Happy Birthday from Thursday 2 November to Wednesday 8 November –Timi Bakare, Niall Carney, Shadine Duquemin, Matthew Gillespie, Anna Higson, Ben Jackson, Aaka Kamara, Kieron Lee, Adanna Mazinwosu, Joshua Nyman, Charles Romito, Jasmin Sabir, Allan Smith, Trecia Smith, Kenan Stephens, Nadia Szczerbacka, Aimi Weightmann and Harry Webb

RECENT NEW MEMBERS – We wish you a very warm welcome, and a happy, healthy and successful time with Shaftesbury to HOLLY GREEN, GABOR KISS, ZEHRA KIZILGOZ, EHSAN RAHIMI, LAURA RICHARDSON, ARIAL SOTA, NADIA SZCZERBACKA and JAMES TODD

SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS SUBSCRIPTIONS – Our new Club year started on 1 October 2023. The current SBH annual subscription 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.

UPCOMING INDOOR FIXTURES – I have now added this section following the road relay and cross country upcoming fixtures. Please use this section as it has the current information and entry links.

RESULT
ATLANTIC SUN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Nashville, Tennessee, USA on 28 October.
8000m XC – SM KRISTIAN IMROTH U23 (Eastern Kentucky University) 19th (25.11)

CAMPEONATO DE ESPANA DE CLUBES SUB20 FINAL A – Took place at Vallehermoso, Spain on 28 October.
100m – U20M NS CAI CRAWFORD U20 2nd (PB 11.38 w-3.9)

NORTH LONDON CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Hackney Marshes on 28 October.
8000m XC – SM No SBH runners. The winner was A Millberry of Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets (26.33) 120 runners finished.
Team Result – 1st Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets (51 points), 2nd London Heathside (56), 3rd Serpentine (102) 15 teams finished
8000m XC – SW No SBH runners. The winner was Katy Casterton of Serpentine (31.41) 67 runners finished.
Team Result – 1st Serpentine (21 points), 2nd London Heathside (36), 3rd Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets (43) 12 teams finished

MOUNTAIN WEST CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Eagle, Idaho, USA on 27 October.
8000m XC – SM THOMAS PATRICK U23 (Boise State University) 14th (23.56)

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…
1,156 events – 172,761 walkers, joggers and runners – 25,489 volunteers – 7,866 first timers – 19,454 PBs

75TH LIDDIARD TROPHY AND NORTH OF THE THAMES CHAMPIONSHIPS– Takes place on Saturday 4 November at Fryent Country Park, Kingsbury. Race headquarters is at the Kingsbury Free Church Hall, Slough Lane, Kingsbury (SatNav NW9 8QG). Please park in nearby roads, but not at church Hall. Toilets available at the Church Hall, no showers and very limited changing facilities.Church Hall will not be available until 12 noon. The hall is in use for a fitness class, and is only accessible after 12 noon.
Timetable – 14.15 U20 and Senior Men/Women (8000m)
Link to the map of the course – https://www.queensparkharriers.org.uk/liddiard
Entries Closed
Note: You will have to be pre-entered by your respective Team Manager 

VICTORIA PARK SPORTS MEDICINE METROPOLITAN LEAGUE – The second fixture of five takes place on Saturday 11 November at Wormwood Scrubs Park, Off Artillery Way, Acton, (Satnav W12 0DF).
Race Headquarters – Thames Valley Harriers Clubhouse, Linford Christie Stadium, Wormwood Scrubs park.
Changing facilities – Limited changing in Stadium, No lockers available, Showers none, Toilets located in stadium changing rooms and TVH Clubhouse.
Refreshments – Hot and cold drinks, snacks are available from race HQ.
Travel – Where possible, competitors are strongly advised to use public transport, walk or cycle. Parking charges of £2.20 per hour now apply in the Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust  car park next to the course.(payment by card or parking app).
Wormwood Scrubs is within the Ultra Low Emmission Zone, this is a Link to the map showing the new Ultra Low Emmission Zone, which is in Green – ulez-boundary-map-part-2
Link to check if your car is chargeable for the ULEZ – https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle/
Public Transport – East Acton on the Central Line is the closest station, a few minutes walk from the stadium, turn right out of the station and follow the road up to Wormwood Scrubs. Buses stop on Du Cane Road, please see details for buses stopping at Hammersmith Hospital on the Transport for London website. Artillery Lane between the Hospitals and Prison takes you to Wormwood Scrubs.
Timetable – 12.00 Under 11 Boys/Girls (2km), 12.10 Under 13 Boys, (3km) 12.20 Under 13 Girls (3km), 12.30 Under 15 Boys and Under 17 (4km), 12.45 Under 15 Girls and Under 17 Women (4kg), 13.00 Under 20, Senior and Veteran Women (7.2km), 13.45 Under 20, Senior and Veteran Men (7.2kgm)
Link to document showing all information including course description and maps –Race 2 – Wormwood Scrubs – 11-11-2023
Note: You do not have to be pre-entered, just turn up and run.
Please collect your race numbers from the respective team managers – SIMON KEENE, JEREMY SOTHCOTT and JO KENT
Please go to Start Fitness Metropolitan League web site www.metleague.co.uk for final instructions if any.

VICTORIA PARK SPORTS MEDICINE METROPOLITAN LEAGUE RACE NUMBERS – I have been asked to remind you that your race number must be kept by yourselves, and is to be used for all 5 fixtures.

LONDON CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 18 November at Parliament Hill Fields, Hampstead Heath (SatNav NW5 1QR), nearest station is Gospel Oak.
Timetable – 13.15 U20 and Senior Women (6k), 14.00 Under 20 and Senior Men (10k).
To Qualify you must have to be (a) born in the Greater London area, (b) has not less than one year’s bona fide residence in the Greater London area, (c) has not less than one year’s continuous full-time employment in the Greater London area, (d) has not less than one year’s full-time attendance at an education establishment in the Greater London area.
Map of Parliament Hill and adjoining roads and stations, start of races close to athletic track – https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5596772,-0.1597202,15z
Entries Close Friday 3 November
Note: You will have to be pre-entered by your respective Team Manager 

LONDON YOUTH GAMES – Takes place on Saturday 18 November at Parliament Hill Fields, Hampstead Heath (SatNav NW5 1QR), nearest station is Gospel Oak.
Note: You will be selected by your respective Borough Team Manager

FRATERNITY AND SORORITY CUPS – Takes place on Saturday 25 November at Trent Park, Cockfosters Road, Middlesex (SatNav EN4 0PS). The start is close to the car park which is accessible from the western gate of Trent Park, found on the left-side before reaching Cockfosters underground station (Piccadilly line).
Timetable – 14.30 for Men/Women – Junior, Senior and Veteran. Numbers will be given out close to the start area.
Note: You do not have to be pre-entered, just turn up and run.  

NORTH WEST LONDON LEAGUE – The third fixture of five takes place on Saturday 25 November at Trent Park, Cockfosters Road, Middlesex (SatNav EN4 0PS). The start is close to the car park which is accessible from the western gate of Trent Park, found on the left-side before reaching Cockfosters underground station (Piccadilly line).
Timetable – 12.45 Under 11 Boys and Girls (2400m), 13.00 Under 13 Boys and Girls (3000m), 13.20 Under 15 Boys and Girls (4000m), 13.40 Under 17 Men and Women (5000m) distances are approximate. Numbers will be given out close to the start area. The times are as the 2022 fixture
Note: You do not have to be pre-entered, just turn up and run. Will any of our Female athletes please see TY HOLDEN who will give you a race number

SBH 133RD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – Takes place on Tuesday 28 November in the 100 Club, East Stand, StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon, London (SatNav NW4 1RL), The AGM commences at 19.30, followed at approximately 20.00 with the Presentation of Awards for the 2023 Track & Field season, and 2022-2023 Cross Country season for both Men and Women. All are welcome especially the award winners.

UPCOMING INDOOR FIXTURES FOR THE NEXT 5 WEEKS, WHICH COVERS THE PERIOD THURSDAY 2 NOVEMBER UNTIL WEDNESDAY 6 DECEMBER – Please enter yourself and pay the appropiate fee. Also, especially Lee Valley, events may close early if that event is fully subscribed.

SOUTHERN U15, U17, U20 AND SENIOR INDOOR COMBINED EVENTS CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place at Lee Valley Athletics Centre are 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR) on Saturday 25 December and Sunday 26 December.
To enter please use this link – http://www.seaa.org.uk/index.php
Entries Closing Date Tuesday 14 November
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

LEE VALLEY MINITHON – Takes place on Saturday 9 December, at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR).
For school years 3 to 7.
To enter please use this link – https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/lee-valley/athletics-centre/kids-activities#%20
I have asked if there is an Entries Closing Date, and not received an answer yet.
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee – Please be advised that events may be full before the fixture date.

TRACK ACADEMY INDOOR SERIES – Takes place on Saturday 16 December, at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR).
Events are Track 60m, 200m, 800m, Field Long Jump and Shot Put. For alll age-groups including U11s.
To enter please use this link – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2023/GBR/trackacademyindoor/
Entries Closing Date Sunday 10 December – Please be advised that events may be full before the closing date.
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

ENGLAND ATHLETICS U20 AND SENIOR INDOOR COMBINED EVENTS CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place at the English Institute of Sport, Coleridge Road, Sheffield (Satnav S9 5DA) on Saturday 6 January and Sunday 7 January.
To enter please use this link – https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/registration?id=24425
Entries Close Friday 15 December
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

BFTTA INDOOR SERIES – Takes place on Sunday 7 January, at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR).
Events are Track 60m, 200m, 300m, 600m, 800m and 60m Hurdles. For alll age-groups including U11s.
To enter please use this link – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/bft112/
Currently No Entries Close Shown – Please be advised that events may be full before the closing date.
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

LEE VALLEY AYO FALOLA DREAM MILE – Takes place at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR) on Wednesday 7 February.
Events are Track 400m, 800m, Mile and Triple Jump. For age-groups Under 15 and above.
To enter please use this link – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/ayofaloladreammile/
Entries Closing Date To Be Confirmed – Please be advised that events may be full before the closing date.
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee

WORLD CLASS PROGRAMME – Funding for 2023-2024 recently announced by UKA.
The World Class Programme is UK Sport’s National Lottery funded initiative which has the purpose to identify, develop and support talented athletes towards medal success at the Olympic Games and other major Championships.
It is split into several levels reflecting the actual and potential performance development levels of athletes: Podium, Podium Potential, Relay and Confirmation.

Congratulations to the following SBH athletes who have been selected for the following;
Oympic Podiuum – ZHARNEL HUGHES
Oympic Podiuum Potential – LIZZIE BIRD
Oympic Relays – CHARLIE DOBSON

ENGLAND ATHLETICS PATHWAY PROGRAMME – England Athletics are delighted to announce the athletes who have been selected for the Junior Talent Pathway, Senior Pathway and Para Academy for the coming year.
The programmes are key steps along the England Athletics talent pathway, the purpose of which is to identify, develop, and support athletes and para-athletes from age 16 and over who have the potential to represent England and Great Britain at domestic and international championships, including Olympics and Paralympics. The programmes are each unique in their teachings yet provide a smooth transition for athletes to progress through from the junior, youth, and senior levels and through the Para Academy into the Futures or Paralympic Programme with British Athletics.

Congratulations to the following SBH athletes who have been selected for the following;
Youth Talent Programme – ANGUS BROWN (Pole Vault), MYA MAIRS-INGRAM (800m), EBUKA NWOKEJI (100m), GIANLEO STUBBS (3000m), LARISSA WILSON (800m)
Junior Talent Programme – RUBEN HEDMAN (110m Hurdles), KIMANI JACK (High Jump), JOSEPH PURBRICK (110m Hurdles)
Senior Talent Programme – GEORGIA BELL (1500m), CHARLES HICKS (10000m), JAMI SCHLUETER (Decathlon), LINA NIELSEN (400m Hurdles)

AGE-GROUP CHANGE PROPOSALS IN BRITAIN LEAD TO FIERCE DEBATE – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

UK Athletics want to adopt the same ‘even number’ system as the rest of the world for young athletes but are being met with widespread opposition.Plans to introduce new age groups for young athletes are being met with fierce opposition from traditionalists. UK Athletics and the home country federations want to replace the current “odd number” age groups (under-13, under-15, under-17) with the “even number” system that most of the rest of the world uses.

This would mean:
Years 5 and 6 (ages 9-11) would fall into the under-12 category.
Years 7 and 8 (11-13) would be under-14.
Years 9 and 10 (13-15) would be under-16.
Years 11 and 12 (15-17) would be under-18.
Year 13 and university students (17+) would be under-20.

There have been at least three attempts in recent years to bring the change in and the latest consultation process included three webinars in September with a final decision due to be made by the UKA board in December. The governing bodies argue the changes will help minimise teenage drop-out rates because the current system sees top year under-17 and under-20 athletes juggling athletics competitions with GCSEs and A-levels – or National exams and Highers in Scotland. This is, they say, a “perfect storm” of pressure. They point to a 2018 survey that found “time constraints from studying” was the leading reason for athletes aged 15-22 stopping athletics. What’s more, World Athletics has told UK Athletics that Britain is one of only three countries in the world that has “uneven” age groups, although AW has struggled to find evidence of any other countries that still use uneven age groups.

“The clash with academic commitments, creating massive pressure on young people, the lack of alignment with other countries, sports and talent pathways and the negative mental effect caused by large amounts of pressure and other aspects such as the Relative Age Effect could cause the athlete to decrease or case participation in athletics,” say the governing bodies. “An athlete shouldn’t have to choose between academic or athletics success.” But those opposed insist new age groups will not improve drop-out rates and will cause confusion when it comes to throws implements and hurdles races, not to mention long-established age-group records. What’s more, schools bodies have refused to change anyway, which has left clubs wondering why they have to change when the schools system will remain the same. “A tiny elite tail is trying to wag a very big athletic body,” says Level 4 combined events and high jump coach DENNIS JOHNSON from Bedford. “The proposals are unnecessary,” he adds, “it is my experience that very few athletes drop out due to exam pressure. Those who are committed to athletics continue, those who are not committed drop out.”

DAVE PAVER, from West Yorkshire, is also against the proposals but says: “We are not ‘opposed to change’ – happy to look at anything, competition, etc. This is just a very bad idea. We have looked carefully at the claims on retention and don’t see them as valid.” LARRY GARNHAM, a Level III coach from Cornwall, describes the drop-out rate theory behind the proposals as “poppycock” and adds: “These age changes were once before tried under the guise that time of falling in line with our European counterparts. With stern resistance from those that work at grass roots and understand the sport, it was firmly rejected. “Now, the powers to be have seen that the majority of those sensible folks back in those days are now retiring in their droves, they have decided to reintroduce ideology that was completely wrong then as it is now and unfortunately all the same arguments apply.” Northern Athletics – the main track and field competition provider in the North of England – is especially critical and has written to all its member clubs to say that UKA’s consultation process was sprung on them with the webinars being “lectures followed by a few approved questions and answers”. AW attended one of the webinars and would not describe them as harshly as that, although you can judge for yourself by viewing one of them here. Across the webinars, a quick end-of-session poll also showed that 93 people were in favour of the proposals with 45 against and 54 undecided.

The nature of the webinars aside, Northern Athletics add: “The proposals will cause considerable chaos. There is scant evidence it will benefit our athletes nor our clubs and officials. “The proposal would result in a complete overhaul of age groupings within our sport … and the burden of dealing with it will fall on clubs, leagues, counties and areas. “Those providing the great majority of competition in the UK are volunteers already hard pressed in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic. The last few years have also resulted in a reduction in experienced administrators and officials. This proposal could not have come at a worse time for the sport.” You can read the full Northern Athletics letter here.

With the consultation due to end on October 31, UKA insist they try to put the athlete at the centre of all decisions they make and do not want to make life difficult for clubs and volunteers. The governing bodies also feel they need to act in order to reduce teenage drop-out rates.

Read More: Reducing drop-out rates in athletics

As one official from England Athletics told AW: “More clubs continue to withdraw from the Youth Development League every year because they cannot fill teams. If we continue to do nothing, it will just get worse.” The full list of reasons behind UKA’s proposals can be found here.

THREE ROUTES TO SELECTION TO BELGRADE-BOUND BRITS – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

UK Athletics will use the Euro Cross, Inter-Counties and new London International to pick its squad for the World Cross Country Champs in March. UK Athletics will use three events this winter to select its team for the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade in March. Athletes will be able to secure automatic qualification by running well at either the European Cross Country Championships in Brussels on December 10, the London International Cross Country at Parliament Hill in London on January 20 or the UK Inter-Counties at a venue yet to be confirmed on March 9.

Plans to turn the new event at Parliament Hill into the official and full trial have been modified following the news that the World Cross has been moved from Croatia in mid-February to Belgrade on March 30. Instead Parliament Hill will see senior winners guaranteed their ticket to Belgrade with the rest of the squad chosen from performances at the Euro Cross and Inter-Counties.

Athletes can gain automatic selection for the World Cross as follows:
Euro Cross – the first two senior men and top two senior women in Brussels will be picked for Belgrade as long as they finish in the top 12. In addition, the leading under-23 athletes in Brussels will be selected for Belgrade but only if they make the podium at the December event.
Parliament Hill – senior winners on January 20 will gain automatic selection for Belgrade.
Inter-Counties – senior winners earn automatic selection for the World Cross. At this stage the team could be full, but if spaces still remain then athletes finishing in the top three at Inter-Counties could fill the final places in the squad.
For under-20 athletes, the top three at the Inter-Counties will be automatically selected for Belgrade with UKA saying they will pick at least four athletes for each of the junior races.

The news adds extra spice to the European Cross Country Championships as it is thought to be the first time that the December event has been used to pick a GB team for the World Cross. UKA’s strategy also ensures the Parliament Hill event will generate plenty of excitement. The cross-country fraternity is already full of anticipation for an event that promises to be a winter version of the Night of the 10,000m PBs, but in addition to a home countries international and other elements the meeting will now witness a spicy selection angle with winners only earning a seat on the flight to Serbia. 

Read More: Parliament Hill stages Night of 10,000m-style cross-country event
The traditional trial at the Inter-Counties and UK Cross Challenge final, meanwhile, will still result in a number of athletes being selected, including senior winners and most of the under-20 squad. The event could feature a new venue, too, with the familiar setting of Prestwold Hall near Loughborough not necessarily staging it in 2024. Individual races aside, UKA will also pick a mixed relay team based off a variety of factors such as Euro Cross results, winter form and track performances from 2023 and the 2024 indoor season.

The team looks set to be bigger than the squad that travelled to Australia for the World Cross this year. On that occasion there were four athletes in the senior women’s race and both under-20 events, a mixed relay team and just one senior man. At Aarhus in 2019, however, six athletes were chosen in all four senior and junior races. The 2024 team will be named shortly after the Inter-Counties on March 13. A link to the full selection document is here with details of how athletes who want to do the mixed relay can express their interest.

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 post this week.

Photograph of MATEI FRUNZA who was the September winner of the JACK PETCHEY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD for his dedication to 400m sprint training.