Four of the school's former pupils have been selected to compete for Scotland in this summer's Commonwealth Games. Linda Clement (hockey), Kirsty Law (discus), Alan Clyne and Greg Lobban (both squash) spoke to Hannah van Horrik and Marieke Maliepaard about their background and preparations for Glasgow. Everyone in the school is incredibly proud of them and wishes them the best of luck.
Which event are you participating in and how were you selected/how did you qualify for the Scots team?
LC - Women’s’ Hockey.
LC - Women’s’ Hockey.
KL - My event is athletics and in particular the Discus. To be selected I had to throw over 55m twice or more in the last year.
GL - Squash – Men’s Singles & Men’s Doubles. I qualified for Team Scotland by playing in several Commonwealth Games selection events throughout the last 2 years which were held in Scotland, England and Australia. My doubles partner (Stuart Crawford) and I won the Scottish Open this year and were selected soon after. I’m also ranked No. 2 in Scotland and this ensured my place in the Men’s Singles event also.
AC - I will be participating in all 3 squash events at the Games, the singles, the mixed doubles and the men’s doubles. I qualified in the singles by beating 2 players who were ranked in the top 20 in the world. I was then chosen in the doubles events with my partners Frania Gillen-Buchert and Harry Leitch after getting good results over some top doubles pairings and proving we were genuine medal prospects in Glasgow.
What made you chose your sport?
LC - I was introduced to hockey at school and really enjoyed it.
LC - I was introduced to hockey at school and really enjoyed it.
KL - I chose discus by pure accident. In my early athletics career, I was a runner but on one occasion at an athletics club event the team needed someone to throw the disc for points for the club so I said that I would do it. I won the event and the rest is history!
GL - I originally played tennis at Inverness Tennis and Squash Club but one winter it was just too cold for me! I went inside onto one of the squash courts with nice, warm heaters at the back and found it a lot more comfortable! Robin Hamill, my first squash coach, saw I had an eye for it and signed me up for some lessons.
AC - I started playing squash when I was 4 or 5 when my dad took me along to the squash club in Inverness so I don't really know why I originally started with it. However I haven't stopped playing squash since. I played lots of different sports when I was younger at Fortrose Academy and enjoy all sports but squash was one I got to national level at and kept playing. It has so many aspects to it which you need to be good at to succeed; technical, physical, tactical, mental and it’s fun to play.
How long have you been competing in your sport ?
LC - 24 years! That makes me feel old!
LC - 24 years! That makes me feel old!
KL - Athletics for 19 years and discus 14 years.
GL - I started at age 11, so I will have been playing squash for 10 years now!
AC - I have been playing squash for 22 years and full-time professionally for 6 years.
What it your training regime?
LC - We are currently midway through a 4 month full time training programme in the build up to the Commonwealth Games. This means hockey is our job and we spend 5 days a week training with 2 offs. Training includes pitch sessions, weights, running, yoga, video analysis. We have given up our day jobs for this 4 month period so we can fully concentrate on playing hockey.
LC - We are currently midway through a 4 month full time training programme in the build up to the Commonwealth Games. This means hockey is our job and we spend 5 days a week training with 2 offs. Training includes pitch sessions, weights, running, yoga, video analysis. We have given up our day jobs for this 4 month period so we can fully concentrate on playing hockey.
KL - During the summer months (competition stage), I train twice a day, usually morning and evening and juggle my job in between which is hard going. Winter months its heavy weights for power and summer is lighter weights and technical. Day to day training in winter could be a weights session in the morning and strength and conditioning session in the evening. During summer it is more technical and throwing. At the moment I am doing 3 x 5 bench 80kg clean 3 x 5 80kg snatch 3 x 5 57.5 deadlift 3 x 5 150 kg squat 3.5 120kg.
GL - I train 6 days a week: Monday-Saturday, twice a day. My first session of the day is usually an early one at 7am or 9am and these are mostly conditioning sessions in the gym. Weights, technical court work and circuit training are all done in the morning on different days. In the afternoon, we train at 3pm. These sessions are all on court training and can range from routines, pattern work, speed agility, matchplay and conditioned activities. I’m finished by 5pm, straight home to rest and eat and prepare to do it all over the next day !
AC - We train 6 days a week, twice a day in Edinburgh. The sessions will either be on court, in the weights gym, speed/agility training, circuit training or cardio sessions.
What do you do when you are not doing
sport ?
LC - Workwise, I am a PE teacher in a school in Edinburgh. When I'm not playing hockey or working, I enjoy spending time with friends and family. I like eating out, shopping, playing/watching other sports.
sport ?
LC - Workwise, I am a PE teacher in a school in Edinburgh. When I'm not playing hockey or working, I enjoy spending time with friends and family. I like eating out, shopping, playing/watching other sports.
KL - I like to watch football on the telly and play when I can. I also enjoy watching films and looking after my pet hamster (Diego).
GL - To be honest, if I didn’t have sport in my life, I would live a very boring life! All my interests tend to be based around sport. However I try spend as much time with my family as possible, and I do enjoy watching a good TV series !
AC - Usually watching sport.
Where on the Black Isle did you live ?
LC - Fortrose.
LC - Fortrose.
KL - I lived in Munlochy. My parents still live there today.
GL - North Kessock.
AC - Munlochy.
Did living on the Black Isle encourage you to have a healthy lifestyle and participate in sport ?
LC - I really enjoyed growing up on the Black Isle. It's a wonderful part of the world and I enjoyed spending a lot of my childhood outdoors which probably did encourage me to live a healthy lifestyle and helped me get involved in sport. I used to play football with other local children and loved it, I still think this gave me a great sporting foundation which helped my hockey career.
LC - I really enjoyed growing up on the Black Isle. It's a wonderful part of the world and I enjoyed spending a lot of my childhood outdoors which probably did encourage me to live a healthy lifestyle and helped me get involved in sport. I used to play football with other local children and loved it, I still think this gave me a great sporting foundation which helped my hockey career.
KL - I have always enjoyed athletics and sport, in one form or another. I think wherever I lived I would always have taken up the sport. I didn't need any special facilities to run, just encouragement from other people.
GL - It did, North Kessock was a very active primary school and typical of myself, I got involved in as much sport as I could! Football, Shinty, Cross Country... I was involved in it all! My fondest memory of living in the Black Isle was taking part in Soccer Sevens every Saturday morning against all the other primary schools. My Dad would take me to the venue which changed every week. Every school would get the chance to host it and it was great fun. It got extremely competitive at times but nevertheless it was a great experience and the transition to secondary school was easier as you knew all the football faces already. I hope Soccer Sevens still exists !
AC - When I was growing up on the Black Isle I used to go on long cycles and play football with my friends which may not have been as easy to do if I grew up in another part of the country. However I do think a healthy lifestyle is influenced from home and I was fortunate to have a family who encouraged me to take up all sports.
Did going to Fortrose Academy inspire you to take up sport? If so, how ?
LC - I played any sport I could at Fortrose Academy... basketball, hockey, girls’ rugby, athletics! I think being involved in a variety of sports helps because a lot of skills are transferable across lots of sports. Fortrose Academy exposed me to many different activities and provided me with opportunity to play competitively.
LC - I played any sport I could at Fortrose Academy... basketball, hockey, girls’ rugby, athletics! I think being involved in a variety of sports helps because a lot of skills are transferable across lots of sports. Fortrose Academy exposed me to many different activities and provided me with opportunity to play competitively.
KL - By the time I went to Fortrose Academy I was multi sports orientated, however, the PE staff at the time (Eileen Foster, Sheila Junor and Steve Holmes) encouraged and cajoled me to participate fully in school activities and beyond. They were a great input and inspiration.
GL - Yes, all the PE staff were great with me. I was always keen to get involved in sport and they helped me juggle my education with my squash. One time, I needed to sit my Standard Grade Geography and Maths exams in Girona, Spain while competing at the European Championships. A lot of schools would have just told me I couldn’t go and must sit my exams in Fortrose but thanks to Fortrose Academy, I managed to do them both !
AC - I was already a very sporty person before I came into Fortrose Academy and started playing squash when I was 5 so I wouldn't say it inspired me to take up sport. However being there did allow me to keep my interest as there were a variety of clubs of which to participate in and teachers who were encouraging.
Who was your favourite teacher and how did they contribute to make you who you are today ?
LC - Eileen Foster was my PE teacher and hockey coach throughout school and taught me well! I had a huge amount of admiration and respect for Eileen, she is one of my main inspirations for playing hockey. Even now, over 20 years later, she is still encouraging and supporting me. I have a lot to thank her for.
LC - Eileen Foster was my PE teacher and hockey coach throughout school and taught me well! I had a huge amount of admiration and respect for Eileen, she is one of my main inspirations for playing hockey. Even now, over 20 years later, she is still encouraging and supporting me. I have a lot to thank her for.
KL - Stuart Dillon was my favourite teacher (PE department). He guided me to be the best that I could be, not just in sport but life generally. I will always be grateful for his influence.
GL - Mr Holmes was Head of PE at the time, and he really showed lots of interest in my sport while I was at school in the Badminton team, but also was keen to know how I was getting on in Squash outside of school. His attitude and positivity while teaching PE was great and I enjoyed his classes. Mr Lorraine was also very good with me and still supports me – My parents recently got a message from him passing on his congratulations on my Commonwealth Games selection, so I would just like to say “thank you” to him as well!
AC - My favourite subject was PE therefore my favourite teachers were usually the PE teachers which were there at the time. Those were Mr Holmes and Mrs Foster later in my school career. They probably influenced my career path as I went to Edinburgh University and became a qualified PE teacher.
Did you find it hard to train and compete for your sport living on the Black Isle? Can you describe any challenges and how you overcame them ?
LC - Living in the Highlands and competing for Scotland had its challenges in terms of traveling. National training sessions took place in the Central belt therefore I became very familiar with the A9! There was a handful of us involved in u16/u18 Scotland squads but we were very much the minority therefore we really had to prove our worth.
LC - Living in the Highlands and competing for Scotland had its challenges in terms of traveling. National training sessions took place in the Central belt therefore I became very familiar with the A9! There was a handful of us involved in u16/u18 Scotland squads but we were very much the minority therefore we really had to prove our worth.
KL - Every day training was adequate but specialist coaching and facilities do not exist in or around the Black Isle. Therefore to progress to a higher level it was necessary to move to where coaching and facilities exist. In my case, initially, Glasgow and then later on down to England.
GL - I was lucky I lived in North Kessock, because my training facilities were in Inverness and it was just a short 10 minute drive to the club from my house. When I couldn’t get a lift from my parents, which was very rare, I would cycle! I was very lucky !
AC - It was challenging to play squash on the Black Isle as there are no squash courts on the Black Isle! I played all my squash at Inverness Tennis and Squash Club therefore I relied on my parents to take me into the club or take the bus into town to play. Most of the tournaments were down south in Edinburgh and Glasgow so it required many trips down the A9 but I definitely feel like it's worthwhile now that I can play my sport full time.
Which famous person inspired you in your sport ?
LC - I really admire Ryan Giggs, he is the ultimate professional. He keeps himself in great shape and proves age doesn't need to be a factor in terms of performance.
LC - I really admire Ryan Giggs, he is the ultimate professional. He keeps himself in great shape and proves age doesn't need to be a factor in terms of performance.
KL - Linford Christie, a 100m runner.
GL - Andy Murray is not a squash player, but I really respect him and what he’s achieved in tennis. Winning Wimbledon last year with all the pressures of the press and the British public was immense, and that inspires myself to win big events.
AC - With squash not being as mainstream as we would like there aren't many famous squash players as yet. Although I remember reading a great book on Michael Jordan, the basketball player, when I was younger and found his hard work and dedication motivating.
Do you have an encouraging advice for the pupils in Fortrose today ?
LC - I would encourage any young person who is interested in sport to play a variety of sports. Enjoyment is the key - if you are doing something you love, it never feels like hard work.
LC - I would encourage any young person who is interested in sport to play a variety of sports. Enjoyment is the key - if you are doing something you love, it never feels like hard work.
KL - If you have a dream or an ultimate aim, train hard, work hard and follow your dream. The only thing that can stop you is yourself.
GL - Do what you enjoy! I didn’t do the best in Fortrose Academy – my grades could have been a lot better. After Fortrose I went to Edinburgh Napier University and got a degree in Sports Science. I think most of my teachers back then would be quite surprised that I now have a degree but it’s because I studied something I enjoyed and fortunately did well and got my qualification. Now I have a dream job as a professional squash player, with a degree behind me as backup. So stick at it and follow what you enjoy, it will all come together !
AC - It shows with Fortrose Academy having 4 athletes competing in a huge sporting event like the Commonwealth Games that growing up in the Black Isle is not a barrier to success in whatever they choose to do. But the main thing about playing any sport is to have fun.
Competing in any event takes a lot of determination; what advice would you give pupils to achieve their goals in sport ?
LC - Aim big and follow your dreams. Set yourself small targets along the way in order for you to reach your ultimate goal. Don't be frightened of failing. Sometimes a setback can make you better and stronger in the long run.
LC - Aim big and follow your dreams. Set yourself small targets along the way in order for you to reach your ultimate goal. Don't be frightened of failing. Sometimes a setback can make you better and stronger in the long run.
KL - You need to be single minded and fully focussed in your event. Whilst you may be a great athlete locally, there is always someone out there who can beat you so be prepared for failure and learn from it.
GL - Practise, practise, practise – there’s no real great formula. I have watched the World No. 1 squash player in practise recently at the British Nationals and he has achieved everything in squash, yet he still goes on court by himself hitting hundreds of balls, perfecting his swing and tweaking different shots. You have to be committed and dedicated, but you also have to enjoy it !
AC - If you really want to succeed in any sport I believe that you must train harder and smarter than your opposition. Sometimes the sessions you do that nobody notices can be the most beneficial.
Did you find it easy or hard to get funding to assist with training and competition expenses when living on the Black Isle ?
LC - When I was still living on the Black Isle I didn't receive any funding. Luckily I had very supportive parents, who helped me in many ways.
LC - When I was still living on the Black Isle I didn't receive any funding. Luckily I had very supportive parents, who helped me in many ways.
KL - Very hard to get expenses. My parents were the people who supplied my funding. Without them, I couldn’t have carried on with my sport.
GL - I found it quite difficult. My Mum and Dad were great and always helped me out. Unfortunately I didn’t get any sponsorship locally but it is always a good idea to try the local businesses around the Black Isle; sometimes you can get lucky and strike a deal with them.
AC - Once I achieved national level in my sport I was lucky enough to be put on the national programme for squash. This meant I was a member of the Highland Institute of Sport which was of great benefit. It gave me support in a number of areas including Strength and Conditioning support.
What in particular are you looking forward to about competing in Glasgow ?
LC - I've been involved in 3 previous Commonwealth Games but Glasgow 2014 is going to be extra special because it's a home Games. I can think of nothing better than walking out in front of that home crowd, knowing that you've got the whole nation behind you !
LC - I've been involved in 3 previous Commonwealth Games but Glasgow 2014 is going to be extra special because it's a home Games. I can think of nothing better than walking out in front of that home crowd, knowing that you've got the whole nation behind you !
KL - It will be a great experience competing in front of a large home crowd who will be supporting me in my quest. It will also be a dream come true to compete at Hampden Park.
GL - It’s very cliché, but the best thing has to be competing in front of a home Scottish crowd. There are going to be 3000 people watching the squash in the venue and the majority will be chanting your name, waving Scottish flags and having a great time. It really is going to be a great experience and an honour to represent my country. I hope to see some of you there – and don’t forget to make a lot of noise !
AC - I'm most looking forward to having a home support behind me for my matches. There are very few international squash tournaments in Scotland so I don't get to experience having the crowd behind me very much and hopefully the atmosphere will be great.