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.

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. 

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.

The beauty of Photography

Photography is permanent, once captured there is a permanent record of the split second in time that will last forever. Well maybe not. The image has to be captured correctly, and in the digital age, stored correctly. This means backing up, backing up, backing up. Images stored singularly on a hard drive of a computer are destined to be lost, simple as that. If you have never had a hard drive failure, you will, it is only a matter of time. It usually happens at the most difficult or inconvenient time.

We have a Raid system that automatically backs itself up. Because we are a profession studios we have to have other systems in place to ensure we do not lose any clients work. This is done with two external drives, one is kept off sight, the other backs up each night. These are rotated every week. As it stands the most we can lose is one weeks work. That is still not good enough really, especially if that week we lost was a wedding. Can you imagine calling someone to tell them their wedding photos are lost. It would kill your business.

Why the need for off sight? Backups only work if you still have them. A fire, theft, or natural disaster destroys both the original and backup. Very frustrating if it is your photos that are lost. It has happened to friends who were backing up their images and were burgled. Of course they stole both the computer and the backup. Suddenly any image that you might need is gone.

The problem with all of these back ups, especially with modern cameras, is the actual size of the files. Last year we took 1.8Tb, that's Tera bytes of images. Drives are mounting up. The DAM (Digital Asset Management) books say that 3 backup is minimum with one of those backups being kept off sight and one a non rewritable disc like DVD or Blue ray. The need to go to Blue Ray is evident when you consider that we take about 32Gig of images at a single wedding or about 9 DVD's. Clearly there has to be ever increasing capacity for the storage of these images.

So if your images are currently just stored on your computers hard drive, time to work out how to back them up and do it today, no time like the present. Why am I writing about this, one of this years backups has just failed. No damage, we have 2 other backups, but to back up a full year, or to October as is the case here will take about 24 hours. Needs to be done know.

Our Posters

Having posted our new designs for 2011, I thought I should show what we have provided in the past. We have a wide range of custom designed prints and posters all with our quality grantee. Customised posters will not be printed until you love it. It is then printed onto quality paper and either posted to your house or delivered to your sporting fields.

Here are a few of our 11 x 14" Posters from 2010.

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We will continue to develop new designs and provide quality products for the sporting community. If you have any questions on how we may be of service to your club, please give us a call.