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Gladiator Fit helps out Buckie Ladies


By Alan Beresford

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BUCKIE Ladies have called on some high powered help in their bid to raise fitness standards for the new season ahead.

Former Gladiators winner Kathryn Evans (left) puts Buckie Ladies players through their paces as team manager Mel Smith (right) looks on. Picture: Eric Cormack. Image No. (043716)
Former Gladiators winner Kathryn Evans (left) puts Buckie Ladies players through their paces as team manager Mel Smith (right) looks on. Picture: Eric Cormack. Image No. (043716)

A regular sight at the club's Tuesday evening training sessions over the past few weeks has been none other than Kathryn Evans, who emerged victorious in the 2009 series of ITV's Gladiators and represented Scotland at track events for 17 years, including at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Now retired from competition, Evans works as a personal trainer, running her own business, Gladiator Fit, in Lossiemouth and has been bringing experience to bear with the Highlands and Islands League side.

Thanks to friend Michelle Johnson, who plays for Buckie Ladies and told her all about the club, she has now forged a link with the Merson Park side as they aim to make a impact on the new league.

Evans said: "I'm working with them on the fitness side of things – the football side is Mel's (Smith, Buckie Ladies manager).

"My own sports are track and field rather than football but I know what I need to do to improve their fitness.

"Football is an endurance game – players can cover five or six miles during a match – so I'm working on flexibility, power and strength as well as their speed. One of the things I've been told is that many players have problems lasting the full 90 minutes, so that'll be something I'll be looking at."

It has not taken long for Evans to get the football bug thanks to the enthusiasm of her new charges, who has offered to sponsor the team's home game against Clachnacuddin Women FC.

She continued: "I'm hoping to travel with the team as well as go to their home games when my commitments allow.

"I need to get to know them as players and watch them in action so I can give them the best advice possible. I already feel invested in the club."

One of those delighted with the impact Evans has made is manager Mel smith.

"We're just delighted Kathryn has offered to do these sessions for free and thanks also to Michelle for persuading her to come down," she said.

"I can already see the difference she's made to the squad.

"The girls are loving it; Kathryn's so experienced and has so much experience to bring to bear. Having someone of her calibre here is a massive bost to the club.

"I think it;s also a chance for Kathryn to work in a different genre from what she's used to – she certainly seems to have taken to working with a football club."

Buckie Ladies are next in action this coming Sunday away to Nairn, with the Northern Lights Bar in buckie being their match sponsors.

The squad do fitness training on Tuesday's at Merson Park from 6-7.30pm with Friday at the football park in Portgordon at the same times seeing skills work undertaken. New players are always welcome to come along.


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