Six Day Cycling - London

Last night I was lucky enough to be invited to attend day 4 of the Six Day Cycling Event held at the Lee Valley Velodrome within London’s Olympic Park.

The Six Day event is, as it sounds, 6 days of competitive track cycling featuring some of the World’s top riders. Having absolutely no knowledge of cycling it was very interesting to see the different types of races which included the Madison, Elimination, Derny, Team Trial and Super Sprint. More information about each type of race can be found here on the event’s website, as I don’t think I could explain them if I tried! My personal favourite was the Derny, mostly because of the comical mopeds which each rider followed around the track.

The event however was not just about cycling. The Ministry of Sound DJ and dramatic club-style lighting created a party like atmosphere throughout the event, providing entertainment and drama for non-cycling experts like myself. I have to say the music was fantastic, though I did feel at some points I was in a club in Ibiza (or watching a very intense spin class!) not at a cycling event – but hey I loved it!  There was crowd interaction and screens linking to social media so everyone could get involved and there was also plenty of food and drink on sale as the event was on for a good few hours!

Overall it was a great evening out and it was good to get away from the Rugby World Cup madness for a night. The crowd had a great time and although not at full capacity everyone had a lot of fun -  I imagine the final days of the event will draw the bigger crowds. There weren’t a lot of young kids or families at the event, which may be because it was on a school night and having done some research the tickets are quite pricey. Having said that it’s a fun and different day out which appeals to sports and non-sport lovers alike, there is something for everyone at the Six Day event and I would love to return in the future. 

The riders in action 

Lee Valley Velodrome 

RWC 2015 - Half way through!

Well I can’t quite believe it, but we are half way through the England 2015 Rugby World Cup tournament.

It’s been a great tournament to date - the venues look amazing, the teams are happy and there have been a few surprises and upsets along the way (Japan beating South Africa being a highlight!)

Although it’s a bit disappointing for the host nation that England aren’t through to the next stage the spirit of the tournament is still present across the entire country. Almost every pub you pass has rugby balls, bunting and television screens showing the matches and spectators are still turning out in their thousands to watch the games.

There’s less than 3 weeks until the final which is both exciting and terrifying. Exciting as I can’t wait to see who has qualified and experience the atmosphere at Twickenham on October 31^st, but also terrifying as it means my time at England 2015 is coming to an end.

Whilst I don’t want to think about it too much, realistically I need to start planning what I am going to do next and where I want to go. Answers on a postcard please as I have no idea. As much as I love events I always forget about that sad/sick feeling you get when you know the event is going to end and you will have to leave behind the amazing team that you have spent so much time with!

But for now I am going to enjoy the time I have left here at England 2015 and there is plenty more action still to come. I honestly have no idea who is going to be in the final and I can’t wait to see which team will be lifting the Webb Ellis Cup at the end of the month!

Australia v England at Twickenham

Australia v Wales at Twickenham 

Rugby World Cup 2015

Well after months of planning, hours of hard work, blood, sweat and tears the 2015 Rugby World Cup is finally underway!

It feels very strange to think that it’s actually here and that the matches have begun, it’s a day most of us in the office couldn’t even imagine!

The opening ceremony was amazing and the atmosphere in Twickenham was incredible. New Zealand's new and improved Haka made amazing viewing and was followed by a dramatic win by Japan over South Africa, already proving that this will be the most exciting and the best Rugby World Cup ever.

There are some highly anticipated matches coming up in the next few weeks, not to mention my home nation of Scotland making their debut, against none other than Japan so that should make for a very interesting match!  

Being a part of something this big, which unites people all over the World is a once in a lifetime opportunity which I am so grateful for and am honoured to be even a small part of. I can’t wait to see what the next few weeks have in store, who knows what will happen! All I do know is that I am so incredibly lucky and proud to be a part of this team and I know that this will be a tournament to remember.

23 days to go!!

With only 23 days to go (well 24 when I took my countdown picture!) until the 2015 Rugby World Cup I have to admit my blog has started to slip a little...

As I have said before the lead up to an event is by far the busiest time and this job is no exception. The PR campaign has ramped up and the media coverage is starting to build. Squads have been announced and the first teams have even arrived in the country, so as you can imagine it's all go in our office.

Whilst my blog posts will be fewer in the coming weeks rest assured I am working all hours of the day to put on this event and will hopefully have many fun stories and learnings to write about afterwards!

See you on the the flip side!!

Did someone say Britney!?

Rugby - England v France

This weekend I was working at the QBE England v France International at Twickenham Stadium as part of the onsite England 2015 team.

The match was used as a test event for the operations for the 2015 World Cup and it allowed the venue team the opportunity  to practise the tournament time processes which aren’t normally in place at Twickenham.

For this particular match I was working with Transport team at their shuttle bus load zones – an area I have never in worked before so it was good to get a taste of a new department and learn their operations. I have to admit that even after only 1 event day I have huge respect for the people who work in Transport, it's by no means an easy task!!

Overall it was a great day –and not just because England won! The team left with lots of learning’s for the 2015 World Cup which is shaping up to be an amazing event!

The calm before the storm!

Your bus team for the day!