kent.ac.uk/sports

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Summer 2012

InterviewOlympian Mel Clewlow on commentating at London 2012

Kent’s £4.8 million legacySignificantly enhanced state-of-the-art fitness suite

Featured student clubMountaineering

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Contents

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UpdateNews 04Xercise Factor 2012 06

Join inChallenge yourself 08VC’s Cup 10Inter College Cup 11

FeaturesLondon 2012 12Development 14

InterviewMel Clewlow 16

Club focusClimbing 20University of KentMountaineering Club 23

Sports scholarsNatalie Ng 24Kwasi Adomakoh 25

MembershipInformation & prices 26Feedback 27

to the University of Kent Sport’s Summer 2012 edition of On the Move magazine

Welcome

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WelcomeIt’s an exciting time in sport and at Kent Sport, with the Olympics just around the corner, work has begun on our own Olympic legacy, with the redevelopments at the Sports Centre and Pavilion at the Canterbury campus.

We are working hard to develop a building programme that will minimise disruption but at the same time deliver fantastic new facilities. The end result will be a significant enhancement to the sporting offer at Kent, with more facilities, bigger sports programmes, better equipment and a great start to the ‘post 2012’ era for sport.

See page 15 for an update on the new fitness suite, which will include state-of-the-art equipment from StarTrac.

You can lean more about the redevelopments and see photographs of the build progressing on the Kent Sport website at www.kent.ac.uk/sports/future

Kent Sport strives to encourage more people to be more active, more often, in a fun, friendly and high quality environment.

In this great year of opportunity, if you are thinking about making changes to your lifestyle, do come along and talk to us. There will never be a better time!

Graham Holmes Director of Kent Sport University of KentWelcome

Oli Prior and Graham Holmes at FIBO (the European Health and Fitness Convention) in Germany, April 2012. Graham and Oli attended as guests of Star Trac, who will provide the majority of the fitness equipment in the new fitness suite.

content subheading

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Update

Olympic-inspired kids’ summer camps

SummerZone, Kent Sport’s summer camp for children, returns this Olympic year in August. The camp, packed with various sporting activities, is led by double Olympian Mel Clewlow and a team of qualified instructors, and start just after London 2012. Why not give your children the opportunity to get involved in sport once they have been inspired by the Olympics?

The week-long summer sports camp will run from Monday 13 – Friday 17 August and Monday 20 – Friday 24 August. SummerZone offers sports fun and learning for children aged 5-12 years, from just £99 a week. Day passes, discounts, early drop-off, late pick-ups and lunches are also available.

Full details and a booking form are available from the Sports Centre or Pavilion receptions or online at www.kent.ac.uk/summerzone

Kent Running ActivatorLucy Tomlinson joined Kent Sport in February 2012 as the Kent Running Activator. Working in partnership with the University of Kent and Kent Sport Leisure and Olympics, Lucy is responsible for overseeing the Kent Running Project. Lucy is a keen runner herself, having completed nine full marathons and numerous half marathons.

Funded by Sport England, the Kent Running Project is all about providing more recreational running opportunities for beginners in Kent.

Lucy’s main priority is to identify, train and support 50 new and existing Running Group leaders in Kent, with the overall aim of encouraging more people to run, and to run more often.

A one-day leadership course will be held on 7 July at The Sennocke Centre, Sevenoaks School, Sevenoaks. Leaders will receive a fantastic set of resources including a coaching licence and public liability insurance (provided by England Athletics), ongoing support with group promotion and leader days, as well as social media training, free session plans and handouts, a high visibility vest and a first aid kit.

If you’d like to find out more about the Kent Running Project and how you can get involved, please contact Lucy on lucy.tomlinson@kent.gov.uk or 07730 870696.

Newswww.kent.ac.uk/summerzone

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Update

Survey Kindle winnerThank you to everyone who took the time to complete the Kent Sport online survey. Your responses will be used to help shape future Kent Sport services.

All respondants were entered into a free prize draw to win a Kindle. Congratulations to Louise Frost, pictured below, receiving her Kindle from Clive Roberts, Kent Sport’s Operations Coordinator.

We’re always keen to recieve your comments and suggestions. Complete a feedback form, available from reception and online, and you could win a Kent Sport goody bag (see page 27).

Celebrating Kent’s sporting legends

Kent Sport is working closely with Kent County Council Sport, Leisure and Olympics Service, and we are very excited to be hosting and supporting a very special event to celebrate Kent’s sporting legends, including past, present and potential Olympians and Paralympians.

The main sports hall will be transformed into an appropriately styled function room for a spectacular evening of post-Olympic celebration and entertainment, and will have the honour of receiving many of Kent’s most successful sportspeople across many decades.

Recognition will also be given to the extraordinary amount of work that has gone into the 2012 Kent School Games, which involved over 30,000 schoolchildren from

over 500 schools. The University has hosted many of the finals of the Games’ finals at its Canterbury campus.

Kent’s Sporting Legends promises to be an evening to remember, and if successful, will be repeated in the future.

Sports Passport

To celebrate the Olympics and to encourage everyone to get active, Kent Sport is offering you the opportunity to try five Olympic sports for only £10 in August.

The passport will be available to staff, students and the public during August, giving you the chance to try out some Olympic-themed sports such as table tennis, badminton, tennis, football, basketball, volleyball, hockey and Olympic-themed fitness classes. See page 9 for more information.

Creative Campus wins Gold Medal

The Creative Campus Initiative won the Gold Medal Award for the best Creative Cultural project at the Podium Awards ceremony and was one of six projects to be shortlisted for the Coubertin Award.

Dr Louise Naylor, Director of UELT and member of the CCI Steering Group said ‘It is very exciting to receive recognition for the Creative Campus Initiative. As a consortium of 13 higher education institutions in the south east, we have collaborated to deliver a dynamic and innovative programme of cultural events and artworks over the past two years. 15 of these projects have received the official London 2012 Inspire Mark and have reached audiences of over half a million.’

The Initiative will continue to inspire the next generation of creative practitioners and is currently developing four large scale commissions, including the Iron Gym project from the University of Kent, supported by the Arts Council.

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Update

XERCISE FACTOR

2012

Jayna told On the Move of her delight at her achievement... “Wow! I can’t believe that I have won the Xercise Factor. It has been a hard few months but every second has been completely worth it. I have tried so many new things and changed my lifestyle for the better. I now cook everything from scratch and have banned the take-aways (although it’s important to still treat yourself so I do occasionally go out for a nice healthy meal) and make sure that I go to at least one ‘chill-out’ class every week (Yoga is my fave!). Now the biggest challenge of all will be trying to maintain and continue all the hard

work that I have done so far. I would like to thank Jeni, Liz and the rest of the Kent Sport team for all their help. You have been an amazing inspiration!”

Xercise Factor 2012 winner, Jayna Rana

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Jayna’s got the Xercise Factor!Kent Sport’s 2012 Xercise Factor Challenge has been a varied experience for the five contestants as they worked towards achieving their health and lifestyle goals during the spring term. For Judi Mayland and Rachel Saint, their Xercise Factor adventure was short-lived as injury interrupted their steady progress midway through the term, prompting a review of their goals, as they both took time to recover from their respective ankle and back injuries.

Lifestyle changes

With the contestants reduced halfway through the process, the remaining three candidates continued to attend their mentored sessions in the Fitness Suite. They committed to new lifestyle changes at home and in particular to their eating and drinking habits.

Whilst all contestants were fully supported in the Fitness Suite during their training sessions, often the hardest part of the challenge was to make and stick to the changes the contestants made.

Fully committed

Whilst Alexandra Wiseman and Sahar Zand both made positive progress during their Xercise Factor journeys, the Xercise Factor judging panel crowned Jayna Rana as this year’s winner. Jayna joins last year’s inaugural winner Emily Saintas in the Xercise Factor hall of fame.

Despite a slow start and several family and academic distractions throughout the spring term, Jayna fully committed to the Xercise Factor experience and worked tirelessly with her mentors Jeni Dexter and Liz Coult to ensure her time on the Xercise Factor was life-changing.

Your fitnessIf you’re interested in improving your fitness, enquire about our fitness consultations, including the recently launched Nutritional Consultation. Appointments start from £5.

Visit www.kent.ac.uk/sports or email sportsenquiries@kent.ac.uk for more information.

2013 Xercise Factor

Applications for the 2013 Xercise Factor will open in the autumn term, look out for the ‘X’ posters later this year.

“I am more focused than ever and have signed up for a number of events which will culminate in next year’s Virgin London Marathon. It was the personal training side that made all the difference and having started something I really want to push myself even further.”

Rachel Saint

“Xercise Factor has given me an insight into how far I should push myself and the types of training I should be doing. Thanks for giving me my motivation back.”

Judi Mayland

“I really enjoyed all my sessions... my trainer always kept me laughing and having fun. Overall, I have come out of this with more strength, stamina and will power to keep pushing harder at the gym.”

Alexandra Wiseman

“I feel and look a lot better and Xercise Factor did more than just physical good. My studies were amongst a number of things that improved. Now I maintain these exercises as a lifestyle rather than just a six-week thing.”

Sahar Zand

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Challengeyourself

Kent Sport offers you the opportunity to compete in friendly, organised sporting tournaments and leagues, learn new skills and gain sporting qualifications.

Join in

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Buy your Sports Passport at the Sports Centre or Pavilion today!

Challengeyourself

Kent Sport Sports PassportTry five Olympic sports for only £10 in AugustTo celebrate the Olympics and to encourage everyone to get active, Kent Sport is offering you the opportunity to try five Olympic sports for only £10 per person in August.

The Sports Passport will be available to staff, students and the public during August, giving you the chance to try out some Olympic sports such as:

• Table tennis * • Badminton * • Tennis * • Football * • Basketball • Volleyball * (Outdoors at the pavilion) • Hockey * • Powerlifting or use of the Fitness Suite (subject to a gym induction) • Olympic-themed fitness classes

*Booking of courts will be required and is subject to availability

Terms and conditions are availble on request.

Win a Kent Sport goody bag! Use your Sports Passport to try five different activities and you’ll be entered into a free draw to win a Kent Sport goody bag!

Sports Passports are available to purchase from the Sports Centre or The Pavilion.

For details please email sportsenquiries@kent.ac.uk

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Join in

VC’s Cup round-upThe Vice Chancellor’s cup, introduced in 2011 by the Vice-Chancellor and Kent Sport, is an inter-departmental staff competition for all abilities to encourage University staff to keep active in a fun and relaxed environment.

The 2011 VC’s Cup proved to be a huge success, enabling staff to meet other members of the University, who they may not otherwise have dealt with, in a relaxed environment.

This year’s event started in February, with 12 departments taking part. The first event was the racket sports with squash, table tennis and badminton, with men’s and ladies beginners, intermediate and advanced levels. This was a competitive round with the Biocelona team from Biosciences coming out on top.

The next event was the dodgeball tournament which with a only a few women braving the courts, followed by the netball league, with only two men per team. Kent Sport pulled out all the stops and won both these events.

The Petanque competition was a more sedate event, won by Uniquely Essentials, from the campus shops.

Future eventsBat and TrapWorkshop 16 July Matches 18-20 July

Come and play this traditional Kentish pub game on the playing fields at The Pavilion.

Teams of two will be split into groups for a round robin tournament. Each player will get five hits and the best team score wins.

RoundersMatches 15 & 22 August 2012 (evenings from 5.30pm)

Another school special – rounders is making a comeback!

A round robin tournament with teams of eight players.

Sitting VolleyballWorkshops 28 August 2011 Matches 29-31 August 2012

This is a paralympic sport, with teams of six playing on a smaller court with a lower net than in ordinary volleyball.

Pub Quiz8 October 2012

Enter a team of eight (maximum) into the quiz and challenge your knowledge and skills in eight rounds of ten questions covering a variety of subjects.

If you would like to find out more about the VC’s Cup, or if your department is interested in getting involved, visit our website for more information:

kent.ac.uk/sportsor contact Mel Clewlow: M.Clewlow@kent.ac.uk

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Inter College Cup RoundupThe inaugural Inter College Cup, coordinated by the Sports Development team, took place over the course of the 2011/12 academic year and included each of the five colleges on the Canterbury campus.

The tournament evolved from the Inter College Football League, which has been running since the 1970s. It is aimed at increasing sporting opportunities for students at the University of Kent.

Teams and individuals accrued points over the course of the year across six different sports, with Rutherford College coming out on top as the eventual champions.

Winning four events (Men’s Football, Women’s Netball, Mixed Tennis and Mixed Touch Rugby) meant that Rutherford College achieved the maximum points in each event, which proved to be the difference overall.

Eliot College were the winners of the remaining events (Men’s Basketball and Mixed Netball) but lacked the consistency of Darwin, Keynes and Woolf in the sports won by Rutherford.

The trophy was presented to Peter Klappa and Sue Casement (Master and Master’s Assistant of Rutherford College) at the College Sports Awards on Friday 8 June, where sporting achievements within the competition were celebrated.

Other awards and recipients included:

Basketball League Top Points Scorer – Wilfred Marodza (Darwin Crusaders) Basketball League MVP – Ken White (Eliot Eagles) Football League Players’ Player – Tom Hitch (Keynes FC) Football League Top Goal Scorer – Tom Hitch (Keynes FC) Football League Goal of the Season – Chris Edeh (Rutherford Tigers) Netball Top Goal Scorer – Estelle Brandreth Netball Players’ Player – Brisa Hill (Darwin) Netball Most Improved – Hannah Lynskey (Darwin) Kent Sport Administrator of the Year – Tara Porter (Netball) Kent Sport Development Officer’s MVP – Billy McLean (Park Wood Football/Keynes Netball) Kent Sport Outstanding Contribution to College Sport – Darran Walter (Football League Official)

Rutherford Keynes Darwin Eliot WoolfBasketball 2 4 8 10 6

Football (League) 10 8 6 4 2

Netball(Tournament) 10 8 6 6 4

Netball (League) 8 6 4 10 4

Tennis 10 4 4 8 6

Touch Rugby 10 8 5 2 5

Weightlifting 4 6 10 2 8

Total 54 44 43 42 35

Master Peter Klappa and Master’s Assistant Sue Case-ment are pictured with the Inter College Cup trophy and students from Rutherford College

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London 2012

Kent Sport is playing its part in London 2012. Mel Clewlow, Jenni Dexter and Louisa Arnold tell us what it’s been like so far.

BBC Olympic CommentatorMel Clewlow, Sports Development Manager, Kent Sport

I am really excited about commentating on the hockey at the 2012 Olympics. I will have the best seat in the house, second only to being on the pitch!

It all started in August 2011 when the BBC were looking for a female hockey commentator for the European Cup. I still knew a lot of the players in all the teams and was offered the opportunity to commentate.

I received good reviews from GB hockey and the BBC and I am now part of the BBC London 2012 hockey commentary team with Barry Davies!

I will be covering the women’s matches for BBC and men’s matches for Radio 5 Live, offering my opinion on players, matches, tactics, formations, penalty corners and umpiring decisions, as well as giving insights into half-time team talks and what is going through players’ minds.

Others getting involved...Ben Pageaux, PhD Student, Centre for Sports Studies National Olympic Committee Assistant for the Senegal Team

Laura McPherson, Sports Technician/Lecturer, Centre for Sports Studies Paralympic Family Assistant (Paralympic Games)

Olympic Performer Jenni Dexter, Studio Co-ordinator, Kent Sport

It all started with a Facebook post back in February about dancers/performers for the ceremonies of the Olympic Games. Having sent off my application, I got an email back the same day with an audition date in London.

I went along with thousands of other hopefuls not knowing what to expect. Sadly I can’t tell you what went on in the auditions as we are sworn to secrecy, but two days later I was recalled for a second audition.

After six weeks of checking, an email confirming my place arrived ‘You have been chosen to be in the Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics’.

I am so looking forward to starting rehearsals and then performing and being part of the 2012 Olympics in London. It will it be an amazing experience. Look out for me... I’m the one with bright red hair!

London 2012Mel Clewlow

kent.ac.uk/sports

| London 2012

Olympic park runLouisa Arnold, Kent Coaching Network Officer, Kent Sport

It might have been just five miles and less than an hour of my life, but Saturday 31st March 2012 meant the world to me, as I crossed the finish line in the Olympic Stadium in the National Lottery Olympic Park Run.

Having watched the Beijing Olympics from the sofa following hip surgery in 2008, I thought I would enter the public ballot for the National Lottery Olympic Park Run. I found out I had a place on 1st November 2011, so I had five months to run five miles, further than I had run in more than five years!

I got myself a training programme, devised to get me running for 50 minutes by the end of March, which included interval sessions combined with one weekly continuous run. The training began slowly, but as the running increased without any hip pain, with a week to go I mapped out a 5 mile route and managed to complete it; you could say I was rather pleased.

On the day we arrived at Stratford and joined the queue of 5,000 people waiting to enter the Olympic Park. Once the ‘proper’ runners had set off, my wave crept closer towards the start line; time to lose the tracksuit, turn on the iPod and set off.

The course took us out towards the velodrome, around the hockey venue, past the media centre, handball arena and aquatics centre. As the stadium came back into sight, I passed the four-mile marker and had managed to run all the way. A brass band blasted Chariots of Fire, which was just what I needed to get round the final 300 metres. As I crossed the line I stopped my watch and realised, not only had I finished a five mile run in the Olympic Stadium, I had achieved my goal of running under 55 minutes (52:29 to be precise!).

Although I am lucky enough to have tickets to the Games and it will be absolutely amazing, I will forever cherish the memory of my day. I was incredibly fortunate to be part of something very special but it was also a huge personal triumph in the arena where the greatest show on earth will take place.

London 2012

Olympic Torch RelayComes to Canterbury

Thursday 19 July

Louisa Arnold, Kent Coaching Network Officer, Kent Sport

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Development

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Kent’sLegacy

As we enter an exciting new phase, here’s a summary of what the Olympic legacy means for Kent Sport...

kent.ac.uk/sports

| Development

UpdateBuilding will start on the new facilities in early July. This was designed to minimise the impact on students as we are expecting as much work as possible to be done during the summer break. Completion is expected in early 2013.

Building of the covered structure will commence in late August 2012 and is expected to be ready in early January. The new structure will provide a flexible area with three covered tennis/netball courts that can also be used for other activities.

The main contractors have now been appointed and we are working hard to develop a building programme that will minimise disruption but at the same time deliver these fantastic new facilities as soon as possible without compromising quality.

The end result will be a significant enhancement to the sporting offer at Kent, with more facilities, bigger sports programmes, better equipment, more members and a great start to the ‘post 2012’ era for sport.

Stay up-to-date with the latest news on the developments – visit the Kent Sport website at www.kent.ac.uk/sports/future

Please note: images are to show examples of the equipment and are not necessarily representative of the new fitness suite facilities.

State-of-the-art fitness suiteThe new fitness areas will be a huge step forward for Kent Sport. There will be three distinct rooms as part of our new facilities:

• A main gym area, with state-of-the-art CV and resistance equipment, (some of which has not been released in the UK yet).

• A wellness/functional gym area, complete with three physio treatment rooms.

• A performance training area, complete with lifting platforms, plate-loaded machines and a bespoke cage for suspension training.

Star Trac, who are supplying this equipment have won many awards for some of their more recent innovations including:

Running coach – built into the embedded screens on every treadmill.

eSpinner – a spinning bike with a spinning coach built into the screens.

Lock ‘n’ Load system – no more pushing and pulling dirty pins into the machines.

Inspiration range – resistance equipment designed by BMW.

Virtual Active – Virtual Active offers real video footage of many parts of the world, so it feels as though you are actually cycling/running in that terrain. Virtual Active is part of a system called Net Pulse, which gives you a personalised media & fitness experience. All of our new equipment will be compatible with Net Pulse, which we will introduce in 2013 when the Net Pulse system is launched in the UK in 2013.’

Kent’sLegacy

An artist’s impression showing the Sports Centre developments due for completion in early 2013

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InterviewMel Clewlow

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How did you feel when you were picked to go to the Olympics?

I remember both selections very clearly.

In 2000 the training squad of 20 was on a trip in Spain and at the end of the trip the squad was selected. We were all in a hotel meeting room in Barcelona, all packed up ready to go home and the coach read out the 16 names that had made the squad. This meant that four of my team mates had their own Olympic dream taken away from them. Whilst I wanted to show my own personal excitement, I had to consider the feelings of those who had not made it. I think I eventually celebrated in a car park at Heathrow airport before driving home!

In 2008, selection was being done via email at an agreed time/date. I remember the nerves as I sat in front of the computer logging on and also the fact that the email hadn’t come through at the stated time! A horrific feeling came over me that I hadn’t been selected but ten minutes later than expected, the email came through and a huge sense of relief occurred as my name was in the 16-player squad.

What is your over-riding memory of the Olympics?

I actually have two over-riding memories, firstly from a playing perspective. Our opening game of the 2000 Olympics was against the host nation, Australia. I remember walking out alongside the

Mel Clewlow

In an On the Move excusive, double Olympian and Kent Sport’s Sport Development Manager, Mel Clewlow talks to us about the Olympics how to deal with disappointment if you are not picked for the Games.

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Interview

Aussies, turning to face the main stand, ready for the teams to be introduced to the spectators, and realising that I had achieved my childhood dream of competing at the Olympics. I also realised that there were 20,000 people watching the Games 99 per cent of which were not supporting us!

Second is the incident in 1992 with Derek Redmond. He was competing in the 400m semi-final and had every chance of making the final. Mid-way through the race he pulled up, clutching his hamstring and he knew his race was over but he hobbled 100m on his own before his father jumped onto the track and helped him the rest of the distance. Redmond finished the race in tears and the crowd gave him the biggest cheer. This video still brings a lump to my throat (and makes me cry), as I think it epitomises what the Olympic values stand for, and gives everyone an idea of what it means to any athlete who competes at this level, only to have their dream shattered.

What advice would you give to an athlete attending London 2012?

Enjoy it, especially the crowds that will be out supporting you! It doesn’t get any bigger or better than an Olympic Games on home soil, so show that you are enjoying yourself!

How do you feel about no longer being part of the GB team and missing out on the opportunity of playing at a home Olympics?

I think any athlete would say they are bitterly disappointed not to be playing in a home Olympic Games, particularly if they feel that they are still good enough to play and compete at that level. In all honesty, I knew that Beijing was my last realistic chance of playing at the highest level but after Beijing I told the coach I wanted to keep playing for at least two years and then make a decision in 2010 about whether I would keep playing through until London. The coach told me over the phone that he felt I would be too old in 2012 (a mere 36) and he therefore wanted to give a younger player the experience.

I certainly don’t want to sound bitter about this, as I had an exceptional international career, spanning 13 years, earning 179 England caps and 75 GB caps, competed at two Olympic Games, three

Commonwealth Games (winning two silvers and one bronze) and achieved my childhood dream, which is far more than most that play the sport!

How do you think athletes will deal with the disappointment of not being picked for the GB squad when they have been training for many years?

This is a tough question to answer as every athlete reacts differently. Also in all previous Olympic cycles, GB has trained together for 12 months prior to the Games and only on a part-time basis (weekends). This time, there has been a training squad of 30 athletes based at Bisham Abbey on a centralised programme for three years. Most have either given up – or taken sabbaticals from – work and those at University have had to either juggle their workloads via distance learning or put their degree on hold.

Any athlete not selected will be gutted as this is a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity but they will all still have to keep training in case of any injuries that could occur. In my mind, as long as they have given it their absolute best then they can take a small amount of comfort from this.

Do you think the GB Men’s and/or Women’s Hockey teams can win a medal at London 2012?

Yes, I think both teams are in with a chance of winning a medal but I also think it will be one of the most closely contested Olympics ever. The difference in playing standards between teams ranked 1–12 is not that much anymore (GB teams are both ranked fourth) and it is possible for the lower-ranked teams to cause an upset. Both teams have gained a lot more ‘Big Game’ experience in the last four years, regularly competing in semi-final matches and also winning medals at world level, which has not been done before.

How well do you think Team GB as a whole will do?

The medal haul achieved in Beijing was actually the goal set for London! All athletes and national governing bodies knew that 2012 was going to be in London in July 2006 and I believe that this became the focus for all sports which compete at the

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Games. I truly believe that the medal haul this time will exceed Beijing, as home advantage will have a huge part to play due to the athletes being able to train at the Olympic venues for months prior to the Games starting.

With less than 50 days to go to the Olympics how will the athletes be feeling?

Excited, focused, nervous! Excited because the countdown is now under the 50 mark; Focused because there is still a lot of training to do between now and the Games, there are still qualifying times to achieve, selections to be made and tournaments to play in; Nervous because selection is not too far away and also any injury now could hamper this selection or rule any athlete out of the Games.

Are you excited about commentating at the Olympics?

Absolutely! I think I have the second best place to be at the Olympics (first is obviously playing!).

How did you get into commentating?

It has been a whirlwind, to be honest. I contacted the England hockey President Simon Mason about 12 months ago, as he went to the Olympics as a GK but since retiring has been commentating on some events for Eurosport. I asked him how he got involved, who the best people to talk to were and what was the best way to put my name forward. Fortunately for me, they were looking for a female commentator to get involved and as I still knew a lot of the

players in all of the teams, I was asked to help the BBC last August at the European Cup. I received good reviews from GB hockey and the BBC and it has basically escalated since then and I am now part of the 2012 hockey commentary team with Barry Davies!

What does commentating involve?

There is a lot of research that I will need to do before the event to make sure I am up to date with the rules, regulations of the tournament plus information on key players etc.

I am covering women’s matches for BBC TV and men’s matches for BBC Radio 5 Live. My role for both of these is to offer my opinions on the players, matches, tactics, formations, penalty corner routines, umpiring decisions etc, and also to give an insight into half-time team talks, what goes through a player’s mind at critical times, etc.

How does it feel to be sitting on the side lines and not playing?

I definitely get caught up in the Games, play every pass in my mind and get frustrated when things are not going well for the team on the pitch. If a result doesn’t go to plan or the team misses out on a medal, I feel disappointed and vice versa… so I guess the only obvious difference is I can’t influence a game from a commentary box!

We have heard a lot about the Olympic legacy, what do you hope will be the legacy from these games?

I think there will definitely be a legacy post-London 2012. I think the foundations to the legacy were built in Beijing, when team GB exceeded all expectations and there became a real ‘hype’ around sport going forwards into London. National Governing Bodies have all set up their long-term sustainability plans. Personally I want to see more people active within sport at grass roots and school level.

With a successful summer, I think sport in Britain will continue to thrive and prosper, so I urge everyone to get behind the team, wear the red, white and blue with pride and be a part of the greatest show on earth!

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Have you ever thought of taking up climbing? It’s a physically and mentally demanding sport. Emma Harrington shows us the ropes...

ClimbingFeature

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Climbing

Rock climbing is a well-established sport, growing in popularity all the time.

People of all ages and abilities are drawn to climbing in order to push themselves in what is commonly recognised as a physically and mentally demanding sport that will keep you fit, strong and healthy.

Climbing is a very intensive exercise, and with regular climbing sessions, you will find your fitness improves dramatically and your body becomes toned and strong before you know it!

So what is climbing?

Rock climbing is a sport in which participants climb up or across natural rock formations or artificial walls. There are many different types of rock climbing, which appeal to individual tastes.

These are just some of the examples of the types of rock climbing people participate in:

Sport Climbing

Sport climbing is the art of ascending the rock face using only your hands and feet (‘free climbing’) with all of your protection being pre-placed fixed bolts on the rock face or artificial wall. You clip quickdraws onto the pre-placed fixed bolts and then you attach your rope to those quickdraws as you climb.

Sport climbing is more the athletic side of climbing. You need a lot of endurance to climb up to 100 or 200 feet high.

Top-roping

Top-roping is climbing a rock face with the rope always anchored above you. When you fall, you will only fall a short distance. Beginners are usually introduced to top-roping, as it’s easier to get used to the feel of climbing (and the movement needed to climb) in this way. You always work in pairs in top-roping, so that when one is climbing, the other is belaying (see page 22)

Bouldering

Bouldering is the art of climbing difficult problems on boulders using no ropes, short distances above the ground. Focusing on the pure difficulty and movements of climbing, the moves are short, requiring explosive energy.

Boulderers usually use a crash mat under them for when they fall and a spotter. The spotter stands below the climber, with arms raised or at the ready. If the climber falls, the spotter does not catch the climber, but redirects the climber’s fall so that they land safely on a bouldering mat.

Deep water soloing

Deep water soloing is a form of solo rock climbing, practiced on sea cliffs at high tide. It relies only on the protection of the water below if you fall. No ropes are used and the movement of climbing is unrestricted and flowing.

Find out more about DWS: www.dwsworldblog.blogspot.com

Traditional climbing

Traditional climbing is also more commonly known as ‘trad climbing’. Gear is required to protect you from falls. There are no permanent bolts in the rock, equipment is instead placed into cracks and holes in the rock that you then attach your rope to. This equipment can then be removed after climbing.

kent.ac.uk/sports

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Feature

Belaying

Belaying is one the most important climbing skills you will need to learn. Belaying is about holding the rope and the climber in the event of a fall. The rope links both the climber and the belayer together, allowing the climber to fall without fear of injury.

Trust and teamwork are key factors when sport climbing, as your climbing partner will literally have your life in their hands.

Why climb?

It’s a whole-body exercise; technique is needed to climb gracefully and easily. It is a psychological exercise as well as physical one. You need the ability to work out your moves, remember your sequence and to keep calm and focused when you are metres high from the ground.

You can set yourself your own goals and when you achieve them you will feel the biggest sense of achievement and fulfilment. When you’ve reached that goal, you get a hunger for more and want to do better and increase your climbing grade. It’s like any sport; it becomes an obsession and an addiction!

How to get into climbing

Indoor climbing gyms offer a safe and controlled environment, allowing new climbers to quickly grasp the skills needed like belaying and tying yourself onto the rope.

You can start by joining a climbing club and taking a beginners’ course.

Competitions

There are competitions across the UK organised by local climbing centres, which can be enjoyed by beginners and intermediate climbers, as well as organised national competitions with national teams.

Southern Indoor Bouldering League (SIBL) is a fun, friendly competition for anyone and everyone who enjoys bouldering, and is run across southern UK climbing walls.

The BMC Leading Ladder is a fun climbing competition that starts in October and runs at 30 UK walls.

Other competitions include the British Bouldering Championships, International Climbing Championships and the Climbing World Cup.

The future – The Olympics

The International Olympic Committee has formally recognised the International Federation of Sport Climbing. This means climbing can now compete with other sports for entry to the Olympic Games. The first test will come in 2013 when the sports for the 2020 Games will be decided.

Information

Search for climbing walls in your area at: www.ukclimbing.com

Find out more about Deep Water Soloing at www.dwsworldblog.blogspot.com

GB Climbing Team: www.gbclimbingteam.co.uk

The BMC: www.thebmc.co.uk

Southern Indoor Bouldering League: www.sibl.co.uk

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| Club Focus

What is the UKCMC?

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a total beginner, the club is a great way to get into climbing. The club is equally for those with an interest in hiking and orienteering.

For the climbing aspect of the club, there are regular meetings at indoor climbing facilities. These climbing sessions enable novices to learn the ropes, with the help of the club’s experienced members and committee. For those interested in the competitive element of climbing the club also enters BUCS every year, which is a national universities’ bouldering competition.

The club also organises weekend trips to the Peak District, Wales, the Lake District and Cornwall. This gives members the opportunity to climb outdoor rock and learn all the techniques involved in traditional climbing. On each trip members are also given the option to go on a hike. The club walks through beautiful national parks and up the highest mountains in Britain.

Members are also given the chance to learn orienteering and help lead hikes. There is

an annual walk from Wye to Canterbury and we have regular walks with the Rambling Society around the Kent countryside.

The club also has a great social side, with regular meets offering members the opportunity to make brilliant friends.

Why join the UKCMC?

The club offers a large community of experienced mountaineers, which is excellent for helping novices learn the basics and for others to extend their knowledge.

Membership of the club also makes mountaineering affordable. All members are able to use the club’s equipment, so it is possible to start climbing straight away, without having to spend a large amount of money on equipping yourself with your own gear.

The trips are subsidised by the University, which makes them substantially cheaper than if you did them on your own.

How to join UKCMC

You can find us in the main hall in the Sports Centre every Thursday at 7pm.

Alternatively, you can email one of our friendly committee members on mountain-soc-committee@kent.ac.uk or you can check out our website http://ukcmc.org/wiki.

University of Kent Mountaineering ClubSophie Rost, President of UKCMC talks to On The Move about the University’s Mountaineering Club

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On The Move talks to two University of Kent sports scholars about their sport and the Olympics.

Natalie Ng – Badminton Biology

How did you get into your sport and at what age?

I got into badminton at the age of 11 when I represented my school in the annual School tournament. Encouraged by my good performance there, I went on to join county training sessions and soon enough, badminton was at the forefront of my life.

What does being awarded a Kent Sport Scholarship mean to you?

It is a great honour to be awarded a Kent Sport Scholarship, as it means that it has been recognised that I am playing towards that top end of the spectrum. It is good to know I have a solid scholarship team behind me to help me achieve my goals.

What are your sporting ambitions?

To train with the England Squad and play internationally among the top players in the world.

Do the Olympics inspire you?

The Olympics are always an exciting time to be playing and getting involved with sport; they inspire me to perform at an elite level and to always strive for success.

The Olympic Games are a testament to passion, perseverance and commitment, which are all qualities that I endeavour to infuse into my game.

What affect, if any, do you think the Olympics will have on your sport?

I think the Olympics will promote badminton at a higher level than many members of the public are used to experiencing. It will encourage people from all backgrounds and ethnicities to have a go at a sport they deem interesting from watching the Games.

Do you have a favourite Olympic memory or moment?

It is probably a favourite of many, but Dame Kelly Holmes winning two gold medals was fairly memorable and awe-inspiring.

Who is your favourite Olympian or which Olympian inspire you?

Usain Bolt, he has the most charisma and always appeals to his fans when on the track.

Sports scholars

Spotlight

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| Sports Scholars

Kwasi Adomakoh – Sprinting Sport Management

How did you get into your sport and at what age?

I got into the sport at the age of 16. After not being picked for football trials at an academy, I thought maybe it was time to try something new. I joined an athletics team and was told I was ‘naturally talented’, so decided to carry on with it and here I am!

What does being awarded a Kent Sport Scholarship mean to you?

Being a part of this scheme means a lot because it reminds me of the level that I’m at in the sport and why I should keep trying until I reach my potential. Also being around other people that are serious about the sport that they do is refreshing.

What are your sporting ambitions?

My biggest but my most realistic ambition is to be able to take part in the Commonwealth Games.

Will you be watching or getting involved in the Olympics in any way?

I have applied for various jobs at the Olympic Stadium, so hopefully I should be working there whilst the Games are on.

Do the Olympics inspire you?

The Olympics do inspire me because when I see all the world’s greatest athletes in the same place at the same time, I can’t help but think what an atmosphere and experience it must be! It makes me want to train harder to try and get closer to having a taste of that vibrant experience.

What affect, if any, do you think the Olympics will have on your sport?

As an athlete, I think the Olympics will have a great affect on my sport, especially for the coming generation in the UK. This is because once they have seen such an event so close to them, it will make them realise that anyone with a little talent and a lot of hard work can make it.

Do you have a favourite Olympic memory or moment?

My favourite Olympic memory was the 100m final in Athens 2004, when Justin Gatlin won. The reason that this was such a memorable race is because it was a very highly anticipated event, not just in sprinting but in world sport. This was due to the amount of big names that made it through to the final. It definitely did not disappoint!

Who is your favourite Olympian or which Olympian inspire you?

Asafa Powell is my favourite Olympian. Right now with Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay on the scene, he has fallen down the pecking order slightly. But when I started the sport and was younger, he was the man with all the records and he was the man to beat. He had such a calm class about him as a person; he was just such a great figure to look up to and aspire to be like.Spotlight

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Mem

bership

Membership includes:Unlimited visits, the use of all sports facilities, including the Fitness Suite, and entry to ALL fitness and dance classes.

Discounts on courses, personalised fitness assessments and exercise programmes.

So what’s the difference between peak and off-peak?

The only difference is the times that you are allowed to use the Fitness Suite (see below). Apart from that, the memberships are the same.

Peak times: Access to the Fitness Suite at all times. Off-peak: Access to the Fitness Suite weekdays between 9am-11pm and 2pm-4pm, Saturday 9am-1pm and Sunday 10am-1pm.

Are there any extras that are not included in your membership?

An additional fee is required for fitness consultations, exercise inductions, fitness assessments and programmes, some courses/events and equipment hire.

PricesUniversity of Kent StudentsSummer membership 1 June - 31 August 2012 Peak £42 Off-peak £34

You can purchase membership at the Sports Centre and Pavilion.

Early Bird membership* 1 September 2012 - 31 August 2013

Off -eak Peak

Early Bird price £120 £145Normal price £133 £161

Save time & buy online at www.kent.ac.uk/sports *Buy between 1 June - 14 September for your Early Bird discount

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Anyone can become a member of Kent Sport.

We offer peak and off-peak memberships for University of Kent students, staff and the public.

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University of Kent StaffPeak £209 Off-peak £184

Monthly payment via Payroll is also available.

To apply, complete a staff membership application form, available from the Sports Centre or our website. Return the form to Kent Sport reception with your staff card, contract or last payslip. If you are taking out ‘partner’ membership you will also need to supply proof of ID.

PublicAdult Peak £401 Adult Off-peak £376 Junior (14+) Peak £267 Junior (14+) Off-peak £240

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Please contact Kent Sport to join. See our website for further details regarding membership options.

Pay-As-You-Go membershipKent Sport facilities are available on a pay-as-you-go basis. There is a £1 annual fee to become a PAYG member. Charges for each activity thereafter are:

Students £3.20 per visit Univeristy of Kent staff £4.20 per visit Public £5.20 per visit

Please note that the above prices are valid until 31 August 2012.

Win a Kent Sport goody bagWe are always keen to find out what you think of Kent Sport. Over the last year we have implemented ways for customers to provide feedback and ask us questions, including our Tell Us forms and online feedback form.

All feedback is reviewed and helps us to further develop Kent Sport’s service. Customers fully completing our feedback forms will be entered into a free prize draw to win a sports goody bag.

So let us know what you think and complete a form today, available from the Sports Centre and Pavilion receptions, or online at www.kent.ac.uk/sports/comment

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Sports Centre

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