscious that everything has an end and prepare yourself for that, and that’s what I’ve tried to do; to have something for the future. I love being at the restaurant and in the kitchen and it’s nice for people to see me there. When you play

rugby and it’s going well, everything is perfect, but when things aren’t going well it’s hard. Some people have children and a family to go back home to and that can help, but I don’t have that. But, if you have a place that you can go to and disconnect for a couple of hours, without thinking about rugby, it’s good for your health.


SOAR POINT

JR: Obviously last season ended in disappointment but the club did fantastically well to reach the Premiership final after such a tough start...

MC: For a club like Leicester it’s always really hard when you lose so many players for the World Cup and the Six Nations, but what the club did last season, not the guys that came back, but the guys that stayed, was great. It’s hard to recover when you’ve lost games at the start of the season and been at the bottom of the table, but I think the club did a really nice job.

JR: I guess it shows the depth of the squad. There seems to be at least two guys going for each position, ensuring there is plenty of competition for the shirt, like with you and Dan Cole...

MC: It’s good because we know if you don’t play at your level every week, there is another guy who will take your place. Usually we will swap a lot but it’s a nice competition. It’s not like I hate him because it’s the coach that makes the choice, but it’s important that we have a good relationship even though we play in the same position. We have that respect for each other because we work really hard for our place and that helps us both.

JR: There are a lot of different nationalities in the squad. What’s the team spirit like? Is there much banter?

MC: A lot of them take the p***. You know the scene from Family Guy when Peter Grif!n tries to talk Italian? – ‘Be bada boo pee’ - they say I speak like that! There’s a lot of banter when (George) Chuter is around but it’s nice to have a lot

of different nationalities. You get a lot of different cultures and that’s great, apart from the Australians! (Said as recent Aussie signing, Pat Phibbs, walks past).

JR: Finally Castro, what are your remaining ambitions in the game?

MC: The Heineken Cup. It’s not easy for the English teams at the moment with the salary cap, and if that doesn’t change then it’s going to be very hard. It’s dif!cult to compete against teams with a £20m budget but this is life. But

winning the Heineken Cup would be amazing; it’s the one that’s missing.

With characters like Martin Castrogiovanni in the team, there’s every chance that the Heineken Cup won’t be missing from the Welford Road trophy cabinet for much longer.

For more information about Castro and Geordan Murphy’s Timo restaurants visit www.timorestaurant.co.uk

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“Winning the Heineken Cup would be amazing; it’s the one that’s missing.”


School Games Championships Inspires Future Stars... Just before the excitement of the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games kicked off, the inaugural Leicester-Shire & Rutland School Games Championships took place at Leicester Grammar School in July, inspiring 150 teams made up of 1,000 of the area’s most talented young athletes and disabled athletes to take part in the largest school sport event the region has ever seen.

Jason Gardener MBE, Olympic 4x100m Gold Medallist, and Leicester-Shire & Rutland School Games Ambassadors, Josie Inverdale (GB U21 Hockey Player) and Lucy Garner (World Junior Road Race Cycling Champion), supported the ceremony and the awards throughout the day.

In association with:

INPICS

For more information on Soar Photo visit: www.soarphoto.co.uk @soarphoto Search ‘soar photo’


soar magazine issue 18

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