24 January 2011

Following an outstanding year which saw British records smashed and Championship medal hauls increased, the Aviva GB&NI team return to action for the first representational competition of the year, at the Aviva International Match, in Kelvin Hall Glasgow on 29 January.

Led by the golden girl of track and field, Jessica Ennis (Coach: Minichiello), the team will don their vests to take on global starts from USA, Sweden, Germany and the Commonwealth Select.

With a line up including four European medallists and a full complement of Commonwealth medals from bronze to gold, GB&NI will give it their all to retain their title won at last year’s match.

European champions Andy Turner (Coach: Lloyd Cowan) and Ennis will contest the international offering, eager to continue their run of form and tee up an important penultimate year before the 2012 Games.

Ennis returns to action against Lolo Jones (USA) after upsetting the odds in a shock 60m hurdles victory last year. While Turner meets regular rival David Oliver (USA), aiming to get the better of the World Indoor bronze medallist.

While European and Commonwealth silver medallist Mark Lewis-Francis (Coach: Linford Christie), continues his competitive comeback trail, lining up in the 60m alongside a notable field, including Marc Burns (COM) and Ryan Bailey (USA) two sub 10second 100m men. 

Little did she know, Jenny Meadows (Coach: Trevor Painter) was just three weeks away from breaking Dame Kelly Holmes’ longstanding British 800m indoor record when she won the 800m at the 2010 match. The ‘pocket rocket’ returns to Glasgow to test her legs after a spell warm weather training in South Africa.

With her season cut short in 2009 due to injury and 2010 spent rehabilitating following surgery, former World Indoor silver medallist Jeanette Kwakye (Coach: Michael Afilaka) makes her long awaited return to International competition, getting into the blocks for a 60m reintroduction.

Youngster Andrew Osagie (Coach: Craig Winrow), who impressed head coach Charles van Commenee with his gutsy performance at last year’s IAAF World Indoor Championships in Doha, Qatar, takes on a quality field in the 800m, no doubt looking for another international call up for Paris in March.

Teenagers Sarah Kelly (Coach: Liz McColgan), Ben Williams (Coach: John Crotty) and Danny Talbot (Coach: Daniel Cossins) will make their senior debut in Glasgow following successful age group representations in their early careers. Kelly, who has a seventh place World Junior finish to her name, will contest the 1500m. While former World Youth Champion Williams and World Juniors  representative Talbot take their respective places amongst international fields in the triple jump and 200m.

AVIVA GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND TEAM

MEN

60m: Mark Lewis Francis (Coach: Linford Christie)

200m: Danny Talbot (Coach: Daniel Cossins)

400m: Nigel Levine (Coach: Simon Duberley)

800m: Andrew Osagie (Coach: Craig Winrow)

3000m: Ricky Stevenson (Coach: Steve Shaw)

60m hurdles: Andy Turner (Coach: Lloyd Cowan)

Triple jump: Ben Williams (Coach: John Crotty)

High Jump: Robbie Grabarz (Coach: Fuzz Ahmed)

WOMEN

60m: Jeanette Kwakye (Michael Afilaka)

200m: Joice Maduaka (Coach: Loren Seagrave)

400m:  

800m: Jenny Meadows (Coach: Trevor Painter)

1500m: Sarah Kelly (Coach: Liz McColgan)

3000m: Helen Clitheroe (Coach: John Nuttall)

60m hurdles: Jessica Ennis (Coach: Toni Minichiello)

Long jump: Jessica Ennis (Coach: Toni Minichiello)

Pole Vault: Kate Dennison (Coach: Scott Simpson)