Athletics in Oz

Melbourne – city of culture, and hidden sporting gem.  The city Sydney-siders love to hate because they secretly think it’s just that much cooler than Sydney!

Jess Case is currently undertaking an athletics programme with Sport Lived in Melbourne.  Jess is from Godstone in Surrey, and is in the Top 11 in the 400m hurdles back home in the UK.  She trains and competes around 6 days a week, and coaches athletics about 20 hours a week as well.  She has been living, training and working in Melbourne for two months now.

“The best thing about the Athletics programme is the club I have joined, and my coach,” Jess says.  The club she is training with in Melbourne have welcomed her with open arms, and her coach has bent over backwards to ensure Jess has settled in.  “Since being out here my training intensity has increased loads, my fitness is ever improving and my speed is really cutting my times down. I am having the best season out here. I have already beaten my P.B. in the sprint hurdles, and close to my 400m flat time as well as equalling my 400m hurdles P.B.  My results in competition have really encouraged me to keep up all the painful training!”

Jessica Case (middle) with SL crew in Melbourne

Jess Case on St. Kilda Beach

Jessica Case (left) with Rebecca Rowley

As well as making waves with her athletics results, Jess is also making the most of the culture and events that Melbourne has to offer.  “Its hard to say just one thing that has been the absolute highlight since being in Australia, but watching the AFL final in Federation Square was definitely an experience I’ll never forget,” she says. “The nightlife in Melbourne is great.  There are loads of little streets that keep the good night spots well hidden. After being here for two months you start finding these little places exist.”

Jess is thoroughly enjoying her time in Melbourne, and is making the most of the opportunities available to her.  She is experiencing things she would never get to experience at home.  “The best thing about being in Australia is the atmosphere out here.  Everyone is sports mad, and are really friendly people!”  And her final words of wisdom?  “I would encourage other athletes to come out here as the athletics structure is so different to home.  There are more competitions out here, so more time to compete in your favourite events! Living in Melbourne is a great experience and I would definitely recommend living in the city!”

Find out about other Gap Year sports coaching programmes Down Under at www.sportlived.co.uk

Someone told me…it’s all happening at the Zoo

The Melbourne crew are certainly making the most of their Gap Year Australia, with a trip to Melbourne Zoo recently.  Check out some of the pics taken by resident happy snapper Jessica Case, who is on an athletics program in Melbourne.  Who doesn’t love a kangaroo?!

Gap Year Australia Players Arrive in Melbourne

Sport Lived’s cricketers, rowers, swimmers and athletes have descended upon Melbourne to start their play sport programmes.  Introductory drinks were organised last Wednesday where the group were shown around some of Melbourne’s finest clubs and drinking establishments.

On Friday 19th September some of the players were lucky enough to get tickets to the AFL Semi Final between Collingwood and St Kilda at the MCG.  The AFL Grand Final which will be a 90,000 sell out takes place next Saturday.

A number of great social events are planned for the players over the next few months including a day out at the Melbourne Cup Horse Racing Festival in November, a golf day and fancy dressy dress Christmas party in late December and tickets to the Boxing Day Test Match at the MCG where Australia will be playing South Africa.

It should be a fantastic few months for all the players and they are sure to have plenty of fun in the sun Down Under

If you’re looking to play or cocah sport then why not look at one of our Gap Year Australia programmes at www.sportlived.co.uk

Harry Moores – Player of the Month

Sport Lived has awarded Harry Moores the March player of the month award. Harry has been on a Sport Lived play cricket programme to Melbourne where he’s played for one of the top clubs in the city. He has been living comfortably in one of Sport Lived’s city centre apartments and thoroughly enjoying his cricket. Harry hails from Somerset, England where he plays for Castle Cary CC 1sts. Harry also played First XI cricket for his school Sherborne prior to his trip Down Under.  Harry is playing for his club’s 2nd team and paid testament to the standard of Australian club cricket when he claimed that the standard is considerable better to his team back home.

Harry at the Boxing Day Test Match in Melbourne

But Harry has excelled in this environment and has had a remarkable programme having been in excellent nick with the bat. The highlight of his time in Australia came in October when he scored a century for his club on debut.  It was a knock that ultimately changed the course of the match. His team were serious trouble at 10/4 before Harry’s 103 helped them to reach a match winning total of 340 from their 80 overs. He described it as an ‘amazing experience,’ one which I’m sure he will carry with him throughout his playing career.  Harry’s performances have helped his team reach the end of season Grand Finals which will take place later this month.

Sport Lived organise sporting gap year programmes to numerous destinations in Australia and New Zealand. You can also play cricket in Australia by finding out more on our website www.sportlived.co.uk