Welcome to Optimism

golf day

On the eve of the Ryder Cup, yesterday saw the 4th annual W+K golf day at Hever Castle Golf Club. Although lucky with the weather, some of the participants weren't so lucky with the unpredictable train journey from London Bridge down to deepest darkest Kent. A missed train and then a cancellation probably wasn't the greatest preparation for such an important sporting event. However the steely professionalism shown in difficult circumstances was admirable.

First to tee off nervously was Team Walker. l-r Simon Charlesworth (Nike), Ben (W+K), Danny Micklethwaite (Arla).

Team Walker


Followed by Team Davidson: l-r Simon Pestridge (Nike), Tony D (W+K), Ian Armstrong (Honda), Chris G (W+K).
Team Davidson

And finally Team Harkness: l-r Ed Collin (Nike), Stuart Harkness (W+K), John Thompson (Arla), John Hardman (Morgans).
Team Harkness

The golf may not have been of the highest standard but the competitiveness certainly was. Some interesting side bets were struck: Tony D and Simon Pestridge's bet for an expensive bottle of red wine went all the way to the 18th hole  – Tony still hasn't learnt the art of letting the client win.

The longest drive competition had to be scrapped (twice) due to not one of us managing to hit the fairway. And the nearest the pin prize was won by the only person who managed to put the ball on the green.

The overall prize was contested very closely with Danny 'Doesn't he look like Gareth Gates' Micklethwaite pipping Chris 'Metronome' Groom and Ed 'Bandeeet' Collin into second and third place respectively.

here I am

Niketown women

Last night Nike hosted an exclusive exhibition at Niketown, London. The exhibition of artwork and athletes is part Wieden + Kennedy’s ‘Here I Am’ campaign, which aims to inspire women to fall in love with the buzz of doing sport.

Mural

Nike women 2

The exhibition is fuelled by the launch of W+K Amsterdam's Nikewomen‘Here I Am’ Athlete Book which features 22 young international female athletes. Each chapter is a visual interpretation of an athlete’s journey, highlighting the confidence and strength they have gained through sports.

At the launch there was a Q&A with some of the athletes featured in the campaign and representatives from Nike and W+K.
Discussion

Steph and betsey

The thinking behind the campaign is Nike's belief that girls and women should realise the importance of sports, and the positive impact sport can have on their lives.

In the UK, Nike has been working at a grass roots level for the past two years, supporting and creating community dance classes within South East London and dance “empowerment” days within London schools designed to build confidence and self esteem amongst teenage girls.

W+K Amsterdam has developed a series of films based around the stories of some of the athletes featured in the book. Here are a couple:


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