We’re used to visualising athletes at the Olympic Park in Stratford but not athletes of this age; so the location for Alex Rotas’ exhibition at The View Tube, overlooking the park is perfect, especially since the photographs are of athletes  who still compete on the international stage. Expect to see pole-vaulters, long jumpers, sprinters and hurdlers and then to think again about what old-age really means.

The athletes in Alex’s images are donning singlets and shorts and hitting the track, right through to their late 90s. They are climbing rostrums in their national colours and proudly wearing the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals they earn when they win. As the photos show, they are very competitive, determined, focused, strong, joyful, and full of life, whatever their discipline.

Bear in mind too that the world 100m record for men in their 70′s is 12.77 seconds, only 3 seconds slower than Usain Bolt’s London Olympics World Record of 9.63 seconds.  The men and women in Alex’s photos are genuine athletes going for bust, setting new personal bests and breaking national, European and world records in the process.

Alex comments,

“I feel compelled to showcase these athletes and to rid our society of the doom and gloom that is now largely associated with old age. These athletes cannot help but inspire and the exhibition at the View Tube in London is free and open for anyone and everyone to come down and see what ‘old age’ can also mean.”

To highlight the exhibition, two of the featured sportsmen and women are inviting participants to race against them on Sunday 9th June in a 60metres men and women’s race. The Grand Challenge will see Dorothy McLennan (78) and Alan Carter (76) showcase their speed as they take on five competitors in the race. Members of the public are invited to enter the race although spaces are limited. Entry is via email to viewtube@leasideregeneration.co.uk

Details:
The View Tube, London E15 2PJ. Until July 5
Closest tube:
Pudding Mill Lane
More information:
www.alexrotasphotography.com

The Sportsister team,
The Women’s Sports Magazine

The 29 year old, who won 43 caps and appeared in the 2006 Rugby World Cup, has reluctantly retired because of an on-going knee injury.

“This is a very hard decision to make and a very sad decision, but I know that the time is right,” she said.

“I have been playing rugby for 20 years now, starting off as a junior at Chippenham RFC and then working my way up to Bristol and then the England Rugby set-up.

“I have had some very happy memories; highs being playing in the 2006 Rugby World Cup final and also beating New Zealand in our autumn international series over here.

“Nothing can also beat playing rugby with your best friends and I can firmly say that about playing with my England Rugby teammates.”

“I also have to thank many people who have been instrumental in my rugby career including England Head Coach Gary Street, the RFU, the English Institute of Sport and of course my family and friends. They have all been massively supportive during my time with England.”

Oliver made her England debut in 2006 against Samoa and went on to play in five Six Nations campaigns, of which England won four championship titles.

She has played for England Academy, England U18s and also England A.

England Head Coach Gary Street said, “I have known Kim all through her rugby career and it has been a delight working with her – I have enjoyed seeing her develop from playing junior rugby to becoming a world class player.

“She has played at the top level of the game for quite some time and it is a real shame that injury has forced her into retirement.”

Lizzie Flint, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

Picture courtesy of to rugbymatters.net

They have been specially designed by the British Armed Forces personnel to provide a fun and muddy challenge for all who take part.

Each course will consist of different challenging obstacles such as muddy bogs, river crossings, spider webs and ice crawls and the organisers are relying heavily on determination and strength of character in order to complete it.

But for a little extra boost, the troops will be on the sidelines to ensure that everyone finishes the race in one piece!

More info: www.majorseries.com or check out our ‘What’s On’ guides and search for ‘Major Series’.

The Sportsister Team,
The Women’s Sports Magazine

And to further help their campaign they are currently running a competition for the chance to win two tickets to the Sainsburys Anniversary Games event on Para-athletics day.

The tickets will go to the best and most amazing disability sports story that is uploaded before the competition closes on the 31 May.

Entries are up to 500 words and can come from sports participants themselves, but also coaches, volunteers or maybe family members of those involved in disability sport at any level.

The competition will be judged by the Motivate East ambassadors and GB Paralympic legends Claire Harvey and Danny Crates. Good luck!

More info: motivateeast.co.uk

Lizzie Flint, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

And we guarantee that you won’t be disappointed…

From cycling around forests to learning how to canoe, and from free events, to festival events and our favourite women only events, there will be something for everyone – we even promise to throw in a bit of paint and a skyscraper too!

But its not just the new challenges that you need to look out for, we’ll also be giving you the very best of our reviews and guides, as well as some fantastic stories, plus a little insight as to what the team at Sportsister love the most.

And if that wasn’t enough, throughout the week we’ll also be offering you some truly fantastic competitions for the chance to win event entries as well as some fabulous new kit.

Check it all out on here, or join our Facebook and Twitter pages to make sure you don’t miss a thing.

Don’t say we don’t spoil you!

The Sportsister Team,
The Women’s Sports Magazine

Throughout the match the crossbar was struck three times, but neither side were able to force a breakthrough as a host of chances were made at the Arriva Stadium.

Birmingham coach David Parker was delighted by his team’s performance, believing Durack prevented them notching a first Super League win of the season. “You know your own team have played well when the home keeper picks up the player of the match award,” he said.

“Another night we could have gone in 3-0 at half-time and I don’t think anybody could have complained.”

Everton manager Andy Spence also had plenty of praise for the 18 year old Durack, saying, “Credit where credit is due, Birmingham did dominate in the first half and must have wondered how they weren’t winning.

“Lizzie produced numerous saves to keep us in the game.”

“She has been a really good acquisition for us. She has got a lot of desire and has proved in the last two games that she has a lot of quality. She is very young and will only improve.

“We had an honest half-time conversation and changed our mentality. We had to match Birmingham physically and when we did that, our attacking play improved because we were on the front foot.”

Lizzie Flint, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

“If you look at the game we’re delighted with a point,” said Passmoor, whose side also drew 1-1 with Arsenal in the Continental Cup a fortnight ago.

“We tried to make it tough for the opposition. We were up against world class international players.”

“We’ve now played against the best two teams over the last couple of years, Birmingham and Arsenal, and made it difficult for them.”

And opposite number Shelley Kerr was delighted with her side’s overall display, if not their finishing, saying “On another day we would have scored seven goals. We created so many chances in the game.

“When you don’t take your chances, it can be your downfall and that’s been the story so far for us this season.

“But the pleasing thing was the way we played. I thought we were excellent. We played some great football and created many, many chances.”

Lizzie Flint, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

Sarah-Jane, who is the British stroke play champion, is one-under for 36 holes and leads 32 qualifiers for tomorrow’s final two rounds at Kings Norton Golf Club, Worcestershire. She said, “The weather was awful on the front nine.

“But everyone was facing the same conditions and I just kept going. I quite enjoy playing in the wind and rain and, coming from Cornwall, I’m used to it.

“The greens were hardly affected by the rain and putted nicely – they were a credit to the staff.”

And overnight co-leader Gabriella Cowley lies second with a level par total for the two rounds. She appeared to be very happy with her performance saying, “I hit the ball really well, probably the best I have this season, but the putts just wouldn’t drop.

“But it’s all to play for tomorrow.”

Elsewhere, Emma Tayler’s score moved her up into third place.

Lizzie Flint, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

Eleven-times Paralympic gold medallist Sarah Storey (pictured) described being made a Dame as a “pinch yourself moment”.

She started her career as a swimmer, winning two gold medals at Barcelona in 1992, before turning to cycling and was awarded the honour for services to para-cycling.

On the day, she was accompanied by swimmer Ellie Simmonds, from Walsall, who was awarded an OBE for her services to Paralympic sport.

The 18 year old, who added to her two Beijing golds with two more at London 2012 last year, said that it was “amazing” to be honoured and a ”nice way to end a great year.

“Prince Charles said ‘Well done on your swimming’, and he asked what my next focus was, so it was really nice.

“I said I trained nine times a week for 18 hours, and that my next focus is the World Championships this year in Canada.”

Joining them was also Taekwondo star Jade Jones who won the 57kg women’s category at last year’s Olympics and emerged as one of the biggest stars of London 2012.

Following her investiture she said, “It’s just a great honour and it’s something that will stay with me for the rest of my life, so I’m really proud of it.”

Lizzie Flint, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

They are at the top of a tightly packed leaderboard and their impressive scoring brightened a cold, grey day which grew steadily wetter as the hours passed yesterday.

Peters is contending for her second national women’s title and she drove the ball consistently well throughout the day to set up a round which included two birdies and just one bogey.

“I hit the ball well, but I didn’t really hole anything – although the greens are really nice,” said Alex.

“I gave myself lots of chances, but I left quite a few out there. But there’s always tomorrow.”

Cowley signed off her round with a birdie four on the 18th and said, “It’s a really good start, it’s all about putting yourself in a good position.”

The pair are at the moment one clear of Dorset’s Sophie Keech, with British stroke play champion Sarah-Jane Boyd a further stroke behind on 73.

Sophie Keech suffered a knee injury during the winter, but her solid, level par score has definitely underlined her return to form.

“My coach is always telling me to hit my targets, two putt the greens and walk off with a par – and that’s pretty much what I did.” She said.

“When I got in danger I hit the next shot on target. I played steadily and I’m really happy with that.”

All competitors will play the second round of the Championship today. After that, the field will be cut to the leading 32 players and ties who will play the final 36 holes tomorrow.

Lizzie Flint, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

“It’s certainly not a case of revenge,” he said.

“But considering our results against Birmingham were decent last year, we’ll be looking to put in a good performance on Wednesday.”

Everton fell one point short of second spot in the 2012 Women’s Super League under former manager Mo Marley and her successor, Spence, has suggested this season will be even more competitive.

“Come the end of the season, two wins, six points will probably separate five, six, seven teams – that’s how close it’s going to be.

“Every point matters, you’ve got to focus on that.”

The unpredictable nature of this season’s WSL was evident recently when last season’s bottom club, Liverpool, beat Arsenal 4-0.

“We should have seen that coming, though,” said Spence. “It’s no shock, no surprise.”

Birmingham are yet to win a game in this season’s Super League, following successive draws in their opening fixtures.

The Blues stumbled to defeat in Saturday’s Continental Cup clash with Arsenal, but captain Laura Bassett believes their first league victory is just around the corner saying,

“There were so many positives [against Arsenal], the hard work and the quality of the chances we created.

“I don’t think we need to make massive changes going into Wednesday, it’s just concentrating and making sure we do our jobs for 90 minutes.”

Lizzie Flint, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

Robson, who beat the American’s sister Venus in round one, impressed with some superb winners, but was vulnerable on serve and made eight double faults throughout the match, including match point, eventually losing in one hour and 15 minutes.

“I felt like I had a couple of chances that I didn’t take, especially on those break points,” Robson told 5 live.

“But in a way you expect her to hit an unbelievable shot all the time, and when she doesn’t you’re not ready for it.

“But there’s definitely a lot of things I can take out of it.”

But Williams had only positive things to say about the Londoner after the match, “It wasn’t an easy match.

“Laura has even more potentially than I thought. She has a big serve and she is so relaxed and that adds another dimension to your game. She doesn’t have too many weak points.”

The defeat hinders Robson’s chances now of being seeded in the top 32 at the French Open later this month.

Lizzie Flint, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

Produced by Plus44 Films, A Different League joins women’s football after the phenomenal success of the London 2012 Olympics. The filmmakers had exclusive access to some of the biggest names in women’s football, and chose to focus on Arsenal Ladies and Charlton Athletic Women – opening up the world of this sport like never before.

‘If I could sum up what the Olympics did for women’s football in one word… it would be empowerment.’ Said Andy Brassell, European football expert, BBC, ESPN, Talksport.

Over a six-month production period, ADL follows Arsenal Ladies, undoubtedly the most successful England women’s side in history, as new manager Shelley Kerr prepares to defend their Women’s Super League title, and win the UEFA Women’s Champions League in their home city of London. Featuring fantastic interviews with international stars including Stephanie Houghton, Jordan Nobbs and Rachel Yankee, to give an unparalleled insight into what it really takes to be a female football star.

ADL also follows Charlton Athletic Women, managed by Bill Long and captained by former England Under-23 international Kim Dixson, as they claim the London FA Women’s Cup.

The film is fast-paced, emotive and hugely informative – it manages to capture the emotion and drive of female sport and offers fresh perspective. It’s a must-see for anyone who loves women’s football, or wants to learn more about the game.

Check out more about the film over on Tumblr: adifferentleaguefilm.tumblr.com

The Sportsister Team
The Women’s Sports Magazine

Rickham and Birrell’s victory is the duo’s first taste of success at this event, which saw the SKUD sailors take a clean sweep of six race wins against the ten other crews who were competing for event honours at the Lake Constance venue.

Rickham said afterwards, “It feels great to pick up our first European title.

“It’s our first time competing at this event so we’re obviously really pleased to walk away as winners and excited to kick off the new cycle with a title, it’s always nice to be able to call yourself European Champions.”

“It was great to see so many SKUD’s out on the water with the European fleet now starting to grow. We had a difficult week out on the water, even though we picked up six race wins it was challenging at times with the lack of wind in Arbon.”

Providing the toughest competition across the four day regatta for the British Sailing Team was the Italian duo of Marco Gualandris and Marta Zanetti, who finished the regatta six points behind Rickham and Birrell in second.

Rickham said, “The Italians who finished fifth at the Paralympics last summer provided stiff competition for myself and Niki, but I would say the toughest part of the regatta was also the challenging conditions which we were up against.

“The final day of the regatta was massively shifty at times so we still had to work really hard to make sure we were in control. We were definitely rusty.

“It took some time to figure a few things out, but we could definitely see that we had to tighten up on our routines and refocus on a few things but all-in-all it was really nice to be back in the boat in a competitive environment where we really enjoyed our racing.”

Next up for the 2013 European Champions is the Sail for Gold Regatta at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy in June which Rickham admits will be a great regatta to compete in with some tough competition, but primarily there main focus is now towards the SKUD World Championships in August.

“The Europeans was a good chance for us to hone our skills at a light wind venue so that was good for us, but we are expecting it to be quite a breezy event at the Worlds in Ireland where we will expect to see the biggest and most competitive fleet of the year,” she said.

“Between now and August we will be working on our routines, going through the processes and getting back into the right mind-set to ensure we take a fifth World title.”

Lizzie Flint, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

The multi-format Women’s Ashes Series will encompass one Test match, three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 International (T20Is) matches.

The winners of the Test will be awarded six points, with two points awarded to the winners of each of the limited overs matches. The team that accrues the most points across all three formats will win the Women’s Ashes Series.

Head of England Women’s Cricket Clare Connor said, “The women’s game has seen huge growth in interest and profile as a result of the limited overs formats in recent years.

“The new Women’s Ashes Series looks to combine this reality with the prestige and tradition of Test match cricket.”

“We believe that this new multi-format series will gain significantly more profile and context than can be generated by playing a one-off Test match every couple of years.

“Re-branding the Women’s Ashes to a multi-format series is an innovative way forward for players, spectators and the media and we look forward to a hard-fought contest spanning three weeks in August.”

Lizzie Flint, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

She was honoured at a special dinner held in the Long Room at Lord’s last night which was hosted by ECB and Brit Insurance, the sponsor of all the England’s cricket teams.

The awards recognise outstanding performances in all formats of international cricket over the past year beginning with last summer’s domestic international programme and encompassing the recent winter tours.

England pace bowler Katherine Brunt won the Women’s award for a third time after previous triumphs in 2006 and 2010 following a year in which she proved to be England’s most consistent performer with the ball, picking up twelve wickets in England’s recent ICC Women’s World Cup campaign in India.

Her fellow nominees were Holly Colvin, Charlotte Edwards and Sarah Taylor.

ECB Chief Executive David Collier said, “There have been some memorable individual performances across all our England teams over the past year – a 12 month period which saw the England Women complete a clean sweep of four NatWest series wins at home last summer.

“We congratulate the winner Katherine, on her individual achievement and thank all those who took part in the judging process as well as our team sponsor Brit, and the MCC, for their help in staging our annual awards ceremony.”

Lizzie Flint, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

Katy McLean will captain England with Richmond’s Claire Allan being handed the vice-captaincy armband. Maddocks also recalls Kay Wilson, Emily Scott, Ruth Laybourn, Abigail Chamberlain and Natasha Brennan whilst Wasps’ Sonia Green will make her first start for England Sevens in a year.

Maddocks said, “Our result in London at the weekend was fantastic, but this will be a very different looking squad heading to Amsterdam for the final round of the World Series.

“It is really important that at this time of year, with the Rugby World Cup getting closer and closer, that as many of our players get more game time under their belts and are given the opportunity to put their hands up for World Cup selection again.”

England head into this weekend’s final round sitting second in the series ranking, but know they can only topple leaders New Zealand if their rivals fail to make the semi-finals.

England will face Canada, who they defeated 17-12 in the London semi-final at the weekend and Maddocks said, “There’s no doubt that our pool will be very tough especially as this is a different looking Sevens squad who have not played together much previously.

“Canada obviously tested us in London, holding us to 12-12 until the dying minutes of the semi-finals, whilst South Africa and France are very different teams that will challenge us in different ways.”

Final team:

Claire Allan (VC) (Richmond)
Sonia Green (Wasps)
Natasha Brennan (Wasps)
Rachael Burford (Thurrock)
Abigail Chamberlain (Richmond)
Ruth Laybourn (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
Francesca Matthews (Richmond)
Alexandra Matthews (Richmond)
Katy McLean (C) (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
Marlie Packer (Bristol)
Emily Scott (Thurrock)
Kay Wilson (Bristol)

Lizzie Flint, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

“I’ve never played her and I have always wanted to,” said Robson.

“I saw her play Wimbledon when I was about ten. I remember saying when I was 14 that I wanted to play her and I finally got my wish.”

“I’m pretty sure I said I would take her down on a BBC interview after the junior final. My mum sent it to me the other day when the draw came out to remind me of it – as if I could ever forget saying something so stupid!”

With the French Open beginning on 26 May, Robson has earned another big win on clay following last week’s run to the third round of the Madrid Open.

In Spain, she beat world number four Agnieska Radwanska, the left-hander’s first win over a player ranked in top five, before losing to Ana Ivanovic in the third round.

Robson will now meet Venus’s sister Serena, the world number one, in round two. She said, “It’ll be a good test and she is playing probably her best tennis and so she is not losing and so its going to be insanely tough, but I’m just going to go out there and do my best.”

Lizzie Flint, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

And winning world junior long jump gold last year has definitely underlined this potential. Not only this, but Katarina went on to finish a credible 15th at London 2012 in her first Olympic experience aged just 19, so it’s exciting to see what the future holds.

Sportsister’s Lizzie caught up with her for five minutes as she sets her sights on Rio and beyond…

So tell me what a typical training week is like for you at the moment?

At the moment I’m taking it a bit easier because I’m just coming up to competition, but normally I train five days a week.

Mondays are the gym session where I’d just be doing arm and leg exercises,  Tuesday will be conditioning and I’d really work on my shot-put and javelin and then do track sessions.

Wednesdays I have off. Thursdays we just do track sessions and Friday is a technical session and again I really try to work on my javelin and shot-put. Saturdays I train but then Sundays I have off.

When I’m doing conditioning and technical I’m with my coach, but when I’m doing track session I train with some of the lads and get motivated by chasing them!

You’ve mentioned training a lot on javelin and shot-put, would you say that these are your two weakest disciplines?

Yeah definitely. I’m always trying to work on them to make them much stronger, I don’t want to embarrass myself by them!

Do you ever go abroad to do training?

No. I did actually had the option to go away this year to Florida but I wanted to stay at home.

How did you get into the sport initially?

It was really strange I was into other sports at an early age, but then at school I tried a high jump competition and immediately broke a record without any previous experience. From then I just start picking up more and more events until I found heptathlon.

You’ve got a big year ahead with the U23 European Championships, the Anniversary Games and the UK trials for the World Championships in Moscow, does London 2012 still inspire you to push yourself?

Definitely it still inspires me, I want to get that feeling again and I don’t care where I am to get it. I have since deferred a year at my university so I can focus completely on sport. I’ve decided that education is something that I can go back to, right now I just want to give my all at the moment to athletics.

What impact do you think that London 2012 has had on athletics in this country?

The general public has really been affected by the Olympics, so many more people have got involved with athletics, and the interest hasn’t died down.

Looking ahead to Rio are you aiming for a medal?

Of course yes at Rio I do want to win a medal but I don’t mind which colour! I’m 20 years old now so in Rio I’ll be 23 and then the following Olympics I’ll be 27. Jess is a huge inspiration to me and she’s 27 now so yes I definitely I want to do well in both of them.

If you could get front row tickets to Rio event what would it be?

I think I’d pick the cycling in the velodrome, also as well maybe the diving that always looks great.

With seven events your kit bag must be pretty full! What essential item do you always make sure you carry with you?

Yes being a heptathlete I carry around a lot of stuff at all times! But I do listen to music during training and competition, so that is always with me.

If you hadn’t had done heptathlon what do you think you would be doing?

I don’t know I’ve always wanted to do sport. To be honest, I didn’t really enjoy my sport science course at uni, I’ve thought about maybe going into the nutritional side of things though.

And finally, what is the greatest advice that you’ve been given?

My coach is always giving me great tips, but they’re always funny. I don’t know he’d appreciate me telling you! But he will say a song lyric like Pink’s song Try – he will says the words “You’ve got to get up and ty try try try!”

You’ve also got to try and find something that you enjoy doing, that’s really important.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson was speaking at the McCain Home Grown Talent Winners Day. The Home Grown Talent Winners Day brought together talented athletes from the UK to help the youngsters continue their development and encourage their interest in the sport.

Lizzie Flint,  Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine