Happy Birthday from this Thursday 15 October to Kelvin Aye, Corin Bearpark, Georgia Bell, Mityrae Brooks, Gerald Collins, Charlie Dobson, Freddie Ford, Nathan Fox, George Groom, Lloyd Hanley-Byron, John Herries, Frenkie Johnson, Esther Klein, Megan McInnes, Geoffrey Morphitis, Samuel Ojo, Kerstin Pohlmann, Sofie Potter, Saugat Pun, Matthew Robinson, Hugh Starkey, Adam Thorpe, Naomi Taschimowitz, Ken Tollady, Richard Williams and Jessica Yefet
RECENT NEW MEMBER – We wish you a very warm welcome, and a happy, healthy and successful time with Shaftesbury to MAYA GREEN, her first race was at the Be Fit Today Open Meeting at Dagenham on 3 October, running the 800m SW 2 finishing 6th (2:49.56).
SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS 130TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2020 – Is to be held on Tuesday 24 November at 7.30pm. This is the link to the Agenda – AGM Notice 2020 (1)
Any proposals for a change of rule or notice of any business as per rule 22 must be submitted in writing to the General Secretary – PHILIP CUNNINGHAM, 147 Billy Lows Lane, Potters Bar, Herts EN6 1UY by 27 October 2020. This is the link to the SBH Constitution and Rules as of the 26 November 2019 – SBH Current Rules as of the 26 November 2019
Due to the need for social distancing and the current government restrictions, it is intended to hold the meeting via ‘Zoom’.
This year’s Track & Field Best Performance Awards have been cancelled. The 2019-2020 Cross Country Points and Club Championships Winners Awards will be presented to the winners by our various Coaches.
SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS HONOURS BOARD – Many thanks to all those who have been involved in the process on what type of board, we have now agreed on the size, font type etc, and final approval for the first board is imminent and then an order will be placed.
We have spoken with Saracens and they have agreed that it can be displayed in the new West Stand, which will provide good advertising to the Club. The board is 900mm wide and 1200mm high and is of solid oak veneered face and real oak veneered edging, Image of the board
RUBEN HEDMAN ADDED TO THE YOUTH TALENT PROGRAMME – Congratulations, we are delighted to be able to offer RUBEN a place on the 2020-22 Youth Talent Programme (YTP). There has once again been a lot of interest and applications for the programme and the level of athletes on the programme is very high. Your selection is testament to the great work you are clearly doing and the relationship you have built with BRIAN HOPKINS as an athlete-coach.
The YTP is the first step on the England Talent pathway designed to add value to the athlete and coach plan and help understand self, developing a broad range of skills, abilities and behaviours needed for senior success.
We hope you are all looking forward to an exciting, eventful and successful season and look forward to helping you achieve this qualification.
Many thanks, DON WAGNER Performance Pathway Manager, British Athletics.
RUBEN started his career as an Under 11 in 2014 concentration on the Sprints and High/Long Jump events. In 2016 RUBEN took up Hurdling and you could see by his subsequent results that he had found the event he would specialise in. In 2019 as a 1st year Under 17 saw him improve no end, firstly Indoors, won the Bronze Medal in the Southern Championships (8.42) and a Bronze Medal in the England Championships (8.20), prior to this he ran a personal best in the Essex and Eastern Championships (8.17) ranking him UK No.4 U17. Outdoors he ran a personal best in the 100m Hurdles (13.45) ranking him UK No.4 U17.
LONDON HURDLES AND MIDDLE DISTANCE OPEN MEETING – Took place at Bromley on 11 October
800m – SX 2 LEO RONCARATI U17 2nd (PB 2:03.64) taking 3.87 seconds off his 2019 time
3000m – SX 2 ALEX LYTRIDES U20 2nd (9:40.05)
HAMMER CIRCLE MEMBERS COMPETITION – Took place at Woodford on 10 October
Hammer 5kg – U20M D OLIVER GRAHAM U17 1st (66.10m)
HARROW OPEN MEETING – Took place at Harrow on 24 September
800m – SX 9 MAX WINFIELD U17 12th (PB 4:35.42) taking 15.26 seconds of his 2019 time
GEORGE GANDY – As you may or may not have heard, unfortunately I received the sad news of Loughborough coaching legend George Gandy passing away yesterday morning. On behalf of SBH we send our condolences to his family.
GEORGE, head endurance coach, devoted most of his working life to promoting sport at Loughborough University, working there for more than 35 years. He coached more than 80 international athletes, including major championship medallists such as LORD SEBASTIAN COE, CHRIS MCGEORGE, PAULA RADCLIFFE, JACK BUCKNER and LISA DOBRISKEY.
SEBASTIAN said: “GEORGE was an exceptional person and a world-class coach. For both I owe him inestimable gratitude. “He has enhanced and, in many cases, changed the lives of so many young people including mine. We have all suffered a grievous loss.”
GEORGE began his journey with the university in 1971 as a member of staff and undertook an MSC degree in Human Biology, graduating in 1975. He was a member of academic staff in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences from 1971 to 2009 and served for many years as director of athletics. Alongside his work at the university, GEORGE became an honorary UK National Endurance Coach from 1990 to 1997, before taking a similar role on a full-time basis from 2009 to 2013. He returned later in 2013 to the university as its lead endurance coach for athletics.
Shaftesbury’s NADEEM SHAIKH remembers GEORGE with great affection and told me, we were very close good friends and we spoke, messaged and emailed one another regularly. I only spoke with him about a week or so ago. Along with GEORGE HARRISON, GEORGE has always been an incredible guide and a phenomenal coaching mentor to me. He was absolutely brilliant with me when I first joined the National Coach Development Programme with England Athletics, when my other mentors included JENNY HARRIS, NEVILLE TAYLOR and the late DAVE SUNDERLAND. I knew GEORGE for 15 years and he was always there for me and definitely helped me become the performance athletics coach I am today. GEORGE has not only left a tremendous legacy at Loughborough University, but in athletics as a sport. He will be deeply missed by myself and so many others. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time. RIP GEORGE GANDY. Photograph of GEORGE with NADEEM.
I know DAVE BEDFORD and GEORGE were also incredibly good friends too, especially with the London Marathon involvement of supporting Team GB athletes and endurance camps in Iten, Kenya and Font Romeu in France.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT HAMMER – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.
Coach GARY HERRINGTON talks through some of the key points in hammer selection – Choosing the right implement in the throws disciplines can be a nightmare. Let’s be honest, we’re all initially attracted by the paintwork, and surely paying more will get you better equipment, right?. Wrong. Throwing the wrong discus, shot, hammer or javelin can knock metres off your result, and at worst can result in injury. So how are you supposed to know the difference between the many choices, especially when the product descriptions all say ‘this is a precision engineered implement and when thrown correctly can add x% to your distance’. Of course the answer is complex, personal and largely down to experience. Equipment supplier Neuff Athletic has been working with some of the top UK coaches to shed some light on the conundrum. In the third article of a four-part series, here GARY HERRINGTON, who is a former UKA national coach for discus and current England Athletics Talent Event Lead for hammer, talks all things hammer. HERRINGTON explains that there are four key elements to selecting the correct equipment for throwing the hammer: the handle, the wire, the head and a glove or other hand/finger covering.
Handle – The handle of a hammer must be of a uniform and roughly triangular shape so that it cannot extend unduly during the turns prior to release. Selecting a good handle is important and you may choose one with either a flat or slightly curved grip depending on what feels most comfortable to you. Handles come in differing widths so it is well worth ensuring you can get both hands onto the grip comfortably, as any pinching around the edges will almost certainly lead to blistering or abrasions of your fingers during the throw.
Glove – The glove fits on your non-dominant hand (left hand for right-handed throwers and right for left-handed throwers) and is there to take a lot of the pressure of the grip through your fingers. Choose a glove that feels comfortable but which still allows you to feel the grip when throwing, as this is an important feedback process that allows for the best development of technique. Gloves come in different sizes so make sure you can get your hand in, but don’t use a glove that is loose as this is potentially dangerous if it slips off and you lose grip during the throw. The material of the glove will also affect how comfortable it feels, with different thicknesses of leather available from different makes. Again, it is really personal choice as to what feels most comfortable whilst allowing enough ’feel’ for the implement.
Head – The head of the hammer can be obtained in different materials and in different diameters with the key feature being the diameter because this has the greatest potential impact on distance thrown. Whilst the smaller diameter heads do offer slightly reduced air resistance they are more important because using them allows for a longer wire to be used which, in turn, increases the speed of the centre of mass of the head for any given speed of rotation and that results in longer throws! There are maximum and minimum limits for the head diameter and the overall length of the hammer so you must choose an appropriate mixture of wire length and head diameter to ensure you don’t exceed the maximum overall length. Because the smaller diameter heads are often made out of higher quality materials these are often more expensive so it may depend on how far you are throwing as to how much you wish to invest in buying a smaller head for your implement weight. Similar to shot selection, the choice of painted or polished is personal preference, but remember it will only be shiny or painted for a short while before it scuffs and chips.
Wire – The wire is a frequently ignored element of the hammer overall but, as explained above, it is essential that your wire is matched to the head so that the overall length of the hammer is as long as it can legally be for your competitions. It worth considering the quality of steel used too and the weight that might add to your hammer overall. It is the combined weight of head, wire and handle that is measured before competition. Lighter wires again allow for more weight in the head and greater distance but these wires are often softer and can become unusable quickly if frequently thrown into the cage. Stiffer and heavier wires tend to last longer, cost less and they have less impact on shorter throws so these are often preferred for novice throwers. So remember to choose what’s comfortable for you but always be mindful that, for any given length, hammers with smaller heads and longer wires do go further but also usually cost more.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT JAVELIN – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.
Coach DAVID TURNER talks through some of the key points in javelin selection – Choosing the right implement in the throws disciplines can be a nightmare. Let’s be honest, we’re all initially attracted by the paintwork, and surely paying more will get you better equipment, right?. Wrong. Throwing the wrong discus, shot, hammer or javelin can knock metres off your result, and at worst can result in injury. So how are you supposed to know the difference between the many choices, especially when the product descriptions all say ‘this is a precision engineered implement and when thrown correctly can add x% to your distance’. Of course, the answer is complex, personal and largely down to experience. Equipment supplier Neuff Athletic has been working with some of the top UK coaches to shed some light on the conundrum. In the final article of a four-part series, here DAVID TURNER, who is Loughborough University’s head throws coach and England Athletics talent event lead for javelin, talks all things javelin. It is very tempting to choose a javelin by the colour of the paint, but the differences between the types are substantial and will make a real difference to your development. Turner sees far too many promising throwers’ careers cut short by elbow or shoulder injuries caused by throwing inappropriate javelins at an early stage. His advice on questions to consider include:
HOW FAR ARE YOU THROWING – Javelins tend to be distance or flexibility rated, indicating how far they need to be thrown in order for their natural correction to land tip-down. If you try to throw a 70m javelin 30m, it will not be in the air long enough to auto-correct, so even if you manage to beat your PB, it will almost certainly be a no-throw as it lands flat or on its tail.
HOW DEVELOPED IS YOUR TECHNIQUE – Top end javelins can be very unforgiving of underdeveloped technique, so beginners are better off with beginner implements which enable them to really learn the skills and technique for optimum throwing without injury or disappointment in competition.
WHAT HAND FEEL DO YOU LIKE – While there is a lot of standardisation in the construction of javelins, there are still differences in the grip thickness, paint texture and balance. This is very personal, so really trying out a few different javelins in your hand, or better find one to try out, is the best way forward.
MORE EXPENSIVE ISN’T NECESSARILY BETTER – Aluminium javelins are usually more affordable because they can be produced more easily than steel javelins. Carbon or composite javelins tend to be the least flexible and are designed with elite throwers in mind and can often lead to injuries with developing throwers. Don’t assume the more expensive a javelin is, the further the distance for every thrower. It is crucial for throwers’ long-term development that we resist choosing a javelin based on the cost or paintwork.
ENGLISH CROSS COUNTRY RELAYS 31 OCTOBER CANCELLED – This was posted on the ECCA website.
We very much regret that after significant consultation, planning and discussion, circumstances outside our control have lead us to conclude that the English National Cross Country Relays cannot happen as we hoped at the end of October.
Understandably with the current restrictions and rising occurrence of Covid-19 Mansfield District Council have very reluctantly decided that they cannot hold events in their parks and open spaces. They are keen to find another date when circumstances allow.
We know that many people will be disappointed to hear this news, and that it is likely to add further to existing anxieties and frustrations.
METROPOLITAN LEAGUE 2020/2021 UPDATE – JAN BOWMAN the league administrator issued the following statement on 25 September. With regret, we have now decided to cancel the whole of the 2020/21 season. This has been a very tough decision but after receiving the latest guidelines and joining an EA zoom meeting last night the league cannot comply with the regulations as we cannot provide a Covid secure environment. The link is here should you wish to look at Guidance rules http://bit.ly/EAXC18Sep
Along with this we have now also lost Alexandra Palace as a cross country fixture. They have contacted us with the following statement – I am afraid that I have decided not to permit any cross country running events in the Park. Partly because of the negative impact that the races had on the grass areas last year, and secondly due to the challenges placed on us by staff reductions during the pandemic. The Park is a historic, designed landscape and its general visitor numbers are increasing every year. The impact of the churned grass areas and mud on the paths has become too great, and affects other people’s enjoyment.
ENGLAND ATHLETICS CROSS COUNTRY GUIDANCE FOR A RETURN TO LIMITED COMPETITION – A collaboration of England Athletics, the English Cross Country Association and other competition providers were pleased to publish (on Friday 18 September) the return to limited competition guidance for cross country. We want to encourage all competitors and organisers to enjoy and compete in cross country this winter while we are also aware that we have to keep the cross country and wider community safe. We will continue to update guidance in light of the pilot events we are working on with competition providers and any change to government guidance. Click the link below to view the guidance documents and to read an update from MARTIN RUSH, Head of Coaching and Athlete Development at England Athletics.
A collaboration of England Athletics, the English Cross Country Association and other competition providers are pleased to publish the return to limited competition guidance for Cross Country. We know athletes, clubs, schools and coaches want a return to cross country competition. It has been the bedrock of endurance in Britain for well over a century. We want to encourage all competitors and organisers to enjoy and compete in cross country this winter while we are also aware that we have to keep the cross country and wider community safe.
The guidance document provides a framework for getting cross country competition back but this is in a limited way at this current point in time. The need to maintain social distancing (2m) or only spend a very limited amount of time closer together is at the heart of every sports’ guidance from road running, to football, to netball and triathlon. We have worked with Sport England and DCMS and other sports to ensure that our guidance recognises the current limitations imposed by the government restrictions with a return to activity which is so important to the sport, and wider community.
Our aim is that school children, club runners, international athletes and all who love the sport of cross country will be able to get back to limited racing and, if government guidance shifts, to the iconic scenes of the English National. We will continue to update guidance in light of the pilot events we are working on with competition providers and any change to government guidance.
Timelines – Late September to Mid-October – Pilot cross country events, 3rd October – Cross Country Licensing opens, 17th October – Licensed Cross Country events.
Click here to access the cross country return to limited competition guidance document and associated cross country Covid-secure environment guidance document.
LATEST UPDATE ON PARKRUN – An update on our planned restart in England from parkrun Global Chief Executive Officer NICK PEARSON. Sadly, after significant consultation and discussion, circumstances outside of our control have dictated that parkrun cannot return in England by the end of October, as we had hoped.
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.
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
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 08-08-20 – Summer 2020 Fixture Card – Updated 08-08-20 With Current Information
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 – Please contact CLYDE GORDON on 07753 985525/clyde67@hotmail.co.uk for futher information on High Jump and Pole Vault days and times.
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.
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 open for limited use.
ALAN WELLER