Claire Bennett wins the GDST Alumna of the Year Award 2012 (my speech starts at 11mins)

The Boodles, 21st June 2012

Thanks to my lovely media agents at The Emilia Group, yesterday I got to spend the whole day enjoying world class tennis at The Boodles.  The tennis tournament itself is set within the beautiful grounds of Stoke Park, but what I found most incredible was the unique spectator experience enjoyed by all. With an intimate crowd of 1,500 and no seat further that eight metres from the action, you can imagine the kind of viewing and involvement that you feel in the game. It was superb. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a venue where I was so close to the live action, let alone world class action.

I got to see Andy Murray play current World number one Novak Djokovic. I almost felt like I was playing the game with them. There’s nothing better. The players seemed to love it too, especially Djokovik, the ultimate crowd pleaser and funny man on court. When it started spitting with rain, he got his towel out and started ‘wiping’ down the grass, he joked around with the ball girls and even high-fived a lady in the front row after landing a particularly beautiful shot. It was a joy to see the players so relaxed and enjoying their tennis. That’s not to say that it wasn’t a competitive exhibition match. An athlete always plays to win – it’s in their DNA. There was just a different feel to the match. A playful feel. They both tried out moves they might not risk at a major tournament, and seeing Murray land an incredible jump shot through his legs made for quite an exciting point. It was pure entertainment, and the perfect pre-Wimbledon warm-up for both players. Djokovic won in two straight sets and he looked on fine form.

I was also pleased to see a piece that I had written about tennis and fencing in the Boodles programme. It looked great, and I was glad that so many people got to read about fencing. I compared fencing to tennis and drew on their similarities in foot movement, hand-eye coordination, speed, agility as well as reading and reacting to a situation and making the correct decision under pressure. I imagine Rodger Federer would make a very good fencer. He has great foot speed and subtle hands. Gael Monfils is springy and has lightening reflexes and fast feet – great qualities to have in fencing. Rafael Nadal probably has a bit too much upper body muscle to suit fencing because as I explained in the programme, fencers tend not to develop big upper body muscles as it becomes restrictive. Your legs and feet are what will get you out of dangerous situations in fencing, the same way that tennis players’ legs get themselves out of trouble in a rally.

My final highlight was meeting the lovely Zoe Hardman who was the host and MC for the day. She gave me some great tips on presenting and working the camera. She was fabulous; very generous with her time and gave me much inspiration for what I might like to do next.

The Boodles was one of my best tennis experiences so far for the sheer intimacy of play. Did I mention they also served up the most delicious, fluffiest scones I have ever tasted? I’ll definitely be back next year.

End of the road, London 2012

You may have heard the news today of the selection of the British Olympic fencing team. Unfortunately I have to confirm that I have not been selected to represent Team GB at the London Olympic Games.

The hardest part of all is telling your friends, family and support team that you have not made it.

I have had such great support from so many of you in this four-year Olympic cycle, and I wish I could give you better news.

Despite this huge disappointment, I have enjoyed the journey, and all of the hard work and sacrifice has been worth it. I have learnt so much about myself, and what it takes to be the best at elite level.

I have dreamt of going to the Olympics ever since I was a little girl but I have felt some peace in the knowledge that at all times I gave it 100%. I tried my absolute hardest, and there can be no regrets.

I am writing this blog really, as a big thank-you to my sponsors and support team, who have been so supportive and encouraging to me over the last few years. You know who you are. I will write to you all personally as soon as I can.

I always felt very lucky to have had such a great team of people around me, my family and friends included, and there is no way I could have even got this far without your backing. So thank-you, so much. 

I wish my teammates and all of the British fencers selected for the Olympic Games much luck this summer. We have trained and worked so hard for this and I genuinely hope that we get the results we deserve.

Poetry and Sport

Apparently Camus was an excellent football player and Beckett loved cricket. Poetry and sport. You wouldn't necessarily put the two together. Until now.

I'm off to check out an Olympic-inspired event celebrating the union of poetry and sport on Monday 11th June at King's Place. The event will be hosted by Clare Balding and will feature Olympic legends Edwin Moses, Tanni Grey Thopmson, Chris Holmes and Laura Badea. They will be sharing their Olympic stories and reading poems about sporting excellence from the book 'Winning Words' which will be launched at the event.

I'm particularly excited to listen to Laura Badea, former Romanian Olympic champion for individual foil at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. I'm sure she has some great fencing stories to tell and I could definitely learn a thing or two from her!

It is set to be a wonderful evening. I am sure it will be very inspiring and I am looking forward to listening to this unique mix of sport and poetry. I often turn to words for inspiration, and sometimes poems, but rarely do I read poems about sport and great sporting endeavour. It will be an interesting evening and I hope that some of you can join me - sporting and fencing fans alike!

More info about the event and how to buy tickets can be found here: http://www.poetinthecity.co.uk/events/136

Don't miss out!