Sussex Sport - Issue 8

The complete guide to sport in Sussex • FREE

Issue 08

Making Waves

Meet Alex and our other Olympic hopefuls

London 2012 update • ng Ki e ev St • vis Da de au Cl • te Vincen • Eastbourne College y tte Co ny To • r ve ea W ul Pa • rd Josh Giffo m Manor Golf Club Ha • ds ar Aw ts or Sp ex ss Su • e ton Sophie Johns

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2 | issue 08

SussexSport

Welcome to issue eight of Sussex Sport, your FREE magazine available throughout Sussex.

The TEAM Publishe r: Alan Prior alan.prior@pinnacle.uk.com Editor: Bruce Talbot bruce.talbot@sussexsport.co.uk Deputy Editor: Mike Donovan mike.donovan@sussexsport.co.uk Production Manager: Michael Brooks michael.brooks@afinis.co.uk Creative Director: Gary Pleece gary.pleece@afinis.co.uk Design: Dominic Loosemore dominic.loosemore@afinis.co.uk

Editorial

www.sussexsport.co.uk

Welcome W

hether you watch, play, help organise, coach or simply enjoy reading about it, sport touches virtually everyone’s lives and our aim at Sussex Sport is to inform and entertain you about what’s going on in this great county of ours.

There are not enough pages to cover everything that is happening and we would love to hear from you if you think your club, sport or league deserves some publicity. The same goes if you know of anyone making an impression in their particular sport, whether it’s locally or nationally. If you want to get in touch please email Mike Donovan at mike.donovan@sussexsport.co.uk Winter is here in earnest but there is a summery feel to this issue as we begin the countdown to the biggest sporting event this country has seen for nearly 50 years – the London 2012 Olympics.

You might not have been able to get a ticket, but there will be an unmistakable ‘feel good’ factor next summer as we build up to the greatest show on earth and, as this issue reveals, there are plenty of sportsmen and women from Sussex who are straining every sinew to be involved.

We’re also delighted that arguably Sussex’s greatest Olympian Sally Gunnell is going to be writing a regular column in the build-up to the Games, starting in this issue.

It is a testament to the status of both Albion and Crawley Town that our two League clubs have this season signed players who are now the most capped in their respective club’s histories. We speak to the Seagulls’ Spanish midfielder Vincente and Claude Davis, the Jamaican international who is proving a big hit at Crawley.

One of the greats of National Hunt racing, Josh Gifford, is profiled and we meet Daniel Little, who is a name to watch out for in the world of tennis.

All this plus our usual features, photo galleries and much more as well as our indispensible guide to the clubs, sports and leagues which make up sport in Sussex.

As this is our final issue of 2011 may I thank everyone who has contributed to its success and wish you a Happy Christmas and a great start to 2012.

See you in February!

Designed and printed by Afinis Ltd Afinis is part of the Pinnacle Group Photography: James Boardman, Stephen Lawrence, Nigel Bowles, Paul Hazelwood, Andrew Nutton Contributors: Mike Donovan, Gary Marlow, Richard Neale, Andy Duck, Paul Camillin,Richard Lenton, Paul Weaver,Dave Brayle, Dan Tester, Charlotte Woolliscroft, Tony Cottey, Michael Brooks, Sally Gunnell, Gary Pleece, Gemma Spofforth, Michel Kuipers.

Advertising Sales: Rishma Patel rishma.patel@sussexsport.co.uk T: 07909 227 144

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Contents

Contents

SussexSport

Paul Weaver 7 Albion’s Spanish star Vincente 8 From the Goldstone to Falmer 11 Grassroots: Tales from the back end 13 Michel Kuipers 14 Claude Davis 15 Steve King: The Starmaker 16 Cotts’ Column 19 Sussex Cricket awards 21 Brighton Marathon 25 Hove Rugby Club 28 Fontwell’s Big day 31 Josh Gifford: A life in racing 32 Plumpton’s showcase 35 London 2012 countdown 37 Tennis: Daniel Little rising star 46 Eastbourne College 48 Dave Brayley 51 Ham Manor Golf Club 53 Richard Lenton 57 Sussex Sports Awards 59 Active Sussex 62 Disability Sport 65 Twisted Foundation 66 Sussex Tennis awards 67 Meet the ref...

70 A-Z of clubs, leagues and sports 72 issue 08 |

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THE GUARDIAN’S BRIGHTON-BASED SPORTS WRITER ON WHY TRIPS TO INDIA ARE ENTHRALLING AND EXASPERATING AT THE SAME TIME

=Comment

SussexSport

PAUL weaver

T

here has always been a whiff of the Raj at the County Ground England team took a long coach ride across rough roads to Pune. at Hove. Even when Sussex haven’t had an exotic Asian player They shared digs in those days and after getting to their room on their books, such as Ranji, Duleep, the Nawab of Pataudi, at one in the morning Hutton junior ordered some wake-up tea Imran Khan or Mushtaq Ahmed, the committee room has carried for two at ten. “Exhausted, I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the odour of gin and tonic and putrefying colonels, as well as a the pillow, only to be awoken – the next second it seemed – by the faint dusting of curry powder. rattling of crockery and cutlery. They had brought us tea for ten at For that, among other reasons, the place has always had a two.” special allure for me – Asia, I mean, not the committee’s den at And that’s how it is in India where, when you ask for something, Eaton Road. they shake their heads vigorously from side to side as they “Yes.” I have also had the good fortune to have been there it can also be a frightening place. I first a number of times. Well, you know how it is with sports hacks; another day, another Delsey. came here on one October night in 1984, with In fact I have just been there again, because after David Gower’s England team, on the very day rugby’s World Cup, India was the place to be with the cricket series against England (and, no, I won’t mention that Indira Ghandi was assassinated. that again) and the inaugural Indian Grand Prix.

Mostly, this ridiculously diverse land is a delight, from the On my recent trip, a lot of my colleagues had not been here Taj Mahal, Amritsar’s Golden Temple, Darjeeling, Kerala’s before so asked me for advice. So I dispensed some old-style tips backwaters, the markets, the railways, the hill stations… which, in turn, had been handed down to me by ancient troupers But it can also be a frightening place. I first arrived on one who had been here in the Sixties and Seventies.

October night in 1984, with David Gower’s England team, on the “Don’t drink water unless it’s bottled,” I told them. “Avoid ice very day that Indira Ghandi was assassinated. and don’t eat salads, because they’ve been washed in water. And Being young and foolish (instead of old and foolish as is the case eat plenty of boiled eggs and bananas, because they keep the now) I decided to explore the streets of Delhi with three colleagues. tummy nice and firm.”

Because we were carrying cameras and mistaken for They nodded respectfully towards the sage. But a couple of Americans we were immediately attacked by about 200 rampaging days later said sage was the first to go down with Delhi Belly – or locals who mistakenly felt that the killing was an AmericanBelly Belly, as I believe it’s now called following Ian’s unfortunate Pakistan conspiracy. We survived only because our assailants were eruptions on tour recently. being chased by riot police.

For the F1 race, I stayed in Noida in Uttar Pradesh, one of the I almost had the same sense of fear in October, 2011 when, poorest and most corrupt areas in the country, even though the coming into land at Delhi’s airport, I was perturbed to find myself Taj Mahal is just down the road and the splendour of Delhi is only a being shot at by several thousand people. You know what they say, 20-minute drive away. just because you’re paranoid it doesn’t mean that everyone is not I went out for a meal and a drink one night (there was no bar out to get you. at my hotel) but after passing a couple of open drains my appetite In fact I was landing in India on the Hindu celebration of Diwali, disappeared totally and I scurried home with my tail (or it might the festival of lights which is celebrated with fireworks, hanging have belonged to a stray dog) between my legs. lanterns, oil lamps and burning butter. And if you have ever had Wonderful, friendly people, though. In fact the only nicer people fireworks shooting up at you in the sky you will know it is a bizarre I have met come from the only place I have been which is poorer: experience.

Bangladesh.

I never expected anything less than the bizarre after Richard That’s food for thought. And like the food in India, it can leave Hutton – son of Sir Len – went there in the 1970s. He told me that you with a nasty bout of indigestion. after a long flight to Bombay, or Mumbai as it was known then, the

issue 08 |

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SussexSport Football

A single name, but it emphasises just how much progress Albion are making as the Spanish star settles in at the Amex Vincente scores his first Alb

O

nly one word is required to emphasise the progress made

by Brighton and Hove Albion since manager Gus Poyet and chairman Tony Bloom joined forces.

Champions? Well they cantered to the League One title last season, but there is a better alternative.

Falmer? The Seagulls at long last have a stadium to match their ambition, but it still does not encapsulate how far the club has come to quite the same extent as a solitary name.

Vicente. Albion have never fielded a more decorated player.

Ask a fan to list their all-time No. 1 and most would pick Mark Lawrenson, the former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland central defender turned BBC pundit.

Although Lawrenson was at Liverpool during their trophy-laden prime, the honours came after he had been plucked

by Albion in a low-key move from Preston.

Vicente, or Vicente Rodriguez as he is rarely referred to, arrived on the South Coast with more medals than a war hero from an 11-year career in his native

8 | issue 08

ion goal against Ipswich

Spain with Valencia, the majority of them under ex-Liverpool chief Rafael Benitez.

Not too many players in the Championship can boast they have won the UEFA Cup, La Liga (twice), reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, represented their country in a European Championships and been linked with moves to Manchester United and Real Madrid.

The signing of Vicente at the beginning of September was quite a catch for Poyet and Bloom together with managing director Ken Brown, who was part of Albion’s transfer negotiating team.

They saw off competition from much wealthier rivals, including Leicester and a club in the Middle East, to convince Vicente his introduction to the English game at the age of 30 should be at The Amex.

“It was emotional to leave Valencia, because it is my city and I had played for the club for a decade,” Vicente said. “But it was time to move and I had always wanted to try playing in England.”

“Coming here is not about money, it’s about enjoying playing again and knowing a different football culture.”

“The manager talked to me about football, about the city, about the club and how he wanted the team to play, attacking and keeping the ball.”

“He knows exactly what he wants and explains it very clearly. You have to have a coach who believes in you and who lets you know what he expects of you.”

Vicente did not have that in the latter years at Valencia. Glory gave way to injury problems and disputes with the men in charge at the Mestalla.

He said: “I had quite a bad relationship with the manager (Unai Emery). That’s football. Sometimes you have these bad moments.”

“I felt good to play last season but didn’t get enough time on the pitch.

SussexSport Football

“I think I have at least four or five more years left at a good level. I have not come here for one year to finish my career.” “ I think I have at least four or five more years left at a good level. I have not come here for one year to finish my career.”

“I want to improve here in England and to help Brighton to the highest level possible. I understand the Brighton supporters have some expectations of me and I hope I can fulfill them.”

It did not take Vicente long to demonstrate his class. He won a penalty on his debut as a substitute in the Carling Cup against Liverpool at The Amex, luring Jamie Carragher into a reckless lunge.

His first Championship start at Ipswich was marked by a sublime individual goal, curled into the top corner from outside the area.

The adjustment has not been entirely straightforward. Some typically rugged English challenges have left Vicente, arms outstretched, bemused at times by referees deeming them legitimate.

“I expected English football to be faster than Spain and it is,” he said.

“Some of the challenges are hard, but they are in Spain, too. Maybe they are more basic here.”

Since that flying start for the Seagulls, Vicente’s appearances have been restricted by a nagging thigh injury. He spent most of his career at Valencia on the left wing but Poyet wants to exploit his eye for an opening and attacking instincts in the ‘hole’ behind the strikers.

It’s not just about the football for Vicente. He also regards the move to England as a cultural adventure, not only for himself but also his wife Mar and their two-year-old daughter Blanca, the proud owner of a pink Albion shirt bought by mum from the club store at The Amex.

There are quite a few Spanish speakers on the management staff and in the dressing room, but Vicente is learning English.

“On the pitch it is quite easy to understand with four or five words,” he said. “Football has an international language, but off the pitch I need to improve my English, because that is important to be happier here.”

issue 08 |

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Amex

From the Goldstone to Falmer New book chronicles the

SussexSport

work Albion fans did to help make the AMEX a reality By Dan Tester

O

n May 3rd 1997, the Albion drew 1-1 at Hereford United to stay in the Football League.

Defeat would have seen relegation to the Conference, and almost certain oblivion…

The nail-biting contest took place at the end of a two-year struggle by the club’s fans to save their club from extinction after Chief Executive Bill Archer sold the Goldstone Ground, with no new stadium in place, leaving the club homeless. Those dramatic two years were wonderfully chronicled in the excellent Build a Bonfire, by Steve North and Paul Hodson.

The revered book that has fetched up to £100 on eBay is now available in paperback to meet public demand and is soon to be followed by its long-awaited (14 years, to be precise) sequel, We Want Falmer, by the same authors and published by Brightonbased independent publisher, Stripe Publishing.

The book explains what happened next: how the fans rallied to save their club by undertaking an extraordinary and unique campaign for a new stadium for Brighton & Hove Albion.

Over the last five months the authors have interviewed over 50 of the main people involved in the process; from housewives to chief executives, postmen to DJs, architects, students, journalists, Councillors, millionaires and even two Lords!

The book tells of the 14-year struggle, conducted with astonishing

humour in the face of overwhelming adversity; from groundsharing for ‘home’ games in Gillingham (with crowds of 2,000 and a 140-mile round trip) via an athletics track ‘temporary’ home to a state-of-the-art stadium with 18,000 season ticket holders.

The 192-page book, complete with images, posters and flyers from the unprecedented campaign, describes the incredible ingenuity displayed

by Albion’s loyal supporters and the unbreakable bond they formed with the club’s owners and directors.

Marches outside party conferences, petitions, a referendum campaign, pouring water over Des Lynam, setting up a political party, bombarding John Prescott with Valentine’s Day flowers, having a top 20 hit… That’s just a tiny snapshot of what happened during the eventful campaigning to secure the club a new home after 14 years in the wilderness.

We Want Falmer describes the events in the words of the people involved, immersing the reader in what was the longest, most protracted, emotional and downright frustrating battle ever fought for a stadium in this country, if not the world. It’s a rollercoaster ride from start to finish.

Co-author Paul Hodson said: “It’s been an amazing journey and we wanted to make a book to accurately tell the story of how the new stadium was built. Interviewing the people who made it happen has been fascinating and a privilege – without them the new

stadium would not exist. We ended up with over a million words from interviews, which we’ve now edited into the captivating story about how anything is possible if you want it to happen!”

Then, of course, planning permission was finally granted and the small matter arose of how to fund the close-to £100 m required to build the stadium! As if by magic, lifelong Albion fan Tony Bloom appeared and financed the construction with no hidden clauses – unlike the head of the previous, reviled regime – to the amazement and surprise of supporters across the land.

A true hero – and a fitting end to what is a fairytale story with a very happy ending.

We Want Falmer, by Stripe Publishing, is available from the Albion club shops from late November, and all good bookshops thereafter, priced £15.99.

issue 08 |

11

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SussexSport Football

Tales from the Back End of Football by

W

ho’d be a football manager in the parks? The match itself is bad enough, it’s the excuses for not playing that really hurt though.

After the recent Carlos Tevez affair, when the Argentinian refused to come on as sub for Manchester City in Munich, it got me thinking about the worst kind of last-minute excuse you can give for not coming on or turning up for a match.

Being the Chairman and Manager of Montpelier Villa, who play in the Brighton, Hove and District League, I have come across some quite pathetic excuses early on a Saturday morning before a game. This throws up the usual last-minute selection problems for me such as: ‘shall I ask my wife to go in goal and will she appreciate that?’ or ‘my son may only be 10 but he did nut-meg me once in the garden, so he could do a job for 70 minutes on the wing...’

We all know the classic professionals’ excuses. There was Dave Beasant who famously dropped a salad cream bottle on his foot and missed the World Cup Finals in 1990. When he was playing for Leeds, Rio Ferdinand strained a tendon because he had his leg on the coffee table for too long watching TV.

We all know the classic professionals’ excuses. There was Dave Beasant who famously dropped a salad cream bottle on his foot and missed the World Cup Finals in 1990.

Well, the last one was made up but you get the idea.

Pretty rubbish really. It’s hard enough trying to get 33 people (we have three teams) together each Saturday afternoon to spend their time playing against Brighton and Hove’s mouthiest in the freezing cold at Happy Valley (never has a place been so inappropriately named, by the way) without getting heart-sinking texts at the last minute just when you think you have got a full complement of players for your teams.

There is definitely a masochistic edge to managing or running a football club at grass-roots level. You say to everyone you love it, but in reality it is the biggest golden ball-ache alive what with the egos, the defeats to inferior opposition or the tight, nipple-burning kit you’ve had for the last five years.

But worst of all are the last-minute excuses from people letting you down. So, in ‘praise’ and ‘honour’ of the lame, send Sussex Sport your best excuses and we’ll reward the worst (or funniest) with the Carlos Tevez Trophy for ‘bottling’ it - or a bottle of salad cream...

‘The Gaffer’

Former Coventry midfielder Youssef Chippo and Tottenham’s ex-Danish international Alan Nielsen were victims of unprovoked eye pokes. Nielsen missed several matches after his daughter prodded him in the eye, while Chippo was injured by team-mates after celebrating a goal.

Who can forget Arsenal’s Steve Morrow dislocating his shoulder, a victim of ‘excessive celebrations’ by his teammates after the League Cup final in 1993. And talking of the Gunners, the legendary Charlie George once missed several matches after cutting his finger off in a freak lawnmower accident.

I have never heard that one from any of my players but in and about local parks football letting down the manager at the last minute seems to be as obligatory as going for a prematch dump and there being no toilet paper - or that really rough stuff you get at motorway service stations.

Well, here are a few classics I’ve had to deal with in my time: ‘I’m stressed and I can’t walk’, ‘my tooth really hurts’, ‘my girlfriend is hungover and doesn’t want me to leave the house’, ‘my hamster has a hamstring (or ‘hammy has a hammy’?).

issue 08 |

13

SussexSport Comment

CRAWLEY TOWN AND FORMER ALBION GOALKEEPER ON WHY IT’S BOOM TIME FOR SUSSEX FOOTBALL

s r e p i u k l e h mic I

t has been an incredible few months since the start of the football season for both Crawley Town and my old club Brighton.

As someone who has been around Sussex for more than a decade now, I find it remarkable that the county now boasts two football league clubs. Both teams have put Sussex very much on the footballing map.

When I first played for the Albion our home games were at Withdean Stadium and Crawley, although they had a newish ground of their own, were languishing in the Southern League. Now it’s all changed.

Every time I go to the Amex it takes my breath away and I am so pleased for the club and in particular the supporters who worked so hard to turn the dream of a new stadium into reality, thanks in no small part of course to the amazing generosity of Tony Bloom.

Crawley Town are now flying high in League 2 and attracting bigger and bigger crowds, which is great for the club and everybody involved.

I was pretty sure that Brighton would start the season well. They were crowned champions of League 1 and were looking forward to move into a new stadium which would be packed out every week.

Gus Poyet signed some terrific players to add to an already great squad. Albion are holding their own and playing very attractive football but there must be about 19 ex-Premier League clubs in the Championship which shows you just how strong a league it is.

My own club Crawley Town have

14 | issue 08

carried on where they left last season.

Having won the Blue Square Premier with a record 105 points the Gaffer, Steve Evans, strengthened the squad with some first class players. He has a great eye for talent and it`s no surprise that we are in pole position for automatic promotion. It would be fantastic if we can keep performing and achieve our goal of playing in League 1 next season. The club has acquired a new training facility at Bewbush and the imminent construction of a new stand at the Broadfield Stadium to increase capacity shows that the club is going from strength to strength.

My son Duke has signed for Albion’s under-10s as a striker. I try to watch him train and play games as often as I can. I would be very proud if he follows in his old man’s footsteps. I just hope if it happens, he has as much fun out of football as I am having!

Thanks for reading my column and I hope you enjoy this edition of Sussex Sport and some of the great sporting stories in the county.

Kuipers on Barnett.

Steve Evans has made some great signings this season for Crawley, none more so than Tyrone Barnett.

He has come late to the professional game and it is only his second season as a pro but already he has scored 11 goals for us and some of them have been absolute crackers!

I don’t know how he does it, but Ty has an incredible spring which makes him such a threat in the air. It’s as if he can hang there for a split-second and get a flick on or a header on target.

Best wishes, Michel.

He has taken some of the pressure off Matt Tubbs and if those two can keep doing the business for us in front of goal I am sure we’re going to have a great season.

Football

After you, Claude

SussexSport

He’s won 64 international caps but now Claude Davis is relishing his role in the Crawley Town success story

By Bruce Talbot

C

rawley’s steady rise to the top of the League 2 table in their first season in the Football League has probably not come as too great a surprise.

Last season they won the Conference by a record 15 points and reached the fifth round of the FA Cup before bowing out to Manchester United in front of nearly 75,000 fans at Old Trafford.

What might have come as more of a shock outside the ambitious club is the presence of Claude Davis in their squad.

The big defender has played in the Premier League and been involved in transfer fees totaling £5.5m. But after his release by Crystal Palace at the end of last season the Jamaican was training with Notts County when Crawley boss Steve Evans signed him in September.

Davis’s arrival coincided with a run of six successive wins which lifted Crawley up the table and he even ended a domestic goal drought stretching back to 2006 in the 5-2 win over rivals AFC Wimbledon.

It had been five years since he last scored a goal in England when he was on target for Preston North End in a 5-1 win over Luton Town. It was one of four goals Davis scored for North End who were the first English club he played for after arriving from the Caribbean in 2003.

Three years ago he netted one of the two goals he has scored for his country but his goal against Wimbledon was only the seventh of his career. Not a bad way, though, to celebrate your 200th competitive game in England, which has also included spells with Sheffield United, Derby County as well as Palace and Preston.

He said: “I think my last goal was about three-and-a-half years ago so it was nice to get my first for the club. I was delighted – and a few minutes later I got my second goal as well!”

Davis was referring to his unfortunate own goal a few minutes later which dragged Wimbledon back into the game before Reds turned on the style in the second half.

In his eight years in England Claude has been involved in plenty of successful teams but he has sensed since joining Crawley that he is part of something special.

He added: “I have been saying this since I came here – this is a really good team. It’s nice to do well individually and I’m sure the other guys feel the same but it’s all about what we achieve as a team.”

Claude’s performances didn’t go unnoticed back home in Kingston where the Jamaican media keep a close eye on how the Reggae Boyz in England are

performing. It is a bone of contention among Jamaican fans that coach Theodore Whitmore has only just lifted a ban on selecting English-based players which had been in place for 12 months.

Claude, who has won 64 international caps, would love to add to his collection and he is confident that Whitmore will have noted that he is playing again regularly.

He added: “Playing for Jamaica is still a big thing for me. I spoke to the coach earlier in the season and he said I couldn’t really be considered when I didn’t have a club. I have now and hopefully the coach will be monitoring things,” added Claude.

“But the most important thing for me right now is this club. I’m loving it here – you can’t beat winning. We have a very strong squad and we’ve need it this season because of injuries but there is a real bond there and I am enjoying being part of a club that is definitely going places.”

issue 08 |

15

SussexSport Football

The Starmaker

Lewes boss Steve King has a habit of turning unpolished gems into professional players.

What’s his secret? Sussex Sport finds out

T

o football fans in Sussex, Steve King is known as the manager who led Lewes in their finest hour but to others he is simply ‘The Starmaker’.

Now in his second spell at the Dripping Pan, King is rightly regarded as the most successful manager in the history of Lewes.

In his first spell in charge he led the club from Ryman League Division One to the top-flight of non-league football in just five years.

Following his controversial dismissal just a week after winning the Conference South title in 2008, Lewes entered a period of decline which included two relegations in three seasons.

But, having returned to the club this summer after spells in charge at Northwich and Farnborough, King is masterminding another promotion push in the Ryman League Premier Division.

However, his managerial talents stretch beyond winning titles and promotions. King has an amazing knack of spotting unpolished gems and turning them into accomplished Football League players.

Already this season, Jed Wallace – an unknown 16-yearold signed by King in the summer – has been snapped up

by Championship outfit Portsmouth on a three-year contract while Christian Nanetti, a crowd-pleasing winger found at Harlow Town, is currently attracting a host of Football League clubs including Charlton Athletic where he recently had an extended trial.

During his first spell at Lewes King found Leon Legge, a young social worker from Bexhill playing County League football. Now Legge is an established first-team regular at League One side Brentford with nearly 100 appearances to his name.

Albert Jarrett was another who King took to the Dripping Pan and quickly moved him on to Brighton and Hove Albion on a three-year contract before moving to Watford who were then playing in the Premier League.

16 | issue 08

Jason Puncheon, who scored three times for Blackpool in the Premier League last season, was taken to Lewes by King after being thrown on the soccer scrapheap. - After just one game, King got Puncheon a chance at Barnet who later sold him to Plymouth for £250,000.

The list goes on. Frenchman Morgaro Gomis was an unknown when King took him to the Dripping Pan in 2005.

Since then the midfielder has gone on to play for Dundee United, Birmingham and Senegal. Andy Drury had not made the grade until King turned him into an outstanding winger who is now with Championship side Ipswich and on loan to Crawley Town.

So why is King so successful? He said: “Take Leon Legge for example. No one wanted to touch him. Eastbourne offered him a trial but I saw him once and knew he was a player. I always know straight away. I knew with good players around him he would become an even better player.

“I believe you only need to see talent once and that is enough. I talk to a lot of clubs and scouts. I don’t see why you have to keep watching and watching players before you make a decision. If the player has something you will see it straightaway.”

“The longer you look at someone the more you will find faults. If the positives are there then go and work with them.”

“My success rate is 99 out of 100 in terms of players who I said would make it. If you find a player and move him on to a bigger club then it makes you feel good that you have played a part in helping a player better himself. That is what this level is about, as long as you have done the best thing for the player and for your club financially.”

The success stories are not just confined to Lewes. Three young players King had at Farnborough last season are now in the Football League – Joe Ralls, who scored a stunning goal on his league debut against Hull last month, and Jordan Carter are at Cardiff City while Bradley Bubb is with Aldershot.

King has always had an eye for talent and he has helped players who have not even played for him, like Shwan Jalal who joined Tottenham and is now at Bournemouth.

He said: “Shwan Jalal was playing for Hastings reserves. I found him at 16. I was doing some work for Spurs at the time and got him in there.

“Aaron McLean (now Hull City) is another. He had just been released by Aldershot and had nowhere to go. He asked me for my advice and I helped him. I spoke to a couple of people and I helped him make the right career move. I spoke to Terry Brown, got him in at Aldershot and the rest is history.”

Sussex may not be regarded as a hotbed of football talent but there are plenty of young stars who have emerged in Sussex and a lot of them are down to one man.

SussexSport Football

pionship m a h C a to in ry ru D Andy Steve King turned h Crawley it w n a lo n o y tl n e urr midfielder who is c

issue 08 07 |

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SussexSport Comment

FORMER SUSSEX BATSMAN TONY COTTEY CASTS AN AMUSING EYE ON THE SUSSEX SPORT SCENE

n m olu C ’ Cotts W

ell, even though the cricket season is over in this country for the next six months, all conquering England have been abroad trying to build on their excellent performances against India during the summer. I thought it was going to be hard, but even I didn’t think it would be a whitewash. Andy Flower actually looked shell-shocked after the final match of the recent one-day series following an extraordinary England collapse and he admitted that when it comes to preparing for playing conditions on the sub-continent, it is very much back to the drawing board.

Still, this time of year allows me to focus on other sports and my attention in recent weeks has been held by the Rugby World Cup. As a Wales fan, recent World Cups meant we often fear the worst – poor player behaviour, infighting, coaches losing the plot and the press getting on the squad’s back…..but that’s enough about England. Back to Wales … It was the first time since the inaugural tournament in 1987 that Wales looked genuinely competitive throughout and can count themselves very unlucky not to have made the final. Ultimately, it wasn’t referee Alain Rolland’s decision in the semi-final that cost Wales, it was their kicking. Three close games lost by a total of five points with a spread of kicks worth over 30 points missed in the same games tells its own disappointing tale. If only the “Ginger Monster” Neil Jenkins was still playing, rather than coaching, it might have a totally different story.

On the football front, Brighton and Hove Albion are well into the season now, and after a fantastic start, results have been a little frustrating in recent weeks, none more so than the 1-0 defeat to West Ham at the end of October. Obviously Sam Allardyce has always played a certain way in his managerial career and you have to say he’s been successful at it. But having watched the way Brighton approach the game, and of course my home town club Swansea who possibly play more “football” than anyone else around at the moment, if you offered me a season ticket for Upton Park in front of either the Seagulls or the Swans then you’d get a polite ‘thanks, but

City. At the time I was 5ft 4in and about 8½st. I saw him play live once and walked away shaking my head thinking how on earth I was supposed to compete with a man as strong and committed as that. He was an outstanding player and somewhat underrated because the focus often shifted to his hard man image, but he was the first name on Bob Paisley’s team-sheet for many years. I don’t think there can be any stronger endorsement of your playing ability than that.

Last month, World Cup referee Howard Webb was at Sussex for another of our popular “Cricket meets…..” dinners. I

As a Wales fan, recent World Cups meant we often fear the worst – poor player behaviour, infighting, coaches losing the plot and the press getting on the squad’s back no thanks’. The way Gus Poyet tries to play is a delight, and it’s only a matter of time before the results again reflect their excellent football.

Talking of Brighton, at time of writing I’m looking forward to meeting up with former Albion favourite and all round football legend Jimmy Case in a function for Sussex’s Boundary Club. At the time that Jimmy was ruling the roost of hard men midfielders in the old Division One I was a struggling apprentice at Swansea

wonder how Howard would have refereed the likes of Jimmy and Graeme Souness back in their heyday? I’m guessing he would have had tendonitis in his elbow from brandishing his cards so much! I know that you shouldn’t compare eras, but I think referees in the 1970s and 1980s must have perfected the Arsene Wenger art of “sorry, but I didn’t see the incident!”

But as with all great players, Jimmy would have been a top player in any era as would Howard as a ref.

Cheers, Cotts

issue 08 |

19

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SussexSport Cricket

End of Season Awards Monty Panesar and Chris Nash picked up the main awards when 150 players, supporters and guests attended Sussex’s end of season Awards Lunch at the PROBIZ County Ground.

ROLL OF HONOUR • 1st XI Four-Day Player of the Year – Monty Panesar • 1st XI One-Day Player of the Year – Chris Nash • Young Player of the Year – Luke Wells • Most Improved Player of the Year – James Anyon • Fielder of the Year – Lou Vincent • Performance of the Year – Murray Goodwin • Champagne Moment of the Year – Lou Vincent • Agony to Ecstasy Award – Chris Liddle • Chairman’s Award – Ian Waring (Operations and Facilities Manager)

This season’s Player of the Year award had been split into two categories and Monty Panesar claimed the four-day award for his 69 wickets, as he finished second leading wicket-taker in the LV=County Championship Division One and bowled more overs (750.3) than any other bowler in the country.

Chris Nash picked up the one-day award for his exceptional form in both the Clydesdale Bank 40 and Friends Life t20. He hit 649 CB40 runs in the Sharks’ 12 matches, the highest in the competition. Both players also featured in the PCA’s team of the year with Nash picking up their CB40 Player of the Year award from his fellow professionals.

Luke Wells was named Young Player of the Year after he amassed 824 first-class runs in his first full season in the 1st XI, including three hundreds and a best of 174, whilst James Anyon was judged to be the Most Improved Player as he took 55 wickets in the Championship.

Left-armer Chris Liddle was winner of the ‘Agony to Ecstasy’ award for his impressive return to one-day action this season after two years out of the side with long-term injury problems, and Murray Goodwin’s hard-fought century against Surrey Lions in the vital FLt20 group game sealed the Performance of the Year accolade.

The departing Lou Vincent was named Fielder of the Year while his stunning catch against Yorkshire in the CB40 at the PROBIZ won him the Champagne Moment prize.

Operations and Facilities Manager Ian Waring was given the Chairman’s Award for his work on the ground redevelopment at Hove.

issue 08 |

21

HANDCROSS PARK SCHOOL ‘Be Trewe’

HANDCROSS PARK SCHOOL

Nursery • Pre-PreP • PreP

A DAy AnD BoArDing School The most valuable and long-lasting gift we can give our children is that of an outstanding all-round education

A member of the Brighton College Family of Schools Tel: 01444 400526 www.haNdcrossParkschool.co.uk haNdcross, haywards heaTh, wesT sussex, rh17 6hF There is no doubt that sport at Handcross Park goes from strength to strength and it is a fundamental part of their co-curricular programme. We are extremely proud of the collective and individual achievements of our pupils, not least because of the excellent coaching they are receiving at the school. We currently boast county players in cricket, netball and football, together with pupils who have reached elite national standard in tennis, gymnastics and swimming and some talented rugby and rounders players. Combine this with some successful results with our school teams and match days with the vast majority of our children involved in playing for the school at various levels – the future is very promising indeed.

Our children enjoy three team coaching sessions per week, a weekly PE lesson looking at a range of individual sports from Dance to Swimming and Health Related Fitness to Cultural Sport. Needless to say the highlight of our week – our match days on Wednesdays when we play against a variety of other local schools. Throw in a wide ranging extra-curricular programme and countless opportunities in over 20 sports, you have a recipe for success.

The appointment of a new Head of Sport has brought with it some new ideas and innovations. Both national and international sports tours are planned for the future, our golf academy continues to develop and all the children are encouraged to participate at all levels.

The Headmaster, Mr Graeme Owton, a former professional rugby coach and county cricketer himself, explains what makes a successful Handcross Park pupil. “It is very simple,” he says, “A Handcross Park pupil is not only busy, they are very productive with their time. I like nothing more than to see a boy or girl come into school and actively participate in the academic studies, attend a school council meeting, enjoy social time at lunch, work in a music practice in afternoon break, represent the 1st XI in a school match, host the opposition at match teas, dash off to a play rehearsal, go home and complete their homework and have a proper night’s rest to prepare for another interesting day. In effect, we want our children to make the most of every opportunity they can. That is what makes a successful Handcross Park pupil”.

It is an exciting time at HXP!

SussexSport

he Awards Evening for the Sussex County Junior Squads, the Area Cricket Associations and the Visually Impaired and Junior Learning Difficulty Squads took place in October.

The event was held in the Boundary Rooms at the PROBIZ County Ground with well over 400 parents, relatives and friends of all the players involved in attendance.

Two Sussex players, Will Adkin and Ben Brown, were on hand to give out awards, which was apt given that both have come through the county’s Academy and Junior system.

The Players of the Year for all age groups through from Under 10s to Under 17s were presented, as well as the Academy Player of the Year, which went to wicketkeeper-batsman Callum Jackson. He has made great strides in Sussex’s 2nd XI this year, along with Harry Finch who was named Under-17s Player of the Year.

Area Cricket Associations in Sussex plays a key part in player development throughout the county and there were three awards for players in each Area: the Western Warriors, Northern Knights, Southern Sabres and Eastern Eagles.

Cricket

Junior Cricket Awards T

The Visually Impaired Squad had an excellent season as they won the County Championship for the first time ever without dropping a single point.

The achievements of the Sussex Junior Learning Difficulty Squad were also celebrated with Jonathan Dakic picking up the Player of the Year gong.

ROLL OF HONOUR Under 10s: TOM CLARK Under 11s: NICK SMITH Under 12s: NICK OXLEY Under 13s: JAY HARTARD Under 14s: BECK HEMINGWAY Under 15s: ELLIOT HOOPER Under 16s: OLLIE GRAHAM Under17s: HARRY FINCH Academy Player of the Year: CALLUM JACKSON PLAYERS OF THE FESTIVAL WESTERN WARRIORS Under 10-11: George Briance Under 12-13: Josh Bourne Under 14-15: Mike Askew PLAYERS OF THE FESTIVAL NORTHERN KNIGHTS Under 10-11: Reuben Taylor Under 12-13: Ollie Brown Under 14-15: Conor Golding PLAYERS OF THE FESTIVAL SOUTHERN SABRES Under 10-11: Edward Broome Under 12-13: Alex Bone Under 14-15: Sam Cooper PLAYERS OF THE FESTIVAL EASTERN EAGLES Under 11: Ryan Hoadley Under 13: Giles Robinson Under 15: Callum Waters

PLAYERS OF THE FESTIVAL NORTHERN KNIGHTS Under 10-11: Reuben Taylor Under 12-13: Ollie Brown Under 14-15: Conor Golding PLAYERS OF THE FESTIVAL SOUTHERN SABRES Under 10-11: Edward Broome Under 12-13: Alex Bone Under 14-15: Sam Cooper PLAYERS OF THE FESTIVAL EASTERN EAGLES Under 11: Ryan Hoadley Under 13: Giles Robinson Under 15: Callum Waters England and Wales Blind Cricket Partially Sighted Player of the Season: Jo Harrison England and Wales Blind Cricket Fielder of the Year: Si Ledwith Sussex Sharks Visually Impaired Squad B1 (Totally Blind) Player of the Year: Gavin Griffiths Sussex Sharks Visually Impaired Squad B2/3 (Partially Blind) Player of the Year: Dan Field Sussex Sharks Visually Impaired Squad Most Improved Player of the Year: Marcus Kipling Sussex Sharks Visually Impaired Squad Junior Player of the Year: Nathalie Greenhough Sussex Sharks Visually Impaired Squad Sportsman of the Year: Matthew Greenhough Sussex Junior Learning Difficulty Squad Player of the Year: Jonathan Dakic Sussex Junior Learning Difficulty Squad Most Improved Player: Henry Codrington Sussex Junior Learning Difficulty Squad Newcomer of the Year: Jack Tulett

issue 08 |

23

SussexSport Marathon Cricket

Diary of a marathon hopeful Our man takes a break from his soft desk job to pound the hard streets Day 1 - Beer gut, your days are numbered Hello, brief introduction, I’m Michael, the Production Manager for Sussex Sport, and in a moment of madness this morning I agreed to run the 2012 Brighton Marathon in April to raise money for Rockinghorse.

My main goal is to lose the beer belly that has developed over the last year, without having to lose the beer.

I’m 40, reasonably fit from cycling and the occasional game of tennis but I haven’t run properly, except to catch the bus (and the last time I did that I fell over and broke my finger), since cross country at school 25 years ago. I was a natural back then, on the school team, and somewhere in the back of my mind I still consider myself a runner, albeit one on a very long hiatus. Once I’ve got in a few weeks training I’m sure I’ll find that it ‘s going to be a doddle, time consuming but I’ve got 6 months.

My main goal is to lose the beer belly that has developed over the last year, without having to lose the beer. I might go for a little jog tonight just to test the water.

Day 3 – Motivation Well the only water I tested Thursday night contained malted barley and hops. I planned to start training the day I accepted the challenge, start as you mean to go on, but a text from a friend lured me to the pub. The next night the same thing happened. The auspices had turned sour already. It is no good having faith in your physical ability if you can’t find the motivation to test it.

Today is Saturday. I planned to get up early and go for an invigorating run before a shower and breakfast. I couldn’t drag myself out of bed, and when I did eventually reluctantly rise I talked myself into having breakfast first. Then I had to let that settle, and all of a sudden it was almost time for Football Focus. Just as I was slowly finding more reasons not to go for a run the sad news came on the radio that Jimmy Savile had died, aged 84.

Jimmy was a big part of my childhood, through telly and radio, and his passing feels like another step further away from it. He never did fix it for me, and now he never would. I remember my granddad telling me he met Jimmy once, saw him running down the road and stopped his car to offer him a lift. Jimmy was jogging of course and politely refused. Ha, we still thought granddad was pretty cool.

Ah, you see, I wasn’t getting completely off the point. Jimmy ran many marathons for charity over the years. Now he had reached the finish of life’s long marathon run but he had generously given me the motivation I

needed to get started. Just like Jimmy to carry on giving from beyond the grave. I couldn’t get going quick enough.

Jim never did fix it for me, and now he never would.

After what felt like half hour but turned out to be only 11 minutes I was back, finished with no stops. I later found out with the help of the internet the short route I had taken was 1.5 miles long. 16 more of those and I’d have done it! It felt good, I’d made a start. If I’d had a cigar I would have smoked it, only much much later, after I’d got my breath back. Jim fixed it for me after all.

Read more of Michael’s training progress at blogofajog.blogspot.com

issue 08 |

25

SussexSport Marathon

Marathon Man The Brighton Marathon has established itself and preparations for the 2012 race are underway.

By Mike Donovan

A

lready, 18,000 entries have been accepted for the race on April 15 and Sussex Sport is proud to be one of the event partners. Here, Mike Donovan caught up with race organiser Richard Nerurkar.

How did you get involved in helping to manage the Brighton Marathon?

Through (race director) Tim Hutchings. We stayed in touch since we competed together internationally.

When I moved to Brighton with the family it was an obvious thing to look into as I’d been working in event management for nine years abroad.

What’s your role in the race?

One of my roles is to organise the elite fields for the men and women by contacting British and foreign international athletes to see if they are interested in taking part and in some cases that means being in touch with coaches and agents. It helps I’ve got a history as an international athlete myself and have contacts here and abroad.

How do you view the race in the year of the London Olympics?

The London Marathon is the trial race for the British Olympic team. We aren’t competing with it on that level.

Ours is a relatively new race - it’s our third year - and each year we try to raise its profile, which is important with a number of other marathons in the

26 | issue 08

country. At the elite end it is important we attract some good athletes and good winning times.

Why don’t you run it yourself?

I no longer compete. I finished at the end of the 1990s. Will I be tempted out of retirement? Not at all. I put a lot of effort into competing. I want to put something back and organise, advise and encourage.

Who and what inspired you to run growing up?

Watching Brendan Foster win the European Championships in 1974 and guys like David Bedford. They were my early childhood heroes. Then there was Seb Coe and Steve Ovett breaking lots of records during their great rivalry in the late-70s and the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

What made you realise you could reach the top level as an athlete?

Being successful in races and working with my coach, a guy called Bruce Tulloch. He was a former international himself who told me: ‘You are good enough if you apply yourself’.

How and why did you switch to track from cross country?

If you want to be successful as a 5,000m and 10,000m runner you have to race on the track. That’s where people judge you.

You competed in two Olympic at Barcelona (1992) and Atlanta (1996).

What was that like?

Doing well at the World Championships the year before meant I was hugely motivated to win a medal in Barcelona but I came 17th in the 10,000m which was a disappointment.

I went to Atlanta as a marathon runner Did you think of competing at the who had been successful for three Olympics back then?

It was a distant dream but it became years. I had another medal opportunity but came fifth which was still pleasing. more of a goal for me in my early to Why did you switch to marathon mid-20s. running?

I enjoyed running long distance How did you get into athletics? from my earliest days when, as a I did all my running at school schoolboy, I did a 16-mile training aged eight to 18. I wasn’t a member run over the Three Peaks in Yorkshire. of a running club. I was good as a It wasn’t torture for me, it was great schoolboy. I won the North of England fun. It was inevitable having achieved Schools aged 14 and won the English Schools’ Cross Country Championships success at 10,000m I was going to go on to marathon distances. but I wasn’t as talented as, say, Steve Cram.

SussexSport Marathon

Heart loves the Brighton Marathon!

T

he Brighton Marathon returns for its third year and once again Heart are thrilled to be a part of the biggest sporting event in the area. Not only will Heart be a part of the whole marathon weekend, but Heart’s charity Have a Heart will also have one of the biggest teams - Jack’s Have a Heart Heroes!

200 Heart listeners, hoping to raise over £80,000, have signed up to join the team with Heart Breakfast Presenter Jack The Lad. They’re raising money for Have a Heart’s two chosen charities ChildLine and the Neuroblastoma Alliance UK. ChildLine offer a free 24 hour helpline and website for children and young people who may have nowhere else to turn.

Trained volunteers are ready to help young people in need at any time, day or night, 365 days a year. Since its launch 25 years ago, ChildLine has counseled 2.6 million children - that’s one child every five minutes. Sadly almost 20,200 of these were children ready to take their own lives.

Neuroblastoma Alliance UK help children and families affected by neuroblastoma, by providing financial assistance for their treatment. They help parents, families, friends and communities raise funds to support the treatment of children suffering from the disease. The charity has supported one very special family in particular, who sadly lost their little boy Felix to Neuroblastoma.

On February 14 2009, aged just 4, Felix White was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, a particularly rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer. The tumour started on the adrenal gland in his abdomen, and spread to his skull, spine and bone marrow.

His spirit was strong, but the treatment had taken its toll on his immune system and he just didn’t have any more strength to fight it. Felix battled for two and a half years, but sadly passed away on August 23 this year. His Mum, Dad, gorgeous sister and brother were at his bedside. His Mum said ‘His Jedi powers are needed somewhere else in the Universe now’.

Jack has never run a marathon before so this a big big challenge. But he says “I know that with the support of everyone at ChildLine, the Neuroblastoma Alliance UK and Felix’s family. I will get round the Marathon course. I desperately want your support to make as much money for these two great causes as I possibly can.

“I’ll be leading my team of 200 Have a Heart Heroes, but if you would like to sponsor me please text STEP265 to 70070 to donate £5.”

(Texts charged at standard network rate on all networks. Please ask the bill payers permission before texting.)

If you have a place in the Brighton Marathon and would like to join Jack’s Have a Heart Heroes, please email haveaheart@heart.co.uk, it would be great to have you on the team!

And don’t forget to tune into Heart to provide the soundtrack to your training!

issue 08 |

27

SussexSport Rugby

Building from the bottom Hove are one of the up and coming clubs in Sussex and their growth is based on a strong youth section, as Sussex Sport discovered.

PICTURES:Warwick Baker warwickpix.co.uk

M

AYBE the best word to describe Hove Rugby Club is ‘busy’. The 1st XV is currently consolidating its position in London One South but there is much more to the club, who are based in Shirley Drive, than trying to turn out one competitive team every Saturday.

Treasurer and former operations manager Adam Tunesi, a volunteer at the club for the past 12 years, stresses that Hove is a hive of activity and has to be in this economic climate to be a success on and off the field.

He said: “We pride ourself on being an inclusive club. We have a thriving youth section. A lot of clubs have that, but because of our central position in metropolitan Brighton and Hove we do attract more than our fair share of social players too.”

“Our first team is doing fairly well in their league and our seconds are in a high league as well while we have great links with Worthing College and South Downs College at Lewes which runs sports courses alongside their academic activities.”

“Most of our year groups as they come up to 17 or 18 draw on these colleges and that gives us a good core of young players in the team. We’re generally competitive in those older age groups. We also support the Sussex

28 | issue 08

Community Rugby coaching scheme while Brighton and Hove Schools host their tournaments with us or at Brighton.”

“But on top of all that competitive rugby, most weeks we put out three or sometimes four social sides. Because of that we are certainly one of the busiest rugby clubs in Sussex from a social point of view.”

Like Worthing down the road, Hove use their clubhouse and facilities all year round to fund the club from hosting tournaments to staging wedding receptions.

The Rec played host to an under-12 tournament in November with 16 clubs taking part.

Tunesi insists that a successful youth policy is important to maintaining a core of players with a strong loyalty to Hove. He said: “A thriving youth structure is so key to the whole balance of a club. It means it is busy on a Sunday and we have a designated youth training night in midweek.

“And, of course, you have a succession of players who identify as being Hove players. We had a successful Colts team last year and of those players two are currently in the first team and five or six in our second team.”

SussexSport Rugby

“Declan Peake and Bradley Parker have been in the first team and they came through from our Colts team.

They have naturally stayed with us and I think if we had a slightly less successful senior teams they may have looked to other clubs.”

“The whole picture is more than just what the first team is doing but the first team is important as it gives players a reason to stay at the club.”

There is no rich sugar daddy to bankroll Hove so the club is geared up to surviving and prospering on its own turnover.

Tunesi added: “What we are aiming for is sustainability. We try make sure our income from membership and bar turnover is used for core rugby facilities.”

Denis Oz

“We also try to drive our first team on higher and higher and so we try to fund that with sponsorship from a strong community base. It’s a bit of a balancing act and you need a good youth set-up or you could not do it.”

“We’re on a public park so we can’t charge admission so we have to try to encourage people to use the club in other ways. It’s trying to keep everyone involved and part of the Hove community.”

: Ben Coulson

Emerging talent

“We have a very good social rugby set up and these lads pay match fees, membership and for their kit. It is costing them to enjoy their hobby.

Those three or four sides contribute immensely to the wellbeing of the club. It’s too easy to focus on 1st and 2nds and you lose track of the whole club.”

Player-coach Ben Coulson is happy with progress on the field but recognises everything takes time.

He said: “We got promotion last year and are consolidating on that. We’d like to step up but I feel as a player and coach that we’re not quite ready to achieve that just yet.”

Front Row: Paul Hasib, Sam O’B

rian, John Wren.

“It’s a big jump and we’re trying to consolidate ourselves in this grade.

Like any team, once you go up a grade, you want to consolidate for a year and then possibly over the next two years build a team that can challenge.”

issue 08 |

29

AS ) M LT ST ’S T DU RI EN EN AN A CH DR NM6 WITH ER HIL AI ER 1 TH C RT (UND FA & TEFREE ENDS GO

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SussexSport

F

ontwell Park is fast preparing for the biggest event of their calendar year. On Boxing Day, up to 10,000 racegoers are expected to head to the West Sussex track for an afternoon in the fresh air.

our regulars and see what we have to offer, both on race days and non-race days,” said Phil.

“They might think it’s somewhere to return for a concert, a wedding, a party or even a business event.”

After the over-consumption on Christmas Day, an afternoon at the races will be a welcome relief to family and friends looking to escape the gluttony that comes so naturally with festive territory.

Looking forward to 2012, Fontwell Park is set to host 24 fixtures, one more than 2011. Our first feature meeting will be the All About The Horse raceday in February, featuring the National Spirit Hurdle. This is the second of five Sunday cards at Fontwell Park and will include Jockey Mastermind, meet the racehorse and pony rides.

With six great races and festive entertainment for all the family, a record crowd is anticipated by Executive Director Phil Bell. “We have a lot of extra preparation to do but we’re relishing it. It’s a day when we hope many new people will join

Another highlight of the first half of the year will be The Big Bank Holiday raceday celebrating The Diamond

Racing

Fontwell Park gears up for Boxing Day bonanza

Jubilee and The 2012 Olympics. We will be saluting all things British and welcoming seven Sussex Olympians to present the winning trophies.

Three evening meetings will also feature amongst next year’s fixtures and the two-day racing festival will also return on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th October. After a great success in 2011, Fuller’s London Pride are hoping to get more involved as a sponsor on Friday and Southern Water will be returning with their charity day on the Saturday.

There will be lots more to look forward to at Fontwell Park, with admission prices under review in light of the current economic climate and a planned “free raceday” in June.

2012 RACEDAYS JANUARY Thursday 12 2pm Friday 27 1pm

MAY Friday 4 5.30pm Wednesday 16 2pm

FEBRUARY Sunday 5 Sunday 26

JUNE Sunday 3

2.30pm

Wednesday 6 Thursday 21

2pm 6pm

AUGUST Thursday 16 Thursday 30

NOVEMBER Friday 9 1pm Sunday 18 1pm Wednesday 28 12 noon

6pm 5pm

SEPTEMBER Sunday 9

DECEMBER Tuesday 11 1pm Wednesday 26 11am

2pm

1pm 2pm

MARCH Wednesday 7 2pm Thursday 22 2pm APRIL Tuesday 3 Friday 20

2pm 2pm

OCTOBER Friday 5 2pm Saturday 6 1pm Wednesday 24 1pm

issue 08 |

31

SussexSport Racing

A lifetime in racing

Josh Gifford is the grand old man of Sussex racing. The former champion jockey and National-winning trainer reminisces with MIKE DONOVAN about a lifetime in the sport and his affinity with Fontwell.

Pictures: James Boardman

J

OSH GIFFORD chuckles heartily.

He had just been asked if Fontwell Park could name a race after him and was recalling his reply.“I said ‘bloody hell, wait until I’ve gone!’ The Findon septuagenarian has been one of the greatest jockeys and trainers in Fontwell’s 87-year history so naming a race after him was not surprising.

“When (course manager) Phil Bell told me he wasn’t going to wait that long I said ’you’d better be quick!’”

Gifford, four-times champion jockey and Grand National winner as a trainer, loves the banter like he loves Fontwell and there is no question the racing legend will feel the same until he breathes his last, whenever that may be.

Thirty years ago, Gifford famously saddled Aldaniti to Grand National victory in one of the great tales in racing history as a horse considered to be heading for the knackers yard won a famous victory with a jockey, Bob Champion, who had recovered from cancer on board.

But when asked for his favourite course it is not Aintree or even

32 | issue 08

Cheltenham that springs to mind.

“I love Fontwell,” he said. “We call it ‘our’ course at the stables. It is our home course. It’s different class – a fun, friendly, family place.”

Gifford‘s affection is also based on the professional leg-up Fontwell gave him. The 70-year-old, who handed over his yard to son Nick in 2003, believes the track laid the foundations for his glittering career.

He, added: “I’m grateful to the grounding Fontwell gave me. It got me going as a jockey. It was where I had my first race over jumps. I was with trainer Sam Armstrong (father of Susan, Lester Piggott’s wife) and he sent me to Sussex for a few months to ride because I was too heavy to ride his yearlings.”

“The ride produced my first place. I was second on a grey called Staghound who was a good horse - I was only 18.”

“I became a champion jockey for the first time aged 21. I must have been a quick learner, I suppose. But Fontwell proved one of my most successful tracks because I rode between 60 and 70 winners. It was also one of my most

successful courses as a trainer as my number of winners roughly equaled the number I had riding.”

“I saddled horses for Isidor Kerman who owned the course. All his horses had ‘Kybo’ in their name. When his father used to write to him at school he put in the initials KYBO at the bottom of every letter. It stood for Keep Your Bowels Open!”

“Kybo was probably the best horse I ever trained. He was very good and should have won the Champion Hurdle.

He won quite a few races around Fontwell because Isidor always wanted him to run there.”

“I must have been in Fontwell’s winners’ enclosure over 100 times and I had two or three ‘four-timers’ there. When you come away from any racecourse with a winner it’s special but when you come away with four whether you have ridden or trained them - it is very special. And when it is your home course it adds an extra dimension again.”

“It was generally a lucky course for me although I did break a collarbone while schooling a horse there in the

SussexSport Racing early days after I’d come to Sussex and was working for Captain Ryan Price at Findon. But I don’t remember being carted off to Chichester Hospital too often.”

When the time came for him to give up training Fontwell made a special presentation and he saw his son Nick got his first winner (Pounsley Mill) there as well.

A more poignant occasion was the fundraiser for motor neuron disease, the illness that claimed the life of Josh’s brother Macer, which raised £60,000.

Gifford is fully supportive of the changes that have gone on at Fontwell in the last decade - including the £6.5m Grandstand he helped open last year although it wasn’t always the case.

He says: “I was sad when they did away with the old weighing room in the middle of the course. That was something special, but I have got used to the new one. Aintree and Cheltenham have changed theirs so I suppose one has to go with the times.

You can’t be old-fashioned all the time.”

Father still goes racing to support his son. “I prefer going when I can do something useful,” laughs Josh.

“I missed the last two Cheltenham Gold Cups to go to bloody Fakenham because Nick had runners there. I’m not grumbling - although I did at the time!”

“I generally leave it to the youngsters. Nick works well with his sister Tina (the double Olympic eventing medalist) but they come to me when they are in trouble and I go to most of the sales because I think my experience helps.”

Perhaps he might be persuaded allow the staging of the Josh Gifford Cup while he is still with us. All at Fontwell - and the rest of his supporters - would love to see it.

t time aged rs fi e th r fo y e k c jo pion “I became a cham I suppose.” r, e rn a le k ic u q a en 21. I must have be

issue 08 |

33

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SussexSport Racing

Plumpton Racecourse Wins Showcase Award P

lumpton Racecourse has won a prestigious Special Judges Award at the 2011 Racecourse Association Showcase award ceremony at Epsom racecourse on Thursday 17th November. The Showcase awards celebrate excellence and innovation at racecourses during 2011.

The TurfTalk Staff Engagement Programme at Plumpton Racecourse was hailed as an effective new initiative and a model for all smaller racecourses.

Chairman of the judging panel, Chris McFadden of Racecourse Enterprises Ltd, noted: “The quality of the entries this year was excellent and the judges had a very difficult job in picking out the winners.”

Other winning racecourses on the night were Doncaster, York, Musselburgh, Hamilton Park, Goodwood, Carlisle, Ascot and Newcastle.

This recognition follows shortly on from the award of a Quality plaque from Visit England for the second year, who assess Plumpton’s visitor experience as part of the first ever quality scheme for sport. Plumpton substantiialy improved it’s overall mark following a programme put in place using feedback from the first assessment, customers and staff suggestion schemes.

Claire Sheppard, Chief Executive of Plumpton Racecourse said: “I am thrilled that Plumpton was given a special Judges Award - it was unexpected given the fierce competition from other excellent initiatives. The second year of official Visit England recognition also demonstrates how our team work together to provide an excellent experience for our visitors. The friendliness and helpfulness of Plumpton’s staff drew particular praise from the assessor.”

issue 08 |

35

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SussexSport Olympics

Olympics Countdown

Olympic year is almost upon us and expectation is growing in Sussex at the exciting prospect of the county producing a medal winner in the first Games in this country since 1948.

H

ere, Mike Donovan brings the first of his regular updates on how prospective Olympians are shaping up nine months ahead of the biggest show on earth.

ALEX BARTON-MILLS (pictured middle) A 20-year-old sailor from Seaford who has come of age this year and who has big Olympic ambitions. - See our feature on Alex later in this section.

TOM HENDRIE Chichester fencer who has an outside chance of making it to London 2012.

SOPHIE JOHNSTONE A double national champion from Southwick. The 27-year-old is aiming for selection in the women’s under-52kilo judo.

HEATHER OLVER Heathfield badminton ace who has developed as an impressive mixed double player and formed a solid partnership with European champion Anthony Clark last year.

CHARLOTTE KERWOOD (pictured top) The clay pigeon shooter from Fletching has won three gold medals in the Commonwealth Games and represented Britain in Beijing. She is keen to secure a place in her second successive Olympics.

A European under-23 silver medallist, who hopes to make his mark in the capital next year.

JADE NICHOLLS The Crawley-based athlete aims to seal a spot in Team GB after winning her second successive national discus title.

STEVE SCOTT The clay pigeon shooter from Battle struck gold in last year’s Commonwealth Games and wants to make up for only managing 12th in Beijing when next year’s Olympics comes around.

GEMMA SPOFFORTH Shoreham-born swimmer is looking to medal in London after a fourth in the 100m backstroke in Beijing. Spofforth, who is based in Florida, won the world title in a record time for the event two years ago.

AMY STOVOLD The West Sussex dressage rider is keeping her fingers crossed that she can do enough to make Team GB for London. A member of the World Class Development programme.

CHARLOTTE WOOLLISCROFT The Storrington swimmer dreams of representing Team GB in the pool after switching her focus from open water competition.

PETE MITCHELL (pictured bottom) Cyclist from Upper Beeding fast earning a fine reputation as a sprinter.

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37

SussexSport Olympics

SALLY GUNNELL Olympic champion sends a message to hopefuls from the county in an exclusive series of columns leading up to London 2012

T

he Olympic Games made my name. The moment I became one of its champions changed my life.

It will be 20 years since I won 400m hurdles gold when London hosts the world’s greatest sporting show next year but I am still known for what I achieved in Barcelona. In fact, my victory ensured I would never be forgotten. I will always be grateful for everything the Games has given me.

But I still remember what it was like dreaming of taking part and the ups and downs of a journey which took me 12 years. The losing. The injuries. The financial problems. The wanting to walk away. Those experiences made me the person that delivered gold. If I hadn’t gone through all that I would never have become that person.

I have an appreciation of what Olympic hopefuls are going through with the next Games which are now just nine months away.

As I live in Sussex, I know there are a number of them from the county and their difficulties are representative. There’s the expectations of being a medal contender (swimmer Gemma Spofforth), funding issues (judo player Sophie Johnstone), having to rely on more than just yourself (Beijing eventing medallist Tina Cook), recovering form since the last Olympics (clay-pigeon shooter Charlotte Kerwood), being forced to switch disciplines (swimmer Charlotte Woolliscroft), dealing with family commitments (discus thrower Jade Nicholls) and not knowing how likely it is you will take part (sailor Alex Barton-Mills).

It’s about having positive thoughts whatever the situation. Don’t put any doubts in your mind. Don’t question your ability.

My message to all those guys from Sussex going for selection is believe you are going to get in. Don’t think ‘will I or won’t I?’ Look to trialing and competing and succeeding and doing enough with what you’ve got to get in.

You must learn from the trials and tribulations you will experience to make yourself stronger and tougher. Having funding withdrawn would make me want to prove people who decided to do so that they had got it wrong and that

Olympics is NEVER going to be easy.

That’s why we do it. It is the challenge and it is a great opportunity.

Barriers are often put in the way but it goes back to using them to help you. I wasn’t on funding before the Olympics.

The begging letters I used to write to people! I don’t know how I had the nerve. But you shouldn’t be afraid to ask different individuals and companies as I did. There are so many people out there wanting to help people get to the Games. You can find a way.

You’d feel so proud to get the chance to perform in front of your home crowd with your family around. It would be so special. Don’t give up - hang on to your dream!

Getting into the Olympics are a host of issues is NEVER going to be easy. THERE surrounding the Olympics such security, drug bans, ticket That’s why we do it. It is asallocation, legacy and the growth of the Paralympics which I will attempt the challenge and it is a to address in all forthcoming issues of Sussex Sport, leading up to the great opportunity. start of the Games.

38 | issue 08

I should be picked and I should be on funding. Don’t use it as a negative. Just think to yourself ‘right, I’ve been taken off funding, now how am I going to use this to my advantage so I’m able to get to the Olympics?’

You might be annoyed or frustrated or both, but it is about using those feelings to your advantage.

It is easy to say everybody is against you. It is not happening. I’m not going to get there. You look at all these things going wrong.

Life is never easy. Getting into the

But, in the meantime, I want to tell you how delighted I am that more and more people in this country are getting behind the Games.

The cynics out there have realised we need to support it and be proud of what we are doing. We are never going to have it again in our lifetime, are we?

As told to Mike Donovan

Olympics

Making a difference

SussexSport

Sussex born Gemma Spofforth, world record holder and European champion, begins an exclusive Olympic diary and reveals how she is also trying to inspire lives away from the pool.

NOVEMBER 2011 I was born in Shoreham, brought up in Slinfold, learned to swim at a pool in Littlehampton and competed for the Bognor club. But I am currently based at the University of Florida in Gainesville, training, competing along with studying.

People might wonder with such a schedule how I spend my down time.

For me, ‘down time’ is a relative term… it’s when I need a break from life’s hectic schedule because it has got to the point where I am exhausted and even the simplest of tasks seem impossible, I find lying in bed, with some relaxing music, (the piano or the sounds of the sea), a vanilla-scented candle and either a book or my thoughts, allows me to sit with my exhaustion and tame it.

However, this ritual is quite rare as I delegate my time between being a swimmer and various different community endeavours.

On Monday and Wednesday evenings after training in the pool from 2-4pm, then dry land training from 4-5pm, I teach young children from the ages of 3-8 years how to swim with the Swim America programme for two hours.

I love the time I am in the water with these kids. The visible love and excitement they have for swimming takes me back to my childhood days at Littlehampton swimming pool and Bognor where I didn’t see swimming as a sport, just something I loved to do.

Tuesday and Thursdays, after practice from 8-10am and weights from 1011am, is when I go into a local school called A Quinn Jones where I spend two-and-a-half hours with children and youths ranging in age from 3-18 years, all of whom have been suspended for bad behaviour from their original schools.

Ninety per cent of these kids are ‘on meds’ (medications) and they all have a story behind their behavioural problems. A Quinn Jones aims to teach good behaviour and modify their views or attention-seeking behaviour so they can find a place within society and climb out of poverty.

It is very important to me to give to the community that I am in and I am dedicated to being a good influence on these children , who all have undeniable potential and have just been delayed a little at the start of their lives.

After this year, I am planning on going to Grad School here in Gainesville where I will study Counselling Education.

I feel it is my destiny to help the youth and help them find their path in life. I am very fortunate that I will be settled here for another two years and I can continue to study.

DECEMBER I’m racing in Atlanta. I will be proudly be part of a squad of European swimmers competing against top United States swimmers at the 2011 Mutual of Omaha Duel in from December 16-17. The competition will take place at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Centre and will be broadcast on NBC Television.

There will be some of my fellow British swimmers taking part, so it will be great to see them. And I’ll be up against some of the guys I train with day-to-day over here.

Gemma Spofforth was talking to Mike Donovan

issue 08 |

39

SussexSport Olympics

My Olympic Diary Swimmer, Charlotte Woolliscroft, from Storrington is writing an exclusive diary for Sussex Sport on her Olympic build-up.

AUGUST

Towards the end of September I took part in the Great Scottish Swim, an open water event, for the first time and I have fallen back in love with I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. swimming. This has been the result of I was very keen to try another but it leaving the Intensive Training Centre turned out that my next race would be group in Stockport and starting with a new squad. I am still based in the town a whole lot different to the first! And so I found myself standing on a starting and work with other British swimmers trying to get a place in the team for the pontoon in a very chilly Scotland, about to swim 1600 metres in water London Olympics next summer. temperatures of 12.5 degrees. And I Things weren’t working out me in was doing so with a fairly substantial the ITC squad. The sports science assistance I got was absolutely amazing hole in my wetsuit!

It was an awesome race, though, and, but I needed a programme with a little in a way I was pleased about the cold more guidance and a more supportive because although I was racing some environment than the Centre’s elite big names I knew I’d be able to handle team was able to provide. That’s what the British conditions. the newly-formed International Senior From the start it was obvious that Squad provides. some of the girls were struggling and I’m really enjoying just being able as soon as we went round the first to work hard without the pressure turning buoy I was already up with of being in such a high-powered the leaders. I touched the finish pad environment. The fact my love affair with swimming has returned has shown in fourth, which is very encouraging considering it was only the start of the in my performances and that is very season. encouraging with the Games just ten Also in the race was Olympic bronze months away and the Olympic trials in medallist and two-times world silver March. medallist Cassandra Patten, whom I had been training with for the past two SEPTEMBER years.

Cassie injured her shoulder a My Olympic campaign is now based couple of months before the Olympic on long-distance races in the pool Open Water trials and as a result of a after switching from open water races disjointed training schedule and the because I did not qualify for Team GB. heartache that caused she just missed Keri-Anne Payne has been selected for out on qualifying for the 2012 Games. open water and she was the first British This left her with the agonising athlete to be chosen for London.

40 | issue 08

decision of whether to carry on training to try to qualify in the pool, with the risk of either making her shoulder injury worse and without the support of funding, or retire.

Retirement is an agonising decision for any athlete, when you consider how much time and effort is invested in a career, but it’s made especially hard when the first home Olympics for more than 60 years are just around the corner.

Cassie struggled to the first buoy in Scotland and the pain was too much and she got taken out of the race by a safety boat.

Throughout my career I have never met anyone as determined and strongwilled as Cass, and for her to leave a race early the pain must have been excruciating. She announced her retirement later that week which I think was a very brave and commendable decision.

NOVEMBER This month I have been stepping up my preparations. I’ve got quite a few competitions coming up in the pool which I’m very excited about. Racing can be hard in mid-season when your body is fatigued from training, but a good performance or two would bode well for Olympic trials in March when we’re rested up and ready to swim fast.

I’m looking forward to the outcome!

SussexSport Olympics

issue 08 |

41

SussexSport Olympics

Ready and able Alex Barton-Mills is prepared should he get his chance at London 2012

by Mike Donovan

A

LEX Barton-Mills is this month ready to underline his belief that he will one day become an Olympic champion.

The Seaford sailor has an outside chance of making Team GB, which proved an all-conquering one at Beijing in 2008, during his home Games next summer.

The Sussex prospect is on standby in the Laser dinghy class should reigning champion Paul Goodison and second choice Nick Thompson be unable to compete.

The 20-year-old heads out to Perth for the World Championships confident of taking another step towards a more realistic target - golden glory at Rio 2016.

And he expects to make further strides by acting as a training partner for Goodison for the London Games.

He says: “Rio looks to be my No.1 target. To get there I need to be pushing for a spot two years before 2016 by hitting the world top ten regularly with good results on a consistent basis. But you can always be optimistic in the shorter term. You never know what will happen for next summer’s Olympics so you have to be ready if something happens with the other guys.

“The World Championships will give me an opportunity to show what I can do. I need to use it not just for the experience but to get a good result and to see how far I’ve come since finishing 83rd out of 150 in my previous World

42 | issue 08

Championships in Canada two years ago.

“Whatever happens as far as at the next Games goes I will be a part of it because Paul and Nick want me as a training partner. It‘s a great feeling that I’ve reached a level where they want to train with me. That’s motivation in itself and will show me first-hand how good I need to be.

“They are such inspirations. Both are in the world top five. It would be amazing to be that good, to be recognised like they are in the sailing world. I feel I can eventually take over from them and go on to win Olympic gold at some stage.

“I’ve shown that potential this year with my results. I’ve beaten Paul and Nick in quite a few races, although I’ve never been able to do it at a regatta and beat them overall. Consistency is the thing I need to work on. I’m trying to get to that point.

“I’ve spoken to Paul and Nick quite a lot and they are always helpful. It is fantastic they are open about talking to me and sharing their knowledge.

“The fact is sailing is probably Britain’s strongest Olympic sport which makes it even more tough to get in the team but I’m fully motivated.”

His self-confidence has been lifted by a breakthrough year. He won the National and European youth titles and struck silver in the Junior Worlds, claimed his first senior Sailing World Cup success and secured victory in

qualifying regattas for the senior European and World Championships.

He also became only one of four under-21s to make the senior world 100.

He said: “It’s been a fantastic year, far better than any before, and a huge confidence boost although there is plenty of room for improvement so I can pull it all together when it matters.”

He recognises he would not be holding his Olympic dream but for Sussex and, in particular Seaford and Newhaven Sailing Club, Seaford Community College and the support of relatives and friends.

In a largely non-sailing family, it was his aunt Penelope who first took him out on the water, an inland lake used

by Seaford and Newhaven. “It was my tenth birthday,” he recalled. “It was a perfect place to learn and a year later

SussexSport Olympics

I got into racing Toppers. But it wasn’t until I went into Laser Radial and then Laser that I started to get some good results. I felt like a sportsman, I got fitter and wanted to beat people who had beaten me.

I progressed into international sailing by increasing boat speed and sailing more in the winter.”

Maintaining his motivation through financial struggles, poor results and illness are key to Barton-Mills’ ambitions. One method, besides a general desire to keep improving and looking to role models such as Goodison, involves music, He said: “It is a big motivator. A bit of cool dance stuff gets me up and going. It also helps me avoid boredom.

If I didn’t have music I’d struggle. The biggest one, course, is the picture in my mind’s eye standing on the rostrum with an Olympic gold medal around my neck.

“I’m always trying to build up to that,” he added. “How amazing the feeling would be. It would worth it to just get to the Olympics. A gold medal would make it even more worth it.”

issue 08 |

43

SussexSport Olympics

Sophie’s fighting back Sussex judo champion Sophie Johnstone has recovered from a career-threatening injury to keep a 20-year dream alive.

Mike Donovan met her.

44 | issue 08

SussexSport through the dark moments, although, often, it has not been easy to do so as the episode in Japan proved.

Remembering the injury she said: “I knew something wasn’t right instantly.

Making the journey back was the most difficult thing I’ve had to deal with as far as my judo is concerned. I didn’t know the extent of what I’d done, even though I suspected the worst.

“It put me out of the European and World Championships. It was devastating. I had to change my focus. I said to myself ‘right, this has happened. There’s no point in crying about it now. What can I do to put myself in the best position ten months down the line so that I come back stronger?’ I knew I had enough time to make the Olympics.

“I worked hard on my rehab which was not easy when your friends are either training or at events. I also used the time to work on weaknesses like my grip strategies against an opponent as well as my upper-body strength.”

A confidence-boosting return earlier this year saw her win gold in the Swiss Open and the European Cup before the other knee went.

The double British champion said: “It is the nature of the sport, which is really hard and physical. People laugh when I say this because I’m only 27 but I’ve done judo since I was seven years old. I have been full-time since I was 18 and the body takes a lot of hard knocks. I’m at an age where I will pick up injuries just from the years I’ve been doing the sport.

“I have to listen to my body and

have respect for it. I have to train smarter and be more conscious of recovery time.”

In October, Sophie dipped her toe back into the international arena in World Cup events in Italy and Belarus, the second trip self-funded, She added: “I didn’t medal at either of them which was disappointing but there were positives and I wasn’t far away against some top girls. I know I am at their level. I improved from the first to second competition, just losing on a ref’s decision.”

Sophie, who competes in the 52kg weight class, hopes her name will be among those announced by British Judo for Olympic selection after next April’s European Championships.

She said: “I’m definitely capable of doing it. My gold medals earlier in the year showed that. I need to keep training, competing and I need to stay injury-free.”

So could her comeback be complete with an Olympic medal?

“Everyone competing is capable of winning one,” she said. “Judo is an unpredictable sport. What I’ve prepared 20 years for could all be all blown away in couple of seconds. It’s an unforgiving sport but hopefully the home crowd will be a massive factor.

It’s about getting it right on the day.”

She does have a life away from judo.

Sophie and best friend and former Brighton club mate Lizzy Welsh went to see pop singer Rihanna in concert recently. But any social life has to fit around the No.1 priority in her life: Guess what that is?

Olympics

S

ophie Johnstone was on a 12-hour flight home from the Land of the Rising Sun last year. The plane packed but Johnstone very much alone alone with her thoughts.

A few hours earlier, in a room next to the hall where her GB team-mates were training, she had booked the flight home from Japan after snapping an anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee. That long flight home was the start of ten months of painful rehab.

Yet the sun has never disappeared on the Olympic dream which has sustained the Sussex judo player for 20 years, and been her “all-consuming” passion since she sat in front of the TV and watched London awarded the 2012 Games, even though she also suffered from a degenerative cartilage in her other knee this summer.

The 27-year-old from Southwick said: “Soon after my operation I went up to the K2 Centre in Crawley to watch the British Championships and one of the French competitors - whom I’d fought a couple of times - was there.

She asked me why I wasn’t competing and I told her. And she said ‘that’s you done now, finished.’ I was so surprised because the thought had never crossed my mind.

“I want to fulfill my potential. At the moment I feel I am quite close to it but haven’t reached it. I’m driven by wanting to be the best I can be. I want to look back in years to come and know I really gave it everything I could with London 2012 the ultimate motivation.”

The positive attitude of the two-time World Cup medalist has sustained her Photography by James Boardman

Sophie Johnstone is asking Sussex Sport readers to help her Olympic preparations.

She said: “I am an unfunded athlete with no financial support whatsoever from the British Judo Association or UK Sport, I work part-time to support myself.”

If you are interested in sponsoring Sophie email sophiejudo@hotmail.com or follow her on twitter @sophiejudo

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45

SussexSport Tennis

Little thinks big Heathfield’s Daniel Little is one of the rising stars of British tennis after his rankings soared this summer.

Sussex Sport meets him.

R

ISING tennis star Daniel Little has learnt that being No. 1 is not easy. The Sussex teenager finished the summer top of the national 14 and under rankings and was also the highest ranked British boy in the European rankings.

A sizzling summer saw him reach a high of 26th in Europe after reaching five singles finals on the ultracompetitive Tennis Europe circuit and winning twice in Latvia and Finland.

He also enjoyed doubles success in Latvia and Edinburgh but the highlight was winning the AEGON British Junior National Championships in August.

Daniel, from Heathfield, was top seed for the prestigious competition and beat George Hadley in straight sets to lift the title.

Daniel admits starting as the boy to beat in tournaments was hard at first.

He said: “Some of the season was downs but there were a lot of ups.

“I had a couple of weeks when I lost in the first or second rounds of English Tennis Europe tournaments.

“I lost my second match in tournaments for two weeks in a row but a couple of weeks after that I won the Nationals.”

46 | issue 08

“I think I was losing because I wasn’t used to being No.1 seed for Tennis Europe events.”

“I wasn’t used to players really trying to beat me just because I was the top seed.

“A lot of players might play badly and then come up against the No.1 seed and think ‘God, I have to play well against him’.”

“At the start I was a bit worried and didn’t play very well but I have got used to it now.”

Little, who regularly trains at Falmer, spent two years at the Loughborough tennis academy but is now at Bath, where he can better combine his tennis career with his education.

When Sussex Sport caught up with Little he was in “cold and dark” Sweden competing in a Tennis Europe under-16 event.

He has made the step up early to the older age group even though he could have played another six months at 14 and under.

Daniel has also started competing on the British Men’s Tour and will concentrate on under-16 Tennis Europe and Junior International Tennis Federation events from now on.

His mum Claire said: “It’s going to be quite tough for him now as he will be playing boys who are two years older.”

“But he got to the top of the national 14 and under rankings and, even though he still had six months in that age category, there was no point continuing to play in it.”

“It’s going to be interesting over the next year or so.”

“He’s is growing up a lot physically.

When you get that rapid growth it can affect co-ordination.”

“It’s probably going to be a year of ups and downs. Just like with all kids in all sports, until his body settles down you won’t be able to tell what will happen physically.”

Sweden is just another stop on a tour which has taken Daniel right across Europe.

He recently represented Great Britain in the Nations Cup in Barcelona and it was another highlight of his year.

Daniel said: “It was really good. We got to go into town at night and the opening and closing ceremonies were great. It was all pretty awesome.”

Life on the tennis circuit certainly has not put him off but Daniel knows that his ambition of trying to become a professional will be difficult.

He said: “I would like to be a professional but if not there are things like American Universities I could go into.”

“They depend on how you do in school. You can get a scholarship, play a lot of tennis and come through after that.”

Claire is far from a pushy tennis mum and added: “It is also important that he maintains his education. There are a lot of pitfalls in the future.”

“It’s exciting and tennis has already given him lots of opportunities.”

“The important thing is he keeps enjoying it and wants to do it.”

Tennis Tennis

SussexSport

Anyone interested in sponsoring Daniel can contact his mother Claire on 07900 418812.

asn’t used to w I e s u a c e b g in s “I think I was lo pe events.” ro u E is n n e T r fo d e being No.1 se

issue 08 |

47

SussexSport School

Champions

For the ninth time Eastbourne College have won the County Championship, a testament to the enthusiasm of their coach Dusty Miller.

I

n the group games, the College scored twice against a battling Mayfield side through Alice Lowden and Hannah Harries to win 2–0. A close game was won 1-0 against Brighton College with a thunderbolt of a short corner strike

by Cam Stephens after excellent work down the right by Georgie Willliams and Zanna Casement.

Seaford College succumbed to a Lisken Jellings’ finish after good work

by Charlotte Dodds, Olivia Mills, Catherine Henderson, Libby Hyder and Victoria Black. Christ’s Hospital were beaten 1–0 after an amazing run and trick shot by Amy Corfield.

The semi-final was won on penalty strokes, 3–0, after considerable pressure from Eastbourne failed to produce a goal against a very determined Hurtspierpoint College side. However Hurst hit the post with their first stroke, Henny Hinchliffe buried hers, keeper Katie Brauer then produced an international standard save with her stick to deny Hurst.

Suzie Miller slotted her shot home and Katie Brauer made another very good save to leave Rachel Brooks to apply the coup de grace.

The girls made their way in to the next round of the national competition by beating the College of Richard Collyer, Horsham in the final, 1–0, with a goal in the first half by Henny Hinchliffe. She very craftily nudged a short corner shot from Cam Stephens past the goalkeeper for the only goal of the game. Eastbourne had more pressure and shots but could not convert these into goals despite superb passing by captain on the day, Suzie Miller, and some very determined marking by Helen McAll and Sophie Tomkinson.

48 | issue 08

Girls hockey honours

2000-2011

U14 U15 U16 U18 Sussex Champions Champions Semi-Finalists Sussex rs up ze Runne al Bron Sussex Region

2010/2011 Sussex Champions

Sussex Champions

inalists Semi-F

pions 2009/2010 Sussex Champions Sussex Cham Semi-Finals pions 2008/2009 Semi-Finals Semi-Finalists Sussex Cham pions Cham Sussex pions 2007/2008 Sussex Champions Semi-Finalists Sussex Cham Semi-Finalists pions Cham Sussex 2006/2007 Semi-Finals Regional Bronze inalists Semi-F

Sussex Champions inalists Sussex Champions Semi-F 2005/2006 Semi-Finals Regional Runners up

Sussex Champions Semi-Finalists rs up Runne Sussex Champions Sussex 2004/2005 Sussex Champions Regional Champions

4th Nationally Sussex Champions

pions Sussex Champions Sussex Champions Sussex Cham Regional Runners hampions 2003/2004 Semi-Finals Regional Runners up Regional C

National Runners up

Sussex Champions pions

Cham pions Sussex Sussex Champions Sussex Cham 2002/2003 Sussex Champions Regional Champions

5th Nationally

Sussex Champions Not entered ussex Champions 2001/2002 Sussex Runners-up S s mpion al Cha Region

3rd Nationally

Sussex Champions Not held Sussex Champions 2000/2001

U19

SussexSport School Football

D

USTY Miller maintains the same enthusiasm for helping Eastbourne College pupils achieve their potential for playing hockey as he’s always had.

As a hockey player himself, he used to scour the honours board in College Theatre before it was burned down by fire in the early 1980s. He was in awe of the revered feats achieved by contemporaries and predecessors on various sporting fields.

And it left him determined to help build on the success when he returned to teach and become master-in charge-of hockey 26 years ago.

The College has impressed at grassroots to elite level in a variety of sports but it is in hockey where the College has most excelled as far as sport is concerned. It has had a multitude of teams which have trod the glory road at county, regional and national level.

And it has produced talented individuals who have flown the flag for their country such as Sophie Mills and keepers Howard Lewis, Paul Stewart and, currently, Sam Brooks.

There have also been numerous regional representatives such as Miller’s daughter Imogen. His son Ed has established himself in the English Premier League, playing for Southgate against a host of Britain’s London Olympics prospects.

Miller plays down his role in producing such top class teams and individual sportsmen and women.

He says: “It has been achieved with the support of the Head and staff, very able coaches, willing youngsters and the partnership with Eastbourne Hockey Club has made a big difference.”

“Our trips to South Africa, every three years, which started in 1999, have helped. Over there they play a very competitive form of hockey, have some superb players and, of course, provide a different environment.”

“I also watch a lot of top class hockey so I am aware of standards.”

“And it all helps to keep me very enthusiastic about the job.”

“The sporting ethos comes from the top. Head Simon Davies knows the value of sport and the role that it plays in areas such as leadership.” “ Miller struggles to explain how the College developed the hat-trick of international stoppers but puts it down to superb coaching.”

“Howard and Paul were fine keepers but I believe Sam is the best of the three and has the potential to one day become an Olympian.”

“Sam has been in the mix for the England under-18s squad after playing

for the national under-16s team.

He was also rated the top under-16 keeper in Europe.”

“Sam is brave, quick, athletic, has good reactions and stays calm and collected.”

“With other more junior players involved in the England selection process such as Katie Brauer and Rebecca O‘Dwyer the tradition looks set to continue.”

One reason for the success of developing these really talented individuals (both in hockey and in other sports) could be attributed to the elite sports scholarship programme that is in place for pupils at Eastbourne College. Run by Robin Giles, the College’s Director of Rugby, the programme of support and tutoring for sports scholars includes sessions on diet, training methods, leadership skills and the psychology of success in sport.

At a time when much is written about the invaluable lessons sport brings with it for life, at Eastbourne College the value of sport for the sake of the sport itself is also acknowledged and respected. Perhaps this goes some way to explaining how Dusty Miller and his formidable team of hockey coaches have been so successful in keeping College players at the top of their game for so many years.

Boys hockey honours

2000-2011 U19 Sixes U14 Sussex Champions E. Sussex Champions

Sussex Champions

Runners-up 2010/2011

0 2009/201 Sussex Champions Sussex Champions

9 2008/200 Runners-up Sussex Champions

8

2007/200 Sussex Champions pions Sussex Champions ham s ex C pion Suss ham 7 Sussex C 2006/200 Sussex Champions Sussex Champions s ussex Finalists pion E. S ham ts ex C nalis Suss x Fi 2005/2006 pions E. Susse s Sussex Cham pion ham ex C Suss p 2004/2005 Regional runners-u Regional Champions Sussex Champions

5th Nationally E. Sussex Finalists 3rd Nationally Sussex Champions

s pion ham s Sussex C pion ham ex C Suss 2003/2004 Regional runners-up Regional runners-up Sussex Champions

5th Nationally Sussex Champions

Sussex Champions Regional runners-up

Sussex Champions s pion ham ex C 2002/2003 Suss

Regional runners-up

3rd Nationally Sussex Champions

s pion ham Regional Champions Sussex C -up

2001/2002 Runners 5th Nationally

Sussex Champions

ex Champions

Suss

Runners up hampions

2000/2001 Sussex C l Champions iona Reg

5th Nationally

U18

U16 E. Sussex Finalists

U15

Runners-up

issue 08 |

49

Open Morning Saturday 28 April 2012. Tours from 9am

Drop in and see the school in action. No appointment necessary

Sports scholarships available www.eastbourne-college.co.uk HMC Independent School – Boarding and day – Boys and girls 13 to 18 admissions@eastbourne-college.co.uk Tel. 01323 452323 Old Wish Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 4JX

SussexSport Comment Rugby

OUR HARD-HITTING COLUMNIST ON WHY ALL IS WELL NOW NEW ZEALAND ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS

y e l y a r B e av D

S

o the Rugby World Cup is over for another four years and those perennial chokers, New Zealand, can bask in the title of world champions that they have held for the last 20-odd years, just without the silverware – or goldware to be accurate – to prove it. And I for one am pleased that the undisputed pre-tournament favourites prevailed. Don’t get me wrong, I love the underdog, they give sport the fascinating uncertainty that separates it from other forms of entertainment, but conversely I feel somehow that all the planets become aligned when Brazil hold football’s World Cup, Federer wins Wimbledon, McCoy wins the National and the All Blacks are world champions.

I always used to feel that way about Michael Schumacher during the pomp of his F1 dominance. Rather than finding it boring, I used to try to make myself absorb all his achievements as if I were lucky enough to be stepping back in history and watching Fangio, Bradman or Marciano.

But, for all the ultimate All Black success, the tournament could still have gone any of four ways when Australia, France and Wales joined New Zealand in the line-up for the semis. In the end, New Zealand were comfortable enough against an Australian side not so much steered but careered by the hapless Kiwi-Wallaby Quade Cooper. His World Cup dreams ended up resembling a nightmare of Freddy Kruger proportions, as his shocking tournament gathered momentum.

France became the anti-heroes of the tournament, unloved by all –

including themselves it appeared – as they stumbled into the final after defeating a Welsh team victims of the most controversial refereeing decision in World Cup history. Plenty of column inches have been filled with the rights and wrongs of Alain Rolland’s decision but the only judgement, ultimately, is that he was right. Completely.

However, rugby union has now “improved” to such an extent that no top team has any real weaknesses any longer, meaning that the handicap of playing a man down for long periods will inevitably result in defeat. That’s why you hardly ever see a referee sending a player off – he knows it completely ruins

parlance, of playing out the rest of the game for a 1-0 win. Rugby Union, not being a truly global sport, could hardly afford that negative approach in one of its biggest showpiece games in recent years. Thanks to the rules as they currently stand a mouth-watering contest pitting the flamboyant French against the wizardry of the Welsh was consigned to be a spectacle as dull as a 1980s footballing encounter between Wimbledon and Millwall. Still, rules are rules and it was goodbye Wales.

But by then, the world had long waved goodbye to England. Arrogant, flippant, unruly, inappropriately behaved, they managed to turn a host

Welsh team victims of the most controversial refereeing decision in World Cup history the game. Some call it empathy.

In my opinion – a controversial one I know – but a change in the rules is required in order to always maintain the integrity of the 15 v 15 competition, beyond a ten-minute sin bin. So, in the Sam Warburton incident, he would still be sent off but a replacement would be allowed on, after a 10 minute sin binning, for the rest of the match but with one less substitution available for the team that transgressed. All other punishments remain and Warburton – in this case – would still receive a ban of appropriate length.

Had this approach been in place for the World Cup, at least France wouldn’t have been handed the option, in football

nation against them like no other in history. Martin Johnson has gone but the real issue is one of whether anyone in English rugby is brave enough to abandon the policy of picking just the largest, most muscle-bound specimens instead of considering supplementing them with players of genuine flair and brilliance, whatever the size of that particular package.

I hope the RFU realises that wit and guile can still compete with brawn, and for Rugby Union’s sake, long may that reality continue.

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Ham Manor Xmas Ad.indd 1

14/10/2011 09:39

SussexSport Golf

A challenge to savour

Ham Manor is one of Sussex’s top parkland courses, yet there is the hint of the seaside too.

H

am Manor Golf Club is set in beautiful countryside on the Ham Manor Private Estate in the picturesque village of Angmering in West Sussex.

The majestic 18-hole parkland course offers a golfing challenge to savour. Playing to 6,247 yards and a par of 70 off the white tees, it is a true test of golf.

The greens are pretty special too. In 2011 one of their greenkeeping staff, Matt Perks, was named Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year, the second person from the club to receive this prestigious honour.

The course, though, is only part of the Ham Manor experience. Their clubhouse is a splendid Manor House where you can relax and enjoy a refreshing drink, a tasty snack or a delicious sit-down meal in splendid surroundings.

Simon Buckley is the Head Professional at Ham Manor. He has worked with them for more than 20 years and has a wealth of advice and knowledge to pass on.

The Course and its History The front nine wends it way through the Ham Manor Estate and is bordered by some lovely properties including some of the original thatched homes.

With the views over farmland there is still a rural feel about the outward nine.

The back nine is completely rural with pleasant and tranquil views over the surrounding farmland and downs.

The par of 70 is not easy to beat for although there are only two par fives they are both over 500 yards long and the short holes range from 143 to more than 200 yards. In addition there are several par fours in excess of 400 yards. Though not within sight or sound of the sea, Channel breezes can make a significant contribution to the difficulties of this delightful course. The inward half features both the par fives, one is the closing hole, and together with two lengthy par fours and a 200yard par three it often seems more difficult than the outward nine.

The course dates back to 1936 when Henry Cotton, Jimmy Adams and the Whitcombe brothers played an exhibition

match to mark the official opening.

When the golf course designers moved on to the site they found a wealth of natural features despite the basic flatness of the area. There are two or three small but significant changes in level and some marvellous sweeping contours in the terrain as it moves from open countryside through trees, bushes and shrubs.

Although the setting and the entire nature of the course is parkland, there is something of a links quality about the turf, no doubt stemming from close contact with the sea that this stretch of country enjoyed for centuries.

Tommy Horton, who was the professional at Ham for many years, used his Ryder Cup skills and his intimate knowledge of the course to set a professional course record of 62 in 1970, which will take a great deal of beating. In 1975, the amateur course record of 64 was achieved by Farrell Wieland.

Ham Manor has extensive practice facilities for those willing to invest time in improving their golf game. These include a covered driving range, vast grass practice area by the 10th and a pitching and chipping area in front of the clubhouse.

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SussexSport Golf

T HAM MANOR GOLF CLUB he club also run an excellent junior section while membership applications are invited at any time of the year. If you are interested speak to Paul, Anne or Zoe on 01903 783288 or download an application from the website www.hammanor.co.uk

Course Tour

Hole 1, 400 yards, par 4

Arguably the best opening par 4 in Sussex. Out of bounds down the left, your drive needs to be well down the right side of the fairway, or at least level with the copse of firs, otherwise the green cannot be seen. Look out for the greenside bunker on the right which will catch any wayward shot.

The green slopes from right to left and back to front.

Hole 2, 361 yards, par 4 A straightforward par 4, but take care as the tee can tempt you into driving down the right. Big hitters will reach the bunkers on both sides of the fairway: the sensible shot is just right of centre short of the traps. A greenside bunker on the left is clearly visible, but the one on the right is not! The green is mainly flat. The rabbit fencing along the right hand side of the fairway is an “immovable obstruction” and does not form part of the boundary of the course.

54 | issue 08

Hole 3, 375 yards, par 4

A blind tee shot over the brow of a hill leading down to the green which is the other side of a stream called the Black Ditch. The percentage tee shot is level with the bunkers which are dangerously placed on the left of the fairway on the brow of the hill. Big hitters can carry the bunkers and run down the sloping fairway and the ball should pull up short of the stream in front of the green. The second shot requires good club selection to carry the stream but not to overshoot the green which slopes gently from left to right and down towards the stream.

Hole 4, 182 yards, par 3 An excellent par 3 from the lower back tee. With pot bunkers short and left and a greenside bunker on the right, any pushed or sliced shot will end down in “Dingly Dell”. The green slopes left to right and front to back and is difficult to hold off the tee.

Hole 5, 422 yards, par 4 A long par 4 needing a good drive down the middle of the fairway to have a chance of seeing and reaching the green in two. Too far left off the tee and you will be blocked out by the trees, too far right and the rough and bushes will make your second shot difficult.

Beware of the greenside bunker on the right and the slope off the green on the left. A worthy stroke index 1.

Hole 6, 352 yards, par 4

A relatively short dog-leg left.

The aggressive line from the tee is over the fairway bunkers on the left. A right-hand greenside bunker catches any slightly wayward shot to the green which slopes from front to back and from right to left.

Hole 7, 349 yards, par

4

Another short par 4 with a left to right dog-leg off the tee and with strategically placed trees on the right making it a challenging drive. You need to be left off the tee to avoid the trees on the right but go too far and the bunker on the edge of the fairway will catch you. The green which slopes from back to front is protected by trees on the right and a bunker to the rear.

Hole 8, 145 yards, par 3 A straightforward par 3 but make sure you take enough club to carry the cross bunker in front of the green.

There are greenside bunkers left and right with a gently sloping green back to front.

Hole 9, 394 yards, par 4 A fine hole to finish the front nine.

Your tee shot must be central or slightly left or you will be blocked out by the trees on the right. Big hitters beware the bunkers on the left-hand side. A dip in front of the green cannot

SussexSport Golf

HAM MANOR GOLF CLUB

be seen from the fairway so aim to carry your shot up to the flag. Be careful of the three bunkers in echelon on the right of the fairway, short of the green. The green which slopes gently from front to back is protected by bunkers on the right.

Hole 10, 334 yards, par 4 The 10th is Ham’s signature hole with two streams and a pond to challenge you off the tee. Select your club with care off the tee depending on the direction and strength of the wind.

Ideally, your landing target is the area between the streams leaving a simple iron then to a raised green protected by trees on the right and a greenside bunker on the left.

Hole 11, 513 yards, par 5 A shortish par 5 but certainly not a pushover. A

drive down the right over the stream will give you a second shot over the brow but be careful to miss the fairway bunkers on the left. Your third shot needs to avoid the bunker on the front left to reach the green which slopes from back to front.

Hole 12, 328 yards, par 4

The 12th is a short par 4 with out of bounds down the right and a fairway bunker on the left. A good drive will leave you a short iron in to the green which has a grassy hollow on the left and a hidden bunker on the right.

Hole 13, 151 yards, par 3 A challenging par 3 with greenside bunkers on the left and front right with a dip in front of the green. A well struck shot to the left side of the green will see the ball come off the slope to the green centre. The rabbit fencing down the right is an “immovable obstruction” and does not form part of the boundary of the course.

Better long than short is the secret of this hole.

Hole 15, 401 yards, par 4

A straightforward par 4 where the prevailing wind generally comes off the left so beware of the out of bounds and a fairway bunker on the right. Your second shot needs to avoid the bunker in the centre of the fairway 100 yards from the green.

The green has a dip in front and a bunker on the right and slopes from the back to the middle and up again towards the front.

Hole 16, 385 yards, par 4 A short but challenging par 4 with out of bounds down the right and a fairway bunker on the left. The fairway slopes down towards the green which slopes from back to front and has a greenside bunker on the right.

Hole 17, 202 yards, par 3 A par 3 in excess of 200 yards which might need your driver on a windy day. Avoid the greenside bunkers and be very careful with your putting.

Hole 14, 441 yards, par 4

Hole 18, 512 yards, par 5

There is out of bounds down the right as well as a copse of large trees and a fairway bunker on the left so a long straight drive is needed to have a chance of hitting the green in regulation. The green slopes from back to front and has a bunker front right to catch any wayward shots.

A good closing par 5. There is out of bounds down the right and your tee shot needs to be down the left to give you a sight of the green. The green is protected by two front corner bunkers and has two levels and a mound in the middle of the green.

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SussexSport Boxing

Packing a punch Hatton visits Brighton and pays tribute to ‘Smokin’ Joe’

R

icky Hatton was in Brighton for a charity dinner at the city’s racecourse last month where he paid tribute to fellow former world champion Joe Frazier.

Hatton told a packed audience: “I was very saddened to hear of the death of one of the world’s top ever heavyweights, I was very honoured that Joe visited my gym in Manchester earlier this year.”

“Boxing will mourn the passing of not only a great fighter but a great gentleman.”

Items in the postdinner auction included a glove signed by Frazier and a signed picture of him with Muhammad Ali.

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SussexSport Comment

The Hove journalist and TV presenter on the magic of Falmer, heavy boozing and playing for Liverpool

I

N O T EN L D R A H C RI

t goes without saying that the decision to relocate to Falmer has completely transformed the fortunes of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club – the Seagulls now own a stateof-the-art stadium, have one of the game’s most gifted young managers at the helm and harbour genuine hopes of returning to the top flight of English football for the first time since Shakin’ Stevens sat at the summit of the pop charts. Four years ago – and without quite as much fanfare – I also made the move to Falmer, and my experiences in the quaint Sussex village had a similar galvanising effect.

Just before Christmas 2007, I was sounded out about a job at Golf Punk magazine, whose creative hub was at the Sussex Innovation Centre in Falmer.

Instead of the traditional interview procedure – meeting room, powerpoint presentation, white lies and blatant untruths – I was summoned to meet the editor and his deputy at the Polar Bar on Western Road in Hove. Within 30 seconds, the Guinness was flowing and the editor and I realised that we shared a similar penchant for regaling hardluck stories of our failed efforts to make it as footballers. Recollections of the remainder of that evening remain hazy, but importantly the job was mine.

After spending the following year travelling the world playing some of the ugliest golf shots ever witnessed, getting involved in more than my fair share of scrapes, and writing the occasional article, I was charged with launching Golf Punk’s spin-off football publication. After a great deal of

research and countless focus groups, we came up with the title Football Punk.

One of my first assignments was to spend a week in the Caribbean with a Liverpool FC legends team who were spearheading a charity drive for the Jason Roberts Foundation in Grenada.

I’d had worse jobs… The culmination of a week of heavy boozing, high jinks and good times in five-star surroundings was a charity match between the Legends and a Grenada all-star team.

At school I’d been reasonably sharp at maths and it quickly dawned on me that Liverpool manager Phil Thompson only had ten former players at his disposal after John Barnes’s lastminute withdrawal to take the vacant manager’s job at Tranmere Rovers.

Who better to replace a twinkle-toed former England international who had the World In Motion than my good self, I thought… For the next few days I badgered the gaffer into handing me a place in the squad. I even joined in coaching sessions that Phil and the lads were overseeing for school kids on the island. I was the oldest triallist in the world but persistence paid off and, the evening before the game, Phil gave me the nod.

As I strapped on my shin pads in the corner of a makeshift dressing room I found myself staring intently at goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar who was sat motionless on a fold-up chair with a thick white towel covering his face.

Twenty-five years previously, as a wideeyed nine-year old boy who dreamt of footballing superstardom, I’d sat mesmerised, in front of my gran’s black

and white TV as Bruce spaghetti-legged his way inside the minds of Roma’s psyched-out stars to secure European Cup glory for the Reds in one of the most famous penalty shoot-outs of all time. A quarter of a century later, here I was gawping at the Zimbabwean’s naked torso – save for the towel. Talk about surreal.

Phil read out the team: “Bruce in goal, Rob Jones, Phil Babb, Gary Gillespie, Mark Wright, Mark Walters, Jason McAteer, Michael Thomas, Paul Walsh… Richard, can you do a job for us on the right side of midfield?” I considered telling Phil that I’d be better employed in the middle of the park as a playmaker, but I managed to bite my lip.

For me, this would be the pinnacle of a very average ‘career’ in football. Ten former Liverpool players – nine of whom were full internationals – plus me.

As we lined up on the pitch, and after being introduced to pre-eminent Grenadian politicians, the announcer asked for silence as the national anthem of Liverpool was played. I expected God Save The Queen, but instead the hushed crowd were treated to a reggae-inspired version of You’ll Never Walk Alone. I didn’t think such a moment could be surpassed, but then I set up a goal in a 6-1 win and found myself being mobbed for an autograph by impressionable kids who obviously mistook me for Steven Gerrard. I was in heaven, and it was Football Punk that had transported me there from our cluttered office in Falmer.

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SussexSport

Active Sussex

Sussex Sports Awards County’s sporting stars are honoured on night of celebration

S

porting stars of Sussex celebrated success at the end of November as the winners were announced at the 2011 Sussex Sports Awards, held at the Hilton Metropole, Brighton.

BBC Sussex presenter, Danny Pike, co-hosted the Awards with Commonwealth Games gold-medal winning gymnast Craig Heap.

With the 2012 London Olympic Games fast approaching, the ninth Sussex Sports Awards were highly anticipated, aiming to recognise the achievements of individuals and clubs that have made contributions to Sussex sport over the last year. In between the gala three-course dinner and entertainment 15 awards were handed out. The full list of winners is: Rix & Kay LLP Club of the Year: Crawley-based Kin Ryu Judo Club BBC Sussex Unsung Hero Award: Peter Seymour, a volunteer at Kin Ryu Judo Club Virgin Holidays Team of the Year: Crawley Athletics Club, Senior Ladies Team Sussex County FA Volunteer of the Year: Janet Johnson for her work with Crawley Down-based CD Phoenix Netball Club Juice 107.2 Young Team of the Year: Worthing Thunder Juniors Under-18s Cllr Niki Oakes Memorial Award for Disabled Sports Personality of the Year: Lauren Jones Freedom Leisure Sports Personality of the Year: Carl Boswell, of Worthingbased Novio Magnum Pistol Club

Inspire Leisure Coach of the Year: Lee Tillyer, coach at Selsey Football Club and Community Development Coordinator for Inspire Leisure.

Sussex Cricket & Albion in the Community Power of Sport: Brightonbased basketball team Spiral Jets, run

by Lisa Knobbs and Paul McCullum Hilton Hotel Active Sussex Professional of the Year: Donna ImrieBrowne, Active & Healthy Workplace Manager for Active Sussex Sport England Lifetime Achievement Award: Sadie Mason, Chief Executive at Active Sussex University of Brighton Young Coach of the Year: Luke Sherwood for his efforts with Summerfields Gymnastics Club, Hastings

Lee Tillyer, who was named Coach of the Year for his work with Selsey FC and as Community Development Coordinator for Inspire Leisure, whose representative presented the award

University of Chichester Young Sports Personality of the Year: Seaford-based Alex Mills-Barton for his individual and team sailing achievements this year University of Brighton Young Volunteer of the Year: Edward Bartram for his work and commitment towards the running of the Pink Flamingos Football Club, Hurstpierpoint Active Sussex Active Workplace of the Year: Chichester-based John Wiley and Son Publishers was crowned Active Workplace of the Year for its commitment in promoting an active and healthy ethos amongst its staff.

The evening also raised funds for worthy local causes through a raffle with prizes including a luxury holiday from Virgin Holidays.

Volunteer of the Year Janet Johnson, centre, with representatives of the Sussex FA who were category sponsor

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SussexSport Active Sussex Sussex’s Olympic hopefuls gather centre stage(Above) Members of Team of the Year Crawley Athletics Club with Phil Bloomfield of category sponsor Virgin Holidays (Left)

Lauren Jones, Disabled Sports Personality of the Year(Top Right) Sponsors Rix & Kay with members of Kin Ryu Judo Club, who won the Club of the Year award(right) Carl Boswell, right, was named Sports Personality of the Year and is flanked by representatives of Freedom Leisure, who sponsored the category(Above)

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SussexSport Active Sussex

Super showcase for Sussex sport Mike Donovan speaks to those honoured at the Sussex Sports awards

H

Worthing Thunder Under-18s, who were Young Team of the Year, with category sponsors Juice 107.2 (Above) Unsung Hero of the Year Peter Seymour with guest from category sponsors BBC Radio Sussex (Right)

elen Reynolds, seven months pregnant, was glowing and not just because of her condition.

Alongside her were the Crawley senior ladies team which she manages and had just collected the Team of the Year award.

“The girls won national league and cup and I’m so proud of them and the recognition,” said Helen, who is only too delighted to still be part of the team in some way.

It was just one award at the ninth and glitzy Sussex Sports Awards night at the Hilton Metropole in Brighton last month.

A host of sportsmen and women, from elite to grassroots, coaches, volunteers, life-time achievers, unsung heroes, special award recipients et al took to the stage.

Inclusivity was the main watchword for the awards. From silver-haired shooter Carl Boswell, 47, to teenage tennis ace Lauren Jones, Sports and Disabled Sports Personality of the Year respectively, from double Olympic medal winner Tina Cook to Young Volunteer of the Year Edward Bartram.

The awards were also about

community, epitomised by Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club receiving a special recognition award for giving the community a stadium.

Life president Dick Knight, who received the award with Chief Executive Martin Perry, said: “The community rose up to save the club in 1997. I was just one of the community.

revealed a recorded message from her to the London 2012 hopefuls gathered and themed: “Believe in yourself.”

Active Sussex helped organise an evening which proved sport in the county has plenty to be proud of.

Sadie Mason, Active Sussex Chief Executive who won a lifetime achievement award, said: “With London

A host of sportsmen and women, from elite to grassroots, coaches, volunteers, life-time achievers, unsung heroes, special award recipients et al took to the stage.

And the club decided to give something back to the community from the beginning.”

There were under-the-spotlight fencing, tae-kwondo and gymnastic demonstrations to dramatic music.

There was an inspirational speech from Carl Heap, the Olympic gymnast and Commonwealth Games gold medalist, in the guise of a stand-up routine.

The assembled focused on the big screen to witness Sussex-based Sally Gunnell win Olympic gold before it

2012 just around the corner, the 2011 Sussex Sports Awards were expected to be our biggest event so far. It didn’t disappoint. There is a real buzz across the UK and you could feel that in the room. There is just so much sporting potential in our county and much to celebrate. I hope that the winners, and of course all of those shortlisted, use this as a platform to push on and strike gold in less than a year’s time.”

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SussexSport Active Sussex Football

Do you crave the fun of a team sport, but can’t find the time to commit? Now there’s a game that fits around your hectic lifestyle: rush hockey.

The new hockey format, recently introduced

by England Hockey, is a fast, free-flowing version of the game played without goalkeepers, with four or five players per side. The aim is to attract the same level of recreational support as 5aside football Joanna Irving from England Hockey says: “Rush Hockey will remind people how much fun the sport can be. It’s a great way to play whether you are new to the sport or play regularly.”

Success for debut disability sport festival The inaugural Sussex Reaching Higher Games took part in October at Christ’s Hospital School near Horsham, offering a day of sports competitions and noncompetitive events for young people with disabilities.

Taster sessions for businesses are taking place in three venues across Sussex in November and into the new year. To book, contact Donna Imrie-Browne on

Final deadline for new Inspire mark projects The application process for new Inspire mark projects, enabling non-commercial organisations to link their projects with the London 2012 Olympics, closes Thursday 1 December 2011.

After applications close, London 2012 will focus on supporting and showcasing the existing projects and events.

For more information contact the new South East Inspire Programmer Julie Kapsalis on julie.kapsalis@london2012.com

Donna@active-solutions.co.uk Full details of sessions on Active Sussex events page activesussex.org/news-and-events/events/ whats-on

Sport Makers launches at Amex stadium A delegation of over 50 sports development professionals attended the launch of Sport Makers in Sussex, which took place as part of the Active Sussex Network meeting held at Amex Stadium in October.

England wheelchair table tennis player Tyler Paul joined Paul Nash, Cameron Parfitt and Stuart Cutler in the final group shoot-out of the table tennis tourney, with Tyler Paul narrowly squeaking victory.

Read more at www.activesussex.org/newsand-events/events/whats-on/view/24255success-for-debut-disability-sport-festival

Up to £10,000 from Sportivate to run sports projects

Read more at http://www.london2012.com/inspireprogramme

Active Sussex’s Roanna Simmons introduced Sport Makers, the latest mass participation plan from Sport England to be linked to the 2012 Olympics.

Organisations and sports clubs have been given the chance to apply for grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 to run sports projects for young people in the county.

Rush hockey arrives in Sussex

“I am looking forward to working with you all on this very exciting project,” Roanna told the conference. “Our target in Sussex is to recruit 1,120 Sport Makers to make sport happen in Sussex.”

The awards are part of the Government’s Olympic mass participation legacy programme Sportivate, which is being managed locally by Active Sussex. The latest tranche of funding is for programmes that take place in the year April 2012 to March 2013.

Earlier in the day, delegates had received updates on Sussex School Games, Sport England’s Sportivate funding scheme, Coach Sussex, and the work of Sir Keith Mills’ national charity, Sported.

Read more at www.activesussex.org/newsand-events/latest-news/view/24250-activesussex-network-launch-for-sport-makers

Sportivate targets 14-25 year olds who may not seek out sporting opportunities themselves or those who are doing sport for a very limited amount of time.

For more details about the fund, contact Gemma Finlay on 01273 643838 or gfinlay@ activesussex.org Examples of successful bids can be found on the Active Sussex case study database at www.activesussex.org/knowledge-bank/ case-studies. Search on keyword ‘Sportivate’.

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Woodhead wins fifth consecutive national title

“This is a fantastic opportunity for sports coaches – both volunteers and paid coaches – to further develop their skills,” said Anthony Statham, Active Sussex Coach Development Manager.

The opportunity is open to coaches from any sport recognised by Sport England, the national organization for grassroots sports development.

Active Sussex

SussexSport

The Coach Sussex Bursary will fund 75 per cent of the cost of a course, up to maximum of £150 for Level 1 and £200 for Level 2 qualification.

For more details of the bursary, contact Anthony Statham on 01273 644149 or astatham@activesussex.org Deadline for applications is 31 January.

Read on and apply at www.activesussex. org/funding/coaches

contact Regional Manager Paul Napthine on [p.napthine@sported.org.uk] or 07900 928514 Read on and apply at www.sported.org.uk/ member-services/funding

Organisations and sports clubs have been given the chance to apply for grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 to run sports projects for young people in the county.

Malik wins national title

The awards are part of the Government’s Olympic mass participation legacy programme Sportivate, which is being managed locally by Active Sussex. The latest tranche of funding is for programmes that take place in the year April 2012 to March 2013.

Twelve-year-old squash prodigy Curtis Malik added to his county and regional titles last month by winning the British Junior U13s Squash Championships.

The young player won the title at the National Squash Centre in Manchester over the half term break. Curtis comes from an immensely talented squash dynasty, with younger brother Perry and dad Camron both players. His family trains at K2 Crawley and Copthorne Squash Club.

Sportivate targets 14-25 year olds who may not seek out sporting opportunities themselves or those who are doing sport for a very limited amount of time.

For more details about the fund, contact Gemma Finlay on 01273 643838 or gfinlay@ activesussex.org Examples of successful bids can be found on the Active Sussex case study database at www.activesussex.org/knowledge-bank/ case-studies. Search on keyword ‘Sportivate’.

£200 training grants from Coach Sussex scheme

Sported Small Grants scheme Grants of up to £2,000 are now available from charity Sported, to help its members develop their projects, become more sustainable and to start new elements of work that will develop disadvantaged young people through the use of sport.

Active Sussex has launched it first ever Coach Sussex Bursary scheme, to provide financial support for up to 150 sports coaches over the next three years.

Large grants are also available. Most of the grants that Sported award are between £2,000 and £10,000. It does occasionally award larger amounts, but this will involve a longer process, which your Regional Manager will explain to you if relevant.

The bursaries will help Sussex sports coaches become better qualified by meeting 75 per cent of the cost of a coaching course.

Both grant schemes are open to Sported members only. For more information

Curtis is one of the three shortlisted finalists for this year’s Sussex Sports Awards Young Sports Personality of the Year, to be announced on 25 November at the Hilton Brighton Metropole.

Read more about Sussex Sports Awards at www.activesussex.org/sportsawards

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63

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SussexSport Disability Sport

Angmering do Sussex proud

The county picked up several medals at the British Wheelchair Sports Games as Adam Tester reports

E

very year over 200 disabled children attend the Wheelpower British Wheelchair Sports National Junior Games at Stoke Mandeville for five days of sport and social interaction with schools from all over the country. For some it will be their sporting highlight of the year.

The games started over 20 year ago, allowing children with physical disabilities the chance to experience competition in a range of sports including, bowls, fencing, athletics, weightlifting and wheelchair basketball. Since the early days the event has grown to accommodate many other sports such as boccia, swimming, polybat, table cricket, new age kurling, wheelchair rugby and table tennis.

In time since the event started it has produced many Paralympians including Ade Adepitan, Dave Weir, Shelly Woods, and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and still continues to be the stepping stone for young athletes to be recognised by coaches as having potential to progress to the top of their chosen sport.

Sussex was once again represented by a strong contingent of 24 competitors from Angmering School. The school had great success this year in boccia, where all the finals in the assistive device category across all age groups were contested by Angmering students.

Theo Donelly (Chichester) beat Tommy Bourne-Holloway (Shoreham) in the under-13 age group, Freddie Strachan (Chichester) defeated Ben Penticost (Horsham) in the under-15s and Owen McElligott (Chichester) beat Matthew Berry (Angmering) in

the under-17s with Lewis Hammans (Lindfield) winning the under-13s throwing competition.

Success was not only achieved on the Boccia court.

Angmering students found themselves winning medals in the swimming pool, table tennis, athletics, polybat and table cricket. Lani Chester (Lindfield) continued her development by winning the fencing competition. This medal was reward for the commitment shown by her over the past year where she has represented England at the UK School Games, and is now realising her potential with a sabre.

Dan Ward from Durrington improved her personal best by 47cm in the shot putt and is starting to show potential in field athletics.

Tyler Paul won the award for the competitor with the highest potential to become a paralympian.

The National Junior Games is a fantastic event to be involved in and to be able to see so many young disabled athletes performing and enjoying themselves is really inspiring.

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SussexSport Charity

Tim Marks, formerly in charge of Sussex cricket’s community projects, tells Sussex Sport about the ‘Twisted Foundation’ First of all Tim, I’m intrigued by the name. Who came up with the Twisted Foundation?

Got to be honest here, Tim Jarvis’s (another Sussex CCC old boy) girlfriend, Laura, grabbed it out of nowhere when we were playing badminton. It was just a perfect fit, it says everything. Whatever we do is ‘twisted’ to suit a specific demographic and individual. That ‘twisted’ ethos also allows everybody involved in the foundation the chance to let their imaginations run wild, there are no boundaries, no constraints…. I beat her at badminton by the way!

A lot of people will know you from the work you did with Sussex cricket. Why did you decide to embark on this project?

Because it was the right thing to do. That might sound sickeningly altruistic, but the truth is projects such as ours have never been more relevant. We believe in it, it’s emotive and it should be. I can’t overstate how important The Twisted Foundation’s mission and purpose is.

So what is it all about and how can the Twisted Foundation improve the sporting lives of young people in Sussex?

It’s about finding new ways to engage and challenge convention. Ultimately it’s about sustaining disadvantaged or disenfranchised young people in meaningful activity, but how do you do that? You have to adapt and shape it around them, engage young people in what’s relevant to them and that is often the image, the initial engagement. The activity they do could be any sport, but we ‘twist’ it, sometimes to a ridiculous extent, to suit them so it’s fun. Sport is meant to be fun yeah? It’s the characters, Slash is my favourite, and the look of the projects which young people love and initially gets them enthused. If I had a pound for every time a young person has said “that looks cool, let’s have go”, well, I’d live in a bigger house.

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But it’s not just sport right?

No, it is comedy, music, sport and art. We’re lucky enough to have a vastly experienced team in these fields, so we can broaden young people’s horizons and give them practical experience and genuine pathways in to ‘these worlds.’ These are areas that engage young people every day and yet involvement in them is seen as unobtainable. Not anymore though!

Is the project county-wide or are you basing yourself around the Brighton and Hove area at the moment?

Oh it’s county-wide alright, in fact it’s nationwide.

We have projects starting in Brighton, Hastings, Crawley, Littlehampton and other places in January.

We’re also working in London, Edinburgh and projects coming up in Cardiff and Nottingham.

What has been the biggest challenge so far and what has been your biggest achievement?

Challenge? I guess the challenge is always to get the old and boring people to see it from the young and exciting people’s point of view. If a young man or woman tells you they find something dull, it’s probably because it’s dull. The achievement is just the positive changes we carry on making, not just directly on young people’s lives, but raising aspirations within communities.

What are the plans for the future? Where, for instance, would you like to see the Twisted Foundation in five years time?

Well, we’re starting a business based on the brand and aesthetic, as well as the ludicrous games we play, to help support the foundation and sustain it for years to come. Adults love playing our Twisted games probably more than kids, so we’re marrying that with our music and comedy partners to provide team building and parties. Along with an amazing clothing line in production, profits of course go to the foundation. Five years? We’re confident that by giving a medium for young people to be challenging, obstinate and heard, The Twisted Foundation will have genuine cultural significance. The sporting world has a responsibility to understand how important it is culturally and the effect it can have on young people’s lives. Now, I’m going to need a hand down off this soap box!

SussexSport Tennis

Crowborough honoured in Sussex tennis awards

Hobbs (Nee Pullin) with our Sussex 10U County Cup Teams collecting their junior colours (TOP) The Sussex Ladies 35’s Team picking up Adult Team of the Year (LEFT)

C

rowborough Tennis and Squash Club were the big winners at the Sussex Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) annual awards afternoon, held at Wickwoods Country Club, as they scooped the ‘Club of the Year’ title.

The club were rewarded for a year of success with the award while longstanding member Cory Roberts, who is the club’s match secretary, was awarded Club Volunteer of the Year.

The honours come just nine months after the club unveiled new facilities at their site, with the work completed courtesy of a grant from the LTA, with support from Sport England.

Cross in Hand Lawn Tennis Club were also among the winners, with Luke Digweed picking up the coach of the year award while the adult team of the year gong went to the Sussex Ladies 35’s team.

The county’s under 18 girls team also picked up the Special Award to Recognise Outstanding Achievement after they won the national title for the third consecutive time.

Players’ Player of the Year went to Lauren Jones while Daniel Bartlett won the Referee/Organiser of the year award.

Liz Squires, LTA Tennis Development Manager for Sussex, said: “We decided to host the Tennis Sussex Awards as we wanted a stage to recognise and

reward all the great things that have happened in tennis within Sussex over the past 12 months.

“This gives us a fantastic opportunity to bring both junior and senior players, club representatives, coaches and volunteers together.

“Thank you to Wickwoods Country Club for hosting us for the second year and making it possible. Our congratulations go to all those who were nominated and who won awards on the afternoon.”

To find a playing partner, a local court or coach, register at www.allplaytennis.com

Coach of the Year – Luke Digweed from Cross in Hand LTC (TOP) Jones picking up Players’ Player of the Year (LEFT)

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SussexSport Feature

Why we sponsor the Albion Gary Peters was a player with the Seagulls. Now his name is on their shirts, as Lewis Huxley explains.

G

ary Peters was on the books of Brighton and Hove Albion as a teenager.

Now he has his name on the shirt. As the founder of recruitment website BrightonandHoveJobs.com, Mr Peters brokered a two-year deal to be Albion’s shirt sponsor.

Albion have welcomed Championship football to a brand new 22,374-capacity stadium in Falmer this season, having spent 12 years without a home. The newly-promoted team have made a positive start to the season and are in the battle for a play-off place.

“We didn’t anticipate Brighton doing as well as they’re doing now,” says Mr Peters, who launched BrightonandHoveJobs.com in September 2010. “You can’t go anywhere without someone asking for a ticket or saying, ‘well done’. It’s given us a brand that people know.”

Increased visibility has contributed to a steady increase in traffic to the website. But just like Albion’s development on the pitch, the sponsorship is a long-term project.

“It’s a marathon not a sprint,” says Mr Peters. “We met with the sponsorship manager who brokered the deal between Nationwide and the FA, and his advice was, ‘for the first three months, keep a low profile because it’s not about you as a sponsor, it’s about the new team and how well they’re doing’.”

As a lifelong Albion fan, Mr Peters is realistic about the team’s prospects for the rest of the season. “The start is obviously very unexpected,” he says. “But (manager) Gus Poyet is an unbelievable leader. I’ve seen him in action from the sidelines. He can be so strict and dogmatic, yet he’s having a laugh with the players. He’s got the line absolutely right.”

Following their recent defeat to Liverpool in the Carling Cup, Reds manager Kenny Dalglish said Albion should be a Premier League team. Mr Peters believes the Championship play-offs are within Albion’s reach. But he also recognises they have a small squad in comparison to other clubs and will need some luck with injuries to maintain their form. “I would be delighted with a top ten finish.”

The match against Liverpool was televised on Sky Sports. This coverage, along with Albion’s frequent appearances on the BBC’s highlights programme The Football League Show, is exposing BrightonandHoveJobs. com to a national audience. But Mr Peters is more concerned about local surroundings. “The region is more important to us, because that’s an area where we can physically go and progressively grow.”

Mr Peters plans to utilise the sponsorship to promote similar websites in other areas of the southeast, making use of facilities at the

new stadium. “We have already started GatwickDiamondJobs.com and we have plans to do one or two other websites in close proximity. Using Albion as an advertising platform and a place to wine and dine potential new clients is absolutely perfect for new business.”

But it’s not all business. Mr Peters is also heavily involved with Albion in the Community, the football club’s award-winning community outreach programme. “Through football you can do so much. I’ve been part of an AIDS awareness course in Burkina Faso and I’ve helped with niche projects locally, for example in the Crew Club in Whitehawk.”

Mr Peters is now a director of Albion in the Community, and is responsible for continuing its aggressive growth.

BrightonandHoveJobs.com donates money each month to help fund work such as removing land mines and building systems for clean water abroad as well as disability and social inclusion projects at home.

This community spirit, which is such a noticeable characteristic of the city, is inspiration for Gary’s business.

“Brighton’s so tightly packed and there’s so much variety in culture but somehow it all sticks together.

Everyone’s in it together and that’s how the idea for the website came about.”

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SussexSport

Event

Meet the Ref...

W

orld Cup final referee was in Sussex last month for two popular events.

Webb spoke to the Sussex FA’s referees and then attended a ‘Where Cricket Meets... The World Cup Ref’ event at the Boundary Rooms at Sussex County Cricket Club.

Howard presented the John Woodland award to young referees Jacob Miles and Theo Parfitt at the Sussex FA event and the following night gave an amusing speech looking back on the highlights of his career at the country’s top referees.

Right: Howard Webb with David King (Sussex FA Training Officer), Roy Cheshire (President of the Referees Association), Ken Benham and Paul Saunders (Sussex FA Referee Development Officer).

Sussex FA Chief Executive Ken Benham and Alan Prior with Howard Webb (Above) Jacob Miles and Theo Parfitt, winners of the John Woodland award which is given annually to the referees who have contributed most to the Sussex Referees’ Academy (left)

Pictures: Steve Lawrence

70 | issue 08

Where to watch televised sport in Sussex Brighton

Hove

Eastbourne

Wahoo, 79-81 West Street, Brighton, BN1 2RA 01273 719 364

The Blind Busker, 77 Church Road Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2BB

The Eagle, 57 South Street, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 4UT 01323 417 799

Dog and Bacon, North Parade, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 2QR 01403 252 176

Maxims, 53 South Street, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 4UT 01323 721 713

Haywards Heath

Belushi’s, 10-12 Grand Junction Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1PN 01273 202 035 King & Queen, 13-17 Marlborough Place, Brighton, BN1 1UB 01273 607 207 Rendezvous Casino, Brighton Marina, Brighton, BN2 5UF 01273 605 602

The Exchange, 8 Goldstone Street, Hove, East Sussex BN3 3RL The Palmeira, 70-71 Cromwell Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 3ES Lancing Waterside Inn, Ferry Road, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN43 5RA

Horsham The Star, 108 Crawley Road, Horsham, RH12 4DT, 01403 259 890 The Queens Head, 37 Queen Street, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 5AA 01403 252 721

Chichester

Orange Square Bar, 52-54 The Broadway, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 3AL

The Globe Inn, 1 Southgate, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 8DH 01243 782 035 The Nags Head, 3 St Pancras.

Chichetser, Wets Sussex, PO19 7SJ 01243 785 823 Crawley

Savannah 44-46 The Broadway, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 3AL

The Mill House, Hyde Drive, Ifield, Crawley, RH11 0PL, 01293 534 959

Q Bar, 41 The Broadway, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 3AS

The Snooty Fox, Haslett Av, Crawley RH10 1LY 01293 619 759

Where to pick up your copy of SussexSport Brighton City Centre B’ton & Hove Albion Shop Alive Health and Fitness LA Fitness Tower Point Brighton The Lanes Coach House Brighton Media Centre William Hill Bagelman James Hull Electric Studio Cafe Coho Pub Du Vin Hotel Du Vin James Hull Cafe Coho Black Lion Pub Pho Jaime Oliver Toni and Guy Phoenix House Brighton Marina Rendezvous David Lloyds Waterside Properties Brighton Dive Centre Marina Dental Brighton Outer City Amex Stadium East Brighton Golf Club Brighton College Withdean Sports Cplex Brighton Racecourse Hove The Blind Busker Corals Ladbrokes Harry’s Intersport Clinic 9 Kings Carpets Brighton Implant Centre La Fourchette H’s barbershop Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Church Road Dental Nick Rivett Performance Foods King Alfred Leisure Cheetah’s Gym Coral Greyhound Stadium

Coral Gym Sussex County Cricket Cb Tates Harwoods Jaguar Cales & Co Flower Unlimited Oriental Village Cherry’s Newsagents Advance Glass Best Wishes James Ross Burgess Hill Burgess Hill School for Girls The Heights Health and Fitness Burgess Hill Cricket Club Burgess Hill Tennis Club Hassocks Hassock Wine Bath Travel Thatchers Barbers Curves Griffith Smith Farringdon Webb Hassocks Golf Club Hassocks Cricket Club The Weald Tennis and Squash Club Ditchling The Ditchling Tea Rooms The General The Bull The White Horse Clifford Dann Mid Sussex Golf Club Horsham Mannings Heath Slinfold Golf Club Southwater Leisure Centre Haywards Heath The Star Hamptons Leaders Look Fantastic Prezzo Zizzi’s Health News Grape and Grain The Lockeroom Haywards Heath Train

Station Blue Sky Personal Fitness Club The Dolphin Freedom Leisure Centre Lindfield Golf Club Nuffield Health Beech Hurst Garden and Tennis Centre Crawley Man Power Evans Cycles Rev ive Ladbrokes Platinum Estates Vision Express Crawley Furniture LA Fitness Spindles health club Inspire Fitness Spa Fitness Forest Gym Virgin Active Crawley FC Nuffield Health Cottesmore Golf Club Ilfield Golf Club Tilgate Forest Golf Club Seaford Diella’s The Shore Cinque Ports Harry Nat’s Sussex Kitchens Rowland Gorringe Down’s Leisure Centre Seaford Head Golf Club Seaford Golf Club Albourne Wickwoods Country Club, Hotel & Spa Singing Hills Hurstpierpoint Kiki and Cole Clifford Dann Hurstpierpoint Dental Fabulous Floors Regency Financial Handcross Handcross Park School

Steyning Steyning Leisure Centre Henfield Henfield Leisure Centre Royal Leisure Centre Pulborough West Sussex Golf Club Lewes Bone Needlemakers The Tallyhoe River Clinic Strutt and Parker Steamer Trading Bills Intersport Harveys Wave Leisure Lewes Sports Club Lewes Football Club Lewes Golf Club Ringmer Football Club Plumpton Racecourse The Half Moon Southwick Impulse Leisure Hailsham Wellshurst Golf Club Freedom Leisure Forest Row Stone Cottage Dental The Builders Store PR Vince Solicitors Holder Natural Health The Swan Barber Poles Chequers Inn Hotel Wine Discoveries Royal Ashdown Golf Club

Copthorne Effingham Park Golf Club Midhurst Cowdray Park Golf Club Chichester Goodwood Estate Meritz Sports Shop The George & Dragon Inn George Ide Solicitors Through the Looking Glass King and Chasemore Ship Hotel Present Days Number Forty Three Charming Coffee Strutt and Parker Suzuki Multi York Furniture Cotswold Shuropody No 45 Dental Sussex Camera Fired Earth County Kitchens The Real Eating Company The Landing Loewe Little Coye Little London Bakery Aston Martin Chichester Fontwell Fontwell Park Racecourse Surrey Lindfield Park Battle Seddlescombe Golf Club Bannatyne Spa and Hotel

Littlehampton Littlehampton Golf Club Rustington Golf Club

Bexhill Curves 1066 Gymnastic Academy

Angmering Virgin Active Ham Manor Golf Club

St Leonards Bannatynes

SussexSport

The A-Z of clubs, leagues and sports

Want to play? Your guide to the sports, clubs and leagues in Sussex

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Arundown AC

Bodyworks XTC Tri Store

Bewbush Pavilion, Breezehurst Drive, Crawley RH11 9XP Eber Kington www.sussexthunder.com

Bayeux Bowmen

Brighton & Hove AC

Sussex Thunder

Chichester Sharks (Flag Football)

New Park Rd., Chichester PO19 7XY www.chichestersharks.co.uk

ANGLING

Billingshurst Angling Society

01403 782160 School House, Weald School, Billingshurst RH14 9RX www.billingshurstas.co.uk

Chichester & District Angling Soc Mrs Leslie Carver 01903 713084 chichester-as.co.uk

Clive Vale Angling Club Kevin Thornely. clivevaleac@live.co.uk www.clivevaleac.co.uk

Copthorne & District Angling Soc

Rod Brown 01903 713 747 clubsec@officials.co.uk www.arundown.org.uk 01424 425 112 bayeux.bowmen@btinternet.com www.bayeuxbowmen.co.uk

Bognor Regis AC

01243 827 000 bognorregisarcheryclub.co.uk/default.aspx

County Oak AC

Stuart Condie 01444 232 187 stuartcondie@gmail.com www.bhrunners.co.uk

Crawley AC

Philip Baker, 01243 533 784 philbaker5@tiscali.co.uk www.chichester-runners.org.uk

Shelagh Nelmes secretary@chichester-bowmen.co.uk www.chichester-bowmen.org.uk

Burgess Hill Runners

Mike Longhurst 01273 592 795 michael.longhurst@tesco.net www.countyoakarcheryclub.co.uk

Chichester Runners & AC

Val Wickenden 01342 327 660 www.archeryinfo.co.uk/crawleyarchery

Crawley AC

Ditchling AC

Mr S Clark 01923 467064 secretary@crawleyanglingsociety.co.uk www.crawleyanglingsociety.co.uk

Avril Bourne membership@eastbournearchers.org.uk www.eastbournearchers.org.uk

Mrs J. Fisher 01444 235978 (not after 9pm) www.hassocksfishing.co.uk

Henfield & District Angling Soc

B’ton & Hove Women’s Running Club

Chichester Bowmen

Phil Varden 01444 241 066 phil.varden@talktalk.net www.ditchlingac.org.uk

Hassocks & District Angling Soc

Robert Willows 01903 813 878 a.willows@sky.com www.brightonandhovecity-ac.com

Sarah Lowe bhrs99@rocketmail.com www.brightonandhoverunningsisters.org.uk

Richamp@aol.com www.copthorneangling.co.uk

Crawley Angling Society

Lawrence Neill bodyworks1@aol.com www.teambodyworksxtc.com

Eastbourne Archers

Friars Gate Archers

Penny Cockerton mail@friarsgatearchers.com www.friarsgatearchers.com

Mrs Shirley Steele 01342 713 220 club@crawleyac.org.uk www.crawleyac.org.uk

Crowborough Runners

Dominique Welbury dwelbury@southeastwater.co.uk www.crowboroughrunners.org.uk

East Grinstead & District AC Mary Lord 01342 316 028 mary.lordfamily@gmail.com www.egac.co.uk

Eastbourne Rovers AC

Julie Jones 01323 415 409 julie-jones@hotmail.co.uk www.eastbourneroversac.co.uk

Glyn Jones, 01403 734 500 enquires@henfieldas.co.uk www.henfieldas.co.uk

Hellingly AC

Ian Petch, 01403 262 255 general_enquiries@hdaa.co.uk www.hdaa.co.uk/index.html

Richard Cater www.thwac.co.uk

Ms Sye Frossard 07710 612 233 secretary@fittleworthflyers.org.uk www.fittleworthflyers.org.uk

Fisherman’s Quay, Littlehampton BN17 5BL george@mywebbox.co.uk www.ldac.co.uk

Chris Furmanski 01403 751 150 office@theholbrookclub.co.uk www.theholbrookclub.co.uk

Lesley Underdown 01424 810 382 marionunderdown@hailsham-harriers.org.uk www.hailsham-harriers.org.uk

Mr V Gould, 07776 031 472 odaarfa@tesco.net www.fishingkent.com

Mike Range 01342 713 048 enquires@meridianarcheryclub.org.uk www.meridianarcherclub.org.uk

David Bateman 01428 656 587 www.hbac.co.uk

Horsham & Dist Angling Assoc

L’hampton & Dist Angling Club

Rother Fishery Association (RFA)

Southdown Angling Association Mike Richardson 01435 812854 secretary.saa@gmail.com www.southdown-angling.org.uk

Petworth & Bognor Angling Club 01903 770099 membership@sussexangling.co.uk www.sussexangling.co.uk

Pulborough Angling Society Heather Brunning 01798 815132 joinus@pulboroughas.com www.pulboroughas.com/index.html

Rudgwick Angling Society

G.Wingate, Oaklands, North Heath, Farnborough, W.Sussex, RH20 1DN 01798 873412

Shoreham Angling Squad (sea) Sean Clark, 46 Daniel Close, lancing, West Sussex, Bn15 9EJ 07917410332 meisto@ntlworld.com, www.shorehamanglingsquad.com

South Coast Angling Club (sea)

01273 454388 info@southcoastanglingclub.co.uk www.southcoastanglingclub.co.uk/index.html

ARCHERY

1066 Archery Club

Ann Hyde-Barnett annhydebarnett@aol.com www.1066archery.co.uk

72 | issue 08

Debbie Newton 01323 832 501 www.hellinglyarchers.co.uk

High Weald AC

Fittleworth Flyers

Holbrook Archers

Hailsham Harriers

Meridian AC

Haslemere Border AC

Newhaven AC

Liz Davies newhaven_archery@yahoo.co.uk www.newhavenarcheryclub.co.uk

Plumpton Bowmen

secretary@plumpton-bowmen.org.uk www.plumpton-bowmen.org.uk

Six Villages AC

Carol Bartlett 01243 545 160 secretary@SixVillagesArcheryClub.org.uk www.sixvillagesarcheryclub.org.uk

Worthing AC

07983 794 997 www.worthingarcheryclub.co.uk

Sussex County Archery Association

Mrs D Cannon (Secretary) 01903 238 975 secretary@sussex-archery.org.uk www.sussex-archery.org.uk

ATHLETICS

Arena AC

Caroline Wood 01273 324 605 areana80ac@hotmail.co.uk arena80.tripod.com

Bexhill Road Runners Christine Sage 01424 810 096 info@bexhillrunners.co.uk www.bexhillrunners.co.uk

Hastings AC

Andrea Ashley-Smith 07759 145 466 secretary-hastingsathleticclub@live.co.uk www.hastingsathleticclub.co.uk

Hastings Runners

Sally Lovell www.hastingsrunners.org.uk

Haywards Heath Harriers

Linda Tullett 01444 870 788 enquiries@haywardsheathharriers.co.uk www.haywardsheathharriers.co.uk

Heathfield Road Runners Jim Scott 01435 863 932 jpjscott@googlemail.com www.heathfieldRd.runners.com

Henfield Joggers

Richard Knight 01273 492 293 www.henfieldjoggers.co.uk

Horsham Blue Star Harriers Michael Carrington 01403 260 556 carringtonjm@googlemail.com www.horshambluestarharriers.org.uk

Horsham Joggers

info@horshamjoggers.co.uk www.horshamjoggers.co.uk

Lancing Eagles

David Clubb 01273 554 946 davidclubb@sky.com www.lancingeagles.co.uk

Lewes AC

Peter Miller 01444 232 083 pmiller209@btinternet.com www.lewesac.co.uk

SussexSport 01403 247 572 info@melsmilers.co.uk www.melsmilers.co.uk

Midhurst Milers

01730 814 339 info@midhurstmilers.co.uk www.midhurstmilers.co.uk

Phoenix AC (Brighton)

Paul Thomas 01323 490 037 disabledathlete@googlemail.com www.brightonphoenix.org.uk

Brighton Bats (Moulsecoomb) 01273 622 266 batsclub2004@yahoo.co.uk

Chanctonbury

Mike Murray 01903 746 172 mikemurray53@btinternet.com

Chelwood Gate

Sue Bailey 01825 722 588 info@chelwoodgatebc.co.uk www.chelwoodgatebc.co.uk,

Chichester Wing

Rotary Rd. Runners

Peter Gowin 01243 860 670 petergowin@talktalk.net

Seaford Striders

Matt Page 07790 686 624 mattpagezk@ntlworld.com

Steyning AC

Les Rowley 01424 223 998 lesliejrowley@aol.com

The Sixth Dimension

Phil Oldfield 07966 157 450 enquiries@crawleybadminton.co.uk www.crawleybadminton.co.uk

David Crook 01243 262 126 dcrook@dsl.pipex.com 01323 899 033 www.seafordstriders.org.uk Martin Coleman martinrcoleman@hotmail.co.uk www.steyningac.co.uk Simon Wagstaff sixthvillagesenquires@freedom-lesiure.co.uk www.freedom-lesiure.co.uk,

Tonbridge AC

Mrs Vicky Thomas 01732 359 669 www.tonbridgeac.co.uk

Tone Zone Runners (Felpham) 01243 826 612 clubsecretary@tonezonerunners.org www.tonezonerunners.org

Utopia Runners (Uckfield)

Richard Page 01825 769 015 utopiarunners@tiscali.co.uk utopiarunners.eastsussexcrosscountry.co.uk

Wadhurst Runners

Sara Wrenn 01892 783 506 sarawren@googlemail.com www.wadhurstrunners.co.uk

Worthing & District Harriers Maureen Lewis 07968 270 460 mandycollingson@tiscali.co.uk www.worthingharriers.com

Worthing Striders

07834 968 533 information@worthingstriders.co.uk www.worthingstriders.co.uk

Club Foot (Worthing) Cooden

Crawley

David Lloyd Leisure (Worthing) Paul Young 01903 276 700 paulgarethyoung@msn.com

Dragonflies (women only) Mrs B Rutherford 01273 841 898

Virgin Brighton

Julia Alkema 07798 808 626 coachjulia@live.co.uk

Felbridge

Jackie Burditt 01444 443 442 Jackie@accelerated-mail.co.uk egscc.co.uk/badminton/fbc.html

Forest

Gill Fairham (Secretary) 01403 254 150 gill.fairham@talktalk.net www.forestbadmintonclub.org

Hailsham

Diana Burton 01323 423 093 diana.j-flana@tiscali.co.uk

Hardwick (Eastbourne) Alan G Smith 01323 638 620 agordonsmith018@talktalk.net

Hassocks

Penny Radford 07714 545 328 penradford@hotmail.com

Ringmer Badminton Club Samantha Holder 01273 812 906

Ringmer (Village Hall) Sue Hemington 01273 812 356

S S Ramblers (Eastbourne) Mr P Wilkinson 01323 640 956

Saints (Eastbourne)

Kevin 01323 502 530 philip@saintsbadminton.co.uk www.saintsbadminton.co.uk

St Anne’s (women only, Hartfield) Sheila Puttock 01323 503 409

St Johns (Bexhill)

Alison Seymour 01424 732 226 Alison@gpark.demon.co.uk

St Lukes (Brighton) Bill Brandt 01273 675 316 bill.brandt@ericsson.com

St Richard’s (Pound Hill, Crawley) Jan Archard 01293 531 826 p.archard@btinternet.com

St Paul’s (Crawley)

Mrs Brenda Phillips 01293 420 578 St.PaulsBadminton@PLCWD.Co.Uk www.plcwd.co.uk/html/badminton.html

Southover (Rottingdean) Lesley Blunt 01444 233 965 lesley.blunt@talktalk.net

Stanford Penguins (Portslade) Alvin Lee 01903 831 131 alv82000@hotmail.co.uk www.stanford-penguins.co.uk

Steyning/Castle

Michele Mason 01273 588 444 sarahmichele@hotmail.co.uk

The Denes Badminton Club (Rottingdean) Nicky Holness Nicky@holness.wanadoo.co.uk

West Worthing

Vanessa Bramble 01903 247 567 vanessa@bramblespatch.freeserve.co.uk

Woodlands (St Leonards-on-Sea) Secretary 07907 892 922 info@woodlandsbadminton.org.uk www.woodlandsbadminton.org.uk

Worthing Nondescripts

Haywards Heath

Matthew Hodgson 01903 204 386, matthew.hodgson@ntlworld.com

John Cripps 01323 898 640

Henfield

Brighton Badminton League

Janice Byerley 01903 233 330 chris.byerley@talktalk.net

Holbrook (Horsham)

Matt Page 01903 233 417 mattpagezk@ntlworld.com www.brightonbadmintonleagues.co.uk

Homestead (Southwick)

Brian Simpson, Secretary secretary@bcdba.org.uk www.bcdba.org.uk

BADMINTON

Alfriston

Arcadian (Worthing) Ashurstwood BC

Jon Warren 01293 774 904 Jonts67@hotmail.com

Barcombe

Rosemary Carter 01273 480 944 / 466 086 ro_mackie@hotmail.com

Beacon (Crowborough)

Bryan & Ann Duggan 01892 653 481 bryan@beaconbadminton.com www.beaconbadminton.com

Bexhill

Sandy Scrivener 01424 222 755

Bognor Regis BC

Gary Smith 01243 828 225 garyjohnsmith@tiscali.co.uk

Bosham Badminton Club Bruce Dupee 01243 773 744 bruce.dupee@gmail.com www.chihhh.org.uk/bbc/

Breakaways (Portslade) Tracy Sayers 01273 419 622 tracysayers@hotmail.com

Elspeth McKenzie 01444 235 318 p.j.mckenzie@btinternet.com Debbie Chambers 01273 491 445 debbie.chambers@ukonline.co.uk

badminton Leagues/Assns

Sarah Lewis 01403 751150 sarahlewis83@yahoo.co.uk

Bognor, Chichester & District

Andrew Lock 01273 732 354 andrew.lock@hoveactually.co.uk

Eastbourne & Dist Badminton Assoc

Imberwood (East Grinstead)

Annette Huggett 01323 500 019 annettehuggett@care4free.net or www.eastbournebadminton.co.uk

Lancing

1066 Conquerors (Hastings)

Trevor Tolliday 01342 326 346 trevortolliday@sky.com www.imberwood.co.uk Stewart Byne 01903 763001 stewbyne@msn.com

Lindfield

Mrs Barbara Davies 01444 453559 BarbaraDavies@northcolwell.co.uk www.freewebs.com/lindfield

Littlehampton

David Beatty 01903 713217 lbsclub@tiscali.co.uk / www.lbsc.org.uk

Middleton (Littlehampton) Colin Morris 01243 584274 colin.morris80@tesco.net

Newick Badminton Club

David Palmer 01825 723299 davidpalmer2@supanet.com www.newickbadmintonclub.co.uk

Want to play? Your guide to the sports, clubs and leagues in Sussex

Mel’s Milers Jogging Club

BASKETBALL

07962 687 207 andy12hodder@aol.com www.1066basketball.co.uk

Bexhill Giants

Eric Douglin 07971 821 457 eric.douglin@btopenworld.com bexhillgiants.intheteam.com

Bognor Pirates Basketball Club David Lowe 01243 265 409 david.lowe7@btinternet.co.uk bognor-basketball.co.uk/index.html

Holbrook Allstars (women) Sarah Maloney 07957 860 455 nickprobin@aol.com and sarahlawes24@hotmail.com

issue 08 |

73

SussexSport Want to play? Your guide to the sports, clubs and leagues in Sussex

Runnin Rebels (Brighton) Nick Stevens nickandbeckystevens@yahoo.co.uk www.runninrebels.co.uk

Worthing Tropics

Ashley Clarke 07899 061 704 Ashley.clarke@puma.com

Juniors

Angmering Cobras

Mr. D.Yates 01903 778 363 director@thesportscollege.co.uk www.thesportscollege.co.uk/cobras.php

Brighton Cougars

Anne Baverstock 07809 105 300 Bav@dorothy-stringer.co.uk brightoncougars.intheteam.com

Bognor Royals Youth Hilary Robbins hils.robbins@btinternet.com

Crawley Cagers

07800 511 762 cliff@crawleycagersbasketball.co.uk www.crawleycagersbasketball.co.uk

East Grinstead Jr Basketball Club 07812 121 222

Crawley

George Brown 07782 375 870 www.crawleyboxing.co.uk

Horsham

Don Lambert 01243 262 434 donjanlamt13@supanet.com www.bognorregiscyclingclub.org/

Hastings West Hill

Mr Geoff Ericson, 10 Woodside Close, Shermanbury RH13 8HH

07831 553 328 www.horshamabc.co.uk

Central Sussex CC (Shermanbury)

Jean Gray 01424 441 308 info@westhill-boxing.com www.westhill-boxing.com

Crawley Wheelers

Sue Lawrence 01273 512 376 hillcrestcentre@btopenworld.com

info@dirt-devils.fsnet.co.uk www.dirt-devils.fsnet.co.uk

Hillcrest (Newhaven) Hove

David Brown 01903 762 643 david.brown131@ntlworld.com

Keystone

Pat Nelson 01293 409 376

Moulsecoomb

Matt Bell 01273 231 896

St Gerards

Gerry Lavell 01243 786 661

Whitehawk

Gary Emins 07738 527 677 emins_whitehawk_abc@yahoo.co.uk

Hay Heath Eagles Basketball Club Willingdon Trees www.bebo.com/Profile. jsp?MemberId=4974679988

Dan Woolridge 07875 719 875 treesnews@yahoo.com www.willingdontreesabc.com

John Dishington 07971 466 120 johnd@horshamhawks.co.uk www.horshamhawks.intheteam.com

Adur Canoe Club

Horsham Hawks Basketball Club

Holbrook Huskies (Men), Dave Goss d.goss@talk21.com

Eastbourne Jets

07801 701 474 hoopscoach33@btinternet.com www.eastbournejets.co.uk

Shoreham Sharks Basketball Brian Deacon (coach) 07826 550 844 coach@shorehamsharks.co.uk www.shorehamsharks.co.uk

Storrington Slammers Richard 07974 237 069

BOWLS

Find your closest bowls club: www.bowlsengland.com/index.asp?display=club s&l=1&county=Sussex West Sussex bowls clubs: bowlsclub.org/clubs/GB/ENG-WSX/ East Sussex bowls clubs: bowlsclub.org/clubs/GB/ENG-ESX/

Sussex County Bowling Assoc

CANOEING/KAYAKING

01798 812 183 secretary@adurcanoeclub.org.uk www.adurcanoeclub.org.uk

Bewl Canoe Club

infobewlcanoeclub@yahoo.co.uk www.bewlcanoeclub.co.uk

Chichester Canoe Club

kerry@chichestercanoeclub.co.uk www.chichestercanoeclub.co.uk

Cuckmere Valley Canoe Club

committee@cvcc.org.uk www.cvcc.org.uk

Forest Canoe Club

07725 252 952 forestcanoe@yahoo.co.uk www.forestcanoeclub.org.uk

Hailsham & Eastbourne Canoe Club

peterchambers@kennedybros.co.uk

Hastings & District Canoe Club 07512 810 139 hastingscanoeclub@googlemail.com www.hastingscanoeclub.org.uk

CRICKET

Men’s Sec., David Bain 01903 742 526 bain_david@hotmail.com Women’s Sec., Kathy Flood 01273 517 683 www.sussexba.co.uk kathyflood@btinternet.com

To find your local club:

Alan Archer 01424 830 425 www.eastsussexsmba.co.uk

www.sussexcricket.co.uk/the-club/ recreationalcricket/clubs-leagues/

E Sussex Short Mat Bowls Assoc W Sussex Short Mat Bowls Assoc Bryony Wood 01403 267 608 setonwood@btinternet.com wscsmba.org

BOXING

Adur

Laurence Causabon-Vincent 01903 754 869

Atha

Joe Pilgrim 01424 223 563

Bognor Regis 01243 862 279

sussexcb.play-cricket.com/directory

east Sussex Cricket League Kenneth Jeffery 01684 567 042 kcj@escl.org.uk / www.escl.org.uk

League cricket info:

Mid Sussex Cricket League mscl.play-cricket.com

Sussex Cricket League

Peter Butter (Chairman) peter.butter@btinternet.com www.sussexcl.play-cricket.com

West Sussex Invitation Cricket League www.wsicl.co.uk

CYCLING

Brian Harvey 07891 794 559

Locate your nearest club: new.britishcycling.org.uk/clubfinder

Heath O’Brien 01243 782 462

Mr Graham Kerr 01403 217 297

Brighton City

Chichester Boys

74 | issue 08

Bognor Regis Cycling Club

21st Century Airports CT

Dick Crane 01342 713 197 www.crawleywheelers.co.uk

Dirt Devils MBC (MTB) Eastbourne Rovers Cycling Club stuart@eastbournerovers.co.uk www.eastbournerovers.com

East Grinstead Cycling Club

Richard Blackmore 01342 713 272 dicknjan@btinternet.com / www.egcc.net

VC Etoile (Findon)

Peter Scarsbrook 01903 872 052 scarzi@hotmail.com

Festival RC (Horsham)

Brian Wareham 01403 240 262 brianwareham@aol.com www.festivalrc.co.uk

Findon Gentlemen’s Cycling Club 01903 873 923 info@thefgcc.org www.thefgcc.org

Forest Row Cycling Club Kate Chadwick 01342 311936 secretary@frbc.info www.frbc1.talktalk.net

Horsham Cycling Club

Peter David 01403 259 062 peter.david@horshamcycling.co.uk www.horshamcycling.co.uk

Lewes Wanderers Cycling Club Mick Burgess 01444 244 283 www.leweswanderers.co.uk

Phoenix Cycling Club (Seaford) Clive Aberdour 01323 872 292 clive.aberdour@btinternet.com www.phoenix.cyclub.btinternet.co.uk

Rye & District Wheelers Barry Goodsell 01424 882 890 goodsellbazza@aol.com

Southdown Velo (Chichester) contact@southdownvelo.org.uk www.southdownvelo.org.uk

Stella GS (Storrington) Dr Mark Jones 01273 642 215 m.p.jones@brighton.ac.uk

Stella VC (Littlehampton) Mr Raymond Betts 07802 740 446 raybetts75@btinternet.com

Sussex Nomads (B Hill/Ditchling) Alan Limbrey 01273 558 511 richard.harwood1@sussexnomads.org.uk www.sussexnomads.org.uk

VC Jubilee Yth Dev Cycling Club 01273 843 859 vcjubilee@vcjubilee.co.uk www.vcjubilee.co.uk

CYCLING (BMX)

Bexhill Burners BMX Club Robin Higley 01424 212 951 robin.higley@btinternet.com

Preston Park Youth Cycle Club Anthony Rogers, Chairman, 01273 883 956 anthony@ppycc.org.uk www.ppycc.org.uk

Sussex Cycle Racing League Mrs Deborah Gent 01273 301 262 debgent@gmail.com www.scrl.co.uk

CYCLING (Leisure)

East Sussex Cyclists’ Touring Club David Rix, ctceastsussex@gmail.com

SussexSport Christine Thomas 01825 890 809

Midweek Section

Esther Carpenter 01424 751 581 esthercarpenter@rocketmail.com www.ctcmidweek.org.uk

East Sussex Football League 01323 765 971 paul.turner@esfl.org.uk www.esfl.org.uk

Mid Sussex Football League

Cyclists’ Touring Club W Sussex

Lawrie Parsons 01444 242 023 lawrie.parsons9@btinternet.com www.football.mitoo.co.uk/Counties. cfm?County=Sussex

CTC Arun - Adur Group

Chris Bridges 01403 730 853 christopher.bridges@btinternet.com

Geoff’s Old Bike Rides Geoff Boxall 01273 813 917

Edwin Jones 01243 267 746 edwin@jones.name www.ctcwestsussex.org.uk

West Sussex Football League

Peter Wilson 01903 755 765 pw@peterwilson.org.uk www.fonant.co.uk/arunadur

Worthing & District Football Lge

CTC Bgnr, Chichr, Hrshm & Crwly grp 01403 257 072 bnicol@horshamandcrawleyctc.org.uk www.horshamandcrawleyctc.org.uk, www.bognorchichester.org.uk,

Sussex Nomads Cycling Club 01273 709 303

DIVING

Crawley Diving Club

Mrs B McAdam 01293 410 944 divergindeep@hotmail.co.uk

Worthing Swimming Club

01903 231 797 email@WorthingSwimmingClub.org.uk www.worthingswimmingclub.org

FENCING

Brighton & Hove

Angela Goodall angela.goodall@brightonandhovefencing.co.uk www.brightonandhovefencing.co.uk

Chichester Fencing Club

Sharon Blackman 01243 822 753 info@chichester-fencing-club.org.uk www.chichester-fencing-club.org.uk

Chichester Community Fencing Club 07961 677 384 info@communityfencing.org.uk www.communityfencing.org.uk

Crawley Sword

Geoff Griffin 01293 521 870 www.crawleyswordclub.co.uk

Eastbourne Fencing Club

Steven Paul eastbournefencing@googlemail.com www.eastbournefencing.org.uk

Horsham Fencing Club

www.yellowjersey.net

Intermediate adult Sunday leagues

Sussex Sunday Football League www.sundayleague.info

Worthing & Horsham District Sunday League Phil Farrelly 07774 835 870 philfarre@aol.com www.leaguewebsite.co.uk/whdsfl

Lewes & District Football League Chris Bates lewessfl@yahoo.co.uk www.leaguewebsite.co.uk/lewessfl

Women’s & girls’ (Sundays)

Sussex County FA Womens’ & Girls

01892 664 545 www.boarsheadgolfcentre.co.uk

Crowborough Beacon 01892 661 511 www.cbgc.co.uk

CUCKFIELD

01444 459 999 www.cuckfieldgolf.co.uk

DITCHLING Mid Sussex 01273 846 567 midsussexgolfclub.co.uk

Dyke

01273 857 260 www.dykegolf.com

East Brighton

01273 603 989 www.eastbrightongolfclub.co.uk

EAST GRINSTEAD Chartham Park

01342 870 340 www.theclubcompany.com/clubs/CharthamPark/golf-18-hole.html

EASTBOURNE Downs

Eastbourne Golfing Park 01323 520 400

YOUTH FOOTBALL Sunday Leagues

Effingham Park

01342 716 528 www.effinghamparkgc.co.uk

Arun & Chichester Youth League Kathy Wilson 01903 883 997 kathy@kathy99.freeserve.co.uk www.acyfl.net

East Sussex Mini-Minor League Pat Taylor 01424 429 786 www.freewebs.co.uk/esmml

Mid Sussex Youth & Minor League

full-time.thefa.com/Index.do?league=1375655

Rother Youth League

full-time.thefa.com/Index.do?league=681144

Sussex County Yth Lge (Under-18) full-time.thefa.com/gen/Index do?league=4160018

Sussex Sunday Youth League

full-time.thefa.com/Index.do?league=1697069

GOODWOOD

01243 755 168. www.goodwood.co.uk/golf-at-goodwood/golfat-goodwood.aspx

HAILSHAM

01435 813 456 www.wellshurst.com

HASSOCKS

01273 846 990 www.hassocksgolfclub.co.uk

HASTINGS & ST L’NARDS Beauport Pk 01424 854 245 www.beauportparkgolf.co.uk

HAYWARDS HEATH

01444 414 866 www.haywardsheathgolfclub.co.uk

golf

Highwoods

01903 783 732 www.hammanor.co.uk

Hollingbury Park

01243 554 611 www.avisfordparkgolfclub.com

To search for your local club: www.sussexfa.com/GetIntoFootball/FindAClub/ The Sussex FA: www.sussexfa.com/Governance/Affiliation/

Battle

Adult leagues Adult leagues – Senior football

01424 842 040 www.coodenbeachgc.com

01424 775 677 www.battlegolfclub.co.uk

BEXHILL Cooden Beach bognor regis

Sussex County Football League (Sat/midweek)

01243 821 929 www.bognorgolfclub.co.uk

Sussex County Football League: www.scfl.org.uk/pages/clubs.html

01273 556 482 www.brightonandhovegolf.co.uk

Intermediate football adult Saturday leagues

01243 533 833 www.chichestergolf.com

Andy Lindley 07764 537 078 www.bhdfl.co.uk/index.html

CROWBOROUGH Boars Head GC

www.secwfl.org.uk

ARUNDEL

Brighton, Hove & Dist Football Lge

01293 861 777 www.cottesmoregolf.co.uk

South East Counties Women’s Lge

Eileen Pitman 01273 411 100 sportscentre@pcc-web.com

www.scfl.org.uk

CRAWLEY Cottesmore

01323 720 827 www.ebdownsgolf.co.uk

ANGMERING

FOOTBALL

01342 850 635 www.holtye.com

www.thefa.com/full-time/scfa

gigglenicky@aol.com www.horshamfencingclub.co.uk

Portslade Fencing club

COWDEN Holtye

brighton & hove CHICHESTER COPTHORNE

01342 712 033 www.copthornegolfclub.co.uk

Want to play? Your guide to the sports, clubs and leagues in Sussex

Eastbourne & Hailsham Section

01424 212 625 www.highwoodsgolfclub.co.uk 01273 500 086 www.mytimegolf.co.uk/?page_id=925

HORAM Park

01435 813 477 www.horamparkgolfclub.co.uk

Horsham Park

01403 271 525 www.horshamgolfandfitness.co.uk

HURSTPIERPOINT Singing Hills 01273 835 353 www.singinghills.co.uk

Ifield

01293 520 222 www.ifieldgolf.com

LEWES

01273 473 245 lewesgolfclub.co.uk

LITTLEHAMPTON

01903 717 170 www.littlehamptongolf.co.uk

MANNINGS HEATH

01403 210 228 www.manningsheath.com

issue 08 |

75

Want to play? Your guide to the sports, clubs and leagues in Sussex

SussexSport MIDHURST Cowdray Park

Worthing

Paxhill Park

WORTHING Hill Barn

01730 813 599 www.cowdraygolf.co.uk 01444 484 467

PEACEHAVEN

01273 514 049 www.peacehavengc.com

PETWORTH Downs 01798 344 097 www.petworthgolf.com

Piltdown

01825 722 389 www.piltdowngolfclub.co.uk

PLAISTOW Foxbridge 01403 753 303 www.foxbridge.co.uk

PULBOROUGH

01798 872 563 www.westsussexgolf.co.uk

Pyecombe

01273 845 372 www.pyecombegolfclub.com

Royal Ashdown Forest 01342 822 247 www.royalashdown.co.uk

Royal Eastbourne

01903 260 718 www.worthinggolf.co.uk

01903 237 301 www.hillbarngolfcourse.co.uk

GYMNASTICS

British gymnastics:

East Grinstead Hockey Club

Arun Gym & Trampolining Club 07986 508 909 Mandyhxxx@aol.com

Brighton & Hove Gymnastics Club 01273 776 209 gym@bhgym.co.uk www.bhgym.co.uk

cacl gym club (eastbourne) 01323 730 467 info@caclsports.co.uk

Chanctonbury Sportup G.C. 01903 746 070 sportup@chanctonburysl.com

01903 850 790 www.rgcgolf.com

01273 559 469 jeffrey.arnold3@ntlworld.com

Hawth Gymnastics

Hollingdean Gymnastic Club

RYE

Horsham Gymnastics Club

SEAFORD

i-star Academy

Seaford Head

Kestrel Gymnastics Academy K.G.A

01323 890 139 www.seafordheadgolfcourse.co.uk

SEDLESCOMBE

Paula Davies 01732 866 533 www.crowboroughhockey.co.uk

01342 321 210 alison.armstrong@freedom-lesiure.co.uk www.egscc.co.uk

Hailsham Hockey Club 07855 121 511 alison@hailshamhc.co.uk www.hailshamhockey.co.uk

Honeybees Hockey Club (women) Katie Walters 07719 756148 kwalters@imberhorne.co.uk

Holbrook Hockey Club (Horsham) 01403 751 150 Claire_adcock@yahoo.co.uk www.theholbrookclub.co.uk

Chichester Olympic Gymnastic Club Horsham Hockey Club

01293 520 821 www.hawthgymnastics.co.uk

01323 892 442 www.seafordgolfclub.co.uk

07788 543 836 emma.franks@blueyonder.co.uk www.crawleyhockeyclub.com

07935 212 428 angmering.gym@googlemail.com

01403 252 123 rookwoodgolfcourse.co.uk

01797 225 241 www.ryegolfclub.co.uk

Crawley Hockey Club

Crowborough Hockey Club

Angmering School Of Gym

01243 790 255 info@chichestergymnastics.co.uk www.chichestergymnastics.co.uk

RUSTINGTON

Kim Howarth 01243 865 523 kimhow14@hotmail.com www.chichesterhockey.com

www.british-gymnastics.org

01323 744 045 www.regc.co.uk

Rookwood

Chichester Hockey Club

01403 756 699 hgc@hgc.org.uk / www.hgc.org.uk 07843 666 251 info@istaracademy.co.uk 01580 858 733 k.g.a@btinternet.com

Pavillions in the Park

01424 871 700 www.sedlescombegolfclub.co.uk

01403 219 200 enquiries@pavillionsinthepark.co.uk

01243 608 935 www.selseygolfclub.co.uk

01444 243 314 john.nightingale4@btinternet.com

SELSEY

Pyramid Gymnastics Club

Slinfold park

Seaford Gymnastics Academy

Sweetwoods Park

Stars Gymnastics Club

Tilgate Forest

Summerfields Gym Club

07740 096 123 nick.evans@uk.ibm.com www.horshamhc.co.uk

Lewes Hockey Club

Gemma Collins 01273 480 630 vodkagemma@hotmail.com www.southdownsportsclub.co.uk/hockey

Littlehampton Hockey Club Colin Warner 07977 516 070 colin.warner@war-ner.co.uk www.littlehamptonhc.org.uk

Mid Sussex Hockey Club Vicky O’Boyle 01444 248 110 vickyoboyle@yahoo.co.uk www.mshc.co.uk

Middleton & Bognor Hockey Club 01243 870 000 rachelmccartain@talktalk.net www.mandbhc.org.uk

Sth Saxons Hockey Club (Hastings)

Sue Klein 01424 223 647 sueklein2001@aol.com www.southsaxonshc.co.uk

Southwick Hockey Club 01273 592 233 www.southwick.org

01403 791 154 www.ccgslinfold.com

01323 892 425 lorraine@seafordgymnastics.co.uk

01342 850 729 www.sweetwoodspark.com

01903 800 024 amandawadman@gmail.com

Bob Catlow 07836 529133 Catlowbob@aol.com www.worthinghockey.co.uk

01293 530 103 www.glendale-golf.com/course-2-tilgateforest-golf-centre.aspx

01424 444 615 emma@summerfields-gymnastics.com

East Grinstead Lacrosse Club

UCKFIELD East Sussex National

01825 880 256 www.eastsussexnational.co.uk/golf/index.php

WADHURST Dale Hill 01580 200 112 www.dalehill.co.uk

Waterhall

01273 508 658 www.mytimegolf.co.uk/?page_id=999

WEST CHILTINGTON 01798 813 574 www.westchiltgolf.co.uk

West Hove

01273 419 738 www.westhovegolfclub.info

Willingdon

01323 410 981 www.willingdongolfclub.co.uk

76 | issue 08

Worthing Hockey Club

LACROSSE

Uckfield Gymnastic Club

07712 527 615 info@eglc.co.uk / www.eglc.co.uk

Wickers Gym Club

Crawley Town Lifesaving Club

01825 764 141 www.uckfieldgymnastics.co.uk

Katy Hodgson 01273 465 554 khodgson@talk21.com / wickersgymclub.com

HOCKEY

Bognor Town Hockey Club (women) patathome.simmonds.btinternet.com

Brighton & Hove Hockey Club

01903 239 894 cameron_heath@standardandpoors.com www.brightonandhovehockeyclub.net

Burgess Hill Hockey Club (women) 01444 441 223 ginettemread@yahoo.co.uk www.burgesshillhc.co.uk

Buxted Park Hockey Club

Captain: Liz Wigglesworth 01825 733 689 info@bphc.co.uk www.bphc.co.uk

LIFESAVING

Secretary: John Stainer 01293 585 300 contact@crawleytownlsc.com www.crawleytownlsc.com/contact.htm

Horsham Life Saving Club David Slade 01903 715 745 info@horshamlifesavingclub.co.uk www.horshamlifesavingclub.co.uk

Ringmer Swim & Lifesaving Club John Wiles 01273 400 468 bodgelets@hotmail.com

SussexSport Aikido Circle Black Belt Academy Ken DeHaan 07747 788 128 ken@aikidocirclebba.com www.aikidocirclebba.com

Crawley Aikido Club 01342 321 429 info@crawleyaikidoclub.com crawleyaikidoclub.com

Ittaikan Aikido Club Paul Bonett 01273 696 383 dojo@brightonaikido.co.uk www.brightonaikido.co.uk/

Myo-Do-Kan

King Alfred Leisure Centre, Kingsway, Hove BN3 2WW and Henfield Leisure Centre, North Croft, The King’s Field, Henfield BN5 9QB. Val Hodges. 01273 737 132 Mondays at Henfield Lesiure, Thursday at King Alfred valhodges22@hotmail.com

KARATE

Tai Chi Wisdom

Bexhill Shotokan Karate Club

Simon & Cher Robins 01273 239 054 info@taichiwisdom.net www.taichiwisdom.net

Brighton Shokotan Karate

Brighton Taekwon-Do School

Ian Hollidge 01424 218 993 ianhollidge@hotmail.com www.sskd.org.uk Dave Hazard 01903 775 101 jess@fastnet.co.uk www.brightonkarate.co.uk

Chichester GoJu Karate Club 01243 672 589 www.chichesterkarate.co.uk

Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Assoc Ron Silverthorne 01323 891 471 info@fska.co.uk www.fska.co.uk

Kanzenki Shotokan Karate Club Lindsey Musing 07812 037 455 www.kanzenkishotokan.co.uk

KeiBudo Freestyle Karate

TAEKWON-DO

01273 508 120, brightontaekwondo@gmail.com www.martialarts-brighton.co.uk,

Brighton Taekwondo Academy 07764 740 877 brightontkdacademy@yahoo.co.uk www.brightontkd.co.uk

Crawley Tae Kwon-Do Club 08009 176 238 training@crawley-taekwondo.co.uk www.crawley-taekwondo.co.uk

West Sussex Tae Kwon Do

Keith Boardman 01903 530 264 www.sussexkarate.com

Anne-Marie Jones-Taylor 01243 826 917 info@westsussextaekwondo.co.uk www.westsussextaekwondo.co.uk

Southdowns Club (Aikido)

Julia Turley 01444 454 827 jtrenshinkan@btinternet.com

British Jujitsu Ryu

Sussex Sport Aikido Club

01444 241 625 rhys.williams@trendcontrols.com www.ryushinkan.com

Sharinjiru Renshinkan Karate Do

Kevin Elliott 07738 538 448 kevinhavard@hotmail.com www.kifederationofgreatbritain.co.uk/clubs/ southdown.htm

Reiwaryu Ryushinkan Karatedo Renmei

Jerome Chin-Aleong 07951 177 936 jica27@hotmail.com www.sussexsportaikido.info

Roffey Karate Club

JUDO

Battle Judo Club 01424 774 772

Bexhill A A Judo Club 01424 214 912 jasonmeek@bexhill.org.uk

Bridgeview Judo Club (Lewes) Paul Leaney 01273 470 759 fieldingd@hotmail.com www.judoatlewes.co.uk

Brighton Judo Club

Mark Deeney 01273 683 780 brighton.judo@btinternet.com www.brightonjudoclub.org

Chichester Judo Club Ilona Guy 07512 332 783 ilona.guy@btinternet.com chichesterjudoclub.co.uk

Phil Smith 07708 432 682 wadoguard-roffeykarate@yahoo.co.uk roffeykarateclub.co.uk

Red Oak Karate Club (Lewes) John Cross 01273 471 627 redoakkarate@googlemail.com www.redoakkarate.org.uk

SEMKA Wado-Ryu Karate Paul Elliott 01403 218 327 semka@btopenworld.com www.horshamkarateclub.com

Adam Goward (snr instructor) 01825 732 224 a.goward@virgin.net www.tangsoudao.com

KICKBOXING

Dynamic Tiger F’style Kickboxing Damon Kentell 07774 891 785 admin@dtfk.co.uk / dtfk.co.uk

Crawley Martial Arts Academy

Les Pike 01424 446 459

Neil Chalcraft 01424 430 999 neil.chalcraft@bt.internet.com

Kung Fu Schools

Hollington Judo Club (St. L’nards) Horsham Judo Club

07778 670 124 www.horshamjudoclub.com

Kaigan Judo Club (Eastbourne) Pat Jeffery 01323 507 595

Keisen Judo Club

Tim Draper 07867 538 384 tim@keisen.co.uk / www.keisen.co.uk

Kin Ryu Judo Club

Peter Seymour 01293 537 808 p.seymour1@sky.com www.kinryu.org.uk

Seishin Judo Club 07872 449 093 www.seishin-judo.co.uk

Uckfield Judo Club 01825 768 453 terry.bate@ace-ina.com

Westerleigh Judo Kwai Ltd Paul Everest 01424 442 726 paulapauleverest@hotmail.com www.westerleighjudo.org.uk

Zodiac Judo Kwai (Hastings) Duncan Maclean 07516 902 975

07828 213 892, britishjujitsuruy@hotmail.com

Kenaji Academy of Martial Arts Brian Redman 01903 743 334 www.kenagi.co.uk

Ryusui-ryu

Neil Starks 01342 315 372 www.m-a-t-s.co.uk

Sama S East - Karate & Kickboxing West Sussex: 01273 588 850 East Sussex: 01273 580 577 george@samakarate.com www.samasoutheast.co.uk

Soul Martial Arts Academy 08009 804 858 soulmartialarts@hotmail.com www.soulmartialarts.co.uk

Tae-Jitsu Tang Sou Dao Karate - Ren Yi Wu Kwan 07891 864 272

07702 119 198, john@crawleymartialartsacademy.com www.crawleymartialartsacademy.com

Hastings YMCA Judo Club

GENERAL/OTHER MARTIAL ARTS

KUNG FU

01293 544 333 info@kungfuschools.org www.kungfuschools.org

Shaolin Kung Fu

Matthew Gross 0781 2342 058 digitmatt@hotmail.com www.sussexkungfu.co.uk

KAMON WING CHUN (KUNG FU)

Archway, Beckenham, Bristol, Catford, Chichester, Covent Garden, Crawley, Croydon, Ealing, East Grinstead, Eastbourne, Epsom, Finchley, Glasgow, Greenwich, Guildford, Harrow, Heston/Hounslow, Horsham, Ilford, Petersfield, Portsmouth, Putney/Wimbledon, Redhill, Richmond, Sheffield, Sidcup, Streatham/Tooting, Surbiton, Sutton, Uxbridge, Watford, Woking, 02081 235 768. www.kamonwingchun.com

TAI CHI

Sussex Zhong Ding

Jan Simpson 07506 525 116 sussexzhongding@yahoo.co.uk www.sussexzhongding.co.uk

taejitsu@yahoo.co.uk www.tae-jitsu.co.uk

Uckfield Martial Arts Club

Alex Foot (coach) 07946 104 512 afoot@panini.co.uk www.anthonycairns.com/Martial%20Arts/ UMAC.htm

W Sussex Choi Kwang Do Academy

07955 162 886 wsckd@fsmail.net www.westsussexckd.com

Want to play? Your guide to the sports, clubs and leagues in Sussex

MARTIAL ARTS AIKIDO

White Crane Fighting Arts Neil Johnson 07976 260 710 neil@whitecranefightingarts.com www.whitecranefightingarts.com

Worthing

Mike O’Hagan 01903 236 664 mohagan@gym-xtreme.co.uk www.gym-xtreme.co.uk

NETBALL Sussex Netball

www.sussexnetball.com/play-netball.php

Sussex County Netball Assoc

Miss Sheila Martin 01273 422 959 she.martin@hotmail.co.uk hannah.brooks@englandnetball.co.uk

Arun Netball Club

jo_norcross85@yahoo.co.uk hanbro@me.com

Brighton Netball Club www.brightonnetballclub.co.uk

CCK Netball Club (Whitehawk)

ccknetball@btinternet.com www.brightonccknetballclub.wordpress.com

issue 08 |

77

SussexSport Want to play? Your guide to the sports, clubs and leagues in Sussex

Crows Netball Club

Bexhill Rowing Club

CD Phoenix Netball Club (E Grinstead)

Bewl Bridge Rowing Club

Barrie Edwards 07912 862 566 contact@horleyrugby.co.uk www.horleyrugby.co.uk

Eastbourne Rowing Club

. Paul Harding 01403 265 027 chairman@horshamrufc.com www.horshamrufc.com

Rachel 01892 655 661 www.tunwellsnetball.org.uk

anthony.page@networkrail.co.uk www.bexhillrowingclub.com

Horley RFC

Martin Teale 07801 135 270 martinteale@rocketmail.com www.bewlrowingclub.co.uk

Horsham RUFC

Nick Norwood 07855 393 542 dave@dufrane.co.uk www.eastbournerc.co.uk

Hove RFC

Karen Thornton 07748 196 238 karenthornton12@hotmail.com 01825 769 210

rowing@shorehamrowingclub.co.uk

karen.Dennison@westsussexpct.nhs.uk

Martin Holden 07904 183 284 wrc@worthingrowingclub.com www.worthingrowingclub.com/

Dave Winsor 01424 210 778 info@lewesrfc.org.uk www.lewesrfc.org.uk

cdphoenixsussex@googlemail.com www.cdphoenixsussex.org.uk

Eastbourne netball club www.eastbourne-netball.com

Enigma Netball Club (Worthing) Genesis Beacon Netball Club

Shoreham Rowing Club

Giants (Worthing)

Worthing Rowing Club

Hassocks Netball Club macnamara750@btinternet.com

H’field & Partridge Green N ball Team Edna 01403 710 586

Lewes netball club (junior) www.lewesnetballclub.co.uk

Mid Sussex Netball Club Jackie@midsussex.netball.org.uk www.midsussexnetball.org.uk

Oakwood Netball Club (Crawley) oakwoodnetball@yahoo.co.uk www.oakwoodnc.co.uk

Pulborough Netball Club

Sue 01798 875 629 suzanne@dudman04.orangehome.co.uk

Redhill Netball Club (Crawley) jo.barnes@rocketmail.com

Rimmerettes Netball Club 07901 910 539 michelle.simmons@hotmail.co.uk

Rudgewick Netball Club Emily 07799 514 954 www.rudgewicknetballclub.co.uk

Seaford Netball Club Clare 01323 890 994

Southdown Netball Club pbaker@servalsystems.co.uk www.southdownnetballclub.co.uk

Spirit Netball Club (Lewes - jr) Karen 07899 908 456

Sussex Thunder, Storm & Lightning sussexnetballclub@yahoo.co.uk

Trinity Tristars Netball Club

RUGBY UNION Sussex RFU

Sports Development Unit, Dallington House, University of Brighton, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9PH 01273 623030 sussexadmin@rfu.com www.sussexrugby.co.uk/dyn/pages/playing/ links.shtml

Barns Green RFC

andrewstambridge@barnsgreenrfc.co.uk www.barnsgreenrfc.co.uk

Bognor RFC

Andy Sweeney 01243 820 846 www.bognor-rfc.com

Brighton FC (RFU)

Dionne Fowle (Hon Secretary) 07778 547 625 brightonrugbyclub-enquires@hotmail.co.uk www.brightonblues.co.uk

Chichester RFC

01243 779 820 secretary@chichesterRFC.co.uk www.chichesterrfc.co.uk

Cinque Ports RFC

01424 722 844 info@cinqueportsrugby.co.uk www.cinqueportsrugby.co.uk

Crawley RFC

01293 533 995, patrick.constance@neopost.co.uk

Crowborough RFC

Uckfield Netball Club (junior)

Simon Davies 01892 663 915 sdgas@aol.com www.crowboroughrugby.com

ORIENTEERING British Orienteering Federation

Matt Ravenscroft 07831 721 538 secretary@egrfc.com www.egrfc.com/

beccakel@hotmail.com

uccsshipley@uctc.e-sussex.sch.uk

www.britishorienteering.org.uk

Southdowns Orienteers

Jaquie Drake 01293 613 114 thedrakes@vuggles.co.uk www.southdowns-orienteers.org.uk

POLO

Cowdray Park

01730 813 257 www.cowdraypolo.co.uk

Hickstead All England Polo Club 01273 834 315 www.hickstead.co.uk

ROWING

Find your local club www.britishrowing.org/clubfinder Find your local coastal rowing club www.rowinguk.com

Ardingly Rowing Club

David Avery 01798 815 118 d.avery6@btinternet.com www.ardinglyrowingclub.co.uk

78 | issue 08

East Grinstead RFC

Eastbourne RFC

01323 503 076 suandalwood.tiscali.co.uk www.eastbournerugby.com

Hastings & Bexhill RFC

William Parker 01424 444 255 david.hirst@hastingsrugby.org.uk www.hastingsrugby.org.uk

Haywards Heath RFC

01444 413 950 aj@hhrfc.co.uk www.pitchero.com/clubs/haywardsheath

Heathfield & Waldron RFC Tim Ball 01435 831 142 tjgball@hotmail.com www.hwrfc.co.uk

Andy Ward 07789 777 475 clubhouse@hoverfc.com www.hoverfc.com

Lewes RFC

Littlehampton RFC

Racheal Hutchings 07779 725 955 rachealh05@aol.com www.clubs.rfu.com/clubs/portals/littlehampton

Midhurst RFC

Simon Flint 01730 816 465 simon.flint@bbcel.co.uk www.midhurstrugby.co.uk

Norfolk Arms RFC

Ree 07966 815 345 www.norfolkarmsrfc.co.uk

Pulborough RFC

01903 746 463 www.pitchero.com/clubs/pulborough

Rye RFC

07784 024 162 RyeRugby@Live.com www.pitchero.com/clubs/ryerfc

Seaford RFC

Nicky Walker 01323 441 429 www.seafordrfc.com

Shoreham RFC

shorehambymanager@yahoo.co.uk www.shorehamrugby.com

Sussex Police RFC

www.sussexpolicerfc.co.uk

Uckfield RFC

Kim Dunn 07905 756 271 dunnkim6@aol.com www.pitchero.com/clubs/uckfieldrfc

Worthing RFC

Allan Imrie 01903 784 706 Allan.Imrie@ametek.co.uk www.worthingrfc.co.uk

Sussex Referees Society

Phil Bowers 07930 188 560 philbowersref@aol.com / www.ssrfur.com/

SAILING/YACHTING

Arun Yacht Club

01903 716 016 arunyachtclub@btconnect.com www.arunyc.org.uk

Ashdown Sailing Club

01342 326 901 ashdownsailingclub@yahoo.co.uk www.ashdownsailing.org.uk

Bexhill Sailing Club 01424 212 906 www.bexhillsc.com

Bosham Sailing Club

01243 572 341 manager@boshamsailingclub.co.uk www.boshamsailingclub.co.uk

Brighton Marina Yacht Club

Hellingly RFC

01273 818 711 office@bmyc.org.uk www.bmyc.org.uk

Holbrook RFC

01273 321 802 www.brightonsailingclub.org.uk

Roger White hellinglysecretary@hotmail.co.uk

Brighton Sailing Club

01403 751 150 www.holbrookrfc.co.uk

Chichester Yacht Club 01243 512 918 secretary@cyc.co.uk www.cyc.co.uk

SussexSport 08445 730 000 www.clyc.co.uk

Bluecoat Sports

Dell Quay Sailing Club

Tony Fiveash 01403 247 572. tony@centralplanthire.co.uk www.bluecoatsports.co.uk

E’bourne Sovereign Sailing Club

Steve Carruthers 01243 865 462 steviecarruthers@hotmail.com

01243 785 080 www.dqsc.co.uk

01323 416 562 training@sailing-at-eastbourne.co.uk www.sailing-at-eastbourne.co.uk

Bognor Regis Brighton

STOOLBALL

To find your local team www.stoolball.org.uk/teams

Sussex County Stoolball Assoc Mrs Kay Price 01403 252 419

SWIMMING

1066 Swimmers SC

Dave Bowen 08456 443 417 david.bowen@worthing.gov.uk Hastings & St Leonards Sailing Club www.brightonsquash.co.uk 01424 422 142 Brighton Rackets mail@hastingssc.wanadoo.co.uk Milli Fawssett 01273 667 888 www.hastingssc.org milli.1@hotmail.co.uk

secretary@1066swimmers.org.uk www.1066swimmers.org.uk

01424 429 779 hmbyc@supanet.com

Andrew Eade 07794 17 4 969 andrew.eade@yahoo.co.uk

Mrs Ursula Taylor 01892 661 197 utaylor330@btinternet.com www.beaconswimmingclub.co.uk

01243 672 455 sec@innshorecruisingclub.co.uk www.innshorecruisingclub.co.uk

Sid Austin 01424 844 810 squash@cbssc.co.uk www.cbssc.co.uk/squash.htm

Bexhill SC

Karl Manning 01342 715 022 karl.manning@sussexsquash.org.uk www.lafitness.co.uk/gym/gatwick

Mr D. Loveman 01243 528 095 daveloveman@lineone.net www.bognorswim.co.uk

Andy Birch 01273 731 262 andy.birch@orionpharma.com www.coralfitness.co.uk/squash

Mrs D. Halls 01273 475 326 denisehalls@postmaster.co.uk www.brightonsc.co.uk

Andrew Watts 01293 585 300 andrew.watts@zen.co.uk

Crowborough

Miss S. Naish sarah@snaish15.fsnet.co.uk www.bdsc.co.uk

01323 761 002 dave.harrington@pbsd.org.uk www.pbsc.org.uk

David Lloyd

Mrs J. Laney www.chichester-cormorants.org www.chichester-cormorants.co.uk

01273 453 078 sscmemsec@hotmail.com www.shorehamsailing.org

Chris Markham 01444 457 337 olymposhh@freedom-leisure.co.uk

Hastings Motor Boat & Yacht Club Inn Shore Cruising Club

Itchenor Sailing Club

01243 512 400 office@itchenorsailingclub.co.uk www.itchenorsc.co.uk

Lancing Sailing Club 01903 766 006 memsec@lancingsc.org.uk www.lancingsc.org.uk

Newhaven & Seaford Sailing Club 01323 893 542 information@nssc.org.uk / www.nssc.org.uk

Pagham Yacht Club

01243 265 025 commodore@pyc.org.uk / www.pyc.org.uk

Pevensey Bay Sailing Club

Shoreham Sailing Club

Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club 01424 845 991 gsteven@rya-online.net www.shyc.co.uk

Sussex Yacht Club

01273 464 868 secretary@sussexyachtclub.org.uk www.sussexyachtclub.org.uk

Weir Wood Sailing Club 01342 828 462 info@wwsc.org.uk www.wwsc.org.uk

Worthing Yacht Club

01903 249 956 www.worthingyachtclub.co.uk

SHOOTING

Fittleworth Rifle Club

Sean Ide 01798 872 095 fittleworthrifleclub@hotmail.com www.fittleworthrifleclub.org

Petworth & District Rifle Club John Robbins 08447 722 243 www.tates.com/Petworth/

Southwick Rifle Club

Mr P. Sigournay 01903 814 642 southwickrifleclub@yahoo.co.uk

SQUASH

Sussex Squash & Racquetball www.sussexsquash.org.uk

Arun

Richard Laine 01243 826 612 richard.laine@ic24.net

Burgess Hill

Cooden

Atlantis ASC

Mr. Paul Clarke 01403 733 794 paclarke1@talktalk.net www.atlantishorsham.co.uk

Beacon SC

Mrs.V. Tillett 01424 845 983 bexhillswimmingclub@hotmail.com

Copthorne Squash Club

Bognor Regis SC

Corals

Brighton SC

Crawley Squash Club

Brighton Dolphin SC

Sally Powell 01892 652 618 info@crowboroughrackets.org.ok www.crowboroughrackets.org.uk

Chichester Cormorants SC

Aaron Parkins 01323 509 802 a.parkins@sky.com

Crawley SC

Dolphin

East Grinstead

Andy Norris 01342 325 077 andrewgnorris@tiscali.co.uk www.egtsc.org

Horsham

James Norman 01403 251150 James.Norman@UK.RSAGroup.com www.horshamsquash.co.uk

Lewes

Bill Jeffries 01273 480 630 bill@billjeffries.co.uk www.southdownsportsclub.co.uk

Littlehampton

Ashley Squires 01903 713 217 a.squires@sky.com

Middleton

Paul Elliot 01243 583 157 hairsginger@hotmail.com www.middletonsportsclub.co.uk

Midhurst

David Usher 01730 816 841 rachelanddave@aol.com www.thegrange.org.uk

Storrington

Nathan Miller 01903 745 134 n.miller@crown-golf.co.uk www.storringtonsquashclub.co.uk

Weald

Trevor Morgan 01273 844 283 trevor.morgan@uk.ibm.com www.the-weald.co.uk

West Worthing

Pete Williams 01903 247 270 peter.williams850@ntlworld.com www.wwc.org.uk

Mrs E. Smith 01293 883 570 jan@cwcw.demon.co.uk www.crawleysc.ik.com

East Grinstead SC

Mrs. Annemarie Fox 01342 328 255 annemarie@thefoxies.com www.egsc.co.uk

Eastbourne SC

Mr Peter Tyler 07901 769 346 ESC-HonSec@ustylers.co.uk www.eastbourneswimmingclub.org

Hailsham SC

Mrs E Lucani 01323 503 276 e.lucani@tiscali.co.uk www.hailshamswimmingclub.org

Want to play? Your guide to the sports, clubs and leagues in Sussex

City Livery Yacht Club

Hastings Seagull SC

Mr Graham Furness 01424 438 122 graham.furness@tiscali.co.uk

Lewes SC

Mr P Fouch 01273 477 365 paul@lewesswimmingclub.org www.lewesswimmingclub.org

Littlehampton SC

Mrs B Condron 01243 552 372 dettecondron@aol.com www.littlehamptonsc.ik.com

Mid-Sussex Marlins SC Susan Lodge 01444 451 707 susan.lodge@btconnect.com www.olymposmarlins.org

Penguins Swimming Lessons Linette Wheeler 01903 767 820 info@penguinswimlessons.co.uk www.penguinswimlessons.co.uk

Shiverers SC

Mr Derek Fowlie 07831 455 243 md@burgundywines.co.uk

Worthing SC

Mr P. McCallum, 01903 267 019 peterjmccallum@hotmail.com www.worthingswimmingclub.org

issue 08 |

79

SussexSport Want to play? Your guide to the sports, clubs and leagues in Sussex

Sussex County Amateur Swimming Association

Monarchs (Hastings)

Peter Harding 01424 712 708

ump Trampolining Club

Chairman: Mr P McCallum 01903 267 019 peterjmccallum@hotmail.com www.sussexswimming.org/

Saints

01424 718 136

Karen Street (head coach) 01323 508 604 karen.street@virgin.net/ www.jumptc.co.uk

SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING

Danny Rickaby 01424 430 201

01403 734 448

Miss Sheila King 01424 428 057 sheila.king@etta.co.uk www.tigerstt.mfbiz.com

01323 768 614 shinewater@eastbourne.gov.uk www.eastbourne.gov.uk/leisure/sport/council/ shinewater/youth/gym-and-tramp

Tackleway

Beacon Swimming Club (Crwborough) Tigers (St Leonards) Mrs Ursula Taylor 01892 661 197 utaylor330@btinternet.com www.beaconswimmingclub.co.uk

Brighton Dolphin Swimming Club Miss S. Naish, sarah@snaish15.fsnet.co.uk www.bdsc.co.uk

Brighton Swimming Club Mrs D. Halls 01273 475 326 denisehalls@postmaster.co.uk www.brightonsc.co.uk

TABLE TENNIS

Sussex Table Tennis Alliance

Travaux

Orbital Stars Trampoline Club Shinewater Trampoline Club

Cliff Duffell 01424 773 176

Southdowns (Lewes + Peacehaven)

Worthing District League teams

Southwick Trampolining Club

Steyning

07927 008 663 SteyningTTC@googlemail.com www.steyningttc.co.uk

West Worthing

Malcolm Jones 01273 486 000 southdowns.gtc@ntlworld.com 01273 238 111 www.impulseleisure.co.uk

Steyning Stars & Henfield Gym Club Amanda Wadman 01903 816 368 amandawadman@gmail.com www.wadmanmandy@aol.com

Sussex County Table Tennis AssN.

Bruce 01903 505 666 info@wwc.org.uk www.wwc.org.uk/table_tennis.html

Tackleway

Mrs B Bayford 01903 773 306

Leagues

Billinghurst

01903 266 981 john.varga@ntlworld.com

Phil Harvey 01444 242135 www.haywardsheathttl.org.uk

Ian.ford@horsham.gov.uk sussextta.co.uk/clubs_billingshurst.php

01903 501 798 pat@belchamber.com

Mrs J Mansell 01903 261 626

Tim Holtam 07985141 788 tim@brightontabletennisclub.co.uk www.brightontabletennisclub.co.uk

sussextta.co.uk

sctta.sussextta.co.uk/index.php

Woodlands

01424 430 201

Other clubs

Haywards Heath & Dist T Tennis Lge Ian Ford 07764 146 338 Worthing & Dist T Tennis Lge

Brighton

English T Tennis Assoc Prem Clubs Battle

Crawley Community

Kevin Haffenden 07803 138 881 admin@battlettc.com www.battlettc.com

BRoad. Oak TT club

Paul Dustall 07985 812 001 Paul.dunstall@btopenworld.com

Crawley Community TT club Ian Ford 07764 146 338 Ian.ford@horsham.gov.uk

Hollingbury TT club

Christine Wicks (club chairman) 01273 709 612 Cjiwcks1@yahoo.co.uk www.hollingburyttc.co.uk

Horsham TT club

Ian Ford 07764 146 338 ianfordy@aol.com www.crawleytabletennis.co.uk

Lancing

Ray Forder 01903 766 678 rfordertabletennis@fsmail.net

North Mundham

Mr Peter Baldwin 01243 860 966 peter@peterbaldwin.co.uk

Woodlands (Rustington) Jim Holden 01903 782 209 woodland@tiscali.co.uk

TENNIS

Ian Ford 07764 146 338 Ian.ford@horsham.gov.uk www.horshamtabletennisclub.co.uk

To locate your local club www.lta.org.uk/in-your-area/Sussex/

Mike Jones 07932 676 891 Mike.jones@pavilionttc.co.uk www.pavilionttc.co.uk

Chichester Racquets & Fitness Club 01243 785 664 DeputyManager@crafc.co.uk www.crafc.co.uk

Pavilion TT club

Storrington TT club

Pat Mahoharan 07897 150 108 Ian.talmadge@ips.invensys.com www.storrington-tabletennis.co.uk

Crawley & Horsham League teams

Copthorne & Maidenbower

Chichester

Cross in Hand Tennis Club

Steve Godfrey 01825 830 670 crossinhandtennis@googlemail.com

Tennis Sussex

01273 505 979 Sussex@LTA.org.uk

LTA Tennis Development Manager

Sussex Springers Trampoline Club Stella Jackson 01444 241 770 funabounds@btinternet.com www.sussexspringers.co.uk

Sky Surfers Trampoline Club Sussex Martlets Trampoline Club

Up N Downs Trampoline Club 01323490 011 rebecca.hatt@waveleisure.co.uk

TRIATHLON

Amphibians 2 Triathlon Club

Karen Wigmore, Club coach karen.wigmore@sky.com www.a2tri.com

Brighton Phoenix Tri

Malcom Hughes 01273 779 761 brightonphoenixtri@yahoo.com www.brightonphoenix.org.uk

Chich’r Westgate Triathlon Club Adrian Campbell 07900 512 699 maryaidy@ukonline.co.uk or info@cwtc.org.uk www.cwtc.org.uk

Crawley Tri Club

Paul Holmes 01444 882 036 paul@circuit-alert.co.uk www.crawleytriclub.co.uk

East Grinstead Tri Club Clare Collett, Club secretary club@egtri.com www.egtri.com

Esporta Brighton

Tony Wright 07767 827 446 www.esportabrighton.co.uk

Mid-Sussex Triathlon Club

Tamsin Douglas-Smith 01273 835 680 info@midsussextriclub.com www.midsussextriclub.com

Steyning Athletic Club Joan Lennon 01903 812 569 joan.lennon@gmail.com www.steyningac.co.uk

M. H. Hughes 02086 683 314

Liz Squires 01273 505 979 Liz.Squires@LTA.org.uk

D. Edwards 01293 521 643

TRAMPOLINING

clive.harvey@tuff-fitty.co.uk www.tuff-fitty.co.uk

01424 845 054 ianmcmullen@hotmail.co.uk

Adur (Southwick)

Foresters Horsham

R. Scott 07815 778 342

Hastings League teams

Bexhillians

Secretary : Roger Gillett 01424 216 977.

Civil Service (Hastings)

Secretary: Paul Barry 01424 431 658.

Filsham Valley (Junior) Mrs T. Bennett, 01323 484 113

Hollington

Neil Stapley 01424 422 892

80 | issue 08

Bexhill Bouncers

Dragon Flyers T.C. Bognor Regis 01243 825 015 lindatramp@yahoo.co.uk

FliteCrew Trampoline Club 01403 257 038 flitecrewlaurel@aol.com

Tuff Fitty Triathlon Club

VOLLEYBALL

Tom Holt 07760 287 790 thomasholt28@hotmail.com www.adurvolleyball.co.uk

Dolphins (Burgess Hill) Tom Hay 01273 546 014 tom_hays@yahoo.co.uk www.dolphinvc.co.uk

Kingfishers (Forest Row) Simon Lewis 07917 328 871 simonklewis@aol.com

SussexSport Want to play? Your guide to the sports, clubs and leagues in Sussex

Storrington

Martin Fisher 07786 6426 541 martin.fisher16@btinternet.com

Worthing

Nigel Goldsmith 01903 263 034 nigeliangoldsmith@yahoo.com www.worthingvolleyball.co.uk

Sussex Volleyball Association

Richard Jennings (secretary) 01903 746 117 richard@ashdown.co.uk www.volleyballsussex.co.uk/index.htm

WATER POLO

Brighton Swimming Club David Charbit 07968 986 648 david_charbit@yahoo.co.uk www.brightonsc.co.uk

Crawley Swimming Club Barry Hurst 07595 756 166 barryhurst59@aol.com www.crawleysc.ik.com

Hailsham Swimming Club

Jeanette Simpson 01323 440 140 Enquiries@hailshamswimmingclub.org www.hailshamswimmingclub.org/

Mid-Sussex Marlins Swimming Club Pat Bates 01444 245 920 waterpolo@olymposmarlins.org www.olymposmarlins.org/

Worthing Swimming Club Peter McCallum 01903 267 019 peterjmccallum@hotmail.com www.worthingswimmingclub.org

WATERSPORTS

Chichester Watersports Centre 01243 776 439 chichesterwatersports@btconnect.com www.chichesterwatersports.co.uk

Hove Lagoon Watersports 01273 424 842 info@lagoonwatersports.co.uk www.lagoon.co.uk

WEIGHTLIFTING

Worthing Weightlifting Club John Walton 07815 938 919 johnboy.walton@hotmail.co.uk

ZORBING

Brighton (Devils Dyke) 08456 434 360 enquiries@orb360.co.uk www.orb360.co.uk

Forest Row

SphereMania 08448 003 045 enquiries@spheremania.com www.spheremania.com

issue 08 |

81

Sussex Sport Sussex S Sussex S Sussex S Sussex Sport Sussex Sport Coming in the next www.sussexsport.co.uk issue of SussexSport...

Sally Gunnell - Second part of her exclusive SussexSport column

www.sussexsport.co.uk

Sophia Warner (Pictured) - On her Paralympic medal dream Jade Nicholls (Pictured) - Champion discus thrower in a field of her own

Brighton Marathon build up - Our man Michael on the slog to fitness

www.sussexsport.co.uk

Albion in the Community - What the Seagulls are doing for you

New Sussex Sport website! www.sussexsport.co.uk Enter competitions, read the latest

news, tell us your views, get involved in SussexSport... www.sussexsport.co.uk

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