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St
Helens Sutton Athletic Club
November News
Road Race assistance
from adidas
As part of
their 26.2 programme run by Paul Freary, adidas have kindly supplied us with
numbers, prizes and additional helpful material to assist with the
staging of our road race on 16 March 2003. We are pleased to acknowledge the
speedy and professional response of adidas to our request for assistance which
shows the company's commitment to grass roots athletics.. Full
details of the road race are now available via our home page.
Over
the Bales: 1 December 2002.
We have
just received notification of the "Over the Bales" cross country races
for youngsters in Manchester on Sunday 1 December. The age groups are under 9,
under 11 and under 13. Pre race-day entry fees are £1 and anyone interested in
taking part should speak with Julia Hayes or Phil Thomas immediately so entries
can be sent off promptly.
Sports Hall Training: Children in Athletics.
The Tuesday Sports Hall and Thursday night track sessions have
been reorganised under the leadership of Grade 3 coach John Irwin, assisted by
Frank
Atkinson, Joe Ehlen, Geoff Johnson, Dave Green and Julia Hayes, all of whom are qualified
Grade 1 coaches. The previous leaders have left the club of their own volition and
no longer have any association with St Helens-Sutton A.C.
An inventory of
Sports Hall equipment is being undertaken and a new training programme
devised. This will be related to the concept of 'Fun in Athletics',
the
specific requirements of Sports Hall Athletics and planning for next year's
track and field season. Over the coming weeks we will be identifying the current
standard of every athlete of all ages and starting internal competitions based
on age and ability. Interested parents will be provided with progress reports
on their children and we are looking for feedback from parents to assist us in
our aim of providing the best care and enjoyment for the children. A list of future events will be put up on the Website, the
club notice-board and administrative procedures improved so that parents and
athletes know when competitions are available and where they are taking place. All
future Sports Hall teams will be pre-selected and, as non-counting races
also take place, everyone eligible to compete will be invited to take
part with notice provided well in advance. The changes represent the final foundation stone in the rebuilding
of St Helens- Sutton into a vibrant club for everyone who wishes to take
part both for today and the coming decade.
Entry Forms:
Entry Forms for the Kind 4 mile on
1 December are available LPS's Website. Entry forms for the North of
England AA Indoor Championships are available from http://www.noeaa-athletics.org.uk/entries/indoor.htm
Both sites can be reached via our links page. Full details of each event
have been placed on the notice boards in the clubhouse.
Courses for Officials
Courses are being staged for officials on Wednesday 20 and 27 November plus an
examination on 4 December at 7 p.m.
The programmes are as follows:
Wednesday
20 November Field Events Part 1; Track Events Part 1: Wednesday 27 November
Field Events Part 2; Track Events Part 2; Timekeepers
Course.
Wednesday 4 December Field and Track Events Examination.
Our understanding is that the timekeepers do not require an exam but will
take a practical test at some point in the future. Please try to attend,
especially field event judges. There is no charge and the venue is
Archbishop Beck School, Cedar Road, Walton Vale.
Please let Phil Thomas know as soon as possible if you are able to attend
Sports
Hall League 17 November
The club
will be taking part in the second Sports' Hall League match at the Epic
Leisure Centre, Ellesmere Port, on Sunday 17 November. We will
leave Sutton Sports Centre no later than 11.30.am. Anyone needing a lift
or able to provide transport should see Julia Hayes at training on
Thursday. Many thanks to Julia, Frank Atkinson and Layla Tapley
who organised a very enjoyable, varied and successful training evening on
Tuesday 12 November.
North West Women's League: 10 November
This weekend (Sunday 10 November 1 p.m. start) we are hosting the North
West Women's Cross Country League match at Sherdley Park. We already have
seven volunteer marshalls, Dorothy Fairhurst, Sue Lowrie, Alan Davies,
Danny McLoughlin, Joe Ehlen, Margaret Hunter-Frackelton & Steve
Eccleston. We need another five so please let the Clerk of the Course, John
Irwin, know if you are available as soon as possible. Robbie Wood from LPS
has agreed to timekeep with Julia Hayes as his recorder.
Child Protection:
As part of the newly implemented child protection policy parental consent
forms will be required for unaccompanied children attending races in the
company of club members. Amongst other things this provides us with a
contact number in the event of an emergency and adds as a safeguard for
athletes' welfare. If you have any questions please ask Sue Lowrie or John
Irwin, the child protection officers, or club secretary Julia Hayes. A
full copy of the club's child protection policy will be available to all
parents in the near future and a further copy will be placed on the notice
board.
Young Athletes League:
We recently received our rankings for 2002. In the Northern Section our
boys were ranked 62 out of 86 clubs and our girls 49. The combined total
gave us 111 points. Only one of the clubs we meet in 2003 is ranked higher
so we have a reasonable chance to win the one promotion spot available,
provided we can ensure a good turnout of boys and girls across the age
groups. The Technical Analysis sub-committee is drawing up a
requirements and developmental schedule to ensure we are fully prepared for
the promotion battle.
E-mails:
Keep in touch with the club by e-mail. That way you can let us know which
events you are available for, how you are doing at University, pass
messages to specific club/committee members, or raise matters for
discussion at committee meetings. e-mail us now on tfp@ukonline.co.uk
League
News Latest.
Owing to
the availability, or otherwise, of tracks there have been changes in
the venues for the Northern Men's and Women's League matches. Perhaps the most
important is that both teams will be at the same venue, Ormskirk, for the
opening match on 3 May 2003. Two of the remaining men's matches are at
Lancaster, Wavertree on Saturdays and the final one at Preston on a Sunday. The women's are on Sundays at
Warrington, Connahs Quay and Trafford. Therefore, we will be at separate venues
on the same day for the final fixture and will need as many officials as
possible. We understand that the officials'
courses and exams are to be held this month at Archbishop Beck School in
Liverpool so please make yourself available.
Coaching
Session
 Merrick
Bousefield travelled over from Liverpool on October 27 to provide a number of
coaches and athletes with specialist advice on
technique. This initiative is one of a number which forms part of our coaching
strategy to raise standards throughout the club ready for the 2003 campaign.
Merrick provided a number of insights which have been taken on board for
implementation at club level. We are delighted to publicly acknowledge his help
and advice. Thanks also to Ben Fisher, Mike Atkinson, Frank Atkinson, Joe Ehlen,
Mike Ehlen and photographer Sharon Fisher. Click here to see photos
Throwing Events
The recent storms have caused substantial
damage to the throwing cage at Sutton Sports Centre and the area has been cordoned
off as a safety measure. Therefore no discus or hammer throwing is permissible
for the time being.
Clubhouse
The clubhouse has been reorganised to permit greater use on
training nights. The changing pegs have been moved into the backroom where
additional seating is available for use and other material has been stacked
away. Much wider use has been made of the various notice boards
to make it easier to identify information on the basis of winter and summer
racing, coaching, administration, volunteer work and athletes' photographs. In
addition, changing rooms seven and eight are part of the club's hiring fee and
may be used for changing or warm up. Thanks to Julia Hayes, John Irwin, Louise
Hayes, Phil Thomas, Frank Atkinson and Joe Ehlen for carrying out the necessary
work involved.
Track & Field Leagues:2003
Dave Morley and John Irwin attended the Northern Track and Field League
AGM's in Leeds. There is a move towards the creation of club competitions
with men's & women's and boys' & girls' teams being counted as one overall
club score. As a result, next season will be an important one for the club as
a whole.
The senior men will be in division 3 with SouthportWaterloo,
Liverpool B, South Liverpool, Northern (Isle of Man) and Kendal with Lancaster & Morecambe team. The matches take place on Saturdays
at Ormskirk, Lancaster and Wavertree (twice).
The women's matches take place on Sundays with the exception of the first
match which clashes with the men's match and is scheduled for Trafford. The
other clubs involved are East Cheshire, Trafford, Wirral, LPS and West
Cheshire. The other venues are Cleckheaton, Bebington and Connahs Quay.
That means on the first weekend in May we shall have to provide officials
at Ormskirk and Trafford on the same day, then provide officials for the
Young Athletes the day after. It's imperative, therefore, that as many
people take the forthcoming officials' courses to ensure we do not lose
points because of lack of officials.
The Young Athletes' dates have been settled but the League structure is only provisional as it has not been determined at national level which
format is to be adopted. The boys and girls are in division 2 central with
Salford Metropolitan, Manchester, Oldham & Royton, Blackley, Halifax and
Keighley as opponents.
The provisional dates will be on the notice board and on the website in due
course. If your holidays clash with any of the dates please let us know as
soon as possible. All league matches will cost £1 per number on the day.
The Speke 10k
The Speke 10k scheduled for Boxing Day has been cancelled owing to road
works. The organising committee are hoping to stage a 5 mile road race in
March and have been asked not to choose the 16th which is the proposed date
for our own road race.
Appointments
The club committee have made the following appointments.
Sue Lowrie, Child Protection Officer (Girls);
John Irwin, Child Protection Officer (Boys);
Phil Thomas, Development Officer;
Terry Arnold, Schools' Liaison Officer;
Julia Hayes, Club Representative on the St Helens Sports Council.
Sue Lowrie has been added to the Finance Sub-Committee.
Barry Graney, John Irwin, Julia Hayes and Phil Thomas have been nominated
to serve on the local organising committee
for the 2004 Northern Cross Country Championships at Sherdley Park..
Coaching and Associate Membership.
The Committee has decided that all persons acting as Club Coaches must
become at least Associate Members of the Club. This is to prevent any potential
blurring of responsibilities for activities conducted on official club
nights. The annual fee for an Associate Member is £5 per annum.
Child Protection
The club is adopting the Local Authority model rules on child protection. Sue Lowrie and John Irwin have been appointed
Child Protection
Officers for the club and are the first point of contact for any Child
Protection
issues which may arise. Sue is responsible for girls and John for Boys.
Both have already attended child protection courses. It should be noted
that all coaches are expected to attend Child Protection courses as they
become available.
Sports Hall Training:
Normal Sports Hall training will not
take place on 12 November as team leaders Keiron Newcombe and
Liz Devine will be attending a child protection course that evening.
Track training will still be available on that day. Julia Hayes will advise
parents on alternative arrangements for 12 November.
Winter Racing for Youngsters
The club is compiling a winter fixture list for younger athletes, including
Sports Hall. We have been given to understand that under 9's are not
permitted to take part in Sports' Hall League competition. The results from the
first match have arrived and will be posted on the website and notice board as
soon as possible.
Subscriptions:
Members are reminded that subscriptions are due and should be paid
immediately. A list of members yet to pay is on the notice board.
Forms are available from Pam Appleton, Membership Secretary, who is available to
receive subscriptions between 6.30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on training nights. Pam
also has your membership
card if you have already paid.
Social Evening and Presentation:
The club will be having a social evening for everyone on Friday 31 January
2003. It will also use the occasion to present the Young Athletes' awards
for 2002. The venue will be the Penlake Social Club. Cost and full details to follow.
Northern Cross Country Championships
Entry fees for the above championships, which have been switched to Heaton
Park, Manchester, on Saturday 25 January
2003 are required as soon as possible. Seniors and Over 17's £3. All other
age groups £2.50.
Fees to be paid on training
nights to Terry Arnold or Phil Thomas.
Merseyside Cross Country
Championships
Entry fees for the
Merseyside Championships are required immediately. The fees are £2.50 for
seniors and £2.00 for all the younger age groups. Fees to be paid on training
nights to Terry Arnold or Phil Thomas. Please note. The Championships now take
place on Saturday 4 January 2003 not Sunday the fifth.
Cheshire Cross Country
Championships
These will take place on Sunday
5 January 2003 at Vauxhalls, Ellesmere Port. Application forms have been
asked for and will be distributed to eligible athletes as soon as they
arrive.
Next Committee Meeting
The date of the next Committee meeting will be Thursday 28 November, 8.30pm
- 9.30 p.m.
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