Happy Birthday from this Thursday 11 June to Jubril Adeniji, Yasmin Ahmed, Dominic Ashwell, Alina Cofi, Tolu Elesin, Anjali Fowkes-Gajan, Tony Henry, Uriel Hirsch, Charlie Knott, Yiannis Kourpas, Joshua Kumar, Rafael Kruskal, Claire McGarvey, Omar Parsons, Kayanna Reid and Ethan Walsh
CAN YOU HELP PLEASE – During the period when all competitions are suspended, I will do my upmost in keeping the Newsletter information and other content going.
I would welcome any contributions From Yourselves, any impending marriages, or additions to the family, any running or competing incidents, also past warm weather training/holidays (No Club 24 please). Currently the response has been excellent, but if you have anything that could make it into next week’s Newsletter – please email me.
TRAINING VIDEOS PRODUCED BY JADE LALLY – JADE has recently produced two videos relating to the basic fundamentals for Discus, this is the link to JADE’S first video on How To Hold A Discus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA9jyS4Wung&t=6s the second video is on Discus Basics: Foot Placement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8ahzDmrldk
YOU CAN JOIN TY HOLDEN’S CIRCUIT SESSION ON ZOOM – TY will be holding a circuit session on Zoom, which is a conferencing platform, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6pm. If you wish to join, please email TY at dtyholden@yahoo.co.uk and he will email you an ID number for you to join in. Zoom can accommodate up to 100 users at a time.
UPDATE ON PROCEDURES FOR USING ALLIANZ PARK FROM JEREMY SOTHCOTT – Which is now open to SBH members subject to the conditions below.
We have now negotiated the use of some Track & Field facilities with Saracens compliant with current guidance issued by the UK Government and England Athletics.
At the present time, the track & field groups will be limited to a maximum of five ‘Competing Club Athletes’ and one coach for each session e.g. 5 athletes on track and 5 athletes at the throws area.
Throws
Athletes should have their own implements. However, one implement of each weight will be left in the SBH store beside the sanitising equipment. Arrangements will have to be made in advance with TY HOLDEN.
Jumps
Following Government Guidelines up to 5 athletes with a suitably qualified coach can now undertake Jumps training utilising jump beds and sand pits. We have updated our guidance documents, based on information and advice from our partners and government, to include guidance specific to Jumps areas (such as Cleaning requirements before, during and after sessions). Athletes, coaches, clubs and venues must follow the latest guidance – please read our updated guidance documents at: ???? https://bit.ly/2ATiU7R
The indoor track and the clubhouse gymnasium cannot be used.
Athletes invited to train by their coach must be sent the attached Allianz Park Track & Field Agreement in advance of starting training at Allianz Park. The athlete and parent (if under 16) to sign and return to me and TY before they can train. Athletes should meet their coach promptly at their booking time outside the SBH Clubhouse where they will be asked to confirm that they do not have, and that no one in their household has, (or has had within the last 14 days) any of the symptoms of COVID-19.
The athletes will then be escorted using social distancing (2 metres) into the SBH Clubhouse to sign the attendance record with times in and out of the stadium (black A4 folder on photocopier). There is also some hand sanitiser on the table for use. Athletes must follow the instructions of the coach and observe social distancing during warm-up, the session and cool down.
Stadium Booking details
Please let me and TY know the names of the athletes and your preferred time slots for the following week (Monday to Sunday) before 6pm on the Saturday. We will confirm the availability and distribute the schedule to Saracens and to all coaches.
Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
All 1 hour 35 minute slots (Saturday & Sunday – last slot finishes at 7.20)
9.00 – 10.35, 10.45 – 12.20, 12.30 – 2.05, 2.15 – 3.50, 4.00 – 5.35, 5.45 – 7.20, 7.30 – 9.00
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
There are 3 x 1 hour 35 minute slots and 7 x shorter 50 minute slots
9.15 – 10.50, 11.00 – 11.50, 12.00 – 12.50, 1.00 – 1.50, 2.00 – 2.50, 3.00 – 3.50, 4.00 – 4.50, 5.00 – 5.50, 6.00 – 7.25, 7.35 – 9.00
There is a 10 minute gap between each session for transitioning.
If you haven’t got a key fob for gaining access through the clubhouse, then please contact GEOFF MORPHITIS Mobile: 07976 994302 who will arrange to issue one to you. Please do not enter the clubhouse until the coach/athletes from the previous session exit. No parents will be permitted to enter the stadium unless there is a child protection issue i.e. one coach and one athlete aged under 18.
There is a single disabled toilet (unisex) that can be used within the indoor area.
When going in and out of the Clubhouse from the carpark please make sure the door handle is left in the upward locked position at all times.
Link to the SBH Athlete and Coach Track & Field Training Agreement, which will sent to all participating athletes, and then to be returned signed by the athlete and parent – SBH – Allianz Park Track & Field Areement During Lockdown Period
Please let me know if you have any questions – JEREMY SOTHCOTT Mobile: 07764 621424 email jeremy.sothcott@btinternet.com
MANY THANKS TO GEOFF WILLIAMS FOR HIS NOSTALGIC LOOK AT HUMBUG SUCCESSES IN THE NINETIES AND NOUGHTIES – Part 2: National Cross Country Championships in 1957. Very few folk will be old enough to remember the Shaftesbury Harriers team who placed 21st in the National Cross Country Championships held at Parliament Hill Fields.
The National was held at the now famous course at Parliament Hill, over a 12k course, consisting of two large laps, that twisted around Hampstead Heath, with deep mud, streams, ditches and hills, making it a very testing course. Fortunately, the weather was dry, vloudy-bright and cool, but heavy rain over the previous two weeks had made the course very wet and difficult for runners – and officials and spectators; someting like the courses at Milton Kernes, and more recently, Alton Towers and Sunderland.
A quick look at the SBH website History page gives an excellent insight into the club’s origins as a true Harriers Club with training based at Parliament Hill and Headstone Lane, Harrow at the time. The Athletics Weekly report of the 1957 National Cross Country (see below) threw up some interesting facts.
Shaftesbury finished 21st team and were pleasingly in front of traditional adversaries Highgate Harriers, Woodford Green, North London, Essex Beagles, Enfield and Ealing.
The scoring team that day was DON MARTIN (103), ERIC FORD (133), ERNIE CHAPLIN (192), RON COLLINS (202), SID BEALE (210), BILL STEVENS (281).
Aylesford Paper Mill AC from Kent placed 6th overall led by individual winner FRANK SANDO (photographed) who was a GB International and Olympian.
TVH, led by 3rd placed individual KEN NORRIS who was the 1956 and 1959 champion bagged Bronze team medals to claim the honour of ‘best in London’
A certain GEORGE HARRISON (surely only in his early twenties) placed 94th for Highgate Harriers.
HARRY HICKS, finishing in 16th led Hampstead Harriers to the ‘best in Barnet title’
Queens Park Harriers placed 12th including P. O’CONNOR (156th) who appeared in the National results 31 times!
Finchley Harriers, Polytechnic Harriers, Hampstead Harriers, Southgate Harriers and Wigmore Harriers were well represented but are, sadly, now defunct clubs.
Link to the Athletics Weekly results – National XC Relays 1957 AW Result
Earlier in the day our YOUTHS team had become National Champions. The course was saturated and a thorough test of stamina. At the start ALAN PATTEN had the misfortune to lose one of his shoes and get spiked into the bargain, and youth captain TONY SUNDERLAND was fearing that the team’s chances of success were rapidly diminishing. He need not have worried as JOHN JALES and DAVE HUXLEY were right at the head of the field with BARRY ROSENBERG and BRIAN CAKEBREAD well placed, and ALAN was no means finished.
As the race progressed JOHN, TONY and DAVE were well placed, and with just over a half a mile to go we had 3 in 25, but there was an agonised wait before ALAN chugged by, closely followed by BRIAN and BARRY. So, to the finish with little change, JOHN past the post in 7th place, TONY was 11 seconds behind in 11th place, DAVE a further 22 seconds away in 23rd place. ALAN who had run a plucky to finish 69th, BRIAN and BARRY were close up, 78th and 86th respectively.
Had they managed it? Was the gap between third and fourth man too much? Our fears were answered a few minutes later when the loudspeakers boomed: 1st Shaftesbury (100 points), 2nd Halifax (209), 3rd Birchfield (234). A letter appeared in Athletics Weekly a few weeks later which ended: “Shaftesbury were winners with almost 100 points to spare – surely this team must be one of the strongest ever to run in the National?”
ROSALIND ZEFFERTT REACHING NEW HEIGHTS – ROSALIND is squarely putting the blame on GERALD ALTERMAN’S shoulders, has signed up to do a fundraising abseil in aid of London’s Air Ambulance charity.
On Sunday September 13th, circumstances permitting I’ll be abseiling from the Royal London Hospital’s helipad to the ground 17 floors down, in aid of London’s Air Ambulance. And with my vast experience as a novice pole vaulter, abseiling seems the logical next step – doesn’t it?
If you are able to make a donation, no matter how small, you will be helping London’s Air Ambulance to save more lives by keeping the helicopter in the air and the rapid response cars on the road. By providing intervention as quickly as possible after injury, London’s Air Ambulance Charity aims to give patients the best chance of survival, and best quality of life, after trauma.
I have admired the work they do for a long time, plus the abseil will be a real challenge for me (17 floors), which I think it ought to be if people are being asked to make a donation.
Here is the link to my fundraising page: https://fundraising.londonsairambulance.org.uk/fundraisers/rosalindzeffertt/londons-air-ambulance-helipad-abseil-2020
Many thanks and Best wishes ROSALIND
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF WILLIAM WILSON BY TOM MCNAB – It was just over seventy years a go that I made contact with the man who was to bring me into athletics. He was WILLIAM WILSON, a 150-year-old athlete who featured in the pages of the comic paper “The Wizard”. I therefore make no apology for bringing him now to your attention.
Wilson was the construct of GILBERT DALTON, who had been prompted to create him by someone from my own club, Shettleston Harriers, the editor of the “Wizard”, by name WILLIAM BLAIN. SIR ROGER BANNISTER expressed dismay when I informed him that the four-minute mile had in fact been achieved in 1815, but less concerned when I said that it had been WILSON who had done so. Wilson could do anything. Having been given the elixir of life by a hermit called MATTHEW in 1812, he spent the rest of his life attacking every athletics record known to man. In the process, he cleared over seven feet in high jump, over nine metres in leaping The Pit of Fire in the Sahara, and over seventy feet in shot put. In the process, he quelled a Zulu rising in Africa, defeated a lost contingent of Ancient Romans, trained a disabled soldier to beat four minutes for the mile, and destroyed fleets of German planes as a Battle of Britain pilot. My imagination feasted on the feats of WILLIAM WILSON. In providing these illustrations I hope that I will have given you some idea of the source of an enthusiasm for athletics which has never dimmed.
WORLD ATHLETICS UNVEILS NEW STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE SPORT – The following was published recently on the Athletics Weekly website on 3 June.
World Athletics has unveiled a new four-year strategic plan for the sport, with a vision of using “the power and accessibility of athletics and its athletes” to create “a healthier and fitter world”.
On Wednesday three online meetings were held between the sport’s global governing body and its 214 member federations as they discussed the direction athletics will take over the next four years and the short-term challenges and opportunities the sport has as the world begins to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic lockdown. “Our head office may have been closed for 11 weeks but we have not been idle,” said World Athletics president SEBASTIAN COE, who chaired the meetings.
“We have used that time to continue to develop our strategy to grow athletics. A huge amount of work has been put into developing our four-year strategic plan, led by our CEO JON RIDGEON, and with input and involvement from all at HQ, our executive board, our area presidents, commission chairs and commissions. “This is an exceptional body of work that brings together all the great things we do as a global sport body with a laser sharp focus on doing it better, and includes some innovative and creative ideas to drive growth in our sport,” he added. “It is exactly the type of roadmap our sport needs to bring together all our stakeholders with a single vision, mission and clear priorities. “Over the next few months we have an unprecedented opportunity on the back of the increased physical activity of people in lockdown. The latest research from runrepeat.com shows that exercise has increased 88% during lockdown and running and walking has topped the tables. We need to inspire these people to continue the habits they have learned and we will with our own campaigns but also by embracing campaigns that many others in our sport are driving.”
World Athletics says its mission is to: Grow the sport and make it relevant in people’s lives and the lives of their communities.
Inspire by creating globally appealing and accessible competitions, events, and activities so our talented athletes can entertain and inspire the world.
Lead by being the best example of a well-governed sports federation taking brave leadership decisions and valuing partnerships that deliver athletics around the world.
The governing body also outlined aims relating to participation and events, partnerships, people and fans. “By 2024 our aim is to grow our broadcast reach, double our digital following and create a database of 1 million known fans who actively choose to connect and engage with us and our sport,” said World Athletics. The full strategic plan is set to be available by the end of June. Click here to read more.
OLYMPIC QUALIFYING PROCESS – At the above meeting they released an updated Olympic qualifying process which can be found here.
GUERNSEY FIRST T&F COMPETITION IN BRITISHISLES – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website.
The Channel Island will host a meeting featuring short sprints and throws, plus an 800m run completely in lanes, on June 14. Guernsey’s Footes Lane stadium is set to welcome athletes for the British Isles’ first track & field competition of the 2020 summer season next Sunday 14 June.
The Channel Island of Guernsey – a British Crown Dependency based off the west coast of France – has seemingly eliminated Covid-19 from its shores and is in Phase 4 of the island’s exit strategy. As a result, within certain parameters – including strict social distancing and hygiene practices – competitive sport can recommence. However, Guernsey’s borders are essentially closed, with anyone entering the island required by law to self- isolate for 14 days from arrival. Therefore, no athletes from outside of the island will be able to compete.
Current regulations rule out certain disciplines, such as long distance races, and athletes under the age of 18 are not able to take part, but Guernsey Athletics say they will “softly launch” the track & field season with the meeting which will feature short sprints and throws as well as an 800m which will require athletes to remain in their own lanes for the full duration of the race. Two rounds of the women’s 100m will be the main attraction for the locals, as former Commonwealth Youth Games semi-finalist ABI GALPIN looks to translate her strong indoor form into summer performances. The 19-year-old University of Bath student became Guernsey’s second fastest ever 60m sprinter back in January as she clocked (7.74) in Cardiff. “I’m really excited to get out there and start my season,” she said. “Things have been going very well in training despite the lockdown, and particularly now we can train on the track properly. “I think we are extremely fortunate to be in this situation – being in the first meet in Britain and perhaps even in Europe.” The NatWest International Island Games 200m bronze medallist will be joined by fellow Games sprinters VICKY MANN and AMELIA LEES. In the throws, island record-holder SIA BANBURY will headline the hammer, while JAMES BOUGOURD contests the javelin and TOM BRIERLEY the discus. The top international names on the island’s athlete roster, brothers CAMERON and ALASTAIR CHALMERS, are not set to compete.
Guernsey Athletics development officer and meet organiser TOM DRUCE expects Sunday to be a significant event for local athletics. “Not only will it be the first event to take place in the British Isles, but it is also the first meet to take place on the newly refurbished track. So, there is a lot of significance surrounding it,” he said. “A lot of work has gone in at various levels to get to this point and I’m excited to see some live athletics both on the track and in the field. “Because we are unable to host endurance or under-18 events, the meet will be quite small with regards to participants, but the quality is going to be there.”
BRITISH ATHLETICS LEAGUE 50TH YEAR BOOK – We are delighted to announce that a publication celebrating 50 years of British Athletics League history is now available to purchase.
Copies can be bought for £5, or £8 for two, and £10 for three, which is the maximum order. The cost includes postage and packing, with all money raised going to help young athletes through the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund, which has also supported many BAL athletes on their journey along the athletics pathway.
To order, simply email geoffrey.morphitis@capeandd.com with the details of your order and make an online payment of the appropriate amount to;
ACCOUNT NAME : SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS, BANK : HSBC, ACCOUNT NUMBER : 41308378, SORT CODE : 400426
The publication itself features a range of nostalgic contributions from athletes, committee members, team managers and officials. Olympic champion and President of World Athletics, SEBASTIAN COE said: “The competition has been of constant high standard and I remember fondly my own competitions as a member of the Haringey team that were not only important for the club and its status but were important stepping stones to championships later in the season.”
There are great stories of feats that will impress, surprise and amuse you, from exhausted athletes doubling-up to score points, to guitar sing-alongs on team buses. Liverpool Harriers’ MIKE HOLMES has provided a fascinating series of archive reports that bring the piece to life, as do images by MARK SHEARMAN and MELISSA GRESSWELL. Statistical information has also been compiled by PETER MATTHEWS, with a club-by-club directory of every team to compete over the last five decades put together by MIKE HEATH.
Please note that orders will be satisfied on a first come first served basis. No booklets will be sent until payments have cleared so allow please allow seven working days between order and delivery.
ENGLAND ATHLETICS DRAFT COMPETITION PROGRAMME – England Athletics have just published May 2020 version 9 of The Draft Competition Programme for the period w/e 19 July to w/e 27 September. This sets the structure for joint men/women meetings which SBH hopes to follow.
All the promotions listed below are subject to: –
1. Government lifting the present lockdown by 1 July so as to allow group gatherings
2. UKA issuing specific instructions to allow compliance with Government requirements
3. Obtaining a sufficient number of appropriately qualified officials from the participating clubs
4. Facility availability
5. Securing a suitable First Aid provision
6. Receipt of the appropriate licences from UKA
Saturday 25 July – LICC (1) – Allianz Park – all age groups, Sunday 26 July – U17/U20 Southern Premier Division (1) – Allianz Park – (Inter-Club competition featuring the 6 clubs which would have been the now cancelled YDL), Sunday 2 August – National Athletics League – Premiership Division (1) – Bedford – U20 / Senior, Saturday 8 August – LICC (2) – Allianz Park – all age groups, Sunday 9 August – U17/U20 Southern Premier Division (2) – Venue TBA – (Inter-Club competition featuring the 6 clubs which would have been the now cancelled YDL), Sunday 16 August – National Athletics League – Premiership Division (2) – Venue TBA – U20 / Senior, Saturday 22 August – LICC (3) – Allianz Park – all age groups, Sunday 23 August – U17/U20 Southern Premier Division (3) – Bromley – (Inter-Club competition featuring the 6 clubs which would have been the now cancelled YDL), Saturday 5 September – U15/U17 Southern Area Championships – Venue TBA, Sunday 6 September – National Athletics League – Premiership Division (3) – Venue TBA – U20 / Senior, Saturday 12 September – U20/Senior Southern Area Championships – Venue TBA, Saturday 19 September – U15/U17 England Championships – Venue TBA, Saturday 26 September – U20/Senior England Championships – Venue TBA
The British Championships are due to be held in Manchester on 8/9 August, however, they have not yet been confirmed.
ENGLAND ATHLETICS CORONAVIRUS HELP FOR ATHLETES – Many thanks to TUNJI who as reported on the 19 March newsletter is the father of NIAH AKINTOKUN.
In these unprecedented times, I wanted to draw the club’s attention to some of the great resources available online. England Athletics is expanding its campaign to support Athletics and Running for everyone @home, with a focus on ‘Running @home’ support and advice. The homepage can be accessed here
There are many webinars, interviews and tips from top coaches and athletes on how to stay conditioned and focused.
In addition, there are some fantastic videos for 4-11yr olds on the Funetics webpage put together in conjunction with England Athletics. The videos demonstrate parents and children (aged 4-11) taking part in FUN activities based on fundamental core movement skills: running, jumping and throwing. Funetics is a programme that has been designed to reflect the requirements of the National Curriculum Key Stage 1 and 2. At this time when our children are currently schooling at home, we hope that these video activities will support the need for education to continue at home. You can access the videos here TUNJI AKINTOKUN MBE – Non Executive Director, England Athletics
THE FOLLOWING SBH DOCUMENTS/INFORMATION CAN EITHER BE VIEWED, DOWNLOADED OR PRINTED
SBH 2020 Summer Fixture Card Front Sheet – Summer 2020 Fixture Card Front Sheet Final Issue 12-02-20
SBH 2020 Summer Fixture Card Fixtures, Updated 30-04-20 Showing Cancelled & Postponed Fixtures – Summer 2020 Fixture Card – Updated 30-04-20 Showing Cancelled & Postponed Fixtures
Track and Field Team Managers Details – http://sbharriers.co.uk/athletics/track-field/team-managers/
Road Running Team Managers Details – http://sbharriers.co.uk/athletics/road-running/team-managers/
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION OF INTEREST CAN BE FOUND ON THE SBH HOME PAGE BY USING THIS LINK, THEN SELECT THE LEFT OR RIGHT ARROW – http://sbharriers.co.uk/
Allianz Park Membership, which gives SBH members 10% discount on entry to the Allianz Park stadium – Membership details and Form can be either printed or downloaded
Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers Club Hoody, information on how to purchase one, please go to the bottom of this Newsletter
SBH MIDWEEK JUMPS CLUB AT ALLIANZ PARK – Currently Suspended. POLE VAULTERS REQUIRED FOR 2020 – Currently Suspended. STEEPLECHASE TRAINING AT ALLIANZ PARK – Currently Suspended.
PARKRUN 5K RESULTS – Currently Suspended
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.
UPCOMING SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS FIXTURES AND OTHER FOR THE NEXT 4 WEEKS – Due to the Coronavirus situation, all fixtures further notice. All fixtures have been Cancelled until the Tuesday 30 June, this is the link to the SBH Fixture Card updated on the 30 April – Summer 2020 Fixture Card – Updated 30-04-20 Showing Cancelled & Postponed Fixtures
PHOTOGRAPH’S – From time to time we have photographs of our members taken at meetings or presentations which we would like to use both on the website or incorporated within our report to our local newspaper. Can you please let me know if you do NOT want your photograph to be used. Also, I would appreciate if you could send me any photographs, which I can then publish on the website and newsletter.
CLUB EMBROIDERED RED HOODIES – Currently there are now over 750 Hoodies in circulation, this is the link giving details on how you can order your Club Hoody for £35, which includes having your name embroidered on the front Club Hoodies Updated 01-07-19
FACEBOOK – Photographs can be found on the SBH page.
CURRENT DISTRIBUTION OF SHAFTESBURY INFORMATION – Currently I notify members (by email) using “MailChimp”. The reason I changed, was in November 2017 “Gmail” put a limit of 100 addresses that users could send to in a 24-hour period, and currently I send to approximately 850 members each issue.
On seeking technical advice “MailChimp” was recommended as the best way for SBH to go forward. There is one thing you should be aware off is that when you receive an email from me, the footer at the bottom has 4 options, of which one is “Unsubscribe Me From List”. Could I ask you not to select this as if you do you will be automatically removed from my distribution list.
SBH PRIVACY STATEMENT – In becoming a member, SBH will collect certain information about you. Can you please read the attached ‘Privacy Statement’ which contains Information on General Data Protection Regulations – SBH Privacy Statement Final April 2018
ALLIANZ PARK – Main Switchboard telephone number is 0203 675 7250.
CHARGES FOR USING ALLIANZ PARK – Currently the stadium is closed for athletics until the 31 May.
ALAN