Boxing Day Test, Aussie Open and SL Socials in Melbourne

Sport Lived participants have been taking time out from their sports coaching and sports to make the most of the top sporting events which have been held in Melbourne over the Christmas and New Year period.  These include the Boxing Day Test Match where Australia took on South Africa, One Day Cricket Internationals where Australia played South Africa and New Zealand and the Australian Open Tennis Championships where Rafael Nadal reigned supreme.

Below is a selection of photos of participants at these events and other Sport Lived socials.

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