SussexSport 10

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The complete guide to sport in Sussex • FREE

Issue 10

Marathon record breakers

and pictures Brighton Marathon Special: report • Sally Gunnell us foc c pi lym ra Pa d an c pi ym Ol : London Calling bion’s local hero • Kuipers Al • y rd Ya ike M w: vie ter In g Bi e Th The Punter • Full A-Z Meet Mr Angry • Andy Stewart •

it ir sp y it n u m m o c h it w e n zi a T he mag


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SussexSport

this is issue ten of Sussex Sport, your FREE magazine available throughout Sussex.

The TEAM Publisher: Alan Prior alan.prior@pinnacle.uk.com Editor: Mike Donovan mike.donovan@sussexsport.co.uk Production Manager: Michael Brooks michael.brooks@afinis.co.uk

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Editorial

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e are proud to have reached our first milestone with this issue – double figures.To celebrate we have added a few 10-related fun items. We hope they add to your reading pleasure. Everyone had a ‘smashing’ time at the third Brighton Marathon with a few record breaking performances, particularly from Kenyan Peter Some. He seems happy enough judging from our report on what is now the city’s biggest sporting event in terms of competitor numbers. Around 10,000 turned up and managed to finish-including our own intrepid Michael Brooks. Well done to him! And I must offer my congratulations to Albion in the Community man Dan Lawson who ran a staggering EIGHT marathons to raise money for his charity’s projects in India. There are ‘did you knows’, incorporating stats and facts to make you smile, running throughout the issue. And there’s Mr Angry, who gets hot under the collar as he shoots from the lip. We are certainly warming to the sporting seasons which begin around now. Take cricket, The Big Interview focusses on county captain Mike Yardy and how he has been battling depression while former county ace Tony Cottey adds a lighter touch in his regular column. Horse racing on the flat begins at Brighton and Northern Racing executive director Phil Bell leads us in. We also give the lowdown on Goodwood, while owner Andy Stewart and The Punter air their views on the sport of kings. Then there is our Olympic and Paralympic Games special, London Calling. Sally Gunnell and swimming stars Gemma Spofforth and Charlotte Woolliscroft continue their exclusive columns. It remains our avowed intention to inform and entertain you regarding what is happening in Sussex as it touches most of our lives. As a community magazine, if you spectate, organise, compete, or coach sport, or just like a decent read, we’ve got something for you. Thanks for reading,

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SUSSEX SUSSEX SUSSEX

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SussexSport

Cotts’ Column The Big Interview: Mike Yardy The Local Hero: Adam El-Abd Life after Tubbs and Bennett Kuipers The Gaffer The Magic of the Cup Mr Angry Brighton Marathon Mini Marvels Tim Hutchings Mike Brooks’ Marathon Account Dave Brayley London Calling: Spofforth Diary Sally Gunnell Exclusive Woolliscroft’s Sights on Rio Steve Scott Brighton Racecourse Flat Out Andy Stewart The Punter Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club Close to the Wind: Sovereign Harbour Class Act: Worth School Richard Lenton Albion in the Community Multi-Marathon Man A-Z of Clubs, Leagues and Sports

Contents

Contents 7 8 12 14 15 17 18 19 22 24 27 28 29 31 32 35 36 38 41 43 45 48 50 53 54 55 57

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SussexSport Comment

FORMER SUSSEX BATSMAN TONY COTTEY CASTS AN AMUSING EYE ON THE SUSSEX SPORT SCENE

mn u ol C ’ otts C T

he Summer has arrived It’s mid March and the Sun is shining. The Sussex squad are netting outdoors before heading off to Dubai for more pre-season practice. Swansea City beat Fulham at Craven Cottage 3-0 on Saturday and on the same day Wales won their third Grand Slam in eight years! On that Friday I confirmed that Sir Vivian Richards will be my guest on Friday May 11th at the PROBIZ County Ground at the “ Where Cricket Meets Sir Viv” Dinner. I thought to myself ‘Life’s all right isn’t it?’ I’m really looking forward to catching up with Viv who was a teammate of mine at

ex Sussex Coach Peter Moores. Our first home game isn’t until Thursday April 26th when we welcome Warwickshire and Sussex old boy Tim Ambrose to the PROBIZ. I was at Matt Prior’s Benefit Lunch and it was great to catch up with both Pete and Tim. It was good to chat about the good old times, especially reliving memories made during the first Championship title back in 2003. It has to be said, that an afternoon spent in Tim’s company finally made me realise it was time to pack in my cricket career at the ripe old age of 38. Tim was about 19 and we both lived under the same roof as Mark Robinson, as we all rented

very close second. His record for Sussex is absolutely incredible. It’s just a pity that he keeps himself to himself and doesn’t like a night out. You can’t have everything!!!!! There are many other squad members chomping at the bit to make 2012 their year. Amjad Khan will be looking to build on a great end to the 2011 campaign and his new ball partner Jimmy Anyon will be firing on all 90mph cylinders again. Monty has taken wickets for fun in Sri Lanka for England (Wales beat them in rugby ) and hopefully we will see a lot of him at Sussex throughout the summer. Ed Joyce has just enjoyed a match-winning knock versus Scotland for his native Ireland (Wales

I don’t think there has been a more charismatic player in World Cricket than Viv and certainly there never has been a cricketer with more swagger Glamorgan for three seasons culminating in both of us running off after clinching the title with an unbeaten 60 partnership at Canterbury back in 1993. I still cherish that memory and I still have it recorded at home. And No, it is not on a Beta Max tape and it is Colour TV!!!! I don’t think there has been a more charismatic player in World Cricket than Viv and certainly there never has been a cricketer with more swagger and self-belief than the great man. It is with that in mind I turn my attention to the forthcoming season. We have some big fixtures coming up right at the start. We had a huge local derby at the Oval v Surrey, followed by a trip to Liverpool against the current holders of the County Championship, Lancashire, coached by our

together in the same house throughout the summer. Tim and I embarked on our weekly shopping at the local ASDA. As we got to the check-out, the girl behind the counter turned to Tim and asked : “Does your Dad want help packing the bags.” No way back from that is there, really? Anyway back to the season ahead. It’s a massive year for Sussex. We were competitive last year without quite getting our hands on some silverware. We gave a lot of our quality homegrown talent some opportunities last season and I’m sure we are going to see some great things from them this year. Murray Goodwin can’t be far off his 40th year but seems to be getting better and better as the years pass. The signing of Mushy must be the greatest signing ever made, but Murray must be a

beat both of them in rugby this year ). Carl Hopkinson our second team coach has just come back from Italy on holiday with his new wife ( we beat them too ) and my other half Lindsay is away in France! We beat ..........!!!! Did I go off on a tangent there? I do apologise, Anyway back to the future. If you want to see a true legend, come to the PROBIZ on Friday May 11th and meet the cricketing Icon that is Viv Richards. Tickets are on sale at Sussex Cricket Club. You can email me at tony.cottey@ sussexcricket.co.uk. But more importantly, please get behind the lads this year in their quest for another pot or two to sit in our trophy cabinet. Cheers, Cotts

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SussexSport The Big Interview

Fighting my way out of depression Mike Yardy is winning his own mind games. By BRUCE TALBOT Pictures by James Boardman

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HAT a difference a year makes. Back in March 2011 Mike Yardy was entitled to contemplate what sort of future he had as a professional cricketer. Twelve months after enjoying the biggest high of his career when he helped England win the Twenty20 World Cup he was heading home early from the 50 overs equivalent in India after finally admitting defeat in his battle with depression, the illness he had been suffering for the previous nine months. He knew then that his treatment would be ongoing. It simply wasn’t a case of ‘pulling himself together’. And that remains the case. He still has difficult days but the difference between now and those agonising weeks in India a year ago, when he would return alone to his hotel room and feel the walls closing in, are that he knows how to deal with them. he says. Writing down his thoughts helps. When Wisden approached him last October to write a piece about his illness for this year’s Almanac he asked me to ‘ghost’ his story. I had spoken to him at length back in June and was happy to produce a sympathetic account of a difficult few months. A few days later he rang me. He had decided to write the piece himself. “Do you mind just checking the grammar and spelling for me?” he asked. I was absolutely delighted. The result is a searingly honest account of his battle with an illness which first took hold in September 2010, just four months after he’d been part of the first England side to win a global cricket event. The subsequent few months, when he was playing both 50 and 20 overs internationals for his country, should

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have been the happiest of his career. Instead, the self-doubt and constant questioning over whether he was good enough to play at the highest level, took over. England coach Andy Flower saw the signs, allowed Yardy to leave the oneday series against Pakistan at the end of that summer early and recommended he talk to sports psychologist Brett Morrissey. He recovered well enough to spend a few enjoyable weeks playing in New Zealand before linking up with the England squad again at the start of 2011 in Australia. “I really started enjoying the experience of playing for England,” he writes in Wisden. “I took the good and bad days for what they were and was looking forward to the World Cup. “However, after a few weeks in India, my mind started to win the battle and negative thoughts took over. I was not playing very well so it had something to grip hold of. I was again battling against myself and rarely considered that I was taking part in a great tournament. “At night I would lie for hours battling with my mind. It became a vicious circle. I was missing my family, I was performing badly and my self-belief was low. The harder I tried I just kept hitting a brick wall. All that thinking time was worse than the sleep deprivation I was also suffering.” Yardy was not the first England cricketer to leave a tour for the sake of his mental health and he is unlikely to be the last. It may seem that the top players enjoy a gilded lifestyle ‘on the road’ – five-star hotels, your every need taken care of, family allowed to join you at the authorities’ expense. But for all the privileges, who wouldn’t miss their family when you are away from home for five out of six months, as Yardy was in the winter of 2010-11? Players don’t share

The

Big

Interview

accommodation these days either. When you are worrying yourself into a state, as Yardy was, about whether you were good enough just to be in this company, a hotel room must feel like the loneliest place in the world. “I needed to be totally honest and know that the article in Wisden came from me,” he said. “And I don’t feel uncomfortable about doing that.” We are talking in the committee room at the County Ground. Outside, Yardy’s Sussex team-mates are enjoying the warmth of some Spring sunshine as they do some catching drills. The new season is three weeks away and the Sussex captain looks and sounds great. “I feel completely different to a year ago,” he said. “It’s perhaps an obvious thing to say but I feel 100% better in terms of myself.” When he came home early to confront his illness it was automatically assumed that his England career was over after 42 one-day and Twenty20 internationals. But England defend their title in the shortest format in Sri Lanka in September and one of Yardy’s personal targets this summer is to rediscover the consistency of performance for Sussex that won him England recognition in the first place back in 2006. “I would never say I didn’t want to play for England again and my ambition is to perform at a level for Sussex on a consistent basis where, everything being equal, I would be good enough to go and do that if they wanted me. That is my challenge.” A winter at home – his first for years – has clearly benefitted him too. Time with his wife Karin and two children has been well spent, he’s even been to Upton Park a few times to watch his beloved West Ham. The Sussex squad – those based


For Yardy that happened in 2005. He had been on the Sussex staff since 2000, having come through the youth system at a time when junior nets used to take place at Arundel and Yardy had to travel across the county from his home in Hastings by train, completing the journey by lugging his cricket coffin from the station up the hill in the shadow of Arundel Castle. A bit-part player until then, he re-modeled himself in the winter of 2004-05, opening his stance at the crease to increase his range of strokes and turning himself from an innocuous seam bowler into a highly effective left-arm spinner. The results were dramatic.

issue 10 |

The Big Interview

at home anyway – reported back last November to prepare for the new season and after several winters away abroad their captain has enjoyed getting to know the younger members of the squad properly. “It’s been good to get around the lads and get to know them more,” he said. “They are the guys who are ultimately going to take the club forward so I have spent the last few months finding out a bit more about what makes them tick. “I think we have a good crop here. They all have talent, it’s whether they have got that something which will allow them to perform well on a consistent basis. It’s about turning that odd game where you produce into something you do on a regular basis over the season which will help you build a career.”

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SussexSport The Big Interview

A

In May LASTAIR 2005 he Hignell scored sat257 in his against power the touring chairBangladeshis by the sea shore at Hove and and finished breathed a prolific in summer the ozone. with more than “Beautiful,” 1,500 first-class he uttered runs. quietly after welcoming At 31, and mehaving into his gone Magical through Kingdom the process (aka Kemp himself, Town, Brighton). what does he tell the younger The former member England of therugby Sussex squad about international, turningGloucestershire potential into consistent cricketer performances? and television and radio broadcaster savours “I hadthe been moment. around Appreciative the likes ofof Murray what hisGoodwin new homeand cityChris has given Adams him, he who believes wereit seasoned helps him performers improve the and quality Iofwanted his existence to be like and that,” increases he said. his life “I was expectancy. batting a lot with Murray at the time Hignell’s and rather beenthan reinvigorated seeing him after as the senior swapping partner “vertical” I wanted Cotwsolds to contribute for “flat” on Brighton equal last terms September. with him. IHe wanted has had to multiple stand onsclerosis, my own two a feet and progressive, that is what incurable the youngsters disease ofhere the have nervous to do. system, Theysince have 1999. to find their own way. The 56-year-old says: “Brighton’s a magical “You can place watch to live. someone Magicallike is the Kevin right Pietersen word. It’s been and decide eye-opening you want .” to bat likeWe him return but ultimately to the bricks you and have mortar to of decide his ’kingdom’. what you’re To a large, about. high-ceilinged You can’t be someone front roomelse.” in a huge flat on the ground floor Yardy of awas converted part ofthree-levelled the most successful mansion occupied team inby Sussex’s the district’s long history, founder winning Thomas Read threeKemp County in the Championships, mid-19th century the (according C&G final to the at Lord’s blue and plaque three on 40 theovers outside titles. wall). And Light when and he airy, succeeded its white walls Adams reflect as captain the rays in of the 2009 winterhe sun. ledDeep, the county expansive to their windows first Twenty20 allow a seasuccess view. Original on a memorable features intact. night Tasteful at Edgbaston paintings and when object he led d’artthe break squad around the outfield for a lap of up the brilliant monotone. honour and the stands reverberated Sussex Sport made to feelhoary at home to the sounds ofisthe county’s old by Higgy’s wifeOld of 31Sussex years, by Jeannie, who anthem ‘Good the Sea.’ makes all a cup Sussex of tea. team these It is us a different Even familyorcat, three-yeardays. Nothe Adams Mushtaq Ahmed. oldNo Gladys, her Jason bit byLewry posing Jamesdoes Kirtley, forRobin photographer James Boardman or Martin-Jenkins, all retired alongside thetomain subject. and difficult replace. But with an A more pleasing environment for anto emerging team Sussex still managed reach interview the one knockout wouldstages struggle of to both find. onestruck by Hignell’s modest dayI’m competitions last year and finish a manner, wit and story-telling, respectable fifthrecall in theinChampionship. Yardy But gradually what is most immersed noticeable himself about him is his outlook life. Heatfocuses on what’s back into his to job and Scarborough last important Augustinhe it. became only the 16th Hebatsman says: “ToinbeSussex’s told when history you’ve tobeen used tohundreds a very healthy, fit,innings active life, score in both of a Championship that you had an incurable, match. progressive, He insists that the current squad is stronger than the one he inherited four years ago because there is good cover in most positions. And there is a touch of class about any side containing the likes of Goodwin, Ed Joyce, Chris Nash, Luke Wright, Monty Panesar and Amjad Khan – all international cricketers in their own right. But the county season is a long haul. Five intense months when days off are cherished and players such as the captain have to deal with the constant switch of emphasis from four-day to one-day cricket.

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isn’t a

debilitating disease was a kick in the stomach. I was absolutely wiped out for a “Challenging while. for honours on wentfronts through all “I three is the process of Yardy. hard,” admits trying to squad create “This medical history it could although and be onedifficult. who will be the really knocked it to one What we cannot do is side. I overworked in and let a performance one overtrained trying to competition roll overprove into I was better than I the next game init,a that different could That’s where we format. will see the benefit of a good beatbecause it. I spentifayou lot of time squad can rest a getting angryfor and few players thefrustrated one-day game becauseweakening my efforts weren’t working. without your chances “I began understanding it, then you can be competitive.going with thewon flow,the accepting help when “We Championship in it 2007 had been difficultlike to ask for13 any. With with something 12 or regulars fantastic support fromisJeannie who said it but I don’t think that realistic wasn’t ‘mine’it was ‘ours’. anymore – everyone has to contribute. “I’ve got an awful tome be thankful “A successful yearlot for is winning for. That’sLast worth concentrating on. Inkiller our a trophy. year we lacked that world we should be saying this country instinct and we need to develop a cutting edge which can finish teams off when we are in a winning position. “We won’t be rated by anyone else. That doesn’t worry me. No one predicted we would win three Championships in four years and to be competitive we have to be on it every day. But if we work hard and allow people to make mistakes as long as they learn from them we will be fine.” And so, it seems, will their captain. “I feel excited about going to cricket which wasn’t the case for a long while,” he smiles. “And it isn’t just cricket. I feel excited about life.”

bad place to live. Our weather can


SussexSport The Big Interview

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SussexSport Football

Local hero wants to play for Egypt MIKE DONOVAN on El-Abd’s love of sporting brothers and father’s homeland

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DAM El-Abd is the middle of three Brighton brothers who share the same attitude when it comes to their sporting careers: they all want more from themselves. For his younger sibling, Sami, now 24, the search for betterment has taken him to the Brighton & Hove Albion youth set-up and Conference football with Crawley. Older brother Joe, 31, has forged a first-class rugby union career with Bristol and now Toulon. Adam himself, 27, has carved a career which this season has seen him knocking on the door of the Premier League with his home-town club. And he aspires to representing Egypt, the land of his father Saied, a former Sussex referee. Adam says: “Sami, Joe and I are close brothers. They are my two best mates.

perspective when he came back last December from a stress foot fracture after seven months out. That forced the local boy onto the sidelines just as the Seagulls - homeless since 1997 following the sale of the Goldstone - moved into their dream stadium at the Amex. El-Abd, player-of-the-year as Albion were promoted last season, says: “Injuries in rugby are much more severe. Joe’s had both of his cruciates done, broken a leg and had both of his shoulders re-constructed. He’s had thousands of stitches in his face. As the No.7 for his team he is the one at the bottom of every scrum. “That’s why I don’t complain about my injuries to him. He’d raise his eyebrows if I whinged about a grass burn or a broken finger nail.” Even so, Adam found being on the

He added: “I’ve been enjoying it. It’s great to be a part of playing for your local club with a new stadium and getting into the top six. It would be another dream to play in the Premier League – that’s part of my wanting more. “Gus (Poyet) is the best manager I’ve ever worked with from the thoroughness of his tactics to his man- management. He is totally honest. He tells you to your face if you have done well or not. The players respect that.” The defender believes the higher his club’s profile the more chance he has of realising his international targets with Egypt. He says: “I’d love to play for Egypt. I’d have a more realistic chance of doing that than playing for England. My dad has brought us all up to be aware of our Egyptian roots. It would be the happiest

I was a nightmare to live with. Like a bear with a sore head. I got snappy. But Jade was fantastic and my daughter is a great comfort. They picked me up. We are always there for each other. “Because we’re similar characters and always want more for ourselves it has enabled us to reach decent levels in sport. “Sami was with Albion from 11 until he was 16 before being injured and missing out on a pro contract. But he carried on and studied at Bath University while playing Conference football. He has spent this season trying to help Whitehawk win the Ryman League and develop a career in community football coaching at City College in Brighton. “Joe has had a good rugby career and carved out a great lifestyle for himself with his wife and two kids down in the south of France.” The injuries sustained by his eldest brother gave Adam a sense of

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outside looking in tough. That’s where his partner Jade and three-year-old daughter Sofia came in along with the Albion physio and medical set-up. He says: “I was a nightmare to live with. Like a bear with a sore head. I got snappy. But Jade was fantastic and my daughter is a great comfort. They picked me up when I came home gutted after learning I had to wait yet another six weeks for the bone to heal. “That’s where the physio and medical staff were great too. They knew what to say to keep my spirits up. They became good friends. I can’t thank them enough during what was a low, frustrating time.” The support group has seen its labours bear fruit with El-Abd impressing during Brighton’s run back into a Championship play-off spot.

day of his life if I was capped.” Don’t expect El-Ab to don Sphinx-like headgear and pose in the shadow of a pyramid to promote his debut if it came to pass. But the dual-national wouldn’t mind his opponents getting Nile ... sorry, nil... when it comes to the game. And the family El-Abd - including mum Cathy - would be proudly looking on.

Did you know? Brighton & Hove Albion’s number 10 is Matt Sparrow?


SussexSport Football

, broken a leg e n o d s te ia c ru c is h “Joe’s had both of ted. That’s c u tr s n o -c re rs e ld shou and had both of his him” to s e ri ju in y m t u o b in a why I don’t compla

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SussexSport Football

Crawley pull two rabbits out of hat Alexander and Clarke prove there is life after Tubbs and Bennett

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rawley turned to experience after losing his two best players and it looks like a shrewd parting gift by Reds boss Steve Evans. Evans, who has taken charge at Rotherham, was loathe to lose them, but the sales of Matt Tubbs for £800,000 and Tyrone Barnett for £1.4m made financial sense for the League Two club. The trouble was Tubbs and Barnett had scored 33 goals when they departed for Bournemouth and Peterborough respectively, their consistent form key to Reds’ promotion challenge in their first season in the Football League and their run to the fifth round of the FA Cup for the second successive year. In the first four games they were without Tubbs or Barnett, Reds predictably struggled, scoring just two goals and picking up two points as they dropped from the automatic promotion positions they had occupied for most of the season into the play-offs. It was then that Evans turned to Gary Alexander (pictured) and, a week later, Leon Clarke and the impact has been just what the manager would have wanted from two players with more than 750 League appearances between them. Alexander scored four goals in his first four games and immediately struck up an understanding with Clarke, who created two goals in his first two games. In the space of a week in March Reds picked up three successive wins to climb within touching distance of the top three with games in hand as the season went into its final month. Evans certainly pulled a rabbit out of the hat when he landed Alexander, who had spearheaded Brentford’s League 1 play-off push with 14 goals this season, including a run of 10 in 11 starts over Christmas. But contract talks with the Bees had broken down as Alexander held out for the security of a two-year deal and when Crawley stepped in with just such an

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offer when his loan spell finishes at the end of the season Alexander was delighted to sign. After 13 years as a pro and with more than 500 games under his belt you wouldn’t have imagined too much would surprise or excite him. But he admitted that he woke up like a kid on Christmas Day when he joined the club. “You get a fresh energy coming to a new club and I definitely felt that on the day I signed,” said Gary. “I heard about Crawley’s interest and at this stage in my career I have got to think about my options. “That’s football. Brentford’s final (oneyear) offer wasn’t right and in terms of my family I have to do what is right for them. So it’s on to Crawley and hopefully I can do well here. “The move felt right both personally and for my career and I am delighted to play a part in getting Crawley get promoted.” Alexander’s good start at Crawley continued a consistent goal-scoring record that began as a trainee at West Ham in 1997 and continued during spells with Exeter, Swindon Town, Hull City, Orient and Millwall before he moved to Griffin Park in 2010. He scored arguably the best goal ever at the ‘new’ Wembley for the Lions in the 2009 play-off final against Scunthorpe – a stunning right-foot volley from wide on the left 35 yards out, but as well as the spectacular he has scored plenty of bread-and-butter goals too – 168 in total in 554 appearances after a penalty helped sink Rotherham 3-0 at the end of March. “Crawley are a club on the up and one a lot of people in football are talking about. From what I’ve seen we have a great chance of being in League 1 next season.” When Clarke arrived at the Broadfield Stadium it was his fourth club of the season. He fell out with Swindon boss Paolo Di

Canio in August and was shipped out to Chesterfield where he scored nine goals in 11 games. That form alerted Championship-chasing Charlton and he joined Chris Powell’s side in January. Clarke struggled to break into the starting line-up but was still involved in their squad on a regular basis and was about to board the team coach for Scunthorpe when he got the call that Crawley wanted him on loan. Clarke said: “The manager was happy for me to come and get games so I jumped at the opportunity. The Gaffer here told me that if I play well I will keep the shirt so hopefully now I can get a run of games. I know quite a few of the lads already which helps when you go to a new club and from what I have seen so far we have a great chance of promotion.” Clarke has made over 250 appearances since starting his career with home-town club Wolves and the early signs are that he and Alexander are forming an understanding as impressive as Tubbs and Barnett.


SussexSport Football

CRAWLEY TOWN AND FORMER ALBION GOALKEEPER ON what it’s like to be back

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e’re entering the last few weeks of the season and it’s great to be back in the Crawley team again. When Scott Shearer, who had been first choice since September, injured his knee against Cheltenham in February the Gaffer Steve Evans took Rene Gilmartin on loan from Watford for a month. In fairness to Rene, he didn’t have too many saves to make in any of the seven games he played but our overall form during that period wasn’t great and I was delighted to back in the team when we played Port Vale in mid-March. At the end of the season, that game might

and I like to think I have always supported them. Scott is fit again and that is great for him and the club at such an important stage of the season. I get on really well with Scott and in the 15 months we have been together at Crawley I like to think the competition for the goalkeeper’s jersey has helped raise the games of both of us. In the past 18 months Steve Evans has done superbly in my opinion and has put together a fantastic squad. In the last couple of months he has had to rebuild because we lost two big players for us in Matt Tubbs and Tyrone Barnett but I think he has done that.

I will enjoy the celebrations like everyone else. Who knows? Both Sussex clubs could get promoted. My old side Brighton have been on a great run since Christmas and they have some big games coming up against teams also in contention for the play-offs. Whatever happens, for the supporters of both teams it promises to be a very exciting end to the season.

Who knows? Both Sussex clubs could get promoted. My old side Brighton have been on a great run since Christmas and they have some big games coming up against teams also in contention for the play-offs have been a big turning point for us. We were behind twice but came back to win 3-2. We followed it with a 1-0 victory over Gillingham and then a 3-0 win against Rotherham. Suddenly we had picked up three wins in a week and are very much back in the hunt for automatic promotion. When you are in the team it is easier.You are playing and enjoying the games but when you are not in the team I believe your own role is even more important. You have to maintain your own standards in training and support the player who is playing in your position. That is something I have always done throughout my career. At all my clubs I can say I have been great friends with all the other goalkeepers I have encountered

We had a run of disappointing results by our standards even though the performances themselves were not that bad, we just couldn’t finish our chances. The management have been trying to bed in some new players like Gary Alexander, Leon Clarke and Billy Clarke but now that has happened we are winning games again. I have had four promotions in my career but I’m certainly not thinking about a fifth when there are still quite a few games to play. That’s not to say I don’t think we have a chance of going up but my focus each week is just on the next game – nothing else. I enjoy our wins and if we keep doing well and manage to get into League 1 then

Did you know? Crawley Town’s Karl Hawley, on loan from Notts County, has played for 10 different clubs throughout his career?

issue 10 |

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SussexSport Football

Tales from the Back End of Football by

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ight, get your Ginseng Tea, grilled broccoli and sunblushed bananas and sit down and shut up. I’ve got some bones to crush. What is it with local councils hiking pitch fees through the roof? Brighton & Hove Council, our Saturday team’s local council have, in their wisdom, just increased council pitch fees by over 40%! Bob bleedin Latchford, it’s an absolute outrage I tell you! You wouldn’t mind if the showers had some hot water, actually any water at all for that matter, instead of the usual freezing cold, piddling dribble running against the wall, as well as the toilets having more than one just sheet of sandpaper passing as bogroll.

that turns out rain or shine every Saturday to kick lumps out of their fellow unprofessionals! But, I’m not going to moan on and on like A*****e W****r does. I’ve got a very simple solution. I want all prem players to give up their huge wedge for one day and distribute this tiny drop in their obscene ocean to all local councils so the players of tomorrow can have a chance to play on the greener fields of England, for brighter tomorrows, upwards and onwards, once more into the fray for Harry and his dog - sorry, getting a bit carried away. But you know what I mean. If all prem players gave one day of salary to make all local facilities better for everyone then we’d see a

Pitch fees going up basically means us humble folk have to stump up more cash each game just to have the privilege of playing in and against dog crap every week Then there’s all the dog s**t on the pitch. And that’s just the oppo. The B&H league has always had a rep for housing some local ‘types’, but coupled with all those loose muts running around dropping their guts like dam busters, you’ve got double trouble. Slip sliding away to oblivion, the league is, I tell you... Pitch fees going up basically means us humble folk have to stump up more cash each game just to have the privilege of playing in and against dog crap every week. There’s no doubt that this political action will put a lot of teams out of business and lead to an outbreak of Gaffer like obesity across the city as no one will be getting a chance to run off their previous night’s over indulgence and thus creating a strain on local NHS resources. This will lead to more money being spent on letting people know how not to get bleedin FAT! Jesus Gil! Sort it arrrrrrt!! This is bad politics and a kick in the teeth for the common hooligan

massive change. People say ‘oh, they’ll just get smashed up’ but I think you’d be surprised. Treat people like animals, they behave like animals... We’re not even asking for much. Some hot water, a full bog roll and an on demand rub down before a game. Too much to ask? What does Dave PR Cameron know about grass roots, in his Ivory Towers and his Old Etonian Wall game? So join me comrades in arms in rising up to find your voice and overturn this massive injustice - if not for me, then for Harry and all the dogs who poop across our local parks!!

Did you know?

The Gaffer

In the last 10 league meetings between Eastbourne Boro and Lewes, Boro have won 5?

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SussexSport Football

Magic of the Cup at the Amex OLIVER BENBOW on how final’s profile is maintained

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he Sussex County FA have announced agreement had once again been reached to host Sussex’s most prestigious footballing competition, the Senior Cup, at Brighton’s American Express Community Stadium. Last year, after much deliberation, the Senior Cup Final was moved from its traditional fixture at Priory Lane, Eastbourne, to become the first game ever at one of the most desirable stadiums in England. The Senior Cup Final took place in a ground that has since hosted the likes of Tottenham and Newcastle, and was won, fittingly, by a Brighton side who have dominated the competition in recent years, overcoming Eastbourne Borough with a 1-0 victory. With all the challenges of the previous season, the decision to stage this year’s final at the Amex was understated, but no less important in ensuring the Senior Cup Final continues to be the most attractive fixture in Sussex football. Sussex County FA chief executive, Ken Benham, said: “The key this season was ensuring we had the financial support to ensure that using the Amex wasn’t just a oneoff. This is a hugely exciting time for the Sussex Senior Cup and we are

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delighted to have secured a number of sponsors for this year’s final. We have also managed to obtain a new longer-term sponsor, in Sussex-based manufacturing firm Parafix.” “Restoring the magic of the Senior Cup is something that has been high on my agenda in recent years. With the final once again being held at Brighton’s state-of-the-art American Express Community Stadium, the Senior Cup is well and truly back on the map and it’s all made possible by partnerships like this.” Reaching the final now brings an added incentive to clubs in the competition. With a 22,500-seater stadium beckoning, the focus of many has shifted back to the cup. Especially those County League sides, whose chances of playing on a big occasion at a stadium worthy of the Premier League, don’t come along too often. Crawley Down are a team who have already proved that the lure of the big time is a fantastic motivator, avenging last season’s semi-final defeat, they beat a lacklustre Eastbourne Borough side, who sit two leagues above them in the Blue Square South. A 1-0 win in March, courtesy of a Luke Blewden header, secured a place in the Senior Cup Final for the first time in their history.

At the time of writing, the Anvils will go on to face either Whitehawk or Brighton & Hove Albion in the final of the Senior Cup, on Saturday the 12th May at 3pm. Ticketing details will be released in due course. Head over to www.SussexFA.com or follow @ SussexCountyFA on Twitter, to keep up to date with all Senior Cup news.


SussexSport Comment

MR ANGRY GETS HOT UNDER THE COLLAR AND SHOOTS FROM THE LIP IN A BRaND NEW COLUMN

thing r e anoth nd A W

e all love sport don’t we? Well, then why do the people who run it come up with such terrible ideas? Brighton & Hove Albion’s Amex Stadium isn’t one, it’s true. Indeed it is superbly and imaginatively designed. But the new Wembley Stadium most certainly is. It needed rebuilding, no argument there. Personally, I think they could easily have incorporated the Twin Towers into the new structure somehow. In fact, I’ll go further, they should have incorporated them. In fact, I’ll go even further, they should have been made to incorporate them! Those two art deco monoliths were truly iconic. Famed around the world as a symbol of

from public view on the way to receive their gongs. Am I alone in wondering why these high-profile architects keep getting commissions? Ego-maniacs creating vast monuments to themselves in the shape of ocean-going liners, gherkins, and shards seem to fool corporations world-wide into thinking that they’ll be old-fashioned and somehow uncompetitive unless their members and employees are sitting inside enormous steel and glass cucumbers which dwarf everything else in the vicinity. And maybe that’s it…is it all about size? There are, are there not, a lot of very average sportsmen and women who have

twixt man and beast. Now let me get this straight…an angler positions him or herself beside a lake stocked with fish specifically for this purpose. Armed with an array of expensive precision equipment, and clad in a dedicated, many-pocketed jerkin, the angler will then enter into a battle of wits with a trout. The angler has prepared for this encounter over many long years of wading, casting and maggot-piercing, while the trout doesn’t even know there is a contest taking place. And frequently, after hours of protracted and intense combat, the trout wins! I think that just about says it all. “Oh, but I always throw them back”…

Norman Foster’s massive arc is hardly iconic, in any other way than by its size… Am I alone in wondering why these high-profile architects keep getting commissions? sporting success. Let’s be honest, Norman Foster’s massive arc (nothing personal) is hardly iconic, in any other way than by its size. Also, why was the corporate seating area positioned right opposite the television gantry? As we all know, the various dignitaries who are magically allocated free seating, rarely turn up for anything. The result is, that whenever a prestigious international is televised, there are great swathes of unoccupied seating directly opposite the cameras, thereby giving the appearance that nobody has attended. That looks so bad, and it was so avoidable. Oh, and what about those stairs that disappear inside the superstructure, so that the various medal winners vanish

had healthy careers based on nothing more than the fact that they were bigboned! And another thing..angling! That’s not a sport. Where’s the sport in killing a fish? People rightfully get very steamed up about hunting, but then they go out and relax on a riverbank and top a few perch. Is there a difference? Not really. Okay, a pike doesn’t look quite as cute as a fox cub, but going round killing living creatures because they’re not pretty is a dangerous precedent. Having said that, it might mean Adrian Chiles starts fearing for his own safety and withdraws from the public eye (Only joking, Ade). I’ve often heard it said that the sport in angling comes from the fervid competition

so you’re not going to eat then? Well, in that case there’s even less point! Having lodged a hook in its lip, half-suffocated it, had it leaping round insanely gasping for breath for a couple of minutes, the poor thing is hurled back into the water. Ah, but what a feeling of superiority, tempered with the benevolence of mercy. Man reigns victorious over the mighty stickleback. Until we meet again, Mr. Angry

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Eastbourne Sports Park

Tennis Courts are available for casual hirers or we can offer a range of coaching sessions from juniors to adults. With 3 indoor courts we offer very competitive rates and have been awarded Beacon status. Basketball Saturday coaching sessions are now taking place for 8 - 14yrs at 12:30 - 2 for £2.50, this is an ideal session to get them into basketball and offers a fun environment to learn new skills Futsal The first and only FUTSAL league in Sussex is held at Eastbourne Sports Park on Thursdays from 7:30 Futsal is the only form of 5 a side that is actually sanctioned by the FA but due to a lack of facilities it has proved difficult to support the game. World class players Like Pele, Messi, Ronaldinho and Fabregas attribute FUTSAL to having helped develop their abilities and talents Athletics Track Active - Saturdays 10-11:30 for 8-12 yrs, £2.50 Fun junior athletics session aimed at beginners, these sessions are an ideal introduction into the world of athletics Eastbourne Rovers - Athletics club based at the Sports Park, they welcome all abilities from 9yrs to vets, it provides a gradual progression in the development of a wide range of skills, including Hurdles, Long jump and Javelin.

Eastbourne Sports Festival 12th -13th May 2012 A day full of exciting new sports for all the family to try all for just a small donation to the NSPCC From athletics to inline hockey we’ve got it all! So come along, try a new sport and raise money for a very important cause www.eastbourne.gov.uk/leisure/sport/council/sports-park/ Eastbourne Sports Park Location Cross Levels Way, Eastbourne, BN21 2UF Tel 01323 649214


SussexSport Community

If it’s good enough for Messi… OLIVER BENBOW on the technique and tactics of Futsal in the county

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ionel Messi, Zinedine Zidane and Pele have something in common with Sussex – a love of Futsal. Messi, Zidane and Pele developed into three of the greatest footballers ever seen, while players competing in the Eastbourne Futsal League have more modest aspirations. The Eastbourne Sports Park regulars merely want to enjoy the game. The League’s second season kicked off last month and Sussex Sport headed over to the Sports Park to take an in depth look at the five-a-side game that’s being touted by many as the future of youth development. At face value, you could be forgiven for mistaking Futsal for traditional five-a-side football. The game is energetic, fast-paced and full of goals. But there is something inherently different about the game that has recently, perhaps belatedly, made its way across the Atlantic. The combination of the differing pitch, ball and laws of the game put an emphasis on players’ technical abilities and tactical thinking, rather than a combination of power, speed and desire that is so often attributed to the best youngsters in English football. Futsal uses a smaller, size-fourweighted ball that gives reduced bounce compared to a traditional one. This lack of bounce, along with marked touchlines, on a court of similar dimensions to a basketball one, encourage players to keep the ball ‘on the deck’, with ball control, precise passing and tactical thinking a must to be a successful team. Players in Futsal are given the opportunity to express these attributes, as persistent ‘negative tactics’ are effectively restrained by two referees, whose duties are to enforce the strict tackling rule and punishment of cumulative fouls. Similar to basketball’s multiplefouls rule, where players are punished by conceding two free throws, those

who commit five or more offensives in a half in Futsal concede a penalty kick. It is the combination of these elements that makes Futsal so desirable to young footballers, much in the same way it attracted the likes of Messi, Zidane and Pele. We took the chance to speak to Adam Wolecki, founder of the Eastbourne Futsal League and team captain of Sporting Thistle, to find out what attracted him to the other ‘beautiful game’. What made you set it up? Well, I met Kevin Tharme from the Sussex County FA when we were in the process of developing our Astroturf. Whilst showing him round our facilities, Kevin noticed our dome would be great for Futsal. After some further discussion with the Sussex FA, we decided to set up a league, applying for Sportivate funding through Active Sussex and were lucky enough to receive a £1,500 grant. This helped towards the cost of the Futsal goals and equipment and we went from there. So what’s the difference between Futsal and traditional five-a-side? Indoor five-a-side would normally have walls, meaning players can just pump the balls off the walls, with a limited amount of control. Futsal however, is around the same size as a netball court and uses touchlines, meaning players have to be a bit smarter with how they use the ball to ensure it doesn’t go out of play in such a tight area. One of the main differences - and something that certainly takes some getting used to is the cumulative-foul rule. There’s far less contact allowed in Futsal, and the referees are strict, which is great as it helps promote people’s skills and understanding of the game. You found it tough going with Sporting Thistle last year? We did, but we were very consistent. We consistently lost every

game we played! The struggle we had last year was that we had four university teams that knew how to play and a Russian team that had experienced Futsal. What are your aims for this year? Well I was hoping to beat a new team, but we’ve played them in our first game this year and lost! So I guess we will have to revise our targets! Maybe picking up a point will be the main goal. But we enjoy it and that’s the main thing! Currently you have six teams playing in the league, but you’re looking for more? Absolutely. We are always looking for new teams and have the facilities to accommodate them. We can have eight teams on a court, so after April we will hopefully have enough to open up the second court and either run a large league running on both courts or two separate smaller leagues. How can new teams get involved? Give us a call at the Eastbourne Sports Park on 01323 649214 or email me at adam.wolecki@eastbourne.gov.uk for more information.

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SussexSport Marathon

Kenya believe it? Brighton celebrates new course records. MICHAEL BUTCHER reports.

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here were new course records to celebrate at the third Brighton Marathon, an IAAF Bronze Label race, as Kenya’s Peter Some lopped over four minutes off the old benchmark with 2:12:01. “I was very happy with the course,” said the 21 year old men’s winner. “But I found it very hilly,there were a lot of undulations. “It is my fourth marathon and second hardest course. The weather was very good, but the wind was too strong. “I would like to come back to Brighton next year. My goal was to break the course record.” Second was Dominic Pius Ondoro, of Kenya, just nine seconds in arrears and with a personal best by over two minutes. “It was a very good course which I enjoyed,” said Pius Ondoro, “but Peter sprinted away from me at 41 kilometres. “It was my best time in my fourth

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marathon, but I want to come back next year when my goal is to win.” Commonwealth champion, John Kelai, also of Kenya, was a detached third in 2:12:43 while the inaugural Brighton champion, Mongolia’s Serod Batochir, also finished inside the old record with 2:13:01. Kelai said: “The course was really hilly and it was windy, but I felt very strong and I was pleased with how it went.” Meanwhile, Belarus’s Sviatlana Kouhan slashed five minutes off the previous women’s best with 2:29:36. Women’s winner, Kouhan, was delighted with her lifetime best: “I really enjoyed the race, it is a great course, the only difficulty was the wind. “At half-way I was together with Irene (Chepkirui), but I managed to get away from her between 14 and 15 miles. “My aim was to dip under 2:30, I have been training at altitude in Kislovodsk and I was feeling really good.” It was an impressive display by the Belarusian who ran almost the whole of the second half of the race on her own. Kenyan Chepkirui crossed the line in 2:33:55, another PB, but was unwell and unable to speak to the press. Third was Britain’s

Holly Rush in 2:41:22, well outside her best. “I am very disappointed with my form,” she said. “I was going to pull out at 11km, I felt unwell, but I decided to carry on, but then my pacer felt bad as well. It was not my day.” The field set off from Preston Park at 9am on a cold sunny morning, perfect conditions for marathon running. The opening mile took in a lap of the park with an early hill included which was partly responsible for the modest 5:30 clocking. But pacemaker, Kenyan Allen Ndiwa, then got down to business, locking on to a metronomic 5min-per-mile rhythm. At ten miles reached in 50:18, it was clear that the record would be history by the time the winner crossed the line in Madeira Drive. At 12 miles all the favourites were in a tight group with Ndiwa shadowed by Some, Kelai, Batochir, Pius Ondoro and Ethiopian Assefa Mezgebu. The leaders went through the half way mark by the Grand Hotel on the sea front in 65:49, at just under 5min mile pace while the women went past in 73:38. At 15 miles reached in 75:34 there was still no break with the five contenders pushing the pacemaker who was struggling to stay in front. One mile later, Ndiwa was dropped as the top five found the pace too slow and forged ahead. Mezegebu was starting to find it tough at 18 miles and became detached while up front Some and Pius Ondoro were trying to get away from Kelai and Batochir. At mile 24 it was down to two as Some and Pius Ondoro finally broke clear from the Commonwealth champion and Mongolian. With just over a mile to go, Some put in his final effort to create the all important gap. All that was left was for him to take the plaudits and break the tape held by former marathon great, Ron Hill.


SussexSport Marathon On the run: Peter Kimeli Some (far right) moves into a winning position. Jubilation: Sviatlana Kouhan celebrates her win. Pictures by The Argus

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SussexSport Marathon

Mini marvels on th

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SussexSport Marathon

he road

Will leads way but misses out on fastest time

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ill Durkin (pictured far left, No.22) of Phoenix was a runaway winner of the senior boys’ race in the Grand Hotel Mini Mile race in the third Brighton Marathon. “I was trying to beat Charlie Grice’s time,” said Durkin, referring to the record holder for the race who is now too old to compete. But on a cold, sunny morning, Durkin was well outside Grice’s record of 4:18 with his 4:25 clocking. “I fell short,” said Durkin, “but when there is no one around you it is difficult.”

Picture by The Argus

He found the conditions tricky as well: “The wind was changeable, one minute there was a headwind and then a tailwind.” There was an exciting finish to the senior girls’ race as Lewes’s Maddy Smith fought tooth and nail with Lauren Bourne to the line. Smith got the decision with both girls given the same time of 5:38. “It was a bit difficult because there was no time to warm up,” said Smith. “But the crowd were great.”

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SussexSport Marathon

Rockin’ up a storm for the kids B

righton Marathon has become a vital fundraising event for Rockinghorse Children’s Charity and the charity had close to 80 runners taking part in the race on 15 April. In previous years, the charity has raised close to £300,000 from the event and this year is hoping to make £50,000. In 2010, Tony Bloom(pictured) – Chairman of Brighton and Hove Albion – ran the inaugural marathon in 3 hours 57 minutes and donated a staggering £150,000 to the charity. The donation enabled Rockinghorse to build a specially adapted and accessible extension at Tudor House Respite Centre in Withdean. The short break service provides a vital resource for both children with learning and physical disabilities, and their families, allowing young people who visit to benefit from specialised equipment and activities that they might not have access to at home. Clare Brunt, Practice Manager at Tudor House, said: “When we initially said we wanted an extension, we never in our wildest dreams thought we could have something of this scale. Rockinghorse said they could help and, with Tony’s support, they turned what seemed like a very far-off dream into a reality.” Talking at the opening of the new room in July last year, Clare described the day that Mr Bloom first visited the respite centre back in 2010, when he chose to run the marathon for Rockinghorse. She said: “Tony was chatting about football with one of the young people, who said that the Seagulls were rubbish and that he liked Liverpool. Fortunately, it didn’t put Tony off!” All money raised in sponsorship will go towards supporting sick children in Sussex, including those being treated at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital and the Trevor Mann Baby Unit. To find out more about Rockinghorse, visit www. rockinghorse.org.uk or call 01273 330044.

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POYET OFFICIAL STARTER Albion football manager Gus Poyet was the Official Starter. After starting duties in Preston Park, Poyet was at the finish line to welcome the elites as they crossed the line before handing out the prizes at the awards ceremony. “Having Gus as Official Starter for our third race in the same season when the local football club has taken giant strides forward, was a real privilege and fitting too as we like to think that our race has enhanced the profile of Brighton and Hove as a city of sporting excellence,” said Race Director, Tim Hutchings. “Every Albion fan – and by extension every city resident - now enjoys a real sense of pride and anticipation. I’m convinced the club will be a Premiership outfit in the not too distant future and Marathon runners identify with this same application and determination that he’s shown. I’m sure they loved seeing him at the start, at the finish and handing out the prizes.” SAUCONY SEMINAR LINE-UP Yet another bumper crop of Olympic, World and Commonwealth medallists were signed up have been signed up for the ever-popular Saucony Seminars which took place on Saturday 14th April in the Auditorium on the first floor of the Brighton Centre. The seminars have become one of the must-see events at the Brighton Marathon Exhibition which this year extended over two days, 13 – 14 April and kick started a weekend of Marathon related activity. A quintet of famous names from track and field answered questions from the general public. MINI-MILE RECORD BREAKER A record-breaking number of 1,948 Brighton schoolchildren entered the

Grand Hotel Mini-Mile, the curtain raiser to the Brighton Marathon. “We were amazed by the response from Brighton and Hove’s schools,” said Holly Freeman, Grounded Events Mini-Mile project manager. “The interest was unprecedented and we smashed all records with this new total. Brighton’s schoolchildren really got behind the race.” In its inaugural year, more than 400 youngsters raced the final mile down Madeira Drive. Last year, that figure tripled.


SussexSport

Marathon

My days with Ovett, Coe and Cram Second EXCLUSIVE Q&A with Brighton Marathon organiser Tim Hutchings What do you remember of your European 5,000m bronze? Can you take us through the whole experience? I was lucky in that the mid-80’s were the era of Cram, Coe and Brighton’s own Steve Ovett - and to be one of the best in Britain meant being one of the best in the world. I had 3:54 miling speed and great cross-country strength, and the previous winter I’d had a more or less injury-free build-up. The championships were in Stuttgart and German audiences are always very knowledgeable so the atmosphere was pretty intense. I had a race plan worked out with Dave Bedford my coach at the time (now Race Director of the London Marathon!) but I “bottled” it and didn’t kick in hard mid-race like I was supposed to; I delayed for two laps and while I led the latter stages, two of the big kickers got past me. But I was totally spent and very nearly chucked-up on live TV in the post-race interview; I couldn’t have given an ounce more.

dominate world class fields easily in a way that I just couldn’t on the track. In the winter of 1983-84 I was living and training in Loughborough and in fantastic shape having done high mileage, loads of weights and circuits and brilliant hill sessions. But I came up against Portugal’s Carlos Lopes in New Jersey and he went on to win the Olympic Marathon a few months later. Five years later in 1989 I had started using altitude training and I went to Norway for the World Champs after a five-week stint in Kenya; again, I was in fantastic shape, but Kenya’s John Ngugi had just won the Olympic 5,000m in Seoul and romped home. I was an isolated second, but I gave absolutely everything. I’d never have beaten Ngugi who was in a different class.

a barrier-breaker. My regret in regard to the final was that I didn’t push the pace harder in the second half to take the sting out of the big finishers. I’d never used altitude at that stage, had been injured in the April and May, and my shoes weren’t great so I started the Olympic final with very stiff and sore calves. I also broke the Olympic Record by nine seconds but ended up out of the medals in fourth! How did you rate yourself as an athlete? Strong but never able to finish as fast I wanted to. If anyone was going to beat me, they’d be hurting when they did it!

How will we fare in the 5,000m in London and why? I think Mo Farah will win gold for How difficult was it to peak for the Great Britain - as he did in the World cross country and track in the same Champs. Home crowd advantage puts year? a real tingle up your spine and it’s They went pretty much hand-in-hand. amazing how much energy adrenalin Cross country racing fitted in with the gives you. It’s good to be nervous and overall requirement of winter training Mo will be; he might look cool, but to build strength and retain speed and inside, he’ll be terrified. It’s how you Ditto regarding the Commonwealth coming out of a winter on to the track. channel that fear, that nervous energy, Games? The key to greatness, assuming you that decides how you do. It was in Edinburgh, again in 1986 have the talent, is avoiding injuries. I and Steve Ovett won when I came have few complaints. What will the Olympics do for this third - this about a month before the country? European Champs. He was in great What of your Olympic experience? In spite of the awful logo, the awful shape but the race suited him - slow The stadium, the village, the fellow mascots, the terrible ticket-allocation build up with a very quick finish. I was competitors, the competition itself? system - I think the Games will be a a month or so shy of being fully fit and It’s so long ago (1984) that I can massive success. London’s a stunning would have preferred it to have been only remember so much, but it was city and this exposure to billions quicker from the gun; but a medal is a great fun. Rubbing shoulders with of people will give a huge boost to medal and it’s nice to have one to take superstars in the lunch queue, making the image of the UK and thus to our home. it through the heats and semi-finals, economy. I hate those who moan about then lining up for the Olympic final in the expenditure, particularly those Ditto World Cross Country silver? front of about 80,000 spectators - you from other parts of the UK; London’s Twice? can’t buy memories like that. The LA sports facilities have been an utter For some reason, my best surface Coliseum was a great venue and it was disgrace for decades and it’s high was the country; I seemed able to the first commercial Games, so a bit of time they were upgraded.

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SussexSport Marathon

Diary of a Marathon finisher Michael Brooks reflects on an amazing day

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hank you to the people of Brighton and Hove,Portslade and Shoreham who turned out in their thousands to support friends and family and also encourage complete strangers like me on our journey to hell and back, giving motivational shouts and sympathetic smiles, and offering refreshments. Thank you for every wave, cheer and every scream of ‘come on you sexy man,’ although admittedly that was mainly in Kemptown. Thanks to all the kids, and adults, who gave me ‘five on the side’ as I stumbled along, especially down the home straight, it did wonders to spur me on. A piece of every medal won yesterday belongs to you all. Thank you to Dan and his friend, looking to finish in 3 hrs 45, who kept me company from miles 2 to 9 before I fell away, helping me gain a vital early lead on the 4 hour pacesetter, and who gave me a great bit of advice which later carried me through the last 3 miles. A massive thank you to whoever shouted ‘shake it out’ as we came down the hill coming back from Ovingdean around mile 10. I don’t know who the shout was directed at or exactly what it meant but decided they were instructing that this was a good time, as the downhill momentum carried us forward relatively effortlessly, to relax leg muscles and ‘shake out’ the tension and stiffness. I employed a sort of side to side wobble run that brought such soothing relief to tightening muscles that I used the technique throughout the race when things got stiff and painful. I am sure I would not have finished the race without this little trick to loosen up and relax. What a piece of luck. Thanks to the runner in the QPR shirt who was tantalisingly just ahead of me for much of the course, inspiring the crowd to shout ‘Go on QPR’ and actual Rangers fans to shout

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‘Come on you Rs!,’ driving me on and who I did manage to catch up briefly around mile 14 so that we could chat about our hopes of Premiership survival. Thanks to the white rabbit, Steve from London, who was thereabouts all through my race, and whose cheers of support from the crowd I fed off too. I don’t know how he did it in that costume but he finished just before me. And thank you to the athletic blonde with golden tanned legs wearing skimpy royal blue shorts that flapped in the wind to reveal a flash of cheek. Your derriere was a welcome distraction for a good 5 miles.Thank you sir.Thank you in fact to all my fellow runners, those with nice arses and those few still working on it, those with smiles and those soldiering on through pain, thank you for your air of positivity and determination that pervaded the day. There were few on that road that could have done it alone, we carried each other. Thanks to Sam at The Jog Shop in Kemptown for his advice on Friday and persuading me to swap my battered Brooks Addiction 6 trainers for a new pair of Addiction 9, you were so right, they were brilliant and I didn’t get a single blister. Thanks to my mum and dad for advice, and painkillers. Thanks to my friends Steffie, Andy, Alex, Fiona and Stephane for their support, and the massive steak dinner afterwards. Sorry, I’m forgetting people. Thank you to all the helpers who dished out water and energy cubes all day long, probably without much thanks at the time. Thanks. Thank you to the pacesetters who ran with flags declaring their projected finish time, especially the 4 hour pacemaker who I hated at the time, glancing back to find him once again on my shoulder as I used every last ounce of my energy

to stay ahead of him for the last 6 murderous miles. I did cross the finish line ahead of Mr. 4 hours and immediately stopped without thinking, it seemed involuntarily. Stewards urged me to move out the way for finishers behind and I found I could barely move. My legs had instantly seized and I nearly fell over. At the pub soon after everyone wanted to know about the darkest moments, and the notorious wall. The words of Marvin the paranoid android from Hitchhikers sprang to mind and I paraphrased them.“The first 5 miles,they were the worst. The next 5 miles, they were the worst too. Then the next 5 miles I didn’t enjoy at all. After that I went into a bit of a decline.” I then announced that this first marathon was also my last. I was retiring at the top, having achieved exactly what I set out to do. Ah, except that wasn’t true I mused as I sipped the head off my third ale. The beer belly I had hoped to leave behind had finished the marathon too, perhaps even a little before I did. Oh yeah, Dan’s advice – “Don’t think about the last 3 miles, just count the number of people you overtake. If you think about the miles they will go on forever.” Distraction, it seems, is the name of the game, whether it is a bum cheek, a smiling face, a high five, the cheer of the crowd or the sound of a samba band. Each mile needs a little something to distract the mind from the pounding street and the miles ahead. My race number was 240. I finished number 2,291 out of 18,000, and somehow I did it in 3 hrs 55 mins. Thank you, each and everyone, for distracting me. Read Michael’s full marathon account at blogofajog.blogspot.com


SussexSport Comment

OUR HARD-HITTING writer speaks up for the sports fans against the administrators

Dave Brayley P

rofessional sport wouldn’t exist without the paying public. It’s as simple as that. Unfortunately, most of the organisations that run sports across the globe sadly forget that salient fact and repeatedly ignore its fans. This fact is borne out completely thanks to a header by Clint Hill in QPR’s Premier League match against Bolton Wanderers in March. As most of you will no doubt now be aware, Hill’s bullet header flew over the line by a yard, before being clawed back by Bolton’s Adam Bogdam. Unlike, it seems, every other critic who apparently screamed “Goal” in real

voice of the owners of the game – the fans – and their continued pleas for goal line technology to be introduced. I’ve yet to meet a fan who isn’t in favour of it. Yet still Blatter, and his sidekick Michel Platini, procrastinate until they find a system that is fool proof. Well I have a message for them, it already exists and even they might have heard of it, it’s called television. Many years ago, a genius worked out that if you found four locations in a cricket stadium that were perfectly in line with the popping crease, you would be able to mount cameras and rule instantly on stumpings and run outs. It’s cricket’s equivalent of goal line

you have your solution. It is as simple as that, assuming FIFA get the correct technical expertise to ensure that the camera angles are set up 100% correctly. Then, to assure the match referee before the game, some testing could be done, holding and bouncing balls over the line for him to be satisfied that a) the camera angles were correct and b) the freeze frame technology was able to confirm whether the ball had crossed the line. Simple. But there is also another reason why FIFA should abandon computer chips and Hawkeye in favour of the TV camera.

I place my blame elsewhere, in fact, at the feet of FIFA’s delaying dictator Sepp Blatter, who has completely ignored the voice of the owners of the game – the fans time, I couldn’t tell if it was over the line or not, such was the pace of Hill’s header. Post -match, Mark Hughes, quite rightly, was furious, and turned his anger, quite wrongly, on the assistant referee, Bob Pollock. Mr Pollock was around 50 yards away, when Hill’s point blank header flew into the void of the goal. I defy anyone standing 50 yards away to be – and this is the important bit folks – 100% certain that the ball had completely crossed the line. Which is why I absolve Mr Pollock completely from any blame. I place my blame elsewhere, in fact, at the feet of FIFA’s delaying dictator Sepp Blatter, who has completely ignored the

technology. The margins examined in cricket require greater magnification than those in football, due to the smaller, faster ball and the additional element of deciding if a millimetre of bat breaks the line of the crease. And do you know what? It always works, and has done for years. Forget chips in the ball, forget cameras on the crossbar, forget Hawkeye, in fact forget everything else, all FIFA need to do is make goalposts the exact width as goal-lines, set up four cameras mounted in the stands, looking right along the goal lines from either side of the pitch, exactly as the one we saw in place at the Reebok Stadium, and

Recall the TV freeze frame you saw of Hill’s “goal” in your mind for a moment which showed the ball was clearly in. Can you imagine if FIFA’s chosen technological solution, for some reason, disallowed the goal, yet there we all were at home, being presented with TV pictures within 10 seconds proving that it clearly was. Complete uproar would ensue. So please Mr Blatter, for once, listen to the paying public who know more about the game than you ever give them credit for. The technology is already here; just allow us to use it.

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SussexSport London 2012

Games countdown

Kids help me be best I can Gemma Spofforth continues her EXCLUSIVE Olympic Diary

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recently spent the day in Atlanta, with some am fully committed to inspiring those children and children from The Atlanta International School in turn inspiring myself to give the best of myself in the morning and about 200 children at one in every race. Try again. of the Mayors Center of Hopes in the afternoon. I LOVED it! I find a great deal of inspiration in each of these children’s questions, I am there to inspire them yet somehow they inspired me. The Center of Hope is a building for children to go after school for tutoring and sports, I got in the pool and swam with some from the ages of 6-16 and they all had something to offer…from the youngest little girl with braids who cried because the water was too cold to the oldest, fastest boy who gave me a good race over a 25m breaststroke. Each child enjoyed the water immensely and it reignited my fire and passion for the water. I am currently in Florida before I go back to England for a week training camp in the Olympic facility and I am so excited for what is to come. This journey ahead of me is stimulating and encouraging and watching the look on those young kids’ faces as the felt inspired by me gives me more determination and drive so I can continue to do those clinics and visits with comfort and passion. It is moments like that, that that keep my spirit alive, it is children like that who aspire to be in my shoes that make me believe in myself. No matter how much I train, no matter how much I win or fail, they still look up to me with awe and wonder, it’s that feeling and the words I share with them of “failure is good, to fail makes you stronger, Read on for Sally Gunnell, Steve makes you learn and you can ALWAYS get up and Scott and Charlotte Woolliscroft try again. Learn from your mistakes and try again.” exclusives. Try again. I have three more competitions between now and the Olympics and with one event to focus on I

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SussexSport

London 2012

Come and watch the Olympians training in your back yard Sally Gunnell continues EXCLUSIVE column leading up to the Games

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hose youngsters might aim for the next one in Rio in four years or the one beyond that. At the very least, I believe London 2012 will encourage them to have a more active and healthy lifestyle. And it is good to know Sussex is playing its part - as it should be. The county has provided loads of training facilities for Olympian and Paralympians and well done to all at East Grinstead Sports and Country Club, Olympos in Burgess Hill, the All England Jumping course at Hickstead, Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre in Horsham, Pavilions in the Park in Horsham, K2 Centre in Crawley, Yellowave Beach Volleyball in Brighton, Devonshire Park in Eastbourne, Bewl Water, Lewes Leisure Centre, Goodwood Estate and the University of Chichester for the part they are playing. The venues provide for a multitude of sports (including swimming, synchro-swimming, archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, cycling, equestrian, fencing, football, gymnastics, trampolining, handball, hockey, judo, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, volleyball, kayaking, canoeing and wrestling). A whole variety of Paralympic sports are also catered for too such as archery, athletics, boccia, equestrian, football, goalball, judo, volleyball, swimming, basketball, fencing, rugby, table tennis and tennis. A few Olympic nations are basing themselves in Sussex with Barbados at Broadbridge Heath, K2 and Crawley Boxing Club. Bahamas are also at the K2 along with Finland’s Paralympians. So the people of this county have an opportunity to see how these athletes go about preparing first hand, to

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witness the blood, sweat and tears and study the methods employed to get mind and body right for their Games. Parents talk about wanting to find a way of inspiring their kids but in order to discover that path they have to commit themselves to certain things. And they can show that commitment by taking their children along to the training venues to see Games athletes. The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity should be grabbed with both hands. As a bonus, the Olympic teams from the Caribbean will further inspire ourcounty’s children by involving themselves in the Sussex School Games - the county’s Olympic and Paralympics combined - at the K2 in July. What a buzz that will be for the youngsters! Active Sussex, who are the link to providing sport for so many in the county, want to make sure the legacy left by London 2012 is to increase the number of participants, coaches and organisers in Sussex sport. The county seems to be doing its best to take advantage of the world’s great sporting extravaganza coming to these shores. There’s been concern expressed about the sedentary ways of our youth and that they are more into computer games than fresh air and exercise. Now youngsters from Brighton, Hastings, Chichester, Crawley, Burgess Hill and beyond can discover a world outside their bedroom games at events and places that will motivate, stimulate and, ultimately, do them the world of good. I’m excited by the role I’ve been given for London 2012 as a British Olympic Association ambassador. I will be responsible for making sure the family and friends of athletes are looked after. I’ll also be taking dignitaries out

and providing hospitality on behalf of companies as well as doing TV work. I’ve got a pretty full diary but I also want to enjoy the Games as a spectacle as much as possible. My husband Jon and I have got tickets for the boxing and the BMX cycling. Our children, Finley, Luca and Marley, will enjoy the bikes. I also hope the BOA will sort us one evening at the track. I want to see as many different sports as possible and enjoy being part of the whole thing as a fan. Security is a massive area when it comes to the Olympics and the whole Village in London has been designed with security in mind. It was the first consideration before any buildings were built. It’s blown me away just what actually goes into organising a Games. The logistics of it are just crazy. It looks to me like they’ve thought of everything and it has been brilliantly organised so far. We’ve got to keep our fingers crossed and trust in what we do and how we do it.

* Sally was talking to Mike Donovan


SussexSport London 2012

ay of w a d n fi to g n ti n a tw “Parents talk abou r that path e v o c is d to r e rd o but in inspiring their kids things� in a rt e c to s e lv e s m it the they have to comm

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SussexSport London 2012

Open-minded The Storrington swimmer Woolliscroft continues her EXCLUSIVE diary

MARCH

I am looking forward to Rio and to competing for Britain in the 2016 Olympic Games in the open water events. I was unable to qualify for London after going in the 800m in the new Olympic pool. I didn’t do my best time but did enough to put myself back in the minds of the selectors who are already looking at the open water event for the 2016 Games. There’s no point in beating myself up about not making London. You have to get back on the horse. If I’d have been planning on quitting it would have been a lot worse. I want to go to the Olympics whether it is London or Rio doesn’t really matter much to me, I just want to be there. I get it that the home Olympics doesn’t come around very often, but just making a Games is what I want to do. I’m willing to put in four years of hard graft to get there. I know I will get there. It is just taking longer than I’d hoped. It would have taken a lot of luck for me to have qualified. My head had been really bad before I changed from the Intensive Training Programme to the international squad last August. But I’m feeling better. I’m growing up and I’ve got a lot of experience now. I know what I want. I’ve been a bit complacent in the past but I’m determined to get the most out of it now – in open water. Open water is where my heart is. I feel in a more natural environment in an event with a different atmosphere and one that produces a different race every time. I didn’t qualify for the World Championships and that put me out of the running to compete at London. But after what happened at the trials I’m back on track. That was a big target for me this year and plenty to aim for. The European Championships are in September, there’s also the World Championships. In two years we have the Commonwealth Games. Then in four years, of course, you have another Olympics. If you are willing to stick it

out that long patience will be rewarded. Most of my British rivals are retiring. Keri-Anne Payne, our only open water swimmer in London, is quitting after the Olympics and is getting married. That leaves things wide open. There’s a lot of opportunity. You’ve just got to get your foot in the door. That’s what I’m hoping to do. I’m enjoying my swimming again with my new coach Richard Blackshaw. The epilepsy I have had is under control with medication. Things are a lot better, a lot more stable. My boyfriend, Dan Coombs, has been wonderful. He is a swimmer who went to the trials too. He was in for the 400m freestyle and improved from last year. He is still hoping to qualify because there are still spots available in his event, unlike mine. We have been helping each other. It has been good to have someone there who is going through it as well. It is just amazing. I look after him and he looks

after me. It works well. We haven’t got much money but we had a lovely break after the trials at a house Dan’s grandma has in Wales. I won’t be going back to the Olympic pool in London to watch the racing first hand. Tickets are hard to get hold of, so I’ll be watching it on TV. It will be good to watch it knowing I’ve swum there and know what it is like behind-the-scenes. It was fantastic to have had the experience of swimming in the pool. It was big and clean and, at the trials, everything ran smoothly. Every pool has a character of its own. It did feel special but it will get more special with age the more you get to know it.

APRIL

Now it is back to training with Richard up at Stockport. I’ve a few open water events lined up with the Europeans the first major goal.

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London 2012

SussexSport

Putting his shirt on selection MIKE DONOVAN meets clay pigeon shooter Steve Scott

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TEVE Scott can’t remember when he last bought himself any new clothes. The Sussex clay-pigeon shooter lives at home with his parents in Battle. He abstains from nights out and any other forms of luxury. And Scott, 27, also relies on cut-price facilities provided by his coach Dan Kerwood, father of another Olympic Games wannabe from Sussex, Charlotte. Every penny he saves – plus whatever he earns as a forester is invested in achieving his one goal in life: winning an Olympic gold medal. That is why he dished out £2,000 to compete in a Games qualifier in Tuscon, Arizona. He knew a decent result could clinch him his place in London 2012 when the Team GB line-up is announced in May. He said: “I’ve sacrificed everything and dedicated myself totally. Every penny possible goes into training, which is pretty pricey. “I can’t afford luxuries such as going out for a drink with friends. I can’t remember the last time I bought new clothes. Everything goes into one pot. It’s what you have to do to be the best if you don’t come from a wealthy background or have backers. “Shooters are looked upon as coming from an upper-class background. Not in my case. “Funding has been cut from outside companies. I’ve got one cartridge sponsor which doesn’t help me moneywise. It’s a struggle to find someone to back you, to help you afford training. “I’m trying to find sponsors as we speak. It’s an expensive sport and not exactly financially rewarding.” Scott is confident he can pip his rivals for the Olympic double-trap berth in the GB team. For a start he has a head start: Olympic experience from Beijing four years ago.

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Scott says: “I went with Charlotte (Kerwood) and we both did pretty well with top-15 finishes. I was 12th and Charlotte was 14th. “It was completely different to taking part in any other event. It is the best competition – and the hardest - because you are competing throughout the year for a place. “Many big competitions have 500 shooters involved, but when it comes to the Olympics it narrows down to 18 or 20 to makes sure it all comes down to the crème de l crème that you are shooting against. “What happened to me in China would definitely help me in London. It would be a big bonus for me. “It would certainly give me an advantage over first-time Olympians because it’s the competition which takes a bit of getting used to. So the more experience you have the better. It’ll make you feel more at home. “The mental preparation has to be so right. Again, the fact I’ve been through that before at an Olympics would be useful. I know what theories and techniques work for me like visualisation. “I wouldn’t be on unfamiliar ground. It wouldn’t be ‘oh my God, oh my God, oh my God’. “Hopefully going through lows would help. I was taken off the world-class programme for nearly a year in 2005. I was a little p****d off but it made me understand I have to forget about anything negative. I can’t keep such things in my head.” Scott’s golden track record in double trap, having been world, European, Commonwealth Games, British and English champion makes him confident and determined. He says “I’ve got gold in all but one of every major competition so I want

to complete the set. That’s why 100 per cent focus is on winning a spot in London. “I’d give all the gold medals I’ve won for an Olympic gold. It’s the ultimate sporting event. Nothing compares to it. That goes for a lot of sports, not just shooting. It’s everything, even the worlds are just a step up to them.” Scott, who attended a subsidised warm-weather training camp in Qatar in the winter, is trying to stay in the present. He says: “I can almost taste the Olympics. But I don’t want to get ahead of myself. It helps that the competition is still so tight. Selection will come down to the wire. “I’m all on track and it is looking good, but nothing is set in stone.” He hopes it will be a Sussex double. Scott says: “It’d be great for the county if we got two to the Olympics as clay pigeon shooters are spread right across the country. “Charlotte is like my favourite sister. We’ve been training with each other since I was 16 or 17. We’ve both pushed each other. “I went over to her dad’s grounds the other day. It is good to have someone local to train with.” Should Scott be picked for London, he would not expect any favours as a host nation athlete. He says: “There’s no training in London for the British clay pigeon shooter. In Beijing, the Chinese allowed guys to train where they wanted. “There’s no home advantage which is silly. You’d think it would be the opposite but that’s the UK for you!” Steve would like to hear from any prospective sponsors via email to steve339@hotmail.co.uk


SussexSport London 2012

I can’t remember the last time I bought new clothes. Everything goes into one pot. It’s what you have to do to be the best if you don’t come from a wealthy background or have backers.

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SussexSport Racing

Brighton flat out PHIL BELL gives SussexSport the low down on the new season

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s I write and the sun beats down on the offices at Brighton Racecourse, one could easily think it’s the middle of summer and flat racing is at full tilt. But that isn’t the case, it’s actually early April and flat racing in Sussex is yet to get underway. But it won’t be long before Brighton and Goodwood kick-off their summer campaigns. This year there are 18 fixtures at Brighton starting on Thursday 26th April and just along the coast at Goodwood, there are 19 meetings kicking off on Saturday 5th May. It’s the 229th year of racing at Brighton and the opening meeting is an evening fixture with admission free of charge (if booked in advance). The first race is at 4.35pm and we are expecting a huge attendance to welcome in the new season. The racecourse is very much part of the community and this meeting will also raise money and awareness for Sussex Crimestoppers. Their patrons, Dame Vera Lynn and best selling crime novelist Peter James, will be among the guests. Sussex Crimestoppers encourages people to anonymously pass on information of criminals or criminal activity on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org Other highlights at Brighton are the three-day festival which runs from Wednesday 8th to Friday 10th August. This includes the ever popular Ladies Day on Thursday 9th August when there will be a prize of £2000 cash for the Best Dressed Lady. Brighton and Hove Albion Race Day is on Thursday 19th July when manager Guy Poyet has promised to bring the first team squad to the course. On Thursday 3rd May, the evening meeting features a live performance from Worthing based Madness tribute band The Los Palmas Six after racing. As I mentioned in my column last month, admission to the majority of race meetings at Brighton is just £10 (for the Grandstand and Paddock Enclosure) if booked in advance. There are full details on the website

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www.brighton-racecourse.co.uk Glorious Goodwood once again supplies the highlight of the racing season at the West Sussex course. The meeting starts on Tuesday 31st July and ends on Saturday 4th August with the Blue Square Stewards Cup. The Sussex Stakes, won last year by Frankel, takes place on Wednesday 1st August. The three Friday evening meetings in June will feature world famous DJs performing after racing. There are more details at www.goodwood.co.uk. In the world of flat racing there is much anticipation as fans look forward to the action about to unfold. The best racehorse in the world, Frankel, has been kept in training by his owner Prince Khalid Abdulla and trainer Sir Henry Cecil. Unbeaten in nine races including a stunning victory in last year’s 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, Frankel has a stud value estimated to be around £100 million. He is expected to start his campaign as a four year old in the Lockinge Stakes over one mile at Newbury in May. A possible tilt at the Breeders Cup at Santa Anita in California has also been rumoured. One of the other major pieces of news in flat racing during the winter was the announcement that jockey Richard Hills will be retiring at the end of the 2012 Dubai World Cup meeting. 49 year old Hills has ridden as retained rider to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum for the last 15 years and will be succeeded in the role by Paul Hanagan, who has been champion jockey for the last two years. The betting for the 2012 flat jockeys championship is wide open with Brighton-born Ryan Moore sharing favouritism with Richard Hughes, Paul Hanagan, Silvestre De Sousa and Kieren Fallon. It looks like one of the most open contests for years. Evening Racing for Free! Thu, 26 April, 2012 First Race: 4.35 pm Last Race: 7.55 pm May Madness Evening Racing! Thu, 3 May, 2012

First Race: 5.05 pm Last Race: 8.10 pm Afternoon Fixture Tue, 22 May, 2012 First Race: 2.30 pm Last Race: 5.30 pm Afternoon Fixture Thu, 31 May, 2012 First Race: 2.00 pm Last Race: 5.15 pm Afternoon Fixture Fri, 1 June, 2012 First Race: 1.50 pm Last Race: 5.15 pm Evening Racing Tue, 12 June, 2012 First Race: 6.00 pm Last Race: 9.00 pm Evening Fixture Tue, 19 June, 2012 First Race: 6.00 pm Last Race: 9.00 pm Summer Afternoon Racing Tue, 26 June, 2012 First Race: 2.15 pm Last Race: 5.15 pm Summer Afternoon Racing Tue, 3 July, 2012 First Race: 2.30 pm Last Race: 5.30 pm Albion Race Day Thu, 19 July, 2012 First Race: 2.10 pm Last Race: 5.10 pm Festival Day 1 - John Smith’s Raceday Wed, 8 August, 2012 First Race: 2.30 pm Last Race: 5.30 pm Festival Day 2 - Frosts Ladies Day Thu, 9 August, 2012 First Race: 2.30 pm Last Race: 5.30 pm Festival Day 3 Fri, 10 August, 2012 First Race: 2.30 pm Last Race: 5.30 pm Summer Afternoon Racing Tue, 21 August, 2012 First Race: 2.30 pm Last Race: 5.30 pm Afternoon Fixture Fri, 7 September, 2012 First Race: 2.20 pm Last Race: 5.20 pm Afternoon Fixture Mon, 17 September, 2012 First Race: 2.10 pm Last Race: 5.10 pm Afternoon Fixture Tue, 9 October, 2012 First Race: 2.30 pm Last Race: 5.30 pm Afternoon Fixture Thu, 18 October, 2012 First Race: 2.10 pm Last Race: 5.10 pm


SussexSport Racing

Operations manager Stuart Dorn on the summer Stuart Dorn, Head of Sales and Operations at Brighton Racecourse, said, “This year promises to be an exciting season! Looking at the bookings and enquiries we are taking already, people seem excited by some of this year’s innovations. “The Free Race Night on 26th April looks to have developed further from a similar theme last year with tickets already being applied for at a fast rate – it is such a great opportunity for people to come and enjoy, some for the first time, a race meeting here at Brighton. “Other commitments include over 75% of our fixtures being available this year for £10 in advance, and our hospitality entry package being reduced by £20 per person. “Our ongoing partnerships with some of the charities, along with some new partners and our involvement in some community projects is all key to part of how we are trying to develop this Racecourse – a venue that has been part of the city since 1783 but we just need to remind people how exciting this venue is and encourage them to visit. “With all of this activity, we hope to see you at Brighton Racecourse this year for a fantastic season of racing.”

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SussexSport

MAY MAD FREE RACENIGHT! EVEN MAY thursday 26 april RACI MADNESS thursda MAY EVENING RACING MADNESS thursday 3 may MAY EVENING MADNESS MAY £ www.bright 10 RACING EVENING MADNESS KEEP IN TOUCH!

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40 | issue 09

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Racing

SussexSport

THE LEADING SUSSEX OWNER WRITES HIS SECOND EXCLUSIVE COLUMN

T R A W E T S Y D N A T

HE fact the Cheltenham Festival had five fatalities caused the debate relating to the sport’s safety to be revived again. We’ve got to get things into persepective. Among those five horses sadly no longer with us is Garde Champetre. A great horse, great servant. He is a horse who wanted to run all day and he had a heart attack. And he was a 12-year-old. I lost Ornais at last year’s Grand National but, as those of you who read my column in the last issue, appreciate, it was also of natural causes. He too had a heart attack. These things happen. We look around and we have the

It might get in the way of horses we want to win the race. They love it My highliight of the jump season has to be Big Buck’s winning the Ladbroke World Hurdle at Cheltenham. It meant he had won 16 races in a row and equalled the record of Sir Ken in the 1950s. The tactics proved to be spot on. He had sprinters like Oscar Whisky and Thousand Stars who could stay so Ruby Walsh kept him handy. It remains ever a privilege to own such a horse. It cheered up Paul Nicholls’ yard, where he is trained. They were all upset Kauto Star didn’t win his third Gold Cup. Going forward, the horse of mine to look out

It is massively unfortunate that the BBC – as a state-owned, tax-payers’ media –will not be covering any of our great races and meetings. Channel 4 has secured a deal which means the Grand National and Royal Ascot will be leaving the BBC for the first time in their history. The firm has also secured the Derby and Oaks. Channel 4 wanted it more than the BBC. They can see the commercial prospects of it. I’m so pleased it has gone to Channel 4. Their team are excellent. It has also meant nothing has been sold to something outside terrestial TV. So horseracing enthusiasts won’t have to pay as they would have had to do if it had been the likes of Attheraces,

I’M a great supporter of Goodwood with Adam Waterworth running it and his predecessor Rod Fabricius remaining a director. The owner Charles March – the Early of March - is a top-class individual. Paralympics in August and you’’ll see people who are actually participatiing in sports who have disabilities. Let’s highlight my son Paul’s situation, who has spinal injuries. He could sit there all day, every day watching the television and probably get as fat as you like. Instead of risking getting a heart attack and dying watching the telly, he wants to participate in sport and has been trying to get into London 2012. Yes, people can say that he has the ability to make that decision and a horse doesn’t. But I tell you one thing, when you see a horse running National Hunt and he unseats a rider out of either incompetence or another reason, how many times does a horse pull itself up or continue what he wants to do and run and jump all the way round to the end of the race? It is the latter.

for is Rocky Creek. He didn’t do terribly well in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham. But he will be a horse to look out for next season. If we keep him going he is going to be a Gold Cup horse. I was rather pleased there was praise on the restrained use of the whip at Cheltenham this year from the head of the Professional Jockeys Association, Paul Struthers. It followed the controversy that has surrounded the changes to the whip rules. My view is they didn’t need changing in the first place. But they kept on doing it the best part of half-a-dozen times and got it to something acceptable. I don’t want to support changes the whole time. But now they’ve been made, why don’t we stop squabbling amongst each other and get on with it.

Racing UK or Sky TV. I applaud that. I’M a great supporter of Goodwood with Adam Waterworth running it and his predecessor Rod Fabricius remaining a director. The owner Charles March – the Early of March - is a top-class individual. A great guy. My family and I love it down there and look forward to this season. It is described as the most beautiful course in the world. As you know I enjoy my National Hunt while Goodwood is for flat racing. So if Charles gets around to putting a few fences and hurdles around I might agree even more wholeheartedly with those who express that opinion. STOP PRESS: Big Buck’s broke Sir Ken’s record with his 17th win at Liverpool. He’s such a wonderful horse.

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KEEP IN TOUCH!

FoNtWell Park GeNeral MaNaGer, Holly Glover,

looks ahead to a busy summer! I’m looking forward to a great summer here. Now it’s started to warm up and the clocks have gone forward, it seems to be descending on us very quickly. With 24 fixtures across 11 months of the year, there is little downtime at Fontwell Park!

Coming up, we have our first music night on Friday 4 may. Funk and soul band, the reel deal, will be performing live after racing and I can’t wait – they’ve performed for david beckham, elton John and hrh Prince of Wales and their vocalists have worked with adele, Plan b and basement Jaxx.

this is the first of four evening meetings this year, including our popular ladies evening on thursday 16 august, which will also have live music after racing – this time from big band ‘bringing down the house’. the best dressed lady competition will of course be continuing in 2012 with some jaw-dropping prizes. We also have some great days for the family to enjoy, including sunday 3 June – the diamond Jubilee raceday. there will be free family entertainment and seven great races, plus we will show the thames Flotilla Pageant on the big screens to celebrate this fantastic day for Great britain. n

WIN a VIP day at the races for four!

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Simply return your entry to fontwell Park racecourse, fontwell, Near arundel,West sussex, BN18 0sX to enter. * Terms and conditions apply. Valid on all 2012 fixtures excluding Boxing Day. For more information please visit our website.

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01243 543335 | info@fontwellpark.co.uk Call us on 01243 543335 or book online at www.fontwellpark.co.uk 1

Racecourse of the Year


Rather Fruity

Racing

SussexSport

Kevin ‘The Punter’ Rogers on the whip, betting methods and more

I

am writing whilst watching Cheltenham and I’ve just backed Sussex trainer Gary Moore’s Fruity O’Rooney which has finished second at 16/1, still I’ve picked up a little as I’ve backed it each way. This has given me two thoughts for this piece. Firstly, even as he went past the post I thought ‘aye aye I think there’s a little holiday coming for you lad’ as the jockey had gone a little overboard with the whip, and indeed the stewards had watched the same race as me - for a change - and I think he got five days. The latest whip rules have divided opinion in racing, between those who know what they are talking about and me. I shall not explain the current rule because it will change eight or nine times by the time this is published, however my position is clear. No matter how strong the argument that some horses need to be ‘encouraged’ to bring out their best, it looks spurious to me and were you to substitute the word child for the word horse would sound like something from Dotheboys Hall. However, the safety argument does have some credence as witnessed when Luke Morris had to administer several ‘stern backhanders’ to prevent his mount careering through the rails on the all-weather. This, though, is an exception to the rule as on many more occasions I have seen horses veer violently after being hit. Racing is a test of a horse and if that test is defined as the horse whose temperament makes it win without beating so be it. Last year’s Grand National is the prime example of why the whip ban should remain. Watched by the biggest TV audience for a British horserace the sight of Ballabriggs being whipped for two furlongs after four miles and 40 fences was unedifying to say the least and how many ‘ casual’ viewers would have been put off going racing after that? The ‘National’ has evolved over the years, the fences are no longer tipped with razorwire, the ring of fire fence has been omitted and the water jump

is no longer filled with molten lava has this made it less of a spectacle? Yes of course it has but it’s the right thing to do. Actually I’m not alone here, the wonderful philosopher Friedrich Nietzche was taken to his sanatorium, where he would spend the rest of his days, after seeing a horse being beaten in the street. The great man embraced the animal and broke down into uncontrolled fits of tears, until he was taken away by the men in white lederhosen. So it’s me and Nietzche against the Racing Establishment, can’t lose. Speaking of the National this is either a tip or slightly interesting factoid, depending on publication date. Junior, currently trading at about 10/1 would be the first horse ever to win a race at Royal Ascot, The Cheltenham Festival and the Aintree Festival - if it doesn’t do it this year save this until next year. As I said I backed Fruity O’Rooney each way at 16/1 and made a few quid. When to back each way is a question which a novice racegoer might be interested in. There are three ways you can bet at the track, if you accept that mobile phones and laptops are creations of the devil and have no place on a racetrack, these are: On Course bookmakers, The Tote and The Betting Shop, the big plus for the betting shop is that it is governed by a rigid set of rules, for example 1-4 runners win only, 5-7 runners 2 places 1/4 of odds, 8-15 runners 3 places at 1/5 odds or 1/4 odds if 12 or more in a handicap. 16 runners plus in handicaps four places at 1/4 odds. You can take a board price if you chose or SP. The plus is you always know what you are getting, the minus is you can do this on the High Street. On Course bookies are not tied to these niceties, they can offer Win Only which means you cannot back e/way at all, or any fraction each way they choose, I’ve seen 1/6 of odds on many occasions and my friend John has seen 1/7 (he is more observant than me). The eternal plus for On Course bookies is that they are part of the

racing experience. The Tote amounts to an extra bed, as you don’t know what you are getting until after the race. The Tote is ‘pool’ betting therefore if there is £100 bet on a single race and £10 is for your horse you will be paid out at 9/1 odds, if £50 is on your horse you will get Evens, add to this that 27% is taken out for running costs, well you do the Maths. The plus is you can back ‘place only’ on the Tote which means in an eight horse race if your horse finishes anywhere in the first three you get paid, however you get no extra for winning. To show a profit for each way betting the odds must pay out above Evens for the place part of the bet e.g. at odds of 5 in an eight horse race paying 1/5 of the odds for a place if your horse finishes second or third you will get your money back, remember each way is 2 bets, one to win and one to place so you double your unit stake. Lastly one of these statements is true 1)Jordan has been made a site of outstanding natural beauty 2) John Terry has won the Noble Peace Prize for outstanding work bringing racial harmony 3)Fontwell has become small racecourse of the year. Congratulations Fontwell, even though the first time I went I thought I’d found my grandad’s long lost allotment, you have genuine charm and an unpretentious inner beauty, this may or may not apply to the others named here.

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SussexSport

Would you like to have somewhere local to take your clients for a round of golf and a meal? We are offering local businesses the chance to link up with us at East Brighton Golf Club in a special

Business Golf Package £1100* For 24 months! It couldn’t be simpler, play up to 8 rounds a month, book your tee times and play! (Terms & Conditions apply)

East Brighton Golf Club is situated in an enviable location only 2 miles from Brighton City Centre yet is a true downland golf course with spectacular coastal views. We pride ourselves in being a friendly and sociable club that extends a warm welcome to our members and guests. We are pleased to offer Business Golf to local businesses, with use of the historic clubhouse, its bars, restaurant together with ample free parking.

Should you wish further details please contact George at East Brighton Golf Club on

01273 604838 Telephone: 01273 604838 E-mail: george@ebgc.co.uk Web: www.ebgc.co.uk

44 | issue 10

(*Excluding vat)


SussexSport Golf

The Ryder Cup figure revealed MIKE DONOVAN puts the focus on Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club heading to its 125th anniversary

E

ver wondered who the figure is on top of the Ryder Cup? It is Abe Mitchell, personal coach in the Thirties to Samuel Ryder, who donated the trophy to an event which has become the biggest team golf international of them all. And Mitchell, rated to have the best record of any Englishman in the Ryder Cup, was a member of Cantelupe Golf Club, the artisans at Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club. Royal Ashdown Forest secretary David Holmes said: “Abe was highly thought of in his time, considered by many the best player not to have won the Open. “Samuel wanted his figure to be on the Cup.” It is just one of the stories that will be included in a club history book being prepared for the RAF’s 125th anniversary next year. Holmes said: “It will be the centre piece of our celebrations. We produced a book in our centenary year in 1988 which wasn’t as comprehensive as it might have been. “One of our members, Colin Strachan, has spent two or three years on putting it together. It is a labour of love but we are extremely grateful to him. “There are plenty of interesting stories in it.” Like the feat of Ashdown Forest ace Alf Padgham (pictured) becoming Open champion at Hoylake in 1936. (Hhe also took part in three Ryder Cups). In the same year as Padgham swept all before him in Liverpool, the legendary Bobby Locke began an association with Royal Ashdown that was to last until his death in 1987 by winning the club’s inaugural Winkley

Smith Challenge Cup competition aged 18. South African Locke went on from that win to triumph in FOUR Opens in the Fifties. In the early years, RAF’s Horace Hutchinson and Freddie G Tait each won the British Amateur titles twice. Hutchinson became the first Englishman to become captain of the Royal and Ancient, while, tragically, Tait died in the Boer War. Jack Rowe, who became coprofessional at the club with Mitchell, claimed the World Matchplay title. Nick Champness, a current member, is aiming for his EIGHTH World One-Armed Golf Society crown this summer. And, still an active member of the ladies section member, Prue Riddiford, has won TEN Sussex Ladies titles dating back to 1953, claiming the same number of county veteran’s crowns. RAF also has an eye on the future. Harry Bayley and Alexander Henderson, both 16, were first and second respectively in the Sussex Order of Merit for under-18s last year. And this month (April) they aim to impress in the Sussex Colts Championship staged by their club. RAF also put on a Faldo Series event. A past winner of the global series is Rory McIlroy, who reached world No.1 this year. Royal Ashdown is members’ club with two 18-hole courses. Its clubhouse was built five years after the foundation and parts of it remain unchanged. The club states: “It is this combination of a golf course that has bred many champions and the charm of its Clubhouse, together with its

small membership, that has resulted in Royal Ashdown retaining its reputation for being one of the premier clubs in the UK.” The Old Course was designed by Harry Colt, who was also responsible for Wentworth, Hoylake, Royal Lytham St Annes and Royal Portrush. It is ranked as one of the top 100 in the British Isles.

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SussexSport Golf

The Old CourseIt has staged Open Championship rRegional qQualifiers, an England v Spain international in 2007, the English Senior lLadies’ aAmateur sStroke pPlay cChampionships in 2009 and, last year, the Ladies’ British Open Amateur Stroke play Championship. The club says of it: “Describing Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club’s Old Course in 1934, Bernard Darwin wrote ‘two salient facts come to mind. It is not quite like any other of my acquaintance, and secondly, I never knew anyone who played on it and was not fond of it’. “Over 75 years later and little has changed. Here is a course designed by nature yet still ranked as one of the top 100 courses in the British Isles. Famous for having no bunkers, its reputation as a true test of golf is undiminished

thanks to uncontrived hazards of heather, narrow fairways, hollows and streams.” The West Course is a contrasting one. As the clubs says: “Few golf clubs can boast of two adjacent 18-hole courses, both over a hundred years old that vary so much in their settings and challenge despite their proximity. “Royal Ashdown’s West Course was first constructed as a nine-hole course in 1889. It was transformed to 18 holes in 1932 in time to host the English Ladies Championship, the same year that the Ladies Golf Club was given Royal status in its own right. “Since then the course has gone through several major developments and today the West Course is open to golfers and societies of all handicaps. Its attraction is that tee time

availability, even at weekends, is rarely a problem and there are a number of attractive promotional green fees on offer. Three and four balls and societies are all welcome even at weekends. “While the Old Course glories in its heathland setting, the West Course is surrounded by lovely woodland albeit with ample heather. A championship course in its own right, today the challenge lies, not in length, but in the demand for accuracy and course management. Golf writer Frank Pennink’s belief that the West Course could equal the repute of the Old, in a different way, is now a reality as more discover its charm and true test of golf. A new two-storey clubhouse opened in 2004.”

The Old Course was designed by Harry Colt, who was also responsible for Wentworth, Hoylake, Royal Lytham St Annes and Royal Portrush. It is ranked as one of the top 100 in the British Isles.

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SussexSport Golf

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SussexSport Sailing

Dedicated to racing all year CLOSE TO THE WIND: Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club

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eginnings? Seeing today’s magnificent clubhouse at Sovereign Harbour it is hard to believe that as recently as 1997 founder members of the club bought a group of portable buildings that they erected and furnished themselves. How it has developed? In 2004, negotiations for a permanent home were successfully concluded and, after obtaining detailed planning permission for a purpose-built facility, SHYC took up occupation of its three-floored building to coincide with hosting the Sussex Regatta in April 2006. The “Flag Room” on the first floor of the clubhouse boasts an air-conditioned bar, large picture windows and extensive sunny balconies on two sides with views over the North Harbour. The top floor of the Club, the Royal Sovereign Suite, also benefits from balcony views, a bar and is a venue for hire. In addition to providing its members with an active social programme of live bands, discos, quiz nights, karaoke and talks of local interest, SHYC plans a calendar of traditional yacht club social events. Ethos? Situated on the water’s edge in the North Harbour of the Premiere Marina in Eastbourne, Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club is dedicated to being an all-year round club with one of the best clubhouses on the south coast. SHYC is an established club with approximately 400 members who pride themselves on extending a warm welcome to visitors arriving by foot, car or boat. Importantly to its members, achieving the right balance of social

48 | issue 10

and water-based activities is a core objective for those that manage SHYC. Each year there is a cruising programme, introducing ports the SHYC fleet has not previously visited. However the emphasis is on enjoyment rather than challenging destinations, thereby enabling as many boats as possible to feel comfortable about each voyage, particularly new boats and skippers that have not cruised before.

annual competitions listed above. Bidding to attract new members and to hear from volunteers to help maintain its day-to-day activities. Membership at SHYC is open to anyone who has a keen interest in water sports, including either sailing, power-boating or diving. You do not have to be a boat owner to join. Social members are welcome as are accompanied children. Open Days being held.

Achievements? An all-year racing programme. It hosts the Sussex Regatta every third year and supports the RNLI Regatta every August, plus other competitons such as the Royal Escape, Cowes Week, Cork Week, Around The Isle of Wight race and various national championships.

Contact? If you are interested in becoming a member, or require details of either cruising, racing, training or hiring facilities please email the club at enquiries@shyc.co.uk or call +44 (0)1323 470 888. Further information and up to the minute news can be found at www.shyc.co.uk

This year? Staging the Sussex Regatta during April, along with competing in the


SussexSport Sailing

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SussexSport Schools

The life of Larry for all CLASS ACT: Worth School

S

porting ethos: In the words of Darren Carrick, Director of Sport: “At Worth we firmly believe that sport for all and the pursuit of excellence can be complementary objectives. We strive for excellence in every sport we put on at the school, but are also committed to finding everyone a competitive or recreative sport to enjoy.”

and Great Britain Students at Sevens, as well as playing for the full England Sevens side.

Formed: 1959 as a boys’ school and girls have been at Worth since 2008.

Tim Hutchings – Athletics. A former middle- and long-distance runner who has represented England and Great Britain.

Number of pupils: 570 Sports played: The major sports offered are: athletics, cricket, football, hockey, netball, rounders, rugby and tennis. Also offered is a wide range of other sports including fencing, golf, basketball, polo, aerobics, cross country running, horse riding, squash, swimming and sailing. Leading old boys and girls in sports and what they are known for: Larry Achike – Athletics. Olympic triple jumper who achieved his personal best at the 2000 Games in Sydney when he jumped 17.30 metres. Asked about his fondest memory of Worth, Larry says:”I have quite a few – but perhaps one of the most memorable was at the Sussex Rugby Sevens when Worth As played Worth Bs in the final. No school had ever achieved that then.” Tom Mitchell – Rugby. Tom was one of the stars of the show for Oxford University as they won the 130th Varsity Match at Twickenham Stadium in December. Tom is reading for a PGC in Historical Studies at Oxford having already earned a BA in English and Philosophy at Bristol University. He has captained England Students at rugby and also represented England

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Tom Symonds – Racing. Horse trainer with his own race yard in Herefordshire. Nick Walshe – Rugby. Nick plays scrum-half for Bedford Blues and has played for England.

Leading current boys and girls in sports: and their achievements. Tom Cummins – Currently 18 years old, Tom has represented Sussex at rugby and cricket and won the Daily Telegraph Sports Matters award for averaging over 100 for his county. Currently on the Sussex Academy books and is hoping to go to an MCC university and become a professional cricketer. Jessica Cook – Athletics. Selected for the ‘Promising Athlete’ Coaching Programme as a sprinter by Sussex Athletics. Nikki Chaudhuri – Cricket. Selected for the Sussex U15 Girls’ Cricket squad for 2012. Luke Cummins – Cricket and Rugby. A current Sussex rugby player for U15 XI and has been a country cricketer in his age group for six years. Camilla Plumb – Fencing. Won the Sussex County Girls’ Under 14 Foil in November 2011. Madeleine Man – Golf. won the English Women’s Gold Association South Region Girls’ U15 Championship in Southampton last summer (2011). George Ounstead – Golf. Selected for the Sussex U13 golf team. Molly Cummins – Netball. Selected to play for the Sussex ‘Scarlets’ Phoenix netball team in the South East Regional Championships. Georgia Addison – Polo. Her team

came third in Division One in the National Championships. Toby Addison – Polo. Toby won the Rupert Thorneloe Trophy for most promising UK 10 year old in 2010, as a result of which he was invited to Argentina last February as part of the HPA Young England development squad. Federica Williamson – Swimming. Federica is the Sussex County Junior and Senior 100m breastroke record holder and a member of the England national development squad. She won four gold medals at the World Catholic School Games held in Lisbon last July and was nominated for Sussex Young Sports Person of the year. Oliver Carter – Rugby. As well as captaining Worth’s U14A Rugby XV which has just enjoyed an unbeaten season, Oliver also plays for Heathfield RFC. Honours board: Teams and their achievements The Under 14A Rugby XV’s have had an unbeaten season. They played and won 11 matches, accumulating a total of 540, which is an average of 49 points a game while conceding only 95 points. They won the Sussex Sevens. In the Sussex Cup, Worth U15 XV made the final. In last season’s rugby, the U15s qualified for the Sussex Cup finals in both the regular game and in the Sevens. The U18 XV put in a fantastic performance to reach the semi-finals. Facilities: Worth facilities include extensive playing fields, a large modern sports hall, a floodlit Astro Turf area, squash courts, tennis courts, an eight hole golf course, a fencing salle, a dance studio and a fitness suite. The school also make use of the eight-lane athletics facility and gymnastics facility at the nearby state-of-the-art sports centre, and have access to two excellent swimming pools within easy reach of the school.


SussexSport

issue 10 |

Schools

Future: A Worth education is intended to help young people find their vocation in life and the school and monastic community will support them wholeheartedly in their chosen path. Sport has an important role to play in that vision, not only in terms of physical ability but also in building confidence, learning how to acquire skills, becoming a team player, learning discipline and excellent conduct in pressured situations. Over the last two years, Worth has invested in specialist sports staff with a Rugby Development Officer and a Head of Girls’ Games recruited to newly-created positions. There is a varied programme of fixtures and events which included a football tour to Valencia before Christmas and the school regularly hosts inter-school competitions. The Astro Turf pitch opened in September last year and has been a significant benefit to winter training. While maintaining strength in those areas where the schools has traditionally excelled, it is encouraged with the enthusiastic take up and initial successes of our girls’ teams and look forward to seeing them go from strength to strength. When the Junior girls won the Inter-Prep Schools’ Cross Country Championships last year, it felt like a promising sign of what is to come.

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SussexSport Comment

CB FRY AND MUSING ON USAIN BOLT FOR A GAME OF CRIBBAGE

N O T N E L D R A RICH

H

e may not have been the greatest cricketer to have donned the whites of Sussex CCC and England but the legendary C.B Fry’s status as the nation’s finest ever all-round sportsman is surely unrivalled. And when I say ‘all-round sportsman’, I’m not talking about Ian Botham bashing the Aussies in the summer of 1981 before strapping on the boots for Scunthorpe United during the grim winter months when the smell of leather on willow had given way to the scent of de-icer on glass. No, in comparison to C.B, Botham’s sporting

one sporting discipline. Before we go any further, I think it’s important to highlight my own stellar all-round sporting pedigree. Back in the mid-90s, my first post-university job was to manage a pub in Worcester, where I was co-opted onto the darts, dominoes, fives-and-threes, pool and cribbage teams, despite being a good 30 years younger than any of my teammates. Darts was my pub sport forte, until one league clash when my wits were pitted against a teak-tough scaffolder. After confidently stepping up to take

Sussex League, and had an inkling that a pacy, left-sided player could be the perfect addition to our ageing squad. “How do you fancy a game tomorrow?” I asked. “Yeah, man. I’m in the UK for a few more days and I ain’t got nothing on. I’ll show you!” We began discussing tactics - the absurdity of the situation now totally lost on me. Reality bit as Usain’s mother sidled over to us. “I heard that,” she said, in a stern Jamaican accent so strong it made Bob Marley sound like Prince William. “My

After confidently stepping up to take out double 18 for the match, my arm suddenly started trembling like a jelly in an earthquake prowess was, er, small fry. Fry’s athletic repertoire extended to being capped by his country and reaching an FA Cup Final with Southampton at football, turning out for the mighty Barbarians at rugby union, and breaking the world record for the long jump - an event he didn’t even bother training for. On a warm summer’s day in 1893 he leapt to a then stunning distance of seven metres and 17 centimetres. Three years later, with Fry away on England cricket duty, the American Ellery Clark claimed Olympic long jump gold with a winning mark a full metre shy of Fry’s world record. With the Olympics approaching, I began to wonder if it was possible, in the modern era, to succeed in more than

out double 18 for the match, my arm suddenly started trembling like a jelly. My first ‘arrer’ lodged itself in the wall, and the next two had the scorer ducking for cover. My darts career was over, Where was I? Oh yes, all-rounders. Last year I had the pleasure of spending time with the fastest man on earth, Usain Bolt; a man so cocksure of his sporting prowess that he’s convinced he can break into the Manchester United first team once he hangs up his running spikes. Sensing my scepticism, he added: “I’m telling you, man, how can I prove it to you?” Just then I had an idea. The following day I was playing for my local Saturday side, Old Varndeanians FC, in the Mid

son is a multi-million dollar athlete. He is NOT playing football with you.” Usain bowed his head like a chastised child who’d just been caught bunking off school. My dream of lining up next to the world-record-breaking sprinter on a remote football pitch in Falmer had been dashed. “Cribbage, Usain?”

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SussexSport Community

Seagulls tackle rising youth unemployment JOSH ATKINS reveals how AITC is breaking ground

A

LBION In The Community has teamed up with local businesses to create a ground-breaking initiative; Want to Work. With youth unemployment a national issue, the programme aims to create opportunities for employment seekers of all ages. Partnered by American Express and brightonandhovejobs.com and fully supported by The Argus, Want to Work’s objective is to unite organisations – under the banner of Albion in the Community – from the public, private and volunteer sectors in order to help unemployed people that have appropriate training and give them both short and long-term work placements suited to their skills and aspirations. American Express’ Vice President for UK Merchant Services, Mark Roper, explained how American Express provided the initial funding for the programme. “The donation was raised by American Express team members when they visited over 2,000 businesses in Brighton and Hove over two days in July to ask them to show their support for the club and raise money for AITC by displaying a specially-designed American Express welcome sticker in their window. For every sticker displayed, American Express donated £20. With the support of local businesses the £10,000 target was reached.” The long-term aim is to have a hundred businesses that are looking to give something back to the community by the end of the year. The thrilling initiative is already making significant

54 | issue 10

progress towards that goal, attracting many prominent businesses from the local community including: City Cabs, Seagull Travel, Oliver and Graimes, Geo Environmental Services Ltd, North Star Motor Group, City College, Essensuals, Elms Lea Dental Practice, The Best Phone Company, Buddies Restaurant and Mishon Mackay Estate Agents. Mishon Mackay Estate Agents invited Michael to spend the day at their Kemp Town branch, and within 30 minutes he was out of the office, experiencing viewings with the public and reviewing properties. Tina from Mishon Mackay was very pleased with how it all went. “It was great! Michael was very attentive and seemed genuinely interested in what we did. The feedback was all positive – he was a pleasure to have around. I would have no problem recommending him to any other employer.” Oliver and Graimes is another company who have been particularly involved with Want to Work. The Hovebased agency have already hosted their first one-day placement where they invited Eluali to gain valuable experience in different roles in graphic design and social media. MD Gareth Graimes was very impressed and is looking forward to the arrival of more beneficiaries. “We had the pleasure of meeting Eluali, who came into our office for one day,” he explained. “He had some previous digital experience and was keen to learn more about how our business is structured and how we operate so he could get a better understanding of

the commercial nature and better align himself. He spent the day with our client management side and also working in the studio on a live design project for a client. “Oliver and Graimes signed up to the Want to Work scheme as we felt it was a great cause to support the local community and help get young people back into employment.” Want to Work’s Barry McLaughlin said: “The number of job seekers entering the programme is growing daily and while we are really encouraged with the amount of companies that have so far signed up, we would really like to hear from other businesses who would give a work experience opportunity to a jobseeker by signing up to the programme.” If you’re a company who wish to get involved, contact Barry on 01273 807855. If you’re a job seeker, contact Carl on 07887 752236.


SussexSport

Dan’s the multi marathon man By DAN TESTER

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n Sunday 15th April, Dan Lawson joined over 10,000 other hardy souls on the streets of Brighton and Hove to raise money for a whole host of good causes. The 39-year-old completed last year’s event an incredible four times and decided to double that amazing achievement, all in aid of Albion in the Community-and managed it! The funds will be used for Young Leaders Projects in the state of Karnataka, India, where remote villages situated deep in the jungle, populated by the Siddhi community, are reached by AITC’s work. The community is very marginalised and have benefitted from previous initiatives run by Dan and his team. They also worked with a group from a Mumbai slum. “The group devised a football game to show to local councillors and politicians that highlighted the lack of safe drinking water taps within their community,” recalls Dan.“All 24 were so motivated to use football to make a difference and help other children and young people back in their villages and towns. One young leader has the power to make such a difference, delivering messages to up to 30 footballers who then in turn cascade those messages down to their friends and families, its amazing to think the change that 24 will be able to bring about.” Projects closer to home will also be funded from his efforts. AITC’s health development manager commenced running in his childhood for a running club in Sudbury, Suffolk. “We’d do regular 10ks when I was ten or 11. I then completed a half marathon

in about 1 hour 28 minutes. I loved it and had a dream to run a full marathon. I couldn’t do it because you have to be 18. “It started to get serious and I was being asked to compete. Coaches were involved and it got a bit much. I stopped the running for a while and played local football instead. About five years ago I got back into running again, getting up early and really enjoying it. I remembered my ambition to run a marathon and one day I just went up on the Downs and ran the distance, on my own. I thought there was no point in waiting so I just did it. I went up to Devil’s Dyke, down into Fulking, Poynings and Shoreham. “I always said to people that you don’t need to train to run a marathon,” explained Dan. “You can just go out the next day and do it, if you put your mind to it.” The next challenge was the London to Brighton off-road race. “I had no idea how well I’d do. I hadn’t been running that long, didn’t have any gear and just wore my Albion kit. My friend was concerned as I’d never run a comparable distance before. I started and kept up with the pacesetters and eventually finished second. “By now I’d really got the taste for it and would go out on the Downs all the time. Getting up at 4.30am, before taking my children to school, and going for a run. Next test was a 24hour run around the same 10k course in Birmingham. I think I totted up 120 miles.” Dan readily admits his obsession with running is an addiction – albeit a

healthy one – and he’s continually looking for the next test of endurance. In 2009 he completed the Kon Kan Coast Challenge; 380 miles in ten days from Mumbai down to Patnem Beach in Goa. “I rolled into Goa with an entourage of 40 or so people. It was an amazing adventure.” As you’d expect with such a punishing schedule, Dan is prone to exhaustion. On average, he runs 45 miles a week and stands at his Amex stadium desk during the day. “As soon as I sit down anywhere, without any stimulation, I am out like a light!” A thrice weekly diet of yoga certainly helps with the punishment suffered by the body. “I did not really doing anything different in preparation for the eight marathons. I got up early most days and just absolutely loved it. As soon as you tell yourself you’re going to run 200 miles you can do it. The power of the mind is incredibly strong. I believe my physique helped. I’m quite light on my feet when I run, as opposed to some people I run with who tend to pound the ground harder.” If you, or your company, would like to sponsor Dan, please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving. com/8marathons or call Barry McLaughlin on 01273 878261.

issue 10 |

Community

Grrrrrrrrrr-eight!

55


SussexSport

Where to pick up your copy of SussexSport

Brighton City Centre B’ton & Hove Albion Shop Alive Health and Fitness LA Fitness Tower Point

Oriental Village Cherry’s Newsagents Advance Glass Best Wishes James Ross

Brighton The Lanes Coach House Brighton Media Centre William Hill Bagelman James Hull Electric Studio Cafe Coho Pub Du Vin Hotel Du Vin James Hull Cafe Coho Black Lion Pub Pho Jaime Oliver Toni and Guy Phoenix House

Burgess Hill Burgess Hill School for Girls The Heights Health and Fitness Burgess Hill Cricket Club Burgess Hill Tennis Club

Brighton Marina Rendezvous David Lloyds Waterside Properties Brighton Dive Centre Marina Dental Brighton Outer City Amex Stadium East Brighton Golf Club Brighton College Withdean Sports Cplex Brighton Racecourse Hove The Blind Busker Corals Ladbrokes Harry’s Intersport Clinic 9 Kings Carpets Brighton Implant Centre La Fourchette H’s barbershop Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Church Road Dental Nick Rivett Performance Foods King Alfred Leisure Cheetah’s Gym Coral Greyhound Stadium Coral Gym Sussex County Cricket Cb Tates Harwoods Jaguar Cales & Co Flower Unlimited

Hassocks Hassock Wine Bath Travel Thatchers Barbers Curves Griffith Smith Farringdon Webb Hassocks Golf Club Hassocks Cricket Club The Weald Tennis and Squash Club Ditchling The Ditchling Tea Rooms The General The Bull The White Horse Clifford Dann Mid Sussex Golf Club Horsham Mannings Heath Slinfold Golf Club Southwater Leisure Centre Haywards Heath The Star Hamptons Leaders Look Fantastic Prezzo Zizzi’s Health News Grape and Grain The Lockeroom Haywards Heath Train Station Blue Sky Personal Fitness Club The Dolphin Freedom Leisure Centre Lindfield Golf Club Nuffield Health Beech Hurst Garden and Tennis Centre Crawley Man Power Evans Cycles

Rev ive Ladbrokes Platinum Estates Vision Express Crawley Furniture LA Fitness Spindles health club Inspire Fitness Spa Fitness Forest Gym Virgin Active Crawley FC Nuffield Health Cottesmore Golf Club Ilfield Golf Club Tilgate Forest Golf Club Seaford Diella’s The Shore Cinque Ports Harry Nat’s Sussex Kitchens Rowland Gorringe Down’s Leisure Centre Seaford Head Golf Club Seaford Golf Club Albourne Wickwoods Country Club, Hotel & Spa Singing Hills Hurstpierpoint Kiki and Cole Clifford Dann Hurstpierpoint Dental Fabulous Floors Regency Financial Handcross Handcross Park School Steyning Steyning Leisure Centre Henfield Henfield Leisure Centre Royal Leisure Centre Pulborough West Sussex Golf Club Lewes Bone Needlemakers The Tallyhoe River Clinic Strutt and Parker Steamer Trading Bills Intersport Harveys Wave Leisure Lewes Sports Club Lewes Football Club

Lewes Golf Club Ringmer Football Club Plumpton Racecourse The Half Moon

Little Coye Little London Bakery Aston Martin Chichester

Southwick Impulse Leisure

Fontwell Fontwell Park Racecourse

Hailsham Wellshurst Golf Club Freedom Leisure Forest Row Stone Cottage Dental The Builders Store PR Vince Solicitors Holder Natural Health The Swan Barber Poles Chequers Inn Hotel Wine Discoveries Royal Ashdown Golf Club Littlehampton Littlehampton Golf Club Rustington Golf Club Angmering Virgin Active Ham Manor Golf Club Copthorne Effingham Park Golf Club Midhurst Cowdray Park Golf Club Chichester Goodwood Estate Meritz Sports Shop The George & Dragon Inn George Ide Solicitors Through the Looking Glass King and Chasemore Ship Hotel Present Days Number Forty Three Charming Coffee Strutt and Parker Suzuki Multi York Furniture Cotswold Shuropody No 45 Dental Sussex Camera Fired Earth County Kitchens The Real Eating Company The Landing Loewe

Surrey Lindfield Park Battle Seddlescombe Golf Club Bannatyne Spa and Hotel Bexhill Curves 1066 Gymnastic Academy St Leonards Bannatynes


SussexSport

The A-Z of clubs, leagues and sports

ANGLING

Billingshurst Angling Society 01403 782160 School House, Weald School, Billingshurst RH14 9RX www.billingshurstas.co.uk Chichester & District Angling Soc Mrs Leslie Carver 01903 713084 chichester-as.co.uk Clive Vale Angling Club Kevin Thornely. clivevaleac@live.co.uk www.clivevaleac.co.uk Copthorne & District Angling Soc Richamp@aol.com www.copthorneangling.co.uk Crawley Angling Society Mr S Clark 01923 467064 secretary@crawleyanglingsociety.co.uk www.crawleyanglingsociety.co.uk Hassocks & District Angling Soc Mrs J. Fisher 01444 235978 (not after 9pm) www.hassocksfishing.co.uk Henfield & District Angling Soc Glyn Jones, 01403 734 500 enquires@henfieldas.co.uk www.henfieldas.co.uk Horsham & Dist Angling Assoc Ian Petch, 01403 262 255 general_enquiries@hdaa.co.uk www.hdaa.co.uk/index.html L’hampton & Dist Angling Club Fisherman’s Quay, Littlehampton BN17 5BL george@mywebbox.co.uk www.ldac.co.uk Rother Fishery Association (RFA) Mr V Gould, 07776 031 472 odaarfa@tesco.net www.fishingkent.com Southdown Angling Association Mike Richardson 01435 812854 secretary.saa@gmail.com www.southdown-angling.org.uk Petworth & Bognor Angling Club 01903 770099 membership@sussexangling.co.uk www.sussexangling.co.uk Pulborough Angling Society Heather Brunning 01798 815132 joinus@pulboroughas.com www.pulboroughas.com/index.html Rudgwick Angling Society G.Wingate, Oaklands, North Heath, Farnborough, W.Sussex, RH20 1DN 01798 873412 Shoreham Angling Squad (sea) Sean Clark 07917410332 meisto@ntlworld.com, www.shorehamanglingsquad.com South Coast Angling Club (sea) 01273 454388 info@southcoastanglingclub.co.uk www.southcoastanglingclub.co.uk/index.html

ARCHERY

1066 Archery Club Ann Hyde-Barnett annhydebarnett@aol.com www.1066archery.co.uk Arundown AC Rod Brown 01903 713 747 clubsec@officials.co.uk www.arundown.org.uk Bayeux Bowmen 01424 425 112 bayeux.bowmen@btinternet.com www.bayeuxbowmen.co.uk Bognor Regis AC 01243 827 000 bognorregisarcheryclub.co.uk/default.aspx Chichester Bowmen Shelagh Nelmes secretary@chichester-bowmen.co.uk www.chichester-bowmen.org.uk County Oak AC Mike Longhurst 01273 592 795 michael.longhurst@tesco.net www.countyoakarcheryclub.co.uk Crawley AC Val Wickenden 01342 327 660 www.archeryinfo.co.uk/crawleyarchery Ditchling AC Phil Varden 01444 241 066 phil.varden@talktalk.net www.ditchlingac.org.uk

Eastbourne Archers 01323 726 054 secretary@eastbournearchers.org.uk www.eastbournearchers.org.uk Friars Gate Archers Penny Cockerton mail@friarsgatearchers.com www.friarsgatearchers.com Hellingly AC Debbie Newton 01323 832 501 www.hellinglyarchers.co.uk High Weald AC Richard Cater www.thwac.co.uk Holbrook Archers Chris Furmanski 01403 751 150 office@theholbrookclub.co.uk www.theholbrookclub.co.uk Meridian AC Mike Range 01342 713 048 enquires@meridianarcheryclub.org.uk www.meridianarcherclub.org.uk Newhaven AC Liz Davies newhaven_archery@yahoo.co.uk www.newhavenarcheryclub.co.uk Plumpton Bowmen secretary@plumpton-bowmen.org.uk www.plumpton-bowmen.org.uk Six Villages AC Carol Bartlett 01243 545 160 secretary@SixVillagesArcheryClub.org.uk www.sixvillagesarcheryclub.org.uk Worthing AC 07983 794 997 www.worthingarcheryclub.co.uk Sussex County Archery Association Mrs D Cannon (Secretary) 01903 238 975 secretary@sussex-archery.org.uk www.sussex-archery.org.uk

ATHLETICS

Arena AC Caroline Wood 01273 324 605 areana80ac@hotmail.co.uk arena80.tripod.com Bexhill Road Runners Christine Sage 01424 810 096 info@bexhillrunners.co.uk www.bexhillrunners.co.uk Bodyworks XTC Tri Store Lawrence Neill bodyworks1@aol.com www.teambodyworksxtc.com Brighton & Hove AC Robert Willows 01903 813 878 a.willows@sky.com www.brightonandhovecity-ac.com B’ton & Hove Women’s Running Club Sarah Lowe bhrs99@rocketmail.com www.brightonandhoverunningsisters.org.uk Burgess Hill Runners Stuart Condie 01444 232 187 stuartcondie@gmail.com www.bhrunners.co.uk Chichester Runners & AC Philip Baker, 01243 533 784 philbaker5@tiscali.co.uk www.chichester-runners.org.uk Crawley AC Mrs Shirley Steele 01342 713 220 club@crawleyac.org.uk www.crawleyac.org.uk Crowborough Runners Dominique Welbury dwelbury@southeastwater.co.uk www.crowboroughrunners.org.uk East Grinstead & District AC Mary Lord 01342 316 028 mary.lordfamily@gmail.com www.egac.co.uk Eastbourne Rovers AC Julie Jones 01323 415 409 julie-jones@hotmail.co.uk www.eastbourneroversac.co.uk Fittleworth Flyers Ms Sye Frossard 07710 612 233 secretary@fittleworthflyers.org.uk www.fittleworthflyers.org.uk Hailsham Harriers Lesley Underdown 01424 810 382 marionunderdown@hailsham-harriers.org.uk www.hailsham-harriers.org.uk Haslemere Border AC David Bateman 01428 656 587 www.hbac.co.uk Hastings AC Andrea Ashley-Smith 07759 145 466 secretary-hastingsathleticclub@live.co.uk www.hastingsathleticclub.co.uk Hastings Runners Sally Lovell www.hastingsrunners.org.uk Haywards Heath Harriers Linda Tullett 01444 870 788 enquiries@haywardsheathharriers.co.uk www.haywardsheathharriers.co.uk

Heathfield Road Runners Jim Scott 01435 863 932 jpjscott@googlemail.com www.heathfieldRd.runners.com Henfield Joggers Richard Knight 01273 492 293 www.henfieldjoggers.co.uk Horsham Blue Star Harriers Michael Carrington 01403 260 556 carringtonjm@googlemail.com www.horshambluestarharriers.org.uk Horsham Joggers info@horshamjoggers.co.uk www.horshamjoggers.co.uk Lancing Eagles David Clubb 01273 554 946 davidclubb@sky.com www.lancingeagles.co.uk Lewes AC Peter Miller 01444 232 083 pmiller209@btinternet.com www.lewesac.co.uk Mel’s Milers Jogging Club 01403 247 572 info@melsmilers.co.uk www.melsmilers.co.uk Midhurst Milers 01730 814 339 info@midhurstmilers.co.uk www.midhurstmilers.co.uk Phoenix AC (Brighton) Paul Thomas 01323 490 037 disabledathlete@googlemail.com www.brightonphoenix.org.uk Rotary Rd. Runners David Crook 01243 262 126 dcrook@dsl.pipex.com Seaford Striders 01323 899 033 www.seafordstriders.org.uk Steyning AC Martin Coleman martinrcoleman@hotmail.co.uk www.steyningac.co.uk The Sixth Dimension Simon Wagstaff sixthvillagesenquires@freedom-lesiure.co.uk www.freedom-lesiure.co.uk, Tonbridge AC Mrs Vicky Thomas 01732 359 669 www.tonbridgeac.co.uk Tone Zone Runners (Felpham) 01243 826 612 clubsecretary@tonezonerunners.org www.tonezonerunners.org Utopia Runners (Uckfield) Richard Page 01825 769 015 utopiarunners@tiscali.co.uk utopiarunners.eastsussexcrosscountry.co.uk Wadhurst Runners Sara Wrenn 01892 783 506 sarawren@googlemail.com www.wadhurstrunners.co.uk Worthing & District Harriers Maureen Lewis 07968 270 460 mandycollingson@tiscali.co.uk www.worthingharriers.com Worthing Striders 07834 968 533 information@worthingstriders.co.uk www.worthingstriders.co.uk

BADMINTON

Alfriston John Cripps 01323 898 640 Arcadian (Worthing) Janice Byerley 01903 233 330 chris.byerley@talktalk.net Ashurstwood BC Jon Warren 01293 774 904 Jonts67@hotmail.com Barcombe Rosemary Carter 01273 480 944 / 466 086 ro_mackie@hotmail.com Beacon (Crowborough) Bryan & Ann Duggan 01892 653 481 bryan@beaconbadminton.com www.beaconbadminton.com Bexhill Sandy Scrivener 01424 222 755 Bognor Regis BC Gary Smith 01243 828 225 garyjohnsmith@tiscali.co.uk Bosham Badminton Club Bruce Dupee 01243 773 744 bruce.dupee@gmail.com www.chihhh.org.uk/bbc/ Breakaways (Portslade) Tracy Sayers 01273 419 622 tracysayers@hotmail.com Brighton Bats (Moulsecoomb) 01273 622 266 batsclub2004@yahoo.co.uk Chanctonbury Mike Murray 01903 746 172 mikemurray53@btinternet.com

Chelwood Gate Sue Bailey 01825 722 588 info@chelwoodgatebc.co.uk www.chelwoodgatebc.co.uk, Chichester Wing Peter Gowin 01243 860 670 petergowin@talktalk.net Club Foot (Worthing) Matt Page 07790 686 624 mattpagezk@ntlworld.com Cooden Les Rowley 01424 223 998 lesliejrowley@aol.com Crawley Phil Oldfield 07966 157 450 enquiries@crawleybadminton.co.uk www.crawleybadminton.co.uk David Lloyd Leisure (Worthing) Paul Young 01903 276 700 paulgarethyoung@msn.com Dragonflies (women only) Mrs B Rutherford 01273 841 898 Virgin Brighton Julia Alkema 07798 808 626 coachjulia@live.co.uk Felbridge Jackie Burditt 01444 443 442 Jackie@accelerated-mail.co.uk egscc.co.uk/badminton/fbc.html Forest Gill Fairham (Secretary) 01403 254 150 gill.fairham@talktalk.net www.forestbadmintonclub.org Hailsham Diana Burton 01323 423 093 diana.j-flana@tiscali.co.uk Hardwick (Eastbourne) Alan G Smith 01323 638 620 agordonsmith018@talktalk.net Hassocks Penny Radford 07714 545 328 penradford@hotmail.com Haywards Heath Elspeth McKenzie 01444 235 318 p.j.mckenzie@btinternet.com Henfield Debbie Chambers 01273 491 445 debbie.chambers@ukonline.co.uk Holbrook (Horsham) Sarah Lewis 01403 751150 sarahlewis83@yahoo.co.uk Homestead (Southwick) Andrew Lock 01273 732 354 andrew.lock@hoveactually.co.uk Imberwood (East Grinstead) Trevor Tolliday 01342 326 346 trevortolliday@sky.com www.imberwood.co.uk Lancing Stewart Byne 01903 763001 stewbyne@msn.com Lindfield Mrs Barbara Davies 01444 453559 BarbaraDavies@northcolwell.co.uk www.freewebs.com/lindfield Littlehampton David Beatty 01903 713217 lbsclub@tiscali.co.uk / www.lbsc.org.uk Middleton (Littlehampton) Colin Morris 01243 584274 colin.morris80@tesco.net Middleton (Littlehampton) Colin Morris 01243 584274 colin.morris80@tesco.net Newick Badminton Club David Palmer 01825 723299 davidpalmer2@supanet.com www.newickbadmintonclub.co.uk Ringmer Badminton Club Samantha Holder 01273 812 906 Ringmer (Village Hall) Sue Hemington 01273 812 356 S S Ramblers (Eastbourne) Mr P Wilkinson 01323 640 956 Saints (Eastbourne) Kevin 01323 502 530 philip@saintsbadminton.co.uk www.saintsbadminton.co.uk St Anne’s (women only, Hartfield) Sheila Puttock 01323 503 409 St Johns (Bexhill) Alison Seymour 01424 732 226 Alison@gpark.demon.co.uk St Lukes (Brighton) Bill Brandt 01273 675 316 bill.brandt@ericsson.com St Richard’s (Pound Hill, Crawley) Jan Archard 01293 531 826 p.archard@btinternet.com St Paul’s (Crawley) Mrs Brenda Phillips 01293 420 578 St.PaulsBadminton@PLCWD.Co.Uk www.plcwd.co.uk/html/badminton.html Southover (Rottingdean) Lesley Blunt 01444 233 965 lesley.blunt@talktalk.net

issue 10 |

Want to play? Your guide to the sports, clubs and leagues in Sussex

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Sussex Thunder Broadbridge Heath Athletics Stadium, Wickhurst Lane, Broadbridge Heath, Horsham, RH12 3YS info@sussexthunder.com www.sussexthunder.com Chichester Sharks (Flag Football) New Park Rd., Chichester PO19 7XY www.chichestersharks.co.uk

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SussexSport Want to play? Your guide to the sports, clubs and leagues in Sussex

Stanford Penguins (Portslade) Alvin Lee 01903 831 131 alv82000@hotmail.co.uk www.stanford-penguins.co.uk Steyning/Castle Michele Mason 01273 588 444 sarahmichele@hotmail.co.uk The Denes Badminton Club (Rottingdean) Nicky Holness Nicky@holness.wanadoo.co.uk West Worthing Vanessa Bramble 01903 247 567 vanessa@bramblespatch.freeserve.co.uk Woodlands (St Leonards-on-Sea) Secretary 07907 892 922 info@woodlandsbadminton.org.uk www.woodlandsbadminton.org.uk Worthing Nondescripts Matthew Hodgson 01903 204 386, matthew.hodgson@ntlworld.com

badminton Leagues

Brighton Badminton League Matt Page 01903 233 417 mattpagezk@ntlworld.com www.brightonbadmintonleagues.co.uk Bognor, Chichester & District Brian Simpson, Secretary secretary@bcdba.org.uk www.bcdba.org.uk Eastbourne & Dist Badminton Assoc Annette Huggett 01323 500 019 annettehuggett@care4free.net or www.eastbournebadminton.co.uk

BASKETBALL

1066 Conquerors (Hastings) 07962 687 207 andy12hodder@aol.com www.1066basketball.co.uk Bexhill Giants Eric Douglin 07971 821 457 eric.douglin@btopenworld.com bexhillgiants.intheteam.com Bognor Pirates Basketball Club David Lowe 01243 265 409 david.lowe7@btinternet.co.uk bognor-basketball.co.uk/index.html Holbrook Allstars (women) Sarah Maloney 07957 860 455 nickprobin@aol.com and sarahlawes24@hotmail.com Runnin Rebels (Brighton) Nick Stevens nickandbeckystevens@yahoo.co.uk www.runninrebels.co.uk Worthing Tropics Ashley Clarke 07899 061 704 Ashley.clarke@puma.com

Juniors

Angmering Cobras Mr. D.Yates 01903 778 363 director@thesportscollege.co.uk www.thesportscollege.co.uk/cobras.php Brighton Cougars Anne Baverstock 07809 105 300 Bav@dorothy-stringer.co.uk brightoncougars.intheteam.com Bognor Royals Youth Hilary Robbins hils.robbins@btinternet.com Crawley Cagers 07800 511 762 cliff@crawleycagersbasketball.co.uk www.crawleycagersbasketball.co.uk East Grinstead Jr Basketball Club 07812 121 222 Hay Heath Eagles Basketball Club www.bebo.com/Profile. jsp?MemberId=4974679988 Horsham Hawks Basketball Club John Dishington 07971 466 120 johnd@horshamhawks.co.uk www.horshamhawks.intheteam.com Holbrook Huskies (Men), Dave Goss d.goss@talk21.com Eastbourne Jets 07801 701 474 hoopscoach33@btinternet.com www.eastbournejets.co.uk Shoreham Sharks Basketball Brian Deacon (coach) 07826 550 844 coach@shorehamsharks.co.uk www.shorehamsharks.co.uk Storrington Slammers Richard 07974 237 069

BOWLS Find your closest bowls club: www.bowlsengland.com/index.asp?display=clu bs&l=1&county=Sussex

58 | issue 10

Adur Indoor Bowling Club Ken Twine 01273 870670 admin@aduribc.com www.aduribc.com Sussex County Bowling Assoc Men’s Sec., David Bain 01903 742 526 bain_david@hotmail.com Women’s Sec., Kathy Flood 01273 517 683 www.sussexba.co.uk kathyflood@btinternet.com E Sussex Short Mat Bowls Assoc Alan Archer 01424 830 425 www.eastsussexsmba.co.uk W Sussex Short Mat Bowls Assoc Bryony Wood 01403 267 608 setonwood@btinternet.com wscsmba.org

BOXING

Adur Laurence Causabon-Vincent 01903 754 869 Atha Joe Pilgrim 01424 223 563 Bognor Regis 01243 862 279 Brighton City Brian Harvey 07891 794 559 Chichester Boys Heath O’Brien 01243 782 462 Crawley George Brown 07782 375 870 www.crawleyboxing.co.uk Horsham 07831 553 328 www.horshamabc.co.uk Hastings West Hill Jean Gray 01424 441 308 info@westhill-boxing.com www.westhill-boxing.com Hillcrest (Newhaven) Sue Lawrence 01273 512 376 hillcrestcentre@btopenworld.com Hove David Brown 01903 762 643 david.brown131@ntlworld.com Keystone Pat Nelson 01293 409 376 Moulsecoomb Matt Bell 01273 231 896 St Gerards Gerry Lavell 01243 786 661 Whitehawk Gary Emins 07738 527 677 emins_whitehawk_abc@yahoo.co.uk Willingdon Trees Dan Woolridge 07875 719 875 treesnews@yahoo.com www.willingdontreesabc.com

CANOEING/KAYAKING

Adur Canoe Club 01798 812 183 secretary@adurcanoeclub.org.uk www.adurcanoeclub.org.uk Bewl Canoe Club infobewlcanoeclub@yahoo.co.uk www.bewlcanoeclub.co.uk Chichester Canoe Club kerry@chichestercanoeclub.co.uk www.chichestercanoeclub.co.uk Cuckmere Valley Canoe Club committee@cvcc.org.uk www.cvcc.org.uk Forest Canoe Club 07725 252 952 forestcanoe@yahoo.co.uk www.forestcanoeclub.org.uk Hailsham & Eastbourne Canoe Club peterchambers@kennedybros.co.uk Hastings & District Canoe Club 07512 810 139 hastingscanoeclub@googlemail.com www.hastingscanoeclub.org.uk Martlet Kayak Club 294 Madeira Drive Arches, Brighton BN2 1EN martletkayakclub@hotmail.com www.martletkayakclub.org.uk

CRICKET

To find your local club: sussexcb.play-cricket.com/directory east Sussex Cricket League Kenneth Jeffery 01684 567 042 kcj@escl.org.uk / www.escl.org.uk League cricket info: www.sussexcricket.co.uk/the-club/ recreationalcricket/clubs-leagues/ Mid Sussex Cricket League mscl.play-cricket.com Sussex Cricket League Peter Butter (Chairman) peter.butter@btinternet.com www.sussexcl.play-cricket.com

West Sussex Invitation Cricket League www.wsicl.co.uk

CYCLING

21st Century Airports CT Mr Graham Kerr 01403 217 297 Bognor Regis Cycling Club Don Lambert 01243 262 434 donjanlamt13@supanet.com www.bognorregiscyclingclub.org/ Central Sussex CC (Shermanbury) Mr Geoff Ericson, 10 Woodside Close, Shermanbury RH13 8HH Crawley Wheelers Dick Crane 01342 713 197 www.crawleywheelers.co.uk Dirt Devils MBC (MTB) info@dirt-devils.fsnet.co.uk www.dirt-devils.fsnet.co.uk Eastbourne Rovers Cycling Club stuart@eastbournerovers.co.uk www.eastbournerovers.com East Grinstead Cycling Club Richard Blackmore 01342 713 272 dicknjan@btinternet.com / www.egcc.net VC Etoile (Findon) Peter Scarsbrook 01903 872 052 scarzi@hotmail.com Festival RC (Horsham) Brian Wareham 01403 240 262 brianwareham@aol.com www.festivalrc.co.uk Findon Gentlemen’s Cycling Club 01903 873 923 info@thefgcc.org www.thefgcc.org Forest Row Cycling Club Kate Chadwick 01342 311936 secretary@frbc.info www.frbc1.talktalk.net Horsham Cycling Club Peter David 01403 259 062 peter.david@horshamcycling.co.uk www.horshamcycling.co.uk Lewes Wanderers Cycling Club Mick Burgess 01444 244 283 www.leweswanderers.co.uk Phoenix Cycling Club (Seaford) Clive Aberdour 01323 872 292 clive.aberdour@btinternet.com www.phoenix.cyclub.btinternet.co.uk Rye & District Wheelers Barry Goodsell 01424 882 890 goodsellbazza@aol.com Southdown Velo (Chichester) contact@southdownvelo.org.uk www.southdownvelo.org.uk Stella GS (Storrington) Dr Mark Jones 01273 642 215 m.p.jones@brighton.ac.uk Stella VC (Littlehampton) Mr Raymond Betts 07802 740 446 raybetts75@btinternet.com Sussex Nomads (B Hill/Ditchling) Alan Limbrey 01273 558 511 richard.harwood1@sussexnomads.org.uk www.sussexnomads.org.uk VC Jubilee Yth Dev Cycling Club 01273 843 859 vcjubilee@vcjubilee.co.uk www.vcjubilee.co.uk

CYCLING (BMX)

Bexhill Burners BMX Club Robin Higley 01424 212 951 robin.higley@btinternet.com Preston Park Youth Cycle Club Anthony Rogers, Chairman, 01273 883 956 anthony@ppycc.org.uk www.ppycc.org.uk Sussex Cycle Racing League Mrs Deborah Gent 01273 301 262 debgent@gmail.com www.scrl.co.uk

CYCLING (Leisure)

East Sussex Cyclists’ Touring Club David Rix, ctceastsussex@gmail.com Eastbourne & Hailsham Section Christine Thomas 01825 890 809 Midweek Section Esther Carpenter 01424 751 581 esthercarpenter@rocketmail.com www.ctcmidweek.org.uk Geoff’s Old Bike Rides Geoff Boxall 01273 813 917 Cyclists’ Touring Club W Sussex Edwin Jones 01243 267 746 edwin@jones.name www.ctcwestsussex.org.uk CTC Arun - Adur Group Peter Wilson 01903 755 765 pw@peterwilson.org.uk www.fonant.co.uk/arunadur

CTC Bgnr, Chichr, Hrshm & Crwly grp 01403 257 072 bnicol@horshamandcrawleyctc.org.uk www.horshamandcrawleyctc.org.uk, www.bognorchichester.org.uk, Sussex Nomads Cycling Club 01273 709 303

DIVING

Crawley Diving Club Mrs B McAdam 01293 410 944 divergindeep@hotmail.co.uk Worthing Swimming Club 01903 231 797 email@WorthingSwimmingClub.org.uk www.worthingswimmingclub.org

FENCING

Brighton & Hove Angela Goodall angela.goodall@brightonandhovefencing.co.uk www.brightonandhovefencing.co.uk Chichester Fencing Club Sharon Blackman 01243 822 753 info@chichester-fencing-club.org.uk www.chichester-fencing-club.org.uk Chichester Community Fencing Club 07961 677 384 info@communityfencing.org.uk www.communityfencing.org.uk Crawley Sword Geoff Griffin 01293 521 870 www.crawleyswordclub.co.uk Eastbourne Fencing Club Steven Paul eastbournefencing@googlemail.com www.eastbournefencing.org.uk Horsham Fencing Club gigglenicky@aol.com www.horshamfencingclub.co.uk Portslade Fencing club Eileen Pitman 01273 411 100 sportscentre@pcc-web.com

FOOTBALL The Sussex FA: www.sussexfa.com/GetIntoFootball/FindAClub/ www.sussexfa.com/Governance/Affiliation/

Adult leagues Sussex County League (Sat/midweek) www.scfl.org.uk

Intermediatefootball adult leagues

Brighton, Hove & Dist Football Lge Andy Lindley 07764 537 078 www.bhdfl.co.uk/index.html East Sussex Football League 01323 765 971 paul.turner@esfl.org.uk www.esfl.org.uk Mid Sussex Football League Lawrie Parsons 01444 242 023 lawrie.parsons9@btinternet.com www.football.mitoo.co.uk/Counties.cfm?County=Sussex West Sussex Football League Chris Bridges 01403 730 853 christopher.bridges@btinternet.com Worthing & District Football Lge www.yellowjersey.net Sussex Sunday Football League www.sundayleague.info Worthing & Horsham Dist Sunday Lge Phil Farrelly 07774 835 870 philfarre@aol.com www.leaguewebsite.co.uk/whdsfl Lewes & District Football League Chris Bates lewessfl@yahoo.co.uk www.leaguewebsite.co.uk/lewessfl

Women’s & girls’ (Sundays)

Sussex County FA Womens’ & Girls www.thefa.com/full-time/scfa South East Counties Women’s Lge www.secwfl.org.uk

YOUTH Leagues

Arun & Chichester Youth League Kathy Wilson 01903 883 997 kathy@kathy99.freeserve.co.uk www.acyfl.net East Sussex Mini-Minor League Pat Taylor 01424 429 786 www.freewebs.co.uk/esmml Mid Sussex Youth & Minor League full-time.thefa.com/Index.do?league=1375655 Rother Youth League full-time.thefa.com/Index.do?league=681144


SussexSport GYMNASTICS

British gymnastics: www.british-gymnastics.org Angmering School Of Gym 07935 212 428 angmering.gym@googlemail.com Arun Gym & Trampolining Club 07986 508 909 Mandyhxxx@aol.com Brighton & Hove Gymnastics Club 01273 776 209 gym@bhgym.co.uk www.bhgym.co.uk cacl gym club (eastbourne) 01323 730 467 info@caclsports.co.uk Chanctonbury Sportup G.C. 01903 746 070 sportup@chanctonburysl.com Chichester Olympic Gymnastic Club 01243 790 255 info@chichestergymnastics.co.uk www.chichestergymnastics.co.uk Hawth Gymnastics 01293 520 821 www.hawthgymnastics.co.uk Hollingdean Gymnastic Club 01273 559 469 jeffrey.arnold3@ntlworld.com Horsham Gymnastics Club 01403 756 699 hgc@hgc.org.uk / www.hgc.org.uk i-star Academy 07843 666 251 info@istaracademy.co.uk Kestrel Gymnastics Academy K.G.A 01580 858 733 k.g.a@btinternet.com Pavillions in the Park 01403 219 200 enquiries@pavillionsinthepark.co.uk Pyramid Gymnastics Club 01444 243 314 john.nightingale4@btinternet.com Pyramid Gymnastics Club 01444 243 314 john.nightingale4@btinternet.com Seaford Gymnastics Academy 01323 892 425 lorraine@seafordgymnastics.co.uk Stars Gymnastics Club 01903 800 024 amandawadman@gmail.com Summerfields Gym Club 01424 444 615 emma@summerfields-gymnastics.com Uckfield Gymnastic Club 01825 764 141 www.uckfieldgymnastics.co.uk Wickers Gym Club Katy Hodgson 01273 465 554 khodgson@talk21.com / wickersgymclub.com

HOCKEY

Bognor Town Hockey Club (women) patathome.simmonds.btinternet.com Brighton & Hove Hockey Club 01903 239 894 cameron_heath@standardandpoors.com www.brightonandhovehockeyclub.net Burgess Hill Hockey Club (women) 01444 441 223 ginettemread@yahoo.co.uk www.burgesshillhc.co.uk Buxted Park Hockey Club Captain: Liz Wigglesworth 01825 733 689 info@bphc.co.uk www.bphc.co.uk Chichester Hockey Club Kim Howarth 01243 865 523 kimhow14@hotmail.com www.chichesterhockey.com Crawley Hockey Club 07788 543 836 emma.franks@blueyonder.co.uk www.crawleyhockeyclub.com Crowborough Hockey Club Paula Davies 01732 866 533 www.crowboroughhockey.co.uk East Grinstead Hockey Club 01342 321 210 alison.armstrong@freedom-lesiure.co.uk www.egscc.co.uk Hailsham Hockey Club 07855 121 511 alison@hailshamhc.co.uk www.hailshamhockey.co.uk

Honeybees Hockey Club (women) Katie Walters 07719 756 148 kwalters@imberhorne.co.uk Holbrook Hockey Club (Horsham) 01403 751 150 Claire_adcock@yahoo.co.uk www.theholbrookclub.co.uk Horsham Hockey Club 07740 096 123 nick.evans@uk.ibm.com www.horshamhc.co.uk Lewes Hockey Club Gemma Collins 01273 480 630 vodkagemma@hotmail.com www.southdownsportsclub.co.uk/hockey Littlehampton Hockey Club Colin Warner 07977 516 070 colin.warner@war-ner.co.uk www.littlehamptonhc.org.uk Mid Sussex Hockey Club Vicky O’Boyle 01444 248 110 vickyoboyle@yahoo.co.uk www.mshc.co.uk Middleton & Bognor Hockey Club 01243 870 000 rachelmccartain@talktalk.net www.mandbhc.org.uk Sth Saxons Hockey Club (Hastings) Sue Klein 01424 223 647 sueklein2001@aol.com www.southsaxonshc.co.uk Southwick Hockey Club 01273 592 233 www.southwick.org Worthing Hockey Club Bob Catlow 07836 529133 Catlowbob@aol.com www.worthinghockey.co.uk

LACROSSE

East Grinstead Lacrosse Club 07712 527 615 info@eglc.co.uk / www.eglc.co.uk

LIFESAVING

Crawley Town Lifesaving Club Secretary: John Stainer 01293 585 300 contact@crawleytownlsc.com www.crawleytownlsc.com/contact.htm Horsham Life Saving Club David Slade 01903 715 745 info@horshamlifesavingclub.co.uk www.horshamlifesavingclub.co.uk Ringmer Swim & Lifesaving Club John Wiles 01273 400 468 bodgelets@hotmail.com

MARTIAL ARTS AIKIDO

Aikido Circle Black Belt Academy Ken DeHaan 07747 788 128 ken@aikidocirclebba.com www.aikidocirclebba.com Crawley Aikido Club 01342 321 429 info@crawleyaikidoclub.com crawleyaikidoclub.com Ittaikan Aikido Club Paul Bonett 01273 696 383 dojo@brightonaikido.co.uk www.brightonaikido.co.uk/ Myo-Do-Kan King Alfred Leisure Centre, Kingsway, Hove BN3 2WW Henfield Leisure Centre, North Croft, The King’s Field, Henfield BN5 9QB. Val Hodges. 01273 737 132 Mondays at Henfield Lesiure, Thursday at King Alfred valhodges22@hotmail.com Southdowns Club (Aikido) Kevin Elliott 07738 538 448 kevinhavard@hotmail.com www.kifederationofgreatbritain.co.uk/clubs/ southdown.htm Sussex Sport Aikido Club Jerome Chin-Aleong 07951 177 936 jica27@hotmail.com www.sussexsportaikido.info

JUDO

Battle Judo Club 01424 774 772 Bexhill A A Judo Club 01424 214 912 jasonmeek@bexhill.org.uk Bridgeview Judo Club (Lewes) Paul Leaney 01273 470 759 fieldingd@hotmail.com www.judoatlewes.co.uk Brighton Judo Club Mark Deeney 01273 683 780 brighton.judo@btinternet.com www.brightonjudoclub.org

Chichester Judo Club Ilona Guy 07512 332 783 ilona.guy@btinternet.com chichesterjudoclub.co.uk Hastings YMCA Judo Club Les Pike 01424 446 459 Hollington Judo Club (St. L’nards) Neil Chalcraft 01424 430 999 neil.chalcraft@bt.internet.com Horsham Judo Club 07778 670 124 www.horshamjudoclub.com Kaigan Judo Club (Eastbourne) Pat Jeffery 01323 507 595 Keisen Judo Club Tim Draper 07867 538 384 tim@keisen.co.uk / www.keisen.co.uk Kin Ryu Judo Club Peter Seymour 01293 537 808 p.seymour1@sky.com www.kinryu.org.uk Seishin Judo Club 07872 449 093 www.seishin-judo.co.uk Uckfield Judo Club 01825 768 453 terry.bate@ace-ina.com Westerleigh Judo Kwai Ltd Paul Everest 01424 442 726 paulapauleverest@hotmail.com www.westerleighjudo.org.uk Zodiac Judo Kwai (Hastings) Duncan Maclean 07516 902 975

KARATE

Bexhill Shotokan Karate Club Ian Hollidge 01424 218 993 ianhollidge@hotmail.com www.sskd.org.uk Brighton Shokotan Karate Dave Hazard 01903 775 101 jess@fastnet.co.uk www.brightonkarate.co.uk Chichester GoJu Karate Club 01243 672 589 www.chichesterkarate.co.uk Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Assoc Ron Silverthorne 01323 891 471 info@fska.co.uk www.fska.co.uk Kanzenki Shotokan Karate Club Lindsey Musing 07812 037 455 www.kanzenkishotokan.co.uk KeiBudo Freestyle Karate Keith Boardman 01903 530 264 www.sussexkarate.com Sharinjiru Renshinkan Karate Do Julia Turley 01444 454 827 jtrenshinkan@btinternet.com Reiwaryu Ryushinkan Karatedo Renmei 01444 241 625 rhys.williams@trendcontrols.com www.ryushinkan.com Roffey Karate Club Phil Smith 07708 432 682 wadoguard-roffeykarate@yahoo.co.uk roffeykarateclub.co.uk Red Oak Karate Club (Lewes) John Cross 01273 471 627 redoakkarate@googlemail.com www.redoakkarate.org.uk SEMKA Wado-Ryu Karate Paul Elliott 01403 218 327 semka@btopenworld.com www.horshamkarateclub.com Tang Sou Dao Karate - Ren Yi Wu Kwan Adam Goward (snr instructor) 01825 732 224 a.goward@virgin.net www.tangsoudao.com

KICKBOXING

Dynamic Tiger F’style Kickboxing Damon Kentell 07774 891 785 admin@dtfk.co.uk / dtfk.co.uk Crawley Martial Arts Academy 07702 119 198, john@crawleymartialartsacademy.com www.crawleymartialartsacademy.com

KUNG FU

Kung Fu Schools 01293 544 333 info@kungfuschools.org www.kungfuschools.org Shaolin Kung Fu Matthew Gross 0781 2342 058 digitmatt@hotmail.com www.sussexkungfu.co.uk

TAI CHI

Sussex Zhong Ding Jan Simpson 07506 525 116 sussexzhongding@yahoo.co.uk www.sussexzhongding.co.uk

Tai Chi Wisdom Simon & Cher Robins 01273 239 054 info@taichiwisdom.net www.taichiwisdom.net

TAEKWON-DO

Brighton Taekwon-Do School 01273 508 120, brightontaekwondo@gmail.com www.martialarts-brighton.co.uk, Brighton Taekwondo Academy 07764 740 877 brightontkdacademy@yahoo.co.uk www.brightontkd.co.uk Crawley Tae Kwon-Do Club 08009 176 238 training@crawley-taekwondo.co.uk www.crawley-taekwondo.co.uk West Sussex Tae Kwon Do Anne-Marie Jones-Taylor 01243 826 917 info@westsussextaekwondo.co.uk www.westsussextaekwondo.co.uk

GENERAL/OTHER

British Jujitsu Ryu 07828 213 892, britishjujitsuruy@hotmail.com Kenaji Academy of Martial Arts Brian Redman 01903 743 334 www.kenagi.co.uk Ryusui-ryu Neil Starks 01342 315 372 www.m-a-t-s.co.uk Sama S East - Karate & Kickboxing WSussex: 01273 588 850 ESussex: 01273 580 577 george@samakarate.com www.samasoutheast.co.uk Soul Martial Arts Academy 08009 804 858 soulmartialarts@hotmail.com www.soulmartialarts.co.uk Tae-Jitsu 07891 864 272 taejitsu@yahoo.co.uk www.tae-jitsu.co.uk Uckfield Martial Arts Club Alex Foot (coach) 07946 104 512 afoot@panini.co.uk www.anthonycairns.com/Martial%20Arts/UMAC.htm W Sussex Choi Kwang Do Academy 07955 162 886 wsckd@fsmail.net www.westsussexckd.com White Crane Fighting Arts Neil Johnson 07976 260 710 neil@whitecranefightingarts.com www.whitecranefightingarts.com Worthing Mike O’Hagan 01903 236 664 mohagan@gym-xtreme.co.uk www.gym-xtreme.co.uk

NETBALL

Sussex County Assoc Sheila Martin 01273 422 959 she.martin@hotmail.co.uk www.sussexnetball.com/play-netball.php Arun Netball Club jo_norcross85@yahoo.co.uk hanbro@me.com Brighton Netball Club www.brightonnetballclub.co.uk CCK Netball Club (Whitehawk) ccknetball@btinternet.com www.brightonccknetballclub.wordpress.com Crows Netball Club Rachel 01892 655 661 www.tunwellsnetball.org.uk CD Phoenix Netball Club (E Grinstead) cdphoenixsussex@googlemail.com www.cdphoenixsussex.org.uk Eastbourne netball club www.eastbourne-netball.com Enigma Netball Club (Worthing) Karen Thornton 07748 196 238 karenthornton12@hotmail.com Genesis Beacon Netball Club 01825 769 210 Giants (Worthing) karen.Dennison@westsussexpct.nhs.uk Hassocks Netball Club macnamara750@btinternet.com H’field & Partridge Green N ball Team Edna 01403 710 586 Lewes netball club (junior) www.lewesnetballclub.co.uk Mid Sussex Netball Club Jackie@midsussex.netball.org.uk www.midsussexnetball.org.uk Oakwood Netball Club (Crawley) oakwoodnetball@yahoo.co.uk www.oakwoodnc.co.uk

issue 10 |

Want to play? Your guide to the sports, clubs and leagues in Sussex

Sussex County Yth Lge (Under-18) full-time.thefa.com/gen/Index do?league=4160018 Sussex Sunday Youth League full-time.thefa.com/Index.do?league=1697069

59


SussexSport Want to play? Your guide to the sports, clubs and leagues in Sussex

Pulborough Netball Club Sue 01798 875 629 suzanne@dudman04.orangehome.co.uk Redhill Netball Club (Crawley) jo.barnes@rocketmail.com Rimmerettes Netball Club 07901 910 539 michelle.simmons@hotmail.co.uk Rudgewick Netball Club Emily 07799 514 954 www.rudgewicknetballclub.co.uk Seaford Netball Club Clare 01323 890 994 Southdown Netball Club pbaker@servalsystems.co.uk www.southdownnetballclub.co.uk Spirit Netball Club (Lewes - jr) Karen 07899 908 456 Sussex Thunder, Storm & Lightning sussexnetballclub@yahoo.co.uk Trinity Tristars Netball Club beccakel@hotmail.com Uckfield Netball Club (junior) uccsshipley@uctc.e-sussex.sch.uk

ORIENTEERING

Southdowns Orienteers Jaquie Drake 01293 613 114 thedrakes@vuggles.co.uk www.southdowns-orienteers.org.uk

POLO

Cowdray Park 01730 813 257 www.cowdraypolo.co.uk Hickstead All England Polo Club 01273 834 315 www.hickstead.co.uk

ROWING Find your local club www.britishrowing.org/clubfinder Ardingly Rowing Club David Avery 01798 815 118 d.avery6@btinternet.com www.ardinglyrowingclub.co.uk Bexhill Rowing Club anthony.page@networkrail.co.uk www.bexhillrowingclub.com Bewl Bridge Rowing Club Martin Teale 07801 135 270 martinteale@rocketmail.com www.bewlrowingclub.co.uk Eastbourne Rowing Club Nick Norwood 07855 393 542 dave@dufrane.co.uk www.eastbournerc.co.uk Shoreham Rowing Club rowing@shorehamrowingclub.co.uk Worthing Rowing Club Martin Holden 07904 183 284 wrc@worthingrowingclub.com www.worthingrowingclub.com/

RUGBY UNION

Sussex RFU 01273 623030 sussexadmin@rfu.com www.sussexrugby.co.uk/dyn/pages/playing/ links.shtml Barns Green RFC andrewstambridge@barnsgreenrfc.co.uk www.barnsgreenrfc.co.uk Bognor RFC Andy Sweeney 01243 820 846 www.bognor-rfc.com Brighton FC (RFU) Dionne Fowle (Hon Secretary) 07778 547 625 brightonrugbyclub-enquires@hotmail.co.uk www.brightonblues.co.uk Chichester RFC 01243 779 820 secretary@chichesterRFC.co.uk www.chichesterrfc.co.uk Cinque Ports RFC 01424 722 844 info@cinqueportsrugby.co.uk www.cinqueportsrugby.co.uk Crawley RFC 01293 533 995, patrick.constance@neopost.co.uk Crowborough RFC Simon Davies 01892 663 915 sdgas@aol.com www.crowboroughrugby.com East Grinstead RFC Matt Ravenscroft 07831 721 538 secretary@egrfc.com www.egrfc.com/ Eastbourne RFC 01323 503 076 suandalwood.tiscali.co.uk www.eastbournerugby.com

60 | issue 10

Hastings & Bexhill RFC William Parker 01424 444 255 david.hirst@hastingsrugby.org.uk www.hastingsrugby.org.uk Haywards Heath RFC 01444 413 950 aj@hhrfc.co.uk www.pitchero.com/clubs/haywardsheath Heathfield & Waldron RFC Tim Ball 01435 831 142 tjgball@hotmail.com www.hwrfc.co.uk Hellingly RFC Roger White hellinglysecretary@hotmail.co.uk Holbrook RFC 01403 751 150 www.holbrookrfc.co.uk Horley RFC Barrie Edwards 07912 862 566 contact@horleyrugby.co.uk www.horleyrugby.co.uk Horsham RUFC Paul Harding 01403 265 027 chairman@horshamrufc.com www.horshamrufc.com Hove RFC Andy Ward 07789 777 475 clubhouse@hoverfc.com www.hoverfc.com Lewes RFC Dave Winsor 01424 210 778 info@lewesrfc.org.uk www.lewesrfc.org.uk Littlehampton RFC Racheal Hutchings 07779 725 955 rachealh05@aol.com www.clubs.rfu.com/clubs/portals/littlehampton Midhurst RFC Simon Flint 01730 816 465 simon.flint@bbcel.co.uk www.midhurstrugby.co.uk Norfolk Arms RFC Ree 07966 815 345 www.norfolkarmsrfc.co.uk Pulborough RFC 01903 746 463 www.pitchero.com/clubs/pulborough shorehambymanager@yahoo.co.uk Rye RFC 07784 024 162 RyeRugby@Live.com www.pitchero.com/clubs/ryerfc Seaford RFC Nicky Walker 01323 441 429 www.seafordrfc.com Shoreham RFC shorehambymanager@yahoo.co.uk www.shorehamrugby.com Sussex Police RFC www.sussexpolicerfc.co.uk Uckfield RFC Kim Dunn 07905 756 271 dunnkim6@aol.com www.pitchero.com/clubs/uckfieldrfc Worthing RFC Allan Imrie 01903 784 706 Allan.Imrie@ametek.co.uk www.worthingrfc.co.uk Sussex Referees Society Phil Bowers 07930 188 560 philbowersref@aol.com / www.ssrfur.com/ Sussex Referees Society Phil Bowers 07930 188 560 philbowersref@aol.com / www.ssrfur.com/

SAILING/YACHTING

Arun Yacht Club 01903 716 016 arunyachtclub@btconnect.com www.arunyc.org.uk Ashdown Sailing Club 01342 326 901 ashdownsailingclub@yahoo.co.uk www.ashdownsailing.org.uk Bexhill Sailing Club 01424 212 906 www.bexhillsc.com Bosham Sailing Club 01243 572 341 manager@boshamsailingclub.co.uk www.boshamsailingclub.co.uk Brighton Marina Yacht Club 01273 818 711 office@bmyc.org.uk www.bmyc.org.uk Brighton Sailing Club 01273 321 802 www.brightonsailingclub.org.uk Chichester Yacht Club 01243 512 918 secretary@cyc.co.uk www.cyc.co.uk

City Livery Yacht Club 08445 730 000 www.clyc.co.uk Dell Quay Sailing Club 01243 785 080 www.dqsc.co.uk E’bourne Sovereign Sailing Club 01323 416 562 training@sailing-at-eastbourne.co.uk www.sailing-at-eastbourne.co.uk Hastings & St Leonards Sailing Club 01424 422 142 mail@hastingssc.wanadoo.co.uk www.hastingssc.org Hastings Motor Boat & Yacht Club 01424 429 779 hmbyc@supanet.com Inn Shore Cruising Club 01243 672 455 sec@innshorecruisingclub.co.uk www.innshorecruisingclub.co.uk Itchenor Sailing Club 01243 512 400 office@itchenorsailingclub.co.uk www.itchenorsc.co.uk Lancing Sailing Club 01903 766 006 memsec@lancingsc.org.uk www.lancingsc.org.uk Newhaven & Seaford Sailing Club 01323 893 542 information@nssc.org.uk www.nssc.org.uk Pagham Yacht Club 01243 265 025 commodore@pyc.org.uk www.pyc.org.uk Pevensey Bay Sailing Club 01323 761 002 dave.harrington@pbsd.org.uk www.pbsc.org.uk Shoreham Sailing Club 01273 453 078 sscmemsec@hotmail.com www.shorehamsailing.org Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club 01424 845 991 gsteven@rya-online.net www.shyc.co.uk Sussex Yacht Club 01273 464 868 secretary@sussexyachtclub.org.uk www.sussexyachtclub.org.uk Weir Wood Sailing Club 01342 828 462 info@wwsc.org.uk www.wwsc.org.uk Worthing Yacht Club 01903 249 956 www.worthingyachtclub.co.uk

SHOOTING

Fittleworth Rifle Club Sean Ide 01798 872 095 fittleworthrifleclub@hotmail.com www.fittleworthrifleclub.org Petworth & District Rifle Club John Robbins 08447 722 243 www.tates.com/Petworth/ Southwick Rifle Club Mr P. Sigournay 01903 814 642 southwickrifleclub@yahoo.co.uk

SQUASH

Sussex Squash & Racquetball www.sussexsquash.org.uk Arun Richard Laine 01243 826 612 richard.laine@ic24.net Bluecoat Sports Tony Fiveash 01403 247 572. tony@centralplanthire.co.uk www.bluecoatsports.co.uk Bognor Regis Steve Carruthers 01243 865 462 steviecarruthers@hotmail.com Brighton Dave Bowen 08456 443 417 david.bowen@worthing.gov.uk www.brightonsquash.co.uk Brighton Rackets Milli Fawssett 01273 667 888 milli.1@hotmail.co.uk Burgess Hill Andrew Eade 07794 17 4 969 andrew.eade@yahoo.co.uk Cooden Sid Austin 01424 844 810 squash@cbssc.co.uk www.cbssc.co.uk/squash.htm

Copthorne Squash Club Karl Manning 01342 715 022 karl.manning@sussexsquash.org.uk www.lafitness.co.uk/gym/gatwick Corals Andy Birch 01273 731 262 andy.birch@orionpharma.com www.coralfitness.co.uk/squash Crawley Squash Club Andrew Watts 01293 585 300 andrew.watts@zen.co.uk Crowborough Sally Powell 01892 652 618 info@crowboroughrackets.org.ok www.crowboroughrackets.org.uk David Lloyd Aaron Parkins 01323 509 802 a.parkins@sky.com Dolphin Chris Markham 01444 457 337 olymposhh@freedom-leisure.co.uk East Grinstead Andy Norris 01342 325 077 andrewgnorris@tiscali.co.uk www.egtsc.org Horsham James Norman 01403 251150 James.Norman@UK.RSAGroup.com www.horshamsquash.co.uk Lewes Bill Jeffries 01273 480 630 bill@billjeffries.co.uk www.southdownsportsclub.co.uk Littlehampton Ashley Squires 01903 713 217 a.squires@sky.com Middleton Paul Elliot 01243 583 157 hairsginger@hotmail.com www.middletonsportsclub.co.uk Midhurst David Usher 01730 816 841 rachelanddave@aol.com www.thegrange.org.uk Storrington Nathan Miller 01903 745 134 n.miller@crown-golf.co.uk www.storringtonsquashclub.co.uk Weald Trevor Morgan 01273 844 283 trevor.morgan@uk.ibm.com www.the-weald.co.uk West Worthing Pete Williams 01903 247 270 peter.williams850@ntlworld.com www.wwc.org.uk

STOOLBALL

Sussex County Stoolball Assoc Mrs Kay Price 01403 252 419

SWIMMING

1066 Swimmers SC secretary@1066swimmers.org.uk www.1066swimmers.org.uk Atlantis ASC Mr. Paul Clarke 01403 733 794 paclarke1@talktalk.net www.atlantishorsham.co.uk Beacon SC Mrs Ursula Taylor 01892 661 197 utaylor330@btinternet.com www.beaconswimmingclub.co.uk Bexhill SC Mrs.V. Tillett 01424 845 983 bexhillswimmingclub@hotmail.com Bognor Regis SC Mr D. Loveman 01243 528 095 daveloveman@lineone.net www.bognorswim.co.uk Brighton SC Mrs D. Halls 01273 475 326 denisehalls@postmaster.co.uk www.brightonsc.co.uk Brighton Dolphin SC Miss S. Naish sarah@snaish15.fsnet.co.uk www.bdsc.co.uk Chichester Cormorants SC Mrs J. Laney www.chichester-cormorants.org www.chichester-cormorants.co.uk Crawley SC Mrs E. Smith 01293 883 570 jan@cwcw.demon.co.uk www.crawleysc.ik.com East Grinstead SC Mrs. Annemarie Fox 01342 328 255 annemarie@thefoxies.com www.egsc.co.uk


SussexSport

SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING

Beacon Swimming Club (Crowborough) Mrs Ursula Taylor 01892 661 197 utaylor330@btinternet.com www.beaconswimmingclub.co.uk Brighton Dolphin Swimming Club Miss S. Naish, sarah@snaish15.fsnet.co.uk www.bdsc.co.uk Brighton Swimming Club Mrs D. Halls 01273 475 326 denisehalls@postmaster.co.uk www.brightonsc.co.uk

TABLE TENNIS

Sussex Table Tennis Alliance sussextta.co.uk Sussex County Table Tennis AssN. sctta.sussextta.co.uk/index.php Tackleway 01424 430 201

Leagues

Haywards Heath & Dist T Tennis Lge Phil Harvey 01444 242135 www.haywardsheathttl.org.uk Worthing & Dist T Tennis Lge Mrs J Mansell 01903 261 626 Battle Kevin Haffenden 07803 138 881 admin@battlettc.com www.battlettc.com BRoad. Oak TT club Paul Dustall 07985 812 001 Paul.dunstall@btopenworld.com Crawley Community TT club Ian Ford 07764 146 338 Ian.ford@horsham.gov.uk Hollingbury TT club Christine Wicks (club chairman) 01273 709 612 Cjiwcks1@yahoo.co.uk www.hollingburyttc.co.uk Horsham TT club Ian Ford 07764 146 338 Ian.ford@horsham.gov.uk www.horshamtabletennisclub.co.uk Pavilion TT club Mike Jones 07932 676 891 Mike.jones@pavilionttc.co.uk www.pavilionttc.co.uk Storrington TT club Pat Mahoharan 07897 150 108 Ian.talmadge@ips.invensys.com www.storrington-tabletennis.co.uk

Crawley & Horsham League teams Copthorne & Maidenbower M. H. Hughes 02086 683 314 Foresters D. Edwards 01293 521 643 Horsham R. Scott 07815 778 342

Hastings League teams Bexhillians Secretary : Roger Gillett 01424 216 977. Civil Service (Hastings) Secretary: Paul Barry 01424 431 658. Filsham Valley (Junior) Mrs T. Bennett, 01323 484 113 Hollington Neil Stapley 01424 422 892 Monarchs (Hastings) Peter Harding 01424 712 708 Saints 01424 718 136 Tackleway Danny Rickaby 01424 430 201 Tigers (St Leonards) Miss Sheila King 01424 428 057 sheila.king@etta.co.uk www.tigerstt.mfbiz.com Travaux Cliff Duffell 01424 773 176

Worthing Dist Lge teams Steyning 07927 008 663 SteyningTTC@googlemail.com www.steyningttc.co.uk West Worthing Bruce 01903 505 666 info@wwc.org.uk www.wwc.org.uk/table_tennis.html Woodlands Mrs B Bayford 01903 773 306

Other clubs

Billinghurst Ian Ford 07764 146 338 Ian.ford@horsham.gov.uk sussextta.co.uk/clubs_billingshurst.php Brighton Tim Holtam 07985141 788 tim@brightontabletennisclub.co.uk www.brightontabletennisclub.co.uk Crawley Community Ian Ford 07764 146 338 ianfordy@aol.com www.crawleytabletennis.co.uk Lancing Ray Forder 01903 766 678 rfordertabletennis@fsmail.net North Mundham Mr Peter Baldwin 01243 860 966 peter@peterbaldwin.co.uk Woodlands (Rustington) Jim Holden 01903 782 209 woodland@tiscali.co.uk

TENNIS

Angmering-On-Sea Lawn Tennis Club Mandy Wood (membership secretary): 07790 760 210 wood.mandy@btinternet.com Chichester Racquets & Fitness Club 01243 785 664 DeputyManager@crafc.co.uk www.crafc.co.uk Cross in Hand Tennis Club Steve Godfrey 01825 830 670 crossinhandtennis@googlemail.com Tennis Sussex 01273 505 979 Sussex@LTA.org.uk LTA Tennis Development Manager Liz Squires 01273 505 979 Liz.Squires@LTA.org.uk

TRAMPOLINING

Bexhill Bouncers 01424 845 054 ianmcmullen@hotmail.co.uk Dragon Flyers T.C. Bognor Regis 01243 825 015 lindatramp@yahoo.co.uk FliteCrew Trampoline Club 01403 257 038 flitecrewlaurel@aol.com ump Trampolining Club Karen Street (head coach) 01323 508 604 karen.street@virgin.net/ www.jumptc.co.uk Orbital Stars Trampoline Club 01403 734 448 Shinewater Trampoline Club 01323 768 614 shinewater@eastbourne.gov.uk www.eastbourne.gov.uk/leisure/sport/council/ shinewater/youth/gym-and-tramp Southdowns (Lewes + Peacehaven) Malcolm Jones 01273 486 000 southdowns.gtc@ntlworld.com Southwick Trampolining Club 01273 238 111 www.impulseleisure.co.uk

Steyning Stars & Henfield Gym Club Amanda Wadman 01903 816 368 amandawadman@gmail.com www.wadmanmandy@aol.com Sussex Springers Trampoline Club Carol on 01444 831 046 www.sussexspringers.co.uk Sky Surfers Trampoline Club 01903 266 981 john.varga@ntlworld.com Sussex Martlets Trampoline Club 01903 501 798 pat@belchamber.com Up N Downs Trampoline Club 01323490 011 rebecca.hatt@waveleisure.co.uk

TRIATHLON

Amphibians 2 Triathlon Club Karen Wigmore, Club coach karen.wigmore@sky.com www.a2tri.com Brighton Phoenix Tri Malcom Hughes 01273 779 761 brightonphoenixtri@yahoo.com www.brightonphoenix.org.uk Chich’r Westgate Triathlon Club Adrian Campbell 07900 512 699 info@cwtc.org.uk www.cwtc.org.uk Crawley Tri Club Paul Holmes 01444 882 036 paul@circuit-alert.co.uk www.crawleytriclub.co.uk East Grinstead Tri Club Clare Collett, Club secretary club@egtri.com www.egtri.com Esporta Brighton Tony Wright 07767 827 446 www.esportabrighton.co.uk Mid-Sussex Triathlon Club Tamsin Douglas-Smith 01273 835 680 info@midsussextriclub.com www.midsussextriclub.com Steyning Athletic Club Joan Lennon 01903 812 569 joan.lennon@gmail.com www.steyningac.co.uk Tuff Fitty Triathlon Club clive.harvey@tuff-fitty.co.uk www.tuff-fitty.co.uk

Hove Lagoon Watersports 01273 424 842 info@lagoonwatersports.co.uk www.lagoon.co.uk

WEIGHTLIFTING

Worthing Weightlifting Club John Walton 07815 938 919 johnboy.walton@hotmail.co.uk

ZORBING

Brighton (Devils Dyke) 08456 434 360 enquiries@orb360.co.uk www.orb360.co.uk Forest Row SphereMania 08448 003 045 enquiries@spheremania.com www.spheremania.com

VOLLEYBALL

Adur (Southwick) Tom Holt 07760 287 790 thomasholt28@hotmail.com www.adurvolleyball.co.uk Dolphins (Burgess Hill) Tom Hay 01273 546 014 tom_hays@yahoo.co.uk www.dolphinvc.co.uk Kings (East Grinstead) Simon Lewis 07917 328 871 simonklewis@aol.com Storrington Martin Fisher 07786 6426 541 martin.fisher16@btinternet.com Worthing Nigel Goldsmith 01903 263 034 nigeliangoldsmith@yahoo.com www.worthingvolleyball.co.uk Sussex Volleyball Association Richard Jennings (secretary) 01903 746 117 richard@ashdown.co.uk www.volleyballsussex.co.uk/index.htm

Football Want to play? Your guide to the sports, clubs and leagues in Sussex

Eastbourne SC Mr Peter Tyler 07901 769 346 ESC-HonSec@ustylers.co.uk www.eastbourneswimmingclub.org Hailsham SC Mrs E Lucani 01323 503 276 e.lucani@tiscali.co.uk www.hailshamswimmingclub.org Hastings Seagull SC Mr Graham Furness 01424 438 122 graham.furness@tiscali.co.uk Lewes SC Mr P Fouch 01273 477 365 paul@lewesswimmingclub.org www.lewesswimmingclub.org Littlehampton SC Mrs B Condron 01243 552 372 dettecondron@aol.com www.littlehamptonsc.ik.com Mid-Sussex Marlins SC Susan Lodge 01444 451 707 susan.lodge@btconnect.com www.olymposmarlins.org Penguins Swimming Lessons Linette Wheeler 01903 767 820 info@penguinswimlessons.co.uk www.penguinswimlessons.co.uk Shiverers SC Mr Derek Fowlie 07831 455 243 md@burgundywines.co.uk Worthing SC Mr P. McCallum, 01903 267 019 peterjmccallum@hotmail.com www.worthingswimmingclub.org Sussex County Amateur Swimming Assoc Chairman: Mr P McCallum 01903 267 019 peterjmccallum@hotmail.com www.sussexswimming.org/

WATER POLO

Brighton Swimming Club David Charbit 07968 986 648 david_charbit@yahoo.co.uk www.brightonsc.co.uk Crawley Swimming Club Barry Hurst 07595 756 166 barryhurst59@aol.com www.crawleysc.ik.com Hailsham Swimming Club Jeanette Simpson 01323 440 140 Enquiries@hailshamswimmingclub.org www.hailshamswimmingclub.org/ Mid-Sussex Marlins Swimming Club Pat Bates 01444 245 920 waterpolo@olymposmarlins.org www.olymposmarlins.org/ Worthing Swimming Club Peter McCallum 01903 267 019 peterjmccallum@hotmail.com www.worthingswimmingclub.org

WATERSPORTS

Chichester Watersports Centre 01243 776 439 chichesterwatersports@btconnect.com www.chichesterwatersports.co.uk

issue 10 |

61


Sussex Sport Sussex S Sussex S Sussex S Sussex Sport Sussex Sport Coming in the next www.sussexsport.co.uk issue of SussexSport... Gareth Barry: Euro 2012 special on the England star from Hastings

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London Calling - Continued Games build-up Sally Gunnell - (Pictured) Fourth part of her exclusive SussexSport column

Albion in the Community - What the Seagulls are doing for us

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Daley Thompson - (Pictured) Olympic athletic legend on what he owes Sussex

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