DNA Quarterly Magazine - Issue 1 - Winter - Sample Issue by Mark Hughesman

WINTER 2019 | ISSUE 01 | Â£4

JOHN S I U Q R A M D ON THE ROVERS FORWARHIS HOME MAKING DONCASTER

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BLAIR TY AT M | N AN cC M T AN GR | R JAMES COPPINGE

INSIDE

Gavin Baldwin

Rovers Remembers

The Bigger Picture

DNA Quarterly

News Round-Up

Matty Blair

James Coppinger

Fit Rovers

Grant McCann

Lifestyle Guide

Herbie Kane

News Feature

Gav McDonnell

DNA Card Guide

Richard Horne

What's On

John Marquis

Club Doncaster

48 WINTER 2019 | Â£4

JOHN MARQUIS ON THE ROVERS FORWARD HIS HOME MAKING DONCASTER

Editor: Luke Thornhill Design: Dan Parker Published by: Amberley Court Associates Contributors: Robbie Andrews, Gavin Baldwin, Ryan Daly, Laura Hemstock Images: AH Pix, Dave Hiskey, Heather King, Matchroom, Pixabay, Phil Ryan

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| MATTY BLAIR JAMES COPPINGER | GRANT McCANN

Contact the editor at media@clubdoncaster.co.uk or by writing to DNA Quarterly, Club Doncaster, Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster, DN4 5JW To advertise in DNA Quarterly contact Laura Hemstock on laura.hemstock@clubdoncaster.co.uk or 01302 764664.

DNA QUARTERLY | ISSUE 01 | WINTER 2019

GAVIN BALDWIN

INTRODUCTION FROM THE CLUB DONCASTER CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Welcome to the first edition of the DNA quarterly magazine launched by Club Doncaster. I’m pleased we are able to showcase some of the amazing sporting stories from around the region.

This is a very exciting time for those of us with an interest in sport in Doncaster. Rovers enter 2019 on a high having established themselves as real promotion challengers in League One, while the Dons can look ahead to the new campaign with a sense of optimism as they look to do likewise. The long-term future also looks bright for the Knights and the Belles, with the latter in a bit of a transitional period. Club Doncaster have worked with the Belles, who have an office at the Keepmoat Stadium and use our facilities for training, and we are actively looking at how we expand that partnership with one of the most famous names in women’s football. This magazine launch is the latest step in the ongoing development of Club Doncaster. There are so many amazing stories to tell around sport in the area, and this provides us with an opportunity to give them the space they deserve. James Coppinger marked his 600th appearance for Rovers, shortly after Andy Butler clocked up outing number 200. To make 600 competitive appearances for one club is an incredible achievement, and later in the magazine he tells us how he was determined to prove his worth to the team again this summer. I’ve been lucky enough to witness some incredible moments

courtesy of Copps, and am sure there is plenty left to come from him in a Rovers shirt. Grant McCann has had a real impact on the Rovers team since his arrival as manager in the summer, and again this magazine provides an opportunity for him to reflect on the opening six months. As a club we’ve been clear since the summer that our aim for this season was promotion, Grant shared our vision and from the very first meeting with him we’ve been convinced he is the man to deliver for us. The Dons have expectations of a good season, which coach Richard Horne sets out. Carl Hall, chief executive of the Dons, was recently voted vice-president of the Rugby Football League which is a great honour for him, us and the town. But we are about all sport in Doncaster, and we spoke to boxer Gavin McDonnell about where he sees his next couple of years as he aims for another shot at a world title. In future issues we’ll also look to go behind the scenes with the Knights and Belles. Our media team want to tell all the sporting success stories of our area, no matter how big or small, so if you think there’s something for them to get their teeth stuck into do feel free to give them a shout on media@ clubdoncaster.co.uk.

DNA QUARTERLY | ISSUE 01 | WINTER 2019

JOHN

MARQUIS Before joining Rovers on a permanent deal in the summer of 2016, John Marquis had been out on loan at six other EFL sides from parent club Millwall. After leaving the Den, he knew his next career move had to be the right fit for him both on and off the field. “It was a big decision to come here, it was a fresh start for me both on and off the pitch and it was just me and my girlfriend who moved up here at the time,” he says. “We wanted to start a new chapter in our lives as well as on the pitch where I wanted to knuckle down and concentrate on football. “Since then we’ve had a little girl which has changed our lives and she has Doncaster on her birth certificate which makes it feel special to us.

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“There was a lot of time at Millwall where I wasn’t involved and I was going out to different clubs, they’re hard because the first couple of games you’re not match fit and once you find your feet the loan is up. “The loan system now is better because players know they’re at a club for six months or the whole season which makes you feel more like part of the group.” Marquis’ had given his word to then manager Darren Ferguson that he would join Rovers, before going on holiday a few days later. Despite offers from other clubs coming his way, he had already decided that the Keepmoat Stadium was the right place for him. “Not many people know but before I signed I met the manager at the time in the May and Millwall were still in the play-offs at the time,” he says. “I had finished my loan at Northampton and Millwall had a couple of injuries so there was a chance I could play for them. “I knew I wasn’t getting a new contract at Millwall but the day after the play-off final I was flying away on holiday for a couple of weeks which delayed the process. “I’d all but agreed that I would sign with the manager and gave him my word but it was delayed by the holiday. “While I was away my agent called me to say there had been offers from two other clubs, but I had already given the manager my word that I would come and it’s the best decision of my career so far.” In his first season with the club, Marquis played in 45 league games, scoring 26 goals which saw him named in the Sky Bet League Two Team of the Season. He always had the belief that he could be a regular goal-scorer once given a chance of being the focal point of a team’s attacking play.

“I’ve been able to play a lot of football here in a short space of time, I’ve mentioned it before that I’ve only missed two games through suspension and played pretty much every minute of every league game,” says Marquis. “I’ve had no injuries and I’ve been able to be fit for selection and to score as many goals as I have is a good return. “I’ve always firmly believed that I work hard and I’m a goal-scorer, I try to do my best for the team and going out on loan was tough when it was a month at a time. “I had a few good loan moves and a few bad ones which you learn from, everything I’ve done in my career I’ve taken things out of. “When I came here permanently I knew I had a good knowledge of the league, Doncaster had just been relegated and had a great chance of going straight back up to League One. “I thought if I could get a full season in League Two then I could show people what I could do

and hit 20 goals, I surpassed that and won a couple of accolades.” Along with the personal achievements, Marquis’ goals helped Rovers secure promotion back to the third tier of the EFL at the first attempt following relegation a season earlier. “It seems like a long time ago because I’ve played a lot of games since then, but it is a season that I look back on with very good memories,” he says. “I knew it was a good season, at the time when you’re playing you’re just worrying about the team doing well and how you’re doing in the league. “I’m not one for looking at league tables too often, but I knew if we did our job then we’d be fine and that we would end up in that top three. “Once we got in there early on we pulled away from the rest, we got promoted as early was we could have with five games still to play. “Scoring 26 goals in 45 games was a great return, I got my first career hat-trick in a game against Grimsby and scored a lot of braces so there were a lot of positives to take from it. “On and off the pitch it was a good time to be at the club, we needed to get promoted that season and for me the club has got to be fighting at the top end of League One for promotion to the Championship.” Psychology plays a big part in Marquis’ game, as he’s keen to find an edge on the defenders he’s coming up against. He has his own routine before every game he plays, which involves marking out the distance he needs to cover when running towards goal. “I have a routine where I walk between the halfway line and the penalty area to measure out the size of the pitch at away grounds,” he says. “I’ve played at most League One and Two

DNA QUARTERLY | ISSUE 01 | WINTER 2019

grounds so I know roughly how big the pitch is going to be, it can help me time my runs or knowing how far out I can shoot from. “Some pitches are bigger than others so it’s good to know, I have a walk with a programme and it gets me in the right frame of mind for the game.” Rovers’ first year back in Sky Bet League One was one of consolidation, while they were still finding their feet in an extremely competitive league. Marquis went through somewhat of a goal drought, as he went nine games without hitting the back of the net, before finding form again in the second-half of the season. “The team did well, we would have liked to have finished higher but we consolidated and we’ve started this season really well,” he says. “It was probably the longest drought in my whole career, I went 10 games without scoring but we picked up some decent results. “You have to sacrifice your own targets sometimes for the good of the team, I felt like in those games I was playing some of my best football without the goals. “I took a lot of responsibility and linked the play rather than just concentrating on goals, which meant I was a bit further away from goal than I would have liked. “We tweaked things and I finished the season well, I scored a lot of goals at the back end of the season which always seems to happen for me. “I think I scored 16 goals after Christmas in my first season here and was into double figures again last year which stood me in good stead this season.” Life has changed in a positive way for the Rovers’ No.9 both and off the field in the past two-and-a-half years, with 50 league goals recently clocked up for the club. The birth of his first child in February gave him someone else to provide for, and led to an inevitable goal for Marquis against Rotherham United just a few days after she entered the world. “My little girl was born in the week leading up to the derby against Rotherham last season, I scored in that game which was nice even if the result didn’t go our way,” he adds. “On a personal note it was a life changing experience and I scored a few goals after she was born and then I managed to get some time away with my family in the summer. “She was still quite small so she was in the shade and sleeping a lot so next summer she will be running around and trying to go in the water which will be much more of a handful. “She comes to all the home games now with her little ear defenders on so the noise doesn’t hurt her ears, and then any away games that are near-by or down south close to our family she attends as well. “It’s good to have someone else to play for now and to provide for, if I’m doing well then it helps my family off the pitch which means a lot to me.”

John’s form with Rovers has been nothing short of outstanding, with personal landmarks coming his way throughout the 2018/19 campaign. He reached 50 goals in all competitions for the club in the 3-2 win at Plymouth in September, before scoring his 50th league goal with a strike against Blackpool two months later. Having played more than 100 times for the club in two-and-a-half years, he is seen by fans and team mates as a senior member of the squad. He said: “The goals have been great for me and I’ve said so many times that I feel like one of the more senior players in quite a young squad. “I’ve been encouraged to take more responsibility and I try to do that, not only with my goals but with my all round play. “I feel that I lead by example and push my team mates to improve themselves, I work hard every day to get the best out of myself on the pitch. “My game has changed slightly this season as the manager encouraged me to run in behind, and that paid off with a lot of goals at the start of the campaign.” Manager Grant McCann has only worked with Marquis for the past few months, but has already identified the No.9 as one of the best strikers in Sky Bet League One. Players have their own personal targets throughout the season, although they tend to keep them to themselves as the campaign progresses. McCann has regularly said that Marquis should be aiming for 30 goals in what is his third season with the club, and he is already well on the way to that total. He said: “John is great to have around the place, he drives people to work hard and improve which is how I was as a player. “He knows how important he is to us with his goals and general play as a front man, he gives everything and causes a lot of problems for defenders. “I keep telling him that for me he can be the best striker in this league, he scores important goals for us and is a real threat for opposition defences. “While he is up there we know we can hurt teams, the good thing is that other players have helped him this season by taking on the goal burden.” Marquis and McCann have struck up a partnership which has seen Rovers mount a serious challenge for the Sky Bet League One play-off places in the first half of the current campaign. The challenge now is for the goals to keep on coming, and for Rovers to kick-on and put themselves in an even better position when the business end of the season comes around.

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FIT ROVERS Fit Rovers, an eight week health and wellbeing course aimed at men over the age of 30, continues to transform the lives of men from Doncaster.

Having exceeded expectations during the 2017/18 season, which saw 104 participants take part in the programme, the 10th staging of the course was on course for record results. At the halfway stage, participants had collectively lost seven-and-a-half stone - meaning overall the well over 120 stone has shed by the participants. Launched in 2017 by Club Doncaster Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health and wellbeing team Nike Gillott and Scott Copeland, the Fit Rovers programme aims to inspire and support the community, allowing the participants to make a positive change to their lifestyle.

This is done through a combination of practical learning and exercise sessions, as the course breaks down into eight stages, looking at various ways in which the participants can improve their wellbeing. Participants set their own goals they want to achieve throughout the eight weeks, where, upon completion, they attend a presentation evening hosted by staff and a Rovers player. Unlike mainstream fitness and weight-loss chains that charge for public weigh-ins and give very little guidance, information at Fit Rovers is completely confidential, meaning participants can keep a track of exactly how they are doing on a one-to-one basis with the staff. One session a week for eight weeks is included in the course, as well as incentives such as sports wear, Doncaster Rovers player visits and money off match shirts.

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Nick Gillott praised the efforts of the men involved in Fit Rovers, expressing how many of them have made exceptional strides on their paths. “It’s another fantastic achievement from another great group of men and it never fails to astound me how motivated they are to reaching their goals,” he says. “It will be exciting to see how they will do in the second half of the programme, we often see that it spurs them on to succeed even more because they can see hard proof that small marginal gains are very effective.” Rovers player Matty Blair acts as am ambassador for the the course, spending time with participants as they start the course and offering lifestyle tips. “I spent quite a bit of time with the participants last season and really enjoyed watching them reach their goals, so to have more of a direct involvement this year is great,” he says. “The programme is fantastic. I still can’t believe it’s free - The sessions I’ve witnessed are really professional and it’s such a relaxed environment to meet new people and reach your goals.” As part of his role, Matty also visits the Fit Rovers Vets session to keep an eye on how the men who have already graduated from the course are progressing. Since its launch, Fit Rovers has engaged with more than 220 participants. The team also worked with eight organisations in 2017/18 and continue to make a difference to peoples lives across the Doncaster Borough.

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The results speak for themselves, with a total weight loss of 720.7kg having been lost since the programme started, an average of 3.66kg loss per person. The course retention remains at 80%, with 88% retention from the 2017/18 season marking an improvement to overall satisfaction of the course.

“It has grown into a real family. We have fathers and sons coming down, they also put on events and do fundraising. We saw that at Christmas when we used funds to buy presents which the Rovers players handed out on their annual visit to the children’s ward at the hospital.

There is a range of inclusive opportunities available, including health workshops; bike hire opportunities and healthy living courses that can help improve mental and physical wellbeing.

“That’s just a small example of how engrained Fit Rovers now is in the culture of Club Doncaster in general. From just signing up to a healthy-living programme, people have started on a journey which could really change their lives for the better.”

After completion of the course participants have the chance to become Fit Rovers Veterans, which allows them to continue to improve their wellbeing. The offering to Vets has never been so good, with circuit sessions, weekly football sessions, 11-a-side friendlies and social events throughout the year, increasing the levelsof fitness that can be achieved by the Vets. There are also added incentives throughout, but by this stage many of the participants are focussed on continuing their selfimprovement.

Paul Reynoldson completed his Fit Rovers course in March 2018, but has continued to come bas as a vet. Weighing nearly 18 stone, with a blood pressure at 155/90, Paul struggled to walk up the stairs. Things are very different now. “Getting the opportunity to join Fit Rovers was an exciting moment for me, I am now just under 14 stone but want to lose two more,” he says.

Foundation health and wellbeing officer Scott Copeland is pleased to see the continued success of the Fit Rovers Vets.

“My breathing is great, my singing has improved and I can wear clothes I haven’t worn in more than 10 years. The bouts of depression have stopped and this is the longest I have gone without having to ask for tablets.

“The principles of healthy living stay with the guys even after the course is finished, and it is amazing that so many people want to keep coming back and keep healthy with us, he says.

“When I started Fit Rovers, I was wearing trainers that fastened by velcro, but they have since been dumped as I can bend without being in pain. I am happy that at 56 I am playing competitive football and I am boxing”.

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Doncaster MP Ed Miliband hailed the incredible impact of Fit Rovers after seeing first-hand the community work carried out by the Club Doncaster Foundation and even joining in a session. Ed spent time talking to Fit Rovers participants about their motivation for taking part in the sessions, and hopes the successes at the Keepmoat Stadium can be built on to help people across Doncaster.

Fit Rovers not only improves the physical wellbeing of participants, but also the mental and emotional aspect too. Self-confidence has risen among the participants since the programme started, leading to an increase in morale and added determination to succeed on the course. Lifestyle changes have affected the overall satisfaction of the men taking part, including diet plans and exercise regimes tailored to fit the individual. Fit Rovers is not a magic wand, and results are by no means guaranteed. Each member has earned the achievement through hard work and determination, which comes as a testament to those who have been and continue to be involved in the Fit Rovers programme. Another success story, Darren Greaves, has made huge improvements to his lifestyle, shedding an almost four stone since the beginning of his journey in 2017. He is also a regular at the Vets sessions. “I could not have done this without Fit Rovers. I was stuck in a bit of a rut to be honest, just sat on the sofa each night with very little motivation,” he adds. “The guys at Fit Rovers could not have done more to support me through my journey and it really is down to their

motivation and advice that I’m where I am now.” Darren continues to play a pivotal role in making sure new veterans are seamlessly integrated into the group and experience what Fit Rovers Vets has to offer. Fit Rovers is forever growing its numbers, meaning more and more people get to take part. For more information on how to book onto the next free Fit Rovers course, contact the team on 01302 764663, or alternatively at fitrovers@clubdoncasterfoundation. co.uk.

He added: “I met one chap who had lost seven stone in a year as a result of this. And it’s not just from the exercise, but from changing his diet and other lifestyle choices. It is that inspiration Fit Rovers has given him to make the changes in his lifestyle - just imagine what that could mean for the National Health Service. “It is better for people, but also for the NHS as you don’t have people getting ill because they are overweight and causing the public purse money. People are voting with their feet by coming back and being part of it. When I look at what is being done I want to see it being done more - I hope you can reach out across the whole of Doncaster.” Club Doncaster Foundation is closely linked to Doncaster Rovers, frequently using the club to help get their messages across and building player visits into the activities. Ed got to see students based at the Club Doncaster Sports College, which is also based in the Keepmoat Stadium itself, as well speak to coaches about all the other activities put on by the Foundation and NCS teams. He added: “Doncaster Rovers is much more than a football club, with the fitness and education programmes it is at the heart of the community and inspiring the community. “The club are doing an amazing job in getting people who would not normally keep fit into fitness, healthy eating, losing weight, feeling fitter and better about themselves. “The way Doncaster Rovers is at the heart of the community is incredibly impressive, if you look at what is happening with all the community work and in education - I also met students who are really inspired by what they are learning and the environment in which they are doing it. The club is really to be congratulated on what it is achieving. “They are inspiring successive generations, you have the older generations doing the fitness courses then the younger generation here studying. There is then their parents or relatives being inspired by them being here, which is what a football club should be doing - using its inspiration to be at the heart of the community.”

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Fit Rovers is about making simple lifestyle changes. Here are some

BAKED SWEET POTATO FRIES

CARROT MANGO SMOOTHIE

INGREDIENTS

• 5 sweet potatoes (peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch long slices, then 1/4 inch wide strips using a crinkle cut knife

• 1 mango

• Olive oil, for tossing

• 2 whole carrots

• 2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)

• 1/2 teaspoon of paprika

• 1/2 cup of water

HOW TO COOK

HOW TO MAKE

1. Preheat the oven to 450OF

Add all the ingredients to a blender, puree until smooth and enjoy

2. Line a sheet tray with parchment. In a large bowl, toss the sweet potatoes with just enough oil to coat

NUTRITION

3. Spread the sweet potatoes in a single layer on the tray, being sure not to overcrowd before sprinkling with the paprika 4. Bake until tender and golden brown, turning occasionally, for about 20 minutes.

SERVES

3-5

KICKIN’ CHICKEN

PRAWN TOAST

INGREDIENTS

HOW TO COOK

1. For the coating, pour the potato mix onto a plate. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and mix together (adding chilli powder if you wish)

1. Place the prawns on your chopping board and using a sharp knife, mince them as finely as possible. This taeks a bit of time but is worth doing. You may be tempted to use a food processor, but doing it by hand results in a better texture

• • • • • • • • • • •

2 chicken breasts, sliced 2 eggs 1 chilli, or 2 for a spicy kick 1 large onion (or 2 small ones) 1 green pepper 1 crushed clove of garlic 1 sachet of smash potato mix 1 teaspoon of grinded coarse sea salt Light soy sauce Chilli powder (optional) Fry Light

2. Take your strips of chicken and dip in a bowl of beaten eggs before rolling into the potato mixture, ensuring all the chicken is coated

• 10 good sized raw prawns, peeled (check the provenance of your prawns) • 1 egg white, lightly whisked until just frothy • 1 tsp seasme oil • 1/2 tbsp cornflour • 1 tbsp light soy sauce • 1 tbsp finely chopped chives • 1cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated • 1 clove garlic, finely diced • 2 thick slices of white bread, toasted • 2 tbsp sesame seeds

2. Place the minced prawns into a bowl along with the egg white, sesame oil, cornflour, soy sauce, chives, ginger and garlic. Mix until thoroughly combined

3. Place the chicken on a tray (on baking paper if you prefr) and cook at 200OC for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through

3. Preheat your grill to a medium-high heat. Using a spoon or knife, spread the prawn mixture on top of the toast, dividing it evenly

4. When the chicken is nearly cooked, stir fry your chopped pepper, onion, chilli and garlic in Fry Light cooking spray. Add a splash or two of soy sauce to add an extra flavour. Don’t over cook the veg - leave it a little crunchy

4. Spread right to the edges and don’t be afraid to spread it thickly. Sprinkle each piece with a generous amount of sesame seeds and place under the grill

5. When the chicken is done, add it to the pan together with the veg. Serve with rice or noodles and enjoy

Calories: 205 Fat: 1g Protein: 4.5g Carbohydrates: 52g Calcium: 14% Vitamin A: 458% Vitamin C: 150%

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5. Grill the toasts for 5-6 minutes by which time the sesame seeds should have turned a lovely golden colour and the prawn mixture should be cooked all the way through

SERVES

of the favourite healthy recipes picked out by participants.

CHICKEN NUGGETS

COURGETTI BOLOGNESE

INGREDIENTS

• • • • •

500g chicken breast (or fish fillets) 4 tbsp plain flour 2 eggs, beaten 300g breadcrumbs Olive oil

• 1 tbsp olive oil • 500g turkey mince (thigh or breast) • 1 large onion, finely chopped • 1 garlic clove, crushed

HOW TO COOK

• 2 large carrots, peeled and diced

1. Preheat the oven to 190OC/Gas Mark 5

• 1 tbsp tomato puree

2. Cut the uncooked chicken breasts into pieces (either strips for chicken fingers or chunks for chicken nuggets)

HOW TO COOK

3. Dip the chicken into the flour, then into the beaten eggs and finally into the breadcrumbs - this can be fun if you set up a conveyor belt system and have your children helping 4. Brush with a little oil and cook under the grill for 10-15 minutes or bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through 5. Serve with jacket potatoes and veg

WHY NOT TRY... • Substitute the chicken for cod, haddock or salmon fillet and make fish fingers • Make the dish healthier by adding any type of chopped seeds (hemp, sunflower or pine kernels) to the breadcrumb mixture. This gives it a nice nutty flavour, a bit of crunchiness and adds omega oils - proven to improve concentration

SERVES

VEGETABLE CHICKPEA CURRY INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • • • • •

1 can chopped tomatoes 1 can chickpeas 1 can carrots 1 onion 2 handfuls of cauliflower 1 can new potatoes 1 courgette 1 teaspoon (5ml) garlic paste 1/4 jar balti curry paste (add more if required) 1 teaspoon (5ml) chilli powder 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil

HOW TO COOK

1. Heat the oil in a pan and add the onions until soft and brown. Add the garlic paste, one teaspoon of chilli powder and balti curry paste then cook for 5 minutes 2. Add the tinned tomatoes, wash and drain the chickpeas and add to the pan along with the drained carrots, diced courgette and drained cauliflower 3. Cook for 30 minutes on a medium heat 4. Add the softer vegetables like the new potatoes towards the end of cooking to heat

VARIATIONS

• You can use any veg - base it around what you like - preferably fresh • Add meat such as chicken or lamb - or even prawns

1. Heat 1 tbsp of the olive oil in a large saucepan and add the turkey mince. Fry until browned, then scoop into a bowl and set aside 2. Add the onion to the pan and cook on a low heat for 8-10 minutes until tender. Then add the garlic, stirring for a minute or so, followed by the carrot and the mushrooms, stirring for about 3 minutes until softened. Tip the turkey mince back into the pan, add the tomatoe puree, give everything a quick stir and tip in the chopped tomatoes. Fill one can with water and pour into the pan 3. Crumble over the chicken stock cubes and bring to the boil. Once boiling, lower the heat and simmer for about an hour until the sauce has thickened and the veg is tender 4. When the bolognese is nearly ready, stir through the soy sauce and some seasoning. Spiralize your courgettes on the large noodle attachment. Heat a large frying pan with the remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil and add the courgette to it. Cook until slightly softened for 2-3 minutes. Then, season with salt and serve topped with the turkey bolognese, grated pecorino and basil leaves

KALE-AID Pineapple is high in sugar, but a little goes a long way to sweeten this glass of green goodness. Plus, parsley is a great way to boost nutrients and flavour without adding extra calories or sugar. The result: a tangy, tasty sip loaded with antioxidants.

INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • •

1 cup granny smith apple chunks 1/2 cup frozen pineapple chunks 4 kale leaves 1/4 cup fresh parsley 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice 1/2 cup coconut water 1/2 cup water 1 cup ice

HOW TO MAKE Add all ingredients to a blender and puree until smooth. Divide between two glasses and enjoy

NUTRITION

Calories: 70 Fat: 0g Protein: 2g Carbohydrates: 18g

Fibre: 3g Sugars: 12g Sodium: 75mg

SERVES

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WHAT’S ON JANUARY 01

Rovers v Rochdale | Sky Bet League One, 3pm

Preston North End v Rovers | Emirates FA Cup third round, 2pm

Dons v Hull FC | pre-season friendly, 3pm

Sky Bet Raceday | Doncaster Racecourse

Wycombe Wanderers v Rovers | Sky Bet League One, 3pm

Coventry v Knights | GK IPA Championship, 3pm

Dons v Leeds Rhinos | pre-season friendly, 3pm

Belles v Stoke City | WNL Northern Premier, 2pm

Rovers v Burton Albion | Sky Bet League One, 3pm

Hartpury v Knighrs | GK IPA Championship, 2.30pm

DONCASTER RLFC V HULL FC

Dons v London Broncos | pre-season friendly, 3pm

Middlesbrough v Belles | WNL Northern Premier, 3pm

SUNDAY JANUARY 6

80s v 90s night at the Keepmoat Stadium, tickets from 01302 762590

Shrewsbury Town v Rovers | Sky Bet League One, 3pm

The opening game of pre-season looks set to be a cracker, with Super League giants Hull FC making the trip down to the Keepmoat Stadium. There are strong links between the sides with the dual-reg partnership seeing a number of Hull players also turning out for the Dons, while Dons coach Richard Horne also has a role with Hull FC having represented them with distinction for a number of years. Leeds Rhinos also visit the following weekend.

Belles v Sunderland | WNL Northern Premier, 2pm

Tickets are available now at tickets.clubdoncaster.co.uk

25-26

Sky Bet Chase Meeting | Doncaster Racecourse

FEBRUARY

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 10

ENGLAND V FRANCE, 12.45PM The England women’s rugby union side take on France in a Six Nations clash at Castle Park. England enjoyed a 27-19 win over Canada at the same venue in November, so they will be looking for more of the same. Tickets are available now at drfc.co.uk.

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Portsmouth v Rovers | Sky Bet League One, 3pm

Nottingham Forest v Belles | WNL Northern Premier, 2pm

Winter Jumps Raceday, Doncaster Racecourse

Rovers v Peterborough United | Sky Bet League One, 3pm

Ealing Trailfinders v Knights | GK IPA Championship, 3pm

England v France | Women’s Six Nations, 12.45pm

Belles v Huddersfield Town | WNL Northern Premier, 7.45pm

Newcastle Thunder v Dons | Betfred League One, 2.30pm

Rovers v Bristol Rovers | Sky Bet League One, 3pm

Knights v Nottingham Rugby | GK IPA Championship, 3pm

Belles v Guiseley Vixens | WNL Northern Premier, 2pm

Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators at the Dome, 7pm

Winter Jumps Raceday, Doncaster Racecourse

Scunthorpe United v Rovers | Sky Bet League One, 3pm

Dons v Hunslet | Betfred League One, 3pm

MARCH 01-02

Grimthorpe Chase race meeting | Doncaster Racecourse

Jersey Reds v Knights Feb 16 | GK IPA Championship, 7.45pm

Rovers v Charlton Athletic | Sky Bet League One, 3pm

Dons v Workington | Betfred League One, 3pm

Knights v Bedford Blues Feb 16 | GK IPA Championship, 2.30pm

AFC Wimbledon v Rovers | Sky Bet League One, 3pm

Belles v Fylde | WNL Northern Premier, 2pm

Blackpool v Rovers | Sky Bet League One, 7.45pm

Hull City v Belles | WNL Northern Premier, 7.45pm

Rovers v Barnsley | Sky Bet League One, 3pm

Whitehaven v Dons | Betfred League One, 3pm

Luton Town v Rovers | Sky Bet League One, 3pm

London Irish v Knights | GK IPA Championship, 3pm

32Red Lincoln | Doncaster Racecourse

Knights v London Scottish | GK IPA Championship, 2.30pm

Rovers v Walsall | Sky Bet League One, 3pm

32Red Spring Family Fun Day, Doncaster Racecourse

The derby against Barnsley is one of the matches Rovers fans will have looked out for from the moment the fixtures came out at the start of the season. The reverse fixture at Oakwell in November was a cracker, with Herbie Kaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal putting Rovers ahead before the Tykes claimed equalised to snatch a point. With both sides pushing for a play-off spot there could be plenty riding on this match at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Bradford City v Belles | WNL Northern Premier, 2pm

Tickets are available now at tickets.clubdoncaster.co.uk

SATURDAY MARCH 16

DONCASTER ROVERS V BARNSLEY, 3PM

*Dates correct as of time of going to print *Rovers and Dons home games all at the Keepmoat Stadium, Knights at Castle Park and Belles at Rossington Main

DNA QUARTERLY | ISSUE 01 | WINTER 2019