UK Sport Newsletter - Sport Has The Power To Change Lives Says Holmes

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UK Sport Newsletter 27 September 2007 LATEST NEWS SPORT HAS THE POWER TO CHANGE LIVES Dame Kelly Holmes says that the Next Step Conference saw many of those involved in international development projects, gather to consider how best to use sport as a means to deliver real and lasting change to some of the world's poorest communities. TESTING CHANGES SEE UK REVERT TO ONE LABORATORY The continued shift towards a 'more sensible and sophisticated' approach to the planning and allocation of drug tests means that the UK will now revert to operating with one laboratory accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). FALLON CONFIRMS CLASS Great Britain's Craig Fallon claimed judo gold in front of a rapturous home crowd in Birmingham at the weekend, at the UK Sport supported Fighting Films 2007 Great Britain World Cup - an Olympic qualification event for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. WORLD BRONZE FOR WALSH Britain won two Bronze medals and qualified three boats for the Beijing Olympics, at the World Canoe Slalom Championships in Foz do Iguassu, Brazil, at the weekend. the women's K1 team also grabbed third spot to make the podium. BRITAIN'S WOMEN GAIN PROMOTION Britain's women have gained promotion to the European Championship Basketball A Division, after a second leg 60-58 victory over the Netherlands in Almere yesterday. Mark Clark's squad emulated their male counterparts with the achievement in the process. TEAM GBR ON A WAVE OF SUCCESS Team GBR delivered at the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta at the weekend, winning medals in eight of the twelve classes at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy. The event was one of twenty major international sporting events to be supported by UK Sports World Class Events Programme in 2007. FIGHTING FOR A PLACE IN BEIJING Britain's qualification hopes rest on the shoulders of four talented athletes at the 2007 World Taekwondo Qualification Event for the Beijing Olympic Games, which starts at Manchester's MEN arena tomorrow. Sarah Stevenson, Louise Mair, Tony Grisman and 16-year-old Aaron Cooke make up the quartet. IN BRIEF ARCHERY… Archers from 36 countries will be taking part in this year's IPC World Championships in South Korea. The 17-strong British squad heads off this weekend and includes John Stubbs and Mel Clarke, who will both be looking to defend their titles in the men's and women's compound W2 respectively. "We have a very strong squad and I am extremely confident we will be bringing back medals," said Coach Tim Hazell. More at The Grand National Archery Society ATHLETICS… The international season came to a close for Britain's athletes at the weekend, at the World Athletics Final in Stuttgart, Germany. Marilyn Okoro ended hers in style with a personal best of 1 min 58.76 seconds to finish third in the 800m, whilst Mo Farah also took third spot in the men's 3,000m. Christine Ohuruogu was another who crossed the line in third in the women's 400m, while in the men's high jump, Germaine Mason jumped a season's best of 2.27m to come fourth. Elsewhere, Jo Pavey has been forced to pull out of this weekend's Great North Run with a groin injury, a race which marks the competitive return of Paula Radcliffe. More@ UK Athletics  CYCLING… The World Road Race Championships are underway in Stuttgart as well this week, with Britain's Emma Pooley – who is making her World Championships debut – finishing eighth in the women's time trial. Team-mate Wendy Houvenaghel was 25th in the race, which was won by Hanka Kupfernagel of the host nation. Mark Cavendish, David Millar and Bradley Wiggins are amongst those who will hope to medal before the Championships conclude on Sunday. More@ British Cycling FENCING… The World Championships commence tomorrow in St Petersburg, Russia, and run through to 7 October. The British squad includes six debutants at World Championship level and is very well prepared says Performance Director Graham Watts: "Thanks to UK Sport Performance Pathway funding, the team has undertaken a rigorous seven-week training regime both here in the UK and at carefully selected training camps across Europe," he said. "This season has been one of our most successful for many years and has shown that we are already progressing well towards the ultimate goal of a medal in 2012." More@ British Fencing  FOOTBALL… England's women lost 3-0 to the USA in their quarter-final clash at the World Cup in China. Hope Powell's side went in at half-time locked at 0-0, but goals from Abby Wambach, Shannon Boxx and Kristine Lilly ended their semi-final dream. "We have to respect that America were very clinical in front of goal but we certainly matched them and we played some attractive football. However, in the end we didn't show enough composure when it mattered," said Powell. More@ The FA GOLF… The English Golf Union (EGU) has launched a new World Class Coach Education initiative with the aim to further develop and educate coaches on a regional and national level. The programme has been introduced with the support of the PGA and will provide coaches with the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge which will better equip them to meet the needs of today's world class players. "The role of the coach is, and will be, crucial in trying to develop world class players," said EGU Director of Coaching, Peter Mattsson. "If we want world class players we also need world class coaches, with an understanding that goes way outside the technical aspects of the golf swing. I am positive that this education programme will further the coaches' skills and enhance their motivation to become better." More@ The English Golf Union HOCKEY… Britain this week named the men's squad that will travel to Chile in March for an Olympic qualifier. Ben Hawes, Richard Alexander and Simon and Richard Mantell are amongst those named to take part in a six team tournament in Santiago. In order to secure a place at next year's Beijing Games, Britain must win the event which also features Austria, Bangladesh, Egypt, India and the host nation. More@ Great Britain Hockey NETBALL… England beat Jamaica 49-45 in the third test in Kingston, to record a 3-0 series whitewash. England coach Marg Caldow started with a revised line up from the previous two matches and they again proved too strong for their hosts. However, captain Amanda Newton was quick to warn of complacency: "We came out expecting 3-0 and so we're happy with what we have done," she said. "However we know that we're still not where we should be at for the World Championships and there is still plenty of work to do." More@ England Netball ROWING… Britain claimed one bronze and two top-five places at the European Championships in Poznan, Poland. The Championships were reinstated this season for the first time since 1973 and although many British rowers did not travel, there was still a strong representation at the event. The women's eight were the crew to reach the podium, finishing third behind Romania and Germany, whilst the lightweight women's double scull came fourth and the men's eight finished fifth. More@ GB Rowing SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS… The 2007 ceremony will take place at Lord's cricket ground on Tuesday 20 November, it was announced this week. Now in their 20th year, the awards recognise leading sportswomen and unsung heroes alike, with categories including Team of the Year, The Champions Award and the PE Teacher of the Year. The Sunday Times and UK Sport are amongst those who support the awards and over the next five weeks there is the opportunity to nominate a friend, colleague or professional who you think deserves special recognition. All readers who nominate will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win a pair of tickets to the main event. More@ Sportswoman of the Year Awards 2007 WATER SKIING… British trio Jason Seels, Tom Asher and Damien Sharman secured an unprecedented clean sweep in the men's jump at the 2007 European Championships in Recetto, Italy. The trio were last onto the water with Sharman going first and securing a podium place with a jump of 65.2m. Asher followed and needed a last jump effort of 67.3 to ensure he medalled. This left Seels, who took gold with his first jump by reaching a distance of 67.5m and ensuring Britain became the first nation ever to take all three medals in the jump event. Seels and Asher also claimed silver and bronze in the Overall competition (combined results from the jump and slalom trick) behind Italy's Marco Riva. There was also a sixth medal for Britain as new World Champion, Nicole Arthur, won bronze in the women's slalom. More@ British Water Ski WOMEN IN SPORT CONFERENCE… The Women's Sport Foundation and the Sport Business Group are holding a conference in November, sponsored by Scottish Widows, entitled "Raising the Game – the Future of Women's Sport", which will bring together the commercial and administrative side of women's sport. Amongst those addressing the event on areas such as participation, branding and media, will be senior politicians, commercial operators, policy makers and athletes. More@ Women In Sport Conference 2007 WHEELCHAIR TENNIS… Britain's Peter Norfolk was runner-up in the Quad singles at the US Open Championships – the final event of the 2007 tour to have Super Series status. The World number two lost 6-7 5-7 to the host nation's David Wagner, thus ending his bid for a fifth US Open title in seven years and suffering his first ever defeat in a Super Series final. More@ The British Tennis Foundation JOBS IN SPORT Visit the UK Sport Jobs Page for full details of vacancies being advertised in British sport, including: British Olympic Association - Rehabilitation Physiotherapist (Olympic Medical Institute) England Netball - Talent ID & Development Manager Loughborough University - Sports PR Officer UK Sport - Coaching Consultant To unsubscribe from this email, please click here Please email all news and press releases concerning elite sport in the UK to news@uksport.gov.uk To advertise jobs on the website and in the newsletter please email the details to jobs@uksport.gov.uk For all further enquiries, please email newsletter@uksport.gov.uk / tel 020 7211 5100. UK Sport: 40 Bernard St, London, WC1N 1ST - www.uksport.gov.uk

 

UK Sport Newsletter - Next Step Conference Underway In Namibia

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UK Sport Newsletter 20 September 2007 LATEST NEWS NEXT STEP CONFERENCE UNDERWAY IN NAMIBIA The 'Next Step' Conference, hosted by UK Sport and the Namibian Government, got underway this week. It will mark "a major step forward for raising international awareness for the case for sport in young people's lives," said Sue Campbell, Chair of UK Sport. BEIJING NOMINATIONS CONFIRMED BEFORE MAJOR REGATTA The Royal Yachting Association announced the first phase of Skandia Team GBR sailors which it has nominated for Beijing, ahead of the Sail for Gold Regatta, which is supported via UK Sport's World Class Events Programme. GB DELIVER BASKETBALL GOAL Great Britain's men's Basketball team took a crucial step towards securing a place in the London Olympics in 2012 on Saturday as victory in their promotion play-off encounter with Switzerland saw them clinch a place in EuroBasket Division A. WORLD MEDALS FOR BRITISH JUDO The World Judo Championships concluded in Brazil at the weekend, with Britain claiming two podium places and three Beijing quota places. Peter Cousins and Euan Burton were the medal winners, with silver and bronze respectively. SEVENTH SUCCESSIVE TEAM GOLD FOR BRITAIN Great Britain secured their seventh team event title in a row at the European Eventing Championships in Pratoni, Italy, over the weekend. Mary King also claimed an individual medal, finishing second overall, although Zara Phillips was unable to defend the title. IN BRIEF BOXING… England this week announced the squad for the forthcoming World Championships in Chicago. Darren Langley, Khalid Yafai and Stephen Smith are amongst those heading for the USA and aiming for Olympic Qualification. "I am delighted with the selection of these 10 boxers," said Head Coach Terry Edwards. "The Championships look set to be the biggest tournament in the history of amateur boxing and the added spice of Olympic qualification will ensure the highest of standards.  The team selected is one of the most experienced and best prepared I have worked with. I am confident that, with a reasonable draw, all of the boxers have a realistic chance of qualifying," he added. More@ The Amateur Boxing Association of England BADMINTON… Anthony Clark and Donna Kellogg fell at the quarter-final stage of the Japan Open in Tokyo, after defeat to Zheng Bo and Gao Ling of China. The national Champions lost 21-12 21-17 to the duo who also beat them at the All England Championships earlier in the year. More@ Badminton England CANOEING… The World Slalom Championships take place in Foz do Iguassu, Brazil this week. Campbell Walsh races in the K1 along with Richard Hounslow and Huw Swetnam, whilst Fiona Pennie, Laura Blakeman and Lizzie Neave represent Britain in the women's equivalent. David Florence, Stuart McIntosh and Colin Radmore race in the C1, with Etienne Stott and Tim Baillie, Dan Goddard and Nick Smith, and brothers Adam and Andrew Marshall, the pairs racing in the C2. The Championships is also an opportunity for each class to qualify one boat for the Beijing Olympics. "Our Team is full of confidence after a good training period here on the World Championship Course, and all the athletes are 100% ready to perform at these Championships," said Performance Director John Anderson. More@ GB Canoeing CYCLING… Britain's Nicole Cooke missed out on a third World Cup after finishing 34th in the final sprint in Germany, with main rival Marianne Vos coming home first to claim the double points that were on offer and take the title. Cooke was struggling with a knee injury and will now miss the Road Cycling World Championships later this moth following an operation. Elsewhere, Mark Cavendish won the sprints competition and Green Jersey in the Tour of Britain, whilst Ben Swift won the king of the mountains prize. Romain Feillu of France secured overall victory. More@ British Cycling DISABILITY SPORT… Britain claimed several podium places at the IWAS World Games in Chinese Taipei. In athletics, John McFall won double gold in the T42 100m and 200m, whilst Danny Greaves (F46 discus), Sophie Hancock (F40 discus) and Kim Minett (F40 shot) also claimed their respective titles, and in powerlifting, Natalie Blake won gold in the women's 40-55.7kg category. More@ The British Paralympic Association        FOOTBALL… England face the USA in the quarter-finals of the women's World Cup in China on Saturday. A 0-0 draw with group winners Germany preceded a 6-1 thrashing of Argentina which saw England finish second in the pool and set up the last eight clash. More@ The Football Association HANG GLIDING… At the FAI World Championships in Texas, USA, the UK team of Richard Lovelace, Bruce Kavanagh, Robin Hamilton, Carl Wallbank, Dave Matthews and Gary Wirdnam led from the start to take the title – an achievement that comes in the same year that Bruce Goldsmith became World Champion in paragliding. More@ The British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association HOCKEY… Scotland's men won bronze at the European Nations Trophy in Lisbon, but it was not enough to secure promotion. A golden goal by Olympian Niall Stott gave Scotland a 4-3 victory over Switzerland but there was still an air of disappointment within the squad. "We played five and won four, and along with Poland we were the most successful team in the tournament. However we came third and lost out on promotion, so it's not good enough," said manager Eugene Connolly. More@ Scottish Hockey MODERN PENTATHLON… Britain's Mhairi Spence finished sixth at the Modern Pentathlon World Cup Final in Beijing at the weekend, with fellow Brits Katy Livingston and Georgina Harland coming 12th and 13th respectively. Spence finished with 5472 points, Livingston with 5400 and Harland 5388. With only the winner of this Olympic test event achieving qualification, it means Katy Livingston and Heather Fell remain the only British athletes to have achieved that standard so far, but Performance Director Jan Bartu is confident that the end of season break can help others striving to reach Beijing. "It's the end of the season now so the athletes can go away and have a break, then come back for the winter preparation period with renewed optimism and motivation," he said. More@ The Modern Pentathlon Association of Great Britain NETBALL… England beat Jamaica for the second time in a week to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three test series in Kingston. Following a comfortable 52-32 victory in the first game, the hosts came back strongly at England in last night's game. The lead changed hands constantly before the visitors hung on to win 46-45. The final match takes place this evening and England will be looking for a series whitewash in the last competitive meeting between the two teams ahead of November's World Netball Championships. More@ England Netball SAILING… Britain's Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson added European bronze to their World bronze at the 2007 Star European Championships last week. The duo went into Friday's final race with a slender two point lead, but were unable to fend off their main rivals and finished fifth in the final race to clinch third place overall. Flavio Marazzi and Enrico de Maria of Switzerland won gold, with Sweden's Frederik Loof and Anders Ekstrom finishing second. Elsewhere, John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Stephen Thomas finished sixth overall in the Sonar class at the IFDS World Disabled Sailing Championships in the USA, whilst Megan Pascoe came sixth in the 2.4 mR and Helena Lucas ninth. In the new two-person SKUD-18 class, Allan Smith and Jackie Gay finished eighth overall. More@ Skandia Team GBR SQUASH… The 2007 Dunlop British Open qualifying rounds got underway in Manchester on Tuesday. England's Nick Matthew will be hoping to defend the crown he won 12 months ago but will face stiff competition from World Number One Amr Shabana at the event which is supported via UK Sport's World Class Events Programme. Meanwhile, today also saw the unveiling of the official website for the Hi-Tec World Squash Championships – Manchester 2008, an event also supported via the Programme. More @ World Squash Championships 2008   TABLE TENNIS… British players won several medals at the German Open Championships, which took place in Wuppertal, Germany. Will Bayley won individual gold in the class six singles, as well as silver in the doubles along with David Wetherill, whilst there were bronze medals for Neil Robinson and Cathy Mitton in the class three and class two categories respectively, and for James Rawson and Arnie Chan in the class three team event. Meanwhile, England have moved to their highest ever position in the World Junior Team rankings. Paul Drinkhall, Darius Knight and Daniel Reed currently occupy fourth position in the latest ITTF listings. More@ The British Paralympic Association & English Table Tennis TRIATHLON… Britain's Tim Don has broken an elbow after a crash at the Beijing BG Triathlon World Cup last Sunday. Having exited the swim in close contention, Don came off his bike after Syrian athlete Omar Tayara crashed in front of him. Compatriot Will Clarke was Britain's highest finisher at the Olympic test event, coming home in seventh.  More@ British Triathlon VOLLEYBALL… The Great Britain's men's squad, who will play the season in the Dutch Pro A league, was announced this week. The squad, which features several British players who have played professionally across Europe, fly out next week to join Club Martinus for the 2007-08 season. "We are looking forward to the challenges ahead of us in Holland," said Head Coach Harry Brokking. "It will provide the ideal opportunity to further develop the squad over the coming season". Meanwhile, British Beach players Denise Johns and Lucy Boulton will fly out to Brazil next week to compete in the Fortaleza Open on the SWATCH FIVB World Tour, and elsewhere British Volleyball also announced the appointment of two assistant coaches. Joel Banks will be Assistant Coach and Trainer for the Men's Volleyball squad in Holland and Audrey Cooper will be Assistant Coach and Athlete Services Manager for the Women's squad. More@ Volleyball England WHEELCHAIR TENNIS… Britain's Peter Norfolk and Lucy Shuker both produced winning performances in their respective Quad Main Draw Singles and Women's Singles matches yesterday at the US Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships in San Diego, the fourth and final event of the 2007 NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour to have Super Series status, the equivalent of a Grand Slam. Norfolk beat fellow Briton Jamie Burdekin 6-4 6-2 and will now meet Nick Taylor of the host nation in the semi-finals, whilst Shuker faces Maaike Smit of the Netherlands in the last 16 following a 6-3 7-5 win over Karin Korb, also of the USA. Meanwhile, Norfolk and Burdekin teamed up to beat the Dutch pair of Bas Van Erp and Monique de Beer 6-4, 6-1 in the Quad Main Draw Doubles. More@ The British Tennis Foundation JOBS IN SPORT Visit the UK Sport Jobs Page for full details of vacancies being advertised in British sport, including: British Olympic Association - Accounts Assistant Sport Northern Ireland - Chair & Vice-chair UK Athletics - Anti Doping Policy & Support Team Appointment UK Sport - Coaching Consultant Welsh Gymnastics - Chief Executive Officer To unsubscribe from this email, please click here Please email all news and press releases concerning elite sport in the UK to news@uksport.gov.uk To advertise jobs on the website and in the newsletter please email the details to jobs@uksport.gov.uk For all further enquiries, please email newsletter@uksport.gov.uk / tel 020 7211 5100. UK Sport: 40 Bernard St, London, WC1N 1ST - www.uksport.gov.uk