02/02/2020
As Kimberley and I awake this morning, I reflect on this past weeks ‘adventure’ in the very first, Senior European Championships in Vienna, and an incredible week it has been too.
Kim’s medal haul began with Silver in the doubles with Gaye McCully, then 5th place in the Team event, missing out on a 4th place Team medal. Then two medals in one day with Bronze in the All Events followed by a bronze in the Singles and securing a solid 3rd place in the Masters play-off’s where she narrowly missed out in a one ball play-off and secured another bronze medal.
So one silver and three bronze medals later, averaging around 205 scratch for the whole week, incredible play........and I paraphrase Sue Abela this morning when she complemented Kim on her play by saying, Kim “raised the bar this week and in order to achieve, we had to follow, Kim was indeed, the most consistent player out there......”
There are not enough adjectives to describe my feelings for my beautiful lady, as her husband and her Coach, to be ‘in the pit’ with her again in a major international is an honour and a privilege.
She played her heart out for her England Team mates and her Country and is proud to hold our flag high, her Team mates were there the whole time, their incredible support could be heard and felt wherever we went.....”thank you”.
Senior Team England Squad were:
Kim Johnson, Paul Cosgrove, Kevin Pilley, Geoff Brown, Kimberley Oakley, Gaye McCully, Jan Hodge, Angie Brown
Manager: Dave Steiner
Coaches: Steve Thornton and myself
Supporters: Hazel Brown, Diane Johnson, Keith Hodge, Tony Brown