In april i went to the english bowls federation national indoor finals.

i qualified in 4 different events.

the first event was the triples which we won the previous year.
We played really well had a team to get through to the final again winning 3 matches on the way.

Another great performance in a very tight final helped us retain the title being the 3rd people in history to do this achievement.

second event was the singles having a good performance in this i lost in the semi finals.

third event was the pairs with a very gd first game we just lost out to a pair from durham who then went on to win the pairs event.



the last event was the under 25s. having being a previous winner in this national event i was trying to regain the title.

with some very gd games along the way i reached the final were i narrowly lost.

overall i had a very gd week i will try again next year.

Success in Aiwakai National Competition

I entered the Aiwakai National Competition in Alfreton on 23rd May. It was a long day - from 9.00 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. - we were inside all day on the hottest day of the year. I won a gold for Kumite (fighting), pairs Kata, team Kata, team Special Kata, a silver in the individual Kata (higher age group) and a bronze in the individual Kata. I am now the England National Champion for fighting. I am in a smaller regional competition next week, and training hard for the Japan Nationals in August.

Domestic success and international beginnings…

The domestic season has just come to a close, starting back in November of last year Viking (both my and Martyn Williamson’s club team) has done something never done before completing the perfect season, 14 and out unbeaten!! We started the season strong, playing some great ball and this weekend finished off the season strong to take the crown of national champions! We now look forward to competing in numerous international competitions as Viking and the European club championships later in the year, striving to continue our success.

On the GB front it’s been a slow start but it’s now gaining momentum, I have been to a few training weekends and the selection process is under way for the World Championships in Milan in September. I have a selection competition in Germany at the end of the month when the team will be announced. So riding high on the domestic success it’s down to some hard work in training ready for selection.

Photocall for Derby athletes

A photocall for Derby athletes who have received a bursary from the Fund this year has been held at Moorways Sports Centre.

Representatives from some of the scheme's funding partners, Derby City Council, Rolls-Royce, the University of Derby and Derbyshire County Cricket Club, attended to meet the athletes.

A photographer from the Derby Telegraph was also there, so look out for a photo in the newspaper in the next few days!

Many thanks to everyone who was able to attend.

To see more photos from the day go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/derbyshiresport/sets/72157623921175423/

A full report will also appear on http://www.derbyshiresport.co.uk/

Viking Canoe Polo Make it a clean sweap...

Tom (Baston) and myself were part of the Viking A team that won the National League Title at the weekend in Liverpool.

The final tournament of the season took place over the weekend. Viking were top of the league entering the tournament having won every game. The pressure was on to maintain the form that had seen them through their winning streak to date.

After a shakey start against Pennie, one of the favorites for relegation, with only a 4-0 win, Viking's confidence grew as did some of the scorelines. Viking went on to win all seven games, securing the title with a game to spare.

Having won the title the team are entered into the European Club Championships which will take place towards the end of the year.

The team are first looking forward to the National Club Championships which will take place in Teeside on 17/18th July.

Martyn

Photocall for South Derbyshire athletes

A photocall for South Derbyshire athletes who have received a bursary from the Fund this year has been held at Etwall Leisure Centre.

Athletes were congratulated by Cllr John Lemmon from South Derbyshire District Council and Ollie Shearer, Sports Development Coordinator at the University of Derby. Many thanks to everyone who was able to attend.

To see more photos from the day go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/derbyshiresport/sets/72157623914690321/

A full report can also be seen at http://www.derbyshiresport.co.uk

Canoe polo Charleroi Belgium

both Gallin and I have just come back form Belgium playing for Great Britain under 21's

the tournament was held in Charleoir and we played in the second division as a warm up tournament.

we managed to win our group, and then go on to win all our knock-out games, this put us into the final in the final. to play against ODYSSEUS who are a club team from the Netherlands we managed to beat this team 3-1 to take the tournamnet win.

next we go to Essen Germany to play in two weeks. This is the first international tournament of the year, so we will be playing all the U21's international teams who we will later meet at the worlds in Milan September. we will both be playing in the tournament in Essen but the worlds is still subject to selection.