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Ali Martin is a Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer at Upgrade Fitness. Here she shares with us her top tips to staying healthy while the gyms are shut. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT WITH - NETBALLER & HEAD COACH, HEIDI ROSAMUND GETTING INVOLVED IN A NEW SPORT OR ACTIVITY CAN BE DAUNTING. WHETHER YOU PLAYED A SPORT AT SCHOOL AND WANT TO TRY IT AGAIN, OR YOU ARE TRYING AN ACTIVITY FOR THE FIRST TIME, OUR SERIES PUTTING THE 'SPOTLIGHT ON' A RANGE OF ACTIVITIES SHOULD HELP YOU ALONG THE WAY. WE'VE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH VARIOUS PEOPLE FROM A RANGE OF SPORTING BACKGROUNDS, HERE WE SPEAK TO NETBALLER AND PANTHERS HEAD COACH, HEIDI ROSAMUND.    Heidi Rosamund, pictured above, was nominated multiple times for the 2018 Pride of Guernsey's 'Teacher of the Year' award for her ongoing passion and commitment, specifically with the U14's squad.  (Pictured by Guernsey Press)   How long have you been playing netball?   Since I was 7 years old, I’m too old to give you years!What was your initial motivation to pursue netball seriously? I was never the best player, I fell in love with the sport at an early age but never really took it seriously, it was just for fun. I started to take the sport much more seriously when I started to coach. When you coach their hopes and dreams become yours and it almost makes you feel somewhat responsible so you do all you can to help them get there.Being a netballer must have its highs and lows… what are these for you? How do you remain positive? There are lows, but highs out way the lows! These days I’d say the lows are every part of my body hurts the next day after I have played, but I quickly remember back to a time when I couldn’t play due to serious injury and I’m completely grateful at my age I’m still able to play. What is your go-to training outfit? When you’re training you need clothing that is comfortable, breathable and I rarely worry about what I look like. Footwear is the most important thing for me, I like padded (toes/heal) grip socks to help with impact and sudden stops, and of course change of direction. Trainers need to be durable, comfortable and move with you, this also help prevent injury. What is your favourite feeling that comes from coaching? My favourite feeling has to be watching the squad lift the trophy at Inter Insulars, there really is no better feeling. But equally I can have the worse day or week and I get to training walk in and within seconds there’s a smile on my face and we’re usually laughing about something. The girls really are the best medicine!What would your advice be to someone who has neglected sport for a long time? Any words of encouragement on how to get involved? I left netball, at the most common age for teenagers around 15/16, I went back about 26. I would tell anyone you are never too old to fall back in love with something that gives you so much happiness.Tell us your most embarrassing story from on the court! Oh that’s an easy one, I had the full attention of the whole U14s squad at training attempting to show them a drill and slipped on a bib that was on the floor (coaching 1O1 don’t do) and went flat on my face, Beau Sejour floor hurts a lot!How do you calm butterflies before a match? What is your pre-match ritual? These days it’s more about coaching than playing at big games, but I’m not too old to remember how I felt before a big game. I always reassure the squad butterflies are good, they mean you care, they mean you want to do well and they mean you want to win! I try to keep everyone busy so they don’t have time to think about the butterflies, keeping them focused. Just before we go on court we all get into a circle, the whole squad, coaches and team manager and we do a fast feet drill, where someone calls instructions left foot in, right foot in, jump up, jump back etc. Its great fun and gets everyone pumped up and ready for the game, and of course we all do it a collective.    Pumped up - Guernsey Panthers U14 Squad pictured above Do you notice if the quality of your clothes affects how you play? 100% you live in your sportswear or sometimes it feels like that, if something isn’t quite right your mind isn’t completely on what you’re doing, your cautious and may not react as a quickly as you normally would or if for example your foot wear isn’t secure you may not go for a ball as your concerned you may injure yourself. And I’m also a firm believer if you look smart, you play smart!Do you have a lucky charm? A lucky pair of trainers perhaps? I actually have a Guernsey flag, it goes everywhere with me…If you could play against anyone of your choice, dead or alive, who would it be? 100% Jade Clarke, she’s a WD like me and last count is on 167 caps for England at 35 years old, she’s doing it for us more mature ladies!What makes netball different from other sports? What skills has it given you that you use day-to-day? Netball is a very technical sport, it teaches problem solving and decision making. It boosts confidence, especially body image, all netball role models are real women who balance work, families and still manage to play the sport they love. It helps players to learn to deal with adversity, through experiencing match loses or injuries. As a team sport it’s inclusive, can help reduce stress and builds friendships and the socials are great!Do you have a signature move/ victory dance? God no, I’m too busy screaming and shouting and jumping up and down before I usually run to the team on court. I’ve actually been mid-air and needed to land before I shook the hand of the coach we’d just beaten (Jersey), awkward!    One of many victories for the Guernsey Panthers U14 Squad    What would your advice be to the next generation of netball players? The work you do off the court makes the work easier on the court (my U14s eyes are rolling as they read this I just know). No professional netballer just woke up one morning and decided to play for England it takes hard work, years of dedication and many sacrifices along the way.But equally I’d say just play, play because you love it, play because you’re a better person for playing, play because the second you step on court your just you and in that hour your head gets a rest from all the stresses that life brings…   Fletchers are proud supporters of Guernsey Netball and all competing teams. We stock a wide range of netball essentials and supply the Panther's team kit, varying from team dresses to towels. We supply the top rated shoes based on expert opinions to provide maximum comfort on the court, if you're looking for your ideal trainers just ask our staff for assistance and we'll be happy to find what's best suited to your sport. Click here to browse our best sellers.  If you're thinking about starting Netball but aren't sure where to start, get in touch with the Guernsey Panthers by clicking here. 'If you look smart, you play smart!' 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT WITH - ATHLETE, TOM DRUCE  GETTING INVOLVED IN A NEW SPORT OR ACTIVITY CAN BE DAUNTING. WHETHER YOU PLAYED A SPORT AT SCHOOL AND WANT TO TRY IT AGAIN, OR YOU ARE TRYING AN ACTIVITY FOR THE FIRST TIME, OUR SERIES PUTTING THE 'SPOTLIGHT ON' A RANGE OF ACTIVITIES SHOULD HELP YOU ALONG THE WAY. WE'VE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH VARIOUS PEOPLE FROM A RANGE OF SPORTING BACKGROUNDS, HERE WE SPEAK TO ATHLETE AND COACH, TOM DRUCE.  Part-time Fletcher Sport's sales assistant and athlete, Abi Galpin, whose been coached by Tom Druce since 2015, pictured above at the British Indoor Championships.  How long have you been involved in athletics? I was 10 years old but serious training didn’t start until I was 15, I was 16 when I attended my first national event.   What was your initial motivation to pursue athletics? As a kid I’d taken to it well, but once I reached my teens, I embraced the individual element of the sport – what you put in is what you get out. No room to blame teammates, which heightens the satisfaction when things do go right.   What is your go-to training outfit? Training in the cold UK means Adidas base layers and legging or lycra shorts and a light vest if it’s warm. Lycra is key for athletes because it’s light, warm and weatherproof. As for shoes I wear my trusty Adidas Adizero Prime Finesse running spikes. The reality of being an athlete must have its highs and lows… what are these for you? It’s quite dependant on your personality - I would consider myself an optimist, but your mind lingers over the disappointments and it’s more challenging to appreciate the highs, purely because you are always striving to achieve more. Valuing the victories is something I’ve learnt over the years! Tom Druce pictured above What is your ritual before going out to compete on the track/field? How do you calm your butterflies? I am not able to train as seriously these days, but back around 8 years ago I did listen to dance music for the high energy element (possibly a bit questionable taste!). In terms of advice, controlling your breathing is paramount as it helps you remain calm and focused.     Do you have a lucky charm? A lucky pair of trainers perhaps? Boring but no, I’m not at all superstitious.   How does what you wear affect your performance?   Footwear is number one, for example, sprint spikes are best for sprints as they’re light with a rigid foot plate, giving maximum energy return when striking the track. Fletcher Sports supply our Adidas Guernsey kit for the Island Games and from an aesthetic perspective, wearing smarter kit can help you radiate confidence which is essential to performing well.   Tell us your most embarrassing story from on the track/field!   I always think back to 2017, one of the girls I coached, Abi Galpin, who works part-time for Fletchers – ran faster as an U17 at Hampshire Champs than I had myself for 100m at the same age group. As the Island record-holder for the men’s 100m, it is kind of embarrassing to coach a young girl who runs faster than I managed to at the same age - it doesn’t say much for my teenage prowess!  Tom Druce competing in the 4x100m relay in Gibraltr Do you have a signature move/ victory dance?   I’m a bit too sensible for that these days!   What would your advice be to someone who has neglected sport for a long time? Any words of encouragement on how to get involved?   Sport can make you feel amazing, both physically and mentally, so getting back to it can be hard! I retired after the 2014 Commonwealth Games and made a comeback after 3 years. Recognising the positive impact on your long-term health will get back out there, and the love for sport will likely follow.   If you could race against anyone of your choice, dead or alive, who would it be?   It would have been interesting to be able to race Dale Garland around 2009-2012 when we were both at our best, he is in my opinion Guernsey’s all-time best athlete.    What would your advice be to the next generation of aspiring athletes? If possible, stay active in your early teens. Remember, everyone grows and matures at different rates and so it’s important to not compare yourself to other people - often things level out later and one growth spurt changes everything! To achieve senior honours & rankings and not just junior ones is rewarding, so it’s worth being patient and listening to your coaches!   Fletcher's are proud to have supplied Guernsey Athletics with their Island Games competition kit for the past 3 games. We stock a large range of men and women's running shoes along with highly rated running clothing. If you're looking to take up running and are uncertain on what gear you may need, pop into one of our stores and our team will be happy to custom fit you.  Find out more about Guernsey Athletics here.   

IN THE SPOTLIGHT WITH - TENNIS PLAYER AND COACH, ANDY PRIVETT Getting involved in a new sport or activity can be daunting. Whether you played a sport at school and want to try it again, or you are trying an activity for the first time, our series putting the 'Spotlight on' a range of activities should help you along the way. We've been in touch with various people from a range of sporting backgrounds, here we speak to Andy Privett about his 50 years experience of playing tennis.      How long have you been playing tennis? 50 years!   Why tennis? What was your initial motivation to pursue it as a career? My mother played tennis and I really enjoyed playing. I started coaching to give me some income and found it enjoyable so carried on.   The reality of being a full-time player/coach must have its highs and lows, what are these for you? Seeing someone I coach improving and learning to play a sport for life, it gives me as much pleasure for the game as I have. However, the days can be long and physically demanding.   What is your go-to training gear? Good quality tennis shoes are imperative.   What is your favourite feeling that comes from coaching? The enjoyment of running around hitting balls – I am so lucky this is what I do for a living!   What is your pre-match ritual? What pumps you up? Queen – Don’t stop me now                                              What would your advice be to someone who has neglected sport for a long time? Any words of encouragement on how to get involved?  Tennis is a very social sport and reaches all demographics, having a couple of lessons will give you some confidence. Don't feel disheartened to play as your coach can help you find others of similar ability to play.   Do you notice if the clothes you wear affect the quality of your gamed? Modern technology has really improved fitness wear in general, some tennis shirts absorb sweat and don’t cling which is a bonus.    Tell us your most embarrassing story from on the court! In my early days I tried to bounce my racket on court and catch it but it bounced up and gave me a nosebleed – much to the amusement of the crowd!   Do you have a lucky charm? A lucky tennis ball perhaps? My lucky shirt. If you could play against anyone of your choice, dead or alive, who would it be?  Bjorn Borg or Roger Federer. Do you have a signature move/ victory dance? No, my wife would divorce me!!   What would your advice be to the next generation of tennis players?  Tennis is a game for life, people still play well into their 80’s, you will make great friends. Tennis is also good for discipline, being assertive, dealing with setbacks – all great life skills.  Fletcher Sports have a wide range of gear from rackets to shorts; just ask and our team will be happy to help you through the process and recommend the best suited essentials to you. If tennis is something you are thinking of taking up, get in contact with the Guernsey Tennis Club and they'll suggest your best options. 

#GuernseyTogether has been the driving force behind the welfare of the community during the Covid-19 pandemic. In hope of seeing the back of the virus and life returning to a new normal, Fletcher Sports has taken some time to reflect on the value of the fellowship of islanders.  Since the World Health Organisation declared a global health emergency back in January, the dynamic of 2020 inevitably changed. The beginning of a new decade comprised new dreams, goals and aspirations for the people of the Bailiwick as well as globally, which were consequently crushed amidst the rules to stay at home in order to save lives.  Whether it was travel, employment or personal goals to name a few, the earthquake effect of the virus has had a detrimental effect upon the mental and physical health of those who had envisioned 2020 as ‘their year’, and that’s not to mention the resulting trauma of those working relentlessly on the front line.  We’ve had to learn to support our loved ones from afar, and live a new life behind closed doors. For many of us, living a life that involves taking care of only ourselves is foreign territory, but we’ve learnt through social media, FaceTime, doorstep favours and other acts of care that require no contact, we can still partake in healthy relationships - even if it’s not preferred.  Fletcher’s created the Team Guernsey T-shirt design competition to encourage islanders to explore what they think represents the Guernsey spirit, and we were not disappointed with the entries! The overwhelming positivity that consumed these designs is a real credit to how well The States of Guernsey have responded and how islanders have complied.  T-shirt competition winner Harriet, designed the print with the help of her 4-year old daughter Isabella (pictured above). We asked a few questions about lockdown and the meaning behind the rainbows in the design make it that much better!  How did you come up with your design? My daughter, Isabella, told me that she thought the t-shirt should have a Guernsey flag with a rainbow - I simply did as I was told!   Have you felt the Guernsey Together Spirit? I have very much felt the Guernsey together spirit during lockdown. I am classed as a key worker and have loved seeing all the rainbows on my run into work. I don't think we would be in the fortunate position that we find ourselves in if we hadn't all worked together.    How has COVID-19 affected you? One positive from this experience is that my husband has been able to have more one on one time with our daughter which they have both thoroughly enjoyed.  Our job here at Fletcher Sports is to supply different sporting teams across the island, however without one another, there is no Team Guernsey. The donations from this t-shirt is a small token of thanks to those who pulled us through the painful learning curve of 2020. Many businesses have fallen victim to the virus, and we are so grateful we could play a part in offering a small service to the community.  Let’s keep the community spirit alive and remain #GuernseyTogether!

The island has come together in so many ways this past few weeks.  From groups forming quickly to provide essential deliveries to the elderly and vulnerable, to individuals setting up their own fundraising initiatives and islanders volunteering to help the health care professionals, the community spirit has been palpable. It's true to say that there has rarely been a more appropriate hashtag than #GuernseyTogether and we are proud to be part of our island community.  We felt we wanted to do our bit, and as specialists in the production of teamwear we came up with an idea to reflect the team spirit that has emerged. All the best teams have a kit and we, as an island community, are a great team. So, let's create a Team Guernsey t-shirt. It's simple, you send us your designs and we will do the rest. The winning design will be printed onto t-shirts that we can all wear with pride. And that Team Guernsey t-shirt will help those battling to keep our island fit and healthy, something we are passionate about. Every penny of the profit made from the sale of these t-shirts (which will be printed once government guidelines allow it) will go to frontline healthcare workers.  There is no age limit, no categories, we want everyone to have a go. Guernsey has a big heart - let's wear it on our sleeves. Send your designs to info@fletchersports.co.uk by 1 May.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT WITH - PERSONAL TRAINER, JOSH DAVIES  Getting involved in a new sport or activity can be daunting. Whether you played a sport at school and want to try it again, or you are trying an activity for the first time, our series putting the 'Spotlight on' a range of activities should help you along the way. We've been in touch with various people from a range of sporting backgrounds, starting with St Pierre Park's personal trainer, Josh Davies.  How long have you been going to the gym?                                     11 years, including a mixture of weightlifting, CrossFit and endurance running. What was your initial motivation to pursue exercise as a career?                     To guide others and prove that they can aspire to always ask more of themselves. Once you see the difference you can make in a person’s life through exercise alone, it becomes more than just a career. What is your pre-gym ritual?  Simple, trainers on, headphones in, music blaring…go! Working in a gym must have its highs and lows… what are these for you and how do you remain positive? Coming to work is nothing but a joy, I have a great team of staff, members and clients around me daily. What is it they say? Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life. Very cliched but true. What is your go-to training outfit? Running shorts, a comfortable T-shirt and my ever-faithful Nike Turbo 2s. What is the one piece of advice you give to everybody you train? Get outside your comfort zone, you might just surprise yourself. The scariest thing is to say you didn’t try. Do you notice if your workout clothes are high-end/low-end? Does it affect your performance? I can tell if I am wearing ‘cheaper’ running shoes. It’s worth investing in shoes that are suited for your sport, it’ll reduce the risk of niggling injuries. Tell us your most embarrassing story from in the gym! I was doing box jumps, misjudged it, barrel rolled off the side landing on a dumbbell! We’ve all been there right!? How do you reach your personal best? I chip away at my goals a little each day, some days are better than others, but they all serve towards improving - the personal bests will follow. If you could train/ be trained by anyone of your choice, dead or alive, who would it be? I have a love for endurance running so to train with the master Kilian Jornet would be unforgettable. What would your advice be to someone who has neglected exercise for a long time? Any words of encouragement to get involved?                                  It’s never too late to start, find something that gets you up and out of the house and just keep at it. There are countless activities on island, find one you enjoy and get stuck in!    If you fancy getting into the gym, Fletcher Sports has a large range of trainers, running shoes and clothing. Come and speak to one of our experienced sales assistants who will help get you kitted out. You can shop online and collect in store too. To find your perfect pair of running shoes click here

This month we switch our attention from the sports men and women to team behind one of Guernsey’s most successful annual sporting events. The Guernsey Dairy Milk Run (or Father’s Day Half Marathon) takes hundreds of man hours to put together, and Fletcher Sports would like to recognise the efforts of the 70 volunteers who helped make this year’s event a huge success. The first Father’s Day Half Marathon was held in 1981 and attracted 300 starters; in 1982 the field had grown to over 1,000. The Guernsey Dairy was one of the earliest long-standing sponsors of the event, doing so from about 1984-1994.  With the running boom and many new participation events around, interest waned so that through the late 90s the field had dropped to 250 or so. Consideration was even given to dropping the event, but thankfully this never transpired. Guernsey Athletics was approached by the Guernsey Dairy again just over six years ago and developed a joint aim to re-establish the half marathon as a big community event, which would attract 500 or more starters. The requirements for organising public events, including running races, grow more demanding each year, but with the help of the Guernsey Dairy and a small army of volunteers, the event grew again to 800 entries this year, with around 600 who made it to the race itself. The Guernsey event is also beginning to attract attention from further afield, with 112 entries from the UK, along with some from Jersey, France and this year, Ireland. One runner who finished the race this year had also competed in 1985, ‘86, ‘87, ‘88, ‘89, ’90 and ’91; another, in finishing this year’s race, completed his 100th half marathon and was awarded a commemorative T-shirt by the sponsors. Planning for the event ramps up from the December the year before until race day in mid-June. There is a huge amount to sort out, including general administration, liaising with sponsors, suppliers and public bodies, promoting of the event, ensuring the event is safe, legal and athletically viable, attracting and deploying volunteers and arranging equipment. There were 70 volunteers this year – a core team of eight or so comprising volunteers and staff from Guernsey Athletics and the Dairy, and on the day about 60 marshals, crew and officials. Special mention must go to Danny Blake as lead coordinator (and problem solver extraordinaire) in the run up, who also managed to compete on the day and run a PB.    

The Guernsey Veterans padel team were Fletcher Sports’ Team of the Month for May. We caught up with Captain Rick Denton, who is also coach/ manager of Guernsey’s Island Games tennis team. FS: Let’s talk padel, it’s relatively new sport to Guernsey isn’t it? RD: It is, but thanks to our new facility at Longcamps, envisaged and built with the inspiration of Tony Woodland and Gary Naftel, it’s a sport that is rapidly growing.  It’s also thanks to the Guernsey Tennis Centre for having faith in the new sport and for being part-investors in the new facilities. Padel is the fastest growing racket sport in Europe and combines tennis skills with squash and badminton, so it suits many racket sports players who use their own styles in competition. It is a doubles game, so employs different strategies than singles play and is less stressful on the body, being played in a smaller court than tennis. What’s not to like? FS: And in May, you had an international match, is that correct? RD: Yes, we played a Guernsey veterans match (for over-45s) against Ireland on 24 May. It preceded a gold open padel tournament held in Guernsey on 25/26 May where international top players and top veterans from around the world competed. The team consisted of three pairs that each competed in three matches against the Irish pairs. Playing together were Tony Woodland and Andy Privett (a tennis professional at the Guernsey Tennis Club), Dominic Woolland and Lester Boscher and then there was Gary Cousens and myself. Reserves for the team were Kevin Taylor and Andy Platt. The origins of the match were from our tournament last year when the winning pair in the veterans event enjoyed it so much they wanted to bring a team over for a match against us. This was their Irish captain Barry Coffey and his partner David who play for Britain and are one of the leading veteran pairs on the world tour. The Irish group also co-opted in another British national veteran player. Not surprisingly we lost the match 7-2, but considering most of our team have only been playing padel for just over a year, this was a positive result! FS: What’s next for the vets? RD: An annual fixture is planned, to coincide with our annual open event. This is just the start for our Padel Club and we have already competed in Spain and the UK. A sequence of international tours and matches will follow. FS: We have to mention the kit, which was created by Fletcher Sports… what did you think? RD: The kit was great! Designed by Gary (an chartered surveyor) with the help of Ben from Fletcher Sports. Wearing it gave a real sense of pride in Guernsey and helped our team spirit. Go greens!