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Grace Reid seals Olympic Team GB place

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World Cup qualifiers for

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W elcome to the second issue of Podium, the dedicated sports and active lifestyle magazine for

Edinburgh and the Lothians.The response to our April launch issue has

been phenomenal and we are absolutely delighted that so many people have taken the time to tell us how great it is to have a magazine dedicated to celebrating the many local sports, events and leisure activities that take place throughout the region.

It’s a busy time in the sporting world with many of our local athletes and teams representing not only their respective clubs but Scotland and Great Britain over the coming months. In this second issue of Podium you can read about several athletes who are achieving great things within their sport, find out how to effectively fuel your body for sport, discover a new fitness craze taking Edinburgh by storm, and enjoy an insight into a sport or two you might not be familiar with.

There is enormous strength and depth of talent in many different sports throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians, and it’s Podium’s ambition to celebrate the events and successes in which our athletes take part.

We would like to apologise to Siobhan Redmond Photography and Johnny Graham of Digitalpict Photography for the omission of credits for photography used in issue 1 of Podium.

Podium, Edinburgh & The Lothian’s Sports & Active Lifestyle Magazine

Published by InStylePR, 24 Double Hedges Park, Edinburgh, Scotland EH16 6YLTel: +44 (0)7941 205360, Email: neill.mabbott@podiummagazine.co.uk, www.podiummagazine.co.uk

Editor: Neill Mabbott, Design: Tommy’s Design, Publishing Consultants: Janice and Colin Robinson Contributors: Gary Heatly, Rannoch Donald, Richard Bath, Dr Andrew Murray

So whether you’re already playing a sport or thinking about giving something a go, we’d love to hear from you. There is no sporting or leisure activity we won’t feature so get in touch and tell us about your sport, your club, your hobbies and you might see them in the next issue of Podium.

Enjoy the second issue!

Neill MabbottEditor

WELCOME

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July/August 20164

CONTENTS

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the Publisher is strictly prohibited. The inclusion of any article or advertisement does not constitute any form of accreditation by the Editor. The views and opinions by contributors in this magazine may not represent the views of the Publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that advertisements appear correctly. However, no responsibility can be accepted for errors to individual advertisements.

Front cover photo: Rio bound Grace Reid enjoys

her medal success at European Aquatic

Championships, London. Photography courtesy of

www.swpix.com

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JULY/AUGUST 2016 | ISSUE 2

WIN!VIP Foodies Festival Tickets

Diving to Rio

Football

CricketScottishHalf Marathon

Plus

Grace Reid seals Team GB place

Capital’s first international football festival

World Cup qualifiers for The WildcatsNew 10k for must-run East Lothian event Basketball, Rowing, Korfball, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and more!

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6 Podium News11 Scottish Half Marathon12 Gracie Barra Edinburgh14 Edinburgh Rugby Starlet

16 International Football Festival18 City Regatta Rowing Challenge20 Club Focus - Polonia Phoenix22 The Joy of Walking

24 Edinburgh Falcons26 Scottish Slimmers Success Story28 Clip ’N’ Climb at EICA: Ratho30 Fitness Soul’s Fitmamas32 Inside Eye: Ultra Marathon34 Homeless World Cup

36 Capital Cricket Sensation38 On The Podium41 Edinburgh Dance Academy42 Eastern Amateur Coastal Rowing Club44 West Lothian Fun Run45 WIN… VIP Festival Tickets46 Edinburgh Mavericks48 Food on the Run with Freya Ross50 Entertaining the Crowd52 Basketball’s MVP54 Cricket with The Wildcats56 Pioneering Sports Medicine58 MoonWalk Scotland60 Stay Active in Later Life62 Women Run Strong

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World tennis number two Andy Murray is hosting an exciting evening of tennis and

entertainment in Glasgow later this year to help raise money for charity. Andy Murray Live on Wednesday 22nd September at the SSE Hydro Glasgow will feature a Singles and Doubles match with all profits going to local Glasgow charity, ’Young People’s Futures’ and Unicef, the world’s leading children’s organisation, of which Murray is a UK Ambassador. The former Wimbledon and US Open Champion and current Olympic gold medal holder will play Gael Monfils, the flamboyant Frenchman in the Singles. For the Doubles, Andy will be joined by his brother, World Number One Doubles Player, Jamie, to play against Monfils and British Tennis icon, Tim Henman. Tickets are now on sale, with half of all seats costing £25 or less, making the event very accessible for all.

Murray said, “It’s great to be returning home to Scotland and playing in the city of

S ix Scottish rugby coaches selected from

across the club game and Scotland’s international age-grade sides travelled to Lyon, France recently to attend the annual 6 Nations Coaching Conference to further their development in coaching performance rugby. Nikki Walker (Hawick), Andy Henderson (Strathallan and Scotland under-18), David Adamson (Stirling County), Colin Philips (BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy and Scotland under-16), Graham Shiel (BT Sport Scottish

Rugby Academy and Scotland under-16), and Roddy Grant (London Scottish and Edinburgh Rugby) met with coaches from the other five nations to share their experiences and knowledge. Neil Graham, Scottish Rugby’s

coach development manager, said: “The 6 Nations Coaching Conference is a vital part of the support which is offered to our performance coaches throughout the BT Premiership, international age-grade and professional rugby.”

Glasgow. I travel the world playing tennis and unfortunately I don’t spend as much time as I would like to at home. I owe it to my fans who have supported me throughout the years and what better way than to play in front of them at The SSE Hydro whilst raising money for Young People’s Futures and Unicef. I’m looking forward to bringing top-level tennis to Glasgow on an annual basis and making this event bigger and better every year.”

For more information and tickets go to www.andymurraylive.com.

PODIUM NEWSAndy Murray Live

6 Nations Coaching Conference

6 July/August 2016

Photo: Getty Images

www.podiummagazine.co.uk

Edinburgh Wolves American Football Club - Edinburgh’s very own team for

all American Football fans and players, celebrated their move into their new home in style with a convincing 56-6 win over the West Coast Trojans. For the 2016 Season the Edinburgh Wolves will be playing all their home games at Meggetland Stadium, which boasts a 500 seater stand. The Wolves are proud to be the only Scottish team to play in an enclosed stadium and will be providing a game day BBQ, merchandise stall, a bar that will remain open throughout the game, a game announcer to keep you up to speed with what’s going on and where possible referee

Edinburgh City FC have made history by becoming the first ever club to seal

promotion to the SPFL through the newly introduced pyramid system. After winning the Lowland League, defeating Highland League winners Cove Rangers 4-1 in the play off semi-final they took on an East Stirling side desperate to retain their senior league status. Drawing the first match at Meadowbank 1-1, City travelled to Ochilview Park and won the match 1-0 thanks to a late Dougie Gair penalty, sparking joyous scenes at full-time as City celebrated their historic win. City’s achievement means three teams from the Capital - Hearts, Hibs and Edinburgh City - will compete in the senior leagues for the first time since 1995.

New Den for Edinburgh Wolves

History Makers

microphones so you can hear every decision direct from the referee during the game. Visit edinburghwolves.com for details on future home games.

Hearts have released visuals of their planned £11-12 million redevelopment of

Tynecastle stadium, and it looks impressive. Club owner Anne Budge addressed a group of supporters recently to outline the proposals for the venture, which will bring the capacity of Tynecastle to between 20-21,000 by the start of the 2017/18 season. Budge said she wanted to “improve the whole match-day experience for fans” and the stadium to have “a campus-style feel, where people can mingle and meet.” When finished, the new main stand will have UEFA-standard player and media facilities, while there will be new hospitality areas, including a rooftop-style restaurant looking out towards Edinburgh city centre. There are also plans to implement a couple of big screens into the stadium.

Hearts Redevelopment

7

Photo: David Robertson

Photograph: Colin McPherson

8 July/August 2016

A squad of talented young divers from Edinburgh Diving Club are heading to

Barcelona this summer to compete in the International Diving Cup 2016. The selected squad of 11 divers represents all ages, with the youngest diver being just 10 and oldest 18. This is an amazing opportunity for these talented young divers to experience not only a diving competition outside of the UK, but to compete against the best international youth divers in one of the world’s most emblematic diving venues - Barcelona’s Olympic Pool.

Entirely self-funded, the EDC squad are currently raising funds for their trip. They’ve

undertaken bag-packing days at retail units across Edinburgh, will be running a car wash day, and have organised a quiz night and disco at Tynecastle. If you would like to support these young divers the squad have set up an online donation page: https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/edinburghdivingclub

Barcelona Bound

Basketball Scotland, Netball Scotland and the Scottish Handball association have signed

partnership deals with Oriam, Scotland’s new National Sports Performance Centre allowing them to use the facility for national training and events. To celebrate the announcement, three of Scottish sport’s decorated international stars made the trip to Edinburgh to see the impressive site for themselves, which is in the final stages of construction at Heriot Watt University campus. Olympian Kieron Achara, the Glasgow Rocks captain, Scottish Thistle National netball athlete Jo Pettit who represented Scotland at Glasgow 2014 and Lynn McCafferty, Team GB handball captain at London 2012, are all counting down the days till they can use the facilities at Oriam, which is due for launch in August.

Court Stars

Seven young gymnasts from East Lothian’s Saltire Gymnastics Club have been

selected to represent Great Britain at this year’s TeamGym European Championships in Maribor, Slovenia. Saltire Team Gymnastics are Scotland’s biggest TeamGym club providing development and competitive gymnastics opportunities to both children and adults. Saltire head coach Margaret Kerr, commented: “This is the first time a GB squad has been formed for TeamGym and for the club to have seven gymnasts representing at this level is fantastic.” Between now and the 11th European TeamGym Championships in October, the seven gymnasts will spend time training within their teams over a number of training camps around the country from Newcastle to London.

GB Selection

www.podiummagazine.co.uk 9

C ongratulations to Forth Canoe Club

coach, Rob Ailey, who won the SCA Volunteer Coach award and Forth CC’s Commodores Cup for his work to introduce more people with a disability to the sport.

Rob is the club’s Paracanoe specialist and has been instrumental in increasing awareness and opportunities for those with disabilities to enjoy paddling. Mick James, Forth Canoe Club Commodore said; “This year the Commodore Cup goes to Rob Ailey who has shown a tremendous amount of enthusiasm for the club and for coaching. Rob always has a smile and a kind word and has gone way past the extra mile. He has given holidays to help coach and has provided the energy and enthusiasm behind Forth CC’s first attempts to develop the club so that paddling in Edinburgh is truly accessible to all. I’ve been so per-sonally inspired by this individuals can do attitude and no nonsense approach that I have introduced my own paraplegic friend to start paddling.”

Top Coach

As part of this summer’s inaugural Grassroots International Youth Football Festival July

2-3, Edinburgh will be the host city for the UK & Ireland Freestyle Football Championships 2016. Over 50 freestylers from all over the UK and Ireland will be heading to Edinburgh to complete at this year’s championship. Freestylers due to attend include four time World Champion and 5 time UK & Ireland Champion, Andrew Henderson, who will be defending his title. Brian McNally, Co-Founder of Youth Football Scotland said, “We are delighted to have been chosen as the host venue for the official 2016 UK & Ireland Freestyle Championships. Our team attended

George Heriot’s School has a long history of pupils past and

present being chosen to represent Scotland across the sporting spectrum and this proud history looks set to continue. 19 current pupils were selected to represent their country in their chosen sports this academic session including football, rugby, water polo, netball, basketball, badminton and fencing to name a few. To have 19 current Internationalists in the school in such a wide variety of sports is a fantastic achievement and one the school should be rightly proud of.

last year’s event and were blown away with the spectacle! We knew we had to bring it to Edinburgh this year. In partnering with Freestyle Football Federation, we are confident the Championships will raise the profile of our festival and increase participation and support for the freestyle community in Scotland.”

All you need is a ball

Heriot’s International Athletes

Photos by: Rob Eyton-Jones

10 July/August 2016

Edinburgh Rugby has formed a partnership with George Watson’s College to play

home matches at its Myreside ground from January to May 2017, with an intention to play the full 2017/18 season there. The home of Edinburgh club Watsonians FC, Myrseside has hosted Edinburgh Rugby matches in the past. Jonny Petrie, Managing Director of Edinburgh Rugby said: “This is a hugely positive step for Edinburgh Rugby and we are delighted at the opportunity to play our home matches at Myreside. This is about building a strong future for the club at a home ground in the city that better suits our needs and improves

Edinburgh will host the 3rd annual 2016 European Spartan Race Championships as part of this years Scottish Reebok Spartan Race

weekend on 23-24 July. Europe’s leading athletes and highest finishing Spartans will descend on Edinburgh to take on the challenging course at Spittal Farm within Pentland Hills Regional Park, each hoping they can win the title and some of the enticing prize purse. spartanrace.uk

the matchday experience for fans and players alike.” Watsonians President, Keith Watters said: “Watsonian Football Club are delighted to be working alongside George Watson’s College and Edinburgh Rugby to bring professional rugby to Myreside once again.”

On the move

This is Edinburgh!

CrossFit, Olympic Weightlifting, Gym Yoga Mobility - for free taster go to

www.crossfitskirmish.co.ukaccuracy agility balance co-ordination endurance flexibility stamina strength power speed

R eturning to East Lothian on 18 September for only its third outing, the Scottish Half Marathon has quickly established itself as

one of the most popular must-run events on the Scottish running calendar.

With a route that takes you along a spectacular stretch of coastline known as the East Lothian Golf Coast, the Scottish Half marathon offers stunning sea views and one of the best grandstand finishes within the UK at Musselburgh Racecourse where after completing your challenge you can enjoy a well-earned refreshment in the impressive finish-area.

Over 4000 participants took on the distance last year with the flat and fast route being ideal for those runners looking to better their PB. The route is also highly regarded as being perfectly suited to those trying a half marathon for the first time. If the half marathon distance still seems a bit too much for you, there is a fantastic alternative debuting at this year’s Scottish Half Marathon - a brand new 10K!

Whether you choose to take on the half marathon or the new 10k, you’ll enjoy a

fantastic and friendly atmosphere with unrivalled coastal views as you run. And just when you need that little bit of encouragement to cross the finish line, you’ll be cheered on throughout the final furlong at Musselburgh Racecourse by an enthusiastic and passionate crowd lining the course.

With the new 10k option for 2016, the Scottish Half Marathon is set to inspire even more people this year. Whether you’ve never run before, or this will be your 100th running event, you’ll feel inspired by taking part in the must-do running event of 2016.

Enter now www.scottishhalfmarathon.com

SCOTTISH HALF MARATHON

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July/August 201612

A nyone who has worked up the courage to walk into a Martial Arts club for the first time will remember how nerve

wracking it can be, just making through the door is an effort. Most of us associate martial arts with hitting...and getting hit. If there is an exception it has to be Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, known as the “gentle art”, with an emphasis on skill over strength, where even the smallest students, with practice, can become David against Goliath. As a martial art it is often

compared to Chess, where strategy and skill are essential. The only fists you will see in BJJ accompany “bumps” and high fives.

Gracie Barra, home of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ as it is commonly known) have a saying, “Jiu Jitsu for everyone”. With a network of schools Worldwide practitioners can literally train in every corner of the globe, where they will find people of every age, sex, shape and size working to improve, one class at a time. It really is for everyone.

Ironically the surge of interest in the gentle art came about as a result of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and the overwhelming success of members of the BJJ community to consistently beat larger, stronger and seemingly more aggressive opponents. That history contrasts sharply with the friendly and relaxed nature of a BJJ class.

Every Gracie Barra uses the same curriculum to develop its students confidence and ability, in a safe environment. The class starts with a basic warm up, a series of drills and moves

THE GENTLE ARTBy Rannoch Donald

www.podiummagazine.co.uk 13

that reflect the nature of the art. Getting fit is an integral part of the Jiu Jitsu journey. The class then focuses on a self defence move, something that is practical and based on your current level and experience. Next up will be a technique geared toward the sporting and competitive side of BJJ that is systematically taught, drilled and then performed. Each session finishes with a few classic BJJ conditioning drills which guarantee a sweat and, for more experienced students, the opportunity to “roll” and safely practice the techniques with a partner. In BJJ there is something called the “tap”. When training a student can simply “tap” their partner at any point to stop the action, a failsafe that allows students to confidently develop skills whilst avoiding injury. The holistic and health based approach promotes longevity, BJJ’s founders, Grandmasters Helio and Carlos Gracie continued their training into their 90’s.

Gracie Barra Edinburgh opened it’s doors in 2015 and has been growing steadily since. Ricky Gillon, who runs the hugely successful Gracie Barra Scotland, teaches numerous

classes each week. Ricky has a lifetime’s experience in martial arts but it’s the evolving nature of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and the inclusive nature of Gracie Barra that fuels his passion.

“I was drawn to Gracie Barra because they really do encourage everyone. We have Champions who compete at competition level but the classes are filled with ordinary folk and you will hear it time and again, people take what they learn on the mats and apply it to daily life, they are fitter, calmer, more confident, and less stressed. BJJ has a way of positively influencing our lives.”

It’s worth noting that Anthony Bourdain, Globe trotting TV host, chef and author started his BJJ journey only a couple of years ago and now, at the age of 59, took first place in the Blue Belt Masters 5 Middleweight Division at the IBJJF New York Spring International Open Championship. It was his first competition. It really is for everyone.

Gracie Barra Edinburgh - 125 Great Junction Street, Edinburgh info@graciebarrascotland.comwww.graciebarrascotland.com

E dinburgh rugby starlet Ross McCann is currently in New Zealand on a scholarship - Podium found out more

about him and his journey so farRoss McCann is a young rugby player with

a big future. Currently he is immersed in a 15-week stint in the southern hemisphere after being awarded the highly sought after John Macphail Scholarship. He is in Canterbury, New Zealand and has joined the Crusaders High Performance unit and a local club side to assist with his development. Patrick Kelly, who attended Merchiston Castle School and is originally from Inverness, is also there.

In previous years the likes of Jonny Gray, Finn Russell and John Barclay have flourished after being on a similar programme - and these boys will be eager to do the same. Winger McCann, who came through the system at the Royal High School and RHC Cougars, has turned out for Stewart’s Melville this term. He has played for Scotland under-18 and recently played for the under-19 development side against Japan National Schools.

Before he left in April, he said: “I’m really

looking forward to it. I wasn’t expecting to get the award and am really excited to be heading out. It’s an amazing opportunity. Personally I’m targeting two main areas. On the rugby side I want to work on some technical elements, like my breakdown work and high-ball catching, while living away from home means I’ll have to learn a bit of self-reliance and responsibility, which is also a big part of the experience.”

And one of the men who has helped Ross get to where he is now believes he has the right temperament to keep progressing in the game. Steven Leckie, the Royal High rugby development officer, said: “Ross used to play a lot of football, but he decided to give rugby a

PARTNERSHIP TO SPORTING SUCCESS

by Gary Heatly

14 July/August 2016

www.podiummagazine.co.uk 15

try when he was at the Royal High School and he has not looked back since. He is quite small in stature, but has great pace and a good brain and he has also worked very hard over the years. Ross is very diligent and always listened to coaches and worked on the things they told him too. While he was still at school in 2014/15 we felt he was ready to make the transition to senior rugby and he played quite a few games for the RHC Cougars first team. To make the jump from school rugby to senior rugby can be tough, but again he continued to work very hard and listen to the senior players around him. It has been good to see him continue that progression with Stewart’s Melville and Scotland under-19 this year and I am sure he will be loving his time in New Zealand.”

Ross’ rise and that of his former school mate Charlie Shiel - now playing for Currie in the BT Premiership and having earned Scotland under-20 caps in recent months - are just two examples of Royal High pupils doing well in rugby. The school now boasts the second highest number of players of any state school in Scotland. The rugby programme is recognised not only by the Scottish Rugby as a model to take forward, but also by the school and parents alike as having a hugely positive influence on these youngsters performance, both on and off the rugby pitch.

That is all down to the hard work that Steven and his development team have done at the school and the local primary schools while the link-up with the RHC Cougars has been key to help expose young players to senior rugby. The school under-16 team won the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Shield in 2013/14 and went close to retaining the trophy in 2014/15. As a club, the last four years have seen real success at a senior and youth level at RHC Cougars with the first promoted to BT National League Three and cementing their place there.

Steven, a former player himself who took up his current role in 2012, said: “I am very passionate about kids playing sport and getting active and I must say that the people at the Royal High School have been very accommodating as our program has grown and the links with the Cougars have grown. [Former Scotland cap] Graham Shiel has also played a huge role in our development and continues to support me whenever he can.

“We look to offer rugby to all S1-S6 pupils as well as taster sessions at primary schools and from S3 onwards the children can also decide to carry out extra rugby sessions as part of their timetable. Over the last few years 24 pupils have gone on to play senior rugby for RHC Cougars and the likes of Andy Cramond [now at Toulon], Ross and Charlie have gone on to an even higher level. We have also had to expand the development team to cope with the demand and is great to see the enthusiasm for rugby from within the school. Andy, Ross and Charlie are also great role models because the next batch of kids can look up to them and what they have done. Hopefully things will continue to go from strength-to-strength in the 2016/17 season.”

Ross McCann

Steven Leckie

CAPITAL FOOTBALL FIESTA

E dinburgh will host its first ever international football festival this summer at Edinburgh University’s Peffermill

Playing Fields. The inaugural Grassroots International Youth Football Festival is a two day sporting and cultural festival celebrating and supporting the finest grassroots youth footballers from the UK, Europe and beyond.

Taking place over July 2-3, the two-day football fiesta which will bring together the very best of grassroots football from around the globe to the UK is also the first ever event of its kind on British soil. Teams from as far and wide as Africa and Europe will descend upon the Capital to take part in the event which will feature three main competitions over the course of the weekend: a 64 team 11-a-side tournament from U13s-U17, an International pro youth invitational cup and a 40 team 7-a-side tournament from 2004-2005 age category.

Inspired by the success of the Norway Cup, Dania Cup and Gothia Cup in Norway, Denmark and Sweden, the organisers David Walthall and Brian McNally, who is also a co-founder of Youth Football Scotland wanted to bring the concept to Scotland in order to promote grassroots football

and investment in facilities, training and coaching. “It’s been a huge dream of us to bring this

event to Scotland and we are incredibly proud that we’re able to launch it here in Edinburgh. After experiencing some of the best youth football festivals across the globe, we are passionate about creating a world class event here in Scotland for footballers, fans and families up and down the UK. The Grassroots International Youth Football Festival is an exciting addition to Scottish football and with profits being invested back into facilities, training and coaching – the festival will make a real difference.”

The two-day football fiesta will also feature a theme park, music acts, a family and lifestyle zone and will also play host to the 2016 World Football Freestyle Championships. Tickets are on sale now at worldyouthfootballfestival.com and with individual and family weekend passes available this is shaping up to be a fantastic event for the capital.

Teams interested in competing within the Grassroots International Youth Football Festival can register at worldyouthfootballfestival.com or by emailing: info@worldyouthfootballfestival.com

16 July/August 2016

www.podiummagazine.co.uk 17

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I nvesco Perpetual is the proud supporter of Leander Club, the most successful rowing club in the world, with 111 Olympic

and 1 Paralympic rowing medals won by its members since 1908. Podium met with Leander Club athlete, Polly Swann, to chat about her prospects for Rio this summer and her support for Invesco Perpetual’s innovative new indoor rowing challenge, City Regatta, which takes place in St. Andrew Square, Edinburgh on 24th June.

Polly Swann is already a world and European champion but now she wants to add Olympic silverware to that already impressive medal haul. The 27-year-old former University of Edinburgh student looks set to be on the plane to Rio as part of Team GB and has gold in her sights as part of the women’s eight crew that became European champions in May.

Swann is experienced on the world stage having won gold in 2013 as part of the women’s pair, with Helen Glover, but missed out on last year’s World Championships due to a back injury. After a winter of recovery she is now back in the boat and raring to go in Rio. “To be selected for Rio would be absolutely massive, it’s been a dream of mine

since I can barely remember,” said the former George Heriot’s pupil. “This season has been a rollercoaster in terms of getting re-established on the team. I want to win medals at Rio and have been trying to affirm myself and get myself into the best boat that I possibly can to achieve those goals.”

The women’s eight underwent a period of change over the winter, with four new faces in the boat. Swann admitted the selection process and integrating new bodies into the boat had been a challenge, but that the crew is now focused on one goal, grabbing that gold in Rio. “Ultimately we want to win one race this

CREW TOGETHER FOR CITY REGATTA

ADVERTORIAL

year, the final of the Olympic Games,” added the Leander Club rower. “On the start line of the Olympics you have to be prepared to give everything you have for each member of the group so you have to build trust and develop that ethos within the girls around you. We have a great team, it’s been hard but it’s great fun at the same time.”

Swann is proud of her Edinburgh roots and is a supporter of the new Invesco Perpetual City Regatta initiative, which will hold its first event in St Andrew Square on Friday, June 24.

The event is an open invitation indoor rowing challenge with teams competing in quartets, head-to-head, against another quad on a purpose built outdoor stage. The fast and furious regatta-style knock-out races will be run over 1,000 metres on Concept 2 rowing machines and Swann is encouraging people to get involved in this fantastic free event.

“The City Regatta is an incredible idea to get people competitive, doing some fun exercise, getting teams together to try and battle to win,” she added. “And the first one is in Edinburgh, which is brilliant as it’s my home town. It will be a great fun event and people should definitely get involved, best of all it’s free!”

Register your crew now for City Regatta Edinburgh @cityregatta.co.uk

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July/August 201620

I n the build up to their 25th anniversary reunion in August, Podium’s Club Focus this issue looks at Edinburgh basketball club,

Polonia Phoenix.As the name suggests, Polonia Phoenix

is the resurrection of a name linked with the early days of basketball in Scotland, the original Polonia being formed after WW2 by Borys Szifris and a group of Polish ex-pats. The original incarnation of the team were a major force in Scottish Basketball throughout the 50s, 60s and early 70s, before an amalgamation of several teams saw the name

disappear from the Scottish basketball scene.Fast forward to 1991, and ex-Polonia

player George Swanson, coaching at local schools Moredun Primary and Liberton High on the south side of the city, made the decision to form a club rather than continually sending talented players to other clubs. After consultation with Toni Szifris, Borys’ son; Polonia Phoenix was reborn. Initially, the club entered a single team into the Women’s under 16 Cadette league, but by 1993 the club was competing in all age groups at both national

CLUB FOCUS

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and local level. The senior women’s side became a major force, winning multiple League and Scottish cup titles, their last league title coming as recently as 2014.

The club prides itself in running a successful development programme with numerous players going on to represent Scotland at international level and GB at University level. In 2002 Senior Women’s captain Lynsey Lochhead, one of the original players from the team of 1991, and an ever present over the clubs last 25 years, made the decision to start coaching alongside her playing duties and expand the clubs development programme.

Lynsey formed an under 10 and under 12 development side, both now competing successfully in Basketball Scotland’s development leagues, with several of the players already being part of the governing body’s Future Stars programme and gaining selection to the under 14s National squad.

Prior to the start of the 2015/16 season, in answer to a call for a coach for the senior women’s team, Toni Szifris came out of retirement after a highly successful coaching career at City of Edinburgh with both their mens and women’s teams, plus Scottish national teams, and returned to his roots more than 65 years after his father Borys founded the original Polonia team.

Another recent addition to the coaching roster is Alan Lamb, bringing his considerable experience at both club and international level as a player and a coach, to the Girls Under 16 squad. Although primarily a women’s/girls club, Polonia are looking to the future and are currently recruiting for boys with a view to forming boys development teams at under 10 & under 12s .

Polonia Phoenix is based at Gracemount High School with new players always welcome at their training sessions.

Monday: 6.30pm - 8.00pm Under 16s & Under 14s 8.00pm - 9.30pm Senior womenThursday: 5.00pm - 6.30pm Under 10s & Under 12s 6.30pm - 8.00pm Under 14s & Under 16s 8.00pm - 9.30pm

Contact: phoenixbasketball2014@outlook.com for information about the club or follow them at: facebook.com/polonia.phoenix

www.podiummagazine.co.uk 21

P laying a sport can be hugely rewarding in so many ways, and I’ve had the good fortune to be involved at the elite end of

the spectrum in my work as a physician with the Scottish Institute of Sport. But for many of us sport is an activity we do just once a week - or even once a month. Whether you enjoy a game of football or a session in the gym, even

those of us who do play a sport may find we spend much of the rest of the week sitting behind a screen or in a car.

“As a doctor I’m very much aware that most of us need to be a lot more active in our daily lives. If we all were physically active for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week, as a country our risk factors for many diseases would be much lower - and the NHS would save £660 million a year. Any kind of physical activity is great, but in reality simply going for a walk is the most practical and achievable activity for the majority of us – include a walk as part of your daily commute or walk to the local shops. Walking in the natural environment is especially beneficial and I often walk to clear my head. I also spend time with my wife and baby girl Nina exploring the local greenspace or talking to the ducks.

“If you’re looking for company, check out your local walking groups. I’m Vice-President

THE JOY OF WALKINGby Dr Andrew Murray

22 July/August 2016

Photo: Donnie Campbell

“For shorter walks to do by yourself, the Ramblers’ Medal Routes project has mapped almost 200 short, circular walks in the Lothians which you can find through the Medal Routes App or on the website.

“Staying healthy means we can live independently longer and enjoy all that life has to offer. Make that choice to sit less and move more and you’ll not regret it.”

Dr Andrew Murray is a GP, a Vice-President of Ramblers Scotland, and a consultant at Sport and Exercise, University of Edinburgh. He is also a Scottish international distance runner. @docandrewmurray @ramblersscot @L_B_Ramblers www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland.aspx www.lothian-borders-ramblers.org.uk/

www.podiummagazine.co.uk 23

of Ramblers Scotland, the organisation which represents the interests of walkers through campaigns and by promoting walking to all. There are 8 local Ramblers groups based in the Lothians whose volunteers run extensive programmes of led walks. For example in Edinburgh Ramblers the options range from the family walking group to the shorter walks with the Stravaigers as well as plenty of Munros and adventure, while the Edinburgh Young Walkers group offers a range of social activities along with the walks.

July/August 201624

D escribed by Scottish Cycling as a “hidden gem” in the world of cycle sport, cycle speedway has been around since

just after the 2nd World War. Race tracks were formed on bomb sites and bikes were modified road machines, anything that could be stripped down to the bare basics, two wheels, a frame, and a set of handlebars to steer with.

The sports history is closely linked with the motorised version of the sport that was at its height in the 1950s, and at its peak during the 1960s there were up to 38 cycle speedway teams competing in and around the Edinburgh area alone.

Fast forward to the modern day, what differentiates cycle speedway from other cycling disciplines? Single speed machines, no gears, no brakes and unlike other disciplines, contact is not only allowed, it is essential. All this makes for an explosive mixture, with four riders racing over four laps on oval shale surfaced tracks about 80 metres in

circumference which rarely takes longer than 50 seconds. Teams consist of eight riders, three heat leaders, three second strings and two reserves which can be used tactically at the managers discretion. Scoring is 4 points for a win, 3 for second, 2 for third and 1 for a fourth place finish with team meetings decided over 18 heats. The basic formula is similar to speedway but places the emphasis on the fitness and skill of its riders.

Edinburgh Falcons are currently Scotland’s only cycle speedway team. Based at the Redbraes Raceway situated in Redbraes Park off Broughton Road, they currently race in the Northern League, with teams entered in the 1st and 2nd division, plus the 3rd division for under 13s.

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The Falcons started their cycle speedway life in 1996 as The Scotia Allsorts when three young Speedway fans discovered the track at Redbraes and started to organise races on mountain bikes. Initially entering the Northern & Midlands, and North Leagues a couple of years later, the team successfully won the Northern B league before undergoing a name change to The Edinburgh Falcons in 2006.

Since the name change, Falcons have seen successes on both team and individual fronts. As a team the Falcons were Northern League KO Cup winners in 2009 and 2013, and Northern League Division 2 winners in 2014 and 2015. Individually Falcons can boast three winners of the British Championships - John Murphy in the Over 60s in 2009, Lee Lawrence in the Over 50s in 2015, and Kieran Swanson in the Under 13s in 2014. Current Falcon star Craig Newsome was also ranked 10th in the world in season 2005 whilst riding for Wednesfield Aces.

In 2014 the Falcons pulled off a major coup by signing multiple Olympic, World, Commonwealth, and British cycling star Craig MacLean, MBE. Craig was enticed to sign for the Falcons by a team mate from his BMX days, Neil Swanson; both having ridden for Scotia BMX back in the sports heyday. Having ridden in most sprint cycling disciplines Craig took to cycle speedway instantly but voiced surprise at the level of fitness required. He quickly endorsed the sport as an ideal cycling sport for the whole family, something which is bourn out by the fact that the Falcons currently have five father and son/daughter combinations competing.

The Falcons train at their Redbraes track on Tuesday evenings or Sundays when they are not racing, check: facebook.com/EdinburghFalconsCycleSpeedwayClub for updates on times. Newcomers are always welcome with expert coaching given, bikes supplied and helmets also available, gloves, full sleeve tops and long track bottoms or jeans are essential.

www.edinburghfalcons.co.uk

July/August 201626

O ne of 55 year old George Fleming’s earliest memories is of his mum

being on a diet and he admits he followed in her footsteps and was always on a diet too.

“My mum had a weight problem, I suppose looking back she was a serial dieter and I became the same,” says dad of three George from Bo’ness. “But I never stuck to them, I never took them seriously, I always felt hungry and craving for food and gradually the pounds piled on.

“However when I joined Scottish Slimmers it was like getting struck with a bolt of lightning,” says George. “it just worked. And the great thing is my weight loss journey has taken me from being a 19 stone couch potato to a level of fitness I would never have dreamed of.

“Having lost 7 stone 8lbs I am much more active with running and cycling being my hobbies now and I am proud to say last

summer I completed Pedal for Scotland’s Glasgow to Edinburgh Cycle as well as

taking part in several runs locally.“I can honestly say I have

never felt better than I do now. I have totally enjoyed the whole Scottish Slimmers experience and constantly recommend it to other people. It has improved my life, my health, my appearance and my

confidence tenfold. “Looking back, the more weight I

put on the more my self-confidence plummeted and I would say I had mild

depression at times. Now I have no health issues either, I feel like a new man with a new identity.”

For more information on Scottish Slimmers visit: scottishslimmers.com

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July/August 201628

A s the father of two young boys who both love running, jumping, climbing (falling sometimes) and challenging

themselves to take on new activities, the launch of Scotland’s First Clip ‘n Climb at EICA: Ratho has been the talk of house. We were lucky enough to experience this fabulous new indoor adventure playground from Edinburgh Leisure the day before the official opening, much to my boys ecstatic delight.

First pioneered in New Zealand, Clip ‘n Climb is suitable for anyone from 4 to 84 years and beyond, and offers a fun and accessible climbing experience with a selection of cleverly designed climbing challenges on brightly coloured themed walls.

There are 15 different climbing challenges or elements as

they’re referred to for you and your friends to take on, each element offering different levels of difficulty. Favourites from our session were the Vertical Drop Slide - a 9 metre free fall experience, Stairway to Heaven - which my two crazies ran up, the Speed Climb - as they could race against the clock to see who climbed the fastest, Face to Face - allowing them to race each other to the top through

the double-sided window. It’s impossible for you to be bored during your session with so many fun and challenging experiences for you to enjoy.

The beauty of Clip ‘n Climb is that unlike traditional climbing no previous experience or training is required, apart from the statutory 10 minute briefing, which precedes each session. And being harnessed into a

CLIP ’N CLIMB ADVENTURE

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hands-free automatic belay system you enjoy a safe controlled descent after scaling the heights, without the assistance of a partner.

Having never visited EICA: Ratho prior to our session, I was unaware that Edinburgh is home to Europe’s largest climbing arena and after experiencing Clip ’n Climb for myself i’m sure it will inspire a new generation to broaden their climbing horizons, whether it be indoor at EICA:Ratho or amongst Scotland’s many popular climbing destinations.

Word of caution from one parent to another, with a maximum capacity of 20 people at each hour’s Clip ’n Climb session, don’t disappoint your kids by not booking in advance. Opening times vary depending on school holidays and term time so make sure you check the EICA:Ratho website before setting off.

We thoroughly enjoyed our first Clip ’n Climb experience and will definitely be returning to this fabulous family destination. www.eica-ratho.co.uk

July/August 201630

T here’s something special happening in Leith which has become hot conversation with mum’s across the

city. Taking place within Fitness Soul’s studio on Tennant Street is a unique fitness class that allows mum’s to-be to stay fit and happy during their pregnancy and mum’s with young families to enjoy challenging and positive workouts with other mum’s. Podium talked with super fitmama Megan Gush to get a first hand perspective of this popular pre and post-natal fitness class.

“Having a small baby and in my case a toddler as well, it’s all too easy to let your own health and wellbeing fall by the wayside. I was

guilty of this when my first baby was small, juggling new motherhood with work and family life, there wasn’t time for much else! Wanting to exercise and get fit is the easy bit, but finding the time and opportunities is the real challenge! There are scores of so-called ‘mum and baby’ classes across the city offering a huge range of activities; as I always say, I’ll go and watch paint dry if it gets us out of the house, but Fitmamas is different! The focus is on you, your health and your goals. Yes, your children come along for the ride but they have a great time too, so there’s no need to feel guilty about putting yourself first.

“I first took my daughter Emilia to Fitmamas when she was 7 weeks old. Having been ‘signed off’ by my midwife and GP to take part in exercise, I was eager to get going. I already knew Joanna (one half of the husband and wife team who own and deliver many of the classes at Fitness Soul), but I was still really nervous: Would I keep up? What happens if my baby needs feeding/changing/just won’t settle? There are specific concerns that post-partum women have when it comes to exercising – pelvic floor, abdominal muscles, c-section recovery etc. All of these things

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were addressed by Joanna in a meeting prior to starting. We discussed goals (everything from stamina, stress relief, sleep, nutrition and weight loss) with realistic, but definitely ambitious targets. Fitmamas has a reputation for meaning business when it comes to fitness – we workout hard and there’s little time (or puff) for chit-chat (except afterwards) but the doors are wide open to absolutely everyone. Expect to sweat, pant and ache afterwards, and try out different types of exercise ranging from HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), TRX (suspension training), Kettlebells, Zumba, handstands and even obstacle courses! If you can’t do something, then rest assured, Joanna and Leszek will find another way to make you sweat! Training in small groups has the feeling of personal training, and there are regular one-to-one and group chats to boost motivation, review progress and update your goals.

“I’ve tried other exercise classes for new mums, but not really felt pushed or achieved visible results. Whilst it’s important to take things at your own pace, there’s no real reason to shy away from a hard workout under the right supervision. For me, the results from Fitmamas have been phenomenal. I feel energetic, lighter on my feet, fitter than I have been for years and I sleep like a baby (even if the baby doesn’t). Joanna and Leszek absolutely strive to get the very best out of you. I’ve been inspired to return to running, now with a buggy! Emilia and I pound the streets several times a week - ever wondered what to do when your child won’t sleep at

6:30am in the morning! I’ve recently competed in my first nationwide kettlebell competition, as part of the Fitness Soul Team, which included 4 Fitmamas. None of us had ever picked up a kettlebell before joining classes at Fitness Soul, we even took home a gold medal!

“The benefits of Fitmamas are not just physical. Arguably more important is the impact exercise has on your mental health. Exercise and companionship amongst likeminded people is well known to ease and keep postnatal depression at bay. The friends I’ve made at Fitmamas are friends for life, and the lifestyle and positive habits will hopefully stay with us.

“Last, but by no means least, to the ‘babies’. Ranging from 6 weeks to 6 years, they are such a lively bunch sitting and playing together, stealing each other’s rice cakes. And they never cry. Ok, that’s not true. Some days it’s a cacophony of cries, but if you’re mid press up, another mum or one of the trainers will swoop in before you know it, to keep your little one busy until you’re done. If you need to feed/change/cuddle/placate mid-class it’s absolutely OK to do so.

“In a society where all ages are exercising less and less, children observing their parents exercise encourages an acceptance that this is the norm, and they in turn will be more likely to keep active themselves. So when your toddler wakes up in the morning and asks if we can ‘pretty please’ go to the studio and do some running and dancing, you know you must be doing at least something right!

“Come and join us at Fitmamas! We can’t wait to meet you and your little ones.”

www.fitnesssoul.co.uk, 34 Tennant Street Leith.

www.podiummagazine.co.uk

E ver wondered what it must be like to not only run an ultra marathon but to train for it and maintain a healthy balance

between training, work, and family life? Podium met up with Robert Turner who competed in the recent Scottish and British 100km Championships for the Scottish 100km Ultra team for a unique insight into his life.

“How did I get here? It’s a question I ask myself at the start of each of the Ultra Marathons I have started. Who can I blame that I stand here about to embark on putting myself through hours of pain? I could blame Steven, my ultra marathon running mate who I agreed to support on the West Highland Way race in 2013. As it was after that event that I signed up for my first Ultra Marathon (Glen Ogle 33 in 2013). But that would not be fair, I have my own mind, I make my own decisions, so the blame lies entirely with me. I accept that. I stand here on a chilly Sunday morning in March among some of the UK’s best road ultra

marathoners about to start the mind numbing race of 42 laps of North Inch Park in Perth. It’s the Scottish and British 100km championships, an annual event hosted by the home nations on a revolving basis. It also doubles as the Anglo Celtic Plate competition, a home nation team event. I’ve been lucky enough to have been given a Scotland team call up and I stand here among some very experienced ultra marathon runners. I feel I have a lot to learn!

“I’m Robert, Bob, Boab, Rob and Robbie. I answer to them all. I’m married to the fantastically supportive Lisa and we have two beautiful and fun daughters, Imogen (5) and Martha (18 months). My girls are too young to fully understand what running means to me, but I hope in the future it will become clear and I hope too that it becomes part of their lives and they can get out of it what it gives me. At the moment Disney Princesses seem to be the most important thing in their lives so I live in hope.

“I started running again in 2005 after around a 15 year sabbatical. I ran competitively at high school, winning various county and national medals over the middle distances on the track, but quickly forgot running, and exercise in general, when I went to University. 15 years later, as a means to shed some weight I joined a gym and did a little running

INSIDEEYE

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on the treadmill, until a work colleague (who was a quality hill runner) coerced me into going for a run with him at lunchtime outside. I worked in Newcastle at the time and we ran along some old railway lines to the Rising Sun country park. I was hooked after that and ran my first 10km race not long after that in 2005 (Clive Cookson 10km).

“I’ve spent the subsequent years training and racing for road races across the world having completed iconic races like New York Marathon, Berlin Marathon and London Marathon. My best marathon time was in Berlin in 2009 where I ran 2:31. I’ve won a few local races and won some national masters titles from 5000m on the track in 2008 to the Marathon in 2009 to the inaugural National Trails Championships in 2014.

“I’ve spent the years from 2010 to 2015 experiencing various injuries that has really hampered training consistency and so it may seem odd that I decide to start running longer distances. I made some changes in 2015, changes to nutrition, to lifestyle that I think are only just starting to show in my race times. I’m able to train more and recover better and that is key to consistent race times. With a busy family life and a full time job (I’m a self employed IT Consultant) training has to slot into these two important areas of life. I get up early and run to work and I leave the office earlier than most and run home. At the weekends I get up very early and get my run out of the way before the troops get out of bed meaning I get to spend as much time with them as I can. Time management is key to it all, that and the support of my family.

“So the hooter sounds at 7am on 27th March 2016 and the UK 100km, the Scottish 100km and the Anglo Celtic Plate race is underway. Around 40 hardy ultra runners start the long 42 laps of North Inch Park in Perth at an easy pace. Once the dust settles, the leader and eventual race winner is out of sight and I am running with my two team mates Marco and

James. We work together and take turns at the front into a strong southerly wind. We talk about lap times and paces and we are all running well together. Then Marco drops off the back of the pack around 28 miles and James and I maintain the pace through half way (50km). James’ plan was always to ease back at

half way, but I am feeling good and continue on at the early pace we had set.

“Battling the strong wind on each subsequent lap takes its toll on my own pace and around 46 miles into the race I start to suffer myself. I drop from second place to 3rd then quickly to 4th and then to 5th. I settle on the slower pace and tell myself that I will finish the race, my first 100km. We are supported on each lap by a fantastic crew and I mistakenly ask for water with 4 laps to go, I should have asked for my Tailwind mixture. Ken hands me water and I start to drink it. It must have been a subconscious request because within 200m of the feed station I start to feel a little invigorated. I am told that I am only 30 seconds behind the guys in front and I start to lap as quickly as I did at the start of the race and I claw myself back into 3rd place crossing the finishing line in 7 hours and 17 minutes. I finish 3rd in the UK 100km Championships, 1st over 40 in the UK, 1st in the Scottish 100km championship and 1st in the Scottish Masters (Over 40) 100km championships. I finish emotionally and physically drained, but utterly elated.

“How can I top this in the remainder of the year? There are other goals I’d like to achieve. If I can stay fit and healthy I’d like to have a crack at my marathon PB and then there is some unfinished business in the Scottish Trail Ultra scene that I would like to correct.

“For now it’s family time. It is the least I can do after all those sacrifices for training and the long days out running for hours on end, the shifting around of weekend plans in order for me to fit in a 5 hour run or a race. I couldn’t do this without the support of my family so it is time to give them something back.”

I n preparation for this summer’s Homeless World Cup in Glasgow, the Homeless World Cup Foundation have released an artists

impression of what players, volunteers and spectators can expect from this year’s venue. Three pitches with seating for 3500 spectators will take over the heart of Glasgow for the week-long celebration, which is expected to see over 100,000 supporters attending the tournament over 10-16 July.

Homeless World Cup Co-Founder and new Chair of Sportscotland Mel Young comments: “George Square is a unique location to host

this year’s Homeless World Cup. Our mission is to bring the tournament to the centre of the cities we visit, because homelessness isn’t something that should be tucked away. We need to talk about it, therefore being here was very important.

“The Homeless World Cup is a Scottish invention and has become global. It has made an incredible impact because we’ve used it to create change. Where sport is going in Scotland is fabulous and it’s about keeping that going. I always believe you can do better.”homelessworldcup.org

FOOTBALL’S HEART & SOUL

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36 July/August 2016

O ver the winter Edinburgh cricketer Tom Sole earned a contract with English county side Northamptonshire -

Podium caught up with him recentlyTom Sole does not turn 20 until June, but in

the last two years or so he has learnt enough about what it takes to be a top cricketer to last him a good few years. It has certainly been a busy time for him, but given his drive and determination to get better you get the feeling it has not fazed him one little bit.

In 2014, when he had just finished studying at Merchiston Castle School, he was a member of the Scotland under-19 squad and then played a big part for Mazars Grange as they

won the Scottish Cup and the Murgitroyd T20 events. Indeed, by the end of that summer Clydesdale must have been glad to see the back of him after he took four wickets against them in the Scottish Cup final and then scored 52 not out against them in the T20 final.

The spinner said: “As I had finished school by that stage I wanted to travel a bit, but also continue with my cricket so in the October I headed out to the Ben Williams Cricket

SOLE EAGER TO IMPRESSby Gary Heatly

www.podiummagazine.co.uk 37

Academy in the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand. The time out there really made me concentrate on I want to achieve and taught me how to bowl to different players and on different wickets.”

And on his return to Edinburgh in April 2015, Tom hit the ground running and put in some great early season performances for Grange as they went to the top of the CSL Eastern Premiership. A number of trial matches for Northants second XI followed last summer, interspersed with some more good showings as Grange won the league and then the Grand Final. By that stage Tom was in the process of being offered a two year senior academy contract with Northants and was getting himself organised to head down there at the turn of the year.

Having been born into a sporting family it is perhaps no surprise that Tom has gone on to do well. He is the youngest son of former Scotland rugby captain David, but like his brothers Chris (cricket) and Jamie (rugby) and sister Gemma (netball) he is now on his own sporting journey. Being the youngest he was always keen to outdo his brothers and sisters and when he began playing cricket at Cargilfield School he found something that he loved.

Fast forward to 2016 and now well and truly settled in England, Tom said: “When I came down to Northants last summer to play in the first trial match against Warwickshire straight away I could tell that the level of cricket was a step-up from what I was used to. However, I love a challenge and throwing myself into things and it is the only way that you will learn and keep getting better. I did pretty well in that match and during the other times I came down and all of the chats I was having with senior players and coaches were very positive.

“When they approached me at the end of the season and offered me a two year senior academy contract I asked them quite a lot of questions about how they saw me progressing and then I jumped at the chance to move because they were backing me and my ability. I moved down in early January and was straight into the indoor nets which was good because it got me used to being around the first team squad

and the kind of training and level of performance that was expected. Early on I moved into a house with fellow players David Murphy and Olly Stone and that has

also worked out well and helped me to settle.”

In his early indoor training sessions he must have impressed the coaching staff at Northants because he was then selected to go on the pre-season tour to Barbados. In the sunshine he acquitted himself well with the ball and on the final day before they returned home he took four wickets against Nottinghamshire. He said: “To make the tour was a bonus really, the first team had quite a lot of injuries at the time, but it showed that they wanted to see more of me in match situations and that was good for me. It was a steep learning curve, but as a spin bowler the more overs you can get under your belt against quality opposition the better.

“It has been a bit colder since we got back, but early in the season I have managed to get some more game time and my aim is to play for the second XI regularly this summer and then try and push on into the first XI. Having signed up for two years it has given me a real focus at this stage of my career and I really want to immerse myself in the culture at Northants, become a more complete cricketer and then see where things take me.”

On their 20th Anniversary, City of Edinburgh volleyball made history as it reached

all six Scottish Volleyball Association Cup Finals at the COCO5 Finals Weekend, winning four of the finals they contested. In front of a record-breaking attendance at the University of Edinburgh Centre for Sport & Exercise, the capital club won both the men’s and women’s senior finals beating South Ayrshire and Su Ragazzi respectively. The club also won the men’s U18 and U16 trophies to cap an amazing weekend for Edinburgh volleyball. There was disappointment for the women’s U18 and U16 squads who lost their respective

finals, but that didn’t stop the club as a whole celebrating their fantastic achievements at the national finals weekend.

ON THE PODIUMCapital Volleyball Victory

38 July/August 2016

East Lothian Paralympian Micky Yule has become the first Briton

to win an Invictus Games gold medal. Cheered on by a huge crowd at the Invictus stadium in Orlando, Florida including Prince Harry, the 37 year old powerlifter from Musselburgh recorded a personal best with a winning lift of 190 kilograms to secure his gold medal in the lightweight powerlifting competition. Micky received his medal from Prince Harry who created the games for injured servicemen and women. When Harry presented the medal to Micky, the two men clasped hands and hugged each other. Micky said: “If I could have picked anybody, it would have been him. He’s such a supporter of all injured servicemen worldwide now and I’m sure everybody looks upon that.” Micky will be one of four powerlifters to represent Team GB in the Rio Paralympics.

Invictus Gold

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www.podiummagazine.co.uk

Following their Scottish Division One success and recent Scottish Cup win,

Edinburgh University Women’s Hockey Club (EUWHC) 1st X1, have just been crowned European Champions following a tense four game play off in the Euro Hockey Club Championship’s held in Prague. The largest women’s club in the country EUWHC have enjoyed a fantastic season across all grades culminating in european success. This is an incredible achievement as they were the first ever university club to make it into this prestigious european event!

Heriot’s RFC have enjoyed a superb 2015/16 season winning the BT

Premiership, BT Scottish Cup and BT Charity Shield. It took a controversial late penalty try to dispose of Ayr 29-26 in the BT Premiership final to seal a first ever league and cup double, the Goldenacre side having defeated Melrose 21-13 in the BT Scottish Cup a week earlier. Phil Smith’s side also defeated local rivals Boroughmuir at the start of the season to lift the BT Charity Shield kickstarting what was to become a sensational year for everyone associated with Heriot’s RFP.

Hockey Heroes

Heriot’s RFC Treble Winners

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Scottish badminton ace Kirsty Gilmour

has won Scotland’s first ever silver medal at Badminton’s European Championships, the previous best for Scotland being bronze in the doubles events.

The Commonwealth Games silver medalist and five times Yonex Scottish National Women’s Single champion was defeated in the final by title holder and double World champion Carolina Marin of Spain. Despite missing out on gold Kirsty remained upbeat with her silver medal achievement and hopes her podium success and world ranking of 17 will be enough to secure her place on Team GB for the Rio Olympics.

Silver Medal Success

Photos: Duncolm Sports Photography

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Congratulations to Lasswade High School Senior girls team who won the U18s Scottish Shield

recently. In an exciting final at Spartans’ Ainslie Park, Lasswade defeated Bathgate 3-2 thanks to a late goal from Eilidh Morris.

Joy for Lasswade HS Girls

A fter just two years in existence The

Edinburgh Wolves Womens Team playing in the British American Football Association’s “Sapphire series”, have been crowned Division 2 North conference champions. To win the division and earn promotion, The Wolves headed to Chester to take on the Teesside Steelers, whom they had previously tied with on their last

two encounters. Spurred on by Stand-out Nose Tackle Rachael Moody, QB Lynsey Llewellyn and Wide Receiver Lauren MacDonald, The Wolves defeated The Steelers 26–7. As they prepare for the move up to Division

1, the Wolves are now recruiting for women looking to join the sport they love or try something completely new. women@edinburghwolves.com

Wolves Women Victorious

Edinburgh Diving Club’s Grace Reid captured the world’s attention last month with

a fabulous display of diving alongside her synchro partner Tom Daley. The pairing came together just days before the European Aquatic Championships in London but put together an impressive round of dives to claim Britain’s first ever mixed 3m Synchro gold medal and take their place at the top of the podium. Buoyed by her success with Daley, Grace went on to win her second medal of the championships, taking bronze in the 3m Springboard competition.

On a fantastic run of form, Grace looks likely to have secured her seat to Rio by winning the Women’s 3m Springboard at the British Diving Championships in Sheffield. There was further joy for Grace with her EDC teammate

James Heatly taking bronze in the Men’s 3m Springboard and Gold in the Men’s 3m Snychro, and in his first ever British Diving Championships, Balerno’s Lucas Thomson came a creditable 10th in the Men’s 10m Platform.

Diving High

www.podiummagazine.co.uk 41

A group of 50 talented dancers from Edinburgh will be travelling to St. Helier in Jersey this summer to represent

Scotland in the annual Dance World Cup, which brings together teams from the UK, Europe, Africa, South-east Asia, Australia and the USA. Some 3000 dancers from 28 countries will be in attendance in Jersey all hoping to win gold.

2016 is the first year in which Team Scotland will participate in the Dance World Cup and Edinburgh Dance Academy is making up the majority of the team this year! 50 dancers from EDA aged between 6 and 18 years old will be representing Team Scotland in solo, duet, trio, quartet and group dance events across several genre categories.

Edinburgh Dance Academy (EDA) was established 20 years ago by RAD examiner Julie Mitchell and now provides regular classes across Edinburgh in ballet, jazz, tap and hip-hop. The successful EDA Performance Group travel all over the country to perform and Jenni Inglis, the Performance Group choreographer is working hard to ensure that the girls are well equipped for such a large event.

“The young dancers do not receive any automatic funding for the costs of this very

special trip so the EDA PG Fundraising Group has been set up by parents to ensure that this incredible opportunity can be taken up by all of the talented young dancers from EDA. Representing Scotland on a world stage is undeniably a great honour and the children are working hard perfecting their technique and performance skills. They will dance with their eyes on gold and for the chance to dance again at the Winners’ Galas.”

Edinburgh Dance Academy would like to thank Tracksuit sponsors Graham & Sibbald and Check it scaffolding. If you are interested in sponsoring or providing support for Team Scotland’s participation in the Dance World Cup please contact, Aileen Fergusson, Chair of the Fundraising Group on 07725363942 or pgcommitteeeda@gmail.com. All fundraising links can be found on EDA’s Facebook page ‘Team Scotland EDA Dance World Cup’.

JERSEY GIRLS

N ewly formed Eastern Amateur Coastal Rowing Club has become the first coastal rowing club to sign up to

Scottish Rowing’s Project Rio campaign, which aims to increase awareness for the sport and get more people on the water.

The Portobello-based club, which is affiliated to Scottish Rowing, only finished building its first boat in December, thanks to funding from STAG energy and SportScotland. And yet such is the interest in the sport, it has already grown its membership to 36 adults and nine juniors. As the club nears its initial membership cap of 40 adults it is determined to continue to promote the different branches of the sport. And it sees Project Rio as a good way to spread the word.

“The ethos behind our club is to develop the exciting sport of coastal rowing,” said Club Secretary, Sally Champion. “And even if we can’t accept more people than we currently have capacity for, we can sign-post people to the many other coastal clubs nearby.”

ALL ABOARD FOR PROJECT RIO

42 July/August 2016

www.podiummagazine.co.uk 43

Led by Scottish Rowing and funded by Awards for All, Project Rio is a direct result of the surge in rowing interest following the London 2012 Olympic Games, when clubs across the country were inundated with newcomers wanting to learn to row. Project Rio will provide coaching resources and incentives for clubs, and feature a National Come & Try Week (18-26 June), Learn2Row lesson and a Rio Regatta (24 September).

“After the London Olympics there was a lot of excitement around sport generally,” said Sally, who hopes to offer Project Rio Come & Try sessions after this summer’s racing season. “It would be good to think that more people felt able to get involved in rowing – and rowing isn’t that easy to access like swimming or football is. I think coastal rowing can meet some of that demand and at EACRC we are keen to do what we can to promote our sport to new audiences.”

For further information on Eastern Amateur Coastal Rowing Club visit: https://eacrc.wordpress.com

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Summer ski and snowboard camps running weekly from 11th July – 12th August 2016

44 July/August 2016

A round 170 runners braved the rain to take part in West Lothian Run’s 6th annual Easter Fun Run on Sunday 3rd

April. The event, which offers 2k, 5k and 10k distances, included toddlers, families and novice and seasoned runners. The 10k was won by Adam Gray who made the course in a time of 38.25, the 5k winner was Neil Adamson with a time of 20.38, and the 2k was won by Fraser Morris with a time of 6.04.

A number of Little Runners, from the charity’s free of charge running group for kids aged 5-16, also took part in the 2k. Three local children won special trophies which were sponsored by local company Universal Entertainments - Fastest Boy: Lewis MacIver; Fastest Girl: Amy Simpson; and Overall Most Improved Little Runner: Leila Crawford age 5 years.

WLR Race Director Lindsay Colman said: “Thank you to everyone who came out on a rainy day to take part in our event. It’s great to see the running community growing in West Lothian. I think it speaks volumes that we are reaching out to every age group when both toddler Cooper McKay (3) and Annette

McCarten (69) tackled their first ever timed races and took on the 2k and the 10K respectively.

“There were so many families out, running with babies in buggies and encouraging toddlers along the way. Promoting health to kids at an early age is so important and this is something we are communicating via our new partnership with Riverside Cottage Nursery, who brought families and staff members to the run.”

West Lothian Run’s aim is to provide low cost running events and free/low cost training to help grow running as a sport in West Lothian. Their next event takes place in August in Bathgate and includes 2K, 7K and half marathon, catering for families and runners of all abilities. www.westlothianrun.org.uk

WEST LOTHIAN FUN RUN

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Foodies Festival returns to Edinburgh 5th to 7th August this summer transforming Inverleith Park in to a food and fun-lovers paradise with its annual celebration of the fi nest food, drink and culinary talent Scotland has to offer, and we have a pair of VIP tickets to giveaway!

See Adam Handling (star of this year’s Great British Menu), Brian Grigor from Michelin-starred Number One at The Balmoral and Jacqueline O’Donnell of The Sisters cooking their favourite summer recipes in the Chefs Theatre alongside head chef James Chapman from Tom Kitchin’s Scran & Scallie and Harajuku Kitchen’s Kaori Simpson.

Shop and sample from more

award-winning producers than ever before in the Artisan Market, but be sure to leave room for a feast of international fl avours and delicacies on the Street Food Avenue and champagne, beer and whisky masterclasses in the Drinks Theatre.

Those with a sweet tooth will love the Cake & Bake Theatre - taste your way through baking and chocolate masterclasses with Burlesque Baker Charlotte White and master chocolatier Fiona Sciolti, or if Al Fresco dining is more your thing, then the BBQ Arena with grilling pros is the place to be.

After a day of foodie fun, picnic on the grass with friends and family and relax with live music from the Unsigned Music Awards and a refreshing cocktail from the Giant Pimm’s Teapot or Mojito Galleon, or enter the famous Chilli-Eating Competition.

To win, simply email enter@foodiesfestival.com quoting PODIUM before 29th July 2016. If you don’t win, quote PODIUM when booking online for some tasty ticket offers. www.foodiesfestival.com

a refreshing cocktail from the Giant Pimm’s a refreshing cocktail from the Giant Pimm’s Teapot or Mojito Galleon, or enter the famous Teapot or Mojito Galleon, or enter the famous Chilli-Eating Competition. Chilli-Eating Competition.

To win, simply email enter@foodiesfestival.com quoting PODIUM before 29th July festival.com quoting PODIUM before 29th July 2016. If you don’t win, quote PODIUM when 2016. If you don’t win, quote PODIUM when booking online for some tasty ticket offers. booking online for some tasty ticket offers. www.foodiesfestival.comwww.foodiesfestival.com

WIN VIP TICKETS TOFOODIES FESTIVAL

EDINBURGH

Podium Magazine.indd 1 15/06/2016 15:40

T ennis hit the headlines earlier this year with the issue of equal pay for male and female competitors. It’s a contentious

issue with a number of sports engaging with this subject in different ways. However, there’s one sport where this battle of the sexes isn’t an issue at all, one sport where cooperation between men and women is a requirement rather than a desire.

Korfball is a sport built upon the notion of gender equality. Created by Dutch school teacher Nico Broekhuysen in 1902, it was designed as an activity his male and female students could both participate in. The

mixed play (with female players showing too much ankle for some) led to accusations of immorality but this couldn’t stop the sport growing in popularity in Broekhuysen’s homeland and it was even selected as a demonstration sport at the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp.

The game is played between two teams of eight, four men and four women on each, both competing to shoot the ball into a korf (Dutch for basket) attached to a 3.5m high pole. Gameplay is fast and dynamic with similarities to both netball and basketball. Importantly,

A HAPPY MARRIAGE

46 July/August 2016

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Edinburgh Mavericks

players are not restricted to one area or job meaning attacking and defensive skills are required for success and that teamwork is valued higher than individual skill.

It’s far from a household name outside of Benelux but it is growing fast with membership of the International Korfball Federation recently hitting 67 countries. The quality of these newer nations is rising too with Scotland recently recording their best ever finish of 11th at the recent European Championships and now targeting a place at the next World championships.

Locally the sport is growing too. There are currently 8 clubs competing in the Scottish league with each running multiple teams catering for different ability levels. The fact that most people start playing the sport as adults means there are great opportunities to progress from beginner to international player in a relatively short period of time, although, if international glory isn’t your thing, the mix of men and women mean there’s a great social scene too.

Edinburgh has two city clubs; Edinburgh Mavericks and Edinburgh City Korfball as well as a long established team at Edinburgh University and in the past four seasons the Scottish league title hasn’t left the capital. Edinburgh Mavericks are currently recruiting for new players, they train every Thursday night at Wester Hailes Education Centre and offer three free taster sessions to new players.

Korfball offers the opportunity to get fit and have fun whilst trying something completely new. It can provide you with the opportunity to travel the world and become part of an ever-growing global family of korfers. And when it comes to the battle of the sexes? Korfball called it a draw 114 years ago and they’ve been reaping the benefits ever since.

For more information please contact edmavericks@gmail.com, @EdMavericks or head to www.edmavericks.co.uk

www.podiummagazine.co.uk 47

Photo: Perry Jonsson

48 July/August 2016

F reya Ross in an Olympic and Commonwealth Games

distance runner, originally from Midlothian and was the first British athlete to cross the finishing line in the London 2012 Olympic Marathon. Podium met with the Edinburgh Athletics Club runner to chat about her cookery book ‘Food on the Run’, which was written with the aim to provide an insight into the eating habits of a full time athlete.

“My interest in athletics came from my older brother and sister who were members of the local athletics club, Lasswade AC before me. They really enjoyed competing and being part of the club, so as soon as I was old enough I joined too. At first I would do any event from shot put to hurdles but I soon found my favourite was long distance running. Since then I have competed internationally for Scotland and Great Britain on road, cross-country and track, my greatest achievement

being finishing 44th in the marathon at the London 2012 Olympics.

“Besides sport the other thing my family has in common is a passion for cooking and eating. Mum made us really tasty food when we were younger and she often let me and my siblings help her in the kitchen. This was a great way for us to learn how to cook for ourselves.

“Throughout my running career I have had many opportunities to travel abroad for training camps and races. Tasting different foods when I am overseas is something I enjoy, and it inspires me to try making new things when I return. I often adapt recipes to make sure they are nutritious and will fuel me well for training. Combining running and work leaves me limited time to spend cooking and baking, so I look for ways that I can cut down on the time it takes to make things. Through this experimenting I built up a collection of recipes which became the basis of my ver own recipe book ‘Food on the Run’.

FREYA’S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

Freya at 2016 London MarathonPhoto: Neil Renton

Photo: Alex Hewitt

www.podiummagazine.co.uk 49

“The book started out as a way for me to collate my favourite recipes, then I realised there is a wide interest in what athletes eat. People are often interested to know if I follow a specific diet, and what my favourite foods are. My diet is healthy and balanced, I do not follow a strict eating plan and I never count calories.

“The recipes in ‘Food in the Run’ probably have less saturated fat and refined sugar content than those in a normal cook book, but not at the expense of taste. I readily admit that I have a sweet tooth which is why I included a

sweet treats section in the book; it would be an unrealistic reflection of my diet otherwise!

‘Creating ‘Food on the Run’ allows me to give people an insight into my diet and to show that recipes don’t need to be complicated and include obscure ingredients to be nutritious. The recipes are generally healthy, quick to make and suitable for athletes and anyone else who enjoys good food.”

‘Food on the Run’ by Freya Ross is available to buy at www.freyaross.com or at Run and Become Edinburgh.

Shop bought cereal bars are handy when I’m travelling to races and need to take snacks that I am familiar with and will keep well over a long period of time.

When I’m at home I prefer to make my own, and these can be frozen so I can make a big batch at a time.

Fruity Cereal Bars

• Preheat the oven to 180°C. • Line a 20cm square baking tin or ovenproof dish with baking

parch-ment. • Scrape the skin off the ginger using a teaspoon.• Using the fine side of the grater, grate the ginger into a food

proces-sor.• Add the banana, prunes, dates, mild olive oil and honey to the

food processor and whizz all the ingredients together until they form a thick paste.

• Put the seeds, sultanas and porridge oats in a big mixing bowl. • Pour the paste from the food processor into the mixing bowl

and stir everything together until the ingredients are well combined.

• Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking tin or ovenproof dish, then spread it out and press it down with the back of a spoon.

• Bake the cereal bars for 20 minutes, or until the top is starting to turn a deeper colour.

• Allow it to cool in the tin or dish then chop it into bars.• Store the cereal bars in an airtight container, or freeze them

for future use.

Ready in 45 minutes (25 minutes preparation and 20 minutes cooking)

Makes 10 cereal bars

1cm cube of fresh ginger1 banana 80g pitted dried prunes 80g pitted dried dates 20ml mild olive oil 60g honey 35g seeds 60g sultanas 150g porridge oats

50 July/August 2016

F or over 20 years Woosh Entertainments Limited have been providing their services and expertise to a range of sports and

events. Think you don’t know them? If you’ve taken part in the Edinburgh Marathon, watched Edinburgh Ruby at Murrayfield or cheered on your team at Hampden then you’ve already heard them. Podium caught up with Woosh’s Keith Easton to find out what they’re up to over the summer months.

“Since starting out by helping Boroughmuir Basketball Club with music at their Invitational Tournament, Woosh Entertainments has grown

into a strategic sports entertainment business that takes us around the UK.

“Working alongside my brother Graeme we provide commentating, announcing and music at a huge variety of Sports and Music Events across the UK, including at Scotland’s Hampden and BT Murrayfield Stadiums where Graeme is the familiar voice announcing the teams and scores.

“Having been involved at both London 2012 and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Woosh has developed into one of the leading businesses in providing sports entertainment. The attention to detail that goes into the presentation at sports events means it’s no longer just about turning up on day with some CDs and relying on a few scribbled down notes to get you through the day.

“It’s a busy start to the summer season for everyone at Woosh Entertainments, and a glance at the large Year Planner to the right of my desk is an accurate window on my world

ENTERTAINING THE CROWD

www.podiummagazine.co.uk 51

for the next few months. It’s also a reminder that my handwriting could be neater!

“The summer season began with a busy weekend with two of our regular clients. Graeme was in place as Stadium Announcer for Edinburgh Rugby’s last home game of season at BT Murrayfield against Cardiff. Meanwhile I was in the grounds of Burghley House in Lincolnshire alongside Mike Smith for the Rat Race Dirty Weekend. During the weekend we delivered nineteen race briefings and all of the finish line chat at what is recognised as the world’s largest obstacle course. The race briefings are an important part of the day as we set off several thousand people to take on 20 miles and 200 obstacles.

“We are delighted to be heavily involved in participative sport and therefore play a key role in promoting health and wellbeing. This summer the competitors in Rat Race Dirty Weekend, Runners World Trailblazers, The Edinburgh Marathon and Men’s Health Survival of The Fittest will be made to feel like Callum Hawkins or Eilidh Child as they cross the line. Today’s ‘fun runners’ will be treated like stars,

whether they finish first or 1,000th, when we engage with them at end of the races, encouraging them to stay around to enjoy the atmosphere with their families. We have witnessed huge increases in participation at all these events, and families and friends gathered round the finish lines are definitely inspired to make the switch from spectators to runners.

“When it comes to promoting equality, diversity and opportunities for all, few events can match the Homeless World Cup. At Woosh, we’re proud to be involved with the organisation and look forward to being the presentation team when it comes to Glasgow in July.

“As a company that loves both music and sport, we encourage the music community to become more active and involved in sport and showcasing the Scottish music industry at the same time. We regularly use social media to share event playlists and get audience feedback. Bands are now ‘tweeting’ about their music being played at sporting events, and for many the thrill of being played at BT Murrayfield or Hampden is on a par with airplay on a national radio station. The playlist for the William Hill Scottish Cup Final between Hibernian and Rangers is up on my Blog page [www.keitheaston.blogspot.co.uk] and will hopefully inspire you to discover some new artists as well as maybe finding that inspirational song to add to your gym playlist. As I like to say – get involved!”www.woosh.tv

52 July/August 2016

L ynsey Lochhead has been a star of Scottish basketball for over 25 years. On the eve of Polonia Phoenix’s 25th

anniversary, the club she has consistently played for throughout her basketball career, Podium talked with Lynsey about her career past and her plans for the future.

“My love for basketball, the sport I have been involved in for the past 25 years began by accident really. I was playing 5 aside football at the Jack Kane Sports Centre, when the coach for a newly formed club, Polonia Phoenix, who was waiting to get into the

adjacent hall, spotted in me one of the most important fundamentals in any sport - good footwork. He approached me and asked me to join in with their training session and from then on, I have been an ever present with the club for the past 25 years.

“Throughout my playing career I was part of the Polonia Phoenix team that were a dominant force in the game for almost a decade, winning several Scottish league and Scottish Cup honours. My position in the team has always been as a point guard, probably because of my lack of height, although I would like to think it is because of my ball handling skills and

EDINBURGH BASKETBALL’S MVP

Lynsey captain of the under 16’s

www.podiummagazine.co.uk 53

shooting ability from the 3 point arc!“I have represented Scotland at all levels

from Under 16’s, my first cap coming a year after taking up the sport, Under 18’s and Senior Women’s level, retiring from the International scene only 3 years ago.

“As with any sport, there comes a time when a player has to look beyond their playing career, and consider what comes next in a sport you have devoted 25 years of your life to. In my case with two young daughters, the answer was fairly straight forward, I would move into coaching. I felt that after all these years in the sport, and having played under some of the country’s top coaches, I had learned enough from them collectively to put something back into the sport. So my decision was to expand the development programme at Polonia by starting development sessions at Under 10 and Under 12 level, with the help of my original coach who had retired

from the game 10 years ago.“At present, although I am still playing, and

hopefully for a few more years yet, most of my focus is on the youth development side. The club continues to re-build and we now have under 10, under 12, under 14 and under 16 development groups. Thankfully the coaching roster has also grown to cope with the expansion.

“Although the development teams are relatively new they have already proved more than a match for more experienced teams.

The under 12s won the league in their second season and finished runners up in the play-offs and National Challenge, whilst the under 10’s were undefeated in their first season. On a personal front, I was delighted to be

recognised by Basketball Scotland by receiving the award of Young Coach of the Year, an achievement I am extremely proud of.

“Coaching, whilst for the most part enjoyable, can in equal parts be very frustrating. At least playing, you have more control over what happens, as a coach you can at times feel helpless. I now recognise and appreciate what I have put all my previous coaches through, but at least I can now see both sides of the game and can hopefully go on to having as successful a coaching career as I have had a playing one.”

Lynsey with her daughters

Lynsey receiving Young

Coach of the Year Award

July/August 201654

S cotland’s Women’s Cricket team opened their ECB Championship season with a win against Norfolk following some

superb individual performances. It’s a busy summer for The Wildcats and Podium caught up with Women’s Cricket Manager Kari Carswell and team captain Abbi Aitken to talk about the season ahead.

“2015 was a lengthy cricketing year for Scotland women” said Abbi. “With a jam packed county fixture programme throughout the summer and the ICC Global WT20 Qualifier falling in November in Thailand, our usual wintering habits were arguably cut shorter than in previous years. Returning from Thailand in December 2015, after our most successful global tournament ever finishing in a respectable 4th position, the squad were able to enjoy the rest of December 2015 off to rest and recuperate. However the ladies were back to the grind in January 2016, with a fresh attitude and ready to get to work – this time with a new head coach at the helm. Steve Knox was appointed Scotland Women head coach after Kari Carswell stepped down from her player/coach role after a rewarding

five years in charge. Steve brings a wealth of experience to the table and is no stranger to the county and international set-ups. Boasting an extensive coaching CV, most recently heading up the coaching of Germany men, Steve has a firm and clear understanding of the brand of cricket he wants the women to adopt looking to the future.

“Our 2016 fixture list is extensive, and again is one that involves many a mile spent on the motorways south of the border. We will be competing in both the ECB Royal London Women’s One Day County Championship as

BUSY SCHEDULE FOR THE WILDCATS

www.podiummagazine.co.uk 55

well as the NatWest Women’s County T20 Competition. Ultimately our aim will be to win our division in both competitions, and I firmly believe we have the talent and ability in the squad to do so.

“Our main focus this year is the ICC European Qualifier for the World Cup in 2017. From Tuesday 12th to Friday 15th July we will compete against the Netherlands in a three match series with the overall winner securing a place at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Global Qualifiers in January 2017. Looking forward to the series vs the Netherlands and we are undoubtedly aiming to secure our place in the global qualifier. We are well aware of the players in the Dutch line-up and know where a lot of their strengths and weaknesses lie. We will be using this knowledge along with working hard at our own games and tactical knowledge to give ourselves the best chance of coming out on top at the end of the series in July.

Kari Carswell who stepped aside at the end of the WWT20 qualifiers in Bangkok in December to concentrate on her role as Cricket Scotland’s Women’s Cricket Manager said; “2016 continues to be busy on the domestic front too. We have two secondary school competitions taking place in June at Stirling County CC, a girls kwik cricket event in August at Doo’cot Park in Perth and we have a lot of fixtures for our nine National League

teams, in the league but also in the Scottish Cup competition. We continue to work hard to encourage females of all ages to join their local club and play as many games as possible throughout the summer season. We also have an extensive indoor programme for our clubs, schools and universities, so there is plenty of opportunity to get involved, meet new people and enjoy playing cricket. Regionally we have five centres that for girls aged 16 or under. The centres give girls an opportunity to train and play hardball cricket in a female only environment, under the watchful eye of some exceptional coaches. This programme is one that we are extremely keen to expand and make sure that we have centres that are within easy reach of girls who want to play cricket.” cricketscotland.com

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O ne of the most important advances in recent sports medicine has been pioneered in Scotland by a Stirling-

based orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Gordon Mackay. Put simply, the Internal Brace is revolutionising the treatment of damaged ligaments and tendons. Not only does it cut the recovery time in half, it also leaves the injury stronger and is expected to remove the likelihood of arthritis later in life.

Like most of the best advances, the technology behind the Internal Brace is disarmingly simple. A small perforated super-strong polymer bungee is anchored either side of a damaged joint – most typically a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament – by two biodegradeable pins inserted into the bone either side of the injured tendon or ligament. This stabilises the joint, removing the need for the area to be incapacitated by a plaster cast. Rather than rest, the athlete is encouraged to move the injured area, stopping muscle wastage. All the while, the damaged tendon or ligament will use the Internal Brace to naturally reattach and mend itself.

Rather than the 16-24 weeks of being incapacitated under a traditional reconstruction using tissue harvested from other tendons or ligaments, athletes can now return to competitive sport within two months of their injury. Hawick rugby three-quarter Rory Hutton, for instance, played a league game

BRACE YOURSELF

by Richard Bath

56 July/August 2016

Photo: Tom Mesic

eight weeks to the day after sustaining severe grade 3 ligament damage to his ankle, and subsequently undergoing an acute repair of his ankle ligaments using an Internal Brace.

One of the most high-profile procedures came when British bobsleigh pilot John Jackson completely tore his Achilles tendon while jumping a hurdle in training in 2013. The 36-year-old was told that a conventional operation would mean that he would still be lame by the Winter Olympics in Sochi in February 2014. Instead, Jackson did some research and came across Mackay’s pioneering technique. Within weeks Jackson was doing light exercise and was back to full sprinting within five months, joining up with the British team in plenty of time to take his place at Sochi.

As Dr Rod Jaques of the English Institute of Sport said: “I’ve been working in the field for 23 years and have never seen improvements like this. I’m astounded – the milestones he’s hit so rapidly are phenomenal.”

At first Mackay tended to work mainly with athletes from sports with which he already had a connection. As a former professional footballer with Rangers and former surgeon to both Rangers and Celtic, he has operated on several prominent footballers. Professor Mackay was also the surgeon for the Scottish Rugby Union for many years, and it was his treatment of many international rugby players which highlighted the need for an Internal Brace and inspired its development.

His work with the Scottish Institute of Sport has also brought him into contact with many elite athletes, and he has operated on both Edinburgh-based medal-winning judoka Gemma Gibbons and her husband Euan Burton.

As word of the technique has spread and Professor Mackay has been invited to lecture all over the world, other sports in which ligaments and tendons take a battering have begun to take a real interest in the procedure. Several surgeons at The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado, which is the world-leader in ligament injuries and in particular ski injuries, now routinely uses the Internal Brace technique. Its use is also spreading into the NFL, NBA and major league baseball.

For more information, and

videos of reconstructions and rehab, visit: www.mackayclinic.co.uk

www.podiummagazine.co.uk 57

58 July/August 2016

W hat did you do on the night of Saturday 11th June? Did you donate a night’s sleep to breast cancer

and experience the magic of The MoonWalk Scotland?

Organised by grant-making breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, The MoonWalk Scotland sees thousands of women and men wearing decorated bras Power Walk through the streets of Edinburgh from Holyrood Park at Midnight, to raise money and awareness for breast cancer.

This year there were four walking challenges, with something for every ability, including the

New Moon (6.55 miles), fantastic for those wanting to experience this iconic fundraising event for the first time. The minimum age for the New Moon being just ten years old.

Pauline Stewart from Dunfermline walked the New Moon this year, with her 10 year old daughter Charlotte. This was Pauline’s sixth MoonWalk – she lost her Mum at a young age to breast cancer. She says; “I trained and walked my first full MoonWalk in Edinburgh in 2010 and have completed 5 full MoonWalks since. I feel a great sense of achievement training and completing these events and have my Mum in my thoughts all night. This year I was so proud to walk my first New Moon with my just turned 10 year old daughter. She has watched me MoonWalk since the age of 4 and the last few years has been desperate to take part! Now being 10 we have entered and already raised over £400”.

Charlotte couldn’t wait to join her mum, “Ever since my mum started MoonWalking, it made me want to try it out for myself and inspire other people to try it out too. Now that I have reached the minimum age I am over the

GIVING UP ONE NIGHT’S SLEEP

www.podiummagazine.co.uk 59

moon that I can join in with raising awareness and money for Walk the Walk. Every year when my mum has come home I have felt so proud of her for completing these walks and am so happy I was able to complete the New Moon with her in June.”

Volunteer assistance is essential to help MoonWalk Scotland run smoothly throughout the night, with many people giving up a night’s sleep to take on roles such as marshalling, working on the Finish Line and in the Baggage Tent.

Cathie Purves from Edinburgh has volunteered

at The MoonWalk Scotland for nine years. She says; “Support, Satisfaction, Fun and Friendship are the reasons I give up one night for this wonderful charity. Every year MoonWalk Scotland is reliant on volunteer support so come and join me and the other friendly volunteers next year for a great experience to support walkers in this event”.

If you would like to sign up as a Walker or a Volunteer at The MoonWalk Scotland 2017, go to www.walkthewalk.org

DON’T QUIT UNTIL YOU’RE FIT!

Experienced & Approachable Mobile Fitness Coach For Edinburgh and The Lothians1-2-1, with a Friend or Groups

Weight Loss - Strength & Endurance Core Stability - Juniors & Seniors FitnessKettlebells - Circuits ClassesTel. 07788242678astark898@googlemail.comwww.starkfit.co.uk

with Andrew Stark

60 July/August 2016

B eing physically active is so much more than just the activity itself. Its social aspect is one of its most important,

especially as we grow older. Once we reach retirement, often we find our social circles have become smaller, or our families more disparate. Joining a group brings routine, new faces, great conversation and simply a chance to get out of the house.

With so many positive reasons to be in an activities group, the LOOPs (Local Opportunities for Older People) phone line was set up to help connect older people in Edinburgh with things to do. If you are over 65, or a health worker or family member of someone who is, you can call LOOPs free of charge to speak to a friendly advisor about activities and clubs in your area. They provide a unique service tailored to the individual needs and interests of their clients, including securing transport to and from activities.

Since their beginning in late 2014 they have helped hundreds of clients to reconnect with old interests, find new hobbies and make new friends. This is one of their main objectives, given the well-publicised epidemic of loneliness amongst elderly people.

Even though our abilities change as we get older, we have been consistently amazed by the sheer variety of sports clubs catering to older people. Indoor football, tea dances, buddy swimming and seated exercise classes

are only some examples of the many low intensity sports groups that meet across Edinburgh.

Every caller LOOPs help is unique in their requirements but some have stood out the most. A man with a passion for fishing was hindered by his wheelchair so

STAYING ACTIVE IN LATER LIFE

www.podiummagazine.co.uk 61

called the LOOPs phoneline for assistance. He explained that he needed help returning his wheelchair to his house when leaving for fishing trips and assistance on his return, and asked how could LOOPs help him? With their client’s specific needs, this was complicated but the friendly LOOPs team worked tirelessly to find the solution. They contacted LCiL, Community Connecting and others. After lengthy conversations and organisations visited to better understand the situation, their

work led to the discovery of a volunteer who, coincidently, was also a keen fisherman and now happily assists him twice a week.

Want to improve your quality of life or help someone over 65 that you know? Speak to a LOOPs advisor today on 0131 603 8311. Alternatively, email for information: loops@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk. Find them on Facebook: LOOPs NWSE.

POD

IUM NEXT ISSUE SEPT/NOV 2016

Advertise your brand, business, club or event within the next issue of Podium from just £105 Edinburgh & the Lothian’s dedicated sports and active lifestyle magazine

Call 07941 205360 or email: neill.mabbott@podiummagazine.co.uk to book your space.www.podiummagazine.co.uk

Supporting sport and active lifestyles…

July/August 201662

H ave you ever come to the end of a great run and felt you want that fantastic feeling to continue for as long as possible?

Everyone is sharing their good vibes and then you have to find your car in that far off car park and trudge off home alone. Women Run Strong is different. It’s a four star, pampering experience even after the run is done.

Women Run Strong organises trail running events for women who love the outdoors but also appreciate a little bit of pampering after the run. Everyone is welcome to run, jog or walk, and with no timing chips no-one can be last.

The Hilton Hotel, Dunkeld was the venue for their latest run with the ladies enjoying a 4 star experience. The trail began at the serene Polney Loch and took the runners thorough the beautiful Atholl Wood, a combination of woodland path, open views, and some mud. For anyone more used to running on roads routes such as this provide an ideal introduction to trail running, you experience the freedom and sense of adventure, without the anxiety of “where do

I go now?” - the trail being well marked and well marshalled.. Participants could choose to take on 6km,11km or a new 21km option for experience trail runners.

On completion of the run, the ladies were greeted with a glass of bubbly, and jelly babies on the banks of the River Tay. The ladies then checked into the pool for a refreshing swim, relaxing hot tub, with some even booking spa treatments for the ultimate post-run experience. Feeling rejuvenated the ladies returned to the beautiful marquee by the river for lunch with friends old and new.

For future Women Run Strong events visit womenrunstrong.com

WOMEN RUN STRONG

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run4it.com

The Scottish Half Marathon + 10K takes place on Sunday 18th September along the picturesque East Lothian coastline.

Start conveniently at 11am at Meadowmill Sports Centre, the event offers a beautiful, fast and flat route, stunning sea views, a fantastic atmosphere, and a spectacular grandstand finish at Musselburgh Racecourse. There, you can enjoy a glass of champagne and a bite

to eat in the impressive finish area - what better way to celebrate your achievement?

enter now

WWW.SCOTTISHHALFMARATHON.COM

scottishhalfmarathon10K

18.09.2016

#CityRegatta

Sign upcityregatta.co.uk

LondonDocklands12.8.16

EdinburghSt Andrew Square24.6.16

BristolMillennium Square21.7.16

Leeds Millennium Square15.7.16

A new challange open to all and free to enter

A unique test of fitness and teamwork

Be part of it

Rowing, but not as you know it

Men’s and women’s teams compete live on stage

Fast and furious head to head regatta-style knock-out races

Invesco Perpetual is a business name of Invesco Asset Management Limited, Perpetual Park, Perpetual Park Drive, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 1HH. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. For more information and full entry terms and conditions visit www.cityregatta.co.uk. Participants must be 18 or over.