Go Mammoth gets involved with Google Plus | GO Mammoth Posted on 18th June 2012 by Come join GO Mammoth on Google+! Google plus is a young social media network that has loads to offer! Google+ allows you to connect with your friends, team members, and organisations. The best part, and something that differentiates Google+ from other social media platforms, is the fact that you can organise all of your followers into circles. Circles allow you to connect with specific groups of followers! For example, say that you have a dedicated circle for your team; you can post specific status’, messages and photos that only the members of that circle can see. To quickly share an update on team attire for the day’s matches, simply type in the message (“Wear red shirts today!”) and select your team’s circle, and check “notify about this post!” You can share this info through words or picture! You can also download the Google+ mobile app, allowing this information to come through directly to your mobile phone so you can always get information on the GO! The mobile app also allows you to directly upload photos you have just taken. You can take your own action sports photos with your Google+ enabled smart phone device, and have them up before the game is even over. The app also offers the ability to share your location. You can do this privately within your circle, which is brilliant when letting your team know where to find you, or what pub to meet you at. Pages are also another great way to connect. Create a page for your team and add all the members! The champion’s page can get a Page shout-out from the official GO Mammoth Google+ Page. This page would also be a great way to document your season through messages, photos, and videos and keep up with how many fans you develop through Google’s 1+. Lastly Google has a fantastic and innovative video chatting application. Google has added “Hangouts” to its great array of capabilities. Hangouts allow for up to a 10 way video chat to take place. Get together with your team using Hangouts and discuss strategy, and other matters! If you like this blog post or GO Mammoth in general, and feel that it should be shared, then click the “G+” icon at the top of the page to 1+ this article, and feel free to share this with your friends over Facebook and tweet the article on twitter! Get the word out in a MAMMOTH way! Get started on Google+ today by clicking here.
London Netball: Trainer Review | GO Mammoth Posted on 15th June 2012 by Good shoes, take you Good places In order to play sport properly at your highest level, and without hurting yourself, you must make sure you have the right kit and equipment! Netball is no exception to this rule. One of the most important parts of your kit that dramatically affects your performance, are your trainers. Having the correct pair of trainers leads to better joint health, improved agility, increased comfort while playing, a happier you, and a better London Netball experience! When you run, your foot makes a striking contact with the ground. Over time this repetitive striking can wear down your joints and cause pain. Shock absorbent shoes help to reduce the amount of force felt by your body, therefore reducing the impact on your joints. When you are sprinting, most of the contact tends to be made with the front end of your foot, if you run on your toes. For this reason it may be a good idea to have gel covering the front of your foot. This will also help to dissipate the shock to your body. It is also possible to run and make primary contact with your heels. To protect your heels from getting tender and your body from the shock of running, having a gel at the rear of the shoe is also a good idea. One of the most common injuries in London Netball is a twisted ankle. When running during a Netball game it is extremely important to have supportive trainers. Flimsy plimsoles will not protect your ankle if you were to turn at an odd angle, or slightly roll over on your foot. Twisted ankles have got quite a quick recovery time, but are very painful, and will stop you playing to your full potential for a good few weeks. Netball is very much a game about speed and agility. To intercept a pass, you must always be mentally and physically ahead of your opponent. Therefore you need to be able to beat your opponent down the court. In order to get the speed, as well as overall fitness and sprinting ability, it is necessary to have good traction. Traction also factors into your stopping ability, and enables you to run quickly, stop, and change directions to make cuts to open spaces. Imagine running on a wooden court in socks, and trying to build up to speed. Then stop and change direction, it doesn’t end to well. Below is a compilation of recommended Netball trainers for your Netball activities. Trainer Make Front Gel Heel Gel Shock Absorbency Increased support Increased Stability Traction Flexibility Price Asics: Net Burner Professional X X X X X X £100.00 Net Burner 13 X X X X X X £85.00 Net Burner Academy X X X £75.00 Net Burner Super X X X X X X £110.00 Gel Pivot X X £60.00 Adidas: Response Cushion 20 X X X £75.00 Gilbert: Blaze X X X X £44.99 Nike: Air Max S2S X X X X £60.00 Considering all important factors affecting the performance of your trainer, and budget, the Asics Net Burner 13 trainers come out on top. Are there any particular trainers you would recommend buying for speed and agility when playing Netball? Or have you got/tried out the winner above?
Netball Clapham | What to do in Clapham? Netball & more.. | GO Mammoth Posted on 13th June 2012 by Moving to London, whether for relationships, family, or work can always be a daunting prospect, especially if you are a young professional. I was in exactly the same situation as many others, and researched into Clapham as I had heard it was a good place to ease me into London living. Clapham is South West London within the Borough of Lambeth. Local tube stops include Clapham Common, Clapham North, and Clapham South, all of which are located on the Northern line. There are also two main railway stations; Clapham High street and Clapham Junction. You can get into the city within 15mins from all stations. Clapham used to be home to a lot of the residential facilities of the University of London. Because of this, Clapham is well adverse and suited to young professionals. With a population of over 70,000, Clapham and Stockwell is extremely diverse, ensuring there is plenty for everyone and anyone to do to stay occupied including restaurants, bars and sporting activities. Clapham is a major hub for recent Uni graduates due to its proximity to the city, allowing for easy job commutes and ease of access to zone 1. Clapham boasts Clapham Common, allowing for countless sports and activities to take place, including football and rugby. As well as the common, there is the fantastic Clapham Leisure Centre and Lambeth Academy which hosts the best adult Ladies and Mixed Netball Leagues in Clapham in London. In addition to Netball in london, Clapham plays host to some of the craziest London Dodgeball leagues. I joined both a Netball and a London Dodgeball league when I first moved to Clapham and made loads of new friends. Many other area’s are not as lucky to have such up to date facilities as Clapham. Thousands of people flock to Clapham Common on a sunny day. It is great to chuck a ball around, get a big bag of iced beverages, stick tunes on, and socialise with other people doing the same thing. Keep an eye out for the Windmill pub. It is very useful for toilets when on the common, and also gets pretty busy in the summer with a great outdoor space and DJ’s at special events over the summer (i.e SW4). There is certainly a buzz around Clapham nightlife, with nearly 50 pubs/clubs in the area. For daytime/summer drinking I would head to The Falcon, The Sun, or Gigalum, all with great outside areas and perfect atmospheres to completely chill. Catching a bite to eat is always easy at the Pizzeria on the Green. This is always busy as it is right next to the tube, and offers decent Italian food at good prices. Fancy watching the game, eating and pre-drinking? Then head straight to Bodeans. It is spot on to watch sport with mates, and eat at the same time in a fun atmosphere. Grab your group a booth, beers, spicy wings, ribs, chips and coleslaw for £15 each. In my opinion, when it’s down to sport, the Alexandra is undeniably the best pub for literally any sport that’s being shown anywhere in the world. Heading out afterwards there are plenty of bars/clubs including The Loft, Vodka Revolution and Inferno’s (the local cattlemarket club!!). For free entry and pretty well priced drinks, start at Byson and Bird on the high street, or for a good mix of music, and a pub full of like minded people that are all there for a good time, make sure you check out Artesian Well. To end the night, hit Chatkhara. Some of the best after pub fast food I have found, far superior to a standard kebab. You could actually eat this sober. Clapham has everything I needed as a young professional. House prices do vary, so keep an eye out. You could get ripped off because of the location and end up paying a lot of money for a very busy commute into the City. Make sure you appreciate the London lifestyle, hit the common, join some London Sports Leagues, try out the different bars and restaurants and make the most of what Clapham has to offer.
London Netball: The History of Netball | GO Mammoth Posted on 11th June 20125th September 2016 by gomammoth Netball, has been around for over one hundred years. The sport was invented around 1893, and is believed to have derived from basketball. Doctor James Naismith invented basketball in 1891. He created it in order to have a sport that could be played inside during the long northern winters. Originally dribbling was not a rule at the inception of the game, but was later adopted. The first Basketball games were low scoring. The first official game ended one-nil. The sport was then spread through YMCA and Universities throughout the United States and in 1892, Senda Berenson, took and modified the rules of Basketball for women’s play. In 1893, Martina Bergman-Österberg, a teacher at Physical Training College in Hampstead, London, introduced yet another version of basketball rules to her students. These rules were adopted and modified regularly over the years until 1901, when the first official set of Netball rules were issued. Netball had already begun to spread around the world before the rules had even been officially scripted. Unlike Basketball, which was traditionally played inside and with a basket mounted 10 feet on to a wall (the current day hoop and backboard arrangement was introduced in 1906), Netball moved to the outdoors, and traded the baskets in for rings, as well as introducing three zones of play. The sport of netball also incorporated limited movement compared to basketball. Globally, Netball spread rather quickly. Before the official rules were even published, Netball had already made its way to Australia in 1900. By 1906 New Zealand had adopted the sport. Its introduction to the Western Hemisphere came in 1909, when it made its way to Jamaica. New Zealand established the first official Netball governing body in 1924. The first international game was played between Australia and New Zealand. This match ended 40 to 11 in favour of Australia back in 1938. International matches and Netball Leagues have since been adopted in the nature of the sport. In 1960 the major Netball playing nations developed a global standard set of rules. These countries included; Australia, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the West Indies. This conference concluded that the official form of netball competition would be 7 players versus 7 players. Prior to this some countries played 9 verses 9 Netball matches. The official governing body of Netball, known as “The International Federation of Netball Associations” (IFNA), was also established. Lastly, a world championship tournament was established, and is to be played every four years. The championship is known as the World Netball Championships. The Australian team has won the title 10 out of 13 times. Sydney, Australia will host the 2015 Netball world championships. Netball is an increasingly popular game with Women worldwide, but (since the 1980’s), it has also become more attractive to men. Join in the fun, and make history with London’s Ladies and Mixed Netball Leagues.
Basketball NBA Semi-Final Roundup Posted on 8th June 2012 by With the Western division all wrapped up and decided, Only the Eastern division is left with loose ends. The “Oklahoma City Thunder” has beaten out the “San Antonio Spurs” in the West to clench the division and become the representative team in the 2012 NBA championship game. This was decided in a series that went 4-2 in favour of the Thunder. However the East has yet to deliver its champion to enter the final bout against the Thunder. The Boston Celtics and the Miami heat are preparing to enter game seven, as the series is tied at 3-3. The most recent game saw LeBron James score an outstanding 45-points against the Celtics as the heat won 98-79. The next Basketball game between the two teams will decide which team is king of the East for the 2011-2012 Season. However it is still a toss up on who will make it out alive in game seven. Throughout the regular season, although shortened due to the NBA lockout, the Celtics defeated the Miami heat three out of four times. The largest win margin was 19 points on 1st April 2012. The one time that the Heat beat the Celtics, during a regular season match-up, was on the 27th of December 2011. Only eight points won this game. Due to this fact, many believed that going into this series, the Celtics would emerge the undisputed victor. But I wouldn’t be so sure. Take a look at the 2010-2011 Season. The Celtics held the Heat to one win, out of four games, during the regular season, however the Heat then promptly blew past them 4-1 in the series during the East semi-finals. A pattern develops. The Heat has come out strong against the Celtics before, after having abysmal regular season meetings against them. The moral of the story is to never count the Heat out. Whichever team wins this title and the subsequent birth to the national championships, will have to leave it all on the court in game 7 and prove it to the rest of the world. Be part of the NBA spirirt, and join one of GO Mammoth’s London Basketball Leagues. Who do you think will prevail in the East? Will LeBron have another all-star worthy game? Will the Celtics break their post season losing streak and finally one up the Heat? Find out on Saturday night. Official Highlights from Game 6 Game Six Highlights
Guest Blog: First time encounters – London Volleyball Posted on 1st June 2012 by A few days ago, I had my first experience with the London Volleyball League, run by GO Mammoth, and had a blast. This was my first time playing Volleyball in no less than a new town, but in a completely new country! I am used to playing in organised game, or a random pick-up, on occasion, and was looking forward to playing here in London The facilities in Regents Park are exceptional, and very inviting to play an exciting Volleyball match. The court was not too far off of the beaten course, and the location had a very scenic quality allowing me to see amazing sights, both on my walk to the courts and while I was playing. The amount of teamwork between the different teams was astounding. People on the same team and different teams were working together, laughing, and having fun all while playing a competitive game in a highly social environment. The teams were engaging with all team members, ensuring that everyone got a chance to take a crack at the ball. Even members of the other team helped to ensure that everyone was having fun by exchanging banter jokingly, and attempting to make my team laugh. Participating in the league was a collection of different people from different companies, countries, and different areas of the UK. As I continued to play, I couldn’t help but find the lively spirit contagious, and found myself thoroughly enjoying myself, like those around me. I was slightly nervous about joining a League in London, especially in Volleyball that I have not played for years. However I was pleasantly surprised by the mix of standard within the individual teams which made me feel much more comfortable. On a social level, Volleyball is definitely a game that everyone and anyone can play. It keeps you active, while not too tiring, and surprisingly by the end of my first match I wasn’t actually too bad. The matches played were a great break and stress reliever from the drone of the workweek. With the organised weekly fixtures, and the energetic sets of volleys, there was no time to worry about anything else but enjoying yourself, and where to place the next volley. I am already looking forward to the next season of Volleyball, I believe GO Mammoth has made a lifetime member out of me! Author: Anonymous
Staying Fit in London for Netball Posted on 31st May 20125th September 2016 by gomammoth For Netball, as in any sport, it is important to properly train your body so that you can perform at your maximum potential. Speed, endurance, strength, and skills are very important aspects of the sport. It is sometimes hard to fit a regular exercise program into the busy, and hectic lifestyle of a Londoner so here is a simple fitness plan to help guide you along in the weeks leading up to, and during your London Netball Leagues. Remember that it is necessary to stretch properly, before any exercise in order to maximize benefit and minimize the chances of injury. Day 1 The first day of training would occur 5 days before a match. (Assuming you have a match on Saturday, the first day of training would be on a Monday.) Since this first day is the farthest from competition, it can be your most challenging day, allowing for recovery throughout the remainder of the week. Focus on more strenuous cardiovascular exercises, and speed building. One possible exercise is running up and down stadium steps or a hill for roughly twenty minutes. This exercise can be broken up if desired into 10 and 10 or 7 and 13-minute intervals. After this exercise, take a break for about 5-7 minutes, and then run a sprint drill. Suicide runs are a good choice. Make sure to reach a full out sprint and maintain it as long as possible. Make sure to traverse the entire court by the end of drill. Only 2 sets are needed. Take another short break and then begin walking lunges to the half court line. At the half court line, take a short break (30 seconds to a minute) and then make your way back to the base line. Try to close out your workout with around 50 ladies push-ups (in intervals of 10), and 100 crunches (in intervals of 10). These exercises will help to develop speed, and cardiovascular endurance. Day 3 Two days before a match comes the second day of training. This day will focus on strength training of the arms. First of all, begin with a mile jog as a warm-up. Netball is not a sport where it is necessary to build bulk, so there is no need to focus on heavy lifting. Instead focus on lighter weights with higher reps. Try three sets of 15 repetitions of a lighter weight for bicep curls, triceps curls, lateral pull-downs, and pectoral-flys. Follow up this workout with another 100 crunches (in intervals of 10 as well). Day 5 The day prior to a match, Spend a day on the court, or any local London Netball post working on skills. Take a multitude of shots from different areas of the circle. Work on running around the court while maintaining proper positioning. If at all possible, take friends/team members with you and work on passing, shooting, and defensive drills together. This is just a skills and cool down day. Do not do anything too strenuous, after all there is a match the next day. Notes to Remember In addition, given enough time during the week, attempt to go to the courts or local Netball post on days between workouts, and continue to hone skills through skills practices. Taking a multitude of shots, from all different areas of the circle, is necessary to maintain and improve shot accuracy. Healthy Eating is important to the development and maintenance of Netball fitness. Eat lean meats, such as fish and chicken, and seek proteins in eggs and beans. Avoid fried preparation of these foods. Baking and sautéing these foods are great alternatives. Vegetables (both raw and cooked) and fruits are healthy foods that help to maintain fitness, and can act as great snacks.
Londons New Beach Posted on 30th May 2012 by Have you ever lay down in the sun in London, feeling the rays on your face, dreaming of being on a beach? I am from the South Coast so it happens a lot, especially over the last week or so. Since I have moved to London, it has been the one thing I have felt slightly lost without, and that unfortunately London seemed to be missing. Imagine my happiness when I heard there was brand new “London Urban Beach” being built in Greenwich. I then saw an artist impression of it and got even more excited. London’s new urban beach will be right next to the O2 Arena, on the Greenwich Peninsula, a stone’s throw away from North Greenwich and Canary Wharf tube stations. The beach will have a 5,000 people capacity, but there will also be a dome with a fully licensed bar until 1am with an extra 950 people capacity. The Beach will host a full calendar of music events, club nights, beach volleyball leagues, cultural happenings and concerts. It will also be available for private hire, photoshoots, weddings and corporate events, as well as being open for public use to just lounge in the sun, with some fantastic views of the City and Canary Wharf. This will be the Summer buzz of London during the day and at night, and I personally can’t wait to get involved. Oh…also, nearly forgot to mention – ALL Beach Volleyball Leagues run on London’s new urban beach will be organised by GO Mammoth, check out these leagues here. Don’t miss out on all the sandy fun! 🙂 With all that London offers as well as the Queen’s Jubilee, the London 2012 Olympics and a BRAND NEW beach, if the weather stays like this…London is definitely going to be the place to be this Summer.
Netball 5-Step Warm Up Posted on 29th May 20125th September 2016 by gomammoth One of the most popular sporting activities in London is Netball. It is a fantastic way to socialise while enjoying exercise, and it is available to all individuals whether starting as a beginner or with years of experience. I have put together the below basic Netball warm up for those of you trying your hand at London Netball leagues this Summer. 1.Jog: Take a warm-up jog! Not too far or strenuous, 3-5 laps around the netball court. Jogging awakens the body and steadily raises the heart rate prepping the body for vigorous exercise. Jogging also helps the body to become more limber and increases the effectiveness of stretching. Have a think which is easier…. bending frozen or room temperature dough? 2.Stretch: Stretching is vital to performance and injury prevention. Stretching properly helps to prevent tearing your muscles, while increasing your range of movement. For netball there are a few key muscle groups. Legs: Running around is a major aspect of netball. It is crucial that your legs are properly stretched. Toe Touches: From a standing position, bend at the waist and reach down towards toes. Hold for 20 seconds. Spread legs while standing, slightly farther than shoulder width, and spend 20 seconds reaching to your left toes, then swap sides and spend 20 more seconds reaching to your right toes. After these sets, drop hands straight down and reach back as far as possible. Hold for 20 seconds. While seated place legs together and reach to grab toes. Pull up on toes if possible for 10 seconds, and then lay flat for 10 seconds. Try to not let legs bend. Hurdler Stretch: Take right leg and tuck it behind you and reach for your toe in front for 10 seconds, and then reach back for 10 seconds. Switch and repeat with left leg. The Pretzel (Stretches both leg and back) While sitting, leave left leg extended and cross right leg over top, while keeping knee up. Take left arm and cross body effectively turning your body to the right side hold for 10 seconds and then repeat on other side. Frog Squat: Squat down to the balls of your feet with legs spread apart. Place arms just in front of you on the ground. Lean slightly forward with your elbows to the inside of your knees and hold for 20 seconds. This will stretch out your groin area. Calf Stretches: Can either place toes on a wall or fence at an upward angle for 20 seconds for each calf separately, or find a small ledge and drop your heel for 20seconds each. After completion, point each toe for 5-10 seconds. Upper Body and Arms. Netball has a high degree of arm involvement and needed mobility, making it necessary to stretch your arms properly. From a standing position, lean to your left side while extending your right arm, and hold for 20 seconds. After 20 seconds switch and repeat with your right side. While lying on the ground, curl knees into chest and hold for 10 seconds. To stretch arms take left arm and drop it behind your head and use right arm to gently pull on left elbow for 15 seconds. Repeat the same process with your right arm. Take left arm in front of body and cross it across your chest. Use right arm to pull left in at the elbow. Hold for 10 seconds. Duplicate process with your right arm. Interweave fingers and extend arms while keeping palms facing outwards for 10 seconds. Let your head hang and slowly move it side to side for 15 seconds. 3. Get moving again!: Once stretched out you should feel more limber, and it is important to maintain this feeling by staying active and keeping muscles warm. Do 25 star jumps to help keep muscles warm. Face one of the sidelines and do side shuffle to the half court line while waving arms. This drill keeps you warm while practicing defensive maneuvers. 4. Get the team involved! Netball is a team sport after all. Team interaction is necessary for proper function. Have the team members practice passing around a ball, while calling out the name of whom they are passing to. First begin with a standard bounce pass, and then move to chest passes. Move back to bounce passes using only a single arm alternating which arm is in use. Also do this for chest passes. Have the Goal Attacker(s) and the Goal Scorer(s) take warm up shots. First from a straight on, then moving to different sides and depths. Have another team member simulate game play passing to the shooters while they are moving around and at different angles. 5. Recollect: Take a moment before the game or practice begins to go over strategy and mentally prepare yourselves. Remember to Have FUN! Though the sport is competitive, remember that you are there for the enjoyment of the sport, no mater the outcome! Fancy playing Netball in London with London’s No.1 league provider – CLICK HERE
Customised Basketball Bibs Posted on 20th March 2012 by Customised Basketball Bibs Since GO Mammoth is set to kick off five basketball leagues in April, we thought we would find some suppliers of basketball jerseys for you guys. Yes, we still provide nice bibs with numbers for you and your teammates. However, we can not customise your team bibs for you. These suppliers give you the option to pick out your team colors and team name, players’ names, and logo! Do not forget to add the numbers to the back so our refs can do their job. If you would like to go ahead and get team jerseys to use in the next couple of seasons then check out the links below. Team-colours has the most options of the three. They allow you to add the names and numbers for only £10. Most of their jerseys are only £20 per person. This comes with the ability to choose from more than 20 colour options. http://www.team-colours.co.uk/basketball/ Sportserve offers a wide variety of reversible jerseys as well as traditional ones. They offer matching tops and shorts as well, with names and numbers, for around £40. Their specialty is uniforms so they have lots of great deals for them. However, if you just wanted a set of numbered bibs then you can get them as well for £20. http://www.sportserve.co.uk/cat.php?cat=6 Bob Woolmer Sales also offers lots of sports equipment and clothing. The site is a little harder to navigate than the other two and has a smaller selection. Nevertheless, they have basketball vests that can be personalised as well. Browse through the catalog until you get to page 28-29 and you can pick out a vest and look at the personalisation options on page 41. http://www.woolmersales.co.uk/2011_catalogue/ Remember, the team that looks good plays good! Best of luck in your london basketball current season and the coming seasons!