Norman Cook, Bob Warnock and Shona McCallin

Alasdair Hooper and Will Moulton are joined by guest presenter – and Olympic gold medalist – Shona McCallin as well as Norman Cook and Bob Warnock of Scottish Tug of War on a packed episode 34 of SportSpiel.

 

FEATURE INTERVIEW

On our feature interview section (4:15) interviewer Lewis Michie makes his podcast debut by speaking to Norman Cook and coach Bob Warnock from Scottish Tug of War.

The trio chat about their sport – what they refer to as the ultimate team sport – as well as looking back on some of their fondest memories.

With the Scottish Tug of War team picking up 20 World Championship gold medals in various categories there’s plenty of success to look back on and all eyes are currently on the upcoming British and Irish Indoor Championships on February 2 and 3.

With the tournament scheduled to take place at Piperdam, in Dundee, the Scottish team can look forward to home advantage but also have to manage the extra pressure that comes with it.

PART TWO

Alasdair, Will and Shona present the news round-up (24.28) as they go through some of the important headlines that caught their eyes, including more WADA controversy, the retirement of Katherine Copeland and a look ahead to the Netball World Cup.

In our debate topic this week (39:58) we look at whether Premier League clubs are pricing poorer children out of being mascots after a report on second-tier Swansea City charging £478 for the experience.

EXTRA TIME

Alasdair and Will hold a question and answer session with guest presenter, England hockey star and Olympic gold medalist Shona McCallin (51:15).

In the session Shona looks back on a 2018 to forget, after it was blighted by concussion, with all eyes now set on the future and getting back to playing hockey.

We also hold a new feature called Ask Alasdair (1:12:17) where Will asks Alasdair, and then the listeners, a sports trivia question.

Image credit: With thanks to Scottish Tug of War and Shona McCallin

All music in this episode is courtesy of Otis McDonald