Help Aspiring Athletes of Barking and Dagenham "Live Their Dream" & Reach the 2012 Olympics

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'Living the Dream' - Our National Champions

Barking and Dagenham's Pride

Our Young Athletes

	Barking and Dagenham are proud to have a number of athletes competing at international level. Their outstanding profiles are highlighted on this page, all have the potential to get to the top. Since the trusts formation these and other athletes have been awarded grants. This has enabled vital equipment to be purchased as well as providing opportunities for several to attend specialised training camps to enhance their talent.

Athletics: Javelin

Bonne Buwembo

Bonne is 18 years of age and started throwing the javelin at the age of 14 after being introduced to it at the local athletics club and it soon turned into a passion. Bonne went on to win many titles and break a National Record at under 15. Bonne continues to work hard in training and has a dream of making the team for the Olympics in 2012 and beyond. More information Hide information
Some of the titles and accolades he has held are: Amateur Athletic Association of England's Champion 2004, 2005 and 2008 Essex Champion 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 English Schools Senior Champion 2007 and 2008 South of England U17 champion 2005, U20 Champion 2007 South of England U17 champion 2008 (championship record of 67.14m) Won the UK School Games in 2006 Ranked number 1 in the UK in 2008 as a second year in the U20 Age Group During the 2008 season he achieved the IAAF entry standard for the 2009 European under 23 championships of 70m by throwing 70.80m. This throw ranked him number 10 in the UK senior rankings for 2008 and also number 10 on the UK under 20 all time lists. Bonne is hoping to make the Great Britain U23 squad in 2009 for the championships which are to be held in Kaunas, Lithuania.

Frankie Goulding

Judo

	Frankie is 19 years old and currently studying a BA Hons in P.E and Sport at the University of Greenwich. He is a member of the Junior Under 20 Men's Great Britain Team and competes in the under 90kg category and currently ranked 3rd in the country. After spending majority of the 2007 year out with injury, it was not until mid 2008 where he was back to full competitive fitness. More information Hide information
Frankie's first major competition back was the UK School Games held in Bath and Bristol where he represented England gaining a bronze medal at this event. Other events he competed at include: October 2008: Flanders Cup, Senior Comp (Belgium) - Bronze October 2008: National Age Banded Championships - Bronze January 2009: Under 20 Junior GB Team Trials - Bronze February 2009: Midland Under 20 Ranking Event - Bronze The Bronze medal at the Midland Under 20 ranking event kept Frankie's impressive 3rd place ranking, however during the 2009 year he hopes to improve on this ranking.

Athletics: Sprint

Lucy Sargent

Lucy Sargent is a 21 year old athlete and competes in the 100m and 200m. She is ranked equal 1st in under 23 women 200m in Britain. Plus she is 3rd in under 23 women 100m in Britain. Lucy trains at Havering Mayesbrook Athletics Club and is coached by Trevor Marsay and Ann Sargent. Lucy got into her athletics through her sister who belonged to the club and her mum has competed twice in the Olympic Games! More information Hide information
Recent results include: 20-21 May 2009 Competed in the south of England senior championships in Watford. She was placed 2nd in both the 100m and 200m and ran the fastest times she has run for 4 years (11.78 and 23.99) 27-28 June 2009 Competed at the England under 23 championships where she was placed 2nd in both the 100m and 200m gaining another season's best time in the 100m of 11.71. In the 200m Lucy gained a new personal best 23.76 (previous personal best was achieved back in 2005). The day after the England Championships Lucy got a phone call to inform her she had been selected to represent Great Britain in the European Under 23 Championships in Lithuania for the 200m and the 4x100m. 18-19 July 2009 At the championships she qualified for the 200m final which was very tough competition, but she managed to smash her personal best and ran 23.57 in the semis. Lucy also ran faster than any other British athlete there and she is now ranked equal 1st for under 23's in Britain for 200m. In the final Lucy was put in the very tough lane 1 however she was pleased and surprised to even make the final and was placed 8th. The day after the 200m was the 4x100m relay, where Lucy ran leg 3 and the team were ranked 6th going into the championships and in the heat we placed 2nd with 44.37 seconds. The final was delayed for 2 hours as there was a dispute over the French team. But in the final their changeovers were perfect and they were thrilled to win. The team gained a time of 43.89 which is the 2nd fasted time ever for an under 23 British team. It is also under the qualifying standard for the World Senior Championships. Lucy and the team were a little surprised but extremely pleased! The week after the championships Lucy was asked to race in the 4x100 Great Britain Senior Relay Team at the Crystal Palace Grand Prix (24 July 2009). This is her first international as a senior and the whole event was a great experience. Lucy has to fit in training with university studies and she also has a part time job in London to help pay for all her expenses, like travelling and competing and training etc. She has to watch her weight bit still loves all sort of chocolate! Lucy ultimate goal is to compete in London 2012 and also in the Olympics in 2016 and compete for Great Britain as a senior.

Rebecca Wilson

Archery

	Rebecca Wilson is 16 years old from the borough and competes in archery. Rebecca trains at Abbey Bowmen and got into archery through a have a god archery session at a Living History Day organised by the National Trust. Rebecca loves competition, preferably winning. She loves archery as is a great way to meet new people when competing across the country. Rebecca is ranked 7th in Great Britain, 1st in Essex in the under 18 recurve discipline. More information Hide information
Recent competitions and achievements include: Retained Southern Counties International Archery Federation Cadet Champion title for 2nd year running (above age group) (July 2009) 2nd place at National International Archery Federation Championships in age group, (improvement by 1 position over last year) (July 2009) 1st place at Southern Counties Championships in age group (Imperial rounds) (September 2009) Improved outdoor handicap by 8 points (National rankings published October/November 2009) Represented Essex 4 times in competition Won English Archery Federation Purple Cross (highest Junior award) Champion title A typical day in the life of Rebecca consists of school followed by 1 hour of television. Its then time to tackle the homework followed by shooting either at the club or in the garden. Friday is Rebecca's only night off. She shoots every Sunday and most Saturdays in competitions or at the club. She attends the gym usually at school during lunchtime but occasionally goes to the Romford YMCA after school when bad weather prevents her from shooting outdoors. She is entering her final GCSE year and has a fully booked competition diary until the National Indoor Championships in December 2009 when she hopes to qualify for the England Team. Rebecca true goal is to represent Great Britain at the Olympics and England in the Commonwealth Games.

Swimming

Craig Moate

Craig is now 23 years old and has been an elite swimmer for many years and is a valuable member of the Great Britain Learning Disability swim team. He trains 10 times a week with the London Borough of Redbridge swim team and goes to the gym at least 4 times. More information Hide information
Listed below are some of his major achievements. At the World Short Course Championships held in Sweden 2004 Craig won gold in both the 200m butterfly and 1500m freestyle in which he also set a new world record. In 2005 Craig went to Liberec Czech Republic to swim in the World Championships coming away with 3 silver medals in 200m butterfly, 1500m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay. At the Dutch Open in 2006 Craig won gold in 50m, 400m freestyle, 100m, 200m individual medley and 100m butterfly plus silver in the 100m freestyle. The London Regional Championships was next winning gold in 200m,400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle, 200m and 400m individual medley, and 100m butterfly plus silver in the 50m and 100m freestyle. Craig also set a new World record in the 800m freestyle. Next was the European championships held in Budapest summer of 2006 winning gold in the 200m and 1500m freestyle silver in both the 200m butterfly and 400m freestyle and bronze in the 100m butterfly. Craig's next venture into Europe was at the Slovakian Cup in Bratislava here he won 7 gold's in 50m, 100m, 200m 400m 800m freestyle 50m butterfly and 200m individual medley plus silver in the 100m butterfly Craig also came away with the trophy for outstanding performance. World Championships in Ghent, Belgium 2007, here Craig won individual gold's in 200m butterfly 400m and 1500m freestyle also setting a new world record in the 1500m, there was also 3 gold medals in the 4x50m 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle relays. The European Championships were held in Poland in 2008 where Craig managed 3 individual gold's in the 200m butterfly, 400m and 1500m freestyle, 3 team gold's in 4x100m, 4x200m freestyle and 4x100m medley. There was an open section in the competition Craig went on to win 3 more gold's in the 200m butterfly, 400m and 1500m freestyle. To date Craig has an impressive portfolio of medals and titles: 33 gold, 10 silver and 4 bronze medals at International level Set one new British and European Record in the 200m butterfly Broken 11 World Records Ranked Number 1 in the World in 200m butterfly, 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle Short course (25 metre pool) World Champion 200m butterfly World Champion 1500m freestyle World Record Holder 800m freestyle World Record Holder 1500m freestyle British and European Holder 200m butterfly Long Course (50 metre pool) World Champion 200m butterfly World Champion 400m freestyle World Champion 1500m freestyle World Champion relay team 4x200m freestyle World Champion relay team 4x100m freestyle World Champion relay team 4x50m freestyle World Record Holder 800m freestyle World Record Holder 1500m freestyle

Reece Taylor

Karate

	Reece is now 19 years of age and has been competing in Karate events since the age of 9. 2009 will provide a new challenge to Reece, as he hopes to be selected to become a member of the Senior English Karate Squad and continue to win medals at this level. More information Hide information
His lists of achievements include: European Champion Commonwealth Champion 7 x British Champion 11 x National ChampionIn 2008 Reece moved into the Senior section, and was successful in the following competitions: 1st Place: British Senior Kata Champion 1st Place: English Senior Kata Champion 1st Place: Scottish Senior International Open Kata Champion 1st Place: British University Kata Champion

Karate

Conor Lynn

Conor has recently turned 16 years of age and regularly collects an array of medals for karate. In the last year Conor has won 13 gold medals, 7 silver and 4 bronze. In 2008 Conor retained his British title, regional title and British international title, and also became National Champion. He therefore won every major title in 2008. In addition Conor got a silver and bronze medal at the London Youth Games representing Barking and Dagenham. More information Hide information
Conor continues to train with the England squad and finally obtained his 1st Dan black belt in August 2008. He was named club fighter of the year in the annual awards and has been nominated for a Barking and Dagenham Rising Star Sportsman of the Year Award. Conor has been supported by the Barking and Dagenham Living the Dream Trust for which is he extremely grateful.

Kike Oniwinde

Javelin

	Kike is 16 years old and started throwing at the age of 13 as a first year U15, which she only achieved 30.57m and ranked 21st in the UK. She is now ranked 2nd as an Under 17, 5th as an Under 20, 18th overall and 5th all time Under 17. Recent Competitions 3rd - English Schools Competition 1st - Essex Championship 2nd - Amateur Athletic Association, 3rd in south of England Personal Best - 45.60m More information Hide information
Kike got into athletics and her discipline javelin through her school and she train at Havering Mayesbrook Athletics Club. Kike enjoys the success that comes with competing and the whole experience of training and getting good results from it. She also likes travelling to different places and being able to socialise with other athletes from around the UK and world. A typical week for Kike includes going to school and lots of homework for her A Levels plus four hard training sessions at Havering Mayesbrook Athletics Club. As well as having a successful year with her chosen Kike also achieved fantastic results in her GSCE's including 8 A*'s and 3 A's. It is Kike's dream and ambition to represent Great Britain one day and to win an Olympic and World Champion medals.

Gymnastics

Anthony Hughes

Anthony is currently training very hard for the forthcoming competitions. He trains 32 hours a week at South Essex Gymnastics Club in Basildon. His recent competitions have been tough as he has been competing in the adult age category. In the last competition there was no under 18s therefore Anthony was competing in the open section along with Lewis Smith the Pommel Bronze Medal Winner at the 2008 Olympics Games. More information Hide information
Anthony was thrilled to receive confirmation of inclusion into the British national squad. As from January 2009, we have been informed that due to Anthony's success over the last year and his continued commitment towards gymnastics he is being considered for national top junior squad, depending on his scores from the London Open. The top junior squad consists of the top 7 elite gymnasts from Great Britain Junior Team (under 19s). Anthony has consistently gained 5th place within these rankings.

Kelsey Richards

Swimming

	Kelsey is 15 years old and has been swimming competitively for 5 years to National Standard. Kelsey trains between 16-18 hours per week. Currently, Kelsey is the overall 14 year old girl Essex County ASA Champion, having won 9 individual gold medals, 2 silvers and 1 bronze at the 2008 Championships. More information Hide information
She also holds the Essex Age Group Event Best Time in the 800m Freestyle for 14 year old girls. In May, she competed in the London Youth Regional Championships in the 14/15 year category and won 3 individual gold medals and 1 silver. Recently she has competed in the London Region Winter Championships and is the current Junior (16 and under) and Senior (17+) Champion in the 200m butterfly and 800m freestyle and the Junior Champion in the 400m freestyle. Kelsey achieved 4 National Qualifying times last season. She is currently ranked 20th in the UK for the 1500m freestyle and is hoping to improve on that position at the National Championships in August 2009. Kelsey is currently one of the athletes selected for the Level 2 England Talent Development Program due to her performance in this year's National Championships. She has also been selected for a new squad 'Ortus Londinium' which has been made up of all the top 20 Nationally ranked athletes in East London and Essex. She continues to train hard and is looking forward to the National Championships later on this season. Kelsey currently supports her local borough in both swimming and aquathlon at the London Youth Games. Her long term ambition is to be selected for the 2012 Great Britain Olympic squad.

Steeplechase

Robyn Matson

Robyn is 21 years old and competes in athletics, cross country, road running. She attends Havering Mayesbrook Athletic Club and is currently coached by Bud Baldaro from the University of Birmingham. Robyn is currently nationally ranked 11th in the under 23 and is in the top 30 in the 10km. Robyn got into her athletics through her family, she always copied what sport her brother did, and eagerly waited for 3 years watching her brother running and training at the athletics track. Finally when she was 10 years old she was old enough to train on the track too. More information Hide information
She most enjoys the achievement that she gets at the end of it, whether it be reaching goals aimed specifically at the training session, times and positions in races, or getting selected to run specific races. Robyn says: "In small terms, running is all about reaching the goals you set yourself. What is the point in training and racing if you do not have the desire to achieve something out of it?" In her first 10km road race this year she ranked inside the top 30 as an Under 23, which she hopes to improve upon this year. Last year Robyn was also ranked 3rd Under 23, and 19th senior at 3k Steeplechase, which is the track event she aims to focus on in the future. Unfortunately she was injured throughout this years track season so did not participate in any track races, however did participated in her first half marathon at the beginning of October 2009 and came 6th British lady in the race. The time she gained was 83.58 minutes which ranked her 11th Under 23 at the half marathon distance this year. Robyn finished her BSc Sport and Exercise Science degree at Birmingham University this year, and hopes that having more time to focus on her athletics training will have a beneficial impact on her future performances. A normal day involves getting up, often far too early to go for a run then shower and breakfast, chill out for a bit, maybe go on the computer and chat to friend and have lunch. She then plans what she is going to do in the gym or what drills she will do. Then she runs to gym/track do the planned gym/drills session and then runs home to have dinner, ring her coach to talk about how the training went and to plan the next few days of training. Is she is luck she squeezes in watch some television and then goes to bed. Robyn's short term ambition is to get into the Under 23 GB team for the European cross country. She would also love to participate in the Olympics most probably in the 3km steeplechase or 10km as long distance female athletes tend to peak more when they are older. She would like to see herself doing the Olympic marathon in 2016 or 2020. Career-wise Robyn intends to apply for a Physiotherapy Masters degree and get into physiotherapy at the end of it. A quote that sticks with Robyn both as a person and as an athlete is as Steve Prefontaine said, 'To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift'.

Leanne Brown

Canoeing

	Leanne is 21 years of age and has graduated from London Southbank University. Her ambition is to represent Great Britain at the Olympic Games. Leanne has become Under 23 National marathon champion this year. Leanne has finished the season very well and has come back from injury and a series of illness with a national title. Leanne has been invited to join the selection process for the Great Britain Squad later this year. More information Hide information
Leanne's results have improved consistently over the season: April - K1 500m - 6th Under 23 April - K1 200m - 4th Under 23 April - K1 1000m - no result September - K1 500m - 3rd Under 23 September - K1 500m - 2nd Under 23 September - K1 1000m - 3rd Under 23 Leanne has represented the borough on numerous occasions at the London Youth Games, at National Level and England and Great Britain at International level winning numerous medals and trophies along the way. When she was 8 she started sailing at Mayesbrook Park and I saw people kayaking and I decided to give it a go. She took a liking to it and was told she was a natural and since then has perused this discipline as a major part of her life. Leanne really enjoy her sport as she loves being outdoors and keeping fit. She is a competitive person and likes to win so competing in her sport enables her to do this. She is hoping to compete for the Great Britain under 23's Sprint team next year.

Canoeing

Ben Bradshaw

Ben is 21 and competes in flat water canoe racing. He trains in Barking and Norwich and got into the sport during his school holidays when he attended the Mayesbrook Lake summer sessions. Ben is currently ranked 2nd nationally in the under 23 men's marathon K1 discipline. Ben loves to compete as much as possible and his sport gives him the opportunity to travel. More information Hide information
Recent achievements include: 2nd Under 23 Men National Marathon Championships K1 1st Hasler Finals K2 division 2 1st K2 500m Men's B 2nd K2 1000m Men's B 3rd K1 200m Men's B 8th K1 Gent Marathon Trip - Belgium Ben's main ambition is to compete at the Marathon World Championships next year and to be wearing GB kit at the Olympic Games.

Jake Harrison

Swimming

	Jake is 17 years old and a member of Romford Town Swimming Club. He became really interested in swimming when his parents took him for lessons. What he loves much about swimming is the sheer excitement of racing at galas and competitions. Jake is ranked 1st 100m breast stroke in Essex and ranked 139 nationally in 200m breast stroke. More information Hide information
Recently Jake has won 3 cups in the Essex Senior and Junior Swimming Gala and won a gold medal in the 100m breast stroke. Jake was proud to have been selected to swim with the club's relay team at nationals. He is a dedicated sportsman and trains 8 to 9 sessions a week, but days are long with swimming and college to juggle. Jake's ambition is to make the nationals for 100m and 200m breast stroke.

Swimming

Chris Inch

Chris is 17 years old swimmer who is nationally ranked 6th in 200m butterfly and 11th in 100m butterfly. Chris got into swimming through his dad and was then recognised by a swimming teacher who suggested a swimming club! Chris is a member of the London Borough of Redbridge Club. He loves swimming and in particular likes the sense of achievement it brings plus he has great friends though his sport. More information Hide information
Recent competitions and result are as follows: Nationals 6th in 200m fly - final (gained a British championship qualifying time) 13th in 100m fly - semi final UK School Games 3rd in 400m freestyle Regions 1st 200m fly with a new record 1st 400m IM 1st 200m IM 2nd 100m fly County 17 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze A typical day for Chris involves an early morning wake up 4.45am. He has a quick bite to eat and a drink and leaves the house by 5.15am and then it's straight to the swimming pool for 5.45am. He trains for 1hour 30 minutes and gets out at 7.15am just in time for a quick breakfast before school. After school Chris gets home for a light pre-training snack and fits in as much coursework/homework possible before he leaves to go back to the swimming pool for 5pm to do 1 hour's worth of gym training, followed by a 2 hour swim. He goes back home for dinner and then goes to bed ready for the next day. Chris ambition for 2010 is to make the GB development team, also to improve on his placing's at nationals, and to do well at the British Championships. His ultimate dream is to make the GB swimming team and to go and compete internationally with the GB team to represent his country and hopefully make the Olympics.

Bobbie-Ann Morgan

Rowing

	Bobbie-Ann Morgan is a 17 years old rower from the borough and is trained by Gary Annis at the Royal Docks Rowing Club. Bobbie-Ann got involved in rowing by chance, she was lucky enough to be walking her dog along the Dockside when the club were boating. She thought it looked fun and would be interesting in trying something new, so she asked about trying it and that's how it all began. Bobbie-Ann loves everything about rowing and she is so glad to be involved in this exhilarating sport, because the feeling she gets from just taking part is great but winning is amazing! More information Hide information
Each session leaves her happy that she has worked hard and feeling good physically and mentally. Recent achievements include: 6th in the National Junior Indoor Championships (2009) 2nd in the London Youth Games (2009) Moved from novice to intermediate (Level 3) Represented the South-East England at Nottingham and a Quad at the Inter-Regionals 1st at three top venues this year- Marlow, Molsey and Cambridge Typical day in the life of Bobbie-Ann involves school, she attends Jo Richardson 6th form where she is studying 4 A-Levels. After school she gets home to get as much school work done as possible and has a meal. She then goes training from 6pm - 8pm and after that completes her school work. She tries to keep weekends free from school work so she can spend more time training which is usually 8am - 12 noon. In the afternoon she relaxes with the family and watches the Daggers! Or she plays oboe or her keyboard as Bobbie-Ann is not only a keen sportswoman she is also a musician. Her ambition is to achieve the best and take herself to the highest level possible. She aims to do well in all the races this season such as the Ball Cup at Dorney Lake where the 2012 Olympic rowing is going to be held. This is a fantastic regatta and Bobbie-Ann aims to get a podium finish!

Wrestling

Chloe Spiteri

Chloe is a 20 year old who competes in Olympic freestyle wrestling. She is currently English Senor Champion. She started when she was scouted at a multi-sports event in London in August 2007. She was asked to try out the sport and found that she was talented at it and decided to train hard and get to 2012 and win gold! What Chloe most loves about her sport is winning! She loves to see hard work and training pay off and likes to meet lots of people! More information Hide information
Chloe's recent rankings and titles are detailed below: English Senior Champion (May 2009) English Junior Champion (March 2008) 2nd ranking in Britain seniors (November 2008) 2nd ranking in Britain juniors (June 2008) Aspull international club competition 1st place (November 2007 and November 2008) Senior British Championships (31 October 2009 - new ranking) Chloe currently trains 2 times a day, in the mornings she does 1 hour of training mainly cardio exercises and then in the evening she mainly does intense cardio and technique exercises. An example of a typical week is: Monday - Wrestling training for 2 hours and 1 hour swimming Tuesday - Rugby training Wednesday - University rugby match Thursday - Wrestling for 2 hours and swimming for 1 hour Friday - Weight training and wrestling training Saturday - GB training or wrestling competitions or rest Sunday - Rugby match or rest (This will vary depending on which coaches are available and competitions) As well as training Chloe studies sports science and is in her 2nd year at Brunel University and she works as a personal trainer running a voluntary project whenever she gets any spare time. Chloe's dream is to compete in the London 2012 Olympics and be world champion and a gold medallist!

Kelly Staddon

Judo

	Kelly is 14 years competitive judo player who is a member of Ford Judo Club. She began judo early at just 5 years old. Kelly is currently ranked 5th in Great Britain in the under 48kg weight category. Kelly love judo as its fun and sociable, she enjoyed this discipline of self defence and likes travelling abroad for competitions and training. More information Hide information
Kelly's recent achievements include: Silver in Birmingham in September 2009 Gold in Midlands in February 2009 Gold in North West Competition in March 2009 Bronze in Venray, Holland in June 2009 A typical schedule for Kelly is a busy one, she goes to school, trains hard and competes! Her ambition and goal is to win the Europeans in 2010 and hopefully go to the Olympics.

Judo

Lindsey Tate

Lindsey is 20 years old and from the borough. She is three times National Champion and once British Champion. Lindsey is just coming back after an injury so has not been competing recently. She got into judo through friends and trains at Camberly Judo Club in Surrey. She like fighting, but in a controlled environment, and finds this disciplined sport helps keep her focused and fit. More information Hide information
A typical day for Lindsey when in the peak of her training is to get up early for a run then an hour's break for breakfast. Its then time for go to the gym for 2 hours followed by a break for lunch. For the next 2-3 hours she then goes back on the judo mat to work on her postures and throws, then another break till about 8pm then back on the judo mat for fighting until 10.30pm. Her ultimate dream is to go to 2012 Olympics to represent her country and be an Olympic champion!

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