The Crew Cut

Some people say ‘Never mix business with pleasure’ – but they were proved wrong when a pioneering new project doing exactly that was launched with great success last month. Called 'Get Fit For Business’ (GFFB), it mixes business with sport, and it’s already won the backing of all the major organisations in our area, including the local council, chamber of commerce, businesses and our local MP. The brainwave of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce and Crewroom, GFFB invited local folks to try their hand at stand-up paddleboarding on the Thames at Putney, and then to join in some business networking over a glass of wine at Crewroom. It proved a huge hit with many local professionals who turned up to give it a go. The media came along too and published favourable reports afterwards praising the initiative. Steve Pinto, CEO of the Wandsworth Chamber, was one of the first to enthusiastically take to the water. He cut a dash in his floral ‘Beach Boy’ shorts (pictured below), and didn’t fall in the water once during his trial session. “Overall this was a very positive start to the campaign,” Steve said afterwards, “and we will be looking to grow this event in future as it will be taking place on the last Tuesday of every month. For my own part, I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and although I came close to getting wet, I will definitely be there for the next event.” Crewroom Founder Kate Giles (herself a local business entrepreneur) said: “After the paddleboarding, we served drinks on our balcony overlooking the water and lots of positive networking was going on. Everyone joined in the spirit of the occasion, which proved a great success.” And Jane Ellison, MP for Battersea, Balham and Wandsworth, added: “I’m supporting ‘Get Fit For Business’. Being physically active is not only good for your health – and fun – it’s also good for business as active people are more productive. I encourage all employers to do what they can to support the health and wellbeing of their workforce.” So whether you are a budding business entrepreneur, an employee or just someone who's keen to grow their business connections and enjoy some sport at the same time, it's time to get your diaries out! The next date for Get Fit For Business will be on Tuesday July 28. To reserve your place, click here or call 07807 767 999 for more details. Lots of fun is guaranteed, with taster sessions provided by paddleboarding firm Active360 from 5pm, followed by business networking at Crewroom.

Thousands of runners are now limbering up for one of the key race events in the sporting calendar, the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon on Sunday, October 11 – and Crewroom has been playing its part in supporting all those taking part. Last month, Baz Moffat, Crewroom's resident personal trainer and a former international rower, took to the web to answer questions from runners on Facebook. The Q&A session proved a great success, with Baz, an experienced endurance athlete, answering a wide range of runners’ queries about training and fitness. With the 13.1-mile race now just 13 weeks away, Crewroom's physiotherapist Paul White also hosted a popular Q&A session on injury prevention, an issue so crucial in the run-up to race day. Crewroom is playing a special new role in this year's Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon – as we’re official sponsor to the most exclusive VIP running squad taking part in the race, Team Squirrel. Baz said: “We were focusing on training for the RPF half marathon and I answered all sorts of questions, ranging from: ‘How do I incorporate speed work into my training?’, ‘How do I train around a family?’, and ‘How do I take on the challenge of training for a half marathon when 5k is the longest distance I’ve ever run?’. “Lots of people also asked me about how they could return from injury to start training again, while others were keen to find out which training sessions could produce faster times. “Everyone who took part in the Q&A asked tough and pragmatic questions around what’s the best way to train for the Royal Parks Foundation race. It was very rewarding for me to be able to set them on their way and get them started.” Our Baz will be back on Facebook again at 1.30pm on Thursday July 30 to answer your questions, this time about sports nutrition. Baz will be online for one hour, so be sure to make a note of this and to get your questions and queries ready for her to answer. To join in the online conversations, check out The Team Squirrel event page, found on the Royal Parks Foundation Facebook page, then simply post your questions there and she'll gladly respond. Also, stay tuned to future Crew Cut bulletins for more details of a Team Crewroom training run, planned soon. For more top tips, expert advice and fun events, please ask all your running friends to sign up to this newsletter here.

It’s a documentary series that has been billed as a unique new digital portrait of our capital city. And now the series, named ‘1,000 Londoners’, has signed up Crewroom’s Founder Kate Giles to play a starring role. The film strand, which was launched at the prestigious HQ of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts last April, aims to offer an insight into the lives of 1,000 people who live in the city. The series of short documentaries is being released over the next five years, in an attempt to bring communities together and inspire the wide range of people in the capital to talk and learn about each other. Later this summer, Kate, who became an award-winning business entrepreneur after successfully carving herself a sporting career as an elite rower, has been asked by the filmmakers to tell her own remarkable story. The ‘1,000 Londoners’ project has already received rave reviews in Time Out magazine and on BBC London TV News. Kate has also featured in profiles about Crewroom and its growing success story as one of Britain’s top technical sports brands in papers like The Daily Telegraph and London's Evening Standard. The project is produced by social enterprise production company Chocolate Films with up-and-coming filmmaker Reece Lipman directing the action. The documentaries will be published online, and screened at cinemas and other venues all around London. Check out a sample film here.

Her love of The Beautiful Game began in her garden at home when she was just seven years old, and she went on to win a soccer scholarship to a top American university. Now Jordanne Hoesli-Atkins (pictured above) has landed her biggest signing yet – joining Team Crewroom. The football-mad 23 year-old from London, who is our new sales support executive, has always been sporty, having followed in her mother’s footsteps as a keen golfer, and as a skier. But her first lucky break came when she was just 12 when, inspired by her father, Steven, a semi-pro footballer, he encouraged her to join the Chelsea Girls Academy. “I was there for two years, went on to Watford Under-14 Girls, then had a spell at Fulham. But I knew women’s soccer was really big in America,” says Jordanne. “ Aged 18, I was lucky enough to win a four-year scholarship to Wilmington University, Delaware, near Philadelphia. I had a lot of fun there and always played centre-midfield.” Jordanne has keenly followed the fortunes of the English team at the Women’s World Cup in Canada and was very disappointed when they failed to reach the final. “I think the whole thing was brilliant and I was heartbroken we didn’t go all the way. We definitely deserved to be in the final,” she adds. “The World Cup was a great showcase for women’s football.” Jordanne has played in seven different teams during her 12 years in the game. Joining Team Crewroom is a role she’ll surely take in her stride. “Being in a team you always remind yourself you’re part of a bigger occasion than just yourself, a cog in a much bigger machine when achieving your goal.” Nice one!

After we gave you a sneak preview at the Virgin Money London Marathon expo back in April, our stylish new summer kit range ‘Americana’ has proved one of our most successful launches ever. Inspired by retro styling from the late Seventies and early Eighties, Americana means bold colours and badges, patches and large logos, bindings and pipings. Online sales are flying off our site, and visitors to our trade shows and regattas, where the hit range has been on display, are loving the cool, airy and quick-drying fabrics. Four items in our Americana range are proving especially popular: Check out our Americana Quarterback Tee, an item that's designed for some serious workouts (even though it just fits like your favourite T-shirt). We've used a super-soft fabric which feels great against the skin and keeps you fresh and dry while you burn off a few calories. Also shaping up as a big hit are our 12 Round Shorts, a functional pair of shorts that are designed with a baggy, free-flowing fit. We've used microfibre fabric which will wick and breathe, and added in mesh panels to improve airflow. There's also two side zip pockets for keys, gels or cards and an elasticated drawcord waistband to make sure they fit you comfortably. Massively popular too is our Sidney D Vest, a beautifully soft, loose-fit running vest which can be worn alone or as a layer. The flattering low neckline and racer back give a feminine cut and the fabric is a little gem - it feels like a natural fibre but it wicks and dries like a true technical fabric should. And last but not least is our Lunges Knee Crop, which sits comfortably between leggings and standard crops. Finishing just above the knee they are functional and fab. The wide waistband is a treat, especially if you're conscious of your tummy. The fabric feels amazing and supportive without restriction. Throw in the waistband pocket and reflective branding and you've got yourself a fine pair of crops. Crewroom has worked with top athletes and designers from the London College of Fashion to develop their award-winning products and fabrics. Check out our Americana range here.

Those of us who enjoy the elements love June as the month when gardens bloom and trees blossom – and now Crewroom is following suit by branching out all over the High Street. Yes, your favourite sportswear store is celebrating summer by opening two brand new shops to make sure that as you take to the great outdoors and pick up your sports schedule we’re ready to support you with everything you need. Next month, on Thursday July 9th, Crewroom is delighted to announce it will be taking Clapham by storm when it opens its first store in the neighbourhood, in Northcote Road. Thanks to the fantastic residents of the borough, Clapham has great vibes as an up-and-coming, happening area. There’s great shopping to be had and we are proud to be joining the mix. At the new store, Crewroom will be showing off its vibrant new summer range, along with all its existing signature garments, including our most popular items like our North West Hoodie, No Fuss Leggings, the famous Crewroom Air Head Visor and the Michigan Tee. To add to the buzz and excitement, we are also opening another new store in the Putney Exchange Shopping Centre on Putney Bridge Road, raising Crewroom’s profile on the High Street further. We’d like to thank Exchange Centre Manager Anne Partridge and her top team for all their support as we unveil our new shop. Along with our existing Hub HQ on Putney Embankment, this will bring Crewroom’s number of permanent retail stores to three. “This is the most exciting chapter in our 15-year history,” Crewroom’s Founder Kate Giles said. “Due to increased demand, we’re expanding. The first links of the chain are forming!” Various launch events are planned, with surprise Launch Day bargains and prizes on offer, so stay tuned for news.