LIZ LAUNCHES FEMALE ENDURANCE SQUAD
FORMER WORLD AND COMMONWEALTH 10,000M GOLD MEDALLIST Liz McColgan officially launched the Liz McColgan Bank of Scotland Endurance Squad on Tuesday 10 January 2006.
The 15-strong squad, which is supported by Bank of Scotland, consists of athletes aged 15-18 who have been specially identified by Liz as having the potential to succeed at the 2012 London Olympic Games and the 2014 Commonwealth Games, for which Glasgow are bidding.
The squad members and their coaches will meet around four times a year to share ideas on training and competition whilst also have the opportunity to tap into the expertise of Liz McColgan, who as well as numerous track titles also won the London, New York and Tokyo Marathons in a glittering athletics career.
The first squad gathering will take place at the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow on Sunday 15 January and will also see the presence of 5000m runner Jo Pavey, one of Great Britain’s biggest hopes for medal glory at the Commonwealth Games and European Championships in 2006.
Liz McColgan said: “All of the members of the squad have shown something that marks them out as athletes of real potential and I hope I will be able to help them realize their dreams in the sport. This is not about coaching, that is for their personal coaches, but I want to be able to share my experience and knowledge from my years as an international athlete.
“I understand many of the problems and difficulties that young athletes can encounter and I want members of the squad and their coaches to feel they can turn to me for advice where needed.”
Karen Tighe, Sponsorship Manager, Bank of Scotland said: “The Bank is committed to supporting the development of athletics in Scotland and we are delighted to support the new Liz McColgan Endurance Squad, complementing our support of the Bank of Scotland Talented Young Athlete Programme.
“We wish all those athletes selected for the Liz McColgan Bank of Scotland Endurance Squad all the best for the forthcoming season.”
SQUAD MEMBERS
NAME (HOMETOWN/CLUB) BIRTHDATE
EMMA CLOGGIE (BANCHORY/BANCHORY STONEHAVEN) 10/07/88
Silver medallist in 3000m at 2005 Bank of Scotland under 20 Championships
SIOBHAN COLEMAN (LINLITHGOW/PITREAVIE AAC) 17/12/88
Winner of the women’s U17 title in the prestigious 2004/05 Reebok Cross Country series. Bank of Scotland under 17 champion over 3000m.
JOANNE FINCH (NEWTON MEARNS/CITY OF GLASGOW) 25/08/88
Double 2005 Scottish Schools Champion over 800m, 1500m. 800m bronze medallist at 2004 AAAs U17 Championships indoors and outdoors. 800m winner at 2005 Celtic Games.
REBECCA FINCH (NEWTON MEARNS/CITY OF GLASGOW) 23/04/90
Triple Scottish Schools silver medallist in 2005 in 800m, 1500m, cross country.
CHARLOTTE FORBES (ABERDEEN/ABERDEEN AAC) 14/07/87
Bank of Scotland under 20 Champion over 3000m.
NICOLA HOOD (DUMFRIES/NITHSDALE AC) 06/07/90
Bronze medallist in 3000m at 2005 Bank of Scotland under 17 Championships
ASHLEIGH KENNEDY (PENICUIK/LASSWADE AAC) 14/03/88
2005 Bank of Scotland under 20 Indoor Championship 800m gold medallist.
JENNIFER KIBBLE (BALMULLO/FIFE AC) 26/12/89
Silver medallist in 3000m at 2005 Bank of Scotland under 17 Championships
EILISH MCCOLGAN (CARNOUSTIE/DUNDEE HAWKHILL) 25/11/90
Winner of under 13s race at 2004 Inter-Counties Cross Country Championship. 1500m bronze medallist at 2004 AAAs under 15 Championships. 2005 Bank of Scotland under 15 800m champion.
LAURA MCCORD (EAST KILBRIDE/WHITEMOSS AAC) 09/11/90
Fifth in under 15 girls class in 2004/05 Reebok Cross Challenge Series. Ranked Scottish no1 in under 15 3000m in 2005.
ABBEY MCGHEE (MILNGAVIE/VICTORIA PARK AAC) 02/04/90
2005 Bank of Scotland under 17 Championship 800m bronze medallist. 2005 Bank of Scotland under 17 Indoor Championship 800m silver medallist.
JOSEPHINE MOULTRIE (COLSTON/CITY OF GLASGOW) 19/11/90
2005 Bank of Scotland under 15 champion over 1500m.
ASHLEIGH MURRAY (GLENROTHES/PITREAVIE AAC) 25/04/89
Second overall in under 15 class in prestigious 2003/04 Reebok Cross Challenge Series.
LAUREN PEFFERS (DUNBAR/DUNBAR RUNNING) 18/12/88
800m gold and 1500m silver at 2005 Deaflympics. 1500m runner-up at 2005 Celtic Games. Top of 2005 Scottish under 17 rankings for 1500m.LYNSEY SHARP (EDINBURGH/EDINBURGH SOUTHERN) 11/07/90
UK under 15 record-holder 800m indoors. Gold medallist at 2004 AAAs under 15 Championships indoors and outdoors.