sports international magazine issue13

January 2015 1

The Pro SportsMagazine

January 2015

Matrix Fitness Pro Cycling Team 2015

SIM Unsung Hero, The Captains Pick , Outstanding AtheleteRecipe, top tips and more...

Molly Rhone, Oakland Raiderettes , Jenny Duncalf, Extreme Sailing, Springboks on the Rise,Exclusive Interviews & Articles

Photo: Papaya Photography

2 January 2015

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of the puzzle so often is an open mind and an ability to be prepared to see things differently and do things differently - and the team at Matrix Fitness has this is spadefuls. I am looking forward to this year’s journey with them and this is why they are on our cover this issue.This issue brings the usual variety of sports and will also ask you to challenge your pre-conceived ideas, but as always showcasing the incredible achievements of women around the world.

In other news, our new website is up and running, it’s work in progress and I hope it’s never ‘finished’, please visit it, share it and feed back to us what you think. Thanks again for your ongoing readership and welcome to our new readers, enjoy this issue and remember all our back issues that you can now use our search feature on the website to find athletes or sports of interest.

The big question is if ‘full-tilt’ is ‘normal’ then what is fast? Enjoy!

Myak-Paul Homberger - Editor

It seems that ‘full tilt’ is actually the ‘normal’ pace for women’s sport. With each issue I write I find myself saying: “this has been a busy couple of months and look at all these amazing things that have happened, let’s see what happens in two months”. I am excited by the constant improvement and forward traction in women’s sport now. So I will stop saying that and just assume the position of ‘full tilt’ and enjoy the journey!

Why do I say all of this? There are so many reasons, but one excellent example is the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada in 2015. Yes, there is a lot in the press about FIFA but please set that aside for the men’s game and their World Cups and governance for now and focus on the women’s game. They have produced for the media a forty four page document with stats and information that is a dream for people like me! When I started my journey fifteen years ago watching national teams play in front of tiny crowds with zero media coverage this was light years away. The World Cup will be televised, commentated on and covered more than ever and this sort of support of the media by the governing bodies makes our jobs

SPORTS International

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January 2015 IssueNo 013

so much easier and so much more exciting, but most importantly, it allows the fans to be informed and gets them more involved. This starts and completes the cycle where fan interest brings sponsors, which releases money to support the athletes and so on.

I know the world isn’t perfect and there is a long way to go in furthering women’s sport around the world….but….if we don’t see where we have come from and celebrate where we are then what’s the point? I’m not saying be satisfied, I’m saying celebrate; celebrate the women, the athletes, the achievements on and off the field.

Just look at Matrix Fitness Cycling, we are doing something very unique with them and in each issue for the next year we will be bringing you an exclusive feature from inside the team on a ‘year in the life of a cycling team’. The team are taking the world by storm with their plans but also with their ability to connect with business and bring in the funds needed to compete. They are a perfect example of how women’s sport can blend these two parts to create something very exciting. The missing piece

WELCOME

4 January 2015

w w w . p a p a y a p h o t o g r a p h y . c o . u k

S P O RT S ● S P E C I A L I S T E V E N T S ● C O R P O R AT E E V E N T S

PapayaP h o t o g r a p h y

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Contents


On the Drops Team 16

Molly Rhone 22

Ireland Womens Rugby Team Celebrates 26

Sports International Magazine’s Outstanding Athlete 30

Oakland Raiderettes 34

World Cup Qualifying 42

Jenny Duncalf 48

Shape up the Non Evans way 56

Springboks on the Rise 58

Lorna Thomas MBE 66

Water Melon - Did you know? 69

The Captains Pick 70

Sports International Magazine’s Unsung Hero 78

Extreme Sailing 82

Recipes and Tips 90

Thankyou’s 94

Contact 95

January 2015 IssueNo 013


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ContributorsMyak-Paul HombergerAside from being a huge sports nut and champion of

women’s sport, has numerous qualifications including being a BAWLA qualified weight training coach, two martial arts black belts alongside his instructor level in Urban Krav Maga. He is also an NLP practitioner and sociologist with an HND in RAB.

Photography is his main passion and he has been published internationally. Myak has worked with men’s and women’s national teams, as well as with premiership teams and individual players.

Steffan WymanStarting out in Women’s cycling team management

in 2004, it was never my initial goal to work in the sport full time. However as time passed and I became more involved it was clear that’s what I wanted and I began to work full time in the sport from 2008. Previously working in financial services, I’ve used my previous management experience to try to bring in a level of professionalism and organization to the teams I run.

In 2010 I took a step back from professional teams to work on a project with Matrix Fitness to try to develop the UK racing scene and create a new stable team, giving domestic riders the opportunity they needed. After 5 years, the time has come for the Matrix Fitness team to return to the professional peloton and in 2015 we are lining up against the worlds biggest teams in the worlds biggest races.

Adam BarlowAdam Barlow’s passion for football began

in 1994 watching Lincoln City in the lower leagues of the English football league system. In 2008 he took up blogging and started watching more semi professional football in order to gain an insight into the game at grass roots as he was keen to develop his understanding of the game at all levels. Watching the England Women’s team play and beat Serbia in a European Championship qualifier at Doncaster in 2011, he was very impressed by the skill of the players and quickly made the decision to learn and write more about women’s football.In 2012 he attended his first FAWSL game at Lincoln Ladies and started writing as the official fans’ blogger on the website. As time went on he became more engrossed in both writing and the women’s game, writing articles for the website and helping to compose the player profiles for the website. He now regularly reports for Sports International Magazine and would like to help give women’s sport the platform it deserves.

Away from football his other sporting passion is Taekwondo, having trained in the sport since 1989 and achieving the rank of third Dan Black Belt and helping in the running of classes.

January 2015 7

Isa du Toit Isa du Toit is a food writer whose love of good, wholesome food includes a wide range of interests - from delicious recipes and the vast array of ingredients that make food enjoyable, to learning skills and traditional ways of food preparation; artisan baking and ‘the real bread’ campaign; the sociology of food: meanings, traditions, diversity and change; the way in which food and eating together can build bridges and bring people together; regional and cultural differences in food; the concept of ‘food as medicine’ and the research into the links between diet, lifestyle and health. She has a positive approach to food, and believes passionately that anyone (including children!) can learn to cook - and that good food doesn’t need to be expensive; to the contrary, that it is possible to make easy, cheap, nutritious and delicious meals.

Bethan Cutler Media manager LET tour

Bethan has previously featured as our Unsung Hero as well as contributing to the magazine. She works across the globe for the LET Golf tour, and with events from England to Dubai and Australia she is one the busiest media managers around. As well as this, she has organized six Solheim Cup Events.

Non EvansNon Evans is a former wrestling, judo and

rugby player; Welsh women’s international rugby player and Commonwealth Games medallist.

After retiring from rugby Non Evans experienced a real low and a huge void in her life. In response, she decided to use her knowledge of healthy eating and exercise to help others, filling that void by setting up her own company ‘Non Fit’, to help others. It has changed her life, she says, and the results are just as rewarding as her achievements in sport. This country is seeing more and more people suffering from obesity daily and Non is helping combat that. She writes bespoke exercise and eating plans to suit every individual depending on their needs and is thriving in changing people’s lifestyles for the better. Everyone is different so not one plan will suit all, she says, which is why the plans work and the results are incredible.

Non designs bespoke, realistic 8 week or 12 week plans fitness programmes for people depending on their personal needs. In this, her wealth of experience in competing at International level in so many different sports is invaluable and Non has helped hundreds of people get their lives back on track, gain confidence and ultimately lead a healthier lifestyle and feel good about themselves. For more information see nonevans.com

8 January 2015Photo: Papaya Photography


Photo: Huw Williams

January 2015 9

Cyclingby Steffan Wyman

It’s sometimes compared to fantasy football; get a budget and spend it on your dream team. But the reality of forming a successful cycling team is anything from fantasy work for me. The realities of team selection provide me with more low moments than fantasy highs. Non-renewal of existing riders contracts and the non-selection of riders with phenomenal talent leaves me butting my head against the wall for many weeks.

The selection process begins with budget. The process of putting together a budget for the team takes me six months. From the minute our team launch is complete, usually around the end of February, part of my weekly work switches to building the team’s budget for the following year. Then there is timing; I need to make sure I have certain areas covered long in advance. These specific signings give your security that you can be competitive. Knowing your proposed race program and your rising targets several seasons in advance, means you can efficiently search for suitable riders during the busy racing season.




10 January 2015

Photo: Huw Williams

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“That polished professional look of the team isn’t an overnight job.”

12 January 2015

For 2015, I had a different element in place from what some teams might be trying to achieve. I wanted to build a team of riders very passionate about riding specifically for this team. A squad of riders that want to be at this team, not because it’s giving them the biggest deal, or the biggest race program, or the best bike. I wanted a group that really wanted this team as their first choice. The entire 2015 squad applied to us rather than us approaching them. That’s remarkable given the level of riders we have assembled.

So budget element of selection is all-powerful when it comes to any professional sports. Although the market for women’s cycling is clearly increasing, and boardrooms around the world are noticing the sport given it’s increasing media profile and television coverage, running a professional women’s team is a huge privilege. It’s not a right, and I have to work very hard to stay

Photo: Huw Williams

in the privileged position I’m in. I have so much more I’d like to achieve for my riders and that makes me very driven when it comes to finding ways to provide a return to my partners.

The winter months are the key time for this as we set out our media plan, identify target events and look into other unique opportunities. Without this planning and the support team in place behind the scenes, we will fail our partners, and relationships like we have with Matrix Fitness, which is entering its 6th year, simply can’t exist.

There are many areas of the team establishment process that are a lot of fun. We work with Milltag, a London based clothing company which design and produce our race wear. Two graphic designers established this company and their passion for design has driven us forward to work on our brand. With women’s cycling in a position

January 2015 13

Photo: Huw Williams

14 January 2015

where funding is precarious, input from those connected with the team in their particular area of expertise is something that’s allowed us to accelerate our passage to the top tier of the sport without leaving gaping holes in the substance that holds us up.

This winter has also given us the challenge of making the step up to professional racing from amateur level for all of our riders a reality. We need to prepare each athlete for what lies ahead mentally and physically. That work has already started with winter warm weather training camps in place, as well as several riders heading to Australia and New Zealand for several months. Our 2015 bike partners are an example of how the step up professional level brings with it the need for much greater detail as we look to make gains in all areas. Each rider, as well as getting several race bikes, also has personal bike fitting services provide by Trek. We need to make sure that the

bike doesn’t only look good, but that the cutting edge technology within it is being pushed to the limit as the rider is perfectly positioned upon it to achieve maximum outputs.

That polished professional look of the team isn’t an overnight job. We have to work hard to gain each partnership we have. To keep a team on the road takes a lot of products, a lot of juggling of priorities and a lot of good will from those that support us and help raise our profile. 2014 saw many changes for women’s cycling and the next few years promise many more as the sport looks to secure its place firmly on the mainstream sport calendar.

Despite the challenges we face, the hard times and disappointments, I wouldn’t swap this job for the world. All in all it’s a very exciting time for everyone at the Matrix Fitness team.

Photo: Huw Williams

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Photo: Huw Williams

16 January 2015

LAURA TROTT UKAge 22

2012 Olympic Gold Medal x2 (Track)World Champion (Track)European Champion (Track)GB National Champion (Road)

Twitter: @LauraTrott31

ELINOR BARKER UK Age 20

World Champion (Track) Junior World Champion (TT)Junior World Silver medalist (Track)European Champion (Track) Commonwealth Games 7th (TT)

Twitter: @ElinorBarker

LUCY MARTIN UK Age 24

Olympics 2012 Commonwealth Games 14th U23 National Champs Bronze (Road)

Twitter: @LucyMartin05

2015 OnTheDrops TeamAs we will be featuring the Matrix Fitness team in each issue this year, following them in a special feature ‘A year in the life of’, we thought it would be good to meet the team. Here they are:

https://twitter.com/LauraTrott31

https://twitter.com/elinorbarker

https://twitter.com/LUCYMARTIN05

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SARA OLSSON SWEAge 24

Junior European Champs (TT) – 10th World Champs Team (TT) – 9th

Twitter: @SaaaraOlsson

CHRISTINA SIGGAARD DENAge 20

Junior World Championships (Road) – 3rd

Twitter: @CMSiggaard

MOLLY WEAVER UKAge 20

Junior World Championships (Road) – 45th

Twitter: @MollyWeaver

JESSIE WALKER UKAge 22

Junior World Champs (Road) – 31st

Twitter: @JesiWak

https://twitter.com/saaaraolsson

https://twitter.com/CMSiggaard

https://twitter.com/mollyweaver

https://twitter.com/jesiwakhttp://

18 January 2015

PENNY ROWSON UKAge 22

U23 National Champs (Road) – 2nd

Twitter: @Penny_Rowson

MEL LOWTHER UKAge 20

Junior National Champion (Track)Junior World Champs (Road) - 7th

Twitter: @MelLowther

HARRIET OWEN UK Age 20

Junior World Champs (Track) – 2nd

Twitter: @HarrietO93

https://twitter.com/penny_rowson

https://twitter.com/mellowther

https://twitter.com/harrieto93

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“There is nothing I would change about women’s

boxing. It’s society I would change.”

- Hemlata Baghdwal Head Coach Indian Women’s national Boxing

team.


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Interview and article by Myak Homberger

When I sat down to talk with Molly Rhone, President of the International Netball Federation, I thought we were going to talk Netball, Elite Netball and what her plans were for the future of it, especially with the Netball World Cup coming up. However I came away in awe of what she has achieved and the impact Netball is having at grassroots around the world.

Molly has a passion and belief in what she is doing and she wants to share this with everyone she meets, this isn’t about a CEO/ President who is here to ‘run a business’, this is a woman who at the age of ten started to play netball in Jamaica. As she said, “...it changed my life and I saw how it changed other girls”. It is this ethos and driving force that has pushed Molly all these years, the desire to make a difference.

“To whom much has been given, much is expected,” she says to me of both her talent and then the positions she found herself in. First, as a member of the Jamaican Netball team ‘the sunshine girls’, and then vice-captain and President and finally President of the INF. With award after award, including Jamaican’s Gleaner Honour Award and the Canadian Commander of the Order of Distinction. She doesn’t dismiss them, but in no means is motivated by them.

Molly RhonePresident of The International Netball Federation

She very amusingly says that “….it’s great to get awards and recognition while you are alive! (and laughs) but I don’t work to get awards.”

Seeing the impact of Netball in the inner cities and the positive impact it had spurred her on to ensure that a raft of programs are in place around the globe to affect change. Using netball as a catalyst, modules have been created for talks about HIV, accounting, lifestyle etc. The challenge has not only been to engage the girls, in many countries it has been about persuading the mothers to let their girls get involved. The popular view is that they need to stay at home and shouldn’t be learning, but Molly and her team have listened, talked and persuaded them - and the programs are a success.

From the slums of Delhi to sub Saharan Africa there are no programs that - as Molly says “...get girls active and playing and teaches them life skills.” Interestingly, she makes the point that there are many sports programs around the world but they are in the main aimed at boys, and she is very clear that this is about netball for girls. “I make no apology for this,” she says of her focus “…grassroots is important”. This is Molly’s raison d’etre: she is the epitome of the phrase ‘giving back’.

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Photo courtesy INF

24 January 2015

Photo courtesy INF

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Molly has a three pronged strategy in her quest for netball. First, governance of the sport and all the administrative set-up needs to be in place. From when she first took over as President with one part-time member of staff to a fully-fledged international organisation with full time staff and representatives in many key countries, she has put a structure in place to not only deliver her vision but to grow the sport around the world by providing the support needed.

Second, Molly wants to grow the sport at elite level with more countries becoming members and it being included in more international events. When Molly started there were thirty seven paid members of the INF, now with seventy five paid members and many more countries playing she is very excited. “It’s so exciting to see teams and countries coming through and for many it’s about talent with minimum resources. Just look at Malawi, Zambia and Uganda.” She speaks with the pride and excitement of a parent talking about their child. There is no corporate speak here, she is clearly wanting new countries to play netball and to grow the game at elite level. She overflows with stories of countries and the things they have achieved, as well as telling me of new countries playing netball. As she readily admits, given the success of this part of the strategy her challenge is now to ensure there is enough technical help in place to help these countries. “It’s all about developing talent,” she explains.

The third and final part of her strategy is the grassroots focus, to build future generations - but most importantly for Molly it’s to empower and uplift a generation around the world. What an incredible vision and what a legacy to leave

behind. Whilst talking with Molly she is clear that you need to make a difference in a position like hers. As she said, “if you haven’t made a difference, don’t be involved.” Which may sound harsh, but for Molly it’s about being at the top of your game and always being fresh.

To this end Molly has created a ‘term presidency’ that ensures that no single person stays in the

role, there is always change. She sees that new people bring new ideas and a fresh energy. But more than this, she says that “…while you are there you need to be a revolutionary”. And maybe this is the root of what makes Molly the way she is: she sees herself as netball revolutionary and not a corporate president - and this is why she has achieved so much and will leave a legacy any would be

proud of. All that is left is for her to fulfil her desire to see netball as an Olympic sport - and given all she has achieved, the smart money is on her doing just that.

For more details on Netball for peace, Netball safari’s and Goal India programs the International Netball federation run please visit http://www.netball.org/sustainable-global-development

“...it changed my life and I saw how it changed other girls”

Photo courtesy INF

26 January 2015

Ireland Womens Ruby Team celebrates World Cup AchievementThrough Spur’s work with Sports International Magazine and their great support of women’s sport, Rapid River Spur at Liffey Valley, Ireland recently hosted a lunch for members of the Ireland women’s rugby team to celebrate their achievement in this year’s World Cup tournament played in France in August.

This is the first time in the team’s history that they’ve reached this stage in the International tournament. To add to the team’s glory, for the first time ever they beat New Zealand’s Black Ferns, who have won four World Cups - which was mainstream news around the world for days afterwards, and the shock win of the World Cup!

What’s more, the team made history in the 2013 Women’s Six Nations, having never previously finished better than third, winning the cup over England. The girls play with guts, passion and a powerful team spirit that drives them to play amazing rugby.Spur manager, David Redmond, and his team were thrilled to welcome the Ireland team members to lunch at the restaurant. ‘We were incredibly proud to celebrate their fantastic success in this year’s tournament and to have them visit our restaurant,” he said. “They’re all great sportswomen. What’s even more amazing is that unlike players in other countries, they’re not full time players and they also have day jobs. All power to them and here’s to a blazing future for the Ireland Women’s team.”

Editors note: From Sports International Magazines’ point of view it

is great to see that companies like Spur not only support women’s

sport but celebrate the amazing achievements with the players and

we appreciate their support.

January 2015 276807S Sports Int 177x125 LH(F/A).indd 1 2015/01/08 1:41 PM

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it right.”- Billie Jean King


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OUTSTANDINGA T H L E T E

Hannah White has completed a mind boggling array of adventures on land and sea over the years as well as becoming a broadcaster. From sailing solo across the Atlantic (3,200 miles across) THREE times, to adventures on every continent apart from Antarctica, she is not adventure shy!

Hannah has a great outlook on the adventures she undertakes and is full of life lessons that can easily be converted into everyday life. Her starting point is fascinating though - she is passionate in her belief that anyone can do anything. “People ask what I have done and they say they couldn’t do that. It’s rubbish! Anyone can sail solo across the Atlantic or do anything!” The foundation for her is that if she can do it, anyone can. As she says: “…anyone can do anything, it just takes time, preparation, commitment and dedication.”

This message is so removed from what is only too often see in the media and especially on reality TV of an attitude of “I can’t, it’s impossible,” and so on. Hannah’s faith in the everyday man and woman has seen her host “Go Hard Or Go Home,” a series where she takes ‘Joe Public’ and over the course of twelve weeks turns them into people who compete in some of the most challenging races around the world. For her it’s not just talk: she herself has proved it can be done, and she has gone on national television with members of the public and proved it as well.

Hannah White - Sailor, Adventurer and PresenterBy Myak Homberger

January 2015 31

Photo courtesy of Hannah White

32 January 2015


Her belief comes from her school days where, as she explains, “I was a good all rounder, I was pretty good at a lot of things but excellent at none. There were maths prizes and geography prizes and so on. Sailing and adventure gave me that outlet as there were so many things to do within sailing.” This passion and the need to be proficient at many things was a perfect fit for Hannah and she found her niche quickly.

Competition and winning is not what drives Hannah though, which is interesting. As she explained, “...it’s about telling the story for me, it’s about all the people supporting me and letting them know what’s going on. It’s about the journey and adventure rather than winning.” It’s not that Hannah doesn’t want to win, of course not, she is as competitive as any but it’s about her motivation. The motivation is to go away with more than a piece of silverware at the end of an adventure. She wants to grow and learn from her

adventures but interestingly, she wants the people sponsoring her, following her and supporting her to come on that journey with her.

This is what makes Hannah stand out and why she is our Outstanding Athlete this issue: her ability not only to ‘adventure’, but her focus and desire to be inclusive of the everyday person and her implicit belief that “anyone can do anything”.

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“...it’s about telling the story for me, it’s about all the people supporting me and letting them know what’s going on. It’s about the journey and adventure rather than winning.”

Photos courtesy of Hannah White

34 January 2015

Oakland Raiderettes challenging preconceptions

January 2015 35

Oakland Raiderettes challenging preconceptions

Photo courtesy of Raiderettes

36 January 2015


What do a student, doctor, Bio-chemist, lawyer, nurse, teacher and a bio-mechanical engineer all have in common? Some would say “that sounds like my local soccer team, or my local softball team” - a group of women with varying backgrounds who come together to play a sport. But if I told you that these were all cheerleaders what would your reaction be?

I have been fortunate to spend time within the NFL getting to know teams and cheerleaders and what they do, as part of my desire to understand and challenge the myths around cheerleading. Are these athletes or are they just what so many believe them to be?

It is impossible to find answers from the outside and so I am grateful in particular to the Oakland Raiders that allowed me unfettered access and have shared their vision with me.

Like so many, I have seen and heard so much over the years that I was completely blown away by the time I spent with Raiderettes Director Jeanette Thompson and her cheerleaders, The Raiderettes. As a previous Raiderette herself she fully understands where cheerleading was at and where it needed to go. Born out of her desire to challenge perceptions, Jeanette didn’t tell anyone about being a Raiderette. As she explained, “...other than my supervisor no one knew I was a Raiderette, and so when they found out I could say ‘now you know what a cheerleader looks like’ - and this challenged the perception.”

This for me is core to what Jeanette is delivering with the Raiderettes. The mantra that Jeanette instils into each Raiderette is that “The first thing that comes out of your mouth shouldn’t be that you are a Raiderette, it’s something that people should discover. It may be an impressive title but it’s not what defines you.” This is not what I expected to hear, if I am honest, and it is a

“...so when they found out I could say ‘now you know what a cheerleader looks like’ - and this challenged the perception.”

Photo courtesy Tony Gonzales

January 2015 37

comment that greatly impressed me. This wasn’t a one-off comment for the press, because as we talk more this was the constant theme for Jeanette. For Jeanette cheerleading excellence is the starting point and should be a given for such an iconic team. She is passionate about the Raiderettes being the best cheerleaders and wants them to have the best routines and look the best, but actually that is all underpinned by so much more.

The first question she asks herself of each potential cheerleader is “are you a well-balanced person?” This is a key question for her and a fundamental part of how Jeanette has and continues to shift the world of cheerleading. As well as this, she is going the extra mile with the cheerleaders under her wing, she ensures they have all the tools they need to function out in the community and in the world afterwards. She ensures they are all taught how to speak in public, how to interact with people and to continue to be the balanced people she discovered. These are priceless qualities

Photo courtesy Tony Gonzales

38 January 2015

January 2015 39

Photo courtesy of Raiderettes

40 January 2015

Jeanette is equipping them with over and above what many think a cheerleader should be.

“I can’t tell you anyone else’s perception, I can only tell you what we try to do,” Jeanette tells me of her quest to change perceptions. Jeanette is pushing the boundaries of perception very hard and ushering in a new dawn in cheerleading.Talking with the Raiderettes, it is very clear they are keen to be on the squad and that they consider it an honour, with many of them having been lifelong fans of the Raiders team. The interesting thing is the enthusiasm that they speak with about all the community work they do. I tried numerous times to get back to my questions about training, what their schedules are etc. but we kept wandering back to the charity and community work they and the Raiderettes do. With three separate programs that all lead into being a Raiderette as well as a ‘play 60’ programme and charity work in the community, these are very busy cheerleaders. What is interesting though is that the work not only impacts the community but them as well. As one of the Raiderettes explained “..on our last ‘play 60’ event a girl said to us this was the best day of her life. Often these kids don’t come from the best circumstances and to able to give them positive experiences is amazing”.

These cheerleaders feel they are giving back and representing something much bigger than themselves: it’s about community and positivity and making a difference in people’s lives - and they quite clearly love doing it. What makes this all the more impressive is the fact that all of these activities are done in their own time. A schedule of events is sent out and they all volunteer as to which events they can make and this is then co-ordinated with Jeanette.

All of this is on top of the following schedule they have as Raiderette cheerleaders:

• 3 x 3 hour training session with the Raiderettes each week

• Strength and conditioning training• Cardio classes• It varies for each Raiderette but of those I

spoke to, 4 x 2 hour gym sessions as well• Normal 9-5 jobs

On game day they arrive at 7am for a 1pm kick off. They will have a full rehearsal followed by a performance in Raiderville and then on to ‘tunnels’, welcoming fans as they come into the stadium. This is followed by a pre-game routine and then 4 hours of dancing, rallying and standing, with their only break and time to get

Photo courtesy of Tony Gonzales

January 2015 41

off their feet being half time of the game. They don’t sit for any of this time and as they say, “we only leave the field when the last player has left”. They then pack up and in some cases then have to commute 1.45 hours back to their homes, a very long day.

One thing that all of the Raiderettes agree on is the need for cardio and stamina training for the long hours standing and dancing in the sun. So many think that it’s about looking pretty and shaking pompoms for a couple of minutes, but actually there is far more to it than that and actually being pretty and being able to dance doesn’t cut it anymore.

This is a new era and Jeanette Thompson and the Raiderettes are at the front of this challenge to our perceptions of cheerleading and to this end I have the utmost respect for what she has achieved and her ethos in a challenging environment for female athletes.

Photos courtesy Tony Gonzales

42 January 2015

By Adam Barlow

Over the past 18 months teams from all over the world have been battling hard to reach the finals in Canada next year. This time the

World Cup has been expanded to 24 sides and after 18 months of qualifying games, we now know the 23 sides that will join the host nation Canada looking to win football’s biggest prize.

Europe was given eight berths in this newly expanded tournament so as expected all the traditional powerhouses qualified with ease. France, England, Sweden, and two time winners Germany all topped their qualifying groups with 100% records. 1995 champions Norway won 9 and drew just the once; a record that was matched by Switzerland who were the first side to seal qualification from Europe and one of the sides that will be making their World Cup debut this year. Spain are another side that will be appearing in their first finals, and topped the group by 3 points from Italy. There was to be more heart break for the Italians in the playoffs as after beating Ukraine, they lost out 4-1 to Holland on aggregate who claimed the final European qualifying place. The Dutch had lost out to Norway by just 2 points in the group stage and overcame

World Cup Qualifying

January 2015 43

Scotland in the playoff semi finals. Scotland can hold their heads high after an encouraging campaign that saw them get the closest they ever have to qualifying for a World Cup.

South America has two automatic qualifiers into Canada 2015 with the potential for a 3rd team to make it as the 3rd placed team gained the right face the 4th placed side from the CONCACAF section for the place. As with a number of associations the qualifying also doubled up as a confederation championship. Brazil had been for many years, the strongest side in South America and so it proved; Brazil topped the final table ahead of runner up Columbia to seal the two automatic spots. Ecuador finished 3rd to grab the playoff place.

Africa also has 3 places and here it was Nigeria that took the title, in the semi final they dispatched South Africa, and waiting for them in the final were old rivals Cameroon who had beaten Ivory Coast in the other semi final in extra time. Although both sides had already qualified the final was very competitive with Nigeria winning 2-0. The 3rd/4th place playoff between South Africa and Ivory Coast was incredibly tense but Ivory Coast struck late in the game winning 1-0 and grabbing the last African spot.

Apart from the hosts Canada, perhaps no side had an easier road to the finals than New Zealand via the Oceania section. In three games v Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and the Cook Islands the Football Ferns won all 3 games scored 30 goals and conceding none. It goes without saying far tougher tests await them in Canada.

Asia has a proud record in the Women’s World Cup and will have 5 representatives in Canada. As you would expect current world champions Japan made it with ease as did Australia, South Korea and 1999 runners up China. There was also a great underdog story as Thailand made history by beating Vietnam to reach its first World Cup finals.

CONCACAF has been given 3 automatic spots plus a playoff spot with a South American side. With Canada automatically qualifying for the World Cup it meant that the United States; who are ranked

44 January 2015

2nd in the world, were barely tested in qualifying although they failed to hit the heights that the team did in 2012. The biggest talking points away from the low crowds were Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago. Costa Rica’s 1-0 win over Mexico in the group stage upset the form guide and meant they would avoid the USA in the semi finals. Instead it was Mexico who faced and lost to the Americans as Costa Rica beat T&T to reach the final against the Americans. The USA proved far too strong and cantered to a 6-0 win. Mexico took the final automatic spot by beating T&T 3-1 after extra time. The Caribbean side still had a chance to qualify though as they were to playoff against Ecuador over 2 legs for the final place in the World Cup.

The first leg in Ecuador finished goalless in a game as tight as everybody expected. The return leg was every bit as tense but Ecuador ensured there was to be no fairy tale ending for T&T as they scored a late minute winner to qualify in dramatic circumstances. The draw:

The draw for the finals was made in Ottawa and produced some mouth watering games. The big highlight was Group D that saw the USA placed in a tough group with Sweden, Australia, and Nigeria. England have been drawn to face their old adversaries France in a group that also contains Mexico and Colombia. The hosts Canada will have to overcome Holland, China, and New Zealand

Group A: Canada, China, New Zealand, HollandGroup B: Germany, Ivory Coast, Norway, ThailandGroup C: Japan: Switzerland, Cameroon, Ecuador Group D: USA, Sweden, Australia, Nigeria Group E: Brazil, Spain, South Korea, Costa RicaGroup F: France, England, Mexico, Columbia.

January 2015 45

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Football World Cup 2015

2011 World Cup Audience

Sports International Magazine's World Cup facts

61% male audience in USA

59% male audience in Germany

65% male audience in Japan

Follow us for news and feeds on yourcomputer

@sportsimagazine.com for updates to

your phone

@sportsimagazine for updates and news

to your tablet

1. Total in-home audience reach (3+ minutes)

2. Total in-home audience reach (20+ consecutiveminutes)

3. Highest global in-home audience (FWWC Germany2011 Final match; JPN v USA)

4. Average global in-home audience per live match

526 Venues

24Teams

6,500 hours of

projected TV

coverage

Ottawa, Vancouver, Moncton,

Winnipeg, Montreal,

Edmonton

Matches to beplayed

Millions

Live Non-live

JPN V USA JPN V SWE USA V FRA

0

25

50

75

43

2

1

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

WWW.SPORTSINTERNATIONALMAGZINE.COM

Data: FIFACopyright Sports International Magazine 2014

46 January 2015

Street Child World Cup is a global platform for street children to receive the protection and opportunities that all children are entitled to.

Through sports, the arts and international conferences for street children’s rights our aim is to challenge the negative perceptions and treatment of street children.

No child should have to live on the streets.

Join our Supporters Club now.

Join us at the #BigCitySleep, a sponsored sleep out supporting street children | 24.10.14 | Spitalfields Market | London Visit website for more details.

streetchildworldcup.org

January 2015 47


TM


TM

“Believe me, the reward is not so great without the

struggle.” - Wilma Rudolph

Street Child World Cup is a global platform for street children to receive the protection and opportunities that all children are entitled to.

Through sports, the arts and international conferences for street children’s rights our aim is to challenge the negative perceptions and treatment of street children.

No child should have to live on the streets.

Join our Supporters Club now.

Join us at the #BigCitySleep, a sponsored sleep out supporting street children | 24.10.14 | Spitalfields Market | London Visit website for more details.

streetchildworldcup.org

48 January 2015

January 2015 49

Photo courtesy of Jenny Duncalf

Jenny has played Squash since she was nine years old, turning Pro when she was twenty. As she explains, had her nine year old self been told what she would be doing, she would have said “I would love it, it would be a dream come true!” Jenny’s first Women’s Squash Association World Tour title win came at the Atlanta Masters in 2003. She had previously enjoyed successful Junior campaigns, winning the European Junior title in 2001 and the British Junior U12, U14, U16 and U17 titles.

By 2005 Jenny was in the top 10 and by 2009 she was number 2 in the world. With 11 WSA World Tour titles and over 100 caps for England as well as the captaincy and 3


Jenny Duncalf

50 January 2015Photo courtesy of Jenny Duncalf

January 2015 51

Commonwealth silver medals to boot Jenny has achieved so much - as she said, living the dream. The interesting twist with Jenny’s story is the unerring success of world No1 Nicol David.

In Jenny’s own words Nicol David is “the best Squash player of all time”. The x7 World Champion has thwarted Jenny’s ascendancy not only to the number 1 slot but in more finals than she wants to remember. The interesting thing for me is that despite this

Jenny has a great view of this situation and one that I feel defines her and her outlook on life.

As we talk about her repeated silver medals and defeats to the same player she says “I have lived and played in an era of the best Squash player the world has seen. I don’t feel disappointed, the opposite, I know what I have achieved and I feel privileged to have played in this time. I would not change it at all.” Over time athletes have been frustrated by the dominance of a legend in their sport and many are bitter and feel wronged, even making excuses. Yet for Jenny she sees it differently, for her she has played against not only the best, but the best ever and she feels privileged to have done it. What a great outlook.

“….I feel privileged to have played in this time. I would not change it at all.”

52 January 2015

Having said all of that, Jenny is far from dulled or disheartened by it all, and she is very clear as we talk on what she wants. “I still have a lot to achieve individually and as a team, things I want to do,” she explains of her desire to push harder than ever after twenty years playing Squash. As so many top athletes, she says she will only quit when it’s not fun anymore.

Jenny guides herself by two further values: first, to lead by example as a captain, whether you are playing or not and second, to “let your Squash do the talking”. She sees things very clearly but in a way that is different to many. For her it’s about stopping sometimes and just realising what you are doing: playing a sport you love professionally and travelling the world, what could be better? In doing this Jenny is able to enjoy the success and the now, rather than wait till she retires. This also brings a certain peace not only for herself but that she gives to others, another perspective. As we talk it’s so obvious that she enjoys the moment she is in, which is great to hear - and the flip-side to that is when the moments are tough she can knuckle down and focus on what needs to be done in the moment to get back on top.

I asked Jenny about what it meant to be England captain and her answer surprised

“I still have a lot to achieve individually and as a team, things I want to do,”

January 2015 53

Photo courtesy of Jenny Duncalf

54 January 2015

Photos courtesy of Jenny Duncalf

January 2015 55

me not because it isn’t part of what any captain would say, but because it seems it’s just a part of how Jenny is and her outlook. For Jenny it is about playing and being able to represent your country and then additional privilege and honour to captain your country but it’s more for her, she seems genuinely so happy to be playing and loving every moment and not even a hint of entitlement - just the knowledge that it’s a gift and a privilege.

Jenny is an athlete who in her own words “feels lucky” and she brings something unique to the party. She has been at the pinnacle of her sport worldwide and yet the talk is never about what she has achieved or how good she is. She is a great example of a great athlete, a good captain and a person who has such a good view of sport and life and is very aware of what it has brought her, most importantly in the here and now.

Editor’s note: It’s great to meet and spend time with elite athletes and every once in a while you come away with a smile on your face having thoroughly enjoyed the time and Jenny is definitely one of those. A great person to be around as well as a world class athlete with a fantastic outlook on life.

Photos courtesy of Jenny Duncalf

56 January 2015

According to Non Evans, you do not have run for

miles and lift heavy weights to lose weight. If you

think working out in a sweaty gym is the best way

to lose weight, she says, think again.

Former Welsh women’s international rugby player

and Commonwealth Games medallist Non Evans,

who now trains ‘average Joe’s’ in achieving the

perfect physique, puts it down to eating less

bread, drinking loads of water and picking spirits

over beer and wine.

Non says that many basic points are missed when

it comes to the diet and exercise for a healthy

body - do people want to get fit, lose weight,

have fitness and eating plans for rugby or just

look good?

Here are some of Non’s top tips:

1. Use your loaf: It’s been said that to look

good and be healthy you should avoid regularly

eating carbohydrates or even stop eating them

altogether. Don’t. In fact, we are encouraged to

eat, eat, eat. Cutting out carbs means you are

effectively starving yourself of nutrients which

the body needs and it leads to sugar cravings.

Make sure you eat healthy carbohydrates like

wholemeal rice and pasta, and avoid bread!

Follow the ‘eat little and often’ mantra, eating a

small meal of carbohydrates with a protein source

Shape up the Non Evans way

“Follow the ‘eat little and often’ mantra, eating a small meal of carbohydrates with a protein source”

Photo courtesy of Non Evans

January 2015 57

every two to three hours throughout the day. Small meals like a

jacket potato and ham, or brown rice and chicken, are ideal. Your

metabolism slows down if you don’t eat and especially as you get

older, so eating regularly will keep speeding it back up and burn

calories, which means you lose body fat. 5-6 small meals a day for

women and 6-8 for men.

2. Forget trying to run your bum off: Think running a half marathon

is the only way to get that weight off? Well, no, it isn’t.

There’s no doubt it makes you fitter but it will just improve your

cardio-vascular fitness as opposed to dropping body fat and

changing body shape, because the body uses a greater percentage

of fat as an energy source when the heart rate is lower. So the best

way to burn fat is to go for a brisk walk on an empty stomach as

soon as you get up in the morning. If you go for a 30 to 40 minute

brisk walk, especially in the morning, you will start burning fat rather

than the food in your stomach. Keep your heart rate at about 120.

Slightly out of breath not pushing yourself too hard. That is the fat

burning zone.

For more information see nonevans.com

Photo courtesy of Non Evans

58 January 2015


Springboks

January 2015 59

Springbokson the rise

60 January 2015

By Myak Homberger

We have followed the South African women’s

rugby 15’s and 7’s teams and set-up for years now

and it is so exciting to see how things have grown

and how this year has seen an explosion in South

African women’s rugby.

In January the South African Rugby Union (SARU)

awarded national contracts to fifteen Springbok

Women Sevens players for the first time in history,

in a significant move towards the 2016 Rio

Olympic Games and proving its commitment to

growing Women’s rugby. The fifteen players are

members of the elite Sevens squad that is based

in Stellenbosch, a group that includes star players

Zenay Jordaan, Mathrin Simmers, Lorinda Brown

and Veroeshka Grain. They all live together within

this residential programme and the view is that

this provides an ideal environment for the players

to train together and also bond off the field. As

Rassie Erasmus, SARU’s General Manager of High

Performance said, “In the past our women players

had to train on their own and then assemble

in short camps before matches, which was not

conducive to consistent quality performances.

These initiatives have definitely changed the face

of women’s rugby.”

Rassie Erasmus was equally excited about the

decision to contract an elite group of players

and he believed it would inspire more women

to follow their dream of becoming professional

rugby players. “Women’s rugby worldwide has

grown tremendously in the last few years and

with the inclusion of Sevens rugby in the Olympic

Games from 2016 we believe it will be even more

popular in future,” said Erasmus. “In line with

Photo: Papaya PhotographyPhoto: Papaya Photography

January 2015 61

this growth it was essential to align our structures

with international standards in order to compete

successfully against the best teams in the world.

This is certainly a massive milestone for women’s

rugby in South Africa.”

SARU CEO Jurie Roux agrees with this sentiment.

“This is a watershed moment for women’s rugby

in South Africa. It shows that we have faith in our

players and that SARU is serious about women’s

rugby. We are determined to see the ladies excel

on the international stage, and by raising the

level of professionalism in the women’s set-up,

we believe results will follow.”

Speaking to the players they agree that this has

been of huge benefit to them both individually and

as a team. As Shona-Leah Weston commented,

“...for a diverse nation we all get on really well,

these are exciting times for us”.

Lorinda Brown, a seasoned veteran of the game

since her first World Cup in 2006, has played both

rugby formats and is a shining example of the

attitude pervasive in the Springbok squad. “ I’m

very privileged to be given a contract,” she says,

adding “...it’s the beginning of new things.” This

is a theme that runs through all the conversations

with the team: they may have worked hard to get

here but they are humble and appreciative of the

opportunity they have been given. They see it as

exactly that, an opportunity - and they are doing

everything to ensure that they make the most of

it. This is their time and the start of a new era and

they are very aware they are at the forefront of

what so many have dreamed of.

This attitude is in no small way down to the

management team as well. They are ensuring

that the values and grounded nature of the team

stays, despite not only being the central program


62 January 2015

January 2015 63

but also that this is first time in the history of South

African women’s rugby that the team has qualified

as one of the core teams on the IRB Women’s

World Series circuit. What will be critical is how

they balance this pressure with having previously

not been one of the core teams, as the top four

teams in the table at the end of the season will

automatically qualify for places in the 2016 Rio

Olympic Games - and this is the huge prize that

the team is very focused on being a part of.

The team may be one of the most culturally

diverse, blending age and format variations and

yet it works. It is interesting to observe behind

the scenes how they all interact and how they are

‘a family’. I have spent a great deal of time off the

pitch with the team over the years and would have

been able to see if things were different - but the

bond and comradery is very apparent. Whether

it’s competing at ‘Mario cart’ or the senior players

helping the young players find their feet, they all

have the same ethos and aim. They have all had

to earn their place in a very small and select team,

they have worked very hard for it and made many

sacrifices along the way. The key is that they all

know that they were selected for a reason and

that in the same way their team mates were too.

Photo courtesy of IRB

64 January 2015

‘Inspire, Believe, Achieve’

Are you looking to develop leadership or teamwork skills

within your workforce

Do you need a keynote speaker

Do you have a need to recruit more females in to your

industry

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Would your company benefit from

increasing the number of or developing existing or potential female leaders

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This knowledge pulls the team together with the

same goals and attitude. The interesting thing is

that they never set their sight on simply achieving

‘good’ - as Shona-Leah Weston said, “...we want to

win gold.” They are on the field together, helping

to unite South Africa. For players like Lorinda it’s

also about showing the next generation that they

can do it. As she says, “...women are unique, get

out there and do it! ”

The thing that endears them is their openness.

They are happy to share their personal struggles

with competing at this level and I won’t quote

them but it shows a genuiness that is part of the

makeup of the team. They are in this together,

pulling in the same direction, proud of where they

have come from and what they are achieving.

I have always felt welcome with the team and

look forward to seeing how the next couple of

years unfold for the Springbok family.


January 2015 65

‘Inspire, Believe, Achieve’

Are you looking to develop leadership or teamwork skills

within your workforce

Do you need a keynote speaker

Do you have a need to recruit more females in to your

industry

Speaker Agency, Leadership & Teamwork development Consultancy.

Would your company benefit from

increasing the number of or developing existing or potential female leaders

We can help using our resource of Inspiring female speakersand Inspiring and expert associates.

[email protected]

66 January 2015

Lorna Thomas MBE was one of the pioneers of Cricket in Australia both as a player and in her various management roles, as well as being regarded as one of the forerunners who has made the Cricket landscape for women the one it is today.

Lorna was born in 1917 and began playing cricket at the age of eleven before joining her district club

Annandale. A medium-paced bowler and a hard-hitting opening bat, she represented New South Wales (NSW) from 1937. She played against New Zealand in 1946-47 and against England in 1948-49, retiring from the game in the late 1950s. However Lorna couldn’t stay out of the game and in 1960 she took up team management, going on to manage five international teams including

Thomas MBEfour overseas tours. She was affectionately known as ‘Auntie Lorna’ to many of the players because of her caring and compassionate nature. Due to her strong role as Team Manager through the 1960s, Lorna Thomas was regarded as a pioneer of women’s cricket and led the national team through a period of significant societal change which paved the way for today’s elite players.

The 1963 ‘tourists’ were pioneers for women’s cricket under the leadership of Mary Loy (neé Allitt) and manager Lorna Thomas. This was the first tour of England by a female team in twelve years. This team was also the first women’s side (either Australian or English) to be invited by the committee of the MCC to dine with committee members in the famous ‘Long Room’ at Lord’s. Lorna was also one of the first women admitted to membership of the MCC. The history-making tour attracted plenty of media attention and the team were tagged ‘Glamour Girls’ by the UK’s press.

Lorna

Photo courtesy of Australia Cricket

January 2015 67

The tour proved ground-breaking for many reasons and they can take credit for many of the developments witnessed in the women’s game in the last few decades.

In addition, Lorna managed the 1973 and 1976 teams to England and the West Indies as well as the Australian team which met New Zealand in Melbourne in 1972. She was also team manager in 1973 when Australia played in the inaugural Women’s World Cup in England. In the role of manager she always paid her own way.

Boasting a cricket-playing career of over half a century Lorna was major force in women’s cricket for more than seventy years. In 1978 she retired from her position as manager of the NSW and Australian teams, before being awarded an MBE for services to cricket and was made a life member of Women’s Cricket Australia.

The annual Cricket NSW Women’s City vs Country series is named in honour of Lorna Thomas.

On the 17th of September 2014 Lorna Thomas MBE, passed away at the age of 96. Cricket Australia Chief Executive Office James Sutherland summed it up best when he said: “Lorna was a great contributor to cricket in Australia as a player and administrator. She holds a significant place

in the history of women’s cricket and was well respected on and off the field. Through her various roles within cricket Lorna worked tirelessly to increase the profile of the

sport and her legacy is evident not only in the professionalism of women’s cricket in Australia today but also in the number of girls and women playing cricket.”

We have nothing but admiration and respect for Lorna Thomas and all she did in the pursuit of Women’s Cricket around the world, recognising the price she must have paid, and the struggle and obstacles she must have had to overcome to achieve what she did. Lorna Thomas is a great benchmark for our series on pioneers of women’s sport and a worthy first member.

We have nothing but admiration and respect for

Lorna Thomas and all she did in the pursuit of Women’s Cricket

around the world

Photo courtesy of Australia Cricket

68 January 2015

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January 2015 69

Watermelon Did you know?

Did you know watermelon is actually a vegetable not a fruit? It is related to the pumkin, squash

and cucumber.

Watermelon consists of 92% water and 8% sugar

China is the largest producer of watermelons in the world

Watermelons are ideal for health as they do not contain any cholesterol and are

high in fibre content as well as vitamin A and C.

Watermelons are a good source of Potassium

Over 1200 varieties are grown in 100 countries around the

world

Every part of the watermelon, including

the rind and pips are edible

70 January 2015

Jess Fishlock

Photo courtesy of LET

January 2015 71

Jess Fishlock

The Captains Pick: An interview with Carin Koch

By Bethan CutlerThere has never been a playing captain on either the European or United States teams in the past 13 editions of The Solheim Cup and home skipper Carin Koch is not planning to change that any time soon.

Yet as she walked off the 18th green leading the first round of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, after a six under par 66 on the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club in the Ladies European Tour’s 2014 season-ending tournament, having not played for three months, the Swede fleetingly considered the possibility that she could pick herself as one of her four wildcards and make her fifth appearance as a player.

72 January 2015

“...Sitting in Sweden and you have an event that you can go to in Dubai in December, it’s hard not to go!”

However, she quickly brushed that thought aside and we moved on to discuss her plans leading up to the matches at St Leon-Rot in Germany in September, where Europe is targeting three wins in a row.

Q. Carin, what have you been up to over the last couple of months?

I’ve been down to St. LeonRot one more time. I’ve been visiting a clothing company that’s going to supply us with clothing for the Opening Ceremony and the gala dinner. The clothing company is called Englehorn. It’s a big department store, very, very nice. That was nice.

I also had a visit to the course, which we finalised some of the changes and some of the runoffs and how we’re going to play the holes and things. So that was really nice, and they have started some rebuilding on a couple holes since then. So that was good.

Q. What was the purpose of your trip to the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters? Was it really to mix and meet up with potential team members or was it to keep competitive?

To get to the sun (laughter). No, I haven’t played that much this year, but I want to say I still enjoy playing, which I do, every now and then. Sitting in Sweden and you have an event that you can go to in Dubai in December, it’s hard not to go. But

January 2015 73

it’s always a good place to come and see some of the players that are here that play over in the States most of the time. Good combination but it was more for my game this time.

Q. Looking ahead to next year, what are your plans?

I’m just starting to put my schedule together. I have a couple of things in January I’m going to but they are not 100 percent finalised yet.

Q. So you have not put your playing schedule together yet?

No, I haven’t. I need to, though. Otherwise I think I’m not going to play any tournaments. I have to kind of prioritise that, as well. There’s a lot going on. There will be some requests for sponsors to have me come and speak and there’s something in Brussels that I might go to. But not too much set yet. I’ll go to probably Nabisco, which is not called Nabisco anymore, it’s the ANA, the major in Palm Springs on the LPGA; and then I think that’s about it, the British Open, just to see the players.

Q. Are all the majors important to you? Are you going to be studying all of them, or is it just those two that you’ll really focus on?

Probably because they are good tournaments to go to. Also now I see some players here, but some I haven’t seen since the British Open. So I want to make sure I see them in the beginning of the year, so Nabisco is a


74 January 2015

January 2015 75

good place, Phoenix or Nabisco, I haven’t decided just, just to start talking to the girls and seeing them and getting a good atmosphere going. The British Open is natural and easy to go to and it’s quite close to the event.

Q. What do you think of the way the team is shaping up at the moment?

It’s probably looking about the way I thought it would look, and just excited that so many girls are playing well. There are so many girls that have a chance to get on the team that my list right now, it’s still quite long, which is nice, such a choice. Just nice to see so many girls playing well.


76 January 2015

“Never limit yourself, never be satisfied, and smile... It’s free!”

- Jenny Finch


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January 2015 77


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78 January 2015

Photos: Taiwan Mike - KLC Photos


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January 2015 79

UNSUNGH E R O

Ric is one of those larger than life guys that you see on the Women’s Sevens World Series tour, not just in physical size but also his prescence. Smiling, laughing and always having time to chat with people, not just fans but also coaches and players from other teams. It is interesting to observe Ric as he chats with people: his passion for women’s sport is so obvious, language doesn’t get in the way as he shares with those eager to understand how he has achieved what he has with the team.

Entering his fifth season with the USA women’s national setup, this Canadians CV spans more than 20 years of coaching and includes Canadian Men’s 15s, Canadian Men’s 7s, Canadian Women’s 15s, Canadian Women’s U-23 15s. This wealth of experience he brings allows him to look at things in a different way and it’s paying dividends. One of the stand-out things for me with Ric is his vision, starting with his decision to take the national coaching job in a ‘foreign’ country, as he explains the reasons why he took the role. “The belief that 7’s would be in the Olympics and secondly, I believed there were 12 women in the USA who can win a medal, these were the two things that drew me”. Ric has a balance as he talks between the here and now and looking ahead 2/4 years, as well as his desire to recruit and expand the game.

Ric’s view on bringing players through is a very interesting one and one that has brought good results. His view is that it’s about the player not their sport. Ric explains “what is relevant is not their body shape but their brain”. Ric’s vision and message is that it’s about ability, not about a specific sport, its about your brain and the aptitude for it to handle the 7’s game. This is a different approach to many but with gold medal Olympians and world champions in his ranks it is paying off.

Ric SuggittHead Coach of USA Rugby Women’s Eagles SevensBy Myak Homberger

80 January 2015

But this is only half of it, Ric isn’t doing this just to get a few extra athletes in the team, for him it’s about getting this message out to athletes, sports and schools as well as athletes who do a winter sport. There is crossover firstly, secondly, you don’t have to choose in some cases it could be both as in the case of Elana Meyers Taylor. For Ric the message and vision is simple, there are no boundaries only those in your mind and that’s the bit he is interested in, the rest he can teach you.

Ric’s policy is an open door one, one that wants to be best without the boundaries and limitations that are so often put in place and it’s this that makes him so interesting, passionate and draws people to him. The thing that I like is that he really believes it, it’s not spin, it’s genuine - and this makes it enjoyable to be in his company. Ric is a unsung hero in the truest sense: he is passionate about women’s sport, he has great vision outside of the box and a never-ending desire to see athletes grow and develop, whilst believing 100% in them. That is what it’s all about.

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Photos: Papaya Photography

82 January 2015

Sailing with the best:

Extreme Sailing

Photo courtesy of Extreme Sailing

January 2015 83

By Myak Homberger

Extreme Sailing is one of the few sports in the world where women compete alongside men. Just to give you an idea of what the Extreme 40 boat is and the idea behind it, the creators of the Extreme 40 took the biggest, fastest sailing boat in the Olympics — then made it twice as big and even faster. And no, brakes do not come as standard…there is a reason it is called Extreme! Watching, let alone being on one of these boats, is incredible: often the hull “flys” and the crew have to lean over the sides just to keep the boat from tipping over!

Given all of this it is even more interesting and exciting that there were two women in the series this year. I got to spend time with both of them and sail (I use this term very loosely!) with one of them. They are masters in their own fields: Anna Tunnicliffe is a 2-times ISAF World Sailor of the Year, an Olympic gold medallist (Beijing 2008)

84 January 2015

Photos courtesy of Extreme Sailing

January 2015 85


86 January 2015

“...we don’t think we are sailing with a girl, we feel like we are sailing with an amazing athlete.”


January 2015 87

and has represented the USA at two Olympic Games. Sarah Ayton is a double Olympic gold medallist (Athens 2004, Beijing 2008) and Yngling World Champion in 2008 and 2007.

Speaking to both team captains, their view of ‘women’ in sailing Extreme 40 is exactly the same. It is so refreshing, not just hearing what they say, but also how they talk about the women on their team. Leigh McMillan of Wave Muscat and Morgan Larson of Alinghi talk about them as being a part of the team, about the value they add, about how well they are respected as world class sailors and not only as women. This is about recognising talent and respecting their achievements - and for me this is a real stand-out thing: for women to be regarded for their skill, with gender not being an issue.

Morgan Larson said something that I would love to hear in every sport that women compete in: “...we don’t think we are sailing with a girl, we feel like we are sailing with an amazing athlete.” What an incredible thing to hear from one of the best sailors in the world. Morgan is a veteran of four America’s Cups, so this isn’t about credit for

“...we don’t think we are sailing with a girl, we feel like we are sailing with an amazing athlete.”

Photo courtesy of Extreme Sailing

88 January 2015

the sake of credit, no plaudits. He went on to say that Anna is an asset to the team, echoing the words of Leigh McMillan who commented about Sarah that “...she is an asset to the team and any other team would love to have her. Just look at her track record, it speaks for itself.” It’s hard not to get excited hearing these kinds of comments from men - and that from men who are regarded as the best in their field.

What a fantastic example of mixed sport and of women being recognised as athletes, not as ‘women who are athletes’ - and let’s hope that in time to come more and more sports will have fans talking about the sport and the skill of the athletes, regardless of gender.


January 2015 89

90 January 2015

Recipes and Tips sponsored by

The haricot bread companyHand-crafted Artisan Bread

Superstar Beetroot!

Photo: Zac Peatling

January 2015 91

Beetroot is a delicious and nutritious vegetable. Many people have been put off by vinegary, pickled beetroot - yet freshly cooked beetroot is delicious and sweet with a lovely flavour; it is versatile, adds vibrant colour to meals and once cooked can be used in a wide variety of ways.

Beetroot is a superfood packed with nutrients. It contains iron, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iodine, zinc, vitamins A, B3,5,6 and Folic Acid, vitamin C, and is also a rich source of antioxidants and soluble fibre.

Beetroot can help to stimulate the liver’s detoxification process, help reduce blood pressure, lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes and help lower cholesterol. Beetroot contains silica, which helps the body utilize calcium (important for musco-skeletal health and reducing the risk of osteoporosis). Beetroot helps guard against fatigue, increases blood flow to the brain, and improves the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, making circulation more effective.

Beetroot also provides easily digestible sugars, and it’s soluble fibre content slows down the absorption of these sugars, so providing the body with a steady stream of energy.

Beetroot is low in calories, virtually fat free; has a medium GI level (64) but extremely low GL level (2.9), which means it is converted into sugars very slowly, thus helping to keep blood sugar levels stable.

The colour of beetroot comes from the antioxidant betacyanin.

Sport: enhanced performance

Beetroot has high levels of nitrates, which produces nitric oxide in the blood, which in turn widens blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. Nitrates reduce oxygen consumption during exercise.

Studies carried out by sports science researchers into the effect

Beetroot, a superfood Superstar

92 January 2015

of beetroot on performance have shown that the nitrates found in beetroot have a significant effect on stamina and sports performance. Most of the studies were carried out on cyclists or runners which makes the findings particularly important for endurance sport athletes.

Cooking beetroot the easy way

People often dismiss beetroot thinking it is difficult to cook - but here is an easy way to cook beetroot.

Make sure the beetroot are firm, smooth and brightly coloured.

Wash the beetroot under cold running water. Cut off the greens leaves and stems, leaving about an inch of the stems and the root ends intact. Don’t cut into the flesh as it will cause the beetroot to ‘bleed’, losing colour, flavour and nutrients.

Place in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil, cover the saucepan with a lid, turn down the heat and simmer on a low heat for 45 minutes. Turn the heat off, and leave the beetroot (with the lid on the saucepan) for an hour.

Drain the water. Cut the ends off the beetroot and ease the skins off with your fingers. There is no need to peel as the skin should just easily come away.

Enjoy delicious beetroot

Beetroot can be used in many ways - one of the simplest and most delicious is using cooked beetroot in salads or in sandwiches.

For sandwich fillings on slices of wholemeal bread, try tinned red salmon (or tuna) with mayonnaise topped with slices of beetroot; grated or sliced beetroot on bread with butter

or mayonnaise; beetroot slices with ham or beef. Flaked smoked mackerel and diced beetroot with mayonnaise or horseradish on salad leaves make a filling and healthy salad; or replace the mackerel with haricot or kidney beans for a vegetarian option.

Beetroot juice is now also widely available - and if you don’t want to cook your own beetroot, ready cooked, vacuum packed or bottled beetroot without vinegar is a good alternative.

Beetroot Bread

400g White bread flour100g Stoneground wholemeal flour1t salt1t golden granulated sugar10g yeast2T Virgin olive oil280ml warm water200/220g raw beetroot, freshly coarse grated

Method

Mix dry ingredients together. Add olive oil, then the beetroot. When well mixed slowly add the water. Knead for 10-12 minutes.

Cover and leave for about 2 hours until doubled in size. (NB The dough is very sticky!)

Fist out all the air, divide into 2 and place into rye floured proving baskets. (It is important to use proving baskets as the dough is very wet and will spread if making free-form loaves.) Leave for 45 minutes.

Place on baking tray into pre-heated oven 200C fan for 10 minutes, turn the heat down to 180C for a further 35 minutes. Leave to cool on wire rack.

January 2015 93

For references and more information:

http://www.lovebeetroot.co.uk/healthy_info/beetroot-benefits.asp#.VK6XfFpCg9U

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/ingredient-focus-beetroot

http://www.endurancesportsnutritionist.co.uk/blog/beetroot-endurance-performanc/

The Complete Superfoods Cookbook; Michael van Straten

The Top 10 Fitness Foods; Sarah Owen

Photo: Zac Peatling

94 January 2015

beautiful game; Ric for your great vision and open door, you rock. Bethan for your writing and passion, Jenny for your time and input, really enjoyed the interview; Non as always a legend, your enthusiasm and support is great thank you.

Thank you’sWith each issue that goes by it never ceases to amaze me the openness and stories of the athletes and support staff around the world and across sporting boundaries. It would be impossible to write a magazine like this if it wasn’t for the access the athletes, teams and governing bodies give the magazine and for this I am very grateful. It may sound like a cliché but it is a privilege to tell the stories and provide a spotlight on these incredible women and the sports and challenges they do, so a huge thanks to them.

Specific to this issue I would like to thank Stef for his vision and working with us on something new; to Molly, Nikki and all at INF, what a great team that are so passionate; the Ireland Rugby team for their time and Spur restaurants for helping us and them celebrate their achievements.

Extreme Sailing for their access and support of the magazine, Sarah Ayton and Anna Tunnicliffe for so much of their time and Team Alinghi for allowing the most unseaworthy person (our editor) onto their boat to race with them! Hannah White, an adventuring legend in the making, great to spend time with you thank you. To the Springbok team and family for all your time and freedom to spend so much time with you, baie dankie vir alles.

To the Oakland Raiders, Raiderettes and Jeanette, thanks for all your time, input and openness, it was great to spend time with you despite your schedule. Adam for all your knowledge, writing and love of the

The views and opinions expressed by the writers in this magazine are their own and not necessarily those of

Sports International Magazine. © Copyright 2014 Sports International Magazine. All Rights Reserved

January 2015 95


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sports international magazine issue13

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