stanmore

Manger

Luciana Timanti

The first time the Stanmore and Hendon team participated in 1984 it consisted of 35 athletes attending the Italian schools in Hendon and Edgware. Under the management of Gino Amasanti they managed to win 4 gold medals.
In 1986 a team of 60 athletes was entered and under the management of Gino Amasanti and Piero Schia they managed to win 11 gold medals.
In 1988, again under the same management, 70 athletes took part and won 33 gold medals together with the Les Rickard Trophy (the trophy for the team with most medals won to athletes entered). This proved to be a decisive step forward for Stanmore and Hendon and made them more determined to win the OGI shield.
In 1990, under the new management of Gino Amasanti and Diana Montagner, Stanmore and Hendon with 90 athletes, won for the first time.
Once again in 1992, this time managed by Diana Montagner and with the help of Tillio Pini they won the OGI shield again – something no other team had done before.
In 1994 my daughter took part in OGI for the first time and I realised what a brilliant event it was. Under the same management, as 1992, it was the same story, the team of 85 won 35 gold medals and once again the OGI shield.
Much to everyone’s horror in 1994 Stanmore and Hendon were to lift the OGI shield for the fourth time with 84 athletes winning 44 gold medals. Winning the OGI shield for the fourth time in a row was a tremendous achievement, and one which will be very difficult to beat.
In 1998, I, together with Giovanna Merolla, was asked by Diana to help manage the Stanmore and Hendon team. This time we were pipped at the post by St Peter’s and came second.
The 2000 OGI was maybe our worst games ever in the way of medals - we only managed to come fourth. We did, however, feel extremely proud when presented with the Sportsmanship Trophy for the team who showed best team spirit.
Following OGI 2000 we were unsure whether there would be OGI 2002 due to huge lack of resources. But with a new OGI central committee, and determined that my son would take part at least once, we have managed to hold OGI 2002. Every year that I have been involved I have said “never again” but every time I see how much everyone enjoys themselves I think – well maybe one more time! Let’s hope that there will be OGI 2004!
In 2002 due to many family commitments (3 grandchildren in as many months!) Diana gave me the reins of the Stanmore and Hendon team, and together with Mariella Mansi and Tillio Pini we hope to have put together the 2002 OGI winners. Everyone has put in a lot of hard work and effort to allow these games to take place and I take this opportunity of wishing all our fellow teams the best of luck.
More special thanks to our sponsors, Salvo CFS Limited, who have stuck with us through thick and thin and also to the parents and friends who helped with the training on Sunday mornings and netball on Sunday afternoons.
My final thanks go to all the Stanmore and Hendon team athletes who I know will do their very best and make me proud to be their Team Manager.

Stanmore & Hendon

Stanmore & Hendon Team