Latest news with #Deans
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Deans confident on eve of world champs
Relaxed looks good on Caitlin Deans. The Dunedin swimmer had a national championships to remember in May when she swam four personal-best times, collected four medals and shattered an Otago record. She claimed bronze in the women's freestyle 200m and 400m, silver in the 800m and gold in the 1500m, slashing nearly 6sec off the Otago record she set in April with a time of 16min 12.18sec. It punched her ticket to her fourth long-course world championships in Singapore as part of a 12-strong New Zealand team. The Paris Olympian will compete in the 800m and 1500m at the meeting which gets under way on Sunday. She also swam under the world qualifying time for the 400m but only two athletes from each country can swim in an event at the world championships. "Really excited to be heading off to my fourth world champs," Deans said. "I don't think the excitement ever dulls, no matter how many times you've been before." Heading into the national championships, Deans had no expectation of where she would finish and was taken aback by her results. "Honestly, it took me by surprise. "I didn't quite expect to be hitting the times that I did at nationals, so I think that gave me a lot of confidence leading up to this meet and confidence in getting a good training block under my belt before worlds." Maybe taking the pressure off suits the 25-year-old. "Nothing that I can think of that was any different. "Probably just more relaxed than usual, because it was my first time having a big break post-Olympics out of the water. "Not having that expectation on myself about how I was going to go probably plays a part in it." Deans made history during her first Olympic campaign. She was part of the women's 4x200m freestyle relay team in Paris alongside former Dunedin swimmer Erika Fairweather, Eve Thomas and Laticia Transom. They were the first Kiwi women's relay team to make an Olympic final, finishing eighth in a stacked field. "Going to the Olympics was pretty surreal. It's something that I've dreamed of since I was a little kid, so to actually fulfil that ... I don't think it's sunk in and I'm not sure if it ever will. "The Olympics is just something else. It's so different to anything else we do, and to experience that is something I'll be forever grateful for." That experience, alongside having raced at three previous world championships, helps the long-distance specialist as she dives into the pool. "It definitely helps and plays a big part. "The more exposure you can get to the international racing scene, the better, and it starts to normalise those big names. "Obviously having an Olympics under the belt helps with that." Working alongside experienced Dunedin coach Lars Humer also helped her development. "Lars bring with him a lot of experience. Obviously I've worked with him for a long time now, so I'm very lucky." Deans is looking forward to putting her best foot forward at the world championships and getting back to racing, not just for herself but for her support network. "I've had a lot of people support me in multiple different ways to get to this world champs, whether it's been their time, or financially, all the work that they've put in to help me get there. "I'm just hoping I can do them, and myself, really proud." Auckland-based Fairweather, the defending women's freestyle 400m world champion, will also race in Singapore, alongside Olympian Lewis Clareburt. Olympian Hazel Ouwehand qualified in the butterfly but made herself unavailable.
IOL News
26-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Robbie Deans urges Barbarians to ‘have a crack' at Springboks in Cape Town
Irish loose forward Peter O'Mahony will captain the Barbarians against the Springboks. Photo: AFP Image: AFP Coach Robbie Deans wants his Barbarians to play with flair while giving the Springboks as tough an outing as they can before their Test season starts in July. For the first time, the invitational side will play a match in South Africa, and according to Deans, his players should have no fear and 'have a crack' at the world champions when they lock horns in the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday (5.10pm start). 'I hope it's a close contest, for our sake,' Deans said with his team announcement on Thursday. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The New Zealander selected seven All Blacks, four Frenchmen, two Irishmen and two South Africans in his match-day 23 that will look to maintain their winning record over the South Africans. In their eight matches, the Baabaas have won four, with three wins for their hosts and one ending in a tie. With plenty of flair players in the side, led by Irish legend Peter O'Mahony, the Barbarians possess the quality of players to give the Boks a run for their money. O'Mahony will play in his final match after a stellar international career for Ireland alongside front-rower Cian Healy, who was selected as the starting loosehead prop. All Blacks Sam Cane and Shannon Frizell will form the loose trio with their captain, while South Africans Ruben van Heerden and David Ribbans, who played for England, pair up in the locks. At the back, Kiwi winger Mark Tele'a and French fullback Melvyn Jaminet will look to stretch their legs with the ball in hand. 'I've been trying to get Peter to play for the Barbarians for a while, it worked out for him now,' Deans said. 'He has this last opportunity before retiring from international rugby. He has a huge amount of respect globally. 'He seemed like the obvious appointment (as captain) and was the first bloke I spoke to once I was offered the gig, and he was keen. Ireland legend Peter O'Mahony will captain the @Barbarian_FC in his final rugby outing when they take on the #Springboks, with Robbie Deans naming a side packed with international quality for Saturday's clash in Cape Town - more here: 💪 — Springboks (@Springboks) June 26, 2025 'These guys have plenty of international experience, guys like Sam Cane, Cian Healy. 'When they strap up their boots, they strap it up to compete and we want the experience to be good for them. 'We've trained and prepared ourselves in a way that we can be competitive. 'When these guys get the opportunity to play and with the history of the club, we want to add to it. We want to bring that courage and flair, the things the club stands for. 'South Africa is taking it seriously as they are preparing for an international season. 'Both teams will be positive (with their approach) and provide a spectacle for the public who are turning out in their numbers regardless of the weather.' Barbarians Team 15 Melvyn Jaminet 14 Mark Tele'a 13 Leicester Fainga'anuku 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen 11 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins 10 Josh Jacomb 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow 8 Shannon Frizell 7 Sam Cane 6 Peter O'Mahony (captain) 5 David Ribbans 4 Ruben van Heerden 3 Paul Alo-Emile 2 Camille Chat 1 Cian Healy. Bench: 16 Ricky Riccitelli 17 Hassane Kolingar 18 Will Collier 19 Josh Beehre 20 Hoskins Sotutu 21 Santiago Arata 22 Joe Marchant 23 Lachlan Boshier.
The South African
18-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Deans: Barbarians out to rattle Boks in historic Cape Town clash
Barbarians head coach Robbie Deans has full confidence in his international stars ahead of their enticing Cape Town clash with the Springboks. Speaking on Heart FM's Super Saturdays with Jeremy Harris , Deans praised the Barbarians' pride, history, and player quality as key motivators. He emphasized the importance of playing with intent against the reigning world champions in their home country for the first time ever. 'These players are proud men who carry proud histories,' said Deans. 'They don't want to tarnish their reputations on the field.' He said they aim to present a genuine challenge, not just for the Barbarians jersey, but in respect for the international stage itself. The match, set for Saturday, 28 June at Cape Town Stadium, marks the Barbarians' first game ever on South African soil. It's also the ninth meeting between the sides and their first since a thrilling 31-31 draw at Wembley Stadium in 2016. Deans acknowledged the Springboks as the 'greatest team in the game' and believes the Barbarians must rise to that standard. He said, 'They will respect the Springboks, but they won't want to spend the day chasing them all over the field.' With limited time to prepare, Deans must quickly unite a high-calibre squad featuring legends from Ireland and New Zealand. Included in the line-up are Irish stars Peter O'Mahony, Cian Healy and Conor Murray, alongside All Blacks Sam Cane and Shannon Frizell. 'The timing's tough, but we'll put together a combination built on passion and respect for the Barbarians opportunity,' Deans stated. He noted that while preparation time is short, commitment and camaraderie will be the foundation of the team's performance. HISTORY, CAMARADERIE AND RESPECT AT THE HEART OF OCCASION Deans views the upcoming game as more than a contest — it's a celebration of rugby values and lifelong rivalries turned partnerships. 'It's unique – first time ever in South Africa, and it brings together players who've been opponents for over a decade,' he said. With retiring greats like Peter O'Mahony captaining the side and former foes uniting, Deans says the event will be truly special. 'For Peter and Sam to play side by side … it reflects what rugby is – tradition, respect, and mutual admiration,' he concluded. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Daily Record
12-06-2025
- Daily Record
Scots mum furious as stranger approaches daughter on bus with sinister question
Stacey Waddell is raising awareness after the disturbing incident on a bus this week. A Scots mum is hoping to raise awareness after claiming a man asked her teen daughter if she wanted a 'draw of his vape'. The alleged incident happened at around 11.30am on Tuesday, June 10, while the 13-year-old was travelling home from school on the X28 bus service from Deans in Livingston. Mum-of-three Stacey Waddell, 35, says she was worried there was spice in the vape - a nickname for a lab-made drug - synthetic cannabinoid, reports Edinburgh Live. After the worrying interaction, the mum reported the incident to police and suitable advice was given to the family. Stacey said: "This all happened on Tuesday. She was sent home from school because she wasn't feeling well. "A male approached her who looked around 18 or 19-years-old. He said 'this sounds a bit strange but I have been asking a lot of people - do you want a draw of my vape?' "She said no and he watched her get off the bus. When she got home she told me everything and I had to explain to her that I had heard so many stories of people using vapes laced with spice. I mean this incident could have been innocent but I am glad she told me and didn't take anything." Stacey is hoping to warn other parents and also spread awareness around the dangers of vaping and drug misuse due to the fear of what's inside them. She added: "A lot of people get the X28 and X27 to school and I just want to warn people about what could be happening to children. "You just don't know what could be in these vapes. I have a dealt with a lot in the past. "I am always on high alert because I have a 16-year-old so I have to be aware of the dangers of drugs. It's a scary world out there, especially for bringing teenagers up. "Children might think what they are doing is innocent but they can't see what it's doing to their insides or what it could do to their mental health as well. "My daughter is only 13 so it's worrying we are having these conversations. I never had this when I was younger - children aren't getting to be kids anymore." A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Around 2.20pm on Tuesday, 10 June, 2025, we received a report of a man having approached a girl on a bus in the area of Knightsridge West Road, Livingston. 'Enquiries were carried out and no criminality was established. Suitable advice was given.'
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Carlisle-based MD named 'Car Finance Business Leader of the Year'
The managing director of Borderway Finance in Carlisle has received an industry award. Mike Deans has been named 'Car Finance Business Leader of the Year' at the Car Finance Awards at The Monastery in Manchester. Mr Deans said: "It was a shock when they read my name out. "It's one of the biggest events in the industry with some huge businesses in the room. "This isn't just for me, it's recognition for everyone at Borderway." Mr Deans was joined at the black-tie awards ceremony by Charlee Byers, sales support administrator, and Leah Farish, administration assistant. He joined Borderway Finance in 1998 as a trainee account manager and worked his way up to sales and marketing director before becoming managing director in 2016. He credited his team for the company's success. Mr Deans said: "The business is all about the people. "You have to have the right people. "If they're not receptive and don't want to come on the journey with you, you'll fail. "This is a great accolade for everyone at Borderway Finance." According to a spokesperson for the company, "Borderway's sales have grown strongly, especially since the Covid pandemic. "It provides exceptional customer service, achieving Feefo's top Platinum Service Award – based on verified customer reviews – for the last four years." Mr Deans' leadership has helped the company earn a three-star rating from Best Companies for 'world-class' workplace engagement. He has also chaired a car finance interest group for the Consumer Credit Trade Association and joined the association's board in November 2023. In addition, he was invited to join Credit 500, a network of leading figures in the credit industry, and has served since 2023 as a director of People First, an advocacy charity based in Carlisle. Mr Deans said: "Whatever you do in business, there's always a customer at the end of it who expects a level of service and expects to be looked after." Outside of work, Mr Deans enjoys photography, videography, and spending time with his family and their Staffordshire bull terrier, Cooper. If Mr Deans hadn't worked in car finance, he might have been a DJ – given he used to present the weekend breakfast show on CFM.
