Sport Liftout YOUR HILLS SPORTING NEWSPAPER WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012 EDITED BY JEFF PISTOLA

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Also competing at the Track Cycl Championships held at Gepps Cross, Edmondson joined and past Hills resident , Glenn O’Shea and in the 4000m mens final. Outside temperatures were in the mid-30s and inside velodrome conditions were perfect for a fast time. Led out by Bobridge, the SA team set a frenetic early pace By Ben Goldfinch and were almost two seconds ahead of their Queensl rivals at the 1km mark. Annette ‘Nettie’ Edmondson’s quest to Five laps from the finish SA caught and passed represent at the 2012 London Olympic Queensland before powering onto record the fastest ever time on Australian soil. Games received a significant boost during Remarkably, Edmondson had never previously ridden last week’s Australian National with the other three riders, which made the achievement On track toChampionships Olympics held at the Gepps Cross even more sweeter. Velodrome. “This is my first time competing in Under 23 ranks and I am ecstatic,” reflectedContinued Edmondson. Sport 6 A focused Edmondson won two gold medals during last “I thought we were going to go quick, but not that fast.” week’s titles, which included a record breaking ride in the 3000m . The Stirling resident was named the elite ‘Champion of Champions’ for her gold medal performances, while her win in the Individual Pursuit, where she recorded the fastest time ever ridden on Australian soil (three minutes 30.586 seconds), was named the ‘Ride of the Series’. Last Friday Edmondson broke the Australian record twiceo do in one day and finished seven seconds ahead of NSW rival Ashlee Ankuindoff in the final. “I have put in a lot of effort, I’ve devoted every day to the bike and I have put my studies on hold as well,” noted Edmondson following her success. “I’m making sure I cross every hurdle and aim t everything I can to give myself the best opportunity of getting to London.” me during 2010. After lacking motivation followingas a sprint the cyclist 2010 during national her junior championships, Edmondson relinquished the reins for an extended period of ti Edmondson competed days, however, a change in mindset has resulted in a renewed appreciation and desire for the sport of cycling. Edmondson confessed she has been working on the little things, such as stretching, relaxing and undertaking core strength work every day. “It’s about being disciplined and my parents have been really supportive ... I have a lot to thank them for,” she said. Edmondson dropped out of cycling in 2010 because she lacked motivation, however, she now has purpose and direction in her life. “I had a four-month break and got back into normal life and experienced other things,” noted the 20-year-old. “One day it clicked and I realised I hadn’t achieved what I wanted to on the bike and I decided to return as an CYCLE DREAM endurance cyclist. “What I enjoy most about cycling is the personal achievements and being able to set goals and achieve them is rewarding. “I love working on something day-by-day and seeing it through it gives me purpose. Hills rider en route to “I love going out for a road ride and feeling fit and riding recording the fastest time ever on Australian soil in the sun.” for the 3000m IndividualCross. Pursuit event during As the Olympics loom over the horizon, Edmondson will last week’s national track cycling titles at Gepps again focus on the little things as the next cog inalso the cementedwheel to London will be the World Cup. ian track Sibling inspiration Inspired by his older sister’s performance earlier in the night, Stirling teenager his stance as one of the most promising Austral cyclists last Friday evening. tralian team “At the end of the day you have to back yourself in and hope what you have done it right,” he commented. Stirling siblings ‘Nettie’ and Alex Edmondson both turned in impressive “You do get a little bit nervous leading into it but as soon as they start playing you have to sit back winning performances during competition at last week’s 2012 Australian and leave it up to the players.” Track Cycling National Championships at the Gepps Cross Velodrome. The Test match ran according to script, as the The brotherto compete and sisterat the duo London were Worldselected Cup on eventTuesday from in February the Aus 16-18. initial green tinge provided early opportunities for the quick bowlers, before the pitch settled down and turned into a batting paradise for Clarke and Ponting. Spin bowling typically becomes a feature on the fourth and fifth day, and Australian off spinner Nathan Lyon flourished on his ‘home deck’. Ironically, Lyon recently worked alongside Hough Hough passes the acid as‘Test’ part of the Oval ground staff. A highlight for Hough was watching Lyon claim some big scalps on the final few days, including By Ben Goldfinch the prized wicket of Sachin Tendulkar. “It was good to see him do well on what we call his home ground,” quipped Hough. Adelaide Oval head curator Damian “I’ve known Nathan for two years, he came along Hough deserved a relaxing break during as one of the ground staff. last week’s Test cricket match between “He was a great worker and had a great attitude Australia and India. ... it was good to have him on board. “He worked with us for only a short time because While Australian captain Michael Clarke and six months later he was playing cricket for the Ricky Ponting ‘dined out’ with superb double Redbacks and then Australia.” centuries, Blakiston resident Hough watched on Preparation for last week’s Test commenced later from the sidelines, as he guarded the roller and than usual, as the customary December time slot covers, hoping the surface he had laid would pave was shifted to late January. the way for another entertaining encounter. Six of the previous seven Adelaide Oval Test Minimal ground level work was required during matches have been staged on pitch five, however, the five-day match, however, the scenario leading during the past two test matches Hough utilised up to the event was different, as Hough and his pitch four, which is one of the main central pitches loyal ground staff worked diligently to prepare at the ground. another ‘sporting’ Adelaide Oval pitch. “We started working on the wicket two to three Prior to the Test, Hough and his team worked weeks prior to the Test,” Hough noted. from dawn to dusk, as they precisely perfected the “I have been taught from one of the best in the centre square and catered for the spectators with world that you have to back yourself in what you a serene outside ambience. have learnt.” “The Test is exciting for the whole of the Adelaide While nice to get another Test match under his ield Oval and the SA Cricket Association ... it’s our belt, Hough now has little time to dwell on the past ” number one event for the year,” outlined Hough. as he focuses forward to the end of the cricket “We strive to make it a high standard year in year season. out. “We were back into work the day after the Test “You can’t do a lot once the game starts because finished, getting ready for this Thursday’s Sheff we have done all our work beforehand. Shield match and building up to the one dayers. “During the final few days leading up to the REALITY Test it’s all about aesthetics and making sure By Ben Goldfinch everything looks beautiful around the ground Nervous approach for people when they arrive at the gate for the Adelaide Hills resident Damian Hough with the Houghstrip used reflected for last that week’s he hadAustralia- a few ‘sleepless opening day. India cricketsince Test assuming match. Itthe was role the as secondcurator time atnights’ the Hough iconic prior has to Adelaide the prepared Test, Oval. however, a Test hepitch remained “If it is presented neat and tidy then we have confident the pitch would produce the goods. done our job. “It’s critical to have good support because there Les Burdett prior to the 2010 Ashes series. is so much to maintain and look after around the “I’m grateful to have a great team around me, it’s ground. been busy but exciting and hopefully as a group “Fortunately thereng is surea really the good mower bunch is cutting of we are maintaining the standards that Les was guys here that help out, whether it’s the wateringTest as able to set for 40 years,” Hough said. or whether maki beautifully. “The support I get from the top down is fantastic.” Last week’s match was Hough’s second Annette and Alex Edmondson have labelled head curator, having replaced legendary curator their Olympic selections in the Australian Track Cycling team as a ‘dream come true’. As forecast in The Courier during February (inset above right), the Stirling siblings will represent Australia at the London which commence on July 27. The Edmondson duo will become the first brother and sister combination to ride for Australia at the same Olympics. “It’s a dream come true but only half the job is done,” outlined Alex last Friday. “Just to be able to do it by yourself would be amazing, “To have my sister next to me, it’s going to be crazy, “I’m just absolutely over the moon, it’s pretty overwhelming ... words don’t describe it really.” At the age of 18, Alex is set to become the youngest debutante in the Australian track cycling team. He received the fifth and final position on the mens endurance team for the Olympics, following impressive performances at the 2012 Track Cycling National Championships, UCI World Cup and World Championships. It’s a remarkable achievement, considering he was racing in the junior ranks last season. “It has been a crazy last six months to come from the junior ranks and step up to the big ranks,” he said. “It has been a massive rollercoaster.” Stepping up to the challenge against the ‘big boys’ this season, Alex is driven to fulfill an aspiration of becoming a professional road cyclist. “I have been training with the AIS and the work load has stepped up,” he said. “But if you want to achieve the ultimate, you have to put in the hard yards.” Alex opted to relinquish his school studies last year, and is solely focused on cycling, which encompasses training seven days a week. “If you are training early then you have to get to bed early the night before ... but it’s all worthwhile.” Opportunity taken Stirling siblings Alex and Annette Edmondson are set to pursue further success following their Annette ‘Nettie’ Edmondson did everything she could to give herself the best opportunity of getting to London. historic selection in the Australian cycling team to compete at the London Olympic Games in July. “I have put in a lot of effort, I’ve devoted every day to the bike and I have put my studies on hold as well,” she said. ‘Nettie’ competed as a sprint cyclist during her junior days, however, a change in mindset resulted in a renewed appreciation and desire for the sport of cycling. She admitted to focusing on the ‘little things’, such as CHASING NATIONAL GOALS stretching, relaxing and undertaking core strength work By Josh Marton every day, which has ultimately paid dividends. “It’s about being disciplined and my parents have been Milang teenager Jordan Vivian is set to embark on a career really supportive ... I have a lot to thank them for,” she of success following her selection in the Australian 17 and said. ‘Nettie’ dropped out of cycling in 2010 because she lacked Under netball development squad. motivation, however, she now has purpose and direction Continuing in her mother Amanda’s ‘big’ footsteps, Vivian was included in her life. in a squad of 20 girls from State representatives at a national carnival “I had a four-month break and got back into normal life held in Tasmania earlier this year. and experienced other things,” noted the 20-year-old. A regular member of the 2012 Royal Cougars Premier League Reserves “One day it clicked and I realised I hadn’t achieved what side, Vivian earned her trip to the Australian Institute of Sport in Sydney I wanted to on the bike and I decided to return as an on May 3 after having a huge impact playing as goal shooter and goal endurance cyclist. attack for SA. “What I enjoy most about cycling is the personal The best young netballers from throughout Australia were put through achievements ... being able to set goals and achieve them their paces during the four-day AIS talent identification camp – including is rewarding. skill development, core strength, match play and recovery sessions. “I love working on something day-by-day and seeing it Vivian and fellow squad members were also tested mentally during through, it gives me purpose.” theory sessions including media education, athlete load and well being, While the Edmondsons are London bound, the list of along with leadership and nutrition presentations. Adelaide Hills competitors is growing, with past Mt Lofty Although regarded as one of the most talented junior shooters in the junior ruckman Bryn Coudraye (rowing mens eight) and nation, Vivian has worked extremely hard to earn the accolade, with table tennis player William Henzell – formerly of Uraidla – Amanda Vivian crediting her daughter’s dedication and work ethic. also securing Olympic berths. “It’s been a huge commitment”, Amanda noted. Upper Sturt resident Tiffany Cromwell remains a strong “Jordan works extremely hard, every training she goes absolutely 100 chance to be in the Olympic three-women road cycling per cent.” team, while Hahndorf pair Megan Jones and Wendy Continued Sport 5 Emerging netball talent Jordan Vivian. Schaeffer are in the mix for the equestrian team. Back Page Insight TIGERS HONOR HERITAGE FLAGS