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Solent Suns Statistician road to the 2012 Olympics

 Ask anyone who's been involved in sport for a number of years what their

dream is and a fair few will respond "I want to represent my country".
Whether an athlete, official or  volunteer,  the desire to wear the red,
white and blue is a compelling one.  
 

Cliff Fullbrook, Solent Suns Club Secretary, Statistician and all-round good egg, talks about his personal journey to 2012

Well my dream came true in 1981 when I was picked to represent my
country as a Basketball Statistician for the World Student Games.  It
never crossed my mind that I would get another opportunity until, in
2005, London was announced as the host of the Olympics and Paralympics
in 2012.  "Could I do it again?" I secretly thought to myself.

Then one day a letter arrived from LOCOG(London Organising Committee of
the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) saying that I  had  been
selected by my governing body to attend clinics and assessments to see
if I was a suitable candidate. So I went to the first session in
Birmingham, where I had to sit a FIBA exam, which I wasn't too
comfortable with.  It's one thing to do practical stats, after all I do
them every week.  But to sit a stats Exam, I dreaded at my age.  

We were told that we had to pass the exam to go any further in the
assessment stages. I Failed.  I felt like my dream was over as I would
not get another chance to re take, due to other commitments.  But after
giving it some thought I appealed .  You cannot judge a person just on
paper, particularly with something as practical as basketball stats, so
I asked that they judge me on my practical experience. Shortly
afterwards I was then assessed on my practical at the 2011 BT Paralympic
World Cup Wheelchair Basketball Tournament,  for which I have been a
statistician for the past 4 years.  

I then received an email saying I won my appeal and I was invited to the
Test Event at the New Olympic Basketball Arena. That was a great
experience and one I will never forget.    We had to learn the new
software and adapt from doing stats for both teams to doing stats for
one team.

After the Test event we were invited to the final session before
Christmas at Canary Wharf HQ of LOCOG. After a full afternoon of more
exams which was sprung on us  we  were told a letter would be sent
before Christmas, to let us know if we have been selected and what games
we would be assigned to. 

I received my letter on the 23rd December saying I have been selected as
National Technical Official Wheelchair Basketball in the Statistics team
for the Paralympic Games 2012, from 27th August to 9th September 2012.
I couldn't be more happy having the opportunity to do something that I
have enjoyed doing for my National League Club, Solent Suns,  as their
statistician for the past 5 years and knowing I'm going to represent my
Country.  I feel very proud.

Head Coach, CJ Lee, commented "This is an amazing achievement for Cliff
and I know everyone in the club will be supporting him on his journey to
the next year's games."

Chairman Paul Miller also commented "You are a great role model for many of the younger members of the club and your story is a great example of determination over adversity."

 

SENIORS FINISH 2011 ON A HIGH

Solent Suns Seniors travelled to Bromsgove on Sat 17th Dec on a high after beating UWIC two weeks ago,the suns where hungry to finish 2011 with win. They did not disappoint Coach Lee restricting Bromsgrove to just 17pts at Half Time. The signs where looking good for a big win and that was acheived with a 42-91 win. Christmas came early for Two Suns Players who finished on a Double Double Stevie Ellis with 22 Rebounds and 18pts,Megan Stoud 26pts( a game High) and 17 Rebounds and Jess Brookfield chipped in with 12pts. Solent Suns are one of three teams in Div 2 Midlands South West League with 1 lose each and finish 2011 with 10pts and joint top spot .Suns next game is against Cardiff away on 14th January: Stats from Bromsgrove v Solent Suns

Click here to download:
BEARS_FULL_TIME.pdf (19 KB)
(download)

TRG DATES OVER THE FESTIVE PERIOD

Woodlands Training
(Snrs) Monday 19 DEC NORMAL TRG
(U14/U16)Wednesday  21 DEC NORMAL TRG
(Snrs) Monday 26 DEC CLOSED
(U14/U16) Wednesday 28 DEC CLOSED
(Snrs) Monday 02 JAN 12 CLOSED
(U14/U16) Wednesday 04 JAN 12 NORMAL TRG
(Snrs) Monday 09 JAN 12 NORMAL TRG

St Vincents Training
(U14)16th Dec last session till  Re Start 6th January

Hamble Training

(U16) Friday 16th December NO TRG
(Snrs) Thursday 22nd December NORMAL TRG
(U16) Friday 23rd December NOTRG
(Snrs) Thursday 29th December - 8.00 - 6.00pm NO TRG
(U16) Friday 30th December 8.00 - 6.00pm  NO TRG
Saturday 31st December 8.00 - 1.00pm THEN CLOSED
(Snrs) Thursday 05 Jan 12 NORMAL TRG
(U16) Friday 06 Jan 12 NORMAL TRG

Solent Suns Seniors win by 1pt U16's lose by 10pts

Solent Seniors managed  squeeze out a 1pt win over Bristol Storm 46-45
at the weekend.  The two teams, who have enjoyed a number of close
encounters over the past couple of season, rewarded the crowd with yet
another nail-biting performance at Hamble Sports Complex.

The Suns were missing starting guard, Jess Brookfield (injured) and
Lynne Henderson-Lee, who  having returned from retirement, last week,
fracture her thumb in a training session.  Nevertheless, after a slow
1st quarter the rest of the team rallied to claw back an 8-point
deficit, only taking the lead in the dying minutes of the final period.
Stats from todays game

Solent Suns U16s lost in a hard fought game away to Hounslow Hawks
54-64.  Having suffered some tough losses in recent weeks, the girls
played with energy and commitment, but couldn't quite close the gap on a
more experienced Hounslow team.  They meet Haringey in the 1st rd of the
cup on sunday 13th Nov 2pm tip

HELP TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE SOLENT SUNS

Are you an internet shopper? If yes, you can raise funds for the Club without it costing you a penny.
All you have to do is register on the easy fundraising website.
Every time you shop online, providing you go through the easy fundraising site, you raise money.
You pay exactly the same price as if you visited the shop's website directly.
It doesn’t cost a penny extra to shop and raise funds.
Register and have a look at how many shops/sites will give a donation if you order through the easy fundraising site. Most online shops such as Play.com, Amazon, Asda, Argos, Boots,Comet, Debenhams, Dixons, JD Sports, Marks & Spencer, Physioroom, Tesco - the list is endless!
 
It's free and easy to register as a user...see link below and follow the instructions.The organisation you need to input is Solent Suns Women’s Basketball Club.

http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/

Family and friends can also help by becoming a registered user so make sure they use it also. It only takes a few extra seconds to log on to the site, find the shop you want to buy from and make your purchase. This means that every time you buy something, provided you're logged in, the club benefits.

With Christmas coming up and internet shopping increasing, it’s a great, free way to raise funds for your club. Remember, it could mean cheaper fees next year!

 Make sure your family and friends use it also.