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St
Helens Sutton Athletic Club
February 2003 News
Burke
in Top Ten
Mike
Burke was eighth in the Reebok Cross Challenge which
finished with the inter-counties event at Nottingham. It's the first
time we've had a runner in the top ten of this season-long series of
races. Mike's brother, Tom, recently won our own primary
schools' cross country race.
Sports
Hall Regional Final: Wigan 23 February
Five
club members have been chosen to represent Merseyside in the
regional final at Wigan on Sunday. They are Vicky Johnson,
Laura Savage, Ryan Tapley, Mike Ehlen and Ben Clough. Congratulations
to each of them and let's build on their success to have even more
in 2004.
Cheshire
League Cross Country: Woodbank Park, Stockport
Confirmation
that this event takes place on Sunday 16 February with the
first race for under 11's starting at 12.30.p.m. Runners taking part
in the National cross country championships in London on 22 February
are advised that the Stockport event is optional. Please
discuss this with your coach and team managers John Irwin and
Janet Holmes.
Nine
County Representatives:Nottingham 8 February
The
entire club contingent were awarded their county vests at
Nottingham. These included travelling reserve Ben Clough who
was called up to compete at the last minute. The other Merseyside
representatives were Tony Smith, Gill Bacon, Barry
Cunliffe, Dave Forrester, Mike Burke and Mike Ehlen. Dave Twigg and
Jodie Nelson competed for Cheshire. Performance details
on the results page.
Primary
Schools Cross Country Meeting
The
annual primary schools' cross country meeting takes place on
Saturday with the first race at 10.30.a.m. Terry Arnold is in
charge of proceedings with John Irwin again providing
the course. All club members are welcome to assist.
Additional
Representative Honours for the Club
Tony
Smith has become the club's first senior man to be selected to
represent Merseyside in the new millennium. Tony received a late
call up to run for the county at Nottingham on Saturday. Jodi
Nelson has also been included in the Cheshire team, increasing
our overall represention to nine, up from two in
2002.
Young
Athletes League
Following
representations to League officials, Frank Starkie and Nigel
Bailey, the club will compete in Northern Two South West
with matches at Barden Stadium, Burnley, on May 4,
Ratcliffe Stadium on May 18, Crewe on June 29 and Barden Stadium,
Burnley on July 20. The members of the division are Crewe
& Nantwich, Halton & Frodsham, Menai TC, Newtown, Oswestry
and East Cheshire. East Cheshire will be given be given the
option to switch to the Northern Two Central where we had
intially been placed. The club would like to thank both Frank and
Nigel for responding so promptly to our concerns.
Congratulations:
To
Joe Ehlen, John Irwin and Phil Thomas on passing their field events' judging examination. Joe
and John can now expect a list of appointments for the coming season
while Phil is already a Grade 2 track official. Merseyside officials' secretary Jim Green has told the club that
members whose talents weren't reflected in their exam
results will receive invitations to gain experience this season so
they can pass later in the year.
Social
Evening:
 The
Social Evening was an outstanding and unqualified success. Almost
200 attended,
there was sufficient food for everyone, the club more than covered
its costs and the age group and overall presentations were
delightful. In addition to Mike Ehlen and Anna Sheffield
receiving their Athlete of the Year trophies, Mike Burke won
the trophy for the The Most Outstanding Performance
during 2002 for his Merseyside track title victory. Julia Hayes
received the Chairman's award as Volunteer of the Year. Age
group award winners on the track were Louise Hayes, Zoe Woodward,
Mike Atkinson, Vicky Johnson, Mike Ehlen, Anna Sheffield, Ryan
Tapley, Layla Tapley and Jon Calder. Winners for cross country
were Kim Bridge, Mike Burke, Jodi Nelson, Ben Simister and Steve
Mayers. Prizes were presented by Olympian Ann Griffiths.
News From Committee
Competition News:
Congratulations were recorded to all competitors who took part in the
club's most successful Northern Championship for many years and of the fine
individual performances of Dave Forrester and Dave Twigg. Acknowledgement
was made of
Dave Twigg's victory in the Cheshire Championships and the medals awarded
in the Merseyside, including the magnificent performance of the under 13
boys' team. It was noted, with regret, that the Merseyside Committee has
turned down the club's request for additional medals for the under 13
squad.
Membership
Membership continues to increase with more than a dozen newcomers accepted,
including Denis Fulton, Secretary of the Merseyside Schools Cross Country
League for Girls and Merseyside Track and Field Secretary. A qualified coach,
Denis is also a superb administrator and first class organiser.
Equipment
A number of medicine balls, obtained through the Northern Counties, have
arrived and are now in use across the age groups.
Young Athletes of the Year
Young Athletes of the year are those athletes who, in the opinion of the
club coaches, have made a significant contribution to the club during the
previous calendar year. In previous years there were few candidates, in
2002 there were many. The final choices were difficult but unanimous. Mike
Ehlen and Anna Sheffield. Congratulations to both.
Road Race 16 March 2003
Janet Holmes reported a continuous flow of application forms and requests
for more. It was confirmed that while veterans had to chose their category
for individual prizes all runners would be eligible for the team races.
Phil Thomas reported he had managed to recruit officials but that more
marshals would be required.
Finances
John Irwin reported the club's finances are in a healthy state. The
Championship events, including the National races and accommodation, have
been self-financing. The accommodation for the National includes the
provision of free places for all children16 and under. Further application
for grant aid for coaching has been submitted.
Next Committee Meeting
The next Committee meeting will be held on Thursday 27 February at 8.30
p.m.to 9.30.p.m.
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