| Play ultimate for a few years and you’ll know a few people that have received the tainted accolade of being tipped for the GB squad. But it takes more than athleticism and an endorsement from the upper echelons of Ultimate to transform a verbal pat on the back into a GB shirt over your shoulders. Steph spared us some of her time to talk about how the Iceni set up has made a massive impact on her game. In turn this shows that it is more than just silverware which gives Lookfly reason to support this team. “Prior to Iceni, I had enjoyed playing but never fully understood the game.” Steph first encountered the Ultimate community through Fingers 6 whilst studying at Manchester Met. With a strong background in hockey, her competitiveness and skill transferred easily on to the Ultimate field. She had the tenacity to play as the only woman with Motion during the 2004 tour season and then with Northern Fried Hicks in mixed the same year. After graduation Steph arrived in London in 2005 off the back of picking up with Nice Bristols during their 8th place finish at Rostock. Still frustrated with her understanding of the game trials with the various teams in the Big Smoke followed. This is probably due to the attentive approach Iceni take towards recruiting players. During the cold winter months you won’t find too many core players choking the endeavours of candidates trying out. Only a handful of the main squad will attend in order to give potential additions to the club space to demonstrate their ability. Also when the official trials do come around a promising candidate won’t be undone by an off day. | 
“I felt the most welcome at the Iceni practise. It wasn’t too intimidating”
Steph Lees - Photo by Tom Styles | "Iceni has made me into a player I thought could never be.” Steph remembers Maria Carhill, Anja Howard and Carol Gardiner being some of the most influential people in developing her game. Once part of the Iceni fold she was exposed to experiences she needed to improve and build the understanding she had always desired. “I think one of the biggest things was getting dropped to the second team.” Following selection for yet another WCU dominating Iceni squad Steph admits that her enthusiasm waned in the run up to the 2006 tour. The resulting outing on the second team helped rekindle her competitive spirit and take back her place in the first team. After they took the double that year she went with the team to WUCC in Perth where they finished 8th. On her return the prediction Kenny had made 3 years earlier came true as she was selected to train with the GB Women squad in preparation for their shot at the EUC2007 title. “I’ve improved a lot.” There is no questioning this and Steph is not the only woman to benefit from the Iceni environment. This team wouldn’t enjoy so much success without this focus on getting the best from their players. Their award for Most Improved Player in 2007, Alia Ayub, proves this. Alia has been playing for ten years now, is renowned for her hard D and prowess as a receiver. A solid spot on the GB squad is recognition of her skill. However she has never been the strongest of throwers. Recently though, Alia has learn’t to stop dumping and start breaking. The Iceni set up has taken a great player and made her even better, something any coach will testify is difficult. If a team can do this, we’ll back them all the way. Do us proud in 2008 ladies.
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