Joseph Buckland
From: Nottingham
Member at: Nottingham West Bridgford
Sport: Figure Skating
Getting to
know me
Up and coming British ice skater Joe Buckland tells us about his passion for ice skating, how his family's love for skating began with his grandparents and how vital training is to his performance on the ice.
Getting to know me
When did you first realise you had a talent for ice skating?
When I won my first British Figure Skating Championship, it was my first major achievement and I knew from then that ice skating was what I wanted to do. When I was 15 my skating partner, Georgia Robinson, and I won the British under-16s competition at our first attempt and came second in an international competition in Slovakia.
Who is the most influential person in your career to date and why?
My older brother Nick, who competed at the 2010 winter Olympic games in Vancouver. He trains in America now but when he's over here he trains with me and that is a big boost. My entire family have influenced me really, my granddad was a champion speed skater and my grandma was a professional ice dancer.
How much do your parents guide and encourage you to do sport?
My parents really support me with everything I do and not just ice skating but all the training I have to do to support my ice skating career as well. My parents travel with me when I compete and are always 100% behind me which is invaluable. They've always made sure sport is something that's fun and not just a competition, I think that's part of the reason why I still enjoy ice skating and keeping myself fit and healthy.
How often do you train and what other factors help you to perform on the ice?
I use the gym, swimming pool and tennis courts at my David Lloyd Leisure club to help improve my strength, flexibility and for rehabilitation which is really important to make sure my body is in the best condition possible. Throughout the summer holidays my partner and I spent up to 20 hours a week at the National Ice Centre in Nottingham, I had to get up at 5am to be there for the 6am session! Now I'm back at school we have to fit training in around school.
