THE ROCKET MAN

T H E O F F I C I A L M A G A Z I N E O F L O U G H B O R O U G H A T H L E T I C U N I O N

ISSUE NO.49 / OCT12

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WELCOMEFirstly I would like to congratulate all of the new

students on gaining a place at the best sporting

University in the country and for becoming part

of Loughborough Sport. Loughborough truly is

‘Where History Begins’ and I wish you all the

best on your sporting success. I would also

like to welcome back all the returning students

and I look forward to working with you in

what promises to be another fantastic year for

Loughborough Students Sport.

The Athletic Union has a diverse variety of

clubs available and there really is something for

everyone to get involved with. Regardless of

what level you have played at before, whether

it is recreational or elite level, the AU can cater

for you! We are extremely proud of our sporting

success and reputation as the best, highlighted

by Loughborough winning the BUCS (British

Universities and Colleges Sport) Championship

for a record 32nd consecutive year.

Alongside this, we have numerous world class

athletes and countless famous sporting alumni,

including names such as Lord Sebastian Coe,

The Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and Ben

Kay MBE. After the fantastic London 2012

Olympic and Paralympic Games, Loughborough’s

prominence was clear to see with over 90

athletes with Loughborough relations at both

games. Check out how all our athletes got on

PAGE 3 ‘Loughborough at London 2012’.

As Athletic Union President I am here to help

you achieve your sporting aims and make sure

you get involved with as much as Loughborough

Sport has to offer! For further information and

updates please check out the website www.

loughboroughsport.com/athletic-union or if you

require more information please email au@

lufbra.net. Alternatively you can visit the AU

Office which is upstairs and to the left in the

Students Union Building.

I look forward to meeting you!

Yours in sport,

MEET THE TEAMAU EXEC 12/13

www.lufbra.net/WOW2

LEWIS TIMMSAU PRESIDENT

Secretary

EMILY MORGAN E.Morgan-10@student.lboro.ac.uk

Ann Wilson Sports Administrator annwilson@lufbra.net 01509 635053

Rebecca James, Assistant Sports Administrator rebeccajames@lufbra.net 01509 635054;

Claire Spencer Financial Administrator clairespencer@lufbra.net 01509 635055

David Crawford Maternity Cover for Rebecca James

davidcrawford@lufbra.net 01509 635055

WOW is the independent publication of Loughborough Students athletic

Union. The opinions of wow are those of the individual contributors, not

loughborough Students Athletic Union or an office of the union, unless

otherwise stated.

Contributors: Olivia Dean (Editor), Lewis Timms (AU President)Photography: Still Sport, Nigel Farrow, Ady Kerry, Rugby Advertiser Design: 5or6 Design & Marketing +44(0)1509 768087 www.5or6.co.uk

Healthy Living & Recreation Officer

TOTO ODULAJA O.Odulaja-11@student.lboro.ac.uk

Web, Media & Communications Officer

HANNAH CHRISP hjchrisp@googlemail.com

IMS Officer

JENNIE COOPER J.Cooper-10@student.lboro.ac.uk

WOW Content Editor

OLIVIA DEAN O.Dean-10@student.lboro.ac.uk

Event Organiser

SARAH CUMMINGS S.E.Cummings-10@student.lboro.ac.uk

Event Organiser

LUKE THOMSON L.Thomson-11@student.lboro.ac.uk

Event Organiser

LAURA HILLYARD L.E.Hillyard-10@student.lboro.ac.uk

Sponsorship & Merchandising Officer

BRYONY CLEALL B.Cleall-11@student.lboro.ac.uk

CONTENTS

3. LOUGHBOROUGH AT LDN 2012

6. SAM RUDDOCK TALKS TO US ABOUT HIS SUMMER

8. NEW KIT DEAL AND MEET THE DRAGONS

9. MANCHESTER UTD ARE IN TOWN FOR THE BIG MATCH.

11. MASTERMIND

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WOW is the independent publication of Loughborough Students athletic

Union. The opinions of wow are those of the individual contributors, not

loughborough Students Athletic Union or an office of the union, unless

otherwise stated.

www.lufbra.net/WOW 3

LOUGHBOROUGH

at london 20 12

Purple and pink became red, white and blue as Loughborough’s elite took

to the global stage for London 2012. Loughborough’s sporting prowess was

demonstrated across both the Olympics and Paralympic Games, with an

unprecedented 91 athletes competing in 78 events.

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Following a stunning opening ceremony,

the world was thrown in at the deep end

as the swimming commenced. Sports and

Exercise Science student Roberto Pavoni was

accompanied by aquatic legend Michael Phelps

in his 200m butterfly heat. A gripping race

gave Pavoni a 7th place finish which wasn’t

enough to take him to the semis. The 400m

Medley saw Pavoni finish 4th in his heat, again

proving not fast enough to qualify for the

semi-finals. Pavoni expressed how ‘I wasn’t too

disappointed with the times, they weren’t far

off my bests, but I needed to be right there –

maybe doing my personal bests – if I wanted a

chance of coming back and performing in the

evenings.’

Adorning a different kit, Chemistry

undergraduate Laurent Carnol took to the pool

for Luxembourg. Winning his 100m breaststroke

heat was a powerful start to his Olympic

journey; however, other heats proved quicker

and Carnol was denied a place in the semis.

Undeterred, Carnol pushed on and secured a

place in the semis for the 200m breaststroke.

British Swimming brought another 12

Loughborough-based athletes to the games

including Fran Halsall who reached three finals

and a semi, Lizzie Simmond’s who narrowly

missed out on bronze in the 200m backstroke

final and graduate Amy Smith who reached

two semis and one final. Much anticipation

was held for ex-Loughborough College student

Liam Tancock who took finished 5th the 100m

backstroke final in 53.35. Tancock repeatedly

thanked the crowd at

the games, instilling

that he thrived off

the support the

enthusiastic supporters

consistently delivered

in the aquatic centre.

Current student Richard

Smith joined alumni

Nicholas Catlin, Glenn

Kirkham, Iain Lewers,

Iain Mackay, Barry

Middleton and Alistair

Wilson for the men’s

hockey campaign.

Two victories and three

draws proved enough to

secure Team GB a semi-

final against the Netherlands.

Despite a 9-2 loss, the team showed

solidarity and left the Riverbank Arena proud.

Graduate Hannah MacLeod joined current

students Nicola White and Laura Unsworth as

part of GB’s women’s hockey force. Stunning

victories over Japan and South Korea in the

group stages took the girls to an exciting semi-

final display against the Netherlands, where a

2-1 loss denied them a place in the final.

Four Loughborough triathletes took to the

stage as week one ended. Vicky Holland and

Lucy Hall powered through to 26th and 33rd

places respectively. Graduate Jessica Harrison

competed for France, finishing in a staggering

9th place and alumni Stuart Hayes finished the

gruelling event in 37th place.

Moving into week two, the sun and the

spotlight rose on the Olympic Stadium itself.

Loughborough boasted ‘home’ to 22 track

and field athletes, following the legacy of

athletics success beaconed by the likes of

Lord Coe and Paula Radcliffe. Sports and

Exercise student Emily Diamond stunned the

crowds with her contribution to the 5th place

finish in the 4x400m women’s relay. Having

never competed competitively over 400m

until this Olympic year, Diamond has had an

earth-shattering season, joining graduates Lee

McConnell and Nicola Sanders in the squad.

Graduate Rhys Williams joined Dai Greene

in the 400m hurdles event. Williams looked

strong as the competition progressed to the

semi-finals. A powerful performance placed

him in fourth, excluding him from the final.

Former Loughborough College students Sophie

Bradley, Karen Carney, Steph Houghton, Jill

Scott, Casey Stoney and Ellen White, plus

graduate Claire Kafferty comprised a large

portion of Team GB’s Women’s Football

squad. The girls had a powerful start in the

tournament, finishing top of their group with

a clean sheet. Although confident, Canada

proved too strong in the quarters, beating

Team GB 2-0 in a strong display.

Greater success was to be found in canoeing.

Graduate Angela Hannah finished 5th in the k4

www.lufbra.net/WOW4

LOUGHBOROUGH BOASTED ‘HOME’ TO 22 TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES

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500m canoe-sprint. Accompanying her on the water was fellow graduate

Lizzie Neave, whose strong performance gave her a 12th place finish in

the semi-final of the K1 Kayak Single. The formidable ex-Loughborough

duo Liam Heath and Jon Schofield steamed through the K2 200m

canoe-sprint to take home bronze. Describing the final as ‘a long race’

that they were ‘really worried’ going into, the kept a strong form that

secured them a medal.

The ten day interim following the Olympic Closing Ceremony saw a

steady build in anticipation for the Paralympic Games, and the athletes

did not disappoint. Undergraduate Emma Hollis frequented four events in

the aquatic centre but struggled to get further than the heats despite an

array of sterling performances. Current students Laurie Williams, Natasha

Davies and Judith Hamer joined alumni Claire Strange to take on the

world’s elite in the Women’s Wheelchair Basketball. Although the group

stages were shaky with only one victory over Brazil, the girls qualified

for the quarter finals where they suffered a gracious defeat, 55-44, to

Germany, the eventual gold medallists.

Crystal Lane became a familiar face in the cycling as she competed

alongside teammate Sarah Storey. Finishing 9th in the C5 Individual, Lane

pushed even further and achieved a stunning 6th place finish in the C4/5

Individual Pursuit. Currently studying for a Masters in Sports Nutrition,

Lane ‘felt that coming to Loughborough would be more likely to give

me the most opportunities in order to make a career in sport. This is an

amazing place, both from a future career point of view and as an athlete.’

Medals were abundant for Loughborough athletes throughout the

Paralympics. Table tennis star Aaron McKibbin fought his way through the

preliminaries to dominate the bronze play-off; beating Germany 3-0 to

take the medal. ‘Success emulating success’ was exemplified by many

Loughborough Paralmypians. Former Loughborough College student Libby

Clegg ran a stunning T12 100m to win silver. Graduate Dan Greaves also

claimed silver in the F44 discus while Claire Williams took home bronze

with a throw of 39.63m. Multi-talented Stefanie Reid competed in the

T44 100m and T44 200m, finishing 8th and 4th in the respective finals.

However, she excelled in the F44 long jump with 5.28m winning her

the silver medal. Gold eluded many Loughborough athletes, but Richard

Whitehead refused to be deterred by his disappointing 7th place finish

in the T42 100m final. A powerful performance in the T42 200m final

secured him the gold he has worked so hard to achieve.

As I write this, the Paralympic Closing Ceremony is getting underway.

For many athletes, spectators, games makers and everyone who has

absorbed London 2012 this summer, a ‘closing’ ceremony will seem an

inaccurate title. The passions, heartaches and glories, the dedication,

intensity and commitment that has been brought to the ultimate global

stage will reverberate in people’s hearts and memories, and hopefully

‘inspire a generation’ and many more to come. Summer may be over, but

for many the season, and the legacy, is just beginning.

MEDALS WERE ABUNDANT FOR LOUGHBOROUGH

ATHLETES THROUGHOUT THE PARALYMPICS

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PHOTOGRAPHERS

Aaron McKibbin - Gael Marzlou (Top Left Page) Fran Halsall - Sum_of_Marc (Top Right Page) Richard Whitehead - Mark Roche (Bottom Right Page) Women’s Hockey - Adrian Maidment (Middle RIght Page)Richard Smith - Ady Kerry (Middle Left Page)

WOWISSUE1.indd 5 10/3/2012 2:41:01 PM

Refusing to let his cerebral palsy stop him competing at the highest level, Sam competed in the T35 100m and T35 200m in the Paralympics and is still revelling in the experience. Running 13.92 in his heat for the T35 100m, he didn’t manage to make the final but a massive PB of 28.75 in his T35 200m heat put a massive smile on his face, despite not progressing further.

WoW managed to grab a few minutes with Sam and here’s what he had to say, speaking exclusively after the Heroes Parade.

After two great performances at London 2012, how do you feel?

At the moment, tired. Other than that I’ve not really had time to

reflect. It’s very overwhelming to think about the amount of people

that came to Heroes Parade. I’ve never seen so many happy people.

Half of it was pride, the other half was because we’d made them

happy. We’d given them an excuse to smile about something.I had

the race of my life in the 200m. It absolutely killed me but as soon

as I saw my time there was an instant change of emotion from sheer

pain to sheer joy. It didn’t matter if I didn’t make the final because I

couldn’t run any faster. When I went a little bit mad, the crowd joined

in too and that was incredible.

For me, the 100m involved getting over the shock of the 80,000

people. I was the only person wearing Team GB in the line-up and the

whole crowd went mental. It wasn’t fear, just shock. I was privileged

and humbled by everyone’s response.

The Paralympics are often in the shadow of the Olympics but this year

the response has been absolutely amazing and it’s a testament to

how much the British public love athletics. The public seemed to focus

on people’s ability rather than disability. They admired the talent,

determination and people on the track doing what they wanted to do

and to be a part of something like that is absolutely incredible.

What has been your highlight this summer?

I really can’t pick just one. It would be between the 100m heat where

my team mate Jordan qualified for the final as fastest loser. I’ve never

felt so happy for anyone in my life at that point. We hugged it out and

that was such a happy moment for him I was over the moon for him.

We’re going to do massive things in Rio.Also, my PB in the 200m.

When you surpass your PB and you know you’ve never run faster in

your life, that’s just awesome and to do it there on that stage, I don’t

think I’ll ever top that.

Finally the 6th Sept, Thriller Thursday, where it felt like everyone in

Team GB won a medal, Jonnie Peacock, Hannah Cockroft and David

Weir all winning medals that evening was incredible. It was the best

night of Paralympic athletics you will ever see, particularly for Great

Britain and I was there.

What has been the hardest thing about competing? Any low points?

The first few hours after the 100m were particularly difficult because

although I was over the moon for Jordan, and I kept forgetting how

short my journey has been to get to London, I was still beating myself

up because I didn’t run the race I should have done. People were

saying to me ‘you’ve been doing this for 6 months you’re a raw talent

and you’ve done incredibly well. The guy who won silver in Beijing

was behind you for the first 40m’ but I knew the last 20m were a

bit of a struggle for me. To be beaten by 6 hundredths of a second

because the Russian next to me dipped at the line, I know that if I

had dipped at the line I probably would have beaten him and got the

fastest loser spot. Getting over that 100m and learning from it and

using the failure to smoke up the fire for the 200m was so hard.

What have been the benefits for you and your training being at

Loughborough?

It’s a bit weird because my coach Joe McDonnell, he went to

Loughborough but he’s not a Loughborough coach. He scouted me

but being at Loughborough has built me into the athlete I am today.

The support level has increased so much. Powerbase as well is

amazing. Athletics Performance Manager Ian Anholm, in particular,

has tried to help me as much as possible with massage and physio

because he knew I was working towards the Games. I don’t think that

could have happened anywhere else.

What advice would you give to any other athletes with or without a

disability?

You should know what you want to do, know your goals and know

how you’re going to achieve those goals. You have to prepare yourself

to work for it; prepare to bleed for it. Having the will is good, but you

need commitment and attitude. The hard work is the fun bit and the

reward comes when that hard work pays off and when it does come,

the reward is fantastic and unlike any other.

THE ROCKET MANAmerican Footballer turned athletics hero, Loughborough’s Sam Ruddock has had a summer to remember...

www.lufbra.net/WOW6

Find out more about sam at www.samruddock.co.uk

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LOUGHBOROUGH LAND NEW KIT DEAL

As part of the new kit deal with Kukri, Loughborough AU Clubs will

be given the chance to pitch their ideas to the Dragons for a stake of

£10,000. In collaboration with Loughborough Students Media and in a

similar format to the popular BBC programme Dragon’s Den, the AU

is giving all Clubs the opportunity to request for additional funding for

developments that will have a significant impact on the Club.

Clubs will be able to pitch for monetary values ranging from £500 to

£2000 and presentations will be filmed to produce a Loughborough

Dragon’s Den featured programme. The Dragons include a representative

from Kukri, a representative from the Sports Development Centre at

the University, the Athletic Union President and a sporting Alumni of

Loughborough.

Here is how it’s going to work:

Clubs can request for a Dragon’s Den application form by emailing au@

lufbra.net.

The form will ask for details about the pitch – monetary value, what the

money will be used for and how it will benefit the Club and its members.

If the application is successful, then the Club will be asked to prepare

their pitch and invited to present to the Dragons for the programme.

It will then be down to the Dragons to decide if they wish to invest in the

proposal.

So get your thinking caps on, be creative with presentations because the

last words you don’t want to hear are….’I’M OUT!’

sport

This season all Loughborough will debut a whole new look. Teaming

up with international kit provider Kukri, every AU club and IMS team is

getting a revamp.

The pink and purple Loughborough signature will become an increased

statement as the new kit promises to create cohesion and unity across

all clubs within the AU to ensure our kit represents the dominance of

our athletic capabilities.

As trials and the start of the season approach, athletes will be informed

by their own Club Committees when kit is ready to be purchased.

takes on the dragonsLOUGHBOROUGH

www.lufbra.net/WOW8

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THEBIG MATCH

successful fixtures against Crewe and Stoke. This was built upon

last season with the unveiling of the new 3,000 capacity stadium

on Holywell Park and a debut fixture at the new venue against a

Tottenham Hotspurs Academy side in May. However, this upcoming

Manchester United match will be the biggest fixture in the club’s

history, demanding unprecedented levels of dedication and excellence

from the Loughborough boys.

The fixture will be a dual occasion as the unveiling of the Mike ‘Doc’

Holiday boardroom at Loughborough University Stadium will take place

at the event. As a long-term Head Coach of the Football program

at Loughborough, ‘The Doc’ was a coach and mentor for a huge

number of highly successful graduates, including Paul McGuinness

who will coach the Manchester United Academy side that take on the

Loughborough first XI.

Loughborough’s Head Coach McClaren confirmed how ‘As a club we

are extremely proud of the achievements of our Alumni and a large

number of them spent time under The Doc. I always stress the point

that we are in such a wonderful position with the club because of the

contribution of previous coaches and administrators, and none more

so than The Doc. We are delighted that the University has supported

us in having the Boardroom at Loughborough University Stadium

named in his honour.’

The fixture marks a real step up for Loughborough Student’s Football

Club. It truly will be Where History Begins.

Head Coach Stuart McClaren, was charged with excitement when he

announced the fixture. He underlined how ‘Part of Loughborough Sport’s

mission is to provide our students with fantastic, unique experiences

and a match against developing players from one of the world’s biggest

football clubs will certainly provide that.’George Williams has recently

been named the new Captain for the Loughborough Student’s Football

1st Team, an honour that this year comes with immediate responsibility

and an arena for the demonstration of excellence. When asked of his

feelings towards the Manchester United fixture, Williams expressed how

‘it is such a surprise but allows us the opportunity to really show off the

kind of football we play. We are all really excited to be playing some

of the best youngsters in the country, maybe even the world and we

hope that people will want to come and see some great football on the

evening.’

Although the October 10th date has been verified with an evening

kick-off agreed, ticket details including price and exact time will be

announced nearer the time. Both the immediacy and enormity of the

fixture demonstrates how Loughborough Student’s Football Club is

really accelerating from strength to strength. The 2010/11 season saw

Announced in early September, Loughborough Students Football 1st XI will take on a Manchester United Academy XI on October 10th as the first of this year’s The BIG Match series!This is an exhilarating start to the season and promises to deliver Loughborough sporting passion and intensity at its best.

WE ARE ALL REALLY EXCITED TO BE PLAYING SOME OF THE BEST YOUNGSTERS IN THE COUNTRY

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To all those freshers reading this, welcome to Loughborough and more importantly

its prestigious Inter Mural Sport (IMS) programmes. I’m Jennie Cooper, your Chair and I am here to tell you how you can get involved in both AU and Hall life. IMS is a competitive sporting program which all 16 halls participate in. You have the opportunity to compete in over 25 sports ranging from the everyday, Rugby Union and Netball, to the perhaps more obscure: Ultimate Frisbee and Rock-it-ball. With over 58 campus-wide fixtures a week, there is something for everyone. As a fantastic way to experience Loughborough’s world-class facilities, and a great way to get to know others, it is an integral part of hall life. IMS is HUGE at Loughborough, with Varsity vs Nottingham, Allstar matches (where IMS

teams play the AU Clubs) and of course the biggest event in the social calendar: IMS presentation evening. This year I will be working with Timms (AU President) to ensure the program expands even further, so watch this space for some new and upcoming IMS events that will be taking campus by storm.

For more details contact your hall Sport Secs; they will get you all involved whether it’s competing, training or spectating, ensuring that IMS contributes towards your Loughborough experience. Feel free to stop me round campus or e-mail (J.Cooper-10@student.lboro.ac.uk) me any questions that you may want answering.

Thanks,

JENNIEIMS HALL CHAIR

www.lufbra.net/WOW10

my lifestyleMyLifestyle offers a huge range of opportunities to help you get physically

active, stay healthy and play sport. Activities run every week in anything

from Cardio Tennis to Beach Volleyball, Zumba to Pilates and Badminton

to Boot Camp.

There are no membership fees, just pay and play as you go and some

activities are completely FREE.

Also available are nutrition plans, fitness workouts, and free access to

recreational parks to help you reach your fitness and health goals no

matter how big or small!

As well as boosting your social life and having a laugh you’ll be getting fit

and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, so go on, try something new and get

involved.

For more information visit the website loughboroughsport.com/my-

lifestyle or follow us on Twitter @MyLifestyleLuf

Volunteering is simple; it’s about giving your time and commitment to

a programme for free. However, to us volunteering is about being part

of something special, making a difference to Loughborough Sport and

gaining some key skills and experiences.Our aim is to create a workforce

of highly skilled volunteers to work on and run projects both within the

University as well as Nationally and Internationally.

Now we are at a point whereby volunteering has become a big part of

the Loughborough Sports strategy, creating a new era in sport activities

whereby volunteers are integral throughout all programmes, this is

WHERE HISTORY BEGINS.

volunteering

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1. 29 2. 10 Million 3. 1980 4. 8000 5. Ukraine 6. 4 7. Chris Hoy 8. 1% 9. 503 10. 600

JENNIE COOPER IMS Chair

W O W 2 0 1 2 / 2 0 1 3

MASTERMIND

Think you’re better then this? Cover the answers at the bottom and have a go for yourself to see if you can be a Loughborough Mastermind.

ANSWERS

www.lufbra.net/WOW 11

First round of the season sees Tim Jenkins, Men’s Hockey Chair take on IMS Chair Jennie Cooper. In a special Olympic themed quiz, whose London 2012 knowledge will take them to victory?

volunteering

TIM JENKINS Men’s Hockey Club Chair

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1. How many Gold medals did Team GB win at the Olympics?

2.How many millions of litres of water filled an Olympic Swimming pool?

3.What year did Lord Sebastian Coe win his first Gold Medal in the 1500m?

4.How many Olympic Torchbearers were there?

5.Who finish 4th place in the Paralympics medal table behind Great Britain?

6.How many ‘Independent Olympic Athletes’ competed in the Olympics?

7.Who has the most Olympic medals representing Great Britain?

8.What percentage of an Olympic Gold Medal is made from Gold?

9.How many medal events are in the Paralympics?

10.How many basketballs were used for both games?

2/10 3/10FINAL SCORE

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