Happy Birthday from Thursday 10 August to Wednesday 16 August – Yamile Aldama, Jamie Bath, Lily Beckford, Lucia Casalenuovo, Jai Daryanani, Thomas Fisher, Liam Garrett, Daiel Greenstein, Amy Gullen, James Lancaster, Obinna Nwokeji, Zachary Randall, Gracie Rosenblatt, Jaian Saunders, Laddie Shaw and Edwin Yamoah

RECENT NEW MEMBERS – We wish you a very warm welcome, and a happy, healthy and successful time with Shaftesbury to CHINYERE NWABUEZE, KENDRICK OGANYO and  KEYIKUNMI OMIDIJI

COMMONWEALTH YOUTH GAMES – Congratulations to EBUKA NWOKEJI U17 who won the Silver Medal in the 100m final (There is a video on the SBH Instagram) with a personal best (10.43 w0.9), finishing just behing his England team mate TEDDY WILSON. His took .07 of a second off his 10 June time, and is ranked UK No.2 U17 in 2023. This was a new Club Record, lowering his previous record.
In the 400m, ZICO JONES U17 was drawn in Heat 4, and was slightly below par to finish in 5th place (51.16)
The games are taking place at Trinidad & Tobago from 7-10 August, with both the 4x100m and 4x400m relays to come.

SCOTT LINCOLN GOING TO BUDAPEST – Congratulations to SCOTT, who with 3 other throwers, have been added to GB squad for Budapest, which starts on 19 August.
The quartet have qualified courtesy of their World Athletics Road to Budapest ranking positions, in addition to achieving the UK Athletics qualifying standard plus showing good current form.

LONDON INTER CLUB CHALLENGE – The fourth of four fixtures takes place on Sunday 27 August at the StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon (Satnav NW4 1RL).
Entry fee is £8 per event for all age-groups, SBH Members qualify for a 50% discount.
Link to enter, then put 496 in the filter box – https://entry4sports.co.uk/#/
Entries Closing Date Sunday 20 August, No Entries On The Day

SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS SUBSCRIPTIONS – Our new Club year started on 1 October 2022. The SBH annual subscription, as from 1 December 2022 as approved at the AGM on Tuesday 29 November is £65 and the current England Athletics annual registration from 1 April 2023 is £17. The current total is £82 and should be paid NOW to; ACCOUNT NAME: SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS, BANK: HSBC, ACCOUNT NUMBER: 41308378, SORT CODE: 400426 – Please advise GEOFF MORPHITIS by email (geoffrey.morphitis@capeandd.com) when payment has been made.

NEW ADDITION TO THE FAMILY – Congratulations  to HAYLEY and DANIEL NICHOLS who are the proud parents of IRIS OBERLANDER-NICHOLS, who was born on the 4 August at Barnet Hospital. We will make sure we send them a membership form in 2033.

CURRENT SBH MEMBERSHIP – It has never been healthier, with an almost record influx of new members in 2023. We are not blinkered, and are aware that in certain events, especially some field events need improving. Our Coaches and certain members are endeavouring to strengthen these events.

The current membership stands at 944, of which the MEN’S section is 654, and the WOMEN’S section is 290.
The MEN’S section comprises of the following – 214 Under 11 to 17, 211 Under 20 and Senior, 75 Masters and 154 Non Competitive, which include Coaches and Officials.
The WOMEN’S section comprises of the following – 96 Under 11 to 17, 154 Under 20 and Senior, 15 Masters and 25 Non Competitive, which include Coaches and Officials.

NEXT WEEK – Update on Club Records achieved in 2023. And for those who cannot wait to get their muddy shoes on, an update on the upcoming fixtures for the 2023-2024 season.

RESULTS
NATIONAL ATHLETICS LEAGUE PREMIERSHIP 1B – Took place at Scotstoun on 5 August.
Match Result – 1st Thames Valley Harriers (639.5 points), 2nd Woodford Green & Essex Ladies (524.5), 3rd Glasgow Jaguars (523.5), 4th SB (409), 5th Sheffield (409.5), 6th Trafford (409), 7th Chelmsford (375), 8th Newham (0)

Final League Table After 3 Rounds – 1st Thames Valley Harriers (24 League Points – 1833.5 Match Points), 2nd Harrow (23 – 1802), 3rd Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow (20 – 1482), 9th SBH (14 – 1312)

The results are on the PO10.

100m – SM 1 KRISHAWN AIKEN 1st (10.49 w1.0), 2 PHOENIX LYON 3rd (10.83 w0.0), NS2 BEN MCGUIRE 5th (11.02 nwr)
100m – SW 1 MARLI JESSOP U23 5th (PB 12.05 w2.3) taking .12 of a second off her 22 April time, 2 SELINA HENDERSON 5th (12.39 w2.4), NS SHEREEN CHARLES V35 4th (12.71 nwr), VANESSA ANSUAA U23 6th (13.08 nwr)
200m – SM 1 KRISHAWN AIKEN 1st (21.45 w-1.8), 2 PHOENIX LYON 1st (21.74 w-2.6), NS GERALD MATTHEW 2nd (SB 22.10 w-2.8) taking .07 of a second off his 2 August time
200m – SW 1 HAYLEY MCLEAN 6th (25.28 w-2.7), 2 VANESSA ANSUAA U23 7th (27.27 w-3.0)
400m – SM 1 SAM HAZELL 3rd (49.03), 2 JUBRIL ADENIJI U23 6th (50.84)
400m – SW 1 HAYLEY MCLEAN 3rd (54.54), 2 SOPHIE FORBES-LAIRD U20 6th (60.86)
800m – SM 1 LUCA STUBBS U23 4th (1:56.47), 2 RORY MUIR 4th (SB 1:57.51)
800m – SW 1 MYA MAIRS-INGRAM U17 3rd (2:12.12), 2 PHILIPPA DAVENALL 5th (PB 3:32.60)
1500m – SM 1 HENRY DOVER U20 5th (3:54.27), 2 JOSHUA FISHER U20 3rd (3:59.71)
3000m – SM 1 SAMUEL GREENSTEIN U20 5th (8:45.37), 2 LUCA STUBBS U23 3rd (8:46.95)
100m Hurdles – SW 1 MARLI JESSOP U23 1st (13.74 w-1.1), 2 AZARIA NWANKWO U20 1st (15.43 w-1.6)
110m Hurdles – SW 1 CRAIG MONCUR U23 5th (15.56 w0.1), 2 STEVEN GARRETT 4th (17.92 nwr)
400m Hurdles – SM 1 STEVEN GARRETT 5th (57.12), 2 JUBRIL ADENIJI U23 4th (PB 54.06) taking 1.06 seconds off his 1 May time, and is ranked UK No.6 U23 in 2023
400m Hurdles – SW 1 HAYLEY MCLEAN 1st (56.44), 2 AZARIA NWANKWO U20 4th (PB 1:08.02) taking 4.11 seconds off her 30 July time
2000m Steeplechase – SM 1 STEVEN GARRETT 3rd (PB 6:35.55) taking 4.49 seconds off his 2022 time
2000m Steeplechase – SW 1 AMELIA WILLS U23 (HCA) 1st ( 6:55.32), B JO BLAIR V35 (HCA) 4th (9:58.73)
Pole Vault – SM 1 ETHAN WALSH 3rd (4.62m), 2 CRAIG MONCUR U23 (NH)
Pole Vault – SW 1 TRINITY O’CONNOR U23 5th (SB 3.32m) adding 1cm to her 22 January height, 2 ROSALIND ZEFFERTT V60 1st (2.22m)
High Jump – SM 1 DAVID SMITH 1st (SB 2.18m) and is ranked UK No.4 in 2023, 2 AKIN COWARD 1st (2.02m)
High Jump – SW 1 EVELYNE FONTEYNE U20 3rd (1.67m), 2 TRINITY O’CONNOR U23 4th (1.52m)
Long Jump – SM 1 BEN MCGUIRE 1st (7.05m w-1.2), 2 JOSH WOODS U23 1st (6.66m w1.1)
Long Jump – SW 1 TANI SONOIKI U20 7th (4.97m w1.3), 2 SELINA HENDERSON 6th (4.77m w1.1)
Triple Jump – SM 1 JOSH WOODS U23 2nd (14.93m w0.0), 2 BEN MCGUIRE (NM)
Triple Jump – SW 1 TANI SONOIKI U20 2nd (SB 11.65m w-0.9) adding 59cm to her 5 February jump, 2 TRINITY O’CONNOR U23 3rd.(10.03m w-0.5)
Shot 7.26kg – SM 1 GEORGE EVANS 2nd (SB 15.79m), 2 GREGORY THOMPSON 1st (14.37m)
Shot 4kg – SW 1 PHILIPPA DAVENALL 7th (SB 10.28m) adding 49cm to her 15 July put, 2 ALEXANDRA BALTAZAR-HALL U23 4th (10.07m)
Discus 2kg – SM 1 NICK PERCY 1st (61.14), 2 GEORGE EVANS 1st (SB 51.53m), NS GREGORY THOMPSON 1st (55.26m)
Discus 1kg – SW 1 PHILIPPA DAVENALL 7th (SB 36.13m) adding 4.89m to her 11 June throw, 2 ALEXANDRA BALTAZAR-HALL U23 (NM)
Hammer 7.26kg – SM 1 GEORGE EVANS 3rd (SB 52.57m), 2 GREGORY THOMPSON 1st (PB 50.97m) adding 3.59m to his 2022 throw
Hammer 4kg – SW 1 PHILIPPA DAVENALL 2nd (59.11m), 2 AMY CLEMENS 3rd (SB 46.39m) adding 92cm to her 11 June throw
Javelin 800g – SM 1 CRIAG MONCUR U23 3rd (52.89m), 2 GEORGE EVANS 4th (PB 41.87m) adding 5.52m to his 2017 throw
Javelin 600g – SW A JO BLAIR V35 (HCA) 3rd (41.50m), B EVELYNE FONTEYNE U20 2nd (30.21m)
4x100m Relay – SM 4th (SB 41.93)  taking .02 of a second off their 15 July time PHOENIX LYON, GERALD MATTHEW, KRISHAWN AIKEN, BEM MCGUIRE, SW 7th (71.33) MARLI JESSOP, SHEREEN CHARLES, HAYLEY MCLEAN, SELINA HENDERSON
4x400m Relay – SM 3rd (SB 3:14.25) taking 16.08 seconds off their 15 July time PHOENIX LYON (49.1), SAM HAZEL (48.5), JUBRIL ADENIJI (49.8), KRISHAWN AIKEN (47.1), SW 7th (4:06.64) SOPHIE FORBES-LAIRD (61.9), MYA MAIRS-INGRAM (63.7), EVELYNE FONTEYNE (66.4), HAYLEY MCLEAN (58.7)

EASTERN YOUNG ATHLETES LEAGUE – Took place at Watford on 6 August.
Match Result – 1st Havering (652.5 points), 2nd SBH (589.5), 3rd Cambridge & Coleridge (353), 4th Colchester Harriers (304), 5th Watford (266), 6th Harlow withdrew

2023 Final League Positions After 5 Fixtures – 1st Chelmsford (30 league points – 3721 match points), 2nd Havering (28 – 3392), 3rd Dacorum (28 – 3260), 4th SBH (27 – 3328.5), 5th Basildon (27 – 2823), 6th Ipswich (24 – 2823.5) or Ipswich (24 – 2781)

Top 6 Final – We are competing in the final at Chelmsford on Sunday 10 September, best wishes as we have a team that will challenge for the top spots.

Apologies but the results are not available as yet.

YORK 10K – Took place at York on 6 August.
ROBERT RIGBY V60 105th (38.48 3rd V60)

TORNEIO INTERNACIONAL DE LANCAMANTOS – Took place at Leiria, Portugal on 5-6 August.
Discis 1kg – SW 1 5 August SHADINE DUQUEMIN 6th (52.20m), 1 6 August SHADINE DUQUEMIN 5th (55.20m)

HERCULES WIMBLEDON FESTIVAL 5000M – Took place at Wimbledon on 5 August.
5000m – SX 8 PHILLIP CROUT 11th (14:58.3), 10 ALEXANDER LEPRETRE (HCA) 6th (14:11.60), THOMAS BUTLER 9th (SB 14:17.04) taking 36.25 seconds off his 15 July time

CITIUS MEETING – Took place at Berne, Switzerland on 4 August.
Shot 7.26kg – SM SCOTT LINCOLN (HCA) 1st (20.83m)

BIRCHFIELD MIDWEEK OPEN MEETING – Took place at Birmingham on 2 August.
100m – SM A2 GERALD MATTHEW 5th (10.92 w2.1), A2 GERALD finished 5th (10.99 w1.0)
100m – SM 1 JUBRIL ADENIJI U23 4th (PB 50.03) taking .42 of a second off his 9 July time
110m Hurdles – SM A1 EDSON GOMES 1st (PB 13.73 w3.8) taking .07 of a second off his 15 July time, B1 EDSON finished 1st (13.94 w1.8)
Discus 2kg – SM A NICK PERCY 1st (64.73m), B NICK finished 1st (62.42m)

BMC REGIONAL RACES – Took place at Wormwood Scrubs on 2 August.
800m – Mens B DANIEL BANYARD U20 8th (1:59.02), G DOVI LEVIN U20 4th (2:06.55)

TVH OPEN MEETING – Took place at Wormwood Scrubs on 2 August.
200m – SX 2 RAPHAEL AARON U20 5th (26.03 w-2.0)
400m – SX 2 JOSIAH WILLIAMS-OLIVIERRE U20 2nd (PB 54.33) taking .47 of a second off his 28 May time, RAPHAEL AARON U20 5th (58.32)
800m – SX 3 LIA RADUS U23 7th (SB 2:21.89)

PARKRUN – Can you make sure that you are registered as ‘Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers’, as the link I use to select all results only shows SBH athletes. If anyone is also officiating can you please contact me and advise me where and when.

PARKRUNS MILESTONE VESTS – You can purchase these from 50 to 500, this is the link – https://shop.parkrun.com/collections/milestone-run-walk-vests

PARKRUNS IN THE UK – Last Saturday at parkruns in the UK, there were…
1,116 events – 135,320 walkers, joggers and runners – 23,597 volunteers – 6,240 first-timers – 17,117 PBs

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Aldenham on 5 August.
PAUL LEWIS V50 1st (20.20) this was his 178th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Hackney Marshes on 5 August.
BARRY CHISHOLM V60 256th (35.23) this was his 298th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Jersey on 5 August.
ANDREW HOLMES V55 194th (29.29) this was his 64th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Kesgrave on 5 August.
ROSS HAMMOND U17 8th (19.34) this was his 18th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Kingston on 5 August.
BRADLEY SINGER 71st (23.31) this was his 234th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Littlehampton Prom on 5 August.
JAMES DAVIS U23 68th (26.16) this was his 41st Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Cottesloe, Perth, Australia on 5 August..
STUART MOORE V60 50th (28.34) this was his 202nd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Panshanger on 5 August.
RUSSELL DEVITT V70 197th (36.19) this was his 271st Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Pont Y Bala on 5 August.
ANTONIO CONRADIE U20 1st (16.57) this was his 21st Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Sizewell on 5 August.
PHILIP SHELLEY V60 66th (27.54) this was his 42nd Parkrun

UPCOMING ROAD RELAY AND TRACK AND FIELD FIXTURES FOR THE NEXT 4 WEEKS, WHICH COVERS THE PERIOD THURSDAY 10 AUGUST UNTIL WEDNESDAY 6 SEPTEMBER – The SBH 2023 Summer Fixture Card can be found on the SBH website – http://sbharriers.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixture-cards/  

LONDON INTER CLUB CHALLENGE – The third of four fixtures takes place on Saturday 12 August at the StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon (Satnav NW4 1RL).
Entry fee is £8 per event for all age-groups, SBH Members qualify for a 50% discount.
Link to the timetable –
Link to enter, then put 495 in the filter box – https://entry4sports.co.uk/#/
Entries Closed 

SOUTHERN U13, U15 AND U17 CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 12 August and Sunday 13 August at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton, London (Satnav N9 0AR).
Link to enter – http://www.seaa.org.uk/onlineregs/meeting9.php?MeetID=150
Entries Closed

LEE VALLEY DOUBLE 100m/200m SPRINTS OPEN MEETING – Takes place on Wednesday 16 August at Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton, London (Satnav N9 0AR).
For age-groups U13 and above.
100m Men 19.00, 100m Women 19.30, 200m Men 20.00, 200m Women 20.30 times are estimated.
This is the link for you to enter yourselves, fixture now open to enter – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2023/GBR/lvac10020004/
Closing date TBC or once an event reaches full capacity. 

MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL – Due to take place on Wednesday 16 August has been Cancelled.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place from Saturday 19 August to Sunday 27 August at Budapest, Hungary.

ENGLAND U15 & U17 CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 26 August and Sunday 27 August at the Alexander Stadium, Walsall Road, Perry Barr, Birmingham (Satnav B42 2LR).
For all entry details and full information please use this link – https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=20228
Note: You will have to enter yourselves and pay the appropriate fee
Entries Closing Date Sunday 13 August 

LONDON INTER CLUB CHALLENGE – The fourth of four fixtures takes place on Sunday 27 August at the StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon (Satnav NW4 1RL).
Entry fee is £8 per event for all age-groups, SBH Members qualify for a 50% discount.
Link to the timetable –
Link to enter, then put 496 in the filter box – https://entry4sports.co.uk/#/
Entries Closing Date Sunday 20 August, No Entries On The Day

LEE VALLEY DOUBLE 100m SPRINTS OPEN MEETING – Takes place on Wednesday 30 August at Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton, London (Satnav N9 0AR).
All age-groups including U13s. Cost is £9 per event, £12 for 2 events.
Timetable commences at 7.00pm.
Link to enter on Opentrack and Information – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/?o=&page=4&date__gte=&date__lte=&type=&q=&country_id=&uses_ot=on
Entries Cloing Date TBC, Although An Event Could Be Full Maybe 1-2 Weeks Before The Meeting Date, So Enter Early

EASTERN YOUNG ATHLETES LEAGUE TOP 6 FINAL  – Takes place on Sunday 10 September at the Chelmsford Sport & Athletic Centre, Salerno Way, Chelmsford (Satnav CM1 2EH)
Age-Groups Under U13, U15 & U17 Men/Women.
Link to the timetable –
Note: You will have to be selected by your Team Manager 

SOUTHERN U15 AND U17 INTER COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Sunday 10 September at the Horspath Athletics And Sports Ground, Horspath Road, Oxford (Satnav OX4 2RR).
Please Note: You will selected by your County Team Manager

LEE VALLEY 2023 OUTDOOR FIXTURES – The following will be available for you to enter on Opentrack, this is the link to enter the 1 April Open Meeting now on Opentrack – https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/lee-valley/athletics-centre/athletics-competitions
The following fixtures will be available to enter on Opentrack, in the coming weeks.
16 August – Sprints 100m/200m Meeting (Now open to enter)
30 August – Double 100m Meeting (Now open to enter)
September – Autumn Throws Fest

WATFORD 2023 OPEN MEETING OUTDOOR FIXTURES – The following will be available for you to enter on Roster Athletics
Wednesday 23 August – 7.00pm 200m, 7.15pm Long Jump, 7.25pm BMC, 8.00m 1500m No times over 5 minutes 30 seconds (Not open to enter as yet)
Wednesday 6 September – 7.00pm 200m, 7.15pm High Jump, 7.20pm 100m, 7.40pm 800m, 9.05pm 3000m No under 13

JUNIOR STARS SET TO SHINE AT EUROPEAN U20 CHAMPIONSHIPS IN JERUSALEM – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

Who will emerge from the class of 2023 as the most impressive under-20 athletes of their generation?. The World Championships in Budapest kick off later this month but if you want to gaze into a crystal ball to catch your first glimpse of the world champions of the future then keep an eye on the European Under-20 Championships in Jerusalem. The event runs from August 7-10 and is set to feature around 1150 athletes from 44 nations. Former champions at these championships include JAKOB INGEBRIGTSEN, DALEY THOMPSON, CAROLINA KLUFF, YELENA ISINBAYEVA, JESSICA ENNIS-HILL, KARSTEN WARHOLM, DINA ASHER-SMITH and many more who went on to be global stars. It is 60 years since the event began in the shape of the European Junior Games held in Warsaw in 1964. The biennial meeting was known as the European Junior Championships from 1970 to 2015 and since then has been called the European Under-20 Championships.

This week’s event will return to the same city that staged last year’s European Under-18 Championships – and of course many of the athletes who competed at there in 2022 will return to battle for medals again. This is also the first European Under-20 Championships since 2021, when the event was staged in Tallinn. Back then Britain topped the medals table with six golds, one silver and five bronze medals in total and they will be hoping for similar success in Jerusalem this month.

We are represented by EMILY NEWNHAM, who at the UK Championships in Manchester, won the 400m Hurdles Bronze Medal with a new Club Record (57.13) which ranks her UK No.1 U20 400m Hurdler in 2023. EMILY broke her second club record in the last 2 weeks, this time the Under 20 400m record, when winning the Silver Medal at the England Senior Championships (52.15) in Chelmsford on 23 July. EMILY will be competing in Jerusalem in the 400m Hurdles and the 4x400m Relay.

Next are our 2 UK ranked U20 110m Hurdlers in 2023, JOSEPH PURBRICK who is ranked UK No.3 and RUBEN HEDMAN ranked UK No.4. JOSEPH set a new Club Record (13.70 w0.3) in Loughborough on 21 June, and RUBEN set a new personal best (13.76 w-3.1) in Bromley on 25 June. Therefore the 110m Hurdles in Jerusalem looks like it going to be a close event.

LOOK BACK TO 1982 – Many thanks to GRAHAM GETTY who sent me these 3 pages from the 17 April 1982 edition of Athletics Weekly.

The course at Wimbledon Common was excellent for viewing, and for those who did not have the inclination to jog round, there was a superb pub near the start/finish line. I cannot remember its name, but I am sure DAVE BEDFORD could fill in the gap.

The article makes superb reading, and we had an untold amount of supporters including myself. Of the 12 Men, 5 are still members of SBH – SIMON KEENE, STEVE LOWE, STUART MOORE, RICHARD SAMUEL and DAVE THOMPSON. In the photograph is PAT COLLINS and along with ANDY BEATTIE they have both passed away.

MEET THE MAN IN CHARGE OF BRINGING ATHLETICS BACK TO CRYSTAL PALACE – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently. Photograph taken by MARK SHEARMAN.

We speak exclusively to BEN WOODS, the person given the task of now leading the redevelopment of the historic south London sports arena. The man who helped rebuild the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham has now got Crystal Palace in his sights. BEN WOODS, part of the team that helped deliver the 2022 Commonwealth Games, was chosen by SADIQ KHAN to be Project Director at the Greater London Authority (GLA) for the redevelopment of Crystal Palace, a role that he has now been in since January 2023. He was Head of Capital Projects for Birmingham 2022 in the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) from early 2018 until the end of last year. WOODS’ aim was to deliver the capital infrastructure programme of works on both the Alexander Stadium and Sandwell Aquatics Centre. His current project, however, is even closer to home. WOODS was born near Crystal Palace and watched world class athletics in the stadium as a child. AW sits down with the man that many hope can help bring athletics back to Crystal Palace.

What does Crystal Palace mean to you – I grew up around here in Upper Norwood and this was my local sports centre as a kid. I swam here, ran on the track and watched events here, so this project is as much to do with my heart as it is my head. Even today I live relatively local and bring my kids down around the park. I see such history and potential going forward. It’s the only show in town and we should all strive to see it looking good again.

How do you reflect on its history – The unique thing about Crystal Palace is that the centre is a multi-sport venue and it has sheer range and depth of sports. We’re focusing on athletics but we also have swimming, the indoor and outdoor sports. You don’t have that anywhere else and it’s right in the heart of London. We have to embrace its uniqueness and this is a well-renowned stadium. I went to a few of those Grand Prix meetings dating back to the 1980s. STEVE CRAM was one of my heroes as a kid and then you’ve got the likes of MERLENE OTTLEY and MICHAEL JOHNSON in the 1990s up to the JESSICA ENNIS HILL. I’d love to get DINA ASHER-SMITH back here for example running in this stadium. It’s always had that pathway from community to elite sport as well. Even today, we’re not working from scratch. There’s still a lot of fantastic events and a network of clubs and coaches. We have to build from that base.

How do you compare what you saw in the 1980s to what you see now – There’s no denying that [Crystal Palace] needs a lot of TLC and major investment. There is capital funding available and we’re not talking about the patch and repair that it’s had over the last 20-30 years, we’re talking about comprehensive refurbishment.  This is a once in a generation chance. We need to get it right when upgrading these facilities.  The Mayor has the aspiration to make London the most active city and the sporting capital of the world for events. The fact that the GLA own Crystal Palace means that this is a chance to practice what we preach. A team has been built under the GLA and I am a piece of that jigsaw. Consultants have already been brought on board. Funding is in place and now it’s about moving forward. People have heard stories and masterplans around Crystal Palace before, so one of the things that I was very keen on was to get started on the early works. It’s a complex project. The listed building requires detailed planning permission and that will take a number of years with a contractor onsite. In the interim, what can we do around the stadium? We’ve got people training down here but the track is uncertified. Let’s repair it and get it certified. Let’s get the floodlighting back. That’s the visual change that we need to do in the early days.

What’s the timeline from where we are now and what can be done regarding that visual change – We’ve got to set a vision for this place. The number one fundamental point is that athletics is staying at Crystal Palace, come what may. All of this has to be underpinned by a viable business plan and right now we’re in listening mode. I saw in the last issue of AW there was a piece on “what is the future of athletics events?” That’s the sort of question that we are asking around Crystal Palace. We’ve got the stage and now how do we use it? That’s the long-term vision. In the short-term, can we do things that don’t inhibit what’s going on now but makes life a lot more pleasant for athletes? Yes. We are talking to floodlighting companies. We are trying to get planning in to make sure that floodlights are in place for this winter. We are talking to track specialists and there’s a difference from patch and repair to a class one World Athletics track.

Are there specific dates in mind for both the short-term and long-term visions – We know this is at least a five-year programme to develop all facilities [stadium and centre]. This is also a live park and we don’t want to close it so it’s about phasing the facilities. The first part of the phasing will be the main centre. We’ve got to get that swimming pool working and making the centre work in a sustainable way. Then we’ll flip to the stadium and then the rest of the estate. But are we going to leave the stadium for the next three of four years before the diggers arrive? No. That’s the whole purpose of having short and long-term options. Those short-term options include track certification, floodlighting, the indoor track, the changing rooms and improving the west stand.

What’s your response to the people that need to see it to believe it – I absolutely get that. I don’t want a masterplan sitting on a shelf in five years time. Everything that I have worked on in my career has been built. I love the construction process which means giving back to the community. The early works are about getting a bit of life and belief back down at Crystal Palace. I understand the cynicism but ultimately the proof will be in the pudding. Let’s chat in a year and look back at those visual works.

How important is Crystal Palace’s USP of being able to create noise and fast times – The venue is dug into a hill so it’s a natural amphitheatre and the wind is reduced so both the spectators and athletes love it. It’s always been a fast track. Could we get safe standing into Crystal Palace? It’s always struck me when I’ve been to events here before when there has been a great pole vault and long jump completion for example and I can’t see both. That’s the nature of athletics sometimes. So are there ways where you have a cricket approach and you can walk round the stadium towards specific events? We don’t have a major [athletics] event down here at the moment but there is potential. What I love about this venue is that everything, from the pool and gym to courts and tracks, are so close to each other. That’s not the case in places like Birmingham, Sheffield or Glasgow. It can suck in so much talent in such a small area and that’s its biggest USP.

When we talk about inspiring the next generation, what does that mean to you, and what Crystal Palace offers as a dedicated athletics venue in London – If you were an alien and were dropped into any sports centre in London, Crystal Palace is the perfect one. You’ve got the intersection of five London Boroughs for here. The potential to draw people in here is immense. We’ve got excellent transport links with four lines to central London and the outreach to Kent and Sussex. It’s in the perfect spot. The amount of athletes this area breeds and has bred, we should be celebrating that. The range of sports and athletes, what’s not to like?

How do you use your experience of working on the Commonwealth Games for Crystal Palace – We had a fantastic team and we went with the mantra from London 2012 which was ‘design for legacy, overlay for Games’. It really was the principle for the Commonwealth Games. How does the legacy for the Alexander Stadium work for the next 20 years and beyond? It’s not too big or small but we can also add the temporary stands again for things like the 2026 European Championships. We deliberately focused on the long-term.

What are the ambitions for the next year – In practical terms, I’d like to see real tangible improvements. That’s everything from clearing the weeds to getting floodlights up and the track certified. I want the longer-term vision to be consulted on, looked at with stakeholders, and for that to happen we need to have that business plan. Once we have that viable case and the application for planning is something that works, we go from there. Then the next year is about procurement and finding the right contractor. A year after that? Works onsite. It’s not just about the sport but the financial sustainability of Crystal Palace. We want to look back and think we are set here for the next 20, 30, 40 years.

SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS ON INSTAGRAM – Since the account was setup towards the end of last year, there has been an amazing amount of Videos and Photographs contributed with many comments. There is 1 posts this week.

Video of EBUKA NWOKEJI when winning a Silver Medal in the 100m Final (10.43 w0.9) at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad & Tobago.

SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS NEW INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT – Many thanks to SEAN SUTHERLAND who undertook a review on the best way forward, following this a decision was made to set up a new account, and SEAN has now set that account up.
To follow our new Instagram account, from your own account, by searching for ‘shaftesbury_barnet’ or by clicking https://www.instagram.com/shaftesbury_barnet/ 
To Members and Parents, if you wish for any photographs to be posted on Instagram, please email them to sbh.instagram@outlook.com  If you can at the same time give details on when and where the photographs was taken, plus any other comments.
Please feel free to post photographs of any special occasion, for example, your wedding day, an addition to the family.

THE FOLLOWING IS CLUB INFORMATION ON VARIOUS TOPICS

SBH 2023 SUMMER FIXTURE CARD – Can be found on the SBH website –http://sbharriers.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixture-cards/

SBH 2022-2023 WINTER CROSS COUNTRY POINTS AND CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURE – The CROSS COUNTRY POINTS TABLE is now available on the SBH Website, and is the final table following the National Championships on the 25 February – Mens Cross Country Points Tables 2022-2023 – Final Issue 25-02-23  Womens Cross Country Points Tables 2022-2023 – Final Issue 25-02-23
The CROSS COUNTRY CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP LIST is now available on the SBH Website, and is the Final Issue following the Southern Championships on the 28 January – Men & Womens Cross Country Club Championship Winners 2022-2023 – Updated 28-01-23 Final Issue

GEORGE HARRISON MBE MEMORIAL DOCUMENT – The document has been put together with contributors from LISA WEBB, MARTIN ROCHFORD, NADEEM SHAIKH, RACHEL FELTON, LIAM and JAMIE DEE, JAMES LOVELL, EMILIA ECONOMU, ALAN WELLER,  KAREN HARRISON,  TIM UNDERHILL, GLEN WATTS, JOANNA WINFIELD, SHAUN CLIFFORD and EUAN MACKENZIE – Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers Memorial To George Harrison From Friends And Members 20 April 2023
If you wish to contribute your own memories and/or photographs of GEORGE, please email them to me, either within the email or as a separate attached word document.

CODES OF CONDUCT – SBH have now adopted the UK Athletics (UKA) and the Home Country Athletics Federations (HCAF) Codes of Conduct which set out national standards of conduct for all clubs, coaches, officials, volunteers and athletes in the sport.  The purpose of the codes are to clarify what behaviours are acceptable and unacceptable, the standards of practice expected and the basis for challenging and improving practice.  The Codes are similar to our previous Codes of Conduct which were part of the previous ClubMark scheme.  All club member and anyone undertaking a relevant role must agree to abide by the codes of conduct. The Codes of Conduct have now been put onto our Website, please read these to understand the commitments you are making by being a member of SBH.
Link to the Code of Conduct document – Codes Of Conduct Booklet 2021 (1)

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION OF INTEREST CAN BE FOUND ON THE SBH WEBSITE BY USING THIS LINK – http://sbharriers.co.uk/
Section ‘About Us’, includes Annual Reports, Best Performance Trophy Awards, Individual And Relay Best Performances By Year, Club Records and SBH All-Time Top 10 T&F Performances.
Section ‘Team Managers And Competitions’, shows details of Track & Field, Cross Country and Road Relays Team Managers.
Section ‘Future Information/Results’, includes Information On Each Fixture, Summer & Winter Fixture Cards, Winter X/C Points Tables and Winter Club Championships Winners.