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St
Helens Sutton Athletic Club
July 2003 News
Phil Thomas is the New Chairman:
Phil Thomas took over from Ray Vose as Chairman with effect from the
Committee Meeting held on 31 July 2003. Ray, who has guided the club through
a year characterised by many successes, expressed a desire to continue to
develop the performance side of the club by concentrating on his duties as a
coach and team manager during the coming season. Ray nominated Phil Thomas
as Chairman and this was unanimously approved by the Committee.
Future of the NoEAA:
The Committee fully endorsed the recent position statement issued by the
chairman of the NoEAA amid rumours that UK Athletics is attempting to wind
up the North and other territorial associations in order to introduce an
unelected bureaucratic system of regional offices funded by an expensive
nationwide membership scheme. St Helens-Sutton A C is firmly in favour of
the current system which protects the democratic rights of clubs to be
involved in decision-making, the value of working with all partners -
especially local authorities - and is geared to grass roots athletics rather
than an overpaid and under-performing elite.
Two More Hit Northern Standards
Charlotte Walkden and Jessica Cretu became the latest club athletes to reach
Northern Counties' entrance standards when they recorded qualifying times in
the Young Athletes match at Crewe. Charlotte qualified in the 100 and 200
metres with Jessica qualifying in the hurdles.
In addition, Richard Atherton posted a qualifying time in the 100 metres to
add to his 200 and 400 metres standards and Dave Forrester's 800 metres time
means that he has qualified in that event in addition to the 1500 and 3000
metres.
The club now has 14 athletes with qualifying performances in 23 separate
events for the 2004 championships.
Welcome to the World:
Sue Lowrie gave birth to a son just before midnight on Monday July 7th. The
boy, named Jack, weighed in at over 8 pounds. Congratulations to Martin, Sue
and Emma on their new addition to the family.
Officials:
It has been confirmed that ungraded timekeepers who officiate at four track
meetings during the year can apply to be Graded as Level 4 officials without
the need to take an examination. Field event officials can be similarly
graded after helping at five meetings. Phil Thomas has the appropriate
worksheets and will be distributing them for completion and return at the
end of the season. We have more than five meetings left before the end of
the season so anyone interested in qualifying should see Phil as soon as
possible so they can be scheduled in for upgrading this season.
Coaching Success:
Laura Davenport, Roseanne Hutchinson and Janet Holmes all successfully
passed their level 1 coaching award on 5 July 2003. Laura and Roseanne will
be taking level 2 in September along with Danny McLoughlin, Geoff Johnson,
Lisa Bluett and Joe Ehlen.
A Round Dozen:
Richard Atherton has become the twelfth club athlete to qualify for next
year's Northern Under 20 champs.
Richard's 23.5 (200) and 52.7 (400) were good enough to earn him a place in
the 2004 event.
News From Committee:
Welcome Home
We are pleased to announce that Laura Davenport has rejoined the club from
LPS. Laura, who still holds several club records, is a quality 800 metres
runner and will strengthen our senior and junior league competitions in
2004. Her brother, Matthew, has always remained a member while father Paul,
a former club secretary, is playing an important part in the development of
our high, long and triple jump groups.
We also welcome into membership Zoe Strong and Ali Young. Zoe competed in
our road race last March and has recently started training with the club,
while her friend Ali is a rugby player with sprinting prowress which will
soon be seen in our league matches. Our membership is now in the region of
200.
Quality:
Eleven athletes have now reached the standards required to be able to
compete in the Northern Junior track and field championships in 2004. They
are Jon Calder, Ben Fisher, Lucy Mitchell, Laura Davenport, Dave Twigg, Jake
Davidson, Caroline Morley, Dave Forrester, Mike Burke, Vicky Johnson and
Stephanie Currie. Several other athletes are very close to qualification so
the number may rise by the end of the track season.
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