Happy Birthday from this Thursday 17 December to Lucy Agholor, Chris Bennett, Anastasia Charalambous, Jeremy Dempsey, Akiva Ehreich, Alexander Evans-Lombie, Kiera Gilman, Farrah Gowan, Colin Godfrey, Christopher Kirwin, Kojo Kyereme, Austin Lewis, Lucy Marcus, Michael Miller, Muktar Musa, Lily Plasett, Samra Richardson, Ronan Tarrant and Joseph Wheeler-Henry
RECENT NEW MEMBERS – We wish you a very warm welcome, and a happy, healthy and successful time with Shaftesbury to VERA DOUDKO and GRAHAM TAYLOR
UPDATE ON NEELAM KADERBHOY – Hello to all of NEELAM’S friends and family, hope you are all enjoying December and getting into the Christmas spirit. Thank you for all support, messages, food parcels, and gifts for NEELAM, they make her day. Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers made her Christmas by announcing her as the volunteer of the year. And she was delighted to receive the trophy from one of her best friends last week. Despite her favourite football team being soundly beaten at the weekend, her love for sport and in particular athletics remains undiminished.
NEELAM has been staying strong and fighting daily, but over the last few weeks NEELAM has suffered a stroke and clots in her leg which have caused a deterioration in her condition. As a result, NEELAM has now left the Hospice and moved to a rehabilitation centre. This move is aimed primarily at improving her physical strength and mobility, with the hope of greater movement and independence in 2021. This is an incredibly brave decision by NEELAM and shows how strong willed she is, as the move means, that unlike the hospice where we have been able to see her and take her out for drives and coffee, the rehabilitation centre is on total lockdown which means no visitors or day trips for the duration of her stay, which includes missing DAD’S birthday, Christmas, and New Year.
I know many of you have been sending an assortment of gifts. My personal favourites have been turtle hot chocolate, rum chocolates and cognac bites. NEELAM sends a massive thank you for all the gifts, flowers, cards, presents, and food that you have been sending. If you would like to send some festive cheer to NEELAM, please send or drop off to Langley House, 698 St Albans Rd, Watford, WD25 9FG.
I’ve been specially ordered not to send a personal thank you to each of you but you know who you are. To everyone that has helped and supported NEELAM, and to everyone who has been there for DAD, SALMA, URMIE and my kids, a massive thank you and you are all absolutely fabulous.
Thank you and hope you all have a fabulous Christmas and New Year IMTIAZ KADERBHOY
Photograph of NEELAM with RACHAEL HARVEY – SBH Neelam Photo 1 – IMTIAZ (NEELAM’S brother), URMIE (NEELAM’S sister-in-law), RAYYAN (NEELAM’S 12 year old nephew and SBH member for over 3 years), ANEES (NEELAM’S younger nephew) – SBH Neelam Photo 2 (1) – NEELAM’S father celebrating his birthday with his two grandsons – SBH Neelam Photo 3
BARNET COPTHALL STADIUM EAST STAND INDOOR AREA – The NHS are taking this over from Monday 14 December as a Covid-19 vaccination centre for a period of 4 to 12 months. Saracens have agreed to erect 3 large marquees, one to cover the javelin run-up, another one to cover one of the long jump run-ups and the associated sandpit and finally, a third one at the North End of the home straight where the temporay seating has been taken down. Check with your Coach for more information.
BOXING DAY RUN – Firstly many thanks to STEVE MARSHALL for his effort in making our annual event to happen. The race will commence at 11.00am on Saturday 26 December, and you can choose to run either 1 mile or 2 miles. Link for the flyer giving all information, especially on Covid-19 precautions – Boxing Day Poster
CONGRATULATIONS TO JENNY POLL AND NICK – Many Congratulations to JENNY and NICK who have announced that they are engaged to be married. JENNY recalls that NICK who has been her boyfriend of some 11 years finally asked me to marry him and I said yes! So we are now engaged – we haven’t set a date for the big day yet nor decided where as, after all, there’s no rush.
Club President GEOFF WILLIAMS recalls that when Copthall Management Services (managed by GEOFF) took over the running of Copthall Stadium in 2005 several valued London Borough of Barnet Borough staff were transferred with the contract including veteran Groundsman RANJIT CHOHAN (JOHN to everyone), EMMA GOUGE and JENNY POLL JENNY developed into an integral member of the part-time staff team along with EMMA, KATIE ALCOCK and KAROL BARCHIK. Everyone who visited Copthall remarked on JENNY’S cheerful and positive welcome. Her professionalism with customers of all ages and her consummate reliability as a team player were valuable assets to a new company. As she built up her technical knowledge of athletics she became a valued track assistant at home matches, got involved with SBH Star Track courses, then Saracens ‘LAP’ sport programme for children, was a Games Leader at the 2012 London Olympics, helps at the Mini Marathon start and recently became a UKA licenced Field Judge. At the same time JENNY qualified as a Primary School teacher and has subsequently worked in both Barnet and Enfield schools over the last 10 years.
JENNY is still involved with Shaftesbury athletics promotions under the expert guidance of ANGUS MACKENZIE. It’s great news to learn that JENNY and NICK are getting married.
A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM CLARE AND RAY POWELL – What a strange old year it’s been, but hopefully you have all come through, and looking forward to a slightly different Christmas this year. We have been given new dates for the new year, as in previous years if you could indicate which dates you might be able to help, you would make CLARE and myself very happy bunnies.
Sunday 25 April – The Vitality Big Half, 6.30am meeting time. Monday 31 May – Vitality London 10k, 8am meeting time. Monday 19 July – Standard Chartered Great City Race, 17.30 meeting time. Sunday 3 October – Virgin Money London Marathon, 6.30am meeting time. If you would like to commit to any of the above, please bear in mind that the meeting times are extremely important. We have both missed seeing you all this year, your good health and wellbeing is all that counts, I’m not sure if I will be allowed to give you all Big hugs when we finally meet, but let’s hope. Please contact CLARE & RAY at ray571m@btopenworld.com
2021 INDOOR TRACK AND F
IELD MEETINGS – During the first week of December UK Athletics issued a Preliminary list of fixtures for 2021, this is the list – Fixtures-Calender-2021-as-at-9Dec2020
Regarding the imminent Indoor fixtures, I spoke to MICK BOND, the General Manager of Lee Valley Athletics Centre last Tuesday. Being aware that London is now in Tier 3, the Lee Valley fixtures for January to March are currently planned to take place. These are those fixtures – January 3 Pilot Open Meeting, 16-17 Southern U13/U15/U17 Championships, 30 BMC Gold Standard Meeting, 31 BeFit Open Meeting – February 6-7 Southern U20/Senior Championships, 13-14 Essex and Eastern Championships, 17 Middle Distance Open Meeting, 28 SCVAC Championships – March 6-7 British Masters Championships, 13 BeFit Open Meeting, 14 SOE/EMAC/VAC Masters Inter-Area Championships, 20-21 Middlesex, Hertfordshire & Kent Championships. The 24 January BMAF Pentathlon/SOE Championships has been cancelled.
The 3 January Fixture Pilot Open Meeting entries close on 23 December, this is the link for entries – www.entry4sports.co.uk
Non Lee Valley fixtures – February 6-7 England Athletics U18/Elite Open Meeting (Sheffield), 20-21 British Athletics Championships (Glasgow), 27-28 England Athletics U15/U17 Open Meeting (Sheffield) – March 19-21 World Championships (Nanjing, China), 24-28 European Masters Championships (Braga, Portugal) – April 6-12 World Masters Championships (Edmonton, Canada).
Except one fixture, all fixtures above you are required to enter yourself and pay the appropriate fee.
On the UKA fixture list they show various regional Indoor fixtures for Scotland, Wales Etc.
QLD ATHLETICS MID WEEK OPEN MEETING – Took place at Nathan, Australia on 11 December
Discus 1kg – JADE LALLY 2nd (52.81m)
ENGLISH NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS POSTPONED – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently. The photograph is of a recent National Championships at Parliament Hill taken by MARK SHEARMAN.
Historic event was due to be held at Parliament Hill on March 6 but has been called off due to the pandemic. The English National Championships has joined the UK Inter-Counties on the growing list of major cross-country fixtures to be called off this winter due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The National was due to be held at Parliament Hill in north London on March 6 but the English Cross Country Association (ECCA) today announced it would be postponed. This follows the news from earlier this week that the UK Inter-Counties and Cross Challenge final at Prestwold Hall on February 20 has been called off. The European Cross Country Championships was due to be held in Ireland this weekend, too, but was cancelled several weeks ago. The World Cross Country Championships in Australia next year has also been postponed. The ECCA said it has “reluctantly decided that it is not going to be possible to promote the annual English ‘National’ Cross Country Championships at Parliament Hill as originally planned”. The ECCA added: “Whilst there may be some degree of relaxation of Covid 19 conditions by then, it is not realistic to start planning and incur costs – both for clubs and their competitors and the ECCA – when the risk of limitations on travel and the size of gatherings continue to exist.
“We are well aware how disappointed clubs and athletes will be with this decision and we know how they enjoy the trip to London every three years but under the circumstances the ECCA had very little choice.” The English ‘National’ was first staged in 1876 and has been held continuously since then with the exception of being called off from 1915-19 and 1940-45 due to the two world wars. There is an ambition to try to stage the 2021 event at a future date, though. “At this stage this decision is a postponement rather than a cancellation and we are considering the possibility of staging the Championships once national lockdown regulations are removed,” the ECCA added. “To this extent we are exploring the possibility of still holding the event at Parliament Hill on a date in the future and will keep clubs and athletes informed of progress when plans are confirmed. “The ECCA Championship Committee is also reviewing the practicality of promoting the annual relay championships which were planned for October 2020.” Those annual relay championships were due to be held at Mansfield’s Berry Hill Park and could yet take place toward the end of this winter. Young endurance athletes in England in particular will be hoping the English Schools Cross Country Championships takes place in March in Kent with organisers expected to make a decision in January.
PROCEDURES FOR USING BARNET COPTHALL STADIUM FROM JEREMY SOTHCOTT – The Stadium is now open to SBH members under the supervision of an SBH registered Coach. We have agreed the use of Track & Field facilities with Saracens compliant with current guidance issued by the UK Government and England Athletics. Each T&F group will be limited to a maximum of 12 ‘Competing Club Athletes’ per coach. The number of groups per session will be limited to comply with Social Distancing requirements.
Throws – Athletes should have their own implements. However, one implement of each weight will be left in the SBH Clubhouse. Sanitising arrangements to be made in advance with the coach.
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 documents 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 at: ???? https://bit.ly/2ATiU7R
Clubhouse Gymnasium – This is available for use by T&F groups subject to prior booking with COLIN GODFREY (colinjlginvest@gmail.com) and compliance with equipment sanitization before and after use and Social Distancing.
Athletes invited to train by their coach must be sent the attached Barnet Copthall Stadium Track & Field Agreement in advance of starting training at the Stadium. The athlete and parent (if under 16) to sign and return to JEREMY SOTHCOTT or TY HOLDEN before they can train. Athletes should meet their coach 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 the desk) and answer a two question health questionnaire (green A4 folder on the desk). There is also hand sanitiser on the table for use. Athletes must follow the instructions of the coach and observe Social Distancing during warm-up, throughout the session and warm-down.
Stadium Booking Details – Please let JEREMY 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, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 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
There is a 10 minute gap between each session for transitioning.
If a Coach does not have 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 if available. When going in and out of the Clubhouse from the carpark please ensure the door handle is left in the upward locked position at all times. Please do not enter the Clubhouse until the coach/athletes from the previous session exit. Parents are not permitted to enter the stadium unless there is a child protection issue i.e. one coach and one athlete aged under 16.
From 14 December, toilets and other facilities will be in the “Temporary Changing Building” behind the 100m start area.
Link to the SBH Athlete and Coach Track & Field Training Agreement, which will be sent to all participating athletes, and then to be returned signed by the athlete and parent – Please open the agrrement form, sign and return to either JEREMY SOTHCOTT of TY HOLDEN – SBH – T & F Agreement During Lockdown Period 08.12.20
SBH SUBSCRIPTIONS 2020-2021 – SBH Treasurer GEOFF MORPHITIS has sent me the following regarding subscriptions.
Dear Member – I hope you’re fit and well during these difficult times. The Club has continued to function providing Covid-19 secure coaching at Barnet Copthall (formerly Allianz Park) on a limited basis from mid-June. We also promoted 7 Track & Field competitions during the period July to September. Six of these were LICC meetings at Lee Valley.
We’re working on the promotion of a number of Cross Country races at Barnet Copthall during the period December through to March in compliance with the England Athletics and Government guidelines applicable at the time.
The Club AGM took place virtually at 19.30 on Tuesday 24 November. One of the resolutions which was passed dealt with Club Subscriptions as follows. Following the recent decision of the SBH Council, the proposal is as follows; “The Annual Membership Fee for new members from 1 December 2020 will increase to £50. Existing members who have paid their membership fee for year ended 30 September 2020 will be considered as having also paid their fee for the year ended 30 September 2021. In other words, in recognition of the disruption caused by Covid-19, these members will have 2 years membership for the price of one.” Therefore, I’m now asking athletes who have not paid their subscription for the year ended 30/09/20 (£45) to pay, so as to qualify for the 2 for 1 concession together with the England Athletics Registration Fee of £15 for 2020/21. The total is £60 and should be paid NOW to;
ACCOUNT NAME : SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS, BANK : HSBC, ACCOUNT NUMBER : 41308378, SORT CODE : 400426 – Please let me know when payment is made. Thanks GEOFF
TRACK ADADEMY BE FIT TODAY – Takes place on Sunday 20 December at Peters Stadium, Barking. Events U11 75m, 150 – U11 up to Senior/Masters 600m – U13 up to Senior/Masters 800m, 1500m, 1 Mile, 3000m. Link for full details including entry information https://mailchi.mp/925c7852a96d/bftta-open-meet-saturday-12th-september-5088628?e=056ff9888e
ATW CROSS COUNTRY SERIES NEXT RACE – The second race will take place Merchant Taylor’s School, Sandy Lodge, Northwood HA6 2HT on Saturday 19 December.
Timetable – 2K Under 11 start – 12:00 pm, 3K Under 13 start – 12:30 pm, 4K Under 15 start – 1:10 pm, 5K Under 17 start – 1:50 pm, 8K Senior/U20 start – 3:00 pm.
Here is the link which went live recently – https://activetrainingworld.co.uk/project/atw-cross-country-series-round-2-19th-december-2020/
The third race is on Sunday 10 January and the link for that should come out in mid December.
UPDATE ON SBH FIXTURE CARD – Currently all Cross Country and Road Relay fixtures for 2020 are either Cancelled or Postponed, This update shows the status of all cross country fixtures as of the 10 November 2020 – SBH Winter Card Fixtures 2020-2021 Updated 10-11-20
DECEMBER 2020 RACES – Currently there are minimal results on the Power of 10, if anyone competes especially virtually please let me know.
SOUTH OF ENGLAND ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION 2020/2021 CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATE – SEAA are hopeful of staging some Cross Country and Indoor Track & Field events during this winter, even though it looked as if we should only be able to cater for the younger age groups. If Government guidelines permit, we hope to put in place the following events.
Cross Country – Cross Country Relays, London Championships, Master & Inter Counties Championships have been postponed until the New Year. The Association hopes that it will be possible to stage some Cross Country events in February/March 2021.
Road Relays – At present the date for the 12/6 Stage and 5K Road Relays remains the same; Sunday 28 March 2021.
Track & Field – It is hoped that some Indoor Covid Games can take place dates scheduled for these events are 16/17 January & 6/7 February next year. Due to the restrictions on numbers we may have to use more than one venue.
We want to reassure our athletes and officials that we shall do our utmost to stage some competition (In line with England Athletics guidance). We shall review the situation and publish any further news as soon as we can. In the meantime, we do hope everyone stays safe and well JOHN GANDEE SEAA Competition Chairman.
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.
THE FOLLOWING SBH DOCUMENTS/INFORMATION CAN EITHER BE VIEWED, DOWNLOADED OR PRINTED
SBH 2020-2021 Winter Fixture Card updated 10-11-20, Currently all Cross Country and Road Relay fixtures for 2020 are either Cancelled or Postponed. An update on 2021 Fixtures will be published in early December 2020 – SBH Winter Card Fixtures 2020-2021 Updated 10-11-20
Cross Country Team Managers Details – http://sbharriers.co.uk/athletics/cross-country/team-managers/
Road Running/Relay 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/
Barnet Copthall Stadium (Fomerly Allianz Park) Membership, which gives SBH members 10% discount on entry to the Barnet Copthall 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 BARNET COPTHALL STADIUM (FORMERLY 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 BARNET COPTHALL STADIUM (FORMERLY 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 published. 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
BARNET COPTHALL STADIUM (FORMERLY ALLIANZ PARK) – Main Switchboard telephone number is 020 3675 7250.
CHARGES FOR USING BARNET COPTHALL STADIUM (FORMERLY ALLIANZ PARK) – Currently the Stadium is only open for limited use by SBH members with no charge.
ALAN WELLER