The season for the newly promoted Hallamshire Seniors Track & Field team started on Sat 5th May with a trip to the warm & sunny Moorways Stadium, home of Derby A.C. for our 1st meet in Division 3EC.
A combination of other events over the same weekend: including National Orienteering Champs, BUSA National Champs and our own YAL (U17) Team's opening fixture the following day, meant the team was missing a number of recognised athletes. Nevertheless, a team assembled with a full minibus and many more making their own way down the M1 for an eventful afternoon!
The bus sported a number of "senior" ladies, who had not competed in T&F before, or at least not since they left school a year or two ago! Importantly, they were there, along with a host of others willing to get involved and compete, officiate and support the team in its effort to get the season off to the best start possible.
They did not know what they were letting themselves in for… …….but neither did the rest of us!
Numbers on the day gave options and provided another challenge in team management. Team declaration sheets in PENCIL are a must, as is an eraser!
Our competitors' ability & willingness - many competing outside of their accepted expertise (and some even prepared to learn as they went along) - allowed us to cover the majority of events, importantly with A and B athletes, and resulted in the team doing far better than many (including the Team Manager) had dared to hope for.
We earned a SUPERB
A BIG thank you to all involved: Athletes of all ages & abilities, Officials, Parents, Supporters, Chauffeurs; everyone played their part in an exceptional result.
A Special mention to outstanding efforts on the day from a number of multi-event athletes;
Hayley Needes: not only her usual standard of throwing but also a re-discovery of what a track is for!
Rose Paxman: sprinting, jumping & infectious enthusiasm!
Alex Shorey: our new secret weapon in the throwing department.
Amy Wilks: sprinting, hurdling, jumping & a 3km for fun because "the other events are over too quickly."
Rebecca Wilks: sprinting, jumping & trusting Jay's driving to get her home in time for work!
Sallie Ennis: what have 100h, 3km & triple jump got in common… Sallie did them all for the 1st time so that's 3 pb's to work from over the season!
Matt Milson: again showing his versatility in hurdling & jumping……..though maybe we both need to work on our TJ technique a bit!
Jamie Bennett & Todd Marshall: quality sprinting with the prospect of more to come over the season, (and a decent HJ opener too, Jamie).
Luke Stafford: new pb for 1500m. The 4 minute barrier beckons!
Alex Smith & Chris Taylor: good sound opening performances for early May, versatile & dependable as ever.
Jay Parnaby & Mick Clift: our complete 2 man throwing team. Not a bad "stick it in the ground then off" first Javelin throw Jay - 38:63m.
Thanks to all who stayed for the relays so we were able to put teams together & especially to Kelly Hewitson & Rebecca Gregory for sorting the ladies teams when the Team Manager was incapable!... (oxygen deficit to atrophied brain after 5km).
And to the Clift & Newton families for their combined support before & on the day.
To those not mentioned by name, thanks as well, all combined to produce the team result on the day, WELL DONE TO ALL!!
And Finally………..
An "enlightening" experience, a stimulating one as well. Grown women out for the day, being there to compete, help, cheer, support & embarrass the kids!
Hallamshire was the only TEAM there on the day. It stood out a mile and was a pleasure to be part of it.
So thank you to Mandy Newton, Helen Christie, Helen Giorgi & Sallie Ennis, for providing the spark. Can't
promise as much competition every time but you're more than welcome… if the
experience hasn't put you off. It's better (and cheaper) than Boots No 7!
Full results at http://www.noeaa-athletics.org.uk/track/league/2007results/div3ec_match1.xls
So to the next meet, Sat 2nd June @ Scunthorpe: team sheet is open.
Great start, now lets move it to another level.
Please contact me to confirm if you are or are not available.
John Cox......... Tel 0114 2869310 Mob 0797 704 9614 jac.johncox@hotmail.com