PLYMOUTH Argyle Ladies’ experienced defender Bow Jackson has been keeping herself busy in the lockdown.
The 25-year-old, who signed from professional North American outfit Calgary Foothills last September after previously having a spell in the top flight with Yeovil Town, has been working hard on her fitness and been at the heart of a host of different challenges in the last few months.
Jackson said: “I’m currently midway through the 3,000 press-ups challenge in June to help raise money and awareness for the teenage cancer trust. I’m at 1,640 push-ups and raised £380, but I am still going and trying to hit my target of £500 by the end of the month.
“I haven’t felt my shoulders since day three but I’ve been told my twiglets may grow slightly by the end.
“It’s a great charity which deserves the attention and help during this time. Plus I’m sure the girls would be happy watching me do them after making them do so many press-ups during our weekly training sessions.
“The best part is so many people have got involved to support me and have completed press-ups with me, sent me videos or donated via my fund raising page (3000 Push Ups for Teenage Cancer Trust)
The stylish defender currently works for Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service as a fitness advisor based at Dawlish.
She said: “I make firefighters run around and try to keep them fit for jobs. This is the same job I had prior to travelling and playing football or soccer for Calgary in North America.
“I have also coached on the England Pathway at Devon FA’s Advanced Coaching Centre for five years and in the process gained my UEFA B coaching license.”
Jackson started her career at the under-16 Plymouth Argyle Centre of Excellence and progressed through the development side to the first team.
In 2012, she moved clubs and played for Yeovil Town, who she stayed with right up to 2019 – playing for them in the Women’s Super League and Championship.
“In 2019 I was signed to Calgary Foothills in Canada, and played in the UWS (United Women’s Soccer) across America and Canada, playing teams like LA Galaxy and Santa Clarita,” said Jackson. “Before I returned home and signed for Plymouth Argyle under Dave Leonard.”
Jackson says there have been positives and negatives of the coronavirus lockdown.
“At the beginning it was irritating, as we wanted to prove ourselves in the league,” she said. “However, with an unlucky run of injuries it helped some of us out – giving us more time to recover fully.
“I know when it all started I was recovering from a fractured rib and so the extra-time has been very helpful in my recovery.”
She added: “As a team we stuck together completing challenges and training together which was great to keep us all fit and fighting.
“Currently we are on our own training, where some can rest, so we will be fresh and mentally prepared for pre-season.
“I have been surfing a lot, paddle-boarding, cycling, taking long walks around the countryside and still fitting in my press ups. I believe it’s important to have different interests away from football, so the hunger stays strong for the pitch and the muscles are worked differently to improve your fitness for the game.”