SynchroNice / Third Edition / 2018

SYNCHRO NICE 91 And the skaters get to travel? Right they also get to travel, all around the world and they get to represent their country which is a fantastic opportunity, not many can say they have done that. If skaters do not end up within skating or sport in some capacity as their career choice (and many don't) they have something special in both amazing memories and life skills to take with them into their working or further education life. Ex -skaters still pop in to let me know their progress and that's amazing to hear. You know that you have in some part contributed to that success and that's heart-warming. What can you tell us about your colleague we always see you with? Lauren, you mean? Oh, my oh my, I could- n’t even have this interview if it wasn’t for my fellow head coach Lauren Fletcher… who is with me every step of the way. Everyone needs a Lauren! She is my best friend and my voice of reason, but also my balance when I am having a difficult day or have to work through anything. She brings an amazing dimension to the coaching team and is as passionate about this sport as I am. I think as we both grew up in the Nottingham rink and were also in a synchro team together this has made our bond very strong and it's increased our understan- ding of the skaters and what they go through. Empathy is a good quality to have. It may sound a cliché but together we are so much stronger and my journey would be a lonely one without her at my side. Lauren and I recently (and this was a massive surprise to us) won The National Ice Skating Association (NISA) “Coach of the Year” award. We are jointly proud of that as it definitely shows what high regard and appetite there currently is for Synchro, with in the UK. So the two of you put Synchro in the English Spotlights? Not only by the reward, in the past 3 years the Icicles and some of our other NSSA teams were filmed by “Drummer TV” for a BBC series called “Ice Stars” which was great fun filming. It was a fantastic opportunity for our sport and also makes us very happy Knowing that at least one more person will know about Synchronised Skating. What will be your next goal then? I'm now age 26 and believe I still have loads to give to the sport. I still have ambitions. I continuously feel it is important to better yourself and learn as you can never be the best by staying in the same place. My goal or dream if you like, would be to create a Senior team, as that is the one goal that I and the club still need to achieve. I assumed you were going to say something like, skating in the Olympics? Well as you mention it, I am hopeful that the sport gets included into the Olympics in 2022. It's chances this time around as 2018 was a major disappointment to all synchro fans around the world. Let’s make it Olympic and create millions of new Synchro fans. It was lovely talking to you Esther, we wish you a very happy life with your Liam and we all hope you’ll give birth to a lovely, healthy Synchronized skater. Is there anything left you’d like to say? I would encourage anyone picking up this article young or old to try skating as a sport as what it can give you back is immeasurable. Me and my life -I wouldn't change a thing! Keep smiling and keep positive and the rest will come.  “KEEP SMILING AND KEEP POSITIVE AND THE REST WILL COME.” facebook.com/synchrophoto.eu @SynchroPhoto_eu or instagram.com/synchrophotography STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST NEWS AND OTHER STUFF... SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER TODAY! SYNCHROPHOTO.EU SIGN UP NEWS LETTER