Sport's Personality of the Week

Future Sporting Prospects: Grass Roots to Professional Level

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From James the Cricketer to Jimmy the Legend

This week I thought I would continue my focus on cricket and look at the evolution of England cricketer James Anderson.

The Burnley born, swing styled pace bowler, emerged onto the international seam a shy but talented young man and appeared one of those unassuming lads who just had a knack for the game. He was only 20 when he was drafted into the England ODI (one-day international) squad to play Australia in 2002-03. An incredible inaugural performance saw him only concede 12 runs in 10 overs… was this the making of a legend?

John Lanworth (Anderson’s Lancaster Academy coach) recently told the BBC that,

‘Straight away you could see he had real potential but I didn't see one of our greatest ever bowlers. I saw somebody who had the potential to knock on the door of a professional career and then see what happened.’

Thus, he believed Anderson was good, but admitted he didn’t believe he had witnessed anything spectacular. After all, having bags potential is one thing – fulfilling it is another – such is the competitiveness within British sport.

Yet, as is so often the case in sport, after that fantastic debut, it was not all yorkers and hat-tricks for Anderson. His initial lack of noticeable progression within the sport highlights just how difficult it is to establish oneself at the highest level. An unimpressive average of 39.20 (runs conceded per wicket taken) in his first 20 international tests, resulted in him failing to cement a regular place in the England team. Anderson was very much the understudy,

Time elapsed, and there were legitimate signs that Anderson may not be the real deal – this was personified by his performance during England’s whitewash defeat to Australia in the 2006-07 ashes. James Anderson was emphatically taken to the cleaners by the Aussie batsmen and was found wanting on the biggest stage. However, Anderson recovered showing great fight and fortitude – this psychological resilience may have saved his career.

As I mentioned in my previous post, cricket isn’t really my forte; but what I can say is that I have very fond memories of watching England’s test matches throughout 2008, (for some reason I was briefly enthralled) witnessing the rise of England’s two master bowling assassins – Anderson and Broad. ‘Jimmy’ Anderson had arrived – and was here to stay.

Now, I could reel off a number of his brilliant scores, performances and match winning/saving wickets – but you can go to any sports paper or website and you’ll be able to find that information.

What I will say is that any young sports person, who is either struggling for inspiration or is perhaps getting a little too big for their boots/trainers/cricket box…take note. The transition from grassroots to professional sport is an arduous and often unforgiving journey. What is more, it is an ever-enlightening learning curve that will push one to their limits and certainly sort the wheat from the chaff.

James Anderson is an England cricketing legend, but he endured a journey that had its highs and lows – the important thing is he kept going, developing as a player and person.

Forget his initial poor wicket rate, there is only one stat that matters now – with 384, James Anderson is England’s leading wicket taker. Bats in the air and helmets off to you. Arise Jimmy Anderson, Lord of English Cricket.

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SPOTW

Aylish Cranstone: She’ll hit you for six!

Now, before I begin writing this and commending Aylish for her achievements within cricket, I must admit it is one of the few sports where my knowledge is rather limited – so apologies in advance for any misused terminology.

I feel it’s a great time to be talking about cricket – it’s often in the news right now with the England men’s team struggling to produce a string of positive results. It’s time for women’s cricket to earn its place in the spotlight

Allow me to start at the present day. Aylish Cranstone is a rising force within women’s cricket and is currently part of the England Women’s Academy Squad. She has played at an extremely high level all the way through her youth, representing England at u17 & u19 levels on tours through South Africa in 2010 and 2013 respectively.

Now, I’m not much of a cricketer – although I do enjoy the whites - but what I must say is being on the receiving end of an Aylish Cranstone thronker (technical term for fast ball) is f***ing frightening. I should probably mention that at the time when I was lucky enough to receive one at the crease, she was probably…14.

Backtracking slightly, Aylish began playing the game when she was 10 – initially for her local clubs boy’s team – I’m told she was one of their top players. Her transition to the women’s game swiftly opened doors to opportunities such as playing at County level for Hampshire.

Aylish told me that her progression through the ranks was aided invaluably by the coaching she received:

 ‘All my coaches have had a great understanding of the sport and have been attuned to my needs as a player.’

Cricket is undeniably a technical sport – thus when it comes to coaching it doesn’t matter who is playing, men or women. What matters is a coaches ability to create a quality end product. One of Aylish’s best coaches, Monte Lynch, had never been involved in women’s cricket before his involvement with her.

And so this brings me onto my next point – sex is highly irrelevant within this sport but there are still major gaps in the stature of the men’s and women’s game. Fortunately, progression is occurring and Aylish was quick to inform me that,

 ‘The women’s game is definitely growing…England women have recently gained new pro contracts and sponsorship with Kia Motors which is the first ever standalone commercial arrangement for the England women’s team.’

A lengthy quote but extremely pertinent – it is great to see a player within the setup speaking so positively about the progression of the sport. Cricket was, I suppose, a gentleman’s sport – but like all other sport’s it is moving forward and becoming more unconventional – in comparison to its roots. If we are to fully embrace this change then it should be accepted that the women’s game is on the rise and with this an increase in airtime and financial support should be granted.

Hopefully before too long lot’s more girls will be encouraged to play the game at grassroots level, due to being inspired by professional role models, such as Aylish Cranstone!

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SPOTW

Jamie Bowie: GB Relay Runner Looking to Accelerate into His Own Spotlight

Jamie’s running ability is already well respected throughout the British athletics community having already merited both Scotland and Great Britain call ups in the 4 X 400m relay.

At 25 he has achieved much already but he is still improving and certainly has more to give. His PB of 46.06 Jamie is a swift time, ranking him among Scotland’s best 400m runners. Jamie’s first run for Team GB came at the 2013 Moscow World Championships where he again ran in the 4X400m – an impressive 44.7 split in the relay ensured he would be in the selectors minds for the next championship.

I saw him run at the recent indoor European Championships once again in the relay for Great Britain – it was a team mixed with experience and youth that had Bowie running on the 2nd leg. Unfortunately it was a poor run by the British quartet, hampered mainly by the opening leg of the experienced Conrad Williams who gave Jamie little chance of gaining a strong position. A minor speed bump and one that I am sure Jamie will recover from. As fun as relay running is, I am sure it won’t be too long before Jamie is competing individually.

Jamie was also a member of the Scottish relay team at last year’s Commonwealth Games. He told me that, ‘for any Scottish athlete, Glasgow 2014 must be a highlight, regardless of how they performed.’

Coached by former Polish athlete Piotr Haczek who was a member of Poland’s most successful men’s 4X400m team, Jamie certainly has a strong platform in which to build his performances. He told me that his coach is a great inspiration to him. Of course, being a 400m runner it is unsurprising that Michael Johnson, an idol of my own, is also an inspirational figure.

Jamie said, “The world record holder for my event, Michael Johnson, is a big idol – you have to have respect for someone who ran 43.18 seconds!”

In all of my other articles I have spoken simply of the positives within Scottish coaching, however writing about Jamie allows me to voice a couple of concerns that he feels hamper the development of young Scottish athletes. Not that I am looking to throw Jamie under the bus, but these are his views. I am also of the opinion that Scottish coaching, not just within athletics but across the sporting spectrum, there are some areas that could certainly be improved. Jamie told me that,

“Based on my own experiences, I think the Scottish development system for athletics has some way to go. I do not feel there is enough support to help athletes and coaches make the transition from potential stars in the junior ranks to achieving stars at senior level.”

The transition from grassroots to professional sport is a pivotal point in the career of promising sports men and women. It’s tough to criticise the development system when I have seen so much positivity stem from the coaching of youngsters. However for sports such as athletics, where the wages are minimal and sponsors very hard to come by – the importance of university and a possible career after sport is vital – thus the development and nurture of athletes is essential. Jamie coaches at the Meadowmill running track in East Lothian, and due to him perhaps not receiving the greatest guidance, it is great that he can pass on his own advice to younger athletes.

So, what for the future? Well for now Jamie is aiming to make the 4x400m relay team at the upcoming Beijing World Championships – however with events such as the 2017 London World Champs and 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealths, Jamie says individual event selection is certainly an aim!

An experienced athlete who certainly has more in his locker – diligence pays and I believe before long this hard working runner will make his own headlines instead of enjoying ¼ of the spotlight.

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It’s Not Just Currie on the Menu for Matt McPhillips – Caution: HOT Prospect

SPOTW

Matt McPhillips

I have known Matt McPhillips for many years. He’s an extremely likeable and grounded guy who has always been sporty. However I don’t think he would mind me saying that I never expected to write an article on a potential Scotland rugby talent in which Matt plays the main protagonist.

Remarkably, he didn’t take up rugby until he was 14, and even then he found himself juggling it with football and tennis. So what made him choose rugby? ‘I chose rugby because I was more suited to it (physically) and enjoyed watching it the most on TV!’  Granted, it is logical to pick the sport that you love and are best at, but this also highlights the significance of TV role models within sport. Many youngsters take up a sport due to developing a keen interest (minor obsession in some cases) in a specific team or player. In Matt’s case it was Brian O’Driscoll and Dan Carter - both amazing talents who were clearly passionate about their sport.  In my opinion rugby players are amongst the best role models in sport, predominantly due to their respect for match officials and reputable and professional conduct on and off the pitch (99% of the time!)

As already mentioned, Matt’s passion for rugby developed much later than many of his peers, but this did not hamper his progression. He clearly has great natural ability and a strong understanding of the game and by the age of 16 he was playing for his County (East Lothian). With the County acknowledging his skills, Matt gained a place on the Performance Athletes in Schools (PAIS) programme, which I believe to be a great setup that galvanises local school kids to embrace sport and aim to excel. Matt certainly made the most of this opportunity, progressing through the at his local Dunbar rugby team. In turn this led to his decision to play for Dunbar’s 1st XV, instead of making a hasty and more glamorous move to rugby within the Scottish capital. With this decision he showed a maturity beyond his years, which unsurprisingly, has been a common trait among the future sports stars that I write about.

A place at Edinburgh University along with a rugby scholarship was soon offered to Matt. However, he decided to turn down the scholarship (but accept the university place), and instead, chose to play for Scottish Prem 1 side Currie RFC. He plays predominantly at either centre or full back, but is a fantastic and versatile utility back. The move was a brave decision that emphasised his determination and willingness to play at the highest possible level.

Matt summed this up as follows;

‘Good reviews from players in similar situations in previous years and the opportunity to be coached by a former Scotland centre (my position) Ben Cairns, and long term mentor Fergus Pringles (East Lothian development officer) led me to Currie RFC.’

Being at Currie has given him the opportunity to play regular first team rugby against other quality sides such as Melrose, and alongside drafted players from Glasgow Warriors such as Richie Vernon -  All of which he has taken comfortably in his stride, yet he walks without an ounce of arrogance. A fine achievement, I’m sure you’ll agree, given the short time he has been playing the game. However the story does not end there.

It is with great pride that I report Matt’s recent call up for the Scotland u19’s! I am especially pleased for him as he previously missed out on selection for the final Scotland squads at u16 and u18 level. Thus, the combination of Matt’s natural ability and diligent work ethic impressively resulted in a starting XV place for both scheduled matches. He played inside centre and full back in both friendlies against Japan, scoring a try in each game. (Clearly he let the pressure of the big occasion get the better of him…) The young Scots romped to victory on both occasions, winning 62-12 and 50-12. Below is how he described his first international appearances:  

 ‘Highlight of my rugby life so far is being present in that jersey for two games against Japan. I enjoyed every minute on the park and it was an honour to finally represent my country.’

 It’s a fantastic achievement for a player who has emerged from outside any of the country’s major rugby areas. Matt’s aims for the future are to continue to hold a firm grip on his starting place within the Currie line up, with his sights also firmly set on an u20 Scotland place next year! I wish him the best of luck and hope to write many articles on his future achievements.

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SPOTW:

Maria Lyle:

MARIA, you’ve gotta see her…Breaking World Records is an Out of School Activity!

This post is long overdue but I feel now is the perfect time to bring to your attention the sporting brilliance of this young athlete. British sprinter Maria Lyle, who I am proud to announce comes from my hometown Dunbar, is an incredible athlete who competes in the T35 100m and 200m. It would be an injustice to Maria to simply call her a sporting prospect considering what she has already achieved and it is frightening to think she is still only 15 years old. But we will get to all that a bit later. You may ask why, if already a proven talent, have I decided to include her in my blog. Age is one factor, but also because I want people to know about Maria and her successes as in my opinion, disability athletes do not always get the amount of coverage they deserve.

Maria was diagnosed with cerebral palsy which is a condition that affects muscle control and movement. The severity of the condition meant she required the aid of splints to help her walk when she was a child. At the age of 10 Maria joined the local athletics club and initially began competing in able bodied events before she was classified in disability athletics which allowed her to compete in both areas of the sport. This in itself is admirable considering the difficulties she had faced in walking when she was younger.  In small towns big news travels fast, and so I had heard a lot of second hand information about Maria’s achievements within the Dunbar community. But as I researched for this piece, I was amazed at the sheer magnitude of her accomplishments. It is nothing short of inspiring.

I chose to write about Maria at this moment due to her incredible performance in Dubai at the end of February. Competing in the IPC Grand Prix event in Dubai, Maria beat her own T35 World Record to finish in a time of 30.53, beating her previous record set in Bedford last year by 0.18 of a second! (Just your average trip during school time – I bet Maria’s mum would enjoy writing that absence note) I for one did not think Dunbar would produce a sprint multi World Record Holder!

It is amazing to hear about all these fantastic times and performances, but what is also great is that Maria loves the sport. We must remember that she is only 15 and I believe that at this age sport should be seen as something one does for fun and enjoyment and not just for the possibility of the end prize. Nevertheless Maria’s determination and mind-set is far beyond her years. She thrives on challenging herself and beating (more like smashing) goals she has set.  She said, “It’s a good feeling to know you have a purpose and feel rewarded for the hard work and effort you put in.”

When looking at Maria’s goals and aspirations they are not the likely examples that you would expect from a 15 year old girl. Aims such as to compete at the IPC World Championship this year or to be selected for the World Class Performance Programme, are evidence of her self-confidence and fortitude. What is more impressive is that these goals well within her grasp!

In my opinion, although Britain certainly embraced the recent London Paralympics, there is still not enough support or recognition for the amazing talents that we have, such as Maria Lyle. Within the athletics community her triumphs are certainly not going unnoticed, and in 2014 she was nominated for British Athletics Young Para and Young Olympic Athlete of the year. I’m not saying they Maria should be in the spotlight 24-7, but what she is achieving and what she will go on to achieve in the future is astounding and it would be great if a wider audience were aware of her triumphs – Food for thought: what were your main worries and concerns when you were 15, I bet breaking another world record wasn’t on your list.

Picture courtesy of Getty Images.

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SPOTW:

Blair Kinghorn

 A Shimmering Light at the End of Scotland’s Constant Tunnel?

As I begin writing this piece, it’s difficult to talk about Scottish rugby with a great deal of positivity. It pains me to say it, but Jeremy Guscott gave a pretty accurate summation of the teams recent performances – ‘Scotland continue to over-promise and under-deliver.’ However, fear not, for I have a young player to bring to your attention who is currently making ripples on the surface of the rugby community. And he is only 18! (Not to pile on the pressure too much!)

Edinburgh Academy 1st XV captain, Blair Kinghorn, is a flamboyant and tactically astute fly half who is making a name for himself throughout Edinburgh and Scottish rugby. He was introduced to the sport due to it being a school formality to play it from a young age. However, it was in fact football where he found his first sporting love. It turned out he was pretty good at that as well. Whilst playing rugby for the Edinburgh Academy, he spent a year with the Hearts football academy, yet he quickly realised his true passion lay with the ball that bounced in a less predictable manor. An unbeaten first season at Currie RFC U16’s probably contributed to his decision.

Blair told me that he was strongly supported by his coaches throughout his school career. Mark Appleston and Javier Palacios offered him the guidance he needed to excel on the school pitch, however as Blair’s talent began to shine, Edinburgh and Scotland u16’s came calling. Blair was introduced to a whole new dimension of training. “Support became much more specific when I got into the National Age Grade Program run by the SRU in my U16 season. This offered general Strength and Conditioning, Nutrition work, and skill work.”

Blair progressed at a rather rapid rate throughout his U17 season becoming a Scottish Institute of Sport supported athlete in the process. Modestly, he attributed his development to the Scottish programme which included nutritional advice and effective strength and conditioning coaching. Training and practice are obviously essential to a player’s progression in terms of physical strength and tactical awareness. But I believe there are those that possess a natural ability that one cannot teach/learn – All I am going to say is there is no doubt Blair has brilliant raw talent. I know I consistently mention this, but it really is great to hear directly from the athletes, how strong and supportive the coaching teams are within Scottish sport! Rugby is of course a team game, but Blair told me the Scotland strength and conditioning Coach Neil Crosbie, ‘tailors your program to your specific areas you need to develop in and to your specific positional needs.’ He also informed me that the coaches regularly ask for the players’ views and opinions so that the training sessions are beneficial and the right areas are targeted.

One of Blair’s key strengths is his place kicking (that year with Hearts has aided him well.) He has been lucky enough to receive one on one kicking tutorials with former Scotland captain Chris Patterson. He said Patterson, ‘was able to see small areas in my kicking technique that weren’t right and made me aware of them so we could fix them and ultimately improve my kicking and my confidence around my kicking.’ I think it’s fantastic that a player of the magnitude of Chris Patterson is willing to offer his guidance and expertise to a young, up and coming player – the results can only be positive.

Along with his accurate kicking, the Edinburgh Accies captain has the weapons (Great vision, diligent work ethic, skilful hands) in his armoury to achieve great things in the sport. He has identified turning pro and becoming an international as his main goals, as well as becoming the best player he can be – which I see as the most important. With the support he has received and will continue to receive, Kinghorn could become a household name within rugby. Watch this space!

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SPOTW:

Emma Canning

Run, Jump, Throw – She does it all!

British female multi-eventers have created a rather fruitful legacy in recent years. Denise Lewis’s gold at the Sydney Olympics paved the way for the likes of Kelly Southerton, Jessica Ennis-Hill, and the promising Katerina Johnson Thompson. Another hot prospect is Scotland’s Emma Canning. Multiple sports have always been a part of Emma’s life, and from an early age she found herself juggling Gymnastics, trampolining, swimming and football (although only in the school playground) – It’s safe to say her parent’s life must have resembled the proverbial taxi service!

Athletics was the sport that captured her imagination, and as a competitive individual, it seemed like the perfect route for Emma to take. She was only nine when she won her first Gold at Kelvinhall in the 60m sprint – she has never looked back, except maybe to view the trailing opposition. Moving schools at the age of 12 opened Canning’s horizons to new sports, and when the athletics season approached this was her first chance to try out events such as the Long Jump and High Jump. “I really enjoyed doing all the different events and found I could adapt quite easily to them.”

A recurring theme that I have found when writing these articles is a supportive family. Emma’s story is no exception. Her dad was and is a keen athlete and they have always trained together at the local ash track round the corner from their home.  

The heptathlon is an extremely testing event that requires incredible fitness, with a blend of speed, power and technical ability. When Emma was 13 she entered the u15 pentathlon at the Scottish Championships – and won it. “This was the day I also met my coach, Iain Mcewan, who is still with me now. He asked me who coached me, and my reply was "YouTube", as I used to spend hours watching videos on how to long jump, high jump and hurdle...” Talk about natural talent!

As we talk about family, it’s important to get the point across that a tight training group – coaches and athletes combined – can become a family in itself. Emma is lucky enough to have a number of dedicated coaches including former Olympic hurdler Allan Scott. It’s great to hear about coaches/mentors who are willing to devote the time and effort required to build an athlete’s strength and ability. “I see Iain at least 4 times a week, and I feel he really knows me as an individual, as well as an athlete, and how I work.” It is no surprise that with such a good team behind her Emma has set ambitious goals and targets.

So, Emma Canning is a multi-eventer and yes, one would expect her to be good at all 7 events. However, what I did not realise, and I’m sure many others will be the same, is that Emma is Scotland’s best u20 high jumper, second best u20 long jumper and third best u20 100m hurdler. I think it’s safe to say the other girls in and around those top places will not be exceling in another 6 events! Like Jessica Ennis-Hill, Emma’s weakest events are the throws.  It’s a tribute to her that she only sees the positives, telling me that, ‘working with specialist Alison Grey, who threw internationally for Great Britain, has helped massively.’ The diligent work ethic is there and so naturally the results will follow.  

Any athlete, let alone one from Scotland, would have been inspired by the success of last year’s Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow. Emma, who recently won a bronze medal at the British Indoor Pentathlon Championships, received her GB call-up for the Pentathlon International in Paris. Her eyes are firmly set on the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018 – ‘My ultimate goal is to get the commonwealth games standard for the heptathlon, so that I'm boarding the plane to Australia in April 2018.’ I for one, certainly won’t be betting against her going to Australia!

I love the confidence and determination that Emma portrays. She told me that she has always had a burning desire not to just compete, but win. A win or die attitude is a great personality trait in an individual sport like athletics, however I believe it is important to be cognizant that there will be set-backs and that rapid progression cannot be guaranteed every season. Although at this age, Emma is certainly seeing high speed progress. Athletes must be mentally prepared for the set-backs and disappointment; after all they are pushing their bodies to its very limit. Yet, with a strong coaching staff around her and a mature head on her still teenage shoulders, the future is bright for Emma Canning and I am sure we will see her throw, run, jump and soar to victory in the near future.

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SPOTW:

Kerry-Anne Hastings

The next generation of the Hastings Sporting Clan:

Since the tender age of 10, when it was simply whacking a tennis ball with a stick, all the way through to the vicious art of University sport, Hockey has played a predominant role in the life of Kerry-Anne Hastings. As an attendee of the Mary Erskine School, it came as no surprise to me that K.A.H was determined and motivated in her sport. It must be noted that with a second name like Hastings, Kerry-Anne was destined for sporting success, with her father Scott being a former Scotland rugby player, and her brother Corey, a fine athlete and hockey player.  Although always showing promise and making the Scotland under 16’s and u18’s squads, she told me there were times when she questioned her desire to continue in the sport due to the colossal amounts of training she was having to attend. Apparently there is such a thing as too much sport, and with athletics (another sport in which she thrived) taking up a large proportion of her schedule, Hastings found herself at a crossroads. However, as I mentioned earlier, sport is in her genes, and her family played a key role in keeping her interested in hockey – and I am sure she is thankful that they did!

Being great at sport can make you extremely popular and almost heroic at school, however it does come with its downsides. During her time with the u18’s, “it was very hard to balance Highers with the intense training.” The everlasting struggle to balance ones sporting passion, education and school commitment is often the reason for many young sports stars to ‘throw in the towel.’ And rightly so, education is obviously a key part of life. However Kerry-Anne exquisitely balanced her sporting and academic careers, making huge sacrifices in the process, most notably missing the MES hockey tour (where places are highly sought after – so I’m told,) in order to secure her place at the European Hockey Championships.

Anyway, enough about the complications of a hectic lifestyle and the pros and cons of a famous family heritage. Let’s talk Hockey. The Scottish girls’ hockey system is a brilliant body for development, made up of enthusiastic coaches who are genuinely interested in their player’s growth. Hastings told me that Scotland has a number of, “really good coaches throughout the programme who get to know you as an individual and give up their time to improve and develop you.” It is a credit to Scotland Hockey that the coaches know the girls on a personal level and act almost as a mentor through this vital transitional period. However there is the downside of funding. Often is the case in a sport that receives C class coverage when a nation is producing 1st class prospects. “The lack of funding in Scottish hockey means that we have to fund a lot of the trips ourselves and we have to do a lot of raffles and ask for sponsorships.” Nevertheless, Hasting’s ability on the field has nothing to do with economics and she is certainly one to watch for the future.

Kerry-Anne’s greatest achievement to date was playing in the European Championships Division 2 hosted in Vienna for the Scotland u 21’s. It was a special moment that she was able to share with her immensely proud family. The sacrifices she has made and support she has received has truly paid off, and now a place in the senior squad is potentially within her grasp. “I would love to reach to play the unbelievable level of playing senior women Scotland hockey but I'm just going to see what happens and play the best hockey I can give. If I get there it would be amazing but if I don't it's not the end of the world.” I think you’ll agree…an extremely dignified statement, which was followed by a genuine enthusiasm to support her peers regardless of her personal achievements within the game. Hockey is a game compiled of incredible skills and immense fitness. Although it has not received the funding or coverage it deserves, it is young players such as Kerry-Anne whose drive and ambition will ensure the game has a bright future within the UK.

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SPOTW: One to Watch Out For

S.H.C. Aims to kick-start his International Career

Sam Hidalgo-Clyne is a name that I expect will be on the lips of many Edinburgh and Scotland rugby fans at this moment in time. Emerging first choice scrum half and kicker for Edinburgh, the 21 year old former Merchiston Castle man, has just received his first Scotland call up ahead of the fast approaching 6 nations. So firstly I guess congratulations are in order.  Sam may no longer be one to watch out for. He may now just be the one to watch.

As many sports fans will not realise, one is not simply gifted with a talent, immediately recognised, signed and given an international cap before the age of 23. The process is a lot more arduous and competitive than that. Sam began his rugby career at the Forrester’s club where he was inspired by his brother to take up the game. It was love at first play. He was then offered a sports scholarship at Merchiston Castle School who offer the chance to play some of the best rugby schools in Scotland. Impressive performances soon delivered call ups for the Edinburgh u16s and u18s. It is this time period that sorts the wheat from the chaff so to speak. Some players will simply lose interest, some will be found wanting. But there is also the minority that excel and show great promise for the future.

Unsurprisingly as this post is about him, Sam displayed exceptional talent and ability which led to spells with the Scotland u20’s and Scotland sevens team. International youth rugby acts as a great platform for players seeking professional contracts as it offers them brilliant exposure. Due to a brilliant period with the Sevens team, Sam HC was offered a professional contract with Edinburgh and it is safe to say he has never looked back.

Although still only 21, Sam has a very mature head and approach to professional sport. “Being a professional rugby player is my dream job. The fact you could be in a completely different country every couple of years means there is no security in your job which puts pressure on yourself but also family members.” In 24 caps (including 13 starts) for Edinburgh, Sam has scored 57 points for Edinburgh and took on the role of kicker half way through this season. It’s an impressive start to a career that appears to be rapidly moving in the right direction. Unlike many who will settle for playing professional rugby (which of course is a fantastic achievement in itself) Sam has big plans for the future. “My goals are very high and I push myself hard to try to achieve then and become the best player I can.” Scotland has a number of scrum-halfs playing very well and so his short-term goal is to establish himself as his nation’s first choice no.9.

I asked Sam what advice he would give to the younger generation of rugby hopefuls. “I think for young players trying out rugby I think it is very important that they play as much as possible whether it is playing games or training.” I think it is important for our younger players to take inspiration from young players receiving international call ups such as Sam. It is an extremely competitive process to become a professional sportsman, and they should take hope and motivation from those who have successfully completed the process and fulfilled their dreams.

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SPOTW: One To Watch Out For

Andrew Taylor: Raw talent and determination should never be overlooked:

It feels great to be writing about a future sporting prospect who is a resident of Dunbar, my home town. Grass roots development is my main focus at the moment as I am very interested in the transition of young up and coming sports stars from their grass roots to professional sport. I have been aware of Andrew’s football talents for many years as word travels fast within a small town. He was lucky in the sense that the local team he played for was filled with an abundance of talented young footballers, although Andrew always appeared a cut above the rest.

The challenging thing with football is that your prospects and opportunities often depend on the speed and timing of your growth (at least in Scotland.) Although Andrew had lots of raw talent and ability, his progression was halted for a number of years due to the delay of his physical growth. He spent 4 or 5 years in the Edinburgh League with Leith Athletic, a team known for their attractive football and ability to nurture talent and feed it to pro-youth teams when ready. The problem for Andrew was that it was a waiting game…a game that many lose due to lack of belief that their time will come.

What mental and physical attributes did you possess that made you stand out and provide you with the opportunity to play for Hearts u20’s?

I think I stood out physically because I was stronger than most players who I played against and i have pace as well. I played midfield when I was approached by Hearts and I could read the game quite well. I have always hated loosing and will always push myself in a game, at training or in the gym. When I was approached by hearts I was very happy because I was starting to think that i wouldn't make it past the Edinburgh league stage of football but I still had some believe that i could make it.

It comes as no surprise that Andrew was spotted by Hearts after he grew in height and strength. I find it sad that the Scottish scouts would rather pick players with strength and power ahead of raw ability and skill. We should take a leaf out of the Spanish books. Xavi and Iniesta have never been dominant physical forces, yet played for Barcelona’s youth team since a very young age. In my opinion there is always time to grow and become stronger. Yet raw ability is a lot more difficult to learn and develop – a prime example being Ronaldo.

What difficulties did you face in the transition from the Edinburgh League to the pro-youth league?

Making the jump from Leith to Hearts was great but the main difficulty was probably the level of football. The game is a lot faster at pro youth level so you have to think a lot quicker than you normally would as you don't have as much time on the ball so you have to adjust to the speed and level of the game quite quickly.

I believe if one is good enough to play in the pro-youth league (and thus have the potential to possibly go on to play professionally) an individual will be able to adjust their game at a rapid rate. Andrew appears to have taken to the league like a duck to water, playing regularly for the u20’s at the slender age of 17.

What are your main aims for the immediate future?

My goals for the future are to get a full time contract at hearts or a professional club. I would like to try some coaching as well and pass on what I've learned from a high level of coaching.

I think it’s great that Andrew wants to try and give something back to the game.  I hope that perhaps because of the time that it took for him to get properly noticed he may look out for more raw talent and footballing ability, rather than simply physical structure. I wish Andrew the best of luck within the game. It is an extremely competitive game, but if he continues to ply with the same drive and determination, a professional contract is certainly a possibility. Many young boys are gifted players, but what separates them are those who are willing to constantly try and improve and those who don’t.

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Sports Personality of the Week: 

Jordan Spieth: The Young Pretender Contender

 This young golfer who staggeringly is only 21 years of age, has burst on to the Greens with an incredible armoury of shots both in his long and short game and an incredible maturity that makes him appear far older than his years. The Golf Channel described Spieth as the, ‘telegenic, mature-beyond-his-years phenom,’ who has played a crucial role in ushering in a new era in golf. After studying at the University of Texas, the Dallas born Spieth turned pro in 2012 and to be honest, has never looked back. I discovered his talents at the same time as many did, the 2014 masters. I was on Skybet looking at an outsider to back and his name popped up. I did my research and was satisfied and so placed my bet. What happened next was extremely unexpected and remarkable. The then 20 year old played three beautiful and almost flawless rounds of golf at one of the worlds most challenging courses and found himself leading the tournament heading into the final day. Unfortunately for him (and my bet) Bubba Watson shot a fabulous last round at Augusta. Bubba’s class accompanied with Spieth showing slight signs of nervousness (which was to be expected after all he was only 20) meant he just missed out on his first major. However he still finished tied second which was an incredible result for someone so young.

Jordan Spieth has maintained this incredible form throughout the majority of the tournaments he has played in 2014, finishing a respectable t17 at the PGA Championship and t37 at The Open. 2013 saw him crowned rookie of the year on the PGA tour, however this current year, Spieth has elevated himself to the world’s top 10 by winning the Australian Open at the end of November by 6 shots. An incredible course record final round of 63, made this possible with many top names including the world number one Rory Mcilroy and three Adam Scott left trailing far behind. 2014 also saw Spieth represent the United States at the Ryder Cup in which he and fellow American youngster Patrick Reed obliterated Ryder Cup veteran Ian Poulter and rookie Stephen Gallacher 5&4 in the fourballs. I would congratulate anyone who could take on Mr Ryder Cup and beat him and his partner by such a large margin. There is no doubt that Jordan Spieth will be an inspiration to many young Sports men and women throughout the world who are aspiring to make it in the professional world of not only golf but sport! The current world number 9 is part of an elite group in golf that people have described as the toughest test Tiger Woods has ever had to compete against in order to regain his golfing dominance. Speith is accompanied by the likes of Mcilroy, Ricky Fowler and Adam Scott, and at the tender age of 21 this is an incredible label to have. The question is will the pressure be a burden or a catalyst, I’m sure we will find out in 2015. 

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SPOTW - One To Watch Out For:

Grant Forrest:

Yet again I find myself writing about a future sport star who I can call a friend. If I’m honest, I feel slightly unaccomplished sitting here, when I know some incredible sports men and women who certainly have the potential to make big names for themselves in the sporting world.

Grant Forrest was a good friend all the way through my school career, and since I’ve known him, his reputation as an incredible golfing talent has always preceded him. After school, Grant was offered a place at San Diego University on a golfing scholarship; a fabulous opportunity that Grant grabbed with both hands. When I spoke to Grant recently he told me that American colleges’ offer an extremely relaxed and welcoming environment which he said was extremely important when studying abroad. He added that, ‘the American college system teaches you discipline as well because you have to balance the work with practice and also having a social life.’

Grant has already advertised his potential on the amateur circuit, winning the Scottish Amateur Championship in 2013 and as a result this allowed him to compete in a first British Open at his local Muirfield course in Gullane. It was incredible for my dad to come home from a trip to the Open with autographs from Tiger Woods, Ian Poulter and Grant Forrest! After a pretty successful (understatement) 2013, I asked Grant was his plans and ambitions were for the near future. Primarily he wants to graduate from San Diego University and qualify for the Walker Cup team. I guess unsurprisingly, he hopes this will be his last chance to compete in the amateur tournament against the US, as he is looking to turn pro at the end of next year. It is safe to say that although only 21, Forrest has certainly got his sights set on reaching the very top of golf.

Currently Grant is ranked 13th in the world amateur golf rankings and certainly heading in the right direction. It is inspirational to see a friend excelling in a sport that he not only is brilliant at, but also loves! He practices extremely hard and deserves all the success that he achieves in the future. Legendary golfer Gary Player once said, ‘the more I practice, the luckier I get.’ Grants work ethic and rapid progression epitomises this statement by the South African. 

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SPOTW:

Lynsey Sharp: Scottish Athlete Aims to be Razor Sharp This Summer

This week’s Sports Personality of the week is British 800m runner Lynsey Sharp. Lynsey was 4 years above me at school and was always regarded as a quality athlete and great prospect for the future. I knew her mother, Carol Sharp, through the school x-country team and was very excited when I was invited to train as part of their team. Lynsey had recently won bronze at the World Junior championships, where the controversial Castor Semenya won the title.

Lynsey who is an extremely fun and bubbly person, is also an extremely diligent and determined athlete. I was lucky enough (or unlucky enough) to take part in some of her gruelling training sessions back in 2010. The intensity and effort that she threw into each session, whether it was on the track or in a snowy park during the winter, was immense. She always left every ounce of energy on the track.

Her hard work and perseverance was greatly rewarded when she won 800m silver at the European Championships in 2012. Silver was later transformed into gold when the Russian Yelena Arzhakova was found guilty of doping. Britain once again called upon Lynsey in 2012, but this time it was on the biggest stage of all, the Olympic Games. Some saw it as a controversial selection, but those who were aware of her ability and quality knew she was a worthy member of team GB. Lynsey put in a gutsy performance and reached the Olympic semi-finals. It was amazing to see a friend and former training partner performing on the world’s biggest stage and fulfilling her potential.

Although the last year has been an injury ridden season for Lynsey, with injury even threatening to crush her dreams of running for Scotland as this year’s Commonwealth Games, she has come back faster and stronger, smashing her PB and running the second fastest 800m time ever by a Scottish female athlete.  The time of 2:00:09 meant that Lynsey qualified for Glasgow. To add that that phenomenal time, Lynsey sharp asserted herself as Britain’s best, beating a quality field including the experienced Jenny Meadows and rising star Jess Judd to win the British Championships. The form Lynsey is in just now, who knows how fast she could go. She certainly has the talent to dip under the ever talked about 2 minute barrier. I wish her all the best and the whole of Scotland will be behind her!

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SPOTW: One To Watch Out For

Guy Learmonth: New Guy on the Block

Although interested in all sports, the sport I predominantly took part in was athletics. I was always reasonably good at middle distance, running respectable times up until the age of 16 before giving up due to a lack of drive. Although he is unlikely to remember, I ran a 400m race with Guy Learmonth on one occasion for my local club. Guy won by a very big margin, which was great for our team and for the spectators but not so much for me who although achieving a personal best…finished about 6.5 seconds behind him. It was certainly a reality check and an eye opener of his ability.

My dad, a very keen athlete, told me at the time that I should expect to see Guy running in a GB vest in the not too distant future. He was right. Guy is now Britain’s second fastest 800m runner with an incredible pb of 1.46.85 which at the slender age of 22 is very encouraging and impressive. I can imagine this is a very exciting year for Guy who will be representing Scotland at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

It’s rather disappointing to think that whilst I write this he will be preparing to represent his country on a global stage. He is certainly one to watch out for in the athletics world, and from taking part in athletics myself, I know the extensive and body-breaking hours of training that are required to compete amongst the best and achieve success in the sport. Guy has combined raw talent with arduous training and his progress and results speak for themselves.