Winter Newsletter, October 2002

Editorial:


" There are lots of helpers around!!! "
That may be a surprising remark, but it is absolutely true! Everyone, it seems, knows someone who has met someone who knows somebody who is prepared to do the occasional bit of helping. The only problem is – they never turn up!!

We have many mums and dads who like to go and watch their children (our members) in a road relay or cross country race. They stand at the start and finish and cheer their loved ones in. But where are the marshals who stand, arms outstretched, guiding their children round the course and showing them the way to go??

If no one is prepared to act as marshals for these events, they cannot take place.
And during the summer season ahead, there will be, again, many parents watching as the athletes hurl the javelin as far as they possibly can, and cheer a new personal best performance. But where are they when the javelin (or whatever) needs picking up and returning??

Early this year I gave out 120 yellow bits of card asking for them to be returned by those parents who were prepared to put the occasional bit of help back.
I received just three returns. These are not exactly skilful jobs requiring any training.

We need people to help our members long jump, throw the javelin, etc. A football match needs only three helpers for 22 competitors. Athletics is not like that. Unless more parents, ex-athletes etc come and help, the service we give to our members will get worse.

Chris Betts

STADIUM ENTRY PASSES


We offer all members much reduced annual fees for use of all the stadium facilities up to three times a week: track & field, indoor hall (during winter), weights room, etc, etc.
If you paid twice a week for 50 weeks of training at the stadium - this could cost you:

Entry to Stadium Using Cash ( per year ):
Under 11 yrs (once/week): £50
Students / Unemployed £100
Anybody over 18yrs: £200













These passes will just save you a significant amount of money; so get one SOON if you have not got one already!!

Entry to Stadium Using Pass ( per year ):
Under 11 yrs: £15.00
Students / Unemployed: £20.00
Full-time Waged persons: £30.00












Chairman’s Report
- Northern Rock Foundation

During the winter the committee has been looking at a variety of funding sources with the help of consultant Carol Meredith. Carol’s time was paid for from a grant from the Northern Rock Foundation. With Carol’s help a further grant application was successfully made to the Northern Rock Foundation which has secured us an income towards the general running costs of the club for three years. I would like to thank Carol, members of the Committee and the Northern Rock Foundation.
In addition to helping us with several grant applications Carol also suggested that the club adopts a more business like mentality to the running of the club. Some people may argue that we are an amateur sports club, not a business, but in fact with a turnover reaching £70,000 per year we have to be responsible in the way we manage the finances. Consequently we want all members of the club to have a role in its management through subcommittees which will feed into the management committee. We are still looking for membership of these subcommittees that include:
• coaches
• team managers
• volunteer recruitment,
• athletes & welfare
• finance and strategy

Please help the committee and the club by volunteering your time and skills for these subcommittees. I appreciate that everybody’s time is at a premium but we only anticipate that the subcommittees will meet quarterly.

Kingsmill Kit For Clubs
Kingsmill Bread is offering free kit to sports clubs if we collect the vouchers from the packets of Kingsmill Bread and bring them to the club. We have registered with the scheme so if we can collect enough we may be able to by essential equipment. Please ask your friends at work, neighbours relatives and school friends to help!!

Tony Gardner



SUBS NOW DUE !!

Under 11 yrs: £10.00
Wheelchair / Disabled £10.00
Adult: £15.00
Family £25.00
Second Claim: £5.00
+
NoEAA Registration Fee
( per competitor )
£2.00

Some benefits of membership:
• Full range of teams with highly subsidized transport cost available.
• Equipment purchases
• Winter indoor hall hire @ £84.25/night
• National/Territorial entry fees refunded provided you qualify and compete
• Coach education fees paid
• And many more!!
[We have a hardship fund available if you are experiencing financial difficulties – please enquire if you may need help paying these costs]

NEW!! NEW!!!
Pay your membership fees online via
www.givennow.org
And the club will automatically benefit by an extra 28% from the tax-man because of our Charitable Status.

FIRST/SECOND CLAIM etc
• 1st claim members are full members
• 2nd claim members can compete only in the four junior and/or four senior men matches


Gateshead Harriers Disability Throws Squad

We have started the year well with one of our athletes, Scott Rennie being selected for the GB Potential Squad. We also have two new athletes who joined us in the winter they are Ian Laidler and Matthew Lone. We are working this year towards getting some more of our athletes into the Potential Squad and also getting our new athletes into the Cerebral Palsy National Squad so the hard work is just starting. Stephen is well into his winter program for his preparations for The Paralympic Games in Athens this September the selection for this being in May. We have been helped this year by The Sunshine Fund who have given us a grant towards some Throwing Frames for the squad and also some special equipment, which we needed. Good Luck to all the athletes in their various aims this season.

Ross Miller


Boys Report:

We had some very good results so far this winter. Starting in September at Farringdon X-country, our U13 boys were first team with newcomer Jordon Beaton 6th, Richard Kaufman 11th, Nick Mingioa 12th and Jonathan Turnbull 20th. The U15s also won, - John Gibson finished 3rd, Mark Brown 4th, Tom Perrins 9th and Richard Hall 20th.

In the Junior Great North Run, we had four runners in the first ten. Simon Watson, Sean Hall, Kieron Flannery and Jackson Creegan were 4th, 7th, 9th and 10th. One of the best results so far this season was in the Northern Road Relays at Silksworth when our U17 boys finished 2nd team. Tom Paton ran the first leg finishing 5th, handing over to Sean Hall who came back in 2nd place, Kieron Flannery kept us in 2nd place, and Simon Watson ran well to clinch silver medals - a great result.

At Blaydon X-country relays the U13s were 2nd, the U15s 2nd and 3rd teams, and the U17s were first and sixth.

At Meadowfield X-country we had a first and two 2nd team places.

Heaton Road Races were our next event and once again the teams all ran well. Our U13 boys were 2nd team, the U15s. went one better taking 1st place, and our U17s and U20s also won.

In the Sherman Cup X-country, which is a combination of all age groups, Gateshead were 2nd team. Another newcomer, Ross Murray, finished in 1st place in the U13s, also leading the team to first place, with Daniel Young 7th and Nial Flannery 9th. The U15s were not to be out done, they also were first team. John Gibson was 2nd, Brian Knighton 3rd, and Will Pike 4th. The U17s were 2nd team.

The next big race was the North Eastern X-country at Darlington. Once again our young runners did the club proud with Ross Murray finished 3rd in the U13s race. The U15s had a great result when they took the 1st team trophy with another new member, Jonathan Cook, running well to take 5th place. John Gibson (who fell full length at the start) got up to finish 6th, and Mark Douglas and Will Pike were 13th and 14th. Dominic Dalby and Richard Hall also ran well. Our U17s finished 2nd team and our Junior men were 1st team.

At Saltwell Road Races, Jordan Beaton was 3rd and Nick Mingoia 6th in the U13s. Our U15s were Mark Douglas who was 4th and Tom Perrins 6th. The U17s had a great result with Sean Hall, 1st, Simon Watson 2nd, Adam Carmichael close behind in 3r3/4/04d, and Jamie Stacey 8th.

We travelled down to St.Helens for the Northern X-country Champs. and once again our U15s team ran well just missing out of the medals with 4th place. Still a very good result, with Johnathan Cook 24th, John Gibson 26th, Mark Douglas a good for 34th and Brian Knighton 52nd, having taken a tumble early in the race. Also, Tom Perrins just getting back after injury finished in 118th place. I must mention Ross Murray who, despite losing one of his shoes, ran a great race to finish 6th in the U13 race.

Our last race to date was the Harrier League at Chester le Street, on a very wet and muddy day, but that did not stop our U13s running well. Nial Flannery showed everyone a clean pair of heels to come in 1st, Nick Mingoia was 8th, and Jordan Beaton from the fast pack was 17th. First team again in the U17s race, with Keiron Flannery running well in the mud and rain to finish in 2nd place. There are still quite a few more races before the end of the Season and we are hoping for more success to come.

Syd Robson


Minor Athlete Grand Prix - hosted by Jarrow/Hebburn AC

Amy Fletcher (under 9 Girls) ran some good races, wining the 300m on one occasion, she finished 4th overall.

Kayleigh Baxter (under 10 Girls) was undefeated in the 60m but in the last meeting had to beat Holly Boardman (Birtley) [who had been undefeated] in the 450m in the very last race to win the Grand Prix Title. She rose to the challenge and set a pb of 1:41.9 and excellent performance.

Matthew Turnbull (under 10 boys) also had an excellent last week which saw him move from 4th to clinch the 3rd place trophy.

Sigourney Bell (under 11 Girls) completed a Grand Prix hat-trick of victories u9, u10 and now under 11 with 50 points out of a possible 64. She has been undefeated over the longer distance event during the last 3 years setting an excellent pb in the 600m of 2:07.7, 5 seconds quicker than the boys winning time.

Other athletes picking up medals during the series : Alexander Parr, Lauren Dodsworth, Scott Thornton, and Ross Wilson

Kevin Flannery


Gateshead Harriers ( 1904 – present )
By Tony Gardner

Well here we are - 100 years old this year. We are hoping to celebrate in a number of ways.
• Firstly we are looking for a generous sponsor who will help us to provide every member with a gift.
• Secondly we want to have a Centenary Road Race in the early autumn.
• Thirdly the Tartan Games will be called the Centenary Tartan Games .
• And fourthly the Mayor of Gateshead will be honouring the club with a Civic Reception in the autumn.

It has already been agreed with the Mayor that all our Olympians will be invited as guests of honour to the Civic Reception. Some of the younger members may not be aware of the names of all our Olympians, they are: Brendan Foster, Denis Coates, Barry Smith, Charles Spedding, Kevin Forster, Colin Walker, Angela Piggford (Gilmore), Christina Boxer, Jonathan Edwards and Stephen Miller. In addition there have been two of our coaches who managed Olympic Teams: Gordon Surtees and Stan Long. The club can boast that at least one club member has represented Great Britain at every Olympic Games since Munich in 1972. This is a magnificent record (can it be maintained this Olympic games, I wonder? - Ed).

Club Mark

Another big development during the winter has been the winning of Club Mark. Sport England allows all sports in England to issue Club Mark to clubs who have reached certain standards, which demonstrate that the club is effective, child friendly and safe. We became the first athletics club in the North East and the sixth in the country to be awarded this prestigious award. We can use the Sport England Club Mark logo on all our letters and publications - can you find it on this newsletter?

Junior Academy?

We are considering setting up a dedicated academy to coach young members in a variety of events. If you feel you would like to be involved, please contact Janice Kaufman for details.


Have you a helpful employer?

Bob Stobbs has approached his employers, Northumbrian Water, for assistance through their employee volunteers scheme. He has secured the help of the Marketing Manager and we are confident that we can produce a portfolio that we can give to possible sponsors and to new members – well done Bob.
Another of our volunteers, Cynthia Barr, has made use of her employer’s volunteer scheme where they give the voluntary organization where their employee gives their services a small grant. So not only do we have the services of Cynthia at track & field meetings as a track judge or timekeeper, but her employers Lloyds TSB contributes financially as well. If any other members or parents have any generous employers then please direct their contributions towards our club..


Star:track

The next Star:track event takes place during the Easter holidays and will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 13-15 April inclusive.

Star:track is a three-day athletics camp for youngsters aged between 8 and 13 years and offers them the opportunity to run, throw and jump in a safe, friendly environment.
Each day commences at 10.00am and ends at 3.00pm. The whole event is very informal, allowing the children to practise their skills (if any!) and participate in activities that they may not normally have had the opportunity to try.

For further information please speak to either Tom Brown, Sandra Burt or Bob Stobbs.
[ all surveys show that the children find these events immensely enjoyable - Ed ]


Javelin Throwing

Would you like to learn how to teach javelin throwing to youngsters?? If so, we have a video and instruction manual available - please see Chris Betts.


TRACK & FIELD FIXTURES FOR SEASON 2004

SENIOR MEN and SENIOR WOMEN ( joint team )

Men's Manager: Chris Betts  
Women's Manager: Vikki Bennett  
Competing Clubs: Gateshead, Blackpool, Leeds, Pendle, Preston, Rotherham
League Matches:
Sunday, May 2nd away at Leeds
Saturday, June 5th away at Rotherham
Sunday, July 4th home at Gateshead Stadium
Saturday, July 31st away at Blackpool
Northern Knock-out Cup: Saturday, June 26th - venues to be arranged ( one per team )

 

JUNIOR MEN and JUNIOR WOMEN TEAMS

Men's Manager: Jeff Sturrock  
Women's Manager: Pam Wild  
Competing Clubs
( men ):
Gateshead, Birchfield, Liverpool, Mansfield, Sale, Edinburgh, Middlesbrough, Nottingham.
Competing Clubs
( women ):
Gateshead, Birchfield, Liverpool, Mansfield, Sale, Edinburgh, Trafford, Wakefield
League Matches:
Sunday, April 25th away at Wakefield
Sunday, May 23rd away at Birmingham
Sunday, June 20th away at Sport City, Manchester 
Sunday, July 25th away at Mansfield

 

YOUNG ATHLETES TEAM ( Boys and Girls )

Boys Managers:
Janice Kaufmann  
Kevin Flannery  
Girls Manager:
Hilary Forrest  
Lynn Welsh  
Competing Clubs: Gateshead, City of Sheffield, Wrexham, Kingston, Barnsley, Wigan, Liverpool Pembroke Sefton, Middlesbrough, Sale, Cesterfield, York, Liverpool Harriers, Preston, South Leeds, Blackpool, Wirral
League Matches:
Sunday, 9th May away at Sheffield
against: Sheffield
   Wrexham
Liverpool P & S
Sunday, May 6th home at Gateshead Stadium
against: Kingston
   Middlesbrough
Barnsley
Sunday, June 27th away at Sport City, Manchester 
against: Sale
   Chesterfield
Wigan
 
Sunday, July 18th away at York
against: York
   Preston
Liverpool Harriers
Sunday, August 1st away at South Leeds
against: Leeds
   Blackpool
Wirral

 

SOME OTHER DATES
You have to get your own entry form and do your own entry for these events.

NORTH EASTERN TRACK & FIELD LEAGUE- £2 (sen)/£1.50 all others- Wednesday evenings
5th May – Monkton
26th May – Gateshead
16th June – Monkton
14th July – Gateshead
28th July – Monkton
18th August–Gateshead

NORTH EASTERN VETERANS LEAGUE
[All fixtures at Monkton Stadium, Jarrow]
19th May, 2nd June, 5th July, 17th July, 24th July.

NORTH EASTERN CHAMPIONSHIPS – Saturday/Sunday 15/16th May at Gateshead International Stadium.

NORTHERN JUNIOR (under 20) CHAMPIONSHIPS – 29/30th May – Sport City, Manchester

NORTHERN SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – 19th June – Wavertree, Liverpool
We will reimburse entry fees if you compete in Northern/National Championships (but not travel or accommodation).

OUR OPEN MEETINGS
Sunday April 25th OPEN MEDAL MEETING
(restricted list of events, no timetable)
Saturday August 28th TARTAN GAMES
(full range of events, programme, etc.)

 

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