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AVANTI LAUNCH NEW EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT PARTNERSHIP WITH AMG

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Avanti Communications (Avanti), the leading provider of satellite technology across EMEA, has signed a unique broadcasting partnership with sports platform The Athlete Media Group (AMG) to entertain their employees and families whilst they work from home during the global coronavirus lockdown.

The weekly mini-series will be hosted by Avanti’s CEO, Kyle Whitehill, over the next three months.  Each episode of ‘At Home With…’ will feature Kyle interviewing leading UK sports and entertainment stars, in addition to hosting a live Q&A with staff.  Employees from nine different countries will be dialling in to watch.

Over video conference, each week the guest star will share their own inspiring story and offer insight about how they are maintaining their sporting discipline while remaining at home.

Athletes and entertainment guests include:

  • Isaac Chamberlain – professional boxer

  • Drew Povey – leadership coach & education champion

  • Vicky Wright – Scottish curling champion and NHS nurse

  • Sally Orange – former soldier and ultra-marathon runner

Avanti to Live Broadcast ‘At Home With…’ Mini-series to Employees Working Remotely

All participants have been chosen based on their career path and the challenges they have endured and overcome to be successful. Other sports stars and entertainment industry figures are set to join the employee wellbeing initiative over the coming weeks.

“The morale and wellbeing of our employees is critical. Launching a mini-series with inspirational individuals is a unique and refreshing way to connect with each other and boost engagement, all whilst being at home” said Avanti CEO Kyle Whitehill. “Partnering with AMG to bring stories from inspirational talent is an ideal way to do this.”

Athlete Media Group CEO Mark Middlemas, “This is a bold idea to boost the morale of Avanti employees and their families working from home.  The inspirational stories of the athletes with ‘an entertainment twist’ is a great way to bring much needed cheer to the Avanti employees at this difficult time.”

This article was written in partnership with AMG content partners Castore, the premium performance sportswear brand that exists to make athletes better.  Visit www.castore.com and use discount code CASTOREAMB20-ST1C for 20% off. #betterneverstops

Castore Sportswear Agree Partnership With The Athlete Media Group

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Premium performance sportswear brand, Castore, has agreed to become the official content partner of sports start-up The Athlete Media Group (TAMG).

Castore will become the official brand partner of the regular athlete stories published on the AMG platform for the foreseeable future.  In the last 12 months TAMG has published 100+ interviews with elite athletes across many sports reaching hundreds of thousands of online readers, listeners and viewers across our website and social channels.

AMG use bold, brave ideas to create meaningful, data-driven connections between athletes, sports and brands.  Our aim is to level the playing field in UK sport by helping underdog athletes’ with their profiles, coverage and commercial opportunities.

One of the rising star athletes TAMG works with, Harry Hughes, the UK’s number 1 javelin thrower aiming for the 2020 Olympics, recently became a Castore brand ambassador.

Andy Cole, Head of Brand Ambassadors at Castore, said, “AMG’s extensive storytelling capability allows Castore to be associated with the inspirational stories of professional athletes & experts who are all striving to be better in their chosen sport.   At Castore we believe that #BetterNeverStops in sport so this partnership is a great way to support the many athletes nationwide working hard to realise their dreams.”

Mark Middlemas, CEO & Founder of AMG, “It is an honour to be working with a world leader in high performance sportswear like Castore.   The athletes we work with all strive to do better on and off the playing field and this partnership will help take their inspirational stories to new audiences.”

#sport #athlete #kayak #waterfalls #fear #nofear #freefall #purpose #passion #betterneverstops @castore_sportswear

Readers can use discount code CASTOREAMB20-ST1C for 20% off all Castore products at www.castore.com

 

For more information on this exclusive partnership please contact mark@athletemedia.co.uk or call 07952 304340.

Athletes are increasingly leaving a positive human footprint | Mark Middlemas

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Why would this benefit an athlete’s commercial/brand career?

We live in the age where purpose matters – on and off the field of play.

Standing up for a cause beyond your sport and knowing your ‘why’ is becoming increasingly important and valuable for today’s athletes.

Standing for something shows you care about society and businesses increasingly want to partner with athletes that champion a purpose and have the same or similar values to them.   Making a stand is nothing new and it is not just the super athletes who are getting in on the act as society and business shifts towards a more equal, diverse and inclusive position.

A much longer tail of athletes, teams and sports is benefitting and can benefit from the things they genuinely care about.

Man City footballer Raheem Sterling standing up to racism is hugely important and so is former England footballer-turned professional boxer challenging gender stereotypes in sport and 2016 Olympic Gold medallist, Hannah Mills MBE, championing sustainability through her global, plastic-free sport initiative Big Plastic Pledge.

Making a stand also sets up an athlete to continue their cause-related campaigning after they retire. By getting involved in a cause before they retire they can use their role model status to elevate the cause to a higher level, set a positive example and build a strong network before they take their campaigning to the next level in retirement.

Are there any cases in which they could in fact negatively affect their commercial/brand career by doing this?

There are various examples of athletes around the world making a stand where it has affected their career in a negative way – religion and human rights in particular.

A powerful example is the first woman Ballon d’Or Winner in 2019 Ada Hegeberg, who has fallen out with the Norwegian FA over her stance on equality in football in Norway. She missed the recent 2019 Women’s World Cup despite the Norwegian FA agreeing to equal pay for women representing Norway. Her comments below perfectly outline how sport and society are impacting one another and why she didn’t back down and play for Norway in the tournament.

  • “Football is my biggest passion in life and I’ve worked really hard to get here. It’s so important to me so I can’t sit and watch things not go in the right direction.”
  • “Winning all these trophies and having all this success gives you a voice. It’s not about me. It’s never been about me. It’s about getting the change for our sport. It should motivate a lot of others too. We’re all in this together.”
  • “I got a question from a journalist asking ‘do you consider yourself a footballer or someone who fights for equality?’ and I said it’s impossible to be in football and not fight for equality.”
  • “When we all stand together on this, to bring our sport in the right direction, we will be so strong.”
  • “The more people give attention to equal pay, the easier it gets. I think we should look at ourselves and what we can do to develop the sport to increase the level and obviously that’s to perform, to increase the level. That’s our biggest job.”
  • “But it’s not always about money, either. It’s about attitude and respect. We’re talking about young girls getting the same opportunity as boys – giving them the same opportunity to dream.”
  • “If you can change attitudes in the beginning, things will change.”
  • “The men in the suits can’t ignore that. They are going to understand one day. They are going to understand that this is about society and it’s about modern football.”

Why do athletes branch out beyond their sport rather than sticking with something within their specific sport?

They are role models and have a powerful platform to help deliver change and many are now using their voice to affect the many issues we face in the world. They want to leave a positive human footprint and that is fantastic to see and hear.

Athletes are increasingly making stands within their own sport to make it better in some way. It may be 2016 Olympic Gold medal swimmer, Adam Peaty, pushing for and supporting a global swimming league because he didn’t feel the global governing body was doing enough to help professional swimmers between Olympic cycles or Ronnie O’Sullivan campaigning to take snooker to better equipped venues.

There are others who want to drive change in areas of society outside of sport like sailor Hannah Mills MBE in sustainability, boxer Isaac Chamberlain with safer streets, Stacey Copeland with diversity and inclusion. These are all issues personal to the athlete that they want to do something about.

I applaud them for that as their positive influence makes the world and society a better place.

Why do you think this trend is increasing among athletes? What has changed in the global sports landscape that has facilitated this increasing trend?

Athletes are some of the most positive role models in society and living in this age of purpose they are increasingly wanting to deliver positive change through the influence they carry.

Also, brands and rights holders in sport are having to be increasingly accountable for their actions (sustainability, duty of care, mental health, diversity & inclusion, equality) and so this brings inevitable champions of purpose to the front of the debate.

Finally, in your opinion, what is the best example of an athlete using their profile and role model status to make a stand for something beyond their sport?

Raheem Sterling standing up to racism, Serena Williams empowering women & working mothers are both great examples of making a stand in the world.

However, the best example I have experienced personally is professional boxer, Stacey Copeland’s Pave The Way initiative. This athlete’s journey is beyond inspirational and the fact she is wanting to leave ‘a positive human footprint’ (her words) with her foundation that challenges gender stereotypes in sport and wider society is fantastic.

That’s the power of sport and the power of today’s athletes to leave the world in a better place than which they found it.

From Warrington to Africa in pursuit of the world’s best rapids | Bren Orton

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Tell us a little about Bren Orton – your journey hasn’t been straight forward or easy has it?!

I like to kayak off waterfalls and edit videos!  I started kayaking when I was 9 years old, fell in love with the sport and ran away to Uganda to follow my dreams aged 16. The White Nile over there had some of the best rapids in the world on it, it was always a dream of mine to go and when a dam project was announced I knew I had to find a way to go. I worked on the building site and sold some childhood possessions to get the money for the flight and then upped and went. It was incredible and I would say the trip that put me on the path that I am on now, it gave me an insight into everything that kayaking can be. This sport that challenges you on so many levels, provides access to some of the nicest people on the planet and takes a kid from Warrington to Africa in pursuit of the best rapids. Two months after my trip the Dam was completed and we lost those rapids forever.

How did you ‘find’ kayaking?

A school trip. We went out of the city and into the countryside. I had tried a lot of the typical sports at that point but hadn’t really found anything that fitted me. I got into a kayak for the first time and it just made sense.

What is it that you love about it?

Problem solving and the mastering of my fears. I often describe a rapid or waterfall as a jigsaw, it’s almost complete you just need to slot that last piece into place for it to all make sense and the last piece is you and your kayak.

The fear thing I find fascinating, I was once scared to capsize on a lake and now I’m comfortable kayaking off waterfalls, it’s been interesting to look back and try and understand how that change happened. I don’t think there was a pivotal moment, just lots and lots of baby steps and small improvements over time.

Left:  Photo by Adrian Mattern

 

Where in the world have you / do you kayak?

All over the shop, one of the coolest parts to this sport are the places it will take you. I have been to Pakistan, India, America, Austria, Norway, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Uganda, Zambia and Japan.

Which are top countries for kayaking in athlete terms?  Any reasons why?

Depends what you are looking for, different types of rocks and climates create different types of rivers. Volcanic rock produces the biggest and cleanest waterfalls and so we will spend  a lot of time around the Pacific North west in America, Chile, and Mexico for waterfall trips. Norway is a bit of a freak, it just has rivers falling off the backside of it’s mountains everywhere. I think that place would be my number one pick and even the UK has some really good whitewater unfortunately it just takes a lot of rain to bring the rivers in.

Tell us about your highest ever kayak descent?  World 2nd drop?

Broke as a joke, I spent the last money in my bank account for the plane ticket. When I was there the waterfall was on the low side of good, meaning there would be less aeriated water at the bottom and the hit would be way bigger. To get to it you have to walk through the banana fields in cartel country and abseil down into the gorge. I had never abseiled before that trip and it was wild dropping down out of the jungle into that canyon. I had some issues with the rope but made it down to this tiny ledge before the waterfall. Looking over the edge it looked like the end of the world, I couldn’t see the bottom. The entry was the crux point, make it past that and it would be smooth sailing. I came down, greased the entry and could just enjoy the free fall. The first conscious thought I had was “OMG I am still falling”. At 128ft it was over 30ft bigger than anything else I had ridden.

Is there much commercial exposure/involvement in kayaking?

Yes but rarely is it good for the sport. News and media companies just don’t seem to want to understand it, they write us off as crazy. My mate Dane Jackson just completed one of the ‘sickest’ waterfall descents ever and the news article read “Kayaker survives huge waterfall”. Asides from those huge breakthrough moments in the sport, very little gets picked up on.

Which countries offer the best kayaking conditions?

I like countries with snow packs, gives you more predictable water levels rarther than waiting for rain, Norway is my favourite place to kayak.

What’s next for Bren Orton?

Same old same, go kayaking, edit videos and continue to work on being the smartest, strongest, kindest person I can be along with improving my kayaking and editing skills. I had a big crash 18 months ago and while I don’t want to be one of those people that turns every negative into a positive, I do think that taking some time out to think about what I want to do with the sport was a good thing.  I’m entering the beginning of my prime kayaking years now and I am stoked on the direction I am taking with the sport.

Above: Photo by Dane Jackson

What’s the future of kayaking as a sport?  Any predictions?

Currently there is a big move towards down river freestyle, which you can imagine as the equivalent of slopestyle on a mountain bike. It’s a blend of different aspects from the sport and requires a huge skill base and comfort level.  I am really excited that this side of it is gathering momentum. Big waterfalls will always be a big part of it, but I think people are numb to seeing the same ones being ridden time after time and I hope people will start exploring and seeking out more first descent waterfalls.

I should also say that the amount of talented up and comers is brilliant right now and I am stoked to see where all these kids take the sport too.

This article was written in partnership with Castore, the premium performance sportswear brand that exists to make athletes better.  Visit www.castore.com and use discount code CASTOREAMB20-ST1C for 20% off. #betterneverstops

 

Want to hear more about Bren’s incredible story or work with him in some capacity? Please contact mark@athletemedia.co.uk or call 07052 304340.

Scottish curling champ rejoins NHS coronavirus frontline | Vicky Wright

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Two time Scottish champion Vicky Wright should have been returning home from the World Championships in Canada today, but instead she will be heading onto the NHS front-line preparing to play her part in the global battle against the Coronavirus.

The 26-year-old took time out of her career as a general surgical ward nurse, based at Forth Valley Larbert Hospital last year in a bid to chase her Olympic dream and, two years out from Beijing, she was part of the team representing Scotland that was among the favourites for the world title.

Wright and teammates Eve Muirhead, Lauren Gray, Jen Dodds and Sophie Brown had travelled to Prince George, on the west coast of Canada, earlier this month.

British Curling …Team Muirhead… (pictured from left, Vicky Wright, Jennifer Dodds, Lauren Gray and Eve Muirhead).  Picture by Graeme Hart.

However, when one of the consequences of the pandemic was the cancellation of the Women’s World Championships on the eve of the event she immediately realigned her priorities.

“When we flew into Prince George after a few days training in Vancouver we were starting to become aware that the worldwide situation was changing and a few doubts and uncertainty about whether our champs would go ahead started to creep in,” Wright recounted, ahead of her return to duty on night shift tonight.

“We started seeing other big Canadian sporting events being cancelled and it became more evident then that our champs probably wouldn’t go ahead. We were out for lunch when we got the email and we went straight back to the hotel and it started to hit home, the combination of the disappointment, but also awareness that public health had to be the priority.

“It was a weird situation and a bit of an emotional rollercoaster and we were absolutely gutted.  But we could see how everything was quickly changing and we knew there were other much bigger priorities than sporting events which are now on the back burner.

“They have to take second place to what is happening just now and when I went into work last week at the hospital it really sank in. There was no world champs and the bigger picture was that helping out at home was more important just now.”

Even when she made the decision to work full-time on her curling, Wright had maintained her commitment to nursing by working part-time as and when she was available and she expressed gratitude to both her employers for the flexibility they showed in allowing her to dovetail her twin careers.

“Being a nurse has always given me a good perspective on life and kept my focus on what is important,” she said.

“In my nursing career over the years I always felt it was a privilege to be with someone and look after them when they were unwell and vulnerable and it has always made me appreciate the life I have, being able to work as a nurse which is a job that I love and also compete in curling which is a sport that I love.

“I have always been very lucky that both my work and the British Curling programme both appreciated how important both facets were to me.

“My nursing was full time and I juggled my curling around that, but in July 2019 my curling went full time. Both the NHS and British Curling enabled me to do one shift a week throughout this season. It was something I really enjoyed and I didn’t want to lose my skills and it was good to have something else other than just curling, it really kept me grounded.”

Frustrating as the end to their season was, Wright and, having won her first major international medal after playing in the European Championships final, she and her Team Muirhead colleagues will be able to draw on what was a fine season as and when the opportunity arrives to return to their sport.

“This season was great for us and we found our feet from the start and we really settled into our positions within the team and we were all committed to the same goals and wanted the same outcomes,” said Wright. 

“The week at the Europeans was great, it showed that we were back and gave us a lot of confidence for the second half of the season. We started this year with a win at Perth and then followed that up with another win at the Continental Cup (helping Team Europe beat Team Canada on their own ice). It is a team event but every individual within that group has to play well and we knew we had all played our part and it was another great confidence boost.

“We felt we were going well and in the right direction and our coach Kristian Lindström joined us in the January and was a really welcome addition and has had to hit the ground running. As an ex-player at the top level we felt he could bring us that extra 1% we were looking for and we knew he would bring a lot to the table for the World Champs and would have learned a lot from him during that period.

“However now it is time to make a difference in a different way and I will now play my part in a much bigger team.”

Formidable as the challenge facing the NHS, Wright is as committed as she has ever been to what lies ahead.

“Once I was home I contacted my supervisor and said I was back and could be available to do whatever I could to help. For now I am picking up an extra 2-4 shifts per week for the foreseeable,” she explained.

“There is an amazing team spirit on my ward and as public transport is not an option now we are all helping each other out with lifts and childcare etc. so there is a really great team spirit and positive approach from everyone and we are taking this all in our stride and we will all pull together. We are fully informed and prepared so we are ready and it is nice to know that my curling team mates are so proud of me and want to help me as well in any way they can.”

However, she is also determined to stay fighting fit for her sport as and when this crisis recedes and normal life can be resumed, while she is drawing huge encouragement from the support she is receiving from her curling colleagues.

British Curling…Team Muirhead…Pictured Vicky Wright
Picture by Graeme Hart.

“They know it is my time to go back to work, but they also know I am still training as an athlete, like them,” she said.

“I am very fortunate that I am getting all the support I can get from the British Curling programme and (strength and conditioning coach) Harry Booker has developed a programme for me around my shifts so I have a routine. 

“I find it incredibly important to have a plan and a routine for the week so I can incorporate my training goals around my work. Everyone can benefit from setting themselves a plan of action just now and targets for the next few weeks that they can achieve.

“I love my job and I love my curling so having that balance and flexibility really is the best case scenario for me. It is why I do it and why I need it and I am just so grateful that both parties see the benefits.”

Part of a family of emergency service workers, Wright also expressed her thanks to those who are recognising the need to back their efforts.

“Tesco opening for NHS workers in the morning is a huge help and it meant I could do all my shopping this morning in one big shop, so I have my meal plan for the week ahead when I will be busy working and I am very lucky that my partner Greg (Olympian and British Curling performance coach Greg Drummond) does all the cooking, which helps immensely.

“My parents feel the same way as me. My mum works in the NHS and my dad is a fireman, so like me they like to do their part. It is what we are all about and I am really glad I can go and do my bit.”

Photographs credited to: Graeme Hart, Perthshire Picture Agency.

“You Play For One Another & Put Your Bodies On The Line.”| Marlie Packer

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She talked to us about her love of rugby, her stellar career to date, her rugby heroes and her ambition to play in the 2021 NZ Rugby World Cup – this interview is from 2021 – Marlie is now in the RWC Final vs New Zealand on Saturday 12th November!

How did you get in to playing rugby?

When I was 5 or 6 a friend’s parent took me from school.  My mum thought I was going to watch a rugby game so dressed me in  jeans and a red frilly top and I came back covered in mud – I’ve loved it ever since!  My weekends were always full of sport.  Football on a Saturday morning and rugby on a Sunday morning.  As a single mum my mum did an amazing job with me and my brother getting us to all our practice sessions. The only memory from when I was younger of me maybe having to give up rugby was when football was on a Sunday which was the same day as rugby but obviously I chose rugby and 71 Caps in for England I’m pleased I did!

What’s the best part about playing rugby?

There’s loads of amazing things about playing rugby.  For me it’s the people you meet, the friends you make and the fact that you play for one another and put your bodies on the line whether that’s for your country or for your club.  I’m lucky enough to play for my country so when we come back to league games a lot of the girls I play against are very good friends of mine off the pitch, and we go all out against each but then afterwards we have a drink together whether that’s a beer or a cup of tea. 

And the hardest?

Juggling home life balanced with the training load for me.  Once again I’m lucky as I am one of the 28 players with a full-time contract with England Rugby but that has only been for the last two years!  Before that I was a plumber.  So for the players I play alongside at Saracens they have to balance work life with training and playing.  Which means long hours. 

What do you think of the media coverage of women’s rugby?

It’s getting better – obviously for me as a player if I keep becoming better and the teams around me become better then the games will become better and people will want to watch them more.  I think if you take it back to the last World Cup final in 2017 it was on ITV 1 at 7pm on Saturday night – that’s prime time Ant & Dec time which was incredible.  We need to see more of this sort of scheduling on free-to-air TV.

What more can be done to bring sponsors into women’s rugby?

At the moment England are taking the Red Roses on the road to play their international games around the country which I feel is getting more people to come and watch and getting bums on seats and, importantly, sponsors want to see that!  And it’s great to get to an audience that might not come to London to watch women’s rugby.

What ambitions have you got left in the game?

I want to go to the 2021 World Cup over in New Zealand, not only as a part of the squad, but as one of England’s best open side flanker players.

How important is the mental side of rugby?

For me it’s massive – playing rugby is something that mentally has been amazing for me but then at same time I’ve also struggled with depression from the pressures of the off-field side of rugby and life.

What are you planning to do when you retire from rugby?

I would like to get into coaching.  I’m currently a level 2 coach and after the World Cup I’m looking to become a level 3 coach.   Also, I’d like to go back to plumbing.  I worked for a company before where I worked on emergency breakdowns and I enjoyed that kind of work as it was helping people and getting to meet new people.

Which player do you admire most?

Sarah Hunter – she is the epitome of a Red Rose & truly someone I look up to and aspire to be like – but also the amazing thing is I get to call her a good friend as well.

Who are your rugby heroes (male and female)?

Jonny Wilkinson for that 2003 World Cup kick and for me as a coach it would be Giselle Mather.  She was my coach with England Under 20s and just made me believe in myself on and off the field.

What one piece of advice would you share with today’s young rugby players who want to play for their country?

Keep working hard and enjoying it and make sure you do those little 1-2 %  things even if you don’t feel like doing it at the time because down the long run it all adds up!

“You need to believe in what you know you are capable of.” | Harry Hughes

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Why the javelin?

It is such a great event to watch, and it is so historic too. But most of all, because it was the event I was best at!  I tried my hand at a few different sports, but javelin was the one I fell in love with from a very young age. There is no real backstory to me choosing it either, I simply watched some javelin throwers at my local track and said that I wanted to give it a go at 9 years old!

What 3 attributes have helped you become the UK’s number 1 javelin thrower?

Motivation – I am an extremely motivated individual, and I rarely need to be pushed or guided, so that definitely helps when it comes to sacrificing and training.

Training Smart – More of an attribute to my training programme, but being smart and actually only pushing your body when you need to, and equally being smart on changing the training around to suit how you feel on certain occasions. That extra rep sometimes doesn’t always help.

Confidence – I have seen it so many times when people get to an event and they crumble because they don’t believe in themselves! I do lack confidence in specific situations, which I am working on, but when you are out on the field competing, you really do have to believe in what you are capable of achieving.

Who is your javelin hero and why?

My coach – Mark Roberson. An incredibly humble guy, who is not only my coach, but also one of my closest friends. He was a brilliant thrower in his day and continues to be an amazing athlete to this day, and he can still beat me on a few lifts in the gym too!

Does javelin & field sports generally get the credit it deserves in athletics?

I think some field sports are getting better credit now – look at the pole vault. It is doing really well, and people love watching it. It’s great to see some of the field events getting better credit such as the Shot Putt, but when you compare it to the credit that some of the track events get, it is still a long way off. I think the coverage of field events in the UK at the moment is lacking significantly, and I don’t see where the influence for younger athletes to take up the sport or continue onwards is coming from because it certainly isn’t coming from TV coverage.

What’s your mission for 2020?

My mission is to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. It’s always been a dream, and I would like to finally make that a reality. It’s quite nerving that the year is finally here, but you do have to stick your neck out and say, you know what, I’m going to qualify. Again, you need to believe in what you know you are capable of!  I am also aiming to make the final at the European Championships too!

What’s your wider mission for your athletics career?

My wider mission is to compete at 3 Olympic games, multiple major championships, and get a medal at either a major championships or Olympics.

Who’s your sporting hero and why?

Steve Backley. He really achieved an amazing amount and did it in such a modest way too. He became a household name from throwing a javelin, and the distances he could consistently throw were so impressive, let alone that you could almost always bet on Steve to win a medal at a major championship or Olympics, and that’s what makes a truly great athlete.

Professional sport is intense.  What do you do to relax/get away from it all?

There’s a few things I do to relax. Anything regarding the countryside such as fishing, metal detecting (would you believe it), or even just walking, is great for relaxing, but equally spending time with friends and family is also a great way to relax, a night with good friends, or a weekend away with my girlfriend.

Tell us about setting up your own business, Dangler?

Dangler is a business that my 2 brothers and I set up back in 2018. We aim to bring a marketplace app for buying and selling fishing tackle to the UK, and then take it Global. We managed to raise £500K seed funding in 2019, and we will be launching this spring. It’s an incredibly exciting venture, and I’m very fortunate to work for myself alongside my brothers. Check out the website www.dangler.co.uk to understand more about it. It’s been an amazing learning experience, and I can’t wait to see where we can take it.

Who would your ideal commercial partner be and why?

That’s a difficult one. I absolutely love so many different things. I’m a big fan of good clothing, so one of my favourite clothing brands would be ideal, but I love cars, and to have a commercial partnership with a car manufacturer has to be one of the goals…Land Rover… Hint Hint. In all honesty, there isn’t a single company I would work for over another, I think it comes down to their interest in me as an individual, an ideal partner is one who comes along the journey with me and buys into my story.

Rounding The Isle of White On 700 Plastic Milk Cartons | Conrad Manning

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Who is Conrad Manning?

Conrad Manning is a young engineer and sailor who is using his engineering knowledge and sailing experience to inspire the next generation of engineers through water-related projects, workshops and talks.

Why is sustainability important to you?

It’s important for a few reasons:

– It forces the engineers, scientists and designers to reach for new heights to make things better and more efficient, which is great to inspire the next generation

– Becoming more sustainable can only be a good thing, prolonging our time on the planet (and the animals), or with all the negative press at the moment, giving us hope of a future

– By being more sustainable I think it means we’re less focussed on the bottom line, greed and selfishness and more about collaboration and longevity

Should more athletes be doing to highlight causes beyond their sport?  If yes, why?

That’s not an easy answer as who gets to decide what causes are the ‘right’ ones to get behind? Athletes (particularly those in the public eye) will have influence so can sway opinion on topics so I think they should do as much as possible for their sport and the sport’s current challenges then look beyond their sport.

Has it affected your sporting career?

Sustainability has definitely affected sailing as many builders and participants are looking for greener alternatives. I think though with the greener credentials of sailing, the career side of designing yachts has been less affected.

What’s your challenge about?  Is it just you?

The challenge of paddling around the IoW is about combining personal challenge to raise money for Sport Relief with promoting how with a bit of engineering you can turn rubbish into something exciting with help from others. I’m also proud that everything has been sourced within 13miles from my home (and mostly within walking distance of a train station).   It’ll just be me paddling but there are lots of people alongside me who are helping make this a reality, from driving the build to planning and execution support and all those who have donated the cartons.

How have you prepared? 

Preparation has consisted of finding support for areas I’m not an expert in. Whether that is board shaping, construction methods, fitness, nutrition (fuelling), organising a challenge like this, and of course publicising the project

Tell me about the paddle board design

The paddleboard is designed along the lines of touring and open water long distance boards they use between islands in Hawaii. She’ll have a wooden skeleton and skinned with plastic panels that have been created from plastic milk cartons that were destined for the bin. All in all there will be over 700 bottles that will be granulated then reformed, the challenge is how to join them and we’re keeping that a secret.

What do you want to achieve with the challenge?

There are a few goals from this challenge:

– To get around the Isle of Wight successfully (ie without the board or me breaking!)

– To document the building process to show how to go from waste to exciting product and therefore create a paddleboard that can then be taken to schools and events to highlight STEM/STEAM to the next generation

– To raise money for Sports Relief to support the work they do

– Keep the conversation going around sustainability and turning the tide on plastic

Are there are any other GB athletes who champion sustainability you admire?

There are more and more athletes championing sustainability which combined with the public doing more is all admirable! I would say though Dee Caffari stands out alongside Kiko Matthews and Hannah Mills (not being biased of course as they’re all from watersports).

What does the future hold for Conrad Manning?

The future holds more exciting projects (the next one will definitely have sails), more promotion of STEM/STEAM (through other projects like a double-decker bus designed specifically for running activities for primary and secondary school students), and continuing working on great projects at the day job.

If you want to support Conrad’s paddleboard mission please contact conrad@conradmanningracing.com.  The Just Giving page is: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/plastic-paddle

“Table tennis is not the obvious sport for a guy with no hands and one leg!” | Martin Perry

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1.  Why table tennis?
Table tennis was not my first sport of choice. It was actually far from it. I grew up playing football with my three older brothers. In high school I played for the basketball team and rugby team, all able-bodied. I came across table tennis at a Scottish Disability Sport summer camp. It was there that I met Terry McLernon MBE and his athletes from Drumchapel Table Tennis Club. From the first time I hit a ball (barely on the table) I was having fun and I’ve not stopped having fun playing table tennis since. After witnessing Paralympics GB win two bronze team medals in London 2012, I knew I wanted to really pursue table tennis as a career. It’s not the obvious sport of choice for a guy with no hands and one leg, but I have fun everyday and flinging myself around the court actually makes me feel less disabled than probably anything else.
2.  What’s your mission for 2020?
My mission for 2020 first and foremost is to qualify for the Paralympics in Tokyo. Outside of that my mission the status quo is the same as every other year, growth and development. Table tennis is a sport that is always changing and no two points are the same so you always have something to work on.
3.  Who is your table tennis hero?
I have two table tennis heroes. One from the past and one present. From the past it’s Jan-Ove Waldner from Sweden. You watch him play and he makes the game look so easy, he has so much feeling and can move the ball wherever he wants and just oozes sophistication. In the modern game for me my hero is Zhang Jike from China. He won everything, had so much power and played with his heart on his sleeve, which is how I try to play. With lots of emotion and passion for the game.
4.  Does table tennis get the credit & exposure it deserves?
I don’t think table tennis gets the credit and exposure it deserves until it’s time for the Olympics or Paralympics. Occasionally you get the odd competition shown on tv, but if you don’t know where to look you’re not going to find table tennis to watch. I think it’s such a fast paced entertaining sport and people would love to watch it more.
5.  Is there enough funding for table tennis?  What’s your own experience been like?
I think table tennis gets okay funding but only at the very highest of levels. I have been somewhat fortunate to have some level of funding from the very beginning. I know from experience that it’s very difficult to make a living from the sport at a Paralympic level without private sponsors and investment.
6.  Who would your ideal commercial partner be and why?
For me an ideal commercial partner would be a brand that represents the same values I share;
Honesty
Loyalty
Kindness
Hard work
Sustainability (eco friendly)
Family first
I feel like partnering with a brand that shares these values would be ideal as we could have a shared interest and passion.
7.  What’s your wider mission for your table tennis career?
My wider mission in table tennis is to inspire others. Yes of course I will do everything in my power to try and achieve my goal of becoming Paralympic Champion. However I think the best way that I can repay the sport for giving me a great life and memories to cherish is by becoming an ambassador for my sport and trying to spread table tennis as far and as wide as possible so that more people play and can have the same fun and enjoyment as I have.
8.  Who’s your overall sporting hero and why?
My sporting hero has to be Kobe Bryant. His famously dubbed “Mamba Mentality” is such a phenomenal way to approach sport. To be the best version of yourself. I share that same hard work ethic, “what can I do today to make myself better” it’s a question I often ask myself. Kobe was also a family man. His family was always on his mind and it’s something that I can relate to, living in England when my wife and family are back home in Scotland. It can be tough at times but I know I’ve got the love and support to keep me going. If I had to pick someone closer to home it would be Lewis Hamilton, he turns up and performs week in week out in one of the hardest sports mentally and physically in my opinion. To be able to have such laser like focus and reflexes at such a high speed for 50+ laps on a wet track where you can’t see two feet in front of you is just amazing. Lewis is another big family man, his brother and dad are often seen in the paddock and I really like that.
9.  Professional sport is intense and full of highs and lows.  What do you do to relax/get away from it all?
The highs and lows of sport can be very demanding and draining at times both mentally and physically. I like to unwind by watching a movie with my wife when we get some time together.  We’re both a bit nerdy too and often play things like top trumps or articulate or some form of trivial pursuit, usually the Harry Potter version. We’ll quiz each other on random Harry Potter stuff all the time but I always end up losing. I also love theme parks. I think it’s great to be hurtling through the air at who knows what speed and just being completely out of control as you’re flung around a corner flying upside down. The thrill of being at a theme park I think for me comes just about as close to being in a big competition, your hearts racing and your pumping adrenaline through your body and your always chasing that next high. Which is hopefully winning.
10.  What are your plans after retirement?
After my table tennis career is finished I would like to be a professional speaker wether that be an after dinner speaker, motivational/inspirational, presenter, commentator etc. I think it all somewhat encompasses the same bracket of being a speaker. I feel that I have a story which, especially if I can fulfil my own dreams, can really help motivate and inspire people. I think it’s great helping others and sport often gives you that platform to do so.

If you want to hear more about Martin’s incredible story and work with him to support his sporting ambitions please contact mark@athletemedia.co.uk or call 07952 304340 for more information.

“I want to be the most successful female shot putter Great Britain has ever seen.” | Amelia Strickler

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Why the shot put?

I started throwing when I was about 10 years old. I signed up for the team and on the first day the coach made us all try out every event and I was better than everyone at the shot put. So I kept at it and was winning all the competitions. Winning is always fun! 

What’s your mission for 2020?

The Olympics of course. Last Olympic year I was so injured and it was heart breaking to not be able to try for Rio especially because I was close to the standard. So, that is the big goal but I also have a lot of other smaller goals like being British Champion again. 

Who’s your shot put / field sport hero and why?

I’d say Valerie Adams. She’s probably the best ever and at one point didn’t lose a single competition for over a year! Her personal best of 21.24m is the best throw by any woman for a long time. When I started throwing I always wanted to be like her. 

Does the shot put & field sports generally get the credit it deserves in athletics?

No the field events really don’t get the attention or credit like the running does. It honestly hurts and I wish there was a way to change it. They’re even cutting some field events from the Diamond League which is the main circuit for athletes. Maybe by throwing far I can help get the interest of the U.K. in to the event. 

Is there enough funding for athletes? 

Not for field events. There’s a lot of funding for track events and relay athletes and it’s upsetting knowing that you’re ranked higher in the world than some people that are on funding simply because they are potential for a relay. But for the field athletes there’s no relay it’s just our event. 

What’s your own experience been like?

I personally have not been on funding. But I’m hopeful once I go to the Olympics that will change. 

Who would your ideal commercial partner be and why?

I have been wearing Adidas for a long time since I was at Miami University (Ohio). I really like that they have started using more plus-size models because not every athlete fits a skinny figure. I also really like that they are making clothing and shoes from recycled materials because being environmentally friendly is important to me. That being said I am open to working with any company that is focused on fitness and health because ‘health is wealth’ in my opinion. 

What’s you wider mission for your athletics career?

I want to be the most successful female shot putter Great Britain has ever seen. Also to inform people and young girls that bigger athletes are beautiful too, and worthy of being featured in ads and campaigns. I think as a society we think only the slender athletes are real athletes and this is not the case. Girls should feel like they can choose a sport they truly love and not a sport that is seen as “beautiful”. 

Who’s your sporting hero and why?

I’d have to say Serena Williams. She’s one of those athletes that has that intense focus and drive and is so good. She also speaks up on important issues about women in sport. It’s something that’s really important to me as a female athlete and I really admire her for all she does on and off the court. 

Professional sport is intense and full of highs and lows.  

What do you do to relax/get away from it all?

I really love films and music. I get really into films and it’s nice to just not think about throwing 24/7. One of my favourite films is Hot Fuzz. I also love painting my nails before every competition which is a great way to relax. 

What’s the best and worst part of being a professional athlete?

Worst part is being away from my family. I’m really close to my mother but don’t see her as much as I want to because I’m constantly training and competing. The best is being able to travel and experience so many amazing stadiums all over the world. There’s something so special about walking into a packed stadium with fans cheering loud and competing in that atmosphere. 

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