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Link Sport looks at three coaches leading their country in 2015...

Swindon trio taking on the world

SWINDON is a town regularly in 2012, took on his country’s top speak to proud Scot Russell to know whispers while I was out in Estonia
targeted by professional troll Katie job in January 2014 and proved to he’s a long way from being Swindon but I thought it was about being an
Hopkins, lightly ridiculed in Ricky be an instant hit. born and bred, but that doesn’t assistant, but they called me on my
Gervais’s hit comedy The Office and Despite not being given a chance mean he isn’t honoured to represent daughter’s first birthday and it was
frequently featured highly in ‘Britain’s by many experts, Rossiter and his the town on the international stage. an amazing double whammy.
worst places to live’ lists. Lions progressed straight through “It’s unreal really, it’s all happened “There was only one answer from
However, despite many being ready to the final of last summer’s World really fast and for this to happen there, it’s an amazing opportunity.
to point out all its faults, Swindon is Cup, following a stunning victory at so soon after what we did with the “To have so many international
a place which can now boast three King’s Lynn in Event One. The Brits under 20s, I really couldn’t have managers and coaches from one
top line international sports coaches. eventually finished last in the final, wished for a better Christmas,” small town like Swindon is a
Pete Russell is the latest name to but major progress was made for a he said. “It’s an amazing feeling wonderful thing and I’m honoured
join the gang of Swindon sporting country which has ground to make and I just can’t wait to get going to be the latest one of those.”
leaders, having been appointed head up on their European rivals. now. I’ve been involved with the All three coaches have major
coach of the Great Britain senior Rossiter has been vocal regarding younger teams for a long time now targets this season, Russell is
ice hockey side recently, putting his hometown pride, often sticking and last year was an assistant with gunning for World Championship
him alongside GB speedway boss up for Swindon in the face of those the seniors, but the top job wasn’t success in April, Rossiter is targeting
Alun Rossiter and Anna who choose to criticise, with that something I was really thinking a World Cup medal in July and
Mayes, who leads feeling multiplied now he’s also in about to be honest and I just Mayes will be looking for her own
the England Swindon Hockey Club charge of his country. wanted to be involved in some way. World Cup gold in August. With so
netball are looking for new players. “If you have any ambition “It came out of the blue when much promise, 2015 could well be a
team. Children in years 4-9 are it has to be your goal to they called me, I’d heard a few massive year for sport in Swindon.
All invited to attend free taster coach or lead your country,
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of success, massive thing and the atmosphere
with Russell earning was really good in the team. There
himself the top job following a long were a lot of people out there who
association with the GB U20s side helped me last year and I’m so
which most recently saw he and grateful for their support.
his team claim Under 20 World “Having three international
Championship (Division 2A) gold with coaches in Swindon like that is an
a win in Estonia in December. awesome thing. Everyone knows
Mayes has led her country since about how proud I am to be from
2011 when she was given the top Swindon and it goes to show how
job after securing the World Netball the town is a good place to be.
Series title as interim boss. Two “What really gets me is all
years later, she recorded England’s the celebrities bagging us. Yes,
first ever series whitewash of everywhere has its faults but for
Australia before narrowly missing some reason people try to paint
out on a medal at last summer’s Swindon in a bad way.
Commonwealth Games. “I don’t think there’s an awful
Rossiter, having led Coventry lot wrong with it and I’m proud to 60A BEECHCROFT ROAD, UPPER STRATTON SN2 7QD
Tel: 01793 700105
to Elite League glory in 2010 and represent my home town.”
guided the Robins to the same title Unlike Rossiter, you only have to www.swindoncycles.co.uk
swindonlink.com n February 2015 45