The University of Liverpool Management School Graduation

The University of Liverpool Management School Graduation photos now online at  http://bit.ly/hhcStQ

Photo by Alan Edwards

Photo by Alan Edwards

Juniors join world-class Seniors in 2011 National Squad

Men’s Artistic National Squad Selections 2011 – The majority of Britain’s Junior European Team Champion gymnasts, now make the move up to the Senior Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Squad announced for 2011.  The selection sees gymnasts such as Junior European All Around Champion Sam Oldham (Huntingdon), Junior European Pommel and Floor Champion Max Whitlock (South Essex) and triple Commonwealth Silver medallist Reiss Beckford (South Essex) unite with World Pommel Silver medallist Louis Smith (Huntingdon), World Floor Bronze medallist Daniel Purvis (Southport), Commonwealth Games All-around Champion Luke Folwell (Huntingdon) and 2009 World All Around Silver medallist Daniel Keatings (Huntington) together in the British Senior Squad. The depth of talent in the British Men’s programme is clear to see as Kristian Thomas (Earls), Sam Hunter (Unattached), Ruslan Panteleymonov(Hinckley), Yevgen Gryshchenko (Hinckley) and Theo Seager (Bury), all of whom have competed on the World stage for Britain, along with new Seniors Cameron Mackenzie, who was part of the Junior European Champion Team in 2010, and Ashley Watson who has recently returned from injury, make up the remainder of the Squad. Olympic Performance Director Tim Jones said: “We now feel the time is right to promote some of our outstanding Juniors into the Senior ranks, but also start providing a comprehensive package of support to some of the young gymnasts who will form the backbone of our 2016 Olympic Team in Rio. This list of selections shows a remarkable depth of talent and is testimony to the progress that has been made in the Men’s Artistic Programme in recent years.” Men’s Technical Director Eddie Van Hoof said: “What an exciting time to be involved in the Men’s Artistic programme. The commitment and depth of talent in the Squad, shown by the gymnasts and coaches at all levels, is a tribute to the level of high performance that has come to be expected. Gymnasts are now fighting for the right to gain international selection. This has extended down through the ranks to the new TOP Juniors (2016), who have the tough task of following the success of previous teams. I am positive that they will meet the challenge ‘head on’ and succeed.” The Senior gymnasts will be looking ahead to a crucial year of competition in 2011 with the European Championship held in Berlin (GER) April 6 – 10, and then the World Championships in Tokyo (JPN) Oct. 08 – 16. From British Gymnastics website

More funding for Gymnastics

More funding for Gymnastics   Sourced from British Gymnastics©

UK Sport aims to maximise 2012 medal success  ·    Gymnastics is one of the six Olympic sports receiving more money for final medal push British hopes of medal success at London 2012 have been boosted, with UK Sport making changes to its investments in Summer Olympic and Paralympic sports that maximize the chance for athletes to win more medals across more sports than ever before.  The changes are the last significant opportunity to impact meaningfully on 2012, with little over 18 months before the Games begin. The announcement comes as part of UK Sport’s annual review of all its investments at the mid-cycle point before the Games and represents an overall increase of £2.6 million in spending for summer Olympic and Paralympic sport, with the additional funding found through reprioritization of resources and greater than expected Lottery sales. The review retains the highly successful ‘no compromise’ investment approach that helped produce the incredible performances by Team GB and Paralympics GB in Beijing. A total of six summer Olympic sports will see their funding increased for the final two years of the London funding cycle, a move that UK Sport believes will provide these sports with the opportunity to reach their full potential and maximize the medals won. Hockey, Gymnastics, Boxing, Tae Kwon Do, Rowing and Canoeing have each received an increase in funding for the final two years of the London cycle, ranging between £1.13m and £197,000. It follows another very positive year for Olympic and Paralympic summer sport.  The majority of sports have shown real progress on the journey to the Games, with 40 medals won at World and European level in Olympic disciplines and 84 in Paralympic disciplines, meaning we are further ahead at this stage of the Olympiad than before any previous Games. Baroness Sue Campbell, Chair of UK Sport, said: “2010 has been an incredibly positive year for many of our Summer Olympic & Paralympic sports and our announcement today reflects that sense of momentum to 2012. “Our decisions are made on the back of hugely detailed analysis and review of all our investments which, combined with active management of our total budget, means we are in position to allocate more funding than ever before towards athlete success. We can do this also thanks to certainty we now have from Government following the spending review, which represented a very positive settlement in difficult times, and the continued vital support of the National Lottery and Team 2012 presented by Visa. “Sports now know what they have for the final push – this review represents the last significant opportunity for changes to investment before 2012.  We believe we have got it right for hitting our targets in two years time – not just in finishing in the top 4 in the Olympics and 2nd in the Paralympics but, crucially for a home Games, winning more medals across more sports than ever before. Minister for Sport, Hugh Robertson MP, added:  “This demonstrates our commitment to support our top athletes across a range of sports to make sure they can reach their potential. With a little over 18 months before London 2012, the Government’s reform of the National Lottery has delivered for sport, providing additional funding for athletes in six summer Olympic sports as well as increasing investment to winter sports to help athletes follow in Amy Williams footsteps in Sochi 2014.” Jane Allen, Chief Executive of British Gymnastics, said: “British Gymnastics is delighted with the news today that UK Sport has increased their investment in our World Class Programme. We believe that this is a direct result of the outstanding achievements our World Class Programme has accomplished to date and we are grateful for the increased funding, as this will, not only, strengthen the athlete support for 2012, but will also provide a stronger legacy in the World Class Programme going forward to 2016.”

Celebrities hit the Red Carpet in Liverpool 9.12.10.

Celebrities including Coleen Rooney and Alex Curran attended the Cricket Christmas Party in Liverpool.

Photos online at http://imagelibrary.photoshelter.com/gallery/Cricket-Xmas-Party-9-12-10/G0000TNbKKw_I._Y/P0000HzpuJUnyS6c

Alan Edwards   http://www.f2images.co.uk

Cherie Murphy Photo Alan Edwards

 

Alex Curran Photo Alan Edwards

Coleen Rooney Photo Alan Edwards

Former Deputy Prime Minister Michael Heseltine visits Liverpool Hope

Covered this event at Liverpool Hope University last Thursday 2.12.10.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Michael Heseltine officially opened Liverpool Hope University’s brand new Business Gateway on Thursday 2nd December.

Welcoming Lord Heseltine to Hope, Vice Chancellor Professor Pillay spoke of his “seminal contribution” to the regeneration of Liverpool, saying:”I’m delighted that Lord Heseltine is opening the Business Gateway. This building is a shot in the arm for the University’s ambition.”

During his speech, in which he praised the new building, Lord Heseltine said:”Every time I come  to Liverpool it’s a trip down memory lane. Liverpool today is unrecognisable – it’s pulled itself up from the bottom. I’m very pleased to be associated with Liverpool Hope’s Business Gateway.”

Photo by Alan Edwards

Photo by Alan Edwards

 

The new Business Gateway is housed within the University’s brand new £8.5m Education and Enterprise (EDEN) building and will become a single point of entry for any business enquiries to Liverpool Hope University for organisations looking to source corporate and professional training, collaborative research, plus educational partnerships.

Further photos from the visit can be found at  www.f2images-photolibrary.co.uk

 

 

Luke and Cameron win in South Africa

Luke and Cameron win in South Africa
The new Commonwealth Games All-around Champion Luke Folwell rounded up the most successful year in his career by winning the victories on Rings and P. Bars, Silver on High Bar and Bronze in the All-around and Pommels at The Bumbo Cup in Johannesburg (South Africa), Saturday, 4 December 2010.

Further photos of Luke can be found at     http://u0000fpbizfqgfes.photoshelter.com/search?I_DSC=luke+folwell&_ACT=search

 

Luke Folwell in action at the Mens British Championships

Student Protests Liverpool

 

Photo by Alan Edwards

Covered the student protests in Liverpool. Photos online at  http://bit.ly/hKWmXR

Sports Acrobatics Gymnastics British Tournament 28.11.10

Covered the the event for British Gymnastics on Sunday.The drive down to Stoke was fine despite the snow showers.

Used a D3 and 200 f2 combination. The sports hall at Fenton Manor is not the best lighting. Was shooting at 2000 asa at 1/320s at f2. This was fine for the balances but almost impossible to freeze any of the tempo routines. Looking at upgrading to the D3s for the extra stop that would give in this situation.

Also is anyone using the new  Nikon 200 f2 vr 11 lens?I bought my original 200 f2 lens right after the Athens Olympics and have used it at every gymnastics competition since then. Is the new one worth the extra cost to upgrade?

Photo by Alan Edwards

Photo by Alan Edwards

Photos from the event can be viewed and purchased at http://www.f2images-gymnastics.co.uk