1. sports
2. football

6 October 2009
www.lbhf.gov.uk
SPORT 69
SPORTING LIFE
Brackenbury give
a masterclass in
how to win the lot
u A Hammersmith
school which
achieves consistent
success year after
year in H&F sports
tournaments tells
Tim Harrison the
secrets of top-class
competitive triumph
roll of
honour:
In the latest Mayor’s
Cup (left) Brackenbury
Primary (in red) hope
for the same success
they have achieved
in a range of borough
sporting contests,
such as the Mayor’s
Cup earlier this year
(below left and above),
and district athletics
(below middle) and
cricket in 2008 (below)
A
ND
the
winner
is:
Brackenbury
Primary
School! If you ever get a
job announcing the results of
a netball, football or athletics
tournament, you will find those
words useful.
The school in Dalling Road,
Hammersmith, is synonymous with
success in the borough, and has made a
blistering start in this season’s Mayor’s
Cup – the inter-school football
tournament – with 5-0 victories for the
boys’ and girls’ teams.
So what is the secret, and how can
other schools match the super Bs?
“Our achievement is down to the
fact that we have a lot of hardworking staff, and I delegate
a lot,” said school PE
co-ordinator Jamie Allen.
Take cricket. Nicky
Clark looks after the
school’s cricket club,
accompanying the young
players to matches and encouraging
and developing younger talent.
“It’s never just Year 6,” said Jamie.
“She regularly has Year 3 and 4
pupils involved too, which means that
teams always have experienced players
on hand.
“We try to encourage older children
to be good role models for the younger
children, and pass on their skills.”
Another key player in Brackenbury’s
successful sports strategy is Damian
Duguid, the school’s learning mentor.
He coaches football – mostly the nine,
10 and 11-year-olds in Years 5 and 6.
The school’s policy is to prepare for,
and enter, every possible tournament,
so each time H&F Council announces a
new schools competition, Brackenbury
gets its name down.
“There’s very little we don’t enter if
the borough is organising it,” admitted
Jamie, who said that the school always
tapped into the sports strengths and
passions of staff.
“I do the athletics,” he said. “The
important thing is to always have open
trials. We never pick competitors based
on what we think they will do – we
pride ourselves on getting everyone to
take part in trials.”
“
We’re very strict – if
the kids are not
pulling their weight
in school, they
don’t go out and
represent it
The Mayor’s Cup is a measure
of Brackenbury’s achievement. The
schools football tournament, which is
contested by every primary school in
H&F, was won by Brackenbury boys
last year, and Brackenbury girls the
year before.
“It’s the competition that is the
hardest to win as every school enters
it, and pretty much everyone plays
football,” said Jamie.
In fact, pupils at Brackenbury are
reigning borough champions in football
(as well as the boys’ success, the girls
triumphed in Football Funday), netball,
cricket and athletics.
The school sets great store by
the fact that its young sportsmen
and women are ambassadors for
Brackenbury when they are outside
school competing in games.
“We’re very strict,” said Jamie. “If
the kids aren’t pulling their weight
in school, they don’t go out and
represent the school. They have to
have the right attitude.”
But he remains adamant that
the single most important factor in
Brackenbury’s success is matching
enthusiastic staff to the individual
sports. “That’s the secret,” he
added. “Now everyone knows!”
east
african
promise
tournament
for somali
HOOPS FANS
PAGE 73>>
70 SPORT
www.lbhf.gov.uk
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6 October 2009
www.lbhf.gov.uk
SPORT 71
SPORTING LIFE
Here’s how to
have a ball as
tennis moves
indoors for
the winter
SWING WHEN YOU’RE WINNING: Left, Michelle Oldham at The Queens Club. Above, the Westway
crew of Will Mailes, Al Zabat, coach Savvas Kryiakides, Ann Dawson and Peter Vann. Inset, Richard Kelly on court
u Borough offers the full
spectrum from cheap
public courts to exclusive
clubs with grand histories
u Grants allow the stars of
tomorrow to practise their
volleys, returns and serves
TIM HARRISON
YOU want to play tennis in the
borough, but the evenings are
starting to get nippy, and that
autumn sun is fading fast.
What are your options? Easy. Carry
on playing inside, either as a member
of one of the country’s most historic
racquet clubs, or at an indoor centre
offering instant access to all.
The spectrum is impressive. At the
budget end is the Westway Centre,
beneath the concrete elevated lanes of
the flyover.
The community centre is open
to all for a simple membership fee
of £3 (less for students and concessions), with a climbing wall, football,
handball and gym available as well as
the indoor tennis.
There are eight indoor courts and
four outdoor clay courts. If you play
outside it costs £9 an hour, while the
indoor courts start at £16 an hour
off-peak (£10 for children).
“You can book up to four weeks
in advance,” explained commercial
tennis manager Richard Kelly, 31.
“At weekends it gets chocker, but
we still have spaces on weekdays.”
Off-peak hours are 8am-5pm
Monday-Friday. Peak time is all weekend, and 5-10pm weekdays, with the
last bookable slot at 9pm.
Popularity is increasing, particularly among the younger players.
Westway
is
designated
a
high-performance centre by the official
tennis body the Lawn Tennis
Association.
“It means that on top of the
community programme we offer a
pathway for kids showing a lot of
talent, who can get into our academy
in conjunction with Win Tennis, which
sets up performance programmes
through the LTA,” said Richard.
Grants are available, with the
junior squads at Westway being very
popular.
Squads begin at the five
to eight age bracket, with 60
WHERE TO PLAY INDOOR
TENNIS IN THE BOROUGH:
l HARBOUR CLUB
(13 indoor courts)
Watermeadow Lane, off
Townmead Road, Fulham SW6
Call: 020 7751 9443
www.harbourclubchelsea.com
l THE HURLINGHAM CLUB
(3 covered courts)
Tennis Pavilion,
Ranelagh Gardens, Fulham SW6
Call: 020 7736 8411
www.hurlinghamclub.org.uk
l THE QUEEN’S CLUB
(12 indoor courts)
Palliser Road,
West Kensington W14
Call: 020 7385 3421
www.queensclub.co.uk
l WESTWAY TENNIS CENTRE
(8 indoor courts)
1 Crowthorne Road,
West Kensington W10
Call: 020 8969 0992
www.westwaysportscentre.org.uk
youngsters playing every day on
performance programmes.
“Our target audience is anyone,”
added Richard, who used to work
at the more exclusive Camden Hill
Tennis Club just up the road.
“Anyone can rock up and start
playing tennis. Everywhere else is
a private members’ club with high
joining fees.”
Low fees don’t mean poor facilities.
More than £50,000 has recently been
spent resurfacing all the indoor courts
with the same finish that is used for the
US Open at Flushing Meadows.
You can also simply pay and
play, with a two-hour session including doubles play and coaching drills
from £6.50, while Westway also has a
tennis ladder, allowing players to
move up and down according to their
playing level.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is the exclusive Queen’s Club,
the world’s first multi-purpose sports
complex, founded in 1886.
As well as hosting the pre-Wimbledon grass court tournament for men,
Queen’s offers superb all-year-round
tennis to its membership, with 12
indoor courts.
Two are clay courts which, from
October to March, are covered by huge
inflatable bubbles. Four are ‘carpet’
courts and six are acrylic courts.
Michelle Oldham, the Queen’s
sports manager, said that the indoor
courts were in pretty constant use, and
were very popular with the members.
Membership doesn’t come cheap.
You have to buy a £12,000 share to
join, and then be proposed and seconded by existing members, and undergo
an interview.
The annual membership fee is
£1,600, and you then have to pay from
£6 to £15 per hour court fees.
In addition to indoor tennis there
are three squash courts, two real tennis
courts and two racquets courts, as well
as a gym.
Strict dress codes apply, as you
would expect for such an exclusive
and classy establishment.
“There is a very mixed membership, with overseas members, country
members, London members and city
people who play in the evening,” said
Michelle.
The membership waiting list is
currently about six months long, with
no shortage of people eager to play
at Queen’s – particularly on the 28
outdoor courts at the club.
72 SPORT
www.lbhf.gov.uk
6 October 2009
SPORTING LIFE
car-washers’ goal is to pay for USA trip
ONE: Deco and Anelka
PICTURE BY ACTION IMAGES
BLUES WILL BE
TOP AT END OF
THE SEASON,
SAYS COOKE
IT’S CHELSEA’S year. That’s the verdict
of Blues legend Charlie Cooke after
watching his old club smother, master and
conquer Liverpool on Sunday.
“My one, two, three? Chelsea, Manchester
United then Arsenal,” said the man who once
terrorised opponents with his mazy wing play
in the 1960s and 70s.
Cooke, who now runs football coaching
courses in Ohio, was on a three-day flying
visit from the United States, and spoke
exclusively to h&f news.
He was impressed by Chelsea’s tactical
supremacy, and by Carlo Ancelotti’s planning,
especially after the team’s well-publicised
recent ‘wobble’ of defeat in the league at
Wigan, and a below-par performance (albeit
a winning one) in Nicosia in the Champions
League.
“It’s Chelsea’s to win,” said the 66-yearold. “And I think they’ll win it. John Terry
is excellent. Based on today’s performance,
Liverpool aren’t going to do it this season.
I’m puzzled why [Dirk] Kuyt was played out
of position on the right.”
Although the Reds matched Chelsea pass
for pass in a first half, with the teams’ attacks
effectively cancelling each other out, the
Blues stepped up a gear in the second period.
The wayward passing at Wigan seemed
a distant memory as the whole team focused
and maximised possession, with captain Terry
leading by example.
Henrique Hilario, in goal for the
suspended Petr Cech, had the game of his
life, twice denying Liverpool with spectacular
diving saves.
Up front, Nicolas Anelka put the Blues
ahead on the hour, hoofing home Didier
Drogba’s excellent cross, while
in stoppage time sub Florent
Malouda made it 2-0
with Drogba again the
provider.
At the end, with
Steven Gerrard and
Fernando Torres
effectively neutralised by
concerted and committed
defending, Chelsea’s players
gathered in the middle of the
pitch for a very revealing group hug.
“We now have two weeks to relax, and this
three points means we’re top of the league,”
said Drogba afterwards.
Ancelotti added: “We did what we
prepared for before the game.” Tim Harrison
l Brunswick Club footballers
are flexing their entrepreneurial
might as well as honing their
ball skills in the run-up to a
Californian tour next year.
Club manager Danny Volino
has challenged his squad of
under-13 footballers to raise
their own cash towards the
two-week trip in June, which
will include competing in
the Californian Sand Soccer
Tournament.
Business-minded footballers
Jamaal Bailey, 12, and Milkyas
Abraham, 12, have already
made £200 each by washing
cars around the Fulham
neighbourhood.
“In an age when kids often
get everything, they are having
to make a few sacrifices,” Danny
said. “There is financial hardship
within a lot of the group so they
are going out with a bucket and
sponge and making their own
money.”
Danny said the club’s car
washers would be armed
with identification badges so
CLEAN
UP: Top,
from left:
Bobby
Daly, Jarrell
Saywaye,
Patipat Smith,
William
McAuley,
Uriah BarrettThomas, Louis
Cunniffe.
Bottom:
Oscar Scott,
George
Pitsialis,
Khristian
Ramgeet,
Sean Allen,
Reice Harper,
Taryl Mendis,
Leon Reid
PICTURE BY
justin thomas
residents could distinguish them
from bogus callers.
The youth club, in Haldane
Road, has made the Californian
trip a yearly treat for its young
sporting stars and Danny
said the experience was both
educational and enjoyable.
“The kids have a home-stay
with an American family so they
get a real taste of Californian
life,” he said. “They will also visit
Universal Studios and theme
parks while they’re over there.” Caroline Butcher
Hodgson fumes over
debutant seeing red
u Furious Fulham
boss feels sending-off
was far too harsh
u Injuries bite but
Hodgson happy with
‘grit and determination’
alistair kleebauer
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson
looked like his team had been
thrashed rather than battling to a
2-2 draw with east London rivals
West Ham.
Despite being down to 10 men, his
team fought back from a goal down
to be within seconds of a famous
win at Upton Park on Sunday.
The manager remained incensed
though that his team had to struggle
for 50 minutes after South African
midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi was
sent off.
“I come from a generation where
violent conduct was violent,” said
Hodgson after the game.
“I have a problem getting my
head around two players nose to
nose and one of them is sent off for
violent contact.”
Dikgacoi, making his first start,
squared up to Scott Parker, raising
his hand and appearing to slightly
nudge him with his head, but it took
the intervention of the fourth official
Anthony Taylor to prompt his
dismissal, leaving Hodgson fuming.
Carlton Cole put the hosts ahead
with a powerful header, but the
sending-off galvanised the Whites
hand-off: Kagisho Dikgacoi was sent off for this incident with Scott Parker and they were soon ahead through a
Danny Murphy penalty and a smart
finish from Zoltan Gera.
“We came here to play football
but unfortunately we conceded that
early goal,” said right-back John
Pantsil, returning to the club where
he spent two seasons.
“We said to ourselves at halftime we need to go all-out and get at
least a point.”
Three points became one deep
into injury-time when a Junior
Stanislas shot deflected off Aaron
Hughes and into the net.
To add to Fulham’s woes, both
Andy Johnson and Clint Dempsey
departed with injuries.
“
I’m from a generation
where violent
conduct was violent
PICTURE BY action images
“It’s not a good time for us in
terms of injuries, but it is a good time
for us in terms of the performances
and the grit and determination we’ve
shown,” said Hodgson.
The upcoming international
break will help, but Fulham still face
games against Roma, Manchester
City and Liverpool before the month
is out.
“We have to make sure that we
keep going and continue our good
work because we have a lot of
games coming up,” said Pantsil.
“This is just the beginning.”
6 October 2009
www.lbhf.gov.uk
SPORT 73
SPORTING LIFE
Rs’ event gives Somali
players a real chance
u Rs hope to find fans
of the future thanks to
a five-a-side contest
u More than 150 kids
and adults from Somali
community involved
alistair kleebauer
FOR many displaced people
worldwide sport has been a great
way to fit into the local culture.
The Somali community in
White City and QPR have
really taken this on board
by holding a football
tournament at the
astroturf pitch in South
Africa Road on October
3, just minutes from the
estate and Loftus Road
stadium.
As the Hoops fell to a
2-0 defeat in Swansea, their
community team joined with the
Somali Women’s Group to run the
all-day five-a-side contest which
i n v o l v e d
more than 150
children
and
adults
from
across
the
borough, with
all the players
I learnt receiving match
as well.
to speak tickets
“I
would
English definitely put
hand on my
and now my
heart and say
life here is that without
I wouldn’t
good. It’s QPR,
be
able
to
better than organise it,” said
DentonSomalia Kissu
Savage from the
women’s group.
“Me on my
own, I wouldn’t have the ability.”
The
38-year-old
from
Bloemfontein Avenue thought of the
idea two months ago after growing
concerns about the lack of activities
for Somali children on the estate and
the dangers of gun and knife crime.
Along with the White City
Muslim Association, she approached
QPR to start up a tournament for the
estate’s residents – 20 per cent of
whom she estimates are Somali.
Somalis moved to London
throughout the last century, but the
outbreak of civil war in 1991 greatly
increased the movement from the
east African country to England.
With the fighting continuing, the
difference for many of the children
running around the astroturf is vast.
“When I first came here, I
couldn’t
understand
anyone,”
said Hassan Mohammed, 13, from
the estate.
He arrived in west London with
his family aged 10 and QPR’s Kickz
programme, which provides children
with three training sessions a
“
week, was his first taste of the
game.
“I learnt how to speak English
and now life here is good. It’s better
than in Somalia.”
His team, Skill Boys, finished as
runners-up in the 11-13 age group
behind the White City Boys, with
Team Acton taking the adult title.
The club also hope to benefit
from their relationship with the
community by encouraging the next
generation of fans to Loftus Road.
“We want the kids to come
to their first QPR game,” said
Rangers development officer
Danny Edwards, 24, from
Perivale.
“Even if they
support
Chelsea
and Man United,
hopefully they will
have a lot of love for
QPR.”
Hamza Hirsi, 13,
from Goldhawk Road,
Shepherds Bush, could be
one of the first converts.
He came to England from
Holland when he was just two, after
his family originally left Somalia.
“Me and my dad support
Chelsea,” he said. “But sometimes
I go to watch QPR because it’s so
near. They could definitely get into
the Premiership.”
After her selfless deeds, Kissu
also confessed to a reason of her
own for wanting her co-organisers
to succeed.
As her husband
is a supporter, she
hopes to get a new
car if QPR reach
the Premiership.
But if it
won’t happen
on the pitch,
she can at least
be satisfied with
their good deeds
off it.
astroturf
guys: Hassan
Mohammed (left);
organiser Kissu
Denton-Savage
with baby Alimatou
Staffiero (inset
above); 16+ team
West All Stars take
on Acton Team
(above right); West 12
Dolphins against KFC
(ages 11-13, inset above
top); and West 12 Stars v
A&E Sports (right)
PICTUREs BY david tett
74 SPORT
www.lbhf.gov.uk
6 October 2009
SPORTING LIFE
FAN
ZONE
l Ron Norris, editor of fans’
website www.qprnet.com, looks
back on a season when high
Hoops hopes were dashed
A
t the start of this season Jim Magilton
was one of the favourites to be the
first Championship manager sacked.
Even if he wasn’t, plenty of people thought
he’d never make it through the season
under Flavio Briatore.
Now in an ironic twist of fate it’s the man
who has been through more coaches than
National Express who finds his own future in
doubt.
Briatore may yet survive the aftermath
of the dramatically dubbed ‘crash-gate’
but, regardless, his reputation is certainly
dented. For a man who appears to love the
limelight and exposure the last couple of
weeks must have really stung.
Despite the fact that ill-feeling towards
Briatore has been simmering for months
around Loftus Road, no one could have
predicted that his very future would now be
in doubt.
While it’s perfectly fair to say that the
ridiculous pricing structure and dismissive
attitude towards supporters’ feelings has
created a divide between board and fan
base bigger than I’ve ever known, I don’t
believe that many fans even want shot of
him. However that’s what might happen if
he fails the ‘fit and proper persons’ test.
The fact this is the same test that
Thaksin Shinawatra managed to sail
through when he took over at Manchester
City makes me dubious of anything quoted
in its name, and with The Football League
and The FA generally being a pondering,
gutless mob at the
best of times I’ve
little doubt this will
get swept under
the carpet in time.
Wouldn’t it be just
typical if the one
time they decided to
Magilton has
make an example of
begun
someone it was us?
Contrast the
producing
declining fortunes
one of the
of Briatore with the
rising reputation of
nicestMagilton, though.
looking
QPR
With Flavio out of
sides in years
sight and out of
mind Magilton has
begun producing one of the nicest-looking
QPR sides in years. Combining the best of
De Canio’s verve and swagger with Sousa’s
defensive qualities, Magilton’s men are
starting to look the real deal.
Back in the summer his appointment
was derided by many, myself included, as
desperate, the last name on the list and the
only man who was crazy enough to take the
job. All of this may well be true but he has
slowly started to build a side which has been
brilliant to watch.
A great win at Cardiff, a thumping home
victory against Barnsley and a very good
performance at Newcastle have really raised
our hopes and while it’s far too early to say
how well we might do this season, things
are ticking along very nicely indeed.
Flavio’s alleged meddling has been well
documented. He always claimed he didn’t
interfere with his managers’ jobs.
As long as they played 4-4-2 and
produced dynamic, attractive football and
got good results he would stay well clear.
Magilton might have been the last name on
the list but he could well be on his way to
ticking all those boxes.
“
tiger cubs youngsters earn their stripes
top
corner:
A member
of the Tiger
Cubs team
lets fly at
half-time
during the
Hoop’s game
against
Barnsley
THE Cubs are growing up. QPR’s Tiger Cubs
skills development project for young people
with Down’s syndrome is now a year old,
and goes from strength to strength.
Before last week’s emphatic 5-2
demolition of Barnsley by the Hoops, the
first team made time to drop in at the
club’s birthday party, also attended by
fans and members of the youth
squad.
The first-team stars signed shirts and
chatted to the Tiger Cub youngsters,
who then formed the pre-match ‘guard
of honour’ and joined in the half-time
entertainment, enjoying the cheers and
applause from Rangers and Barnsley fans.
The matchday prize draw raised £1,000
towards running the programme.
Anthony Doherty, who co-ordinates the
Rs’ work with disabled people, said: “The
essence is to provide children and young
people with Down’s syndrome the same
benefits of being on a team as their ablebodied peers.
“In the last 12 months the Tiger Cubs
have become a phenomenon, not only with
the QPR faithful but with football clubs
worldwide.” Tim Harrison
Rowan backs Jay
to be a big hitter
foiled:
QPR’s Jay
Simpson
(left)
shields the
ball from
Swansea’s
Angel
Rangel
during the
Rs’ 2-0
defeat
u QPR striker says
his partnership with
on-loan Arsenal
forward could flourish
u Hoops’ struggle to
score continues
alistair kleebauer
THE 5-2 hammering of Barnsley involved something unusual
in QPR’s recent experience, a
glut of goals.
It followed a great away win at
Cardiff, but the two results after
that September 26 rout have seen
the Rs score just one, courtesy of
midfielder Ben Watson.
Saturday’s trek to Swansea
ended in a disappointing 2-0
defeat, with the Rs reduced to
nine men following red cards for
Watson and Martin Rowlands.
Hoops striker Rowan Vine
gave an honest assessment of the
problem after the Chelsea Carling
Cup game three days earlier, when
they had again failed to hit the net.
“We haven’t scored enough
goals, it’s as simple as that,” he
said. “The final third is the place
where games are won.
“Hopefully we can find the
partnership that gets the goals
which keep us at the right end of
the table.”
Vine and loan signing Jay
Simpson staked their claim
and QPR looked to test
their progress at Stamford
Bridge.
But a lack of chances
did for Rangers again,
though they took heart from
Chelsea having to bring their big
guns off the bench to win. “When
you play one of the best teams in
the country and it’s a tight game,
it’s natural to be disappointed,”
said Vine.
QPR will face few tougher tests
this season and Vine remained
confident that his double-act with
Simpson will flourish.
“Jay’s a good player, he’s a
PICTURE BY
BPI
We haven’t
scored enough
goals – it’s as
simple as that
willing runner and a threat to
anyone because he’s direct and
powerful.”
With only three starts last
season after breaking his leg, Vine
is also profiting from a new role
in the team. “I’ve been enjoying
playing a bit deeper,” he said. “I
love dropping into little pockets,
picking up the ball and attacking
from there.”
For Chelsea, who welcome
Bolton on October 28 in the fourth
round, the competition will be
used to blood some youngsters.
For Vine and his team-mates,
the wait to challenge for such
honours must continue for now.
6 October 2009
www.lbhf.gov.uk
SPORT 75