32 l NEWS & MAIL l Thursday 5 April 2018 WAY HOPES CHOB SET TO BOW OUT FOR VITAL ON A HIGH TUSSLE SPORT PAGE 28 PAGE 29 Sports Desk Telephone: 01483 375793 Email: [email protected] Follow us on Twitter @Woking_NewsMail ReSWIaMMINlG: ity time for Maine in Oz WOKING She said: “I’ve never been to Woking Swimming Club lead swimmer Anna Maine’s Australia before, so it’s very coach Mark Staiger took Maine dream of competing in exciting to have the opportunity to through a vigorous training and the Gold Coast 2018 be here and compete for my conditioning programme, in both Commonwealth Games will finally country. the gym and the pool, to help become reality tomorrow (6 April), “It’s a busy itinerary for all the execute her race plan. writes Andy Fitzsimons . athletes, training at the holding “Mark has certainly helped to The promising 17-year-old camp, before being transferred to push me to be the best that I can Woking Swimming Club athlete the Commonwealth Athlete Village be,” said Maine. will take to the 50m Optus Aquatic It’s the first time that the ahead of the competition itself. “It’s been hard work, but it has Centre pool in Queensland on reigning 50m backstroke British “I was pretty nervous going into paid off. Friday (02.18 BST) in the heats of Junior Champion bronze medallist the Games, as it’s my first senior “Before I left with Team the 100m women’s backstroke and 100m backstroke World Junior race meeting, but I usually swim at England for Australia, Mark’s event, in hope of reaching the Championships finalist will have my best when I am nervous; it’s a advice to me was to make the most semi-finals later that afternoon. The the opportunity to compete on the positive way to channel my energy. of the experience and the final will take place on Saturday global stage, and against the best “I think the Australians and the opportunity to race against the best (7 April). swimmers in the world. Canadians will be my biggest athletes in the world.” Maine will also be looking to But Maine is taking it all in her competition, as they both have Due to the competition schedule, register a new personal best time stride, allowing her nerves to fuel some really fast backstroke Team England swimmers were when she returns to the pool in the her adrenaline to help her progress swimmers. unable to take part in the heats of the women’s 50m through the heats. “I also think the Scottish and the spectacular opening ceremony at backstroke on Monday (01.49 Speaking exclusively to the Welsh swimmers will fare well too, transformed Carrara Stadium BST) – again seeking to reach the News & Mail , the young Team so it will be interesting competing football stadium, but were still able semi-finals later that day England backstroke hopeful has no against them,” she added. to watch the celebrations, which (9 April). The final will take place intention of letting the furore of the Prior to arriving in Queensland depicted unity and diversity to on Tuesday (10 April). occasion pass her by. two weeks ago, Australia-born epitomise the spirit of sport. CHALLENGE – Woking swimmer Anna Maine Chapple at the helm Cards’ board side with experience over youth FOOTBALL: AFTER a “We talk regularly; he’s top drawer. 15-and-a-half-year “I am confident that Woking can absence from the dugout, get out of this situation – if the stalwart Geoff Chapple players and staff keep working as has once again taken over the hard as they have been,” he added. managerial reins at Woking, writes In a statement on Tuesday Andy Fitzsimons . afternoon, Limbrick thanked the The board’s decision to reinstall board, staff and players at Woking. Chapple over boss Anthony “The hard work and brilliant Limbrick was made on Tuesday support I have received during my when the club and Limbrick parted time as manager I will always be company following The Cards’ 2-1 grateful for,” he said. defeat against lowly Torquay United “Last but not least the fans – I on Easter Monday. appreciated your passion and After a tremulous past couple of dedication to the team and also months, Woking’s odds to get CHANGES – Interim manager Geoff Chapple, left, and ex-boss Anthony Limbrick towards myself that you showed relegated from the National League throughout my time at the club.” have been slashed to 4/1 (Betway), since stepping down at Kingfield in individual errors” as the reason why With plans still afoot to see prompting the board to take action. October 2002, but has retained Woking side have been in freefall Woking gain promotion to the In a bid to steady the ship for the strong links with players and since the turn of the year. English Football League by 2025, next five games, Woking’s director managerial peers alike. However, he has no doubt that the club is under no illusion of the of football Chapple will take control With only two wins from their Woking still have enough quality to inordinate task at The Laithwaite of first team affairs and will be aided previous 20 National League stay up, reinforcing the need for the Community Stadium; not least of all by assistant Jason Goodliffe. matches, Woking have gone from current squad of players to regroup with one of the lowest operating In making the announcement, play-off hopefuls to being just three and refocus ahead of the next match. budgets in the division. Woking chairlady Rosemary points above the drop-zone. “There’s no denying that results of The board’s decision to part Johnson added that Chapple and And unless The Cards can pick up late haven’t been good enough, but company with Limbrick has already Goodliffe “will have access to some points away to Dagenham & it’s not throughout want of trying, as sparked rumours that former boss whatever support they require.” Redbridge this Saturday I can’t fault the players for their Garry Hill could be in line for a Chapple, 72, who led the club into (7 April) and Maidenhead United effort. It’s a testing time at the return to the club he managed for six the Football Conference in 1992 and next Tuesday (10 April), they may moment, but there’s pressure at all years. won three FA Trophy finals at need to rely on other results to go levels of management, whether Wembley in the 1990s, will take the their way to help preserve their you’re up the top, middle or foot of the 14 helm for the third time. league status. table, there’s no getting away from it. The former Woking and Speaking to the News & Mail “Geoff (Chapple) has been Kingstonian boss hasn’t managed at prior to this announcement, brilliant with me offering advice; he any level of the non-league game Limbrick again cited “costly has a lot of experience in this league. 9770961912001 Woking News and Mail incorporating Woking Review published by Woking News and Mail Limited, Newspaper House, 16 Lower Guildford Road, Knaphill, Woking GU21 2EG. Telephone 01483 802700. 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