Week 9: Josh Spiers

ls: After a bit of a break we are back to feature our sporting superstars. This week we have Josh Spiers from the Cannons Basketball Club.

ls: What sports do you play?

js: Basketball & a little golf.

ls: What clubs do you currently play for?

js: Cannons.

ls: How many years have you been playing?

js: 12 years.
ls: What position do you play?
js: Shooting guard and small forward.

ls: How did you get involved in these sports?

js: My brother started playing when I was 2 so I had to go to training with him and I used to like bouncing the ball from a very young age. I did terriers at TBI and then started playing when I was 6
ls: What rep honours have you achieved?

js: u12- u18 Townsville heat, Northern School Basketball u12 (07, 08) Qld School Basketball (08) Northern School Sport u15 (10,11) Honary Qld Team (11) Northern Open School Basketball (12,13) Qld School Basketball (13), U16 Qld North (11) u18 Qld North (12, 13) u20 Qld Team (14), Townsville Crocodiles Sharp Start. QBL Townsville Heat.

ls: Ok you have achieved a lot in a short space of time, that is an impressive CV. How much time is involved?

js: Training every day for at least an hour or so and anywhere up to two hours. Sometimes I have multiple sessions a day.

ls: What is the best part of playing the sport?

js: The best part about basketball is just the game itself. It lets you play with friends and makes me feel good about myself. I could be having a bad day and as soon as I start playing nothing else matters.

ls: I think that is important, I know I still play sport for the same reason. What is the worst part?

js: There isn’t really a bad part about basketball, but I would have to say losing. Losing and the fatigue it puts on your body.

ls: What is your favourite event?

js: My Favourite event by far is the Australian Nationals. It allows you to play against the best in the country and allows you to play with other people from around the state that you normally wouldn't play with.

ls: What is your biggest accomplishment in your sports?

js: My biggest accomplishment would be recently signing with the Loyola Marymount Division 1 University.

ls: So the upshot of this is Josh is headed to the college system in the united states. I have come across a few athletes with these ambitions, so all the best in america Josh. What one or two things do you currently do in your training that are keys to your success?

js: Getting a lot of shots up and just working on the fundamentals.

ls: What would be your ultimate achievement?

js: My ultimate achievement would be to play basketball professionally. That’s the ultimate dream.

ls: What is the best advice you have been given?

js: Best advice I was ever given was that to be the best you have to push past your limits.

ls: Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by?

js: No I don’t

ls: Where do you draw your inspiration from? 

js: My brother, as a little child even being 9 years older he would never let me win. I used this as inspiration to be better than him and still to this day I try to impress him with what I can do. 

ls: Are you sure you want him to know that? How do you set your goals?

js: I look at that is possible to achieve from the game of basketball and try and strive to reach that level.

ls: Great advise for anyone really. What do you like to do in your free time away from your sport?

js:Relax and just shoot around. I can’t really get away from the sport for too long.

ls: Do you have any pre-match routines? 

js: I try not to have any pre game routines, but I would say that I always imagine plays that I can make in the game before I do my warm ups

ls: A few quick questions for Rhonda, Josh's mum to get the parents point of view. Wondering how much time and driving is involved with travel and training?

rs: As we live not too far from the stadium it has not been too bad.  When he started to make state teams we had to travel up the coast a bit more.

ls: Are there limitations on the number of sports that Josh can play?

rs: He has played other sports at school but due to cost, basketball is his main sport and occasionally when he has time he plays golf with his dad.

ls: Are there benefits to them playing different sports?

rs: I think team sports are important to help the learn to work with others.

ls: Are there difficulties in getting them to the sport and in getting them to practice and train?

rs: Josh has always been quite dedicated to his sport, sometimes the early morning sessions were a bit difficult.

ls: Do you enjoy going to the game?

rs: Yes I try not to miss too many.

ls: How much impact does the cost of sport have?

rs: We have used basketball trips as our family holiday but usually only every second year.

ls: We wish Josh all the best in the future, especially with his move into the college system in the United States. There will definitely be an increase in standards, but what is obvious is Josh's passion for the game and desire to get to the top. I will say that Josh was one of the most nervous athletes that we have photographed, he will have to get used to it over there. Most Colleges have a very elaborate photographic and publicity machine driving their programs.

Week 8 - Sarah Hesp Basketball

ls: This week we have Sarah Hesp from the Cannons Basketball club.

What sports do you play?

cbh: Basketball

ls: What clubs do you currently play for?

sh: Cannons.

ls: What position do you play?

sh: Guard/ Forward.

ls: How many years have you been playing?

sh: 8 years.

ls: Who is your sporting hero?

sh: Olivia Thompson (current Townsville Fire forward)

ls: How did you get involved in these sports?

sh: My school principle/teacher at a small country town school of about 50 students was the Townsville Fire’s assistant coach. He used to bring the Fire team out and our family would take them to a cane fire. He also took me too some of the games. I wanted to play ever since. So I started playing in the Burdekin.

ls: This shows the impact that our state and national teams can have at grass roots levels of sport. It is important that we support teams like the Townsville Crocs, Townsville Fire and get behind the push to get the NQ Fury back into the A league. This has the double effect of providing local juniors a pathway into the elite sporting ranks that can be very difficult when competing in rural and country towns away from the main urban centers. Leiden studios has had a lot of experience photographing State events, watching local teams trying to compete against the city teams. It is often difficult for them to compete at the intensity that is required because they lack the competition in the local comps.

What rep honours have you achieved?

sh: Townsville Flames,U14, U16 & U18, Burdekin Wildcats U12, QLD North U16 & U18, School North QLD U12, U15, U18. Townsville Fire Academy, QLD North U15.

ls: You have to admit that it is an impressive list. How much time is involved?

sh: Each day I train for at least 2 hours. This includes fitness, games, shooting, individual and team training.

ls: What is the best part of playing the sport?

sh: Getting to play with people that you enjoy playing with and just playing the sport that I love.

ls: What is the worst part?

sh: Missing out on a lot of social events, parties, hanging out with friends etc.

ls: What is your favourite event?

sh: My favourite sport would have to be Nationals. To have the opportunity to play against the Nation’s greatest and then be able to make friendships with people who also love the sport just as much as you. And also the memories that you create.

ls: What is your biggest accomplishment in your sports?

sh: Being named captain of the U16 QLD North team.

ls: What one or two things do you currently do in your training that are keys to your success?

sh: Being a good leader – by communicating, putting 110% into everything I do and secondly concentrating on the little things..

ls: What would be your ultimate achievement?

sh: To play for the Townsville Fire and win a WNBL championship. To play for Australia and go to college.

ls: What is the best advice you have been given?

sh: To not worry about all the rubbish that happens off the court, just do what I do best and leave it all on the court.

ls: What do you like to do in your free time away from your sport?

sh: I mostly study but I like to just relax and hang out with friends.

ls: Anything else that you would like to share?

sh: I go to boarding school in Townsville, so having to coordinate everything and organise lifts to training etc., really does show that I want to play and how dedicated I am and you have to be

ls: Thanks Sarah, I appreciate your time and you coming back to reshoot some of your photos. I did not realise that you were a boarder.

ls: A few quick questions for Sonya to get the parents point of view. Wondering how much time and driving is involved with travel and training?

soh: As I live 100kms away from Sarah, I drive at least 800-1000kms a week to come and get her  to take her to training and games. During holidays it is a lot more as she is at home then.

ls: Amazing dedication, hopefully all the time and effort will come with its own rewards in the future. Are there limitations on the number of sports that Caitlyn can play?

soh: Yes, Sarah attends a boarding school in Townsville and lives away from home. This school will only allow her to be out at certain times, it’s a real juggle to keep everyone happy.

ls: Are there benefits to them playing different sports?

soh: yes, vision on court, team work and different physical strengths.

ls: Are there difficulties in getting them to the sport and in getting them to practice and train?

soh: No problems with her wanting to play. Have trouble working out how to fit it all in. If I cannot take her we have to use taxis, buses and other parents. No help from school.

ls: Do you enjoy going to the game?

soh: Yes, my hobby is watching my kids paly sport/

ls: How much impact does the cost of sport have?

soh: The fuel I use and the Kms I do are extreme, big cost. Sarah attends a boarding school to try to make it easier for her to play basketball at a higher level. Sarah has a lot to cope with. She has to organise a lot of transport, then she has school requirements because she is a boarder and then make sure her school work is up to date. She has to organise her meals at the school when she trains late. I cannot do any of those little things to make it easier for her. Just drive.

ls: You can feel the pride in the answers. I must admit that I am a bit surprised by the lack of support from the school.  I also think the the second photograph is one of the best that we have produced from this series. Sarah actually came back to re shoot the image. I did not realise at the time how difficult that is for her so my thanks goes out to her.Thanks for your time.

Tom - Rugby Union, Cricket and Rowing.

ls:  This week’s sporting profile is Tom Smith.  Tom is another high achieving sportsman across a range of sports. While we did the shoot for his main sports in Rugby union, cricket and Rowing, Tom has also achieved in other sports like water polo and basketball. Currently attending Ignatius Park College in grade 11 where he is active in their rowing program.

Welcome to our studios Tom & Deb and thanks for your participation. What sports do you play and which is your favourite?

ts: Rugby Union, Cricket and Rowing

ls: What clubs do you currently play for?

ts: Brother Rugby Union and Cricket and IPC rowing.

ls: What position do you play?

ts: No 8.

ls: How many years have you been playing?

ts: Started when I was 8

ls: Who is your sporting hero?

ts: Scott Higginbotham (Melbourne rebels No8 and blind side flanker in the Super 15’s)

ls: How did you get involved in these sports?

ts: My parents wanted me to play a team sport and my friends did rowing so I joined in.

ls: What rep honours have you achieved?

ts: In Rugby Townsville 2011-2013, QLD Country in 2011, ARU Gold Under 17 in 2013. Cricket Townsville 2010, North Queensland 2012

ls: How much time is involved?

ts: 30 hours or there about.

ls: that is a lot of time, you would need to be very organised to get it all done while staying ahead in school. What is the best part of playing the sport?

ts: The feeling when I succeed at something I had not yet done.

ls: What is the worst part of playing the sport?

ts: The physical and mental exhaustion.

ls: What is your favourite event?

ts: Rowing State Championships.

ls: Why did you play these sports?

ts: They involve relying on friends to form a good result.

ls: What is your biggest accomplishment in your sports?

ts: Being able to perform exceptionally at all sports.

ls: What one or two things do you currently do in your training that are keys to your success?

ts: Maintaining a strong mental attitude and a strong work ethic.

ls: What would be your ultimate achievement?

ts: To make national teams in all of these sports.

ls: How do you set your goals?

ts: I think realistically so that I can achieve them.

ls: What is the best advice you have been given?

ts: Live life to the fullest.

ls: Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by?

ts: As above.

ls: Where do you draw your inspiration from?  

ts: I draw inspiration from the hopes and achievements of those around me.

ls: What do you like to do in your free time away from your sport?

ts: Catching up with friends, Xbox.

ls: Do you have any pre-match routines?

ts: Chew on my mouth guard.

ls: Thanks Tom, good luck with your plans for the future.

ls: A few quick questions for Deb to get the parents point of view. Deb also has a high achieving daughter and is involved with Netball coaching so spends huge amounts of time going to a from training and games. Thanks for your time Deb, wondering how much time and driving is involved with travel and training?

ds: Lots

ls: Are there limitations on the number of sports that Tom can play?

ds: As long as there is balance and it all works.

ls: Are there benefits to them playing different sports?

ds: Rowing compliments his rugby and cricket.

ls: Are there difficulties in getting them to the sport and in getting them to practice and train?

ds: IPC helps with getting the boys to and from rowing and Rugby and cricket training are usually at the school.

ls: Do you enjoy going to the game?

ds: Always.

ls: Thanks for your time.

Eddy - Rugby League

ls:  Eddy come from a family of very high achievers, so will have a lot to live up to. We have absolutely no doubt that he is up to it. He is outstanding in both League and Oz Tag, and is still a bit young for the rep teams in League. That will come over the next few years as Eddy gets into the older age groups.

Welcome to our studios Eddy and thanks for your participation. What sports do you play and which is your favourite?

eh: Rugby league, Oz tag and cricket.    

ls: What clubs do you currently play for?

eh: Brothers Junior Rugby League club, #Tags and Saints.

ls: What position do you play?

eh: 5/8 or in the halves.

ls: Who is your sporting hero?

eh: Billy Slater from the Melbourne Storm, Queensland and Australia.

ls: How many years have you been playing?

Eh: 5 years.

Ls: How did you get involved in these sports?

eh: Mum & Dad got me involved with league, my friends got me into Oz Tag and the school got me into Cricket.

ls: What rep honours have you achieved?

eh: Oz tag Townsville under 11.

Ls: How much time is involved?

Eh: With League it’s 40 minutes a game plus training one night a week, Oz Tag is 40 minutes a game and Cricket is 2 hours a game.

Ls: What is the best part of playing the sport?

Eh: Playing my best.

ls: What is the worst part of playing the sport?

eh: Not being able to play.

ls: What is your favourite event?

eh: Rugby League.

ls: Why did you play these sports?

eh: Because these are the sports I love to play.

ls: What is your biggest accomplishment in your sports?

eh: Making the Townsville rep side 3 times for Oz Tag.

ls: What one or two things do you currently do in your training that are keys to your success?

eh: Working together to win games, playing with friends and having fun.

ls: What would be your ultimate achievement?

eh: To play for Australia in these three sports.

ls: How do you set your goals?

eh: My coaches set the goals and by following my sporting hero.

ls: What is the best advice you have been given?

eh: Never stop trying on what you love.

ls: Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by?

eh: Always have fun.

ls: Where do you draw your inspiration from?  

eh: Sporting heroes Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Mitchell Johnson.

ls: What do you like to do in your free time away from your sport?

eh: Work.

ls: Do you have any pre-match routines?

eh: Go outside and practice with friends.

ls: Thanks Eddy. 

Sports Stars - Boston Mazlin (Basketball, Athletics, Touch, Oz Tag and maybe Aussie Rules.

This weeks star is Boston. Boston can do it all, and at his age he is having trouble deciding what sport he really wants to pursue. He is outstanding at Basketball, Oz Tag, Touch and Athletics. Aussie Rules is interested because of his athleticism, yet through it all he has remained very grounded. It is an interesting balancing act that his parents go through with all the sports that he is involved in. That goes for all the parents we have interviewed so far, the balancing act of allowing the kids to pursue sporting ambition while still being active on the school front.

ls: What sports do you play?
bm: Basketball, Oz Tag, AFL, Soccer.
ls: What clubs do you play for?
bm: Whirlwinds Basketball, Black Hawkes Oz Tag and AFL Hawkes
ls: What position do you play?
bm: Point Guard. 
ls: How long have you been playing?
bm: 7 years
ls: Who is your sporting hero?
bm: Kevin Durant from the Oklahoma City Thunder
ls: What representative honours have you achieved?
bm: Oz Tag I've represented Townsville and Queensland and in Basketball, Townsville and North Queensland.
ls: How did you get involved in these sports?
bm: Both my parents played basketball.
ls: How much time is involved?
bm: Training 3 time a week and shoot everyday.
ls: What is the best part of playing sports?
Lauren: Team mates and the trips away.
ls: What is the worst part of playing sport?
bm: Long hours training.
ls: What was your favourite event?
bm: The Classics (Basketball), travel with the team and play for a week in tournaments.
ls: Why did you choose these sports?
bm: I chose basketball because my parents played it and AFL because my cousins play it
ls: What is your biggest accomplishment in your sport?
bm: Winning the under 12 basketball final and scoring 45 points.
ls: What one or two things do you currently do in your training that are keys to your success?
bm: Shoot everyday and listen to coaches.
ls: What would be your ultimate achievement?
bm: To play for Australia and to go to college in the United States
ls: How do you set your goals?
bm: It depends on the tournament I am getting ready for.
ls: What is the best advise you were ever given?
bm: Play hard and have fun.
ls: Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by?
bm: You have to want to succeed more than you want to breath.
ls: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
bm: My Mum & Dad, they help me so much, without them I could not do what I do.
ls: What do you do in your spare time away from the sport?
bm: Train and video games.
ls: Do you have a pre-match routine?
bm: Stretch and shoot the ball.
ls: Anything else you would like to share?
bm: Thanks to all the coaches who have put time into me.

Bostons parents are both successful in their own right. I met Justin and Megan a few years ago while doing club photos for some of the Basketball clubs in Townsville. It was obvious that Justin had a love of photography similar to mine, so we have spent a lot of time taking cameras and action photography. Every time Boston is playing a sport, there is Justin with his camera trying to capture the perfect image.

ls: Thanks for bringing Boston in for today's shoot. How much time is spent driving and attending training and game days?
jm: We live close by so not much time in travel. Boston trains about 9 hours a week.
ls: Is there a limit to the number of sports they can play?
jm: Yes, they have started to clash so a decision will have to be made to choose only a few sports soon.
ls: Are there benefits to them playing different sports?
jm: Getting to know a range of different people and dealing with those people. 
ls: Are there difficulties in getting them to play the sport and in getting them to practice and train?
jm: No, Boston enjoys training.
ls: Do you enjoy going to the games?
jm: Yes.
ls: How much impact does the cost of the sports have?
jm: It hasn't yet, but as he gets older I'm sure it will start.
ls: Thanks for your time Boston and Justin, good luck in the future with you goals and ambitions. I have seen how hard you train so I'm sure you will do very well into the future.

I know that the background on the last image is not the Oz tag grounds, but you have to admit it is a spectacular background. This will be the last sports star for a couple of weeks, we are of to get background images. Please email the office if you are interested in participating in the project. We will get back to you.

Sports Stars 2 - Chloe (Netball)

Our week 2 sports star is Chloe, who currently plays for the Phoenix Netball club in Townsville. She plays in the under age team and the Premier League. She has represented Townsville at the State Championships and made North Queensland sides. She is currently going through the trials process to made the QLD state side. Chloe attends Saint Margaret Mary School. We sad down with Chloe and her grand mother to talk about what she has achieved so far in Netball.

ls: What sports do you play?
cc: Netball & Touch.
ls: What clubs do you play for?
cc: Phoenix Netball and Brothers Touch.
ls: What position do you play?
ls: GD & GK (Goal Keeper and Goal Defense)
ls: How long have you been playing?
cc: 8 years.
ls: Who is your sporting hero?
cc: Laura Geitz from the QLD Firebirds and Australia. (Laura is currently the captain of the Australian Netball side)

ls: What representative honours have you achieved?
cc: Townsville, North Queensland and QLD Netball Squad.
ls: How did you get involved in these sports?
cc: Through my mother and friends. 
ls: How much time is involved?
cc: 6 days a week
ls: What is the best part of playing sports?
cc: Going away to carnivals with my teams.
ls: What is the worst part of playing sport?
cc: Having to balance sport with school work.
ls: What was your favourite event?
CC: Going away with my North Queensland netball team.
ls: Why did you choose these sports?
cc: I chose to play netball as my older sister played netball and my mum loved the sport. I chose to play touch because I wanted to participate in a fun sport with all my friends.
ls: What is your biggest accomplishment in your sport?
cc: Winning sports women of the year and making the Queensland Under 17's State Netball team.
ls: What one or two things do you currently do in your training that are keys to your success?
cc: Always try my best and push myself each training session and game.
ls: What would be your ultimate achievement?
cc: To make a Queensland and then Australian team for netball.
ls: How do you set your goals?
cc: I set my goals by creating new challenges.
ls: What is the best advise you were ever given?
cc: Never give up, try your hardest, play hard but enjoy yourself.
ls: Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by?
cc: Be the best person that you can be.
ls: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
cc: Famous sports people, my coaches and my mother.
ls: What do you do in your spare time away from the sport?
cc: Spend my time with my family and friends.
ls: Do you have a pre-match routine?
cc: I eat a small snack.
ls: Anything else you would like to share?
cc: Not at this stage.
ls: Thanks for your time Chloe, good luck in the future with you goals and ambitions. Thanks also to your grand mother for bringing you to the shoot. 

Leiden Studios has been lucky enough this year to have photographed both Chloe and her older sister this year. I would like to thank the Cooper family for the privilege and offer both girls all the success in the future.

Our sporting Hero's 1 - Ellie

Ellie is a Queensland representative football player, having won a national championship with the Queensland Under 12 girls earlier this year. She also plays touch and Oz Tag, and is hoping to gain Queensland selection in both these sports later in the year and early next year. She comes from an incredibly talented family with other family members featuring on this blog in future editions. We sat down with Ellie and had a chat about her dreams and goals for the future.

ls: What sports do you play?
eh: Soccer, Oz Tag and Touch.
ls: What clubs do you play for?
eh: Annandale Falcons and now the North Queensland Fury.
ls: What position do you play?
eh: Midfield and full back.
ls: How long have you been playing?
eh: 8 years.
ls: Who is your sporting hero?
eh: Lionel Messe from Argentina and Barcelona.

ls: What representative honours have you achieved?
eh: Townsville Football, Townsville Primary School Football, North Queensland Schools Football, QLD Schools Football, Townsville Schools Touch, North Queensland Schools Touch & Townsville Oz Tag.
ls: How much time is involved?
eh: All of our time.
ls: What is the best part of playing sports?
eh: All of it.
ls: What is the worst part of playing sport?
eh: Not being able to play.
ls: What was your favourite event?
eh: Playing for QLD at the Football Nationals in Brisbane earlier this year.
ls: Why did you choose these sports?
eh: I try to get to as many sports as I can and these were the ones we had time for.
ls: What is your biggest accomplishment in your sport?
eh: Making  the QLD State side in Football
ls:What one or two things do you currently do in your training that are keys to your success?
eh: Juggling and shooting skills.
ls: What would be your ultimate achievement?
eh: Playing for Australia.
ls: How do you set your goals?
eh: I set my goals based on what I need to improve.
ls: What is the best advise you were ever given?
eh: It's not over until it is over.
ls: Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by?
eh: Do your best and you can achieve your best.
ls: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
eh: Lionel Messe, coaches and my parents.
ls: What do you do in your spare time away from the sport?
eh: Train.
ls: Do you have a pre-match routine?
eh: No, only a warm up
ls: Anything else you would like to share?
eh: no, I love sport.
ls: Thanks for your time Ellie, good luck in the future with you goals and ambitions.

Leiden Studios would like to thank Matt and Tracey for their time and allowing us to do the shoot with Ellie. I hope she enjoyed the experience, we had a lot of fun doing the shoot and interview. We wish her all the luck in the future pursuing her dreams.

This is the first in a weekly series of sporting stars to be profiled by Leiden studios. Leiden Studios has the pleasure of working with a large number of sporting clubs and organisations both in Townsville and in Queensland and through this association we have come across a range of fantastically talented sports stars. Our aim is to profile some of these personalities and hopefully give both the athlete and the associations a bit of exposure.

We have stars lined up for the next few weeks but are always looking for more willing to do a bit of a photo shoot and give us a bit of an insight into what it takes to be a sports star. I have plans already in place for a sprinter and swimmer/ water polo. Considering we covered QLD Water Polo for 5 years I actually do not know any in Townsville.Please give us a call if you are interested in participating. There is no cost associated with the shoot.