Kent's Sporting Legends 2016 event brochure by Kent Sport

Kentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sporting Legends A pure celebration of sport 2 December 2016 Event brochure

Supported by

UniKentSports

#KSLegends

To view and share event photos and comments, find us online.

Foreword:

Dame Julia Goodfellow DBE

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kent

The University of Kent is delighted to host this celebration of sport, in partnership with Kent County Council. It is an opportunity to bring together and celebrate sportsmen and women from across the county who have competed at the highest level. And it is particularly appropriate that we should do so in this Olympic and Paralympic year, when we have seen such outstanding performances from our nation’s athletes. I am a firm believer in the power of sport. It plays a vital role in health and social integration within society. It creates links and friendships between the University and the Kent and Medway region, and beyond. And Kent Sport has a key role in the overall student experience, creating a co-curricular offer that boosts employability and adds substantively to the academic and other opportunities available at our campuses. The University is international in outlook. Higher Education is one aspect of the nation’s soft power, its ability to exert influence across the globe. Sport, too, transcends borders and helps to promote the UK as a successful and thriving place to live, study or to visit. Kent Sport’s links across Europe and beyond, along with our strong partnerships, supports our global vision. I hope you have a wonderful evening.

Kent's Sporting Legends 2016 1

Contents: Foreword: Dame Julia Goodfellow DBE

Welcome messages

The history of Kent's Sporting Legends

Sport at Kent: Recent developments

Focus on cycling

Sport at Kent: Future developments

Kent athletes: Spotlight

University of Kent: Sport scholarships

Looking ahead to 2020

Wayne Otto OBE

Elite research at the University of Kent

Kent County Council: Kent Sport and Physical Activity Service

Kent FANS scheme

Kent School Games

2 Kent's Sporting Legends 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201A;

The Kent's Sporting Legends event focusses on three sporting strands: past, present and future. It is a pure celebration of sport and its place at the centre of our society. Kent's Sporting Legends 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201A;3

Kent's Sporting Legends: Welcome Graham Holmes

Mike Hill OBE

Tracey Crouch MP

Director of Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation, University of Kent

Cabinet Member for Community Services, Kent County Council

Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage

Kent’s Sporting Legends, the county’s pre-eminent sporting celebration, brings together the very best sporting talent (past, present and future) from across the county. It reinforces the tremendous partnership between the University of Kent and Kent County Council, and serves to celebrate in a unique and pure way the very essence of sport at the highest levels. We would love to hear more about your sporting successes, see any photos or video footage you may have so that we can use this opportunity to create a unique ‘sporting legends archive’ for Kent. Please contact sportsenquiries@kent.ac.uk

4 Kent's Sporting Legends 2016

Once again it has been a wonderful year for sport in the county, with 25 athletes with key connections to Kent representing Team GB or Paralympics GB at the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games. Several of these athletes had great success, winning medals or achieving personal best performances. Others performed very well but came up against other inspired competitors on the day – but such is the nature of sport! More locally, our Sport and Physical Activity Service celebrated its 25th Anniversary and continues to work with a wide variety of partners in Kent to deliver opportunities for a wide range of people to be physically active, which you can read more about on page 32. I hope that everyone here tonight has the chance to reflect on and celebrate another great year for sport and I would like to thank the University of Kent for organising and hosting this fantastic event.

Tonight is a special evening to celebrate the many positive aspects that sport contributes to society as a whole and to Kent as a county. From the elite athletes and sport stars, many of whom are here tonight and act as role models to inspire the next generation, through to the local programmes and initiatives that ensure people of all ages are physically active to support their quality of life and wellbeing, sport has the power to do so much. This is why I was delighted to publish the Government Strategy: ‘SPORTING FUTURE: A New Strategy for an Active Nation’, which highlights the contribution sport and physical activity can and does make across society as a whole. ‘SPORTING FUTURE’ set challenges for the sports sector but I know that those involved in sport across the county are up for these challenges.

Kent's Sporting Legends 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201A; 5

6 Kent's Sporting Legends 2016

Kent's Sporting Legends: 2012 and 2014 Founded by University of Kent Director of Sport Graham Holmes, Kent's Sporting Legends is a biennial event which celebrates the best sporting talent across the county of Kent and the University. Kent's Sporting Legends include University of Kent sport scholarship recipients (many of whom have gone on to international honours), sports persons who have represented our country or been part of Team GB, and individuals who have contributed to the University of Kent's sport achievements throughout our history. On 30 November 2012 the University of Kent in partnership with Kent County Council celebrated the innaugural Kent’s Sporting Legends event which included past, present and potential Olympians and Paralympians. On 5 December 2014, the evening was once again held to celebrate the sporting talent within the county of Kent and the University’s 50th anniversary. Both evenings were a huge success and branded ‘outstanding’ by many of the sporting stars in attendance. Following on from the success of the Kent's Sporting Legends events in 2012 and 2014, Kent Sport is proud to host this celebration evening in 2016 to celebrate sporting achievements. Reflecting on the outstanding achievements over past years of sport at Kent is inspiring for future sporting successes. Therefore the event follows the recurrent theme of 'past, present and future', and also celebrates 2016's Olympians and Paralympians. For more information about the Kent’s Sporting Legends event, visit kent.ac.uk/sports/kentsportinglegends

Follow all the action before, during and after the event by following us on social media. #KSLegends UniKentSports

#KSLegends

To view and share event photos and comments, find us online. Kent's Sporting Legends 2016 7

Sport at Kent: Recent developments The University has invested more than ÂŁ1.25 million in the development of two major facilities to better serve our members at the Canterbury campus. This investment includes the brand new 3GX artificial pitch for rugby, football and American football, and the Cycle Hub which allows members to rent road, mountain, hybrid and electric bicycles for free and provides a turbo training area along with tools and expert advice for bicycle maintenance. The Sports Centre fitness suite underwent a complete upgrade of cardiovascular equipment from Core Health and Fitness over the summer 2016 vacation. The ÂŁ160,000 investment has added eight additional stations alongside 55 brand new cutting edge Star Trac stations. In November 2016, Graham Holmes presented on behalf of the University of Kent at the European Network of Academic Sports Services (ENAS), providing an example of best practice, leadership and management for sport at university. The University's sports department is committed to ensuring that everyone has equal opportunity to participate in sport, fitness and recreation at the University of Kent. To that end we have undertaken the Inclusive Fitness Initiative and were pleased to receive our first assessment in October 2016. More information is available on our website kent.ac.uk/sports/inclusivefitness Visit kent.ac.uk/sports/facilities for more details.

8 Kent's Sporting Legends 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201A;

Kent's Sporting Legends 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201A;9

10 Kent's Sporting Legends 2016

Focus on cycling:

Anna Marie Hughes, cycling scholar What is your professional cycling experience? Cycling has always been a massive passion of mine ever since I joined my local club, Hillingdon Slipstreamers when I was 12 years old. It took me a couple of years to start racing, but once I got stuck into the routine of training and racing I have never looked back! 2015 has been my most successful season so far; I had a great start by winning the Regional Imperial Winter Women's Series and then went on to finish 4th in the National Junior Road Race Championships, achieved a top 10 in a National Women’s Road Series race and rode as a guest for a team in a UCI 2.2, five-day Stage Race in the Czech Republic. My most memorable racing experience has to be competing in the Prudential Ride London Pro Women’s GP, around St James Park up the Mall to Buckingham Palace; the race was streamed live on BBC 2 making it my most high profile race to date. Several top International Professional riders were in this race, including Olympic Champions Laura Trott and Dani King, and former World Champion Emma Johansson; it was great to be able to say I finished in the main bunch in such a high level field! Since then, in 2016, I joined the Dutch racing team TWC De Kempen but due to recurring injury I had to cut my season short. I aim to come back fighting in 2017 and to target more National and European races! What makes you passionate about leading the Cycling Club and how do you intend to build on its success? I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to help UKC Cycling develop as Club President for 2016/17. I was really keen to introduce a new discipline to the club this year; track cycling. Last year I competed in the BUCS Track Championships, finishing 5th in the Elimination race and 6th in the Points race. I have organised 'Track Taster Sessions' for club members at the Lee Valley Velodrome (which hosted the 2012 Olympic Games). Additionally, I have organised for British Cycling qualified Coach, Tim Ramsden, to come and give a talk to club members about how to train and get into racing. Do you have a role model in the cycling world? That is a very difficult question as there are many athletes that inspire me. If I had to

choose one, it would have to be Marianne Vos. She is the complete, all round cyclist in every cycling discipline and has won Olympic Gold medals on the track and road, three times World Race Race Champion and seven times World Cyclocross Champion. However, even with her impressive palmares, she still works hard for her teammates should they be in a better position to win races. How will Team GB's recent success at the Olympic Games impact cycling? It is without question that GB excelled over the summer in the 2016 Rio Olympics in Cycling, on both the road and the track. British Cycling’s performances generate so much publicity and interest and it continues to do so. Recently, Britain’s mainly younger riders won five gold medals at the World Cup in Glasgow, demonstrating that we have strength in depth. All this success and publicity ripples down to grass roots levels where it’s obvious that the sport is growing. After the 2012 Olympics, the uptake in cycling was obvious, with our local youth cycling clubs having to implement waiting lists to join. How do you think the new Cycle Hub and Wattbikes in the fitness suite will benefit cyclists at Kent? I'm very excited to see the opening of the Cycle Hub on campus soon. This will provide a focal/meeting point and will attract an even bigger increase in club members as cycling will be become accessible to all with the option to hire a bike. Also for those who already own a bike, the Cycle Hub will help with maintenance as there will be mechanics on hand to sort out any problems. Along with the Cycle Hub the addition of the Wattbikes in the gym is of great benefit to the club; now members can train more effectively using both heartrate and power (Watts). It also has the function to see pedalling efficiency, something which club members have not been able to see before, and can contribute to vast improvements in performance. Wattbike sessions are used extensively as a training tool for top cycling athletes and now four of our club members, including myself, on the Sports Scholarship Programme will make regular use with a Wattbike session included in the weekly Strength and Conditioning sessions, making them much more focused and beneficial to the riders. Kent's Sporting Legends 2016 11

12 Kent's Sporting Legends 2016

Sport at Kent: Future developments The next consideration for the University of Kent is an extension to the indoor tennis centre to incorporate much needed fitness and high performance training facilities to service the enormous demand on our current training facilities, which is now incredibly popular and used extensively. At the same time this will allow the University to convert this space to be suitable for larger conferences, exhibitions and other events, which would bring additional profile and prestige into Kent. The desire and intent to build wet facilities on campus remains, as always, subject to availability of capital. This will be reviewed as part of the University long-term capital planning. The University of Kent are continuing to develop and enhance the Sports Scholarship Programme and have a number of athletes aspiring to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, or at European or World Championship level. The University is proud to continue support for developing local talent including athletes Alex and Bobby Clay and Paralympian B2 skier Millie Knight, who benefit from regular access to our sports facilities and expertise. The University of Kent also continues to expand and develop the range of activities, services and events available to all and focusses on increasing participation at all levels, regardless of ability or age.

Kent's Sporting Legends 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201A;13

James Mapley, University of Kent student and cycling scholar

Susannah Townsend, University of Kent alumna, former elite hockey scholar and Olympic Gold medallist

Natalie NatalieSeymour, Seymour,University of Kent Photo courtesy of Athleticsweekly.com alumna, former elite hockey scholar and current triathlete

14 Kent's Sporting Legends 2016

Kent's athletes: Spotlight Kent is rich with talented sportsmen and women including Olympic, Paralympic, Commonwealth and many up-and-coming athletes. Will Bayley, table tennis Paralympic Gold medallist Photo courtesy of Paralympics.org.uk

The athletes highlighted on the following pages have been selected as Kent's Sporting Legends for 2016 for their tremendous achievements and potential, for their dedication to sport and for the inspiration they provide to others. They represent just a small sample of all the sporting successes and achievements across Kent, but demonstrate well how hard work and following one's passions can truly pay off. Kent is proud of our sporting legends. If you have sporting successes or aspirations that you would like to share with us we would be pleased to hear from you at sportsenquiries@kent.ac.uk You can see all of Kent's Sporting Legends and their profiles on our website at kent.ac.uk/sports/kentsportinglegends

Leigh Wetheridge, University of Kent alumna and former powerlifting scholar

Natasha Brennan, University of Kent alumna, former elite hockey scholar and World Champion rugby player

Kent's Sporting Legends 2016 15â&#x20AC;&#x201A;

Susannah Townsend: Hockey Gold medallist Susannah was the first ever recipient of an elite scholarship from the University of Kent. She is now the highest achieving athlete from the scholarship programme, having won the EuroHockey Championships and a historic Gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Tell us a little about yourself I was born in Blackheath and attended Sutton Valence school. I was a talented tennis player in my younger days but I chose hockey as my preferred sport as I liked the team environment. I've played for all international age groups at the Canterbury Hockey Club since 2004. Mel Clewlow, Kent Sport Assistant Director and former team mate, says "Susannah is a dynamic midfielder; her electric speed and change of pace makes her a game changer on the field. She is regarded as one of the best players in the world." How does it feel being a part of the GB women's hockey team? Being part of a team allows you to meet all these people and hear their stories. I get to spend every single day with my best friends and we have a common goal. You can see in the way that we play that we would do anything for each other and that's a lot to do with our team culture and helps our success. It takes such a long time to build those connections and when you're in it you don't realise how strong that bond is, but we want to spend social time together. We're not just forced to be in a team together - we 16 Kent's Sporting Legends 2016

choose to be friends, we choose to get on. You're brutally honest with each other but you're there to comfort and help each other throughout and that's what makes it special. Other teams may not have the hard conversations you need to have. You're scared of upsetting a mate but for us you can have those hard conversations and still be friends. You have to have that to be a successful team.

Achievements: 2016: Olympic Games - Gold 2015: EuroHockey Championships - Gold 2014/15 and 2015/2016: England player's player of the season 2014/15: Named Hockey Writers' Club Women's Player of the Year 2014: Commonwealth Games - Silver 2013: EuroHockey Championships - Silver

Kent Opportunity Fund: Student Sport Scheme What's next for your sporting career? For me I want to continue to develop as a hockey player and achieve something special with GB and England. Individually I want to become one of the best players in the world and I want Great Britain to become number one in the world consistently. The aim is to retain our European title, win the Commonwealth Games, World Cup and successfully retain our Olympic title in 2020. What does it mean to be a legend? I was very fortunate to have world class support when studying at the University Of Kent. The training, academic support and guidance from role models working for the University was something that was pivotal to me becoming so successful. For me I would love for other students at the University to see that it is possible to achieve your dream and to use those around them to help them get there.

Sport breaks down barriers, is non-political, laughs in the face of adversity and unites people in a way that nothing else can. We believe that sport is a fundamental part of the overall student experience, alongside their academic study. Through the Student Sport Scheme we hope to provide top class support for Kent students to fulfil their athletic potential. In the 2016/17 academic year we are able to award ÂŁ5,000 to projects that help students to reach their athletic potential and contribute to sport at Kent. For more information and to donate, please visit www.kent.ac.uk/giving/opportunityfund

"For an athlete, those little things, the one per cent and two per cent make a massive difference." Susannah Townsend, Olympic Gold medallist and Kent Alumna.

Kent's Sporting Legends 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201A;17

Tom Ransley: Rowing Gold medallist Tom is a Gold medal winning Olympic athlete from Kent, and part of the Team GB rowing squad. His multiple World and European titles makes him a perfect candidate. A little about Tom Tom was born in Ashford and attended King's School in Canterbury. He played basketball to county level before opting to focus on rowing. He made my first appearance for Team GB in 2007. In 2012, he won Bronze in the men's eight at the London Olympics. Improving on this performance, the team won Gold in the men's eight at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Tell us about the final race in Rio The race itself flew by in a blur of perfection. I knew my crew were capable of big things but we had to do it on the day, when it really mattered. I share a common trait among the team: an obsessive eye for improvement. This unflinching commitment to ceaselessly perfect my rowing is compatible with the high-performance programme we follow. Every detail is torn apart and every performance analysed to yield the next speed gain. In London 2012, we had led the Olympic final but were rowed down by two crews, and the bronze medal felt a very bitter type of bittersweet.This time, standing on the podium I pondered a truly surreal experience. It had all the trappings of an Olympic prize-giving. I was being awarded the Olympic gold 18 Kent's Sporting Legends 2016

medal. I could hardly take it all in. At one point in the proceedings a brief and casual thought popped into my head: this is all a construct, purpose-built for effect. The Olympic prize-giving is a piece of televised theatre. Despite an absolute belief that we could win, our plans and visualisations never extended beyond the finish line. In some ways being awarded the gold medal felt as surreal as if I found myself sitting beside Goldilocks eating porridge with the three bears. Interview for The Guardian, August 2016.

Achievements: 2016: Olympic Games Men's Eight - Gold 2016: European Men's Eight - Bronze 2015: European Champion M4 - Gold 2014: World Men's Eight - Gold 2013: World Men's Eight - Gold 2012: Olympic Men's Eight - Bronze 2010-2011: Twice World Men's Eight - Silver

Will Bayley:

Table Tennis Gold medallist Will is a Paralympic Games Gold medal winning athlete for Paralympics GB, with many table tennis medals under his belt including Paralympic Gold. A little about Will Before his birth, Will's parents were aware that he would be born with arthrogryposis, a rare congenital disorder that was to affect all four of his limbs. At the age of seven Will was diagnosed with cancer. While recovering he discovered he was able to play a good game of table tennis, thanks to his kind Grandma who bought him his first table tennis table. At the age of 12 he joined Byng Hall Table Tennis Club in Tunbridge Wells where he continued to improve and enter competitions each week and which culminated in him representing Kent menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team of able-bodied players, where his table tennis went from strength to strength. Will has since won medals in World and European Championships and claimed his first Paralympic Gold in Rio. What's next for your sporting career? I'll be back in training in January and my main objectives for 2017 are the World Team Championships in Slovakia in May and the European Championships in Slovenia in October. I was European Champion in 2011 and having been runnerup in 2013 and 2015 it would be nice to win that title again.

What does it mean to be a legend? Having been brought up in Kent I'm extremely proud to represent the county. I've had so much support from the people in Kent and I hope that I have repaid some of that support in Rio and made people proud.

Achievements: 2016: Paralympic Games - Gold 2015: European Championships (team) - Silver 2015: European Championships (singles) - Silver 2014: World Championships (singles) - Gold 2014: World Championships (team) - Bronze 2012: Paralympic Games (singles) - Silver 2012: Paralympic Games (team) - Bronze

Kent's Sporting Legends 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201A;19

Natasha Brennan: Rugby Natasha is a high level athlete, University of Kent alumna and former elite hockey scholar. She is also a World Champion rugby player for Team GB. She narrowly missed out on Rugby 7s team selection for the Rio Olympic Games. Tell us a little about yourself I was born in Rotherham, but my parents moved to just outside Maidstone. I started as a hockey player at Canterbury Hockey Club, and joined the University of Kent Scholarship programme when I began my studies. It was at university that I played my very first game of rugby, and I was hooked! I soon joined the Canterbury Rugby Club but continued playing hockey with Holcombe as my sister was playing there too. Although I took up rugby late, I was lucky enough to be selected for the Gold Medal winning team at the Rugby World Cup in 2014. I am now a full-time athlete and play in Richmond in the top female rugby division. Is there anyone that inspires you? You have your family like your parents and my brother and sister because they've invested a lot of time for me to do well at a young age and you want to have something to show for it. There's lots of athletes you admire a great deal, people like Mel Clewlow, Anna Bennett and Alison Annan - they were amazing hockey players that achieved great things so they were obviously an inspiration to me when I was

20 Kent's Sporting Legends 2016

younger. Within rugby a lot of my peers have inspired me because they helped me progress quite quickly, I only started playing rugby in 2009 and got into the elite programme around 2011-2012 so you need your peers around you.

Achievements: 2014: Rugby World Cup - Gold 2013 to 2014: Member of the England women's rugby 7's team scoring 16 tries in 12 games in the World series 2010: Kent Sportswoman of the Year 2007: Hockey Youth Olympics - Gold Represented England Hockey from U14 to U21 level.

Natalie Seymour: Triathlon Natalie is a University of Kent alumna and former elite hockey scholar. She now trains as a triathlete; her first professional season began in 2016. A little about Natalie Natalie is a British triathlete and former field hockey player. She competed for England in the women's hockey tournament at the 2010 Commonwealth Games where she won a bronze medal. Natalie was a reserve team member in the hockey tournament at the 2012 Summer Olympics. However, she was not chosen to play in any of the matches and so did not get to share in an eventual bronze medal with the rest of her team mates. Following on from this disappointment she decided to take an 18 month hiatus from the sport, and in 2014 she switched to competing in the triathlon.

sporting goals. The University of Kent were a great support when I was a developing hockey player and I am grateful that I was able to achieve both my academic and sporting goals as a result.

Achievements:

What's next for your sporting career? I am heading to Ironman 70.3 Bahrain Middle Eastern Championships at the start of December this year. I am trying to qualify for the professional Ironman 70.3 World Championships, which take place in Tennessee next year.

2016: First professional season

What does it mean to be a legend? I am honoured to be named as a Kent's Sporting Legend, particularly in the same group as so many talented and inspirational athletes. I hope it inspires others at the University of Kent to pursue their

Ironman Mallorca 70.3 - 13th

Ironman Dublin 70.3 - 2nd Ironman Staffordshire 70.3 - 6th Castle Howard Gauntlet (Half Iron) - 1st

F3 Duathlon - 1st Kingston Half Marathon - 1st

Kent's Sporting Legends 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201A;21

University of Kent: Sport scholarships The University of Kent continues to evaluate and adjust its sports scholarship programme across both the Canterbury and Medway campuses to ensure it delivers a high quality service to those students fortunate enough to be accepted onto the scheme. All applicants must meet the essential criteria to be eligible to apply to the scheme but this doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t automatically guarantee them a place. They must already demonstrate an outstanding ability within their chosen sport and be 100% committed to representing the University in BUCS competitions.

Susannah Townsend, University of Kent alumna, former elite hockey scholar and Olympic Gold medallist

We continue to work closely with the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences to offer our top level scholars access to state of the art testing in the hopes that this information will enhance performances within the athletes chosen sport. The programme is led and mentored by double-Olympian and Assistant Director of Sport (Physical Activities and Finance) Mel Clewlow who amassed 254 international hockey caps over a senior career spanning 13 years. She is supported by Oli Prior, Health, Fitness and Performance Manager who leads a team of five strength and conditioning coaches delivering twenty sessions across both campuses. This year has been a particularly proud one for the University. Our first ever elite scholar recipient Susannah Townsend claimed Olympic Hockey Gold in Rio this summer and our current scholar of the year Leigh Wetheridge won Gold at the European Powerlifting Championships and went on to claim Bronze at the World Championships later in the year proving that hard work and commitment does pay off. Christian Skogeby, scholar of the year 2013/14 for karate

22 Kent's Sporting Legends 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201A;

Natalie Seymour, University of Kent Oliver Mangion, wheelchair alumna, former elite hockey scholar rugby scholar and current triathlete

Leigh Wetheridge: Powerlifting Leigh is a University of Kent alumna and former powerlifting scholar. Her achievements include World Championships Silver medal and European Champion, along with a handful of British records. Leigh was also awarded Kent Sport scholar of the year for 2015/16 for her incredible dedication to the programme and her sport. What does receiving a scholarship mean to you? The scholarship scheme helped massively while at University as prior to starting I was at home and able to train with my dad as I always had. However, living away I had to train more on my own and the Scholarship scheme provided me with the guidance I was missing. I had two incredible coaches, Kent Sport fitness instructors Chris Payne and Ben Roberts, both of whom had been involved in the sport themselves and had the knowledge to help me improve. Being involved in the scheme meant that I had continued support throughout my time at Kent particularly after my back injury as I was able to receive physiotherapy and my coaches helped to get me back into lifting after a long recovery period. The scheme also ensured that I maintained my academic focus, as to be able to continue on the scheme I had to perform academically.

How has the structured strength and conditioning programme complimented your training? The programme complimented my training and performance as I was able to work with my coaches one-on-one and they were able to maximise my performance. I was also given different programmes to try and was able to establish which worked best for me. The weekly sessions really helped my training and my own knowledge increased massively as a result of them.

Achievements: 2016: World Championships - Silver 2016: European Championships - Gold medal and also set four British records 2015: British Powerlifting Championships - 2nd 2012: All England National Powerlifting competition - 1st Competition personal bests are 180kg squat, 97.5kg bench and 200kg deadlift

Kent's Kent's Sporting Sporting Legends Legends 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201A;23 2016 23â&#x20AC;&#x201A;

James Mapley: Cycling James is a current University of Kent third year student studying Law. He is a highly-committed member of the scholarship scheme and has many cycling achievements to his name. What does receiving a scholarship mean to you? The privilege of having a scholarship constantly drives me to improve by training amongst some of the most talented sporting individuals in the country. The structured strength and conditioning sessions are tailored to my cycling, improving my peak power and developing muscular endurance, aspects which cannot be gained solely from riding my bike. What's next for your sporting career? For the 2016/17 season, I will be competing in Duathlons alongside my usual cycling time trials. I have always enjoyed my running as an alternative training method, so to have an opportunity to combine both my cycling and running is very exciting. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m looking forward to the BUCS Duathlon in November and towards qualification for the 2018 European Championships in March next year. What does it mean to be a legend? I feel very privileged to have been invited to the Kent Sporting Legends event. Each event, I find the experience immensely humbling to be in the company of such high calibre athletes. To learn about their respective achievements, at the pinnacle of their sport, is inspiring and certainly motivates me to strive to continue to improve as an athlete. 24 Kent's Sporting Legends 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201A;

Achievements: 2016: CTT Nationals - 11th 2016: Winner of the Daniel Squire Memorial Duathlon 2015/2016: BUCS National 10 Mile Championships - 8th 2015: CTT Nationals - 11th Winner of the Portsdown Time Trial League Top 150 of the fastest UK 10-mile time trials with 19 minutes 3 seconds

Jasmine Pomeroy: Karate Jasmine is a current University of Kent third year student studying Forensic Science. She is also a karate scholar, with a great deal of experience and achievements under her belt. What does receiving a scholarship mean to you? The scholarship means a great deal to me in that I can continue training as much as possible and compete at an international level alongside my studies. Without the scholarship scheme, I would not have been able to maintain and progress at the level of competition I am at today. The strength and conditioning training has massively developed my strength and power as well as my speed, agility and core strength. All aspects are essential and of high importance in my sport and the improvement in these areas in particular have supported my transition to senior level. I couldn't have asked for better support financially and in training where I have access to first class facilities, strength and conditioning coaching, fitness testing as well as rehabilitation. What's next for your sporting career? Over the next few years I plan to compete and excel in a multitude of Karate 1 Premier League events which is the highest level competition circuit, as well as various other National and International championships. I aim to compete at future senior European and World championships, with the goal to represent Great Britain at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games with the first ever inclusion of karate.

What does it mean to be a legend? I am overwhelmed to have been considered a Kentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sporting Legend and am immensely grateful for the continuous support that the University has provided me with, both in funding, fundamental strength and conditioning training and rehabilitation. It is an honour to continually represent and be associated with the University of Kent, the facilities and the extremely talented athletes that have come through the University past, present and future.

Achievements: 2016: EUSA European University games - 5th 2016: WIKF European Championships Silver Open weight, Bronze -68kg, Bronze team Kumite Two times English Champion Eight times English Championship medallist Five times UK Open Champion Three English Karate Federation National team caps

Kent's Kent's Sporting Sporting Legends Legends 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201A; 2016 25â&#x20AC;&#x201A;

Looking ahead to 2020: Oliver Mangion Oliver is a current University of Kent student reading Anthropology in his second year. Oliver is a highlycommitted Wheelchair Rugby scholarship recipient who has been selected for potential inclusion in the 2020 Paralympic Games. Tell us a little about yourself I'm an elite sport athlete, potentially will study for a masters in Norse studies, wherever sports might take me. I've always been sporty (swimming, athletics, sitting volleyball and now wheelchair rugby). I started wheelchair rugby two and a half years ago after a club opened locally, within nine months I was scouted by GB and have been with their development squad since. What does receiving a scholarship mean to you? I am extremely proud to have been selected for a sports scholarship, I take it very seriously, the programme has been most supportive and without doubt contributes really positively to my performance gains. The scholarship is hugely important as it supports me in a number of ways. The body conditioning is vital and has helped to target and build my strength exactly where it is needed for my position as a high point player. I train on court three times a week for three weeks of the month if I'm not at international or national competitions and events and also have to attend monthly, week long camps at the National Sports 26 Kent's Sporting Legends 2016

Centre in Lilleshall. I also attend Strength and Conditioning sessions at the University up to three times a week on days that I am not expected to be on court.

Achievements: 2016: Selected as part of the Paralympic Inspiration Programme, which provided selected athletes with several days experience at the Rio Paralympic Games Awarded three ‘Best of Class’ trophies while playing for Canterbury 2015: Named as Most Valuable Player at the Wheelchair Rugby Nationals and collected the Team Shield trophy

Looking ahead to 2020: Bobby Clay Bobby was born, and lives in, Kent. As a high-level athlete she has represented the county in many youth and senior level competitions and is aiming for the Olympic Games in 2020. She also trains at, and is supported by, the University of Kent. Tell us a little about yourself I began running at a very young age, my mum used to go out running and I just wanted to be like her, so Alex [my sister] and I initially used to tag along on our bikes but I quickly realised that I just wanted to run. I am very keen when it comes to training, I love working hard, I love it when I finish a track session barely able to see so my coach has to keep me on a tight rein sometimes. I have more volume in the winter and more intensity in the summer, Strength and Conditioning plays a huge role in my programme and then of course rest days are forced upon me too. The University have been amazing, the facilities are a dream making gym sessions a breeze (almost!). I’m a Kent girl through and through and am truly humbled to be supported by the University of Kent. What's next for your sporting career? Of course the ultimate aim is to become an Olympian, but there’s plenty of other championships I have in my sights before then. Next year is a big year, with U23 European Championships being one of my main aims. It is also the qualifying year for the Commonwealth Games in 2018, and the Gold Coast doesn’t sound too shabby to me. So the hard work

has already begun and I’m hungrier than ever. What does it mean to be a legend? I’m just amazed and truly delighted! There are so many talented Kent athletes so to be among such inspirational people is humbling. I am truly grateful for the support team I have around me, but to have support from the University of Kent and to be recognised is very special. It’s amazing to know that people believe in me and my journey ahead.

Achievements: 2016 season and U.K. ranking: 800m in a time of 2.04 - 1st 1500m in a time of 4.10 - 1st 3000m in a time of 9.11 - 1st Great Edinburgh Cross Country International - 1st 1500m U20 English Championships - 1st CAU Intercounties Cross Country Championships - 1st World Junior Championships - 1st 2015: Junior European Championships - 1st

Photo courtesy of Athletics Weekly

Kent's Kent's Sporting Sporting Legends Legends 2016 27 2016 27

Wayne Otto OBE: University of Kent Alumnus, nine times World and European Karate Champion Born in London, Wayne Otto attended schools in Hackney and began training in karate at the age of 14. Wayne graduated from the University of Kent in 1992 with a BSc in Communications Engineering. He co-founded the University of Kent Karate Club in 1989, leading them to glory as national champions in the British University Sports Federation (BUSF) in 1991. Four years later, he was representing England at the Junior European Karate Championships. In 1997, he became Britain's most successful karate exponent, gaining his ninth World Championship title at the World Cup Championships in Manila. In 2000, he retired from competition karate, but continued to have a major input to the sport, firstly as Assistant Coach to the Great Britain and England National Team and then, in 2005 and 2008, as National Coach. Currently, he is the head coach for the Norway national team. Wayne Otto's achievements in karate are recognised in the 2001 edition of the World Guinness Book of Records, where he is cited for having won the most World Championships for a male competitor. In the same year, he was awarded an OBE for services to the sport of karate. In 2013, Wayne hosted the very first Ultimate Karate Fighters Boot Camp, in partnership with the University of Kent, on the University's Canterbury campus. The event provides elite karate athletes with three days of intense training ranging from kumite to preparing for major competitions.

Wayne is joined by several elite trainers from around the world, providing their own experiences. Since 2013 a further three events have been held, each of which has been more successful than the last. In 2018, Wayne will return once again to host the next event.

Achievements: 2001: Awarded OBE for services to karate 1996: World Championships (representing England) - Gold 1993: World Games - Gold 1992: World Championships - Gold 1991: European Championships - Gold 1990: World Championships - Gold 1988: European Championships - Gold

28 Kent's Sporting Legends 2016

Kent's Sporting Legends 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201A;29

Dr John Dickinson:

Elite research at the University of Kent Dr John Dickinson, from the University of Kent School of Sport and Exercise Sciences (SSES), is a world-leading authority on respiratory problems in athletes, with over 13 years’ experience of investigating issues such as asthma and dysfunctional breathing in elite athletes. Over the lastest Olympic cycle Dr. Dickinson and his team from the University of Kent have supported a significant number of athletes who competed at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Dr. Dickinson’s team provided respiratory support for 26% of Team GB Gold medals, 38% of Silver medals and 18% of Bronze medals. Highlights of this work include supporting the entire GB Swimming Team to their most successful medal haul at an Olympic Games. Dr. Dickinson’s Respiratory Clinic also supports professional football teams and over the past year has screened entire 1st team squads from Arsenal FC, Hull FC, Brentford FC and Gillingham FC. Along with individual players from numerous clubs and other sports such as UK Athletics athletes, Rugby Union, Track Cycling and Ice Skating. Dr Dickinson has published extensively in the area of exercise induced asthma and has given key note presentations nationally and internationally on the subject. He has received funding from Asthma UK and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The WADA funding has enabled Dr. Dickinson’s team to investigate the ergogenic and pharmokinetic properties of inhaled β2- Agonists (asthma medication). This research has enabled Dr Dickinson to be well positioned to provide numerous comments and insights concerning Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) and asthma on respiratory problems in athletes. He has recently been explaining why so many elite athletes have asthma following the leak of selected athletes’ medical records by Russian cyber hacking group the Fancy Bears. To date, he has provided comment and insight for The Guardian, The Times, The Irish Times, 30 Kent's Sporting Legends 2016

The Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Sun, BBC Sportsweek, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 2, Sky Sports News and Newsnight, amongst others. Dr. Dickinson was awarded a 1st class BSc in Sports Science from the University of Wales, Bangor in 2002. He was awarded his PhD from Brunel University in March 2006. He has been a BASES accredited Sport and Exercise Physiologist since 2006. Prior to joining the University of Kent in 2012 Dr. Dickinson has held research physiologist positions at the British Olympic Association, English Institute of Sport and Liverpool John Moores University. Dr. Dickinson is currently a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Sciences at the University and Head of the Respiratory clinic. He is a member of the Endurance Research Group and the Sports Therapy, Physical Activity and Health Research Group in the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences (SSES). ‘Dickinson is well placed to comment on the issue. A world-renowned expert on asthma in sport and head of the respiratory clinic at Kent’s School of Sport and Exercise Science, he has written extensively on TUEs. Currently part of the team responsible for testing and diagnosing Britain’s Olympic athletes for asthma, he argues that the furore over “unfair medication” is largely misguided.’ The Telegraph

Kent's Sporting Legends 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201A;31

Kent County Council:

Sport and Physical Activity Service The Kent Sport and Physical Activity Service is a team within Kent County Council and celebrated its 25th Anniversary in October 2016. It also acts as the County Sport Partnership for Kent, combining resources from Sport England, with those of Kent County Council and partner funding from other local authority partners. Commonly known as Kent Sport, the service aims to coordinate sport and physical activity opportunities with partners across the county, to encourage more people to become more active and lead healthier lifestyles, In particular, Kent Sport: • • • • • • • •

Is the strategic lead for sport and physical activity in Kent, in order to increase participation Works with partners to increase opportunities for targeted communities Enhances opportunities for young people, including through working with schools, Further Education and Higher Education Increases the volunteering and paid workforce to support clubs and events in Kent Supports clubs and other partners to lever in funding to improve facilities and activities Coordinates the delivery of Sport England and other funded programmes Supports the development of talented performers Supports partners to bring major sports events into the county

Our success in numbers: • • • • • • • • •

Over 7,000 children and young people involved in Kent School Games and Sainsbury's School Games Finals events in 2016, as participants, young leaders and as part of the School Games Cultural Celebration Over 15,000 11-25 year olds have participated in the Sportivate programme It is estimated that well over 400,000 young people have benefitted from programmes coordinated through the service in the last 25 years Over 2,000 talented performers in Kent supported in the last eight years Support for talented performers has included Olympians, Paralympians and stars of the future - Will Bayley, Jack Green, Tom Bosworth, Ross Wilson, Jemima Yeats-Brown and Millie Knight Over 7,000 new beginner runners involved in the Run Kent project, with 16 parkrun and six junior parkrun opportunities developed across the county £2.65m of external funding brought into sport in Kent in 2015-16, with nearly £2m secured from April 2016 It is estimated that over £72million of funding has been levered into sport in Kent, through the work of Kent Sport, since 1991 We are delighted to have supported the University of Kent in this celebration of sporting success across Kent since the first event held in 2012 and hope you all enjoy a fantastic evening

For more information go to www.kentsport.org or contact kentsport@kent.gov.uk

32 Kent's Sporting Legends 2016

Kent's Sporting Legends 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201A;33

Kent County Council: Kent FANS scheme Supporting talented sports performers to develop has been a key area of work since 1998, when Kelly Holmes launched the Kent FANS scheme. However, this work has not been solely to support those individuals but also to recognise those who progress to the highest levels, as positive role models for others and particularly for young people to strive to be the best they can be and to lead active lifestyles. Who can forget the pride that we all felt when Kelly won double Gold in Athens, or Lizzy Yarnold winning Gold at the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014 along with Jemima Yeats- Brown who won a Bronze Medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, having been called into the Team England Squad at the eleventh hour – they are positive role models but more importantly they are local people who provide inspiration for so many others. In Rio, earlier this year Kent made its mark again with Gold medals for Susannah Townsend in Hockey and for Tom Ransley in rowing at the Olympic Games, quickly followed by another Gold Medal for Will Bayley in table tennis at the Paralympics, Will also teamed up with Ross Wilson to win Bronze in the table tennis team event – fantastic achievements and congratulations to all of the Kent Olympians and Paralympians who went to Rio. Over 2000 performers have been supported by Kent County Council to compete at a national level over the past 8 years, through the FANS scheme, which is run in conjunction with all of the local authorities and over 60 facilities in Kent.

The support available includes: free access at off peak times to 64 leisure and sports facilities across the county for training; discounts on kit & equipment, physiotherapy, sports massage, osteopathy, chiropractic treatment, and sport science support / testing in partnership with the Universities in Kent. Small grants are also available to FANS members who are in full time education and we are delighted that Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Kent have entered into a recent partnership with us to continue this support. The Sports Scholarship programmes offered by the two Universities allow young athletes to pursue their Higher Education studies locally whilst supporting them to continue to excel in their sport. To be eligible for support through the FANS scheme performers must reside in Kent, be performing in a sport recognised by Sport England, and meet one or more of the following criteria: • Currently members of a national team or squad • Currently listed in the top 10 of any national age group ranking • Successful in any national age group competition (top 10 finish), in the last 12 months There are currently over 500 members of the Kent FANS scheme, aged 9 to 86 years, competing nationally in a wide range of sports including: archery, athletics, boxing, curling, cycling, fencing, hockey, judo, korfball, rowing, sailing, skiing, swimming, table tennis and triathlon. For further information about the Kent FANS scheme please visit: www.kentsport.org/fans

34 Kent's Sporting Legends 2016

Current members:

Talented Performers

Jemima Yeats-Brown: Judo 2016: Silver medal in the Estonia World Cup 2016: Bronze medal in the Senior European Cup in Croatia 2015: Silver medal at the Senior British Championships 2015: Silver medal in the Junior World Cup in Spain 2014: Bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow

Tom Bosworth: Athletics - Race Walking

Ross Banham: Sailing

2016: Finished 6th in 20km at the Olympic Games in Rio 2016: Broke his own British 20km race walk record at the Olympic Games 2016: Broke the British 3km race walk record at the Indoor British Athletics Championships 2016: Broke the British 5km race walk record in Slovakia 2015: Participated in the IAAF World Championships in Beijing

2016: Member of the RYA 29er Youth Squad 2015: Competed in the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships in Malaysia 2015: Represented Team GBR in the 420 Team racing World Championships in Italy 2015: Represented Team GBR in the Junior European Championships in Bulgaria 2013: Laser 4.7 Under 19 National Champion (at age 14)

Alessia Russo: Football

Katie Startup: Football

2016: Selected to represent England in U17 World Cup Finals in Jordan 2016: Represented England in U17 European Championship Finals in Belarus 2015: Represented England in U17 Nordic Cup in Denmark 2014: Represented England U15 team v Holland 2013: Selected for U15 England Schools team

Our 2,000th member 2016: Selected to represent England in the U17 World Cup Finals in Jordan 2016: Plays for Chelsea Ladies FC

Kent's Sporting Legends 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201A; 35

Kent County Council: Kent School Games The Kent School Games - a biennial event since 2008 - is an important part of our programme with twin aims to encourage a love and enthusiasm for sport among young people aged 4-16 years, which we hope will last a lifetime; and to give young people the opportunity to compete in their own well-organised and enjoyable competitions.

Images taken at University of Kent facilities

In 2016, there were 63 finals events run across 24 days in 12 different venues catering for 30 different sporting activities – a logistical feat if ever there was and in no small part, only achievable due to our excellent partners working together across the county. There are 16 School Games Organisers working across Kent to deliver the School Games and Change4Life programmes at local level, which lead into the finals events. They work hard to raise the awareness of school sport by introducing young people to a range of different sports and activities, which will not only improve their health and well-being but also provide them with new activities and new experiences. A key feature of the Kent School Games Programme is also the Kent School Games Cultural Celebration. Generously supported in 2016 by the Roger de Haan Charitable Trust, the Cultural Celebration took place at the Winter Gardens, Margate in mid-September and brought together some of the best artistic young artists and performers in Kent to showcase their talent, in a ‘West End’ style show. Ryan Taber and Kayleigh Stevens-Keatley, two of the singers from the Cultural Celebration, will be performing at tonight's event. The Kent School Games has become one of the largest school sports competitions in Europe and has been used as a model for the government's National School Games initiative, which has been run annually since 2012. For more information visit www.kentschoolgames.com

36 Kent's Sporting Legends 2016

Kent's Sporting Legends 2016 36

UniKentSports

#KSLegends

To view and share event photos and comments, find us online.

Kent Sport Sports Centre University of Kent Canterbury Kent CT2 7NL 01227 823 623 sportsenquiries@kent.ac.uk

kent.ac.uk/sports UniKentSports

#KSLegends

To view and share event photos and comments, find us online.