Championing Lincolnshire
Celebrating the London 2012 Games in Lincolnshire Issue 2 | November 2011
Lincolnshire dancer auditions for London 2012
University of Lincoln student and ballet dancer Laura Dunkerkley will audition to be part of the Opening Ceremony next month
The Torch will light up Lincolnshire
The Torch Relay route has been announced - is it coming to a village near you?
“It’s a dream come true. I feel I’ve been given the perfect role.”
Football mad Gary is one of 70,000 volunteers for the London 2012 Games
and much more inside...
www.championinglincolnshire.co.uk
Communication | Events | Volunteering | Facilities | Increased Participation
Creating a lasting legacy for sport in Lincolnshire www.lincolnshiresports.com
Contents On the Front Cover: 9
11 16
“It’s a dream come true. I feel I’ve been given the perfect role.” Football fan Gary Campbell will be volunteering at the London 2012 Games next summer
The Torch will light up Lincolnshire The route of the Olympic Torch Relay has been announced and Daniel Clark looks at where the flame will travel
Lincolnshire dancer auditions for London 2012 Andrew Ward talks to Laura Dunkerley, a student at the University of Lincoln who will be auditioning for a place in the Opening Ceremony of London 2012 Olympic Games in December
Other Features: 6
12 15 18 22 25
The meaning behind the mascots - a detailed look at London 2012 mascots Wenlock and Mandeville
Profiling the Egyptian Paralympic Team - ahead of their one week Pre-Games Training Camp in Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire businesses have a vital role to play in 2012 a look at how local comapnies are getting involved Three Lady Imps hoping to represent GB in 2012 Interviews with Lincoln Ladies superstars Casey Stoney, Jess Clark and Sophie Bradley
Who said the Olympics were all about sport? A look at Education programmes for children and young people Spotlight on... Paul Palmer
Photographs from top (clockwise): Carres Grammar School, Gary Campbell, Egyptian flag and Laura Denkerley.
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“Adam Adam G Gibb Gibbons ibb Sport Foundation Foundati ion Fund and Lincolnsh hire Sports Lincolnshire Partnership Partners hip strive helping towards hel youngste youngsters ers reach their pote enti in potential a range of o ssports”
Find out more e about the Fund by by visiting: vis http://community.lincolnshire.gov.uk/ http://comm p unity y.lincolnshire.gov g adamgibbonssportsfoundationfund/ adamgibbon g nssportsfoundatio p onfun
PLEASED TO BE SUPPORTING O LINCOLNSHIRE SPORTS SP RTS PARTNERSHIP
AS OUR 2011/12 CHARITY OF THE YEAR
Find out more at www.redimps.com or Tel: 01522 880011
Welcome
Welcome to the second issue of Championing Lincolnshire; an online magazine specifically produced for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and its impact within Lincolnshire.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate students at the University of Lincoln who have produced this high-quality magazine. Between them, they have written articles, chosen the layout and designed the magazine from start to finish. With support from staff at Lincolnshire Sports Partnership and by working together, we have been able to produce this outstanding EMag which I hope you will all enjoy.
As Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Sports Partnership, I have had the pleasure of working with Lincoln Ladies Football Club in recent years and I am delighted at the success some of their top players are enjoying at the moment. Their interviews on Page 19 are very interesting and I wish them all the best for 2012.
Janet Inman Chief Executive Lincolnshire Sports Partnership
In the last issue of Championing Lincolnshire we looked at the Cultural Olympiad and the huge success of events such as SO Festival and Igniting Ambition. This issue, our reporters have looked at the educational programmes enjoyed by children and young people across Lincolnshire - a gentle reminder that the London 2012 Games are about more than just sport.
I am very lucky that next year I will be volunteering at the Games and when reading Gary’s story on Page 9, I was truly inspired and it reminded me of why I applied to be a Games Maker, and why 69,998 others have as well! I encourage you all to ‘Champion Lincolnshire’ over the next 12 months as we countdown to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and I hope that you will all have the opportunity to be actively involved in Olympic-inspired activities throughout the county. I hope that you will read this magazine with excitement and perhaps find a way for you, your friends, family and colleagues to get involved with the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games here in Lincolnshire. Janet Inman Chief Executive Lincolnshire Sports Partnership
FOLLOW Championing Lincolnshire online: www.twitter.com/ lincs2012
www.facebook.com/ lincssports
And don’t forget to keep checking the website for regular updates about the London 2012 Games in Lincolnshire: www.championinglincolnshire.co.uk
This magazine has been produced by Lincolnshire Sports Partnership and the Lincoln School of Journalism at the University of Lincoln.
Contributors include: Stephanie Bolton, Jonathan Hart, Daniel Clark, Ranbir Bhullar, Jamie Tarren, Andrew Ward, Oli Gibbons, Gemma Pass and Daniel Brown.Magazine designed by: Hayley Cook, Jonathan Hart, Daniel Clark, Oli Gibbons and Daniel Brown.
For more information contact Hayley Cook on: Telephone: 01522 585 580 Email: hayley.cook@ llincolnshiresports.co.uk
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The meaning behind the mascots
As the London 2012 Olympics creep ever nearer, you’ll be seeing increasingly more of Wenlock and Mandeville. But do you know who they are and what they represent? Stephanie Bolton explains the meaning behind the mascots.
Do the names Wenlock and Mandeville mean anything to you? If they don’t right now, they certainly will in the next few months, for these are the names of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic mascots. The film ‘Out of the Rainbow’ explains where the oneeyed, futuristic characters came from and how they got their names. The story, written and narrated by Michael Morpurgo, goes that the mascots were made from two pieces of steel leftover from the last girder to be made for the London 2012 Olympic Stadium. The pieces were bought home by a granddad who made them into the two mascots to give to his grandchildren. But when the steel figures of Wenlock and Mandeville were touched by the light of a rainbow, they became the colourful, animated mascots we know them as. You’d be right in thinking that it all sounds very ‘young’, however this is the aim of the London 2012 mascots. Lord Coe, chairman of the London Organising Committee (LOCOG), told the BBC that “a crucial part of the overall ambition is to use these Games to reconnect children
with sport” and they hope to achieve this, at least part, through Wenlock and Mandeville. This could explain why those who aren’t in the younger generation aren’t in favour of the mascots. Amey Fairbrother, a 22-year-old food development executive, is one of them: “I don't really see the point of them,” but, she says if they are aimed at children to get them interested “then I suppose they’re good to encourage participation.” The images of the London 2012 mascots are full of detail, each of which signifies something to do with either London or the Games themselves. The shape of Wenlock’s head, with three points on top, stands for the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals won in each event, and the taxi light on top of its head represents the black taxis of London. The friendship bracelets include the five colours of the Olympic rings, and the camera on the side of Wenlock’s head allows him to record everything that goes on in London 2012! Mandeville’s head design is in the shape of a helmet
Why Wenlock?
Netballers at the Lincolnshire School Games had the chance to meet 2012 Mascots Mandeville and Wenlock in July this year
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Similarly, Wenlock represents the Olympic Games and is named after Much Wenlock, in Shropshire where, as former Olympic swimmer Chris Cook explains, “the modern Olympic Games creator, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, visited. Whilst there, he witnessed the ‘Much Wenlock Games’, which comprised athletics and traditional country sports with a procession of flag bearers, competitors and officials.”
London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic mascots Wenlock (left) and Mandeville (right). Source: London 2012 featuring the three Paralympic colours, and he too has the taxi light on his forehead and a camera. The personal best timer on his wrist allows him to keep track of the performances at the Games. These futuristic designs are coupled with the names of the past in a bid to connect the past Olympic and Paralympic Games to the ones in the future, and, more importantly, to those in 2012. However some people feel that designs are too convoluted. Joyce Robinson, from Washingborough in Lincolnshire, thinks mascots play an important part in encouraging excitement and participation in the Olympics, but she isn’t a fan of Wenlock and Mandeville: “I don’t really know what they are…I’m at a lost to say how they represent the Olympics. If I hadn’t seen them in adverts I wouldn’t know what they represented. I think they should be clearer; I’d like them to be representative of the Games, so when you look at them, whether you’ve seen an advert or not, they would say ‘[Olympic] Games’ to you,” she says. Whether it’s because of his strong ties to the Games, Chris Cook is a great supporter of the mascots: “I think the mascots Wenlock and Mandeville are great. I’ve been to a few events now and I always sneak a picture with them. I can’t help it, they are such a big hit with people! I feel it’s important to understand the meaning behind what they represent.,” he says. And whilst some would like Wenlock and Mandeville to represent London and the Games more clearly, Cook believes it’s important to take the tome to look at them closely: “I always feel when you take the time to look at the meaning behind mascots and the huge culture and
Why Mandeville?
Mandeville, the blue character of the two, represents the Paralympic Games and is named after Stoke Mandeville, the town where the first Paralympic Games took place in 1948. These games were organised by neurosurgeon Sir Ludwig Guttmann, who saw that organised sport could help motivate patients to exercise, and so set up games and activities in the town to help rehabilitate those with spinal chord injuries. education around the Olympic Games, you can begin to understand that the games has a much wider impact on people all over the world. This is why the mascots are such an important part of the games and the true meaning and magic behind the Olympic movement.” Whilst opinions on the mascots may be divided, for the majority of people, the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic mascots encourage participation and interest in a global competition that brings together over 200 countries. Regardless of whether they are aimed at children or not, whether you are a fan of their futuristic look and historic names or would prefer something more ‘obvious’, Mandeville and Wenlock are representing London, the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and, most importantly, us. So find your inner child and get supporting! Find out more about Wenlock and Mandeville at www.london2012.com/mascots.
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Do you want your advert in Championing Lincolnshire? Contact Navaz Sutton at Lincolnshire Sports Partnership to find out how:
Telephone: 01522 585 580 | Email: navaz.sutton@lincolnshiresports.co.uk
www.championinglincolnshire.co.uk
“The chance to be part of the Olympics in your own country won’t come round again” Hundreds of people from Lincolnshire will be taking part in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games next summer as volunteers. Jonathan Hart speaks to football mad Gary who will be travelling North, not South in 2012.
After a rigorous selection process, offers are rapidly being made to sports fans across the county who applied to be London 2012 ’Games Makers’ next year. 250,000 people who applied to soak up the ‘unique’ atmosphere are being whittled down to 70,000,which Lord Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) says are “the difference between a good Games and a great Games.” Those who make the cut will be fulfilling a wide variety of roles, from supporting athletes, checking tickets, helping on the field of play, and maybe even handing Usain Bolt his timesheet after breaking a World Record. Gary Campbell from Heighington, considers himself one of the lucky few. He jumped at the opportunity to apply and believes it’s a opportunity to be involved in a very rare and special atmosphere. “This chance to be part of the Olympics in your own country won’t come round again. It’s something I really want to be a part of.” Candidates have gone through a selection process for both general and specialist roles, and those from Lincolnshire have travelled long distances across Britain to attend selection events, with the nearest being in Coventry and Salford near Manchester. Gary said he started his application over a year ago and had to travel all the way to The ExCel Centre in London to be interviewed in May earlier this year. A shortlist of 100,000 will have been contacted by the end of 2011, as Gary was; and invited to 30 minute interviews. Despite the interview process continuing into next year, several thousand applicants have been contacted and been given a conditional offer of which they have two weeks to respond to. Gary immediately responded when he was offered a role at Hampden Park in Glasgow, where he’ll be helping stage several football matches over the four week period. As a self-confessed football addict with several coaching badge he said; “It’s a dream come true. I feel I’ve been given the perfect role, as being involved with the football
at Hampden was my initial choice.” Hampden Park is one of several major stadiums across the UK, including Wembley and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, which Gary will help at football games at the will be hosting London 2012 Games next summer London 2012 football games. Gary said he was delighted to be located at Hamden Park, after originally thinking he would be based in Coventry for games at the Ricoh Arena. “Finding somewhere to stay won’t be an issue for me as lots of my family live in Glasgow so the ground is right on their doorstep.” As a result, he won’t be faced with the challenges and costs of getting accommodation, which has discouraged many sports fans from Lincolnshire. Affording to have the time of work has been another major issue, which has put off potential applicants. Sam Pidoux said”I would love to have volunteered but unfortunately i just don’t have the time.” Gary, who plays for the current champions in his local Over 35 League said he’s looking forward to seeing what international teams will be based at Hampden Park; “If a team like Brazil or Argentina was based at Hampden, and I got to watch it and be a part of it; that would be the most exciting thing for me” Gary’s family, like many nationwide, were unsuccessful in their plight to buy Olympic or Paralympic tickets, but Gary says the once in a lifetime opportunity he’s got next summer is more than enough to compensate for that.
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Do o you wish you had ha ad MORE MO ORE MONEY M Y to deliver deliv ver sport spo ort in Lincolnshire? Linco olnshire? We e can help Sportiv Sportivate vate is a Sport England Englland initiative to encourage encourage “semi-sporty” “semi-sporty” teenagers and young adults to take part in sport. Lincolnshire Sports Partnership P has £395,000 £395,000 to allocate to ‘Sportivate’ projects proje ects over the e next four years. Sports clu clubs, ubs, schools, commun community nity groups, NGBs, Local Loc cal Authorities, Universities, Univers sities, Y outh clu clubs, ubs, 6th Form and Furt Further ther Educational Colleg Colleges, ges, Leisure facilities and a Youth workplaces workplac es targeting 14 – 25 ye year ear olds can apply for funding.
Downlo Download oad the Funding Application Form m online at www.lincolnshiresports.com www .lincolnshiresports s.com
For deta details ils contact lucy.blakey@lincolnshiresports.co.uk lucy.blake ey@lincolnshiresports s.co.uk or 01522 585 5 580
The dea deadline adline for funding applications a is: Fri Friday iday 19th January 2011 2011
Making its first appearance in Lincolnshire on 27th June, the London 2012 Olympic Torch will arrive in Louth and travel down the East Coast, through Boston and Sleaford, before it finally makes its way to Lincoln for an overnight celebration. The Torch Relay is a significant part of the build up to the London 2012 Games, and hosting the Torch exactly one month before the Opening Ceremony in Stratford on 27th July 2012 is very exciting for everyone in Lincolnshire. Many countries have adopted ways of carrying the torch, from underwater swimming during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch Relay when the torch made its way through the Great Barrier Reef to the Torch being seen at the summit of Everest during the Beijing 2008 Torch Relay. Having the Torch travelling through iconic landmarks during the host country’s relay allows the Olympic Games to become unique to the country and its history. And in Britain the torch will fly by zip wire down the Tyne Bridge that links Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead, ascend up Mount Snowdon in Wales and also travel across the Loch Ness in Scotland. When the torch finally arrives in Lincolnshire it will take a coastal route through and down the county, and it will visit every one of the seven districts across the county. When planning the route, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) said, “The torch will come within 10 miles of 95% of the population”. On Wednesday 27th June the torch will spend a full day in Lincolnshire travelling; through Louth, Mablethorpe, Ingoldmells, Skegness, Boston, Sleaford and Lincoln. The following day the Torch will leave Lincoln via Saxilby and Grantham as it moves on to Nottingham and into the midlands. But, on 3rd and 4th July 2012 the torch will return to the county and travel through Stamford, Market Deeping, Thurlby, Bourne, Spalding, Moulton, Whaplode, Holbeach and Long Sutton. The route that the relay will take through Lincolnshire allows many of the county’s population to witness the
The Torch will travel through all seven Districts in Lincolnshire relay as the celebrations will pass through Lincolnshire’s biggest towns and through the areas of the highest population. Hoping that the weather is nice for these days of the relay, the Torch bearers and supporters will be able to appreciate such a beautiful rural coastline and enjoy many local celebrations that will be hosted throughout the county in the build up to the Games. As well as offering the opportunity for the British public to see the Torch and to begin to feel the build up and excitement of the London 2012 Games, potential Torch bearers across the country will be waiting in anticipation to hear whether they will be selected to carry the Torch for any part of the relay.120 people in Lincolnshire will find out on 6th December 2011 if they will be carrying the Torch. One of (LOCOG’s) main ambitions for the Torch Relay was to inspire younger generation and Lord Sebastian Coe, Chari of LOCOG, said: “50% of the Torchbearers will be between the age of 12 and 24”. 8000 Torch bearers will be chosen in total they will each be represented by one of the 8000 circular holes on the London 2012 Olympic Torch.
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The Egyptian Paralympic Team will train at the Princess Royal Sports Arena in Boston and other venues across the county
Egyptian Paralympic Team will train in Lincolnshire
Next year, the Egyptian Paralympic Team will train in Lincolnshire in preparation for the London 2012 Paralympic Games. They will bring a contingent of 50 athletes who will compete in Sitting Volleyball, Table Tennis, Athletics, and Powerlifting, and will train for one week prior to the Opening Ceremony in August 2012. Ranbir Bhullar profiles the team and rates their chances ahead of the London 2012 Games next summer. In recent Games, the Egyptian Paralympic Team have placed better than their able bodied compatriots. At the 1996 Atlanta Games and 2000 Sydney Games the Paralympic team won 30 medals and 28 medals respectively; In the same games, the Olympic team failed to win any medals at all. At the 2004 Games in Athens, the Egyptian Olympic athletes picked up five medals, and despite being 18 less than their Paralympic counterparts, it was a huge achievement for the Olympic team. Although theParalympic Team won a respectable 12 medals at the most recent Games in Beijing, it turned out to be Egypt's most disappointing Paralympics in recent years. But, they are confident that they will return to winning form at London 2012.
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Athletics
The Egyptian Paralympians traditionally favour the field events, as opposed to those on the track. At the last three Paralympic Games, the Egyptian athletes have won five bronze medals, four silver and two gold with javelin and shot putt looking their strongest disciplines.
Sitting Volleyball
At the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, the Egyptian Men’s Sitting Volleyball team won a Bronze medal. Last year, the team booked their place for London 2012 by winning another Bronze in the World Championships in Oklahoma, USA. Despite having high hopes to reach the final next year, they face stiff competition from other teams with similar hopes of winning gold in 2012.
Andrew Skinner from Lincoln is a member of the Great Britain Sitting Volleyball Team. He said: “The number one team in the world is Iran, number two is Bosnia and number three is Egypt. On top of that, there’s GB, the USA and Russia who have all improved in the past eighteen onths. We will all be looking for a place in the final at London 2012 so it’s going to be a really good tournament.”
Table Tennis
Egypt have shown some form going into London 2012. Earlier this month, they hosted the 2011 ITTF PTT African Championships. Although Nigeria dominated the event, the host nation also enjoyed some considerable success.
Egyptian Paralympic Team Profile
Khaled Ramadan captured the Men's Singles Class 1-3 title, the Men's Singles Class 4 crown went to Sameh Eid, and Hassan Hefny won the Men's Singles Class 5 title. It wasn’t just an event for the men though, as the females also claimed the top prizes in a number of competitions. Fadia Ahmed won the Women's Singles Class 4 competition, and Faiza Mahmoud captured the Women's Singles Class 6 title.
Powerlifting
The Egyptians are expected to excel in Powerlifting with a total of 14 athletes qualifying for the event. They also currently hold a number of World Records in Paralympic Powerlifting. In the men's division, Metwaly Ibrahim Mathna holds the record for the 67.5kg weight class, and Sherif Othman holds the record for the 56kg weight class and in the women's division, Fatma Omar holds the record for the 56kg weight class.
Although countries such as China and Nigeria are expected to challenge Egypt, they will be hoping for success in the sport they have dominated in recent years. Most recently, a team of Egyptian Powerlifters participated in the Khorfakkan Power Lifting Championships in the United Arab Emirates, and proved that they are in very good touch. Taha Abdelmagid lifted 162kg to win the 48kg weight class, and Sherif Othman lifted an impressive 200kg to win the 56kg weight class. The team also won first place in the World Championships in Malaysia last year with a total of eight gold, three silver and four bronze medals.
So, how do Egypt fair up against the other African nations?
Although Africa is not known for its Paralympic prowess, one of only a handful of countries that manages to do the continent proud is Egypt. When it comes to competing in the Paralympic Games, Egypt is one of Africa's most successful countries, but they have some way to go until they can challenge the dominance of South Africa. Paralympians such as Oscar Pistorius and Natalie Du Toit have shown that they can not only consistently beat their peers, but can also compete with their able bodied counterparts in the Olympics. Although Africa lacks the sufficient pedigree to overtake the powerhouse continents of Europe and Asia, it has produced some of the world's best Paralympians. Along with Pistorius and Du Toit, the likes of Kevin Paul of South Africa; Ibrahim Allam, Hany Elbehiry, and Fatima Omar of Egypt, and Nigeria's Eucharia Njideka Iyiazi, Lucy Ogechukwu Ejike, and Adekunle Adesoji have all shown that the talent is there for Africa to succeed.
Name: Egyptian Paralympic Team Number of athletes: 50
Sports they will compete in: Powerlifting, Table Tennis, Athletics and Sitting Volleyball Number of medals at the last three Paralympic Games: 2008 Beijing - 12 2004 Athens - 23 2000 Sydney - 28
Where they team will be training in Lincolnshire: Princess Royal Sports Arena, Boston Human Performance Centre, University of Lincoln Yarborough Leisure Centre, Lincoln The Meridian Leisure Centre, Louth When will they be training: Tuesday 21st August – Tuesday 28th August 2012
Paralympic hopefuls to look out for: Sitting Volleyball team, Taha Abdelmagid, Sherif Othman and Khaled Ramadan
Lincolnshire businesses have a vital role to play in 2012 More than 30 businesses in Lincolnshire have won contracts to be part of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games next year. Jamie Tarren looks at which businesses in Lincolnshire have been offered contracts so far.
Tarmac PreCast, RSJ Steels and Tillers Turf are three of over 30 businesses in Lincolnshire to win contracts
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) who is responsible for the development of the new venues and infrastructure for London 2012, has handed out contracts to small and medium sized businesses across the country, including Lincolnshire. The ODA look at the services and goods available for use and then select a range of businesses from many different areas for one contract. The Olympic Stadium itself employed over 240 contractors, plus many more sub-contractors from all over Great Britain. And to show this on a national scale; steel was bought in from Bolton, concrete terracing units from Taunton and painting services were provided by William Hare Painting of Grantham who will paint around 6,000 tonnes of steelwork bringing colour to the Stadium. By teaming businesses together, the speed of development hasincreased significantly, which in turn has made it likelihood that the Olympic site will
be completed in time for the 2012 Games. The London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) estimates that they will award more than £700m worth of contracts by the start of next year, so the project is very much in full swing. And Lincolnshire businesses will undoubtedly benefit from part of that £700m. Many small and medium sized enterprises from the county have won a prestigious ODA contract and the range of goods and services offered by Lincolnshire firms are truly wide spread; from supplying building materials to painting services. One successful business which holds an ODA contract is Tarmac PreCast in Stamford, which has supplied concrete for the Olympic Stadium. The concrete will be used for the terracing where spectators will sit and cheer on Great Britain’s athletes; a huge accolade for a Lincolnshire company.
It’s not too late to get involved!
RSJ Steels based in Lincoln also won a sub-contract and will supply steel reinforced bars to Evans Concrete based in Somercotes, Derbyshire. Evans Concrete will create the pre-cast concrete for the bridges and parapets at the Olympic Games site. In addition, Tillers Turf Company from Market Rasen supplied Lincolnshire-grown turf for the open green space around the Olympic Park. Over 250 acres of new parklands has been created such as the North Park spectator lawns where this supplied turf is due to be laid. Cathrine Herrick from Lincolnshire County Council said the number of businesses with London 2012 Games contracts will have a positive knock on effect: “Businesses will be able to make new partnerships and build up a better network chain which will have a positive effect on the county and it’s economy.”
Lincolnshire businesses who want to play a role in the build-up to the London 2012 Games can still apply for an ODA contract. Compete For is a service delivered via a partnership between public and private sector organisations, who work closely with LOCOG, and the ODA.It allows businesses access to this London 2012 development opportunity. The initiative is fair, as it allows any business to register their interest and hopefully obtain an ODA contract - which the company can proudly present and prove that they were involved in the London Olympics. For businesses looking to get involved, visit http://www.competefor.com and fill out the online registration form.
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It’s quite scary...how many people all over the world will be watching... but that’s not something I need to concern myself with yet - that will be the easy bit. The hard bit will be getting there in the first place!
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Lincoln student Laura Dunkerly will audition as a ballet dancer for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Pineapple Dance Studios in London next month
Laura’s moment to shine at Olympic Opening Ceremony On 27th July 2012, Great Britain will celebrate the London 2012 Olympic Games with an Olympic Opening Ceremony - 80,000 fans and millions of people across the World watching artists, musicians and athletes...and perhaps a ballet dancer from Lincolnshire. Andrew Ward speaks to Laura Dunkerley who is preparing for her audition for the Olympic Opening Ceremony in London next month.
There is no way to disguise the scale and sheer magnitude of the Olympic Opening Ceremony; 80,000 expectant fans will be crammed into the Olympic Stadium in London to witness the beginning of the Games. But that’s just the tip of the Iceberg; every corner of the globe, from the golden beaches of the Caribbean to the icy plains of Siberia, will have their eyes on London. In fact, a staggering 4 billion people worldwide were estimated to have watched the breathtaking opening ceremony in 2008. And this time, a young girl in Lincolnshire could be right in the thick of the action. 19 year old Laura Dunkerley is not a run of the mill student. Laura is currently studying Biomedical Science at the University of Lincoln and is also contracted to the ‘Dance Elite’ Agency. She faces a constant juggling act between her studies and her favourite past time. Now she has another challenge to concern herself with; on 12th December, Laura will face one the biggest days of her life as she travels to London to audition for the chance to perform in the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics: “I got an e-mail through in the summer where the event organisers said that they were recruiting people,” she explained. “They needed point ballet dancers for the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the Olympics so I put my application through. They go through a process of filtering it out because you’re bound to get people applying who don’t have the sufficient experience and luckily for me they must have been impressed because they sent me back an e-mail and gave me an audition date.” In order to achieve her dream though, Laura knows that the hard work has only just begun. She will be competing for one of only 10,000 places to take part in the ceremony, 5,000 less than were available in Beijing. In order to even stand a chance, she has had to make sacrifices. Laura has been given strict guidelines on how much alcohol she can drink every week in order to allow her body to work at its full potential, and must eat the correct foods. The adopted motto for the 2012 Games is
‘Moment to Shine’; something that Laura hopes to follow. She said: “I’m working really hard, because I really want this. I’m trying to focus on flexibility and stamina based training in particular because they are the key components for a successful female dancer. It’s hard to get motivated sometimes because I will often train long into the night, when everyone else in my flat has gone to bed, but I know that if I don’t put the work in I will not be able to give myself the best chance I possibly can. I wouldn’t forgive myself if I blew this opportunity.”
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If I don’t put the work in I will not be able to give myself the best chance I possibly can. I wouldn’t forgive myself if I blew this opportunity.
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And what an opportunity. The phrase; ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ is often over-used but in this instance its usage is completely justified. On 12th December, at the Pineapple Dance Studios in London, Laura will face her date with destiny. Of course Laura has no way of knowing for sure how things will pan out, but she will be hoping that all paths lead to the bright lights of the Olympic Stadium in June: “It would mean everything to get there. It will be amazing to say, when I’m old, that I was involved in the Olympics. The Games coming to our country is not something that we’re likely to see again in our lifetime so it would be massive for me,” she beamed. “It’s quite a scary thought to think about just how many people all over the world will be watching the ceremony but that’s not something I need to concern myself with yet – that will be the easy bit. The hard part will be getting there in the first place!”
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Three potential Olympians in Lady Imps squad
With Team GB sending football teams to the Olympics for the first time in decades, Oli Gibbons spoke to the Lady Imps who could be aiming for gold next year.
London 2012 marks a key moment for British sport with Team GB entering teams to take part in the football event for the first time in recent memory. However, with the controversies surrounding the Men’s game at the moment, it would appear that the women’s game is going somewhat under the radar. Yet it has been a massive year for English ladies football. Initially, the FA launched the new Women’s Super League, which saw eight teams competing at the highest level this country has ever seen. What’s more, the coverage given to the game has increased dramatically with weekly dedicated shows on television as well as regular live televised games. It’s hard to ignore that it has also been a World Cup year for the ladies as well. Whilst England didn’t bring home the trophy, they put up a hearty and valiant fight all the way to the Quarter Finals where they lost out to France in a familiar English penalty shootout story. But let’s not forget that they were the only team in the tournament to actually defeat eventual winners, Japan. Lincoln has been a big part of both of these events, with Lincoln Ladies Football Club making their debut season in the country’s top-flight division. Their WSL campaign at first appeared humbling, having only picked up five points in the first half of the season. But after the break for the World Cup, they came back with a vengeance. After nine games, including a Semi-Final appearance in the Continental Cup, they massed an impressive six wins, one draw and a colossal 19 points. This run, matched only by league winners Arsenal, propelled the Lady Imps into the top half of the table. Now, moving forwards, the club have a new manager as they prepare for the new season in the New Year. What’s different for the upcoming season though, is that the players will have the prospect of an Olympic appearance to fuel their already burning fires. It is this dream that is harboured by the international contingent of the Lincoln team. Centre-back pairing Casey Stoney and Sophie Bradley, as well as winger Jess Clarke are all very much in England and Team GB Head Coach, Hope Powell’s mind at the moment – a big indicator that they could be competing for gold next year. With this prospect lying firmly at the front of their minds, I spoke to them about their chances, the coach and what players we could expect to see wearing the red, white and blue of Team GB...
With the Olympics less than a year away now, how does it feel knowing that you could be representing your country on what is arguably the largest stage in the world? Casey: “Being able to represent GB will be one of if not the biggest and most honourable experiences of my career. Firstly my ambition is to get selected and I will dedicate the next year in to trying to make that happen. It would be a dream come true”. Jess: “It would be absolutely out of this world! I would feel honoured because it’s such a fantastic event, and to know that there is a possibility that I could be a part of such a massive occasion is unbelievable”. Sophie: “To be a part of the Olympics would be incredible, however it’s no good just me saying that, I have to give myself the best possible chance of getting picked. This means continuing with all of the training programmes and hopefully staying injury free”. Hope Powell has recently been named as the coach for Team GB. With your past knowledge of her and her coaching style, how important is it that she was selected to lead the team into the games? Sophie: “I think it's brilliant for her on a personal level. For her to have the job of running coaching Team GB is brilliant. I'm very pleased for her”. Casey: “Hope being selected as GB manager will be great for the team as she is a great coach. She settles for nothing less than the best and demands very high standards from her players, which will be needed if Team GB are to be successful in next year’s Olympics. She tells us not to be satisfied until we have a gold medal round our necks”. Jess: “Obviously Hope has massive familiarity with big competitions at an international standard and has all the experience in the world. She's a great coach and manager and really knows how to bring out the best in players, so for me I would say it’s massive”.
For now though, the ladies are focused on the domestic level, and bringing further glory to Lincoln, as they approach the pre-season ahead of the new FA Women’s Super League season, which kicks off in the spring.
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Sophie Bradley
Date of Birth: 20-10-89 Position: Centre Half Shirt number: 5 & 6 Favourite Team: Arsenal Favourite Player: David Beckham
Having only appeared 11 times for her country, Sophie is one of the relatively new faces to Hope Powell’s England team. However, this does not mean that she is lacking in experience. Before joining Lincoln Ladies in 2010 she captained former club Leeds to victory in the FA Women’s Premier League Cup. Shortly afterwards, when Leeds’ bid to become a part of the newly formed FA Women’s Super League collapsed, she signed a contract with the Lady Imps. Now she occupies the centre-back position alongside international teammate CaseyStoney, with the two being ever-present in the FAWSL. After the season though, she moved on loan to former team and home town club, Nottingham Forest to play for them in the Women’s Premier League season. Sophie made her international debut in August 2010 during a World Cup qualifier against Austria. Since then, she went on to feature at the 2011 Women’s World Cup, where she was one of the team’s standout players in important games such as the victory against overall winners, Japan. Despite being centrally contracted by England, as well as being employed by Lincoln Ladies, Sophie also works part time in a care home. Reflecting on her decision to move to Lincoln, as well as the season in itself, she recalled being impressed by the professionalism of the club as she looked to help cement the reputation of the Lady Imps on the highest stage. “Last year I really enjoyed playing for Lincoln in their first year in the highest league. Having tried to make things as professional as they could, we trained around five times a week; which for me personally was brilliant! “Having not started the season as we would have liked, the second half of the season definitely showed what we were capable of. Next season I intend on continuing to play for Lincoln and definitely improving on our 4th place finish in the season last year”.
Jess Clarke
Date of Birth: 05-05-89 Position: Right Wing Shirt number: 7 & 11 Favourite Club: Liverpool Favourite Player: David Beckham
Jess has been dubbed one of the most exciting young midfielders in English football, and her reputation is backed up by the progress she has made since making her international debut for England under 17s at the age of 15. Despite being one of the younger members of the England team and only making her debut in 2009, she is already closing in on her 30th international cap. In this time she has scored seven goals, including the winner against New Zealand in the 2011 Fifa Women’s World Cup. Whilst coming through the youth ranks, Jess was playing alongside some of the brightest players of her generation, such as Natasha Dowie and Steph Houghton, who she has now graduated to the senior side alongside. She went on to be a part of the 2008 under 20s European Championships where she earned the nickname the “wizard of dribble”. In August 2010, when Leeds Carnegie Ladies disbanded, Jess made the move to Lincoln Ladies as one of the earliest members of the club’s Women’s Super League revolution. During her first season with the Lady Imps, she was a regular in the side which finished fourth in the league. Goals, creativity and flair were the key components of her game as she at times controlled play, took the game to her opponent and wowed fans with slick movements and fancy footwork. Some of her best performances came towards the tail-end of the season, most notably in the 2-1 victory over Bristol Academy Ladies in the Quarter Final of the Continental Cup. With a place in a Semi Final up for grabs and playing away from home, Jess stood up to be counted as she bagged a brace. The last season was one of change at Lincoln, and with so many new players coming together; it was always going to be hard to start brightly. However, Jess believes a lot of their success is down to the level of team spirit around the squad, which also gives credence to their belief that they can achieve even more next year. “It’s definitely been an experience with a new squad coming together, but I feel we have gelled massively as a team and I feel we have great team spirit which helps on the pitch. We’re a young squad and hopefully we can push on next season and finish higher in the league”.
Casey Stoney
Date of Birth: 13-05-1982 Position: Centre Back Shirt Number: 6 Favourite Club: I don't really support a team but have always followed Arsenal, although I love watching Man United Favourite Footballer: Dennis Bergkamp
After making her debut against France 11 years ago, Casey has risen through the ranks on both a domestic and international level. She has captained Charlton, Chelsea and Lincoln, as well as transitioning between Vice-Captain and Captain of the national side. She is known as one of the senior figures in Hope Powell’s England set-up, and has accumulated over 90 caps for her country. Her time in an England shirt has seen her play in European Championships, as well as two World Cups. During the 2011 Women’s World Cup, she started in all four games as well asconverting a spot-kick in the Quarter-Final defeat to France. After spending the her whole career in London, she finally moved north to Lincoln during 2011 for the inaugural FA Women’s Super League season, in which she lead the team to a fourth place position. She was also was named in last year’s FAWSL team of the season alongside England and Lincoln centre-back partner, Sophie Bradley. Amongst other things, Casey stated that it was down to the level of professionalism, as well as the presence of her fellow England players in the Lincoln team that made up her mind about leaving the capital. She said: “Playing for Lincoln has been a great experience. Training at least five times a week; it is the most professional set up I've been part of in my many years of playing. I also have the best team mates. We have a lot of fun but we also know when it's business, it’s business. “Obviously I spoke to the England players here before signing, and they weren’t by any means trying to force me to join the club but they did enthuse me and it really excited me. They also said that Lincoln is one big family and I wanted to become a part of that”.
Casey is now established as one of the biggest names in English women’s football and looks to further expand her influence at Olympics next year
Who said the Olympics
Every issue, one of our reporters will be looking at what other benefits the London 2012 Games will have f Gemma Pass looks at which educational projects are hoping to inspire children and young people across o
Get Set Network
One of the main aims of hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London was to inspire children and young peo county are signed up to the Get Set Network; the official education programme of the London 2012 Games, which aims to h communicators, learn to work effectively as a team and understand more about the world they live in.
500 days to go celebration Carre’s Grammar School has become heavily involved in the Get Set initiative and to celebrate 500 days until the 2012 Olympic Games, six students at the school teamed up with their head teacher to organise 500 lower school pupils into a human version of the Olympic Rings. The challenge took a lot of preparation as each year group was needed to dress in different colours and an 8.3 metre high scaffolding had to be set up in the playground so that the picture could be taken. Students involved in the initiative included Luke Tupholme, Katy Turner, Lucy Allen-Wright, Gwilym Jenkins, Ben Wilkinson, and Antonio Nurse.
National School Games Competition
Schools across Lincolnshire are getting involved with the Olympic Games by joining in with inter-school games competitions throughout the County. There are a large number of events for pupils to get involved in ranging from athletics to golf and the county final, the Lincolnshire School Games will take place on Wednesday 27th June 2012 which coincides with the Olympic torch arriving in Lincoln. The Games will take place at Yarborough Leisure Centre in Lincoln.
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Young Leaders Programme London 2012 has made a commitment to support 100 young leaders on an intensive personal development programme so that they can play a significant role in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The programme is designed so that disadvantaged young people have the chance to participate in a number of volunteering opportunities that will make a positive change to their lives whilst the games are on and after they have finished. The young leaders from Lincolnshire have already been selected and are currently working on their 18 month training project.
Film Film you mak exp is b clas K You rece prod http
Olympic and Paralympic Photography C Under 16s and Over 16s
Lincolnshire Sports Partnership, Lincolnshire One Venues an liver this one-off photography competition which has been ins seven Olympic and Paralympic values. Amateur photographers are encouraged to submit a sporti spect, Excellence, Friendship, Courage, Determination, Inspiration There will be two categories for two age groups; under 16 There will be fourteen winners from each district (one adult revealed on Saturday 11th February 2012. There will then be revealed on Sunday 12th February 2012, which celebrates 2 celebration event in Lincoln. To request an application form contact Trevor Jones on tre 585 580. Or send your entry to: photography@lincolnshiresp The deadline is Saturday 31st December 2011.
s were all about sport?
for Lincolnshire. This month, our county.
ople throughout the UK. Schools across the elp youngsters become better
m Nation Shorts m Nation Shorts is an initiative to introduce ng people to the skills involved in film king and allow them to learn from the perts how to make a film from scratch. This eing done through workshops, master sses and Q&A sessions across the UK. yle Yallop and Jake Cook from Lincolnshire ung Journalists Academy (LYJA) have ently won best fiction film for their duction called Liar.To watch liar visit: p://www.filmnation.org.uk/watch/film/liar
Competition
nd Ruddocks printers have teamed up to despired by the London 2012 Games and the
ng photograph which represents either Re-
or Equality. years, and over 16 years. t and one junior from each value) which will be e seven overall County winners which will be 200 days until the Paralympic Games, with a
evor.jones@lincolnshiresports.co.uk or 01522 ports.co.uk
The Live and Learn like a Champion programme was officially launched this summer, and is being rolled out to all schools in the county now.
Live and Learn like a Champion
Live and Learn like a Champion is Lincolnshire’s own Olympic and Paralympic strategy which aims to provide opportunities for children and young people iat school in Lincolnshire.
The project is focused around seven key elements (the seven Olympic and Paralympic values): Friendship, Respect, Excellence, Equality, Courage, Determination and Inspiration.
The Live and Learn like a Champion Legacy Log allows children to record their achievements over the next seven months, in the run up to the London 2012 Games. The Legacy Log is being rolled out in all schools across Lincolnshire and aims to encourage children through fun activities such as sport, arts, music, leadership and volunteering. They have the chance to earn Bronze, Silver or Gold Medal certificates at the end of the programme. For more information on all the projects on offer as part of the Live and Learn strategy visit: www.liveand learnnow.com.
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“Working with Lincolnshire Sports Partnership to help promote local champions�
www.scstechsolutions.co.uk
Spotlight on...
Paul Palmer
One of Britain’s most celebrated swimmers, Lincolnshire’s
Every issue, one of our reporters will put the spotlight on a famous Lincolnshire athlete. This month Dan Brown spoke to Lincoln-born Paul Palmer about how he became an Olympic medallist and European champion. If you were to pass Paul Palmer Four years later in 1996 Palmer outside his office in London, you was back on the Olympic stage in probably wouldn’t suspect he’s Atlanta, with his eyes set firmly on one of the finest freestyle a podium place: “It’s a once in a swimmers Britain has produced in four-year opportunity, and if you the last 20 years. As he puts it, blow it you’ve got a long time to the world of finance is more “shirt wait until you can make amends.” Palmer didn’t disappoint, and tie than trackie bottoms.” coming home second in the However, rewind to 1990, and 400m, earning him an Olympic Palmer, from Lincoln, was a silver medal. He recalled: “The young lad ready to make his main feeling having hit the wall impression on the sport. At 15 and realising I’d come away with a years old, he had started medal was more relief than representing England at junior anything. Then there’s the level, going on to win three jubilation.” European titles the following year. Palmer built on that success in At just 17, he was selected to the years that followed, winning a represent Great Britain at the host of medals at European and 1992 Olympic Games in World Championship level. His Barcelona. standout achievements came at Lincoln swimmer Paul represented GB “It was one hell of an the European Championships at three Olympic Games. experience,” recalls Palmer. “I where, in 1997, he won gold in the was still doing A-Levels at that 200m and the 4x200m relay. In point so while most other kids 1999, he added to that collection by winning gold in the were studying for their mocks, I was out representing 400m. Britain at an Olympic Games.” “I think the Olympic silver has got to be the highlight of Palmer’s best result at the Games was 9th in the mycareer. Being champion of Europe is a good buzz, but 200m, a result he was disappointed with, but that the Olympics have a cachet that I think can only be provided the foundation for future success. He said: “I rivalled by the football World Cup in all honesty. I think it was bitterly disappointed in ’92 not to make the final, but is the pinnacle of pretty much any amateur sport, so it was a fantastic experience for me. It was a very good even though it wasn’t quite the number one spot, it’s the way of making me realise how high up the mountain I still one to remember.” had to climb. Palmer’s third and last Olympic Games in Sydney 2000 “It made me 100% determined to make sure that I ended in disappointment. With Australian teenage never had to miss out on a final again.” sensation Ian Thorpe heavily tipped for gold, Palmer was realistic about his ambitions. I was still doing A-Levels so while “I knew that in competing against someone like Thorpe, I was just competing against someone who was better most other kids were studying their than me. I knew that I wasn’t going to win gold, but I still mocks, I was epresenting Britain at an thought I was in good enough shape to get another Olympic Games! medal. That didn’t happen. My best result there was 5th [in the 200m] and that was pretty hard to deal with,
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because between 1992 and 2000 I’d never turned up to a meeting and not got onto the podium. It was an unusual feeling and not one that I particularly enjoyed. “The Olympics themselves in 2000 were phenomenal; the Aussies put on a show that hadn’t been equalled either before or since. But for me it will always be the one that got away.” Palmer retired from swimming soon after that, making a clean break from the sport to pursue his career in finance, saying: “I’m quite happy with watching it on TV!” While he no longer spends his time in the pool, Palmer still maintains an active lifestyle: “I love going out hiking; the Lake District, Cornwall, Peak District, places like that. Although I now live in London I’m not a fan of big cities, I much prefer being outside in the countryside, where the air is clean and you can actually do something reasonably healthy.” With his wealth of experience, Palmer is the perfect person to offer advice to athletes preparing for their first Olympic Games. “If you don’t go with high expectations and ambitions then you’re never going to achieve what you should do. Believe in yourself and believe in what you want to do and anything is achievable.” However, Palmer warns that self-belief is only part of what is required to succeed at Olympic level, and that you must be prepared physically and mentally going into the Games.
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If you don’t go with high expectations and ambitions then you’re never going to achieve what you should do. Believe in yourself and believe in what you want to do and anything is achievable.
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“If you just turn up to the Games and then start to focus on what you’re going to do, then you’ve lost already. “From the age of 11 I used to envisage the Olympic Games, what it meant, picturing my race, so when I was actually there I wasn’t overawed. I see a lot of people that look scared and retreating into themselves at the Games. I think that’s purely because they haven’t spent enough time in the years leading up to it trying to focus mentally. “If you’re serious about the Olympic Games, they don’t start in July next year, they should already have started.” While he is no longer active in the sport, Palmer keeps a close eye on swimming, and believes Britain has what it takes to make a strong impression in the pool next summer. Rebecca Adlington, who won two gold medals in 2008 Games in Beijing, is again expected to be strong, while Palmer is also tipping some of the younger
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members of the team to make an impact. “From a British point of view, the women look strong. Adlington is again somebody that will do well, and I think Hannah Miley and Lizzie Simmonds could both do very well. I’d be surprised if we didn’t come home with three medals from London 2012, which I think is probably the target. If you look at taking that across most sports, we’re looking at a healthy number of medals for Britain.” Palmer believes that improved facilities for swimmers in Britain will help lead to future success. “15 years ago when I was young, swimming facilities in this country certainly weren’t adequate. I think now if you’re a good swimmer, the facilities here and abroad which are funded by the governing body - are adequite. We don’t have the climate that encourages swimming, where as the Americans and Australians abviously do, and that can hold us back, so it’s important to have good facilities in place.” Palmer is enthusiastic about the impact the London 2012 will have on this country, and hopes it will help encourage the next generation to take up sport. “There’s a lot of talk about legacy and I’m fully in agreement. It will be the legacy, the regeneration of those areas, and also the sporting legacy. “I’ve heard that having the Olympics in your own back yard doesn’t actually increase the number of people taking up sport. Well, what inspired me was watching the 1980 and 1984 Olympic Games, seeing athletes like Seb Coe. I can’t fail to see there being some 9 or 10 year-old, like I was, watching the various athletes bringing home medals for Britain and thinking ‘I want to do that’ and being inspired to take up the sport. “For this country, it’s a fantastic show, a fantastic party. For anyone that’s not living in London they should come down for a day anyway just to experience it because it will be great fun, even if you haven’t got a ticket. They’ll have big screens throughout the city to watch it. It will be a fantastic event for Britain and will make people proud to be British. “People talk about the cost, but eventually that will be recouped in various ways. So to me, there are no negatives what-so-ever.”
Championing Lincolnshire has been produced by Lincolnshire Sports Partnership and the Lincoln School of Journalism at the University of Lincoln. For more information, contact Hayley Cook: Telephone: 01522 585 580 Email: hayley.cook@lincolnshiresports.co.uk www.championinglincolnshire.co.uk