Latest news with #Wheeldon
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Tuks law student is fast in E-sports and in the cockpit of jets
Tuks law student is fast in E-sports and in the cockpit of jets To say Ronald Wheeldon is an adrenaline junkie would not be an exaggeration. When the Tuks law student is not sitting in lecture halls or studying, he is likely to be zipping through the air at 1000 kilometres per hour. But Wheeldon is also building a reputation as a formidable dualist in Varsity E-sports' Valorant League. In a profile article on the Varsity E-sports website, his virtues are extolled as follows: 'Beyond raw mechanical skill, he serves as the team's 'In-Game Leader'. Orchestrating plays and making critical strategic calls. He takes on the responsibility of determining the approach. Leading the charge and adapting instantly when plans go awry. Quick and effective communication is his weapon'. 'I believe speed is the key to winning most gun fights. A stun or blind gives you those few seconds of opportunity and being aggressive takes the initiative in winning these fights,' he said during an interview with the website. The strategy is undoubtedly working for Tuks. The team has won four of the six games they played, which means they have qualified for the Varsity semifinals. They will face off against Ikeys. The two teams of Maties are contesting each other in the other semifinal. Wheeldon makes no secret of why he does what he does. He is an adrenaline junkie. 'During a Valorant game, when you are in a tense combat situation, the adrenaline is pumping. It is the same with flying. I am passionate about aerobatics. When you are flying a jet at 1000 kilometres per hour, it gets the adrenaline out of the box straight through the roof. You cannot replace it with anything. It is exhilarating,' he remarked. To put things in perspective. Wheeldon's father, Ron, has been doing air shows for over 30 years. His favourite plane is the Hawker Hunter, of which he has two. The younger Wheeldon is an accomplished pilot himself and has performed with his dad at airshows. 'It started when I was a kid playing Lego Star Wars. I don't like losing. That's never going to change,' he commented. When asked what it takes to be competitive in Valorant, Wheeldon answers by saying that it helps to be fit. Then, he mentions that a strong head is crucial. 'The mental side in E-sports is a big part. If you enter a match thinking that things are going to go wrong, then they will. Being in good physical shape is essential because reaction time is key to winning games. If someone 'swings' at you, you must click as fast as possible. In about two milliseconds; otherwise, you will be losing,' he explained. As to his role as dualist for the Tuks team, Wheeldon said his job is to get the first 'peg' to create space. 'Space is essential in attack. If you can't create space, you usually end up stagnant. That is when things start to go wrong,' he said. A definite highlight for Wheeldon was when he got the chance to play in the Apex Legends Global Series' European competition. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
Calgary Herald
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Cavalry FC's offence electric in six-game unbeaten soccer run
Article content Cavalry FC is pushing through the 2025 soccer season with both feet forward these days. Article content Article content The proof of that is in the stats. Article content After Sunday's 4-0 shut down of visiting Valour FC, Cavalry is running hot on a six-game undefeated streak and outscoring its opposition 20-2 in those matches. Article content Electric stuff. Article content 'It's about energy,' agreed Cavalry gaffer Tommy Wheeldon Jr. of the productivity surging through his charges. 'I think that's how we play as a team. We've just got that amount of energy. Article content Article content 'You've got to share it, you know? Energy is transferable.' Article content Article content The run began April 29 with a 6-0 knock-out of Edmonton Scottish United SC in the first round of the Canadian Championship. Article content Then it was domination in three straight Canadian Premier League matches — a 2-1 win over host York United FC on May 2, a 3-0 blitz of host HFX Wanderers FC on May 10 and a 4-0 skunk of visiting Pacific FC on May 17. Article content On May 21, the Cavs drew 1-1 with Vancouver FC — for their only blemish in the unbeaten string — to open the second round of the Canadian Championship. Article content And then it was a return to their winning — and scoring ways — in Sunday's matinee at ATCO Field. Article content 'Different scorers, too,' Wheeldon said. 'I think against Scottish — six goals, six different scorers. Pacific — four goals, four different scorers. Today — four goals, four different scorers.' Article content Levi Laing scored the Cavs' first goal 14 minutes into Sunday's affair. Article content Article content Sergio Camargo extended the lead by two in the 50th minute. Article content Just 10 minutes later, it was Toby Warschewski with another Cavs goal — a highlight-reel one. Article content And teammate Ali Musse rounded out scoring with a strike in the 72nd minute. Article content 'We're sharing the spoils,' said Cavalry GM/head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. 'I think we've got to look at the back to the front … The guys are giving us the strength at the back. Article content 'We're making blocks and interceptions, forcing the other team to shoot from range and weren't allowing them into our box. Then that allows our front line now to have a go at them with the gaps they were leaving — and we could exploit them.' Article content Warschewski has converted in every game during the run, while Musse has five goals in the six such matches. Article content Even more impressive is it's 15 goals in the last 16 games for Warschewski. Article content 'He's enjoying his football,' said Wheeldon, of last year's CPL Golden Boot award winner as the league's leading scorer. 'I think we often complicate things as coaches — we can give them principles about how we want to play with and without the ball. At the end of day, there's still a kid inside that just wants to play football, and we've brought that player out in him.
Calgary Herald
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Cavalry, Wild FC both host weekend soccer with sport's attendance on upswing in Calgary
Article content For the first time in Calgary's storied sports history, professional soccer for both genders will be played in the city on the same weekend. Article content Cavalry FC, the well-established Calgary men's side of the Canadian Premier League, suits up Saturday at Spruce Meadows. Article content And Calgary Wild FC, the upstart crew of first-ever pro females representing YYC, take the pitch Sunday at McMahon Stadium. Article content Article content It seems footie on the big stage is, indeed, on the rise here. Article content Article content 'It made me proud as a Calgarian to see the support Wild got for their home opener,' praised Cavalry GM/head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr., of the 8,556 fans on hand last Sunday for the Northern Super League debut at the grand ol' ball park. Article content 'It looked like a great event — watched the highlights,' continued Wheeldon, himself absent from the Wild kick-off due to travels with his own charges back from Halifax. 'And I look forward to catching a game there pretty soon as a fan.' Many a Calgarian did catch that milestone moment, relishing what is hoped among the soccer community to be the next big step for the sport in a city which has been hot and — mostly — cold for its pro footie teams over the decades. Article content Lately, that temperature has been on the rise with each passing year thanks to the success of Cavalry, which has seen its game attendance improve by 28% to a 4,500 per-game average since its kickoff in 2019 and ticking up towards 5,000 per match this year. Article content Article content Combined with the Wild being introduced to Calgarians with 8,500-plus in the stands of McMahon, it certainly means the appetite for soccer is continuing to grow around these parts. Article content Article content 'Inspirational, yeah,' Wheeldon declared when asked what last Sunday's Wild game — and its draw of support — meant to the community. Article content 'We use the term a lot about, 'If you can see it, you can be it,' right? And you see that in a lot of the young groups that walk out with us on the pitch, to the club programs that we run, to the pathway that we have … and it's been great. We've been able to be aspirational pieces. Article content That, of course, is to watch the men representing Calgary, who square off Saturday against visiting Pacific FC at ATCO Field (3:30 p.m., TSN2,
The Advertiser
16-05-2025
- The Advertiser
The beloved Australian destination everyone's escaping to this winter
As the weather cools down, Queensland is coming out as the clear winner for trending domestic travel destinations. According to Airbnb data, half of the top-10 destinations this winter by search are in Queensland: Whitsundays, Brisbane, Maroochydore, Southport and North Stradbroke Island. Winter in far north Queensland offers prime temperatures for camping, hiking and snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef. In Brisbane and the Gold Coast, winter is home to festivals including the Brisbane Festival, and the Moreton Bay Food and Wine Festival. NSW has also been popular for winter holiday planning with Sydney, Newcastle and Pokolbin in the top 10, along with the southern mainland capital cities of Melbourne and Adelaide. Airbnb Australia and New Zealand country manager Susan Wheeldon said winter is a popular time for Aussies to travel with the June long weekend and school holidays. She said it was "no surprise" Aussies wanted to escape the cold to the warmer climate of the "sunshine state", but they were also looking for experiences beyond the beaches. "Wine regions like Pokolbin in the NSW Hunter Valley and the many wineries in close proximity to Adelaide and Melbourne are also trending - all perfect for a winter tipple," Ms Wheeldon told Explore. Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, Tasmania is luring Aussies to Hobart and the north-west of the state to experience winter in full force during its "off season". Discover Tasmania is encouraging Aussies to don their winter wollies and get a bit wild out in nature. Off season adventures include the Kuuma Nature Sauna, Australia's first sauna boat styled on a floating escape popular in Nordic countries where participants spend time in the on-boat sauna and then jump in the cold sea. If getting out in nature is more your style, kayaking tours of Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain continue on through the colder months, weather dependent. When it comes to overseas travel this Aussie winter, Airbnb data shows Asia is proving popular, with its proximity to Australia and warmer climate. "Vietnam is emerging as a go-to destination probably because it's a direct flight, the time difference isn't too bad and it's affordable," Ms Wheeldon said. "We've also seen Italy really having a resurgence - potentially since the popularity of The White Lotus." As the weather cools down, Queensland is coming out as the clear winner for trending domestic travel destinations. According to Airbnb data, half of the top-10 destinations this winter by search are in Queensland: Whitsundays, Brisbane, Maroochydore, Southport and North Stradbroke Island. Winter in far north Queensland offers prime temperatures for camping, hiking and snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef. In Brisbane and the Gold Coast, winter is home to festivals including the Brisbane Festival, and the Moreton Bay Food and Wine Festival. NSW has also been popular for winter holiday planning with Sydney, Newcastle and Pokolbin in the top 10, along with the southern mainland capital cities of Melbourne and Adelaide. Airbnb Australia and New Zealand country manager Susan Wheeldon said winter is a popular time for Aussies to travel with the June long weekend and school holidays. She said it was "no surprise" Aussies wanted to escape the cold to the warmer climate of the "sunshine state", but they were also looking for experiences beyond the beaches. "Wine regions like Pokolbin in the NSW Hunter Valley and the many wineries in close proximity to Adelaide and Melbourne are also trending - all perfect for a winter tipple," Ms Wheeldon told Explore. Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, Tasmania is luring Aussies to Hobart and the north-west of the state to experience winter in full force during its "off season". Discover Tasmania is encouraging Aussies to don their winter wollies and get a bit wild out in nature. Off season adventures include the Kuuma Nature Sauna, Australia's first sauna boat styled on a floating escape popular in Nordic countries where participants spend time in the on-boat sauna and then jump in the cold sea. If getting out in nature is more your style, kayaking tours of Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain continue on through the colder months, weather dependent. When it comes to overseas travel this Aussie winter, Airbnb data shows Asia is proving popular, with its proximity to Australia and warmer climate. "Vietnam is emerging as a go-to destination probably because it's a direct flight, the time difference isn't too bad and it's affordable," Ms Wheeldon said. "We've also seen Italy really having a resurgence - potentially since the popularity of The White Lotus." As the weather cools down, Queensland is coming out as the clear winner for trending domestic travel destinations. According to Airbnb data, half of the top-10 destinations this winter by search are in Queensland: Whitsundays, Brisbane, Maroochydore, Southport and North Stradbroke Island. Winter in far north Queensland offers prime temperatures for camping, hiking and snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef. In Brisbane and the Gold Coast, winter is home to festivals including the Brisbane Festival, and the Moreton Bay Food and Wine Festival. NSW has also been popular for winter holiday planning with Sydney, Newcastle and Pokolbin in the top 10, along with the southern mainland capital cities of Melbourne and Adelaide. Airbnb Australia and New Zealand country manager Susan Wheeldon said winter is a popular time for Aussies to travel with the June long weekend and school holidays. She said it was "no surprise" Aussies wanted to escape the cold to the warmer climate of the "sunshine state", but they were also looking for experiences beyond the beaches. "Wine regions like Pokolbin in the NSW Hunter Valley and the many wineries in close proximity to Adelaide and Melbourne are also trending - all perfect for a winter tipple," Ms Wheeldon told Explore. Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, Tasmania is luring Aussies to Hobart and the north-west of the state to experience winter in full force during its "off season". Discover Tasmania is encouraging Aussies to don their winter wollies and get a bit wild out in nature. Off season adventures include the Kuuma Nature Sauna, Australia's first sauna boat styled on a floating escape popular in Nordic countries where participants spend time in the on-boat sauna and then jump in the cold sea. If getting out in nature is more your style, kayaking tours of Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain continue on through the colder months, weather dependent. When it comes to overseas travel this Aussie winter, Airbnb data shows Asia is proving popular, with its proximity to Australia and warmer climate. "Vietnam is emerging as a go-to destination probably because it's a direct flight, the time difference isn't too bad and it's affordable," Ms Wheeldon said. "We've also seen Italy really having a resurgence - potentially since the popularity of The White Lotus." As the weather cools down, Queensland is coming out as the clear winner for trending domestic travel destinations. According to Airbnb data, half of the top-10 destinations this winter by search are in Queensland: Whitsundays, Brisbane, Maroochydore, Southport and North Stradbroke Island. Winter in far north Queensland offers prime temperatures for camping, hiking and snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef. In Brisbane and the Gold Coast, winter is home to festivals including the Brisbane Festival, and the Moreton Bay Food and Wine Festival. NSW has also been popular for winter holiday planning with Sydney, Newcastle and Pokolbin in the top 10, along with the southern mainland capital cities of Melbourne and Adelaide. Airbnb Australia and New Zealand country manager Susan Wheeldon said winter is a popular time for Aussies to travel with the June long weekend and school holidays. She said it was "no surprise" Aussies wanted to escape the cold to the warmer climate of the "sunshine state", but they were also looking for experiences beyond the beaches. "Wine regions like Pokolbin in the NSW Hunter Valley and the many wineries in close proximity to Adelaide and Melbourne are also trending - all perfect for a winter tipple," Ms Wheeldon told Explore. Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, Tasmania is luring Aussies to Hobart and the north-west of the state to experience winter in full force during its "off season". Discover Tasmania is encouraging Aussies to don their winter wollies and get a bit wild out in nature. Off season adventures include the Kuuma Nature Sauna, Australia's first sauna boat styled on a floating escape popular in Nordic countries where participants spend time in the on-boat sauna and then jump in the cold sea. If getting out in nature is more your style, kayaking tours of Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain continue on through the colder months, weather dependent. When it comes to overseas travel this Aussie winter, Airbnb data shows Asia is proving popular, with its proximity to Australia and warmer climate. "Vietnam is emerging as a go-to destination probably because it's a direct flight, the time difference isn't too bad and it's affordable," Ms Wheeldon said. "We've also seen Italy really having a resurgence - potentially since the popularity of The White Lotus."
Telegraph
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Ballet to Broadway: Wheeldon Works: An evening of unexpected delights and disappointments
'Wheeldon Works'? He sure does. Extravagantly talented, protean and industrious, the Yeovil-born wonder has a CV that's packed to the gunwales with goodies. With Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (2011), The Winter's Tale (2014) and Like Water for Chocolate (2022), the Royal Ballet's 'artistic associate' has done more than any other choreographer to keep the three-act ballet alive and kicking. All the while, has also created a wealth of shorter, rich abstract ballets on both sides of the Atlantic. And, as the 'kicker' to this new programme suggests, he is also eminently at home in the world of song and dance. The fact that the Royal Ballet is now dedicating an entire evening to his cannon shows the esteem with which it (rightly) holds him. What's more, three of these four pieces are company firsts − I can't think of a comparable bill at Covent Garden in my lifetime. The one piece the company has danced before (if only six times), Fool's Paradise also proves the most successful. Not because of the Royal's prior experience of it, but simply because this 2007 work offers dancers and audience alike the most to get our collective gnashers into. A well-judged 30 minutes long, it's the sort of shorter piece that Wheeldon is particularly good at: multi-movement, simultaneously complex and lean, entirely abstract but also hinting at narrative undercurrents. Performing in spacy beams of light and in all manner of contrapuntal permutations, the nine dancers slink and coil in and out of each others' space and embrace, mostly following the mood of Joby Talbot's dramatically cinematic score, occasionally pushing against it. Narciso Rodriguez's pointedly plain, flesh-coloured costumes have an anonymising effect on the performers (all excellent, little Viola Pantuso once again marking herself out as a name to watch), heightening the piece's ritualistic edginess, and it all builds to a climax that's a mini-masterpiece of sculpture-in-dance. A closing, kaleidoscopic knickerbocker glory to that opening, near-monochrome study in moodiness, An American In Paris is the 25-minute work-within-a-work from Wheeldon's Tony Award-winning 2015 show of the same name, which he adapted from the cherished 1951 film. Extravagantly designed and lit by Wheeldon regulars Bob Crowley and Natasha Katz, with the house orchestra clearly relishing Gershwin's jazzy luxuriance, it's a slender but hugely energetic choreographic mash-up of George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins, with an astute dash of Gene Kelly's princely-everyman swagger. A stage Billy Elliot in his youth, Cesar Corrales pounces on the latter: not just a fantastic, virile ballet dancer, but also a born showman, he here displays just the right kind of grin-inducing braggadocio. As his innamorata Lise, standing in for his regular and also real-life partner Francesca Hayward, Anna Rose O'Sullivan dances with her usual pin-sharp briskness, but looks slightly ill at ease in this display of old-school Hollywood-meets-Broadway pizzazz. And what of the two shorter, similarly titled pieces that fall in between? With the entire orchestra here lining the back of the stage, and displaying a looser, more contemporary-dance idiom, The Two of Us (2020), is a little, 'variety'-tinged romantic journey that plays out to four songs by Joni Mitchell, here delivered live by veteran pop singer Julia Fordham. Lauren Cuthbertson and Calvin Richardson are super as the couple, though I struggled on Friday with Fordham's fluttery delivery. Technical issues with the sound on the night mightn't have helped, but you craved the original recordings. Us, meanwhile, is a romantic duet for two men − still an astonishingly rare dance trope − that Wheeldon created in 2017 for the BalletBoyz. Intimate and intense, the steps are lovely, generating vivid little vignettes of mutual support and empowerment, and Matthew Ball and Joseph Sissons make a great deal of them. Keaton Henson's score is on the dirgey side, though. So, a bill that shows Wheeldon at his most mercurial, if not always playing the strongest possible hands. Still, the evening flies by, and his Alice returns next month − if you really want to see what all the fuss is about, there's no better rabbit-hole to fall down.
