Sports International Magazine issue13

The Pro Sports Magazine January 2015

Matrix Fitness Pro Cycling Team 2015 Molly Rhone, Oakland Raiderettes , Jenny Duncalf, Extreme Sailing, Springboks on the Rise, Exclusive Interviews & Articles

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

January 2015 1 Photo: Papaya Photography

2 January 2015

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

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

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

of the puzzle so often is an open mind and an ability to be prepared to see things differently and do things differently - and the team at Matrix Fitness has this is spadefuls.

I am looking forward to this year’s journey with them and this is why they are on our cover this issue.

This issue brings the usual variety of sports and will also ask you to challenge your pre-conceived ideas, but as always showcasing the incredible achievements of women around the world.

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

Just look at Matrix Fitness Cycling, we are doing something very unique with them and in each issue for the next year we will be bringing you an exclusive feature from inside the team on a ‘year in the life of a cycling team’. The team are taking the world by storm with their plans but also with their ability to connect with business and bring in the funds needed to compete.

They are a perfect example of how women’s sport can blend these two parts to create something very exciting. The missing piece

In other news, our new website is up and running, it’s work in progress and I hope it’s never ‘finished’, please visit it, share it and feed back to us what you think.

Thanks again for your ongoing readership and welcome to our new readers, enjoy this issue and remember all our back issues that you can now use our search feature on the website to find athletes or sports of interest.

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

Myak-Paul Homberger - Editor

January 2015 Issue No 013

January 2015 3

Papaya P h o t o g r a p h y

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

www.papayaphotography.co.uk

4 January 2015

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International Contents

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Matrix Fitness Pro Cycling Team

8

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On the Drops Team 16 Molly Rhone 22 Ireland Womens Rugby Team Celebrates

26

Sports International Magazine’s Outstanding Athlete

30

International

Oakland Raiderettes 34 World Cup Qualifying 42 Jenny Duncalf 48 Shape up the Non Evans way

56

Springboks on the Rise 58 Lorna Thomas MBE 66 Water Melon - Did you know?

69

The Captains Pick 70 Sports International Magazine’s Unsung Hero

78

Extreme Sailing 82 Recipes and Tips 90 Thankyou’s 94 Contact 95

January 2015 Issue No 013

January 2015 5

Contributors Myak-Paul Homberger Aside from being a huge sports nut and champion of women’s sport, has numerous qualifications including being a BAWLA qualified weight training coach, two martial arts black belts alongside his instructor level in Urban Krav Maga. He is also an NLP practitioner and sociologist with an HND in RAB. Photography is his main passion and he has been published internationally. Myak has worked with men’s and women’s national teams, as well as with premiership teams and individual players.

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

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

Adam Barlow Adam Barlow’s passion for football began in 1994 watching Lincoln City in the lower leagues of the English football league system.

In 2008 he took up blogging and started watching more semi professional football in order to gain an insight into the game at grass roots as he was keen to develop his understanding of the game at all levels. Watching the England Women’s team play and beat Serbia in a European Championship qualifier at Doncaster in 2011, he was very impressed by the skill of the players and quickly made the decision to learn and write more about women’s football.

In 2012 he attended his first FAWSL game at Lincoln Ladies and started writing as the official fans’ blogger on the website. As time went on he became more engrossed in both writing and the women’s game, writing articles for the website and helping to compose the player profiles for the website. He now regularly reports for Sports International Magazine and would like to help give women’s sport the platform it deserves.

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

6 January 2015

Non Evans Non Evans is a former wrestling, judo and rugby player; Welsh women’s international rugby player and Commonwealth Games medallist.

After retiring from rugby Non Evans experienced a real low and a huge void in her life. In response, she decided to use her knowledge of healthy eating and exercise to help others, filling that void by setting up her own company ‘Non Fit’, to help others. It has changed her life, she says, and the results are just as rewarding as her achievements in sport.

This country is seeing more and more people suffering from obesity daily and Non is helping combat that. She writes bespoke exercise and eating plans to suit every individual depending on their needs and is thriving in changing people’s lifestyles for the better. Everyone is different so not one plan will suit all, she says, which is why the plans work and the results are incredible.

Isa du Toit Isa du Toit is a food writer whose love of good, wholesome food includes a wide range of interests - from delicious recipes and the vast array of ingredients that make food enjoyable, to learning skills and traditional ways of food preparation; artisan baking and ‘the real bread’ campaign; the sociology of food: meanings, traditions, diversity and change; the way in which food and eating together can build bridges and bring people together; regional and cultural differences in food; the concept of ‘food as medicine’ and the research into the links between diet, lifestyle and health.

She has a positive approach to food, and believes passionately that anyone (including children!) can learn to cook - and that good food doesn’t need to be expensive; to the contrary, that it is possible to make easy, cheap, nutritious and delicious meals.

Bethan Cutler Media manager LET tour Bethan has previously featured as our Unsung Hero as well as contributing to the magazine.

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

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

For more information see nonevans.com January 2015 7

Photo: Papaya Photography

Photo: Huw Williams

8 January 2015

Photo: Papaya Photography

Cycling

by Steffan Wyman It’s sometimes compared to fantasy football; get a budget and spend it on your dream team. But the reality of forming a successful cycling team is anything from fantasy work for me. The realities of team selection provide me with more low moments than fantasy highs.

Non-renewal of existing riders contracts and the non-selection of riders with phenomenal talent leaves me butting my head against the wall for many weeks.

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

Photo: Papaya Photography Photo: Papaya Photography

January 2015 9

Photo: Huw Williams

10 January 2015

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

January 2015 11

Photo: Huw Williams

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

The entire 2015 squad applied to us rather than us approaching them. That’s remarkable given the level of riders we have assembled.

So budget element of selection is all-powerful when it comes to any professional sports.

Although the market for women’s cycling is clearly increasing, and boardrooms around the world are noticing the sport given it’s increasing media profile and television coverage, running a professional women’s team is a huge privilege.

It’s not a right, and I have to work very hard to stay 12 January 2015

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

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

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

Photo: Huw Williams

January 2015 13

Photo: Huw Williams

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

This winter has also given us the challenge of making the step up to professional racing from amateur level for all of our riders a reality. We need to prepare each athlete for what lies ahead mentally and physically. That work has already started with winter warm weather training camps in place, as well as several riders heading to Australia and New Zealand for several months.

Our 2015 bike partners are an example of how the step up professional level brings with it the need for much greater detail as we look to make gains in all areas. Each rider, as well as getting several race bikes, also has personal bike fitting services provide by Trek. We need to make sure that the 14 January 2015

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

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

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

Photo: Huw Williams

January 2015 15

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

LAURA TROTT UK Age 22

2012 Olympic Gold Medal x2 (Track) World Champion (Track) European Champion (Track) GB National Champion (Road) Twitter: @LauraTrott31

ELINOR BARKER UK Age 20

World Champion (Track) Junior World Champion (TT) Junior World Silver medalist (Track) European Champion (Track) Commonwealth Games 7th (TT) Twitter: @ElinorBarker

LUCY MARTIN UK Age 24

Olympics 2012 Commonwealth Games 14th U23 National Champs Bronze (Road) Twitter: @LucyMartin05

16 January 2015

SARA OLSSON SWE

Age 24

Junior European Champs (TT) – 10th World Champs Team (TT) – 9th Twitter: @SaaaraOlsson

CHRISTINA SIGGAARD DEN

Age 20

Junior World Championships (Road) – 3rd Twitter: @CMSiggaard

MOLLY WEAVER UK Age 20

Junior World Championships (Road) – 45th Twitter: @MollyWeaver

JESSIE WALKER UK Age 22

Junior World Champs (Road) – 31st Twitter: @JesiWak

January 2015 17

HARRIET OWEN UK Age 20

Junior World Champs (Track) – 2nd Twitter: @HarrietO93

PENNY ROWSON UK Age 22

U23 National Champs (Road) – 2nd Twitter: @Penny_Rowson

MEL LOWTHER UK Age 20

Junior National Champion (Track) Junior World Champs (Road) - 7th Twitter: @MelLowther

18 January 2015

January 2015 19

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“There is nothing I would change about women’s boxing. It’s society I would change.”

- Hemlata Baghdwal Head Coach Indian Women’s national Boxing team.

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Molly Rhone President of The International Netball Federation Interview and article by Myak Homberger When I sat down to talk with Molly Rhone,

She very amusingly says that “….it’s great to get

I thought we were going to talk Netball, Elite

laughs) but I don’t work to get awards.”

President of the International Netball Federation, Netball and what her plans were for the future of

awards and recognition while you are alive! (and

it, especially with the Netball World Cup coming

Seeing the impact of Netball in the inner cities

has achieved and the impact Netball is having at

to ensure that a raft of programs are in place

up. However I came away in awe of what she grassroots around the world.

Molly has a passion and belief in what she is

doing and she wants to share this with everyone

she meets, this isn’t about a CEO/ President who is here to ‘run a business’, this is a woman

who at the age of ten started to play netball in Jamaica. As she said, “...it changed my life and I

saw how it changed other girls”. It is this ethos

and driving force that has pushed Molly all these years, the desire to make a difference.

“To whom much has been given, much is expected,” she says to me of both her talent

and then the positions she found herself in.

First, as a member of the Jamaican Netball team ‘the sunshine girls’, and then vice-captain and President and finally President of the INF. With

award after award, including Jamaican’s Gleaner Honour Award and the Canadian Commander

of the Order of Distinction. She doesn’t dismiss

them, but in no means is motivated by them.

22 January 2015

and the positive impact it had spurred her on around the globe to affect change. Using netball as a catalyst, modules have been created for talks about HIV, accounting, lifestyle etc. The

challenge has not only been to engage the girls, in many countries it has been about persuading the mothers to let their girls get involved. The popular view is that they need to stay at home

and shouldn’t be learning, but Molly and her team have listened, talked and persuaded them - and the programs are a success.

From the slums of Delhi to sub Saharan Africa there are no programs that - as Molly says “...

get girls active and playing and teaches them life skills.” Interestingly, she makes the point

that there are many sports programs around the world but they are in the main aimed at boys, and she is very clear that this is about netball

for girls. “I make no apology for this,” she says of her focus “…grassroots is important”. This is

Molly’s raison d’etre: she is the epitome of the phrase ‘giving back’.

Photo courtesy INF

January 2015 23

Photo courtesy INF

24 January 2015

Molly has a three pronged strategy in her quest

behind. Whilst talking with Molly she is clear

the administrative set-up needs to be in place.

like hers. As she said, “if you haven’t made a

for netball. First, governance of the sport and all

From when she first took over as President with one part-time member of staff to a fully-fledged

international organisation with full time staff and representatives in many key countries, she has put a structure in place to not only deliver her

vision but to grow the sport around the world by providing the support needed.

Second, Molly wants to grow the sport at elite level with more

countries

becoming

members and it being included in more international events.

When Molly started there were thirty seven paid members

of the INF, now with seventy five paid members and many

that you need to make a difference in a position difference, don’t be involved.” Which may sound harsh, but for Molly it’s about being at the top of your game and always being fresh.

To this end Molly has created a ‘term presidency’

that ensures that no single person stays in the

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

more countries playing she

role, there is always change. She

sees that new people bring new ideas and a fresh energy. But more

than this, she says that “…while you are there you need to be a

revolutionary”. And maybe this is the root of what makes Molly

the way she is: she sees herself as netball revolutionary and not a

corporate president - and this is why she has achieved so much and

will leave a legacy any would be

is very excited. “It’s so exciting to see teams

proud of. All that is left is for her to fulfil her

about talent with minimum resources. Just look

given all she has achieved, the smart money is on

and countries coming through and for many it’s at Malawi, Zambia and Uganda.” She speaks

with the pride and excitement of a parent talking

desire to see netball as an Olympic sport - and her doing just that.

about their child. There is no corporate speak

For more details on Netball for peace, Netball

netball and to grow the game at elite level. She

Netball federation run please visit http://www.

here, she is clearly wanting new countries to play overflows with stories of countries and the things

they have achieved, as well as telling me of new

safari’s and Goal India programs the International netball.org/sustainable-global-development

countries playing netball. As she readily admits, given the success of this part of the strategy

her challenge is now to ensure there is enough technical help in place to help these countries.

“It’s all about developing talent,” she explains.

The third and final part of her strategy is the grassroots focus, to build future generations but most importantly for Molly it’s to empower

and uplift a generation around the world. What an incredible vision and what a legacy to leave

Photo courtesy INF

January 2015 25

Ireland Womens Ruby Team celebrates World Cup Achievement Through Spur’s work with Sports International Magazine and their great support of women’s sport, Rapid River Spur at Liffey Valley, Ireland recently hosted a lunch for members of the Ireland

women’s rugby team to celebrate their achievement in this year’s World Cup tournament played in France in August.

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

the world for days afterwards, and the shock win of the World Cup!

What’s more, the team made history in the 2013 Women’s Six Nations, having never previously finished better than third,

winning the cup over England. The girls play with guts, passion and a powerful team spirit that drives them to play amazing rugby.

Spur manager, David Redmond, and his team were thrilled to

welcome the Ireland team members to lunch at the restaurant.

‘We were incredibly proud to celebrate their fantastic success in this year’s tournament and to have them visit our restaurant,” he said. “They’re all great sportswomen. What’s even more amazing is that unlike players in other countries, they’re not full time players

and they also have day jobs. All power to them and here’s to a blazing future for the Ireland Women’s team.”

Editors note: From Sports International Magazines’ point of view it is great to see that companies like Spur not only support women’s sport but celebrate the amazing achievements with the players and we appreciate their support.

26 January 2015

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“Champions keep playing until they get it right.”

- Billie Jean King

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January 2015 29

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OUTSTANDING

AT H L E T E Hannah White - Sailor, Adventurer and Presenter

By Myak Homberger

Hannah White has completed a mind boggling array of adventures on land and sea over the years as well as becoming a broadcaster.

From sailing solo across the Atlantic (3,200 miles across) THREE times, to adventures on every continent apart from Antarctica, she is not adventure shy!

Hannah has a great outlook on the adventures she undertakes and is full of life lessons that can easily be converted into everyday life.

Her starting point is fascinating though - she is passionate in her belief that anyone can do anything. “People ask what I have done and they say they couldn’t do that. It’s rubbish! Anyone can sail solo across the Atlantic or do anything!” The foundation for her is that if she can do it, anyone can. As she says: “…anyone can do anything, it just takes time, preparation, commitment and dedication.”

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

30 January 2015

Photo courtesy of Hannah White

January 2015 31

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

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

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

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

DameH SARA Y E STOR

Congratulations to ...

Hannah White,

our outstanding sportswoman! We’re proud supporters of women’s sport around the world!

Visit a Spur Restaurant and try our mouth-watering steaks, perfectly basted ribs, crisp salads, delicious burgers and flame-grilled chicken!

Check out our awesome weekday specials and our store locator at:

Photo: Papaya Photography

32 January 2015

Photos courtesy of Hannah White

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

January 2015 33

Oakland Ra

c

34 January 2015

aiderettes

challenging preconceptions

Photo courtesy of Raiderettes

January 2015 35

Interview and article by Myak Homberger

What do a student, doctor, Biochemist, lawyer, nurse, teacher and a bio-mechanical engineer all have in common?

Some would say “that sounds like my local soccer team, or my local softball team” - a group of women with varying backgrounds who come together to play a sport. But if I told you that these were all cheerleaders what would your reaction be?

I have been fortunate to spend time within the NFL getting to know teams and cheerleaders and what they do, as part of my desire to understand and challenge the myths around cheerleading.

Are these athletes or are they just what so many believe them to be?

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

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

This for me is core to what Jeanette is delivering with the Raiderettes. The mantra that Jeanette instils into each Raiderette is that “The first thing that comes out of your mouth shouldn’t be that you are a Raiderette, it’s something that people should discover. It may be an impressive title but it’s not what defines you.” This is not what I expected to hear, if I am honest, and it is a 36 January 2015

Photo courtesy Tony Gonzales

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

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

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

Photo courtesy Tony Gonzales

January 2015 37

38 January 2015

Photo courtesy of Raiderettes

January 2015 39

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

“I can’t tell you anyone else’s perception, I can only tell you what we try to do,” Jeanette tells me of her quest to change perceptions. Jeanette is pushing the boundaries of perception very hard and ushering in a new dawn in cheerleading.

Talking with the Raiderettes, it is very clear they are keen to be on the squad and that they consider it an honour, with many of them having been lifelong fans of the Raiders team.

The interesting thing is the enthusiasm that they speak with about all the community work they do. I tried numerous times to get back to my questions about training, what their schedules are etc. but we kept wandering back to the charity and community work they and the Raiderettes do. With three separate programs that all lead into being a Raiderette as well as a ‘play 60’ programme and charity work in the community, these are very busy cheerleaders.

What is interesting though is that the work not only impacts the community but them as well.

As one of the Raiderettes explained “..on our last ‘play 60’ event a girl said to us this was the best day of her life. Often these kids don’t come from the best circumstances and to able to give them positive experiences is amazing”.

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

All of this is on top of the following schedule they have as Raiderette cheerleaders: • 3 x 3 hour training session with the Raiderettes each week • Strength and conditioning training • Cardio classes • It varies for each Raiderette but of those I spoke to, 4 x 2 hour gym sessions as well • Normal 9-5 jobs On game day they arrive at 7am for a 1pm kick off. They will have a full rehearsal followed by a performance in Raiderville and then on to ‘tunnels’, welcoming fans as they come into the stadium. This is followed by a pre-game routine and then 4 hours of dancing, rallying and standing, with their only break and time to get

Photo courtesy of Tony Gonzales

40 January 2015

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

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

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

Photos courtesy Tony Gonzales

January 2015 41

World Cup Qualifying

By Adam Barlow Over the past 18 months teams from all over the world have been battling hard to reach the finals in Canada next year. This time the World Cup has been expanded to 24 sides and after 18 months of qualifying games, we now know the 23 sides that will join the host nation Canada looking to win football’s biggest prize.

Europe was given eight berths in this newly expanded tournament so as expected all the traditional powerhouses qualified with ease.

France, England, Sweden, and two time winners Germany all topped their qualifying groups with 100% records. 1995 champions Norway won 9 and drew just the once; a record that was matched

by Switzerland who were the first side to seal qualification from Europe and one of the sides that will be making their World Cup debut this year. Spain are another side that will be appearing in their first finals, and topped the group by 3 points from Italy. There was to be more heart break for the Italians in the playoffs as after beating Ukraine, they lost out 4-1 to Holland on aggregate who claimed the final European qualifying place. The Dutch had lost out to Norway by just 2 points in the group stage and overcame 42 January 2015

Scotland in the playoff semi finals. Scotland can hold their heads high after an encouraging campaign that saw them get the closest they ever have to qualifying for a World Cup. South America has two automatic qualifiers into Canada 2015 with the potential for a 3rd team to make it as the 3rd placed team gained the right face the 4th placed side from the CONCACAF section for the place. As with a number of associations the qualifying also doubled up as a confederation championship. Brazil had been for many years, the strongest side in South America and so it proved; Brazil topped the final table ahead of runner up Columbia to seal the two automatic spots. Ecuador finished 3rd to grab the playoff place.

Africa also has 3 places and here it was Nigeria that took the title, in the semi final they dispatched South Africa, and waiting for them in the final were old rivals Cameroon who had beaten Ivory Coast in the other semi final in extra time. Although both sides had already qualified the final was very competitive with Nigeria winning 2-0.

The 3rd/4th place playoff between South Africa and Ivory Coast was incredibly tense but Ivory Coast struck late in the game winning 1-0 and grabbing the last African spot.

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

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

CONCACAF has been given 3 automatic spots plus a playoff spot with a South American side. With Canada automatically qualifying for the World Cup it meant that the United States; who are ranked January 2015 43

2nd in the world, were barely tested in qualifying although they failed to hit the heights that the team did in 2012. The biggest talking points away from the low crowds were Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago.

Costa Rica’s 1-0 win over Mexico in the group stage upset the form guide and meant they would avoid the USA in the semi finals. Instead it was Mexico who faced and lost to the Americans as Costa Rica beat T&T to reach the final against the Americans. The USA proved far too strong and cantered to a 6-0 win. Mexico took the final automatic spot by beating T&T 3-1 after extra time. The Caribbean side still had a chance to qualify though as they were to playoff against Ecuador over 2 legs for the final place in the World Cup. The first leg in Ecuador finished goalless in a game as tight as everybody expected. The return leg was every bit as tense but Ecuador ensured there was to be no fairy tale ending for T&T as they scored a late minute winner to qualify in dramatic circumstances.

The draw: The draw for the finals was made in Ottawa and produced some mouth watering games. The big highlight was Group D that saw the USA placed in a tough group with Sweden, Australia, and Nigeria.

England have been drawn to face their old adversaries France in a group that also contains Mexico and Colombia. The hosts Canada will have to overcome Holland, China, and New Zealand Group A: Canada, China, New Zealand, Holland Group B: Germany, Ivory Coast, Norway, Thailand Group C: Japan: Switzerland, Cameroon, Ecuador Group D: USA, Sweden, Australia, Nigeria Group E: Brazil, Spain, South Korea, Costa Rica Group F: France, England, Mexico, Columbia.

44 January 2015

Football World Cup 2015 Sports International Magazine's World Cup facts

24 Teams 6 Venues

52

Ottawa, Vancouver, Moncton, Winnipeg, Montreal, Edmonton

Matches to be played

6,500 hours of projected TV coverage

2011 World Cup Audience

Millions

75

50

61% male audience in USA 25

59% male audience in Germany

0 JPN V USA

Live

JPN V SWE

USA V FRA

Non-live

65% male audience in Japan

-----------------------------1. Total in-home audience reach (3+ minutes) 2. Total in-home audience reach (20+ consecutive minutes) 3. Highest global in-home audience (FWWC Germany 2011 Final match; JPN v USA) 4. Average global in-home audience per live match

Copyright Sports International Magazine 2014

1

2

3 4

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

Follow us for news and feeds on your computer

@sportsimagazine.com for updates to your phone

Data: FIFA

@sportsimagazine for updates and news to your tablet January 2015 45

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January 2015 47

48 January 2015

Jenny Duncalf Interview and article by Myak Homberger

Jenny has played Squash since she was nine years old, turning Pro when she was twenty.

As she explains, had her nine year old self been told what she would be doing, she

would have said “I would love it, it would be

a dream come true!” Jenny’s first Women’s Squash Association World Tour title win came at the Atlanta Masters in 2003. She

had previously enjoyed successful Junior

campaigns, winning the European Junior title in 2001 and the British Junior U12, U14, U16 and U17 titles.

By 2005 Jenny was in the top 10 and by

2009 she was number 2 in the world. With 11 WSA World Tour titles and over 100 caps Photo courtesy of Jenny Duncalf

for England as well as the captaincy and 3

January 2015 49

Photo courtesy of Jenny Duncalf

50 January 2015

Commonwealth silver medals to boot Jenny has achieved so much - as she said, living the dream. The interesting twist with Jenny’s

story is the unerring success of world No1 Nicol David.

In Jenny’s own words Nicol David is “the best Squash player of all time”. The x7 World Champion has thwarted Jenny’s ascendancy

not only to the number 1 slot but in more finals than she wants to remember. The interesting thing for me is that despite this

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

Jenny has a great view of this situation and

one that I feel defines her and her outlook on life.

As we talk about her repeated silver medals

and defeats to the same player she says “I have lived and played in an era of the best

Squash player the world has seen. I don’t feel disappointed, the opposite, I know what

I have achieved and I feel privileged to have played in this time. I would not change it at all.” Over time athletes have been frustrated

by the dominance of a legend in their sport and many are bitter and feel wronged, even

making excuses. Yet for Jenny she sees it differently, for her she has played against

not only the best, but the best ever and she feels privileged to have done it. What a great outlook.

January 2015 51

Having said all of that, Jenny is far from dulled or disheartened by it all, and she is

very clear as we talk on what she wants. “I still have a lot to achieve individually and as

a team, things I want to do,” she explains

of her desire to push harder than ever after twenty years playing Squash. As so many top athletes, she says she will only quit when it’s not fun anymore.

Jenny guides herself by two further values:

first, to lead by example as a captain, whether you are playing or not and second, to “let

your Squash do the talking”. She sees things

very clearly but in a way that is different to many. For her it’s about stopping sometimes and just realising what you are doing:

playing a sport you love professionally and travelling the world, what could be better?

In doing this Jenny is able

to enjoy the success and the now, rather than wait

till she retires. This also brings a certain peace not only for herself but

that she gives to others, another perspective. As

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

we talk it’s so obvious that

she enjoys the moment she is in, which is great to

hear - and the flip-side to that is when the moments are tough she can knuckle down

and focus on what needs to be done in the moment to get back on top.

I asked Jenny about what it meant to be England captain and her answer surprised 52 January 2015

Photo courtesy of Jenny Duncalf

January 2015 53

Photos

54 January 2015

me not because it isn’t part of what any captain would say,

but because it seems it’s just a part of how Jenny is and her outlook. For Jenny it is about playing and being able

to represent your country and then additional privilege and honour to captain your country but it’s more for her, she seems

genuinely so happy to be playing and loving every moment and not even a hint of entitlement - just the knowledge that it’s a gift and a privilege.

Jenny is an athlete who in her own words “feels lucky” and

she brings something unique to the party. She has been

at the pinnacle of her sport worldwide and yet the talk is never about what she has achieved or how good she is. She is a great example of a great athlete, a good captain and a person who has such a good view of sport and life and is

very aware of what it has brought her, most importantly in the here and now.

Editor’s note: It’s great to meet and spend time with elite

athletes and every once in a while you come away with a courtesy of Jenny Duncalf

smile on your face having thoroughly enjoyed the time and

Jenny is definitely one of those. A great person to be around as well as a world class athlete with a fantastic outlook on life.

January 2015 55

Shape up the

Non Evans way According to Non Evans, you do not have run for miles and lift heavy weights to lose weight. If you think working out in a sweaty gym is the best way to lose weight, she says, think again.

Former Welsh women’s international rugby player and Commonwealth Games medallist Non Evans, who now trains ‘average Joe’s’ in achieving the perfect physique, puts it down to eating less bread, drinking loads of water and picking spirits over beer and wine.

Non says that many basic points are missed when it comes to the diet and exercise for a healthy body - do people want to get fit, lose weight,

Photo courtesy of Non Evans

have fitness and eating plans for rugby or just look good?

Here are some of Non’s top tips: 1. Use your loaf: It’s been said that to look good and be healthy you should avoid regularly eating carbohydrates or even stop eating them altogether. Don’t. In fact, we are encouraged to eat, eat, eat. Cutting out carbs means you are effectively starving yourself of nutrients which the body needs and it leads to sugar cravings.

Make sure you eat healthy carbohydrates like wholemeal rice and pasta, and avoid bread!

Follow the ‘eat little and often’ mantra, eating a small meal of carbohydrates with a protein source 56 January 2015

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

every two to three hours throughout the day. Small meals like a jacket potato and ham, or brown rice and chicken, are ideal. Your metabolism slows down if you don’t eat and especially as you get older, so eating regularly will keep speeding it back up and burn calories, which means you lose body fat. 5-6 small meals a day for women and 6-8 for men.

2. Forget trying to run your bum off: Think running a half marathon is the only way to get that weight off? Well, no, it isn’t.

There’s no doubt it makes you fitter but it will just improve your cardio-vascular fitness as opposed to dropping body fat and changing body shape, because the body uses a greater percentage of fat as an energy source when the heart rate is lower. So the best way to burn fat is to go for a brisk walk on an empty stomach as soon as you get up in the morning. If you go for a 30 to 40 minute brisk walk, especially in the morning, you will start burning fat rather than the food in your stomach. Keep your heart rate at about 120.

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

For more information see nonevans.com

Photo courtesy of Non Evans

January 2015 57

Springboks Photo: Papaya Photography

58 January 2015

on the rise

January 2015 59

By Myak Homberger We have followed the South African women’s

to train together and also bond off the field. As

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

Rassie Erasmus, SARU’s General Manager of High

and it is so exciting to see how things have grown

Performance said, “In the past our women players

and how this year has seen an explosion in South

had to train on their own and then assemble

African women’s rugby.

in short camps before matches, which was not conducive to consistent quality performances.

In January the South African Rugby Union (SARU)

These initiatives have definitely changed the face

awarded national contracts to fifteen Springbok

of women’s rugby.”

Women Sevens players for the first time in history, in a significant move towards the 2016 Rio

Rassie Erasmus was equally excited about the

Olympic Games and proving its commitment to

decision to contract an elite group of players

growing Women’s rugby. The fifteen players are

and he believed it would inspire more women

members of the elite Sevens squad that is based

to follow their dream of becoming professional

in Stellenbosch, a group that includes star players

rugby players. “Women’s rugby worldwide has

Zenay Jordaan, Mathrin Simmers, Lorinda Brown

grown tremendously in the last few years and

and Veroeshka Grain. They all live together within

with the inclusion of Sevens rugby in the Olympic

this residential programme and the view is that

Games from 2016 we believe it will be even more

this provides an ideal environment for the players

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

Photo: Papaya Photography

60 January 2015

Photo: Papaya Photography

Photo: Papaya Photography

this growth it was essential to align our structures

Lorinda Brown, a seasoned veteran of the game

with international standards in order to compete

since her first World Cup in 2006, has played both

successfully against the best teams in the world.

rugby formats and is a shining example of the

This is certainly a massive milestone for women’s

attitude pervasive in the Springbok squad. “ I’m

rugby in South Africa.”

very privileged to be given a contract,” she says, adding “...it’s the beginning of new things.” This

SARU CEO Jurie Roux agrees with this sentiment.

is a theme that runs through all the conversations

“This is a watershed moment for women’s rugby

with the team: they may have worked hard to get

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

here but they are humble and appreciative of the

players and that SARU is serious about women’s

opportunity they have been given. They see it as

rugby. We are determined to see the ladies excel

exactly that, an opportunity - and they are doing

on the international stage, and by raising the

everything to ensure that they make the most of

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

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

we believe results will follow.”

they are very aware they are at the forefront of what so many have dreamed of.

Speaking to the players they agree that this has been of huge benefit to them both individually and

This attitude is in no small way down to the

as a team. As Shona-Leah Weston commented,

management team as well. They are ensuring

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

that the values and grounded nature of the team

these are exciting times for us”.

stays, despite not only being the central program January 2015 61

62 January 2015

but also that this is first time in the history of South African women’s rugby that the team has qualified as one of the core teams on the IRB Women’s World Series circuit. What will be critical is how they balance this pressure with having previously not been one of the core teams, as the top four teams in the table at the end of the season will automatically qualify for places in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games - and this is the huge prize that the team is very focused on being a part of.

The team may be one of the most culturally diverse, blending age and format variations and yet it works. It is interesting to observe behind the scenes how they all interact and how they are ‘a family’. I have spent a great deal of time off the pitch with the team over the years and would have been able to see if things were different - but the bond and comradery is very apparent. Whether it’s competing at ‘Mario cart’ or the senior players helping the young players find their feet, they all have the same ethos and aim. They have all had to earn their place in a very small and select team, they have worked very hard for it and made many sacrifices along the way. The key is that they all know that they were selected for a reason and that in the same way their team mates were too.

Photo courtesy of IRB

January 2015 63

This knowledge pulls the team together with the same goals and attitude. The interesting thing is that they never set their sight on simply achieving ‘good’ - as Shona-Leah Weston said, “...we want to win gold.” They are on the field together, helping to unite South Africa. For players like Lorinda it’s also about showing the next generation that they can do it. As she says, “...women are unique, get out there and do it! ” The thing that endears them is their openness.

They are happy to share their personal struggles with competing at this level and I won’t quote them but it shows a genuiness that is part of the makeup of the team. They are in this together, pulling in the same direction, proud of where they have come from and what they are achieving.

I have always felt welcome with the team and look forward to seeing how the next couple of years unfold for the Springbok family.

Photo: Papaya Photography

64 January 2015

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January 2015 65

Lorna

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

Lorna was born in

1917

began

cricket age

of

before Photo courtesy of Australia Cricket

and

playing

at

the

eleven

joining

her district club

Annandale. A medium-paced bowler and a hard-hitting opening bat, she represented

New South Wales (NSW) from 1937. She played against New Zealand in 1946-47 and

against England in 1948-49, retiring from

the game in the late 1950s. However Lorna

couldn’t stay out of the game and in 1960 she took up team management, going on to

manage five international teams including 66 January 2015

four overseas tours. She was affectionately known as ‘Auntie Lorna’ to many of

the players because of her caring and compassionate nature. Due to her strong

role as Team Manager through the 1960s, Lorna Thomas was regarded as a pioneer

of women’s cricket and led the national team through a period of significant societal

change which paved the way for today’s elite players.

The 1963 ‘tourists’ were pioneers for women’s cricket under the leadership of Mary Loy (neé Allitt) and manager Lorna Thomas. This was the first tour of England by a female team

in twelve years. This team was also the first women’s side (either Australian or English) to be invited by the committee of the MCC to

dine with committee members in the famous ‘Long Room’ at Lord’s. Lorna was also one of

the first women admitted to membership of

the MCC. The history-making tour attracted plenty of media attention and the team were

tagged ‘Glamour Girls’ by the UK’s press.

The tour proved ground-breaking for many

in the history of women’s cricket and was

the developments witnessed in the women’s

her various roles within cricket Lorna worked

reasons and they can take credit for many of game in the last few decades.

In addition, Lorna managed

the 1973 and 1976 teams to

England and the West Indies as well as the Australian team

which met New Zealand in

Melbourne in 1972. She was also team manager in 1973 when Australia played in the inaugural

Women’s

well respected on and off the field. Through

tirelessly to increase the profile of the

We have nothing but admiration and respect for Lorna Thomas and all she did in the pursuit of Women’s Cricket around the world

World

Cup in England. In the role of manager she always paid her own way.

Boasting a cricket-playing career of over half

a century Lorna was major force in women’s

sport and her legacy is evident not only in

the professionalism of women’s cricket in

Australia today but also in the number of girls and women playing cricket.”

cricket for more than seventy years. In 1978

We have nothing but admiration and

the NSW and Australian teams, before being

the pursuit of Women’s Cricket around the

she retired from her position as manager of

awarded an MBE for services to cricket and

was made a life member of Women’s Cricket Australia.

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

respect for Lorna Thomas and all she did in

world, recognising the price she must have

paid, and the struggle and obstacles she

must have had to overcome to achieve what she did. Lorna Thomas is a great benchmark for our series on pioneers of women’s sport and a worthy first member.

On the 17th of September 2014 Lorna Thomas MBE, passed away at the age of

96. Cricket Australia Chief Executive Office James Sutherland summed it up best when

he said: “Lorna was a great contributor

to cricket in Australia as a player and administrator. She holds a significant place

Photo courtesy of Australia Cricket

January 2015 67

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January 2015 69

Jess Fishlock

Photo courtesy of LET

70 January 2015

The Captains Pick: An interview with Carin Koch

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

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

January 2015 71

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

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

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

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

Q. What was the purpose of your trip to the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters?

Was it really to mix and meet up with potential team members or was it to keep competitive?

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

I do, every now and then. Sitting in Sweden and you have an event that you can go to in Dubai in December, it’s hard not to go. But 72 January 2015

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

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

I’m just starting to put my schedule together.

I have a couple of things in January I’m going to but they are not 100 percent finalised yet.

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

Photo courtesy of LET

No, I haven’t. I need to, though. Otherwise I think I’m not going to play any tournaments.

I have to kind of prioritise that, as well.

There’s a lot going on. There will be some requests for sponsors to have me come and speak and there’s something in Brussels that I might go to. But not too much set yet. I’ll go to probably Nabisco, which is not called Nabisco anymore, it’s the ANA, the major in Palm Springs on the LPGA; and then I think that’s about it, the British Open, just to see the players.

Q. Are all the majors important to you?

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

Probably because they are good tournaments to go to. Also now I see some players here, but some I haven’t seen since the British Open. So I want to make sure I see them in the beginning of the year, so Nabisco is a January 2015 73

74 January 2015

Photo courtesy of LET

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

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

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

Just nice to see so many girls playing well.

January 2015 75

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

- Jenny Finch

SPORTS

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January 2015 77

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Photos: Taiwan Mike - KLC Photos

78 January 2015

UNSUNG

HERO Ric Suggitt Head Coach of USA Rugby Women’s Eagles Sevens

By Myak Homberger

Ric is one of those larger than life guys that you see on the Women’s Sevens World Series tour, not just in physical size but also his prescence.

Smiling, laughing and always having time to chat with people, not just fans but also coaches and players from other teams. It is interesting to observe Ric as he chats with people: his passion for women’s sport is so obvious, language doesn’t get in the way as he shares with those eager to understand how he has achieved what he has with the team.

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

Ric’s view on bringing players through is a very interesting one and one that has brought good results. His view is that it’s about the player not their sport. Ric explains “what is relevant is not their body shape but their brain”. Ric’s vision and message is that it’s about ability, not about a specific sport, its about your brain and the aptitude for it to handle the 7’s game.

This is a different approach to many but with gold medal Olympians and world champions in his ranks it is paying off.

January 2015 79

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

Ric’s policy is an open door one, one that wants to be best without the boundaries and limitations that are so often put in place and it’s this that makes him so interesting, passionate and draws people to him.

The thing that I like is that he really believes it, it’s not spin, it’s genuine and this makes it enjoyable to be in his company. Ric is a unsung hero in the truest sense: he is passionate about women’s sport, he has great vision outside of the box and a never-ending desire to see athletes grow and develop, whilst believing 100% in them. That is what it’s all about.

80 January 2015

Photos: Papaya Photography

January 2015 81

Sailing with the best:

Extreme Sailing

Photo courtesy of Extreme Sailing

82 January 2015

By Myak Homberger Extreme Sailing is one of the few sports in the world where women compete alongside men.

Just to give you an idea of what the Extreme 40 boat is and the idea behind it, the creators of the Extreme 40 took the biggest, fastest sailing boat in the Olympics — then made it twice as big and even faster. And no, brakes do not come as standard…there is a reason it is called Extreme!

Watching, let alone being on one of these boats, is incredible: often the hull “flys” and the crew have to lean over the sides just to keep the boat from tipping over!

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

January 2015 83

Photos courtesy of Extreme Sailing

84 January 2015

Photos courtesy of Extreme Sailing

January 2015 85

Photos courtesy of Extreme Sailing

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

86 January 2015

Photo courtesy of Extreme Sailing

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

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

Morgan Larson said something that I would love to hear in every sport that women compete in: “...we don’t think we are sailing with a girl, we feel like we are sailing with an amazing athlete.”

What an incredible thing to hear from one of the best sailors in the world. Morgan is a veteran of four America’s Cups, so this isn’t about credit for January 2015 87

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

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

Photos courtesy of Extreme Sailing

88 January 2015

January 2015 89

Superstar

Beetroot!

Recipes and Tips sponsored by

The haricot bread company Hand-crafted Artisan Bread 90 January 2015

Photo: Zac Peatling

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

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

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

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

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

The colour of beetroot comes from the antioxidant betacyanin.

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

Studies carried out by sports science researchers into the effect January 2015 91

of beetroot on performance have shown that the nitrates found in beetroot have a significant effect on stamina and sports performance.

Most of the studies were carried out on cyclists or runners which makes the findings particularly important for endurance sport athletes.

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

Cooking beetroot the easy way

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

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

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

Wash the beetroot under cold running water.

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

Place in a saucepan and cover with cold water.

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

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

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

For sandwich fillings on slices of wholemeal bread, try tinned red salmon (or tuna) with mayonnaise topped with slices of beetroot; grated or sliced beetroot on bread with butter 92 January 2015

Beetroot Bread 400g White bread flour 100g Stoneground wholemeal flour 1t salt 1t golden granulated sugar 10g yeast 2T Virgin olive oil 280ml warm water 200/220g raw beetroot, freshly coarse grated Method Mix dry ingredients together. Add olive oil, then the beetroot. When well mixed slowly add the water. Knead for 10-12 minutes.

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

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

Leave for 45 minutes.

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

Photo: Zac Peatling

For references and more information: http://www.lovebeetroot.co.uk/healthy_info/beetroot-benefits. asp#.VK6XfFpCg9U http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/ingredient-focusbeetroot http://www.endurancesportsnutritionist.co.uk/blog/beetrootendurance-performanc/ The Complete Superfoods Cookbook; Michael van Straten The Top 10 Fitness Foods; Sarah Owen

January 2015 93

Thank you’s With each issue that goes by it never ceases to

beautiful game; Ric for your great vision and open

and support staff around the world and across

Jenny for your time and input, really enjoyed the

amaze me the openness and stories of the athletes sporting boundaries. It would be impossible to

write a magazine like this if it wasn’t for the access the athletes, teams and governing bodies give the

door, you rock. Bethan for your writing and passion, interview; Non as always a legend, your enthusiasm and support is great thank you.

magazine and for this I am very grateful.

It may sound like a cliché but it is a privilege to

tell the stories and provide a spotlight on these

incredible women and the sports and challenges they do, so a huge thanks to them.

Specific to this issue I would like to thank Stef for

his vision and working with us on something new;

to Molly, Nikki and all at INF, what a great team that are so passionate; the Ireland Rugby team for their time and Spur restaurants for helping us and them celebrate their achievements.

Extreme Sailing for their access and support of the magazine, Sarah Ayton and Anna Tunnicliffe for so much of their time and Team Alinghi for allowing the most unseaworthy person (our editor) onto

their boat to race with them! Hannah White, an

adventuring legend in the making, great to spend

time with you thank you. To the Springbok team and family for all your time and freedom to spend so much time with you, baie dankie vir alles.

To the Oakland Raiders, Raiderettes and Jeanette,

thanks for all your time, input and openness, it was

great to spend time with you despite your schedule.

Adam for all your knowledge, writing and love of the

The views and opinions expressed by the writers in this magazine are their own and not necessarily those of Sports International Magazine. © Copyright 2014 Sports International Magazine. All Rights Reserved 94 January 2015

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