Happy Birthday from this Thursday 21 April to Andrew Millett, Joe Purbrick, Leo Roncarati, Mekhi Spence-Forde, Jamal Rhoden-Stevens, Lucy Taylor, Odera Umeugoji, Tariq Wild and Ben Winfield

RECENT NEW MEMBERS–We wish you a very warm welcome, and a happy, healthy and successful time with Shaftesbury to ALANA SAMJI and LARISSA WILSON

SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS SUBSCRIPTIONS – SBH Treasurer GEOFF MORPHITIS has sent me the following request.
Our new Club year started on 1 October 2021. The SBH annual subscriptions is £50 and the current England Athletics annual registration is £16 from 1 April 2022. The total is £66 and should now be paid NOW to; ACCOUNT NAME: SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS, BANK: 41308378, SORT CODE: 400426 – Please let me know when payment is made. Thanks GEOFF

INTRODUCTION TO ATHLETICS OFFICIATING – Good afternoon all. It has been discussed recently, we need to build up the number of officials we have available to help us promote athletics meetings both at the StoneX Stadium and at other local venues.

Can you please help by checking with the parents of athletes in your groups or perhaps even some of your athletes whether they are interested in officiating at athletics events and whether they could attend the introductory sessions at the StoneX Stadium. Any support would be greatly appreciated. There’s a real risk following the Covid outbreaks and the number of officials that have recently retired, that some inter-club athletics meetings will have to be cancelled.
The dates and times for the final session are; Tuesday 26 April from 18.30 to 20.00. The tutor is TAMSIN JAMES, who is an excellent official and who regularly supports our meetings.
Can you please confirm availability and details of any of your introductions who can attend ASAP. You too would be welcome. Thanks, and take care.

GEOFFREY MORPHITIS Telephone: 020 8447 1066, Mobile: 07976 994 302, E-mail: geoffrey.morphitis@capeandd.com

RESULTS
LONDON INTER CLUB CHALLENGE/LUCA ATHLETICS SERIES – Took place at Lee Valley on 16 April
100m – SX 4 HANNAH FOSTER U23 1st (SB 11.99 w-0.9) and is ranked UK No.6 U23 in 2022, 5 ALEX BEECHEY (2nd Claim) 5th (SB 10.79 w0.9), GERALD MATTHEW 7th (SB 10.88 w0.9), 7 EDSON GOMES 1st (PB 11.03 w-1.8) taking .03 of a second off his 2021 time, DITA JAJA U23 7th (SB 12.41 w-1.8), 8 CALVIN SMITH U20 6th (SB 11.71 w-2.6), 10 SEAN SUTHERLAND V50 5th (SB 12.46 w-0.3) and is ranked UK No.3 V50 in 2022, 11 JOSEPH WHEELER-HENRY U15 1st (PB 11.91 w-0.6) taking .14 of a second off his 2021 time, and is ranked UK No.9 U15 in 2022, EUGENE RIZA 4th (SB 12.83 w-0.6), 13 TRISTAN LEE U15 2nd (PB 12.99 w-0.9) taking .23 of a second off his 2022 time, 14 LANI JAIYEOLA U13 1st (PB 13.14 w0.9) taking .30 of a second off his 2021 time, and is ranked UK No.4 U13 in 2022, ONYEBUCHA ODIAKA U15 4th (SB 13.46 w0.9), MACIE SUTHERLAND U15 5th (PB 13.48 w0.9) taking .04 of a second off her 2021 time, 15 MIA HIGSON U17 2nd (PB 13.38 w-0.7) taking .16 of a second off her 2021 time, ARIANA GOMES U20 5th (PB 14.07 w-0.7) taking .44 of a second off her 10 April time, 16 LUCY CAMPOS U17 2nd (PB 13.66 w2.1) taking .13 of a second off her 2021 time, ANU JAIYEOLA U11 5th (PB 14.39 w2.1) taking .79 of a second off her 2021 time
200m – SX 4 HANNAH FOSTER U23 1st (SB 24.10 w-1.1) and is ranked UK No.8 U23 in 2022, EVE WRIGHT U23 2nd (PB 24.41 w-1.1) taking .67 of a second off her 2021 time, HAYLEY MCLEAN 4th (PB 24.81 w-1.1) taking .12 of a second off her 2021 time, LUCY WOODWARD U23 5th (26.43 w-1.1), 5 ALEX BEECHEY (2nd Claim) 4th (SB 21.57 w0.3), 6 COLUMBA BLANGO T20/F20 1st (SB 22.05 w0.5) and is ranked UK No.1 T20 in 2022, EDSON GOMES 2nd (SB 22.15 w0.5), CALVIN SMITH U20 6th (SB 22.55 w0.5), 8 JOSEPH WHEELER-HENRY U15 4th (PB 22.64 w0.8) taking .69 of a second off his 2021 time, and is ranked UK No.5 U15 in 2022, DITA JAJA U23 7th (25.60 w0.8), 9 MATTHEW OHIOZE U23 3rd (SB 25.01 w0.2), 11 TRISTAN LEE U15 1st (PB 26.38 w-1.1), 12 LANI JAIYEOLA U13 4th (PB 26.99 w1.0) taking 1.25 seconds off his 2021 time, and is ranked UK No.3 U13 in 2022, ONYEBUCHA ODIAKA U15 5th (PB 27.57 w1.0) taking .34 of a second off his 2021 time, 13 EUGENE RIZA 1st (PB 27.47 w0.0), LUCY CAMPOS U17 3rd (SB 28.89 w0.0), ALANA SAMJI U17 4th (PB 29.22 w0.0), DAISY HARVEY-DEW U17 7th (SB 30.96 w0.0)
300m – SX 2 SEAN SUTHERLAND V50 1st (PB 41.95) and is ranked UK No.2 V50 in 2022, 3 JOHNSON OGUNNIYI V50 1st (PB 41.46) and is ranked UK No.1 V50 in 2022, MIA HIGSON U17 3rd (PB 43.37) taking 1.03 seconds off her 2021 time, MACIE SUTHERLAND U15 4th (PB 43.86) taking 1.04 seconds off her 2021 time, AZARIA NWANKWO U17 5th (SB 44.57), OLIVE HARVEY-DEW U17 7th (SB 45.04)
400m – SX 2 GERALD MATTHEW 5th (SB 51.10)
800m – SX 2 LIA RADUS U23 4th (2:47.39), 4 JOSIAH WILLIAMS-OLLIVIERRE U17 1st (PB 2:10.98) taking 7.73 seconds off his 2021 time, 6 CALEB HILTON U13 2nd (PB 2:35.17), LISA WEBB V55 5th (SB 2:38.75) and is ranked UK No.3 V55 in 2022, PHOEBE MUSIC U15 6th (SB 2:58.18)
80m Hurdles – U17W AZARIA NWANKWO U17 2nd (PB 12.40 w-0.1) taking .29 of a second off her 2021 time, HOPE BAKER U17 6th (SB 12.95 w-0.1)
110m Hurdles – SM GARY SMITH V50 (2nd Claim) 5th (SB 14.43 w-0.1) taking .31 of a second off his 10 April time, and is ranked UK No.1 V50 in 2022
400m Hurdles – SW HAYLEY MCLEAN 1st (SB 57.43) and is ranked UK No.1 in 2022
High Jump – SX REBECCA WHEELER-HENRY U20 2nd (SB 1.60m) equalling her 19 March height, HOPE BAKER U17 6th (SB 1.50m) adding 2cm to her 27 March height
Pole Vault – SX TOLU AYO-OJO U23 6th (SB 3.60m), STACEY GONZALEZ BETANCOURT V45 16th (2.60m)
Long Jump – SX A EBENEZER JOSEPH (2nd Claim) 5th (5.65m nwr), B LANI JAIYEOLA U13 8th (PB 4.43m nwr) adding 58cm to his 2021 jump
Discus 1kg – SX B KATIE WEBB U20 2nd (SB 32.84m), OLIVIA LAVA U20 3rd (SB 32.59m)
Shot 4kg – SX B ELENI KAPONI 3rd (PB 7.11m)
Hammer 4kg – SX AMY CLEMENS 1st (SB 49.02m) adding 3,54m to her 14 April throw
Hammer 7.26kg – SM OLIVER GRAHAM U23 1st (SB 60.26m) adding 59cm to his 20 March throw, and is ranked UK No.7 in 2022
Javelin 600g – SX A LUCY WOODWARD U23 1st (SB 30.58m), HELENA AGHOLOR 5th (PB 21.50m) adding 1.70m to her 19 March throw
Javelin 800m – SM B MILAN TRAJKOVIC U20 2nd (SB 53.71m) adding 64cm to his 1o April throw, MICHAEL GONZALEZ BETANCOURT V45 6th (36.12m)

WOODFORD GREEN WITH ESSEX LADIES OPEN MEETING – Took place at Woodford on 18 April
Hammer 7.26kg – SM OLIVER GRAHAM U23 1st (SB 61.05m) adding 79cm to his 16 April throw, and is ranked UK No.5 U23 in 2022, JAMES HAMBLIN (2nd Claim) 2nd (58.71m)

WATFORD OPEN MEETING – Took place at Watford on 16 April
Will add any SB’s or PB’s next week, when the results will be on the PO10.
800m – SX 3 LADDIE SHAW U13 7th (2:39.10), 6 LARISSA WILSON U17 1st (2:26.09),  9 SCARLETT KENT U23 7th (2:22.87), MYA MAIRS-INGRAM U17 7th (2:24.52), 10 POSIE SHAW U15 9th (2:23.45), 11 EUAN PHILLIPS U15 3rd (2:16.83), ARTHUR PHILLIPS U15 8th (2:20.18), LOUIS PELTA U17 10th (2:23.92), 12 THOMAS CADWALLADER U15 3rd (2:09.58), 13 JACOB CLEMENT U17 2nd (2:09.99), JOSIAH WILLIAMS-OLLIVERRE U17 4th (2:11.11), 15 JONATHAN BOARDMAN U20 6th (2:05.86), 17 GILAD NACHSHEN U20 4th (1:58.17), GIANLEO STUBBS U20 5th (1:59.13), 18 LUCA STUBBS U20 2nd (1:54.53)

SOUTHAMPTON OPEN MEETING – Took place at Southampton on 16 April
Long Jump – U20X TRAVIS SCOTTOW U17 (2nd Claim) 1st (6.19m nwr)
Shot 5kg – U17M TRAVIS SCOTTOW U17 (2nd Claim) 1st (PB 15.66m) adding 1.08m to his 3 April put, and is ranked UK No.1 U17 in 2022
Discus 1.5kg – SM TRAVIS SCOTTOW U17 (2nd Claim) 1st (44.05m)
Hammer 4kg – SX JESSICA-CHARLIE BENNETT U20 (2nd Claim) 1st (47.75m)

BILL WHISTLECROFT OPEN MEETING – Took place at Yeovil on 16 April
2000m Steeplechase – SW AMELIA WILLS U23 (2nd Claim) 3rd (PB 7:04.04) and is ranked UK No.5 in 2022

KENNESAW STATE INVITATIONAL – Took place at Kennesaw, Georgia, USA on 15-16 April
100m – SM 1 OJIE EDOBURUN 2nd (10.42 w-0.1)

SOONER INVITATIONAL – Took place at Norman, Oklahoma, USA on 15-16 April
Long Jump – SM B BRAD DAVIES-PUGHE U20 (Cloud County) 1st (SB 7.53m w1.4) adding 28cm to his 9 April jump, and is ranked UK No.2 U20 in 2022

LARRY ELLIS INVITATIONAL – Took place at Princeton, New Jersey, USA on 15-16 April
200m – SW 5 LILY PARRIS U20 (Princeton University 2nd Claim) 4th (SB 25.68 w1.9) taking 1.12 seconds off her 5 February time
100m Hurdles – SW H4 LILY PARRIS U20 (Princeton University 2nd Claim) 3rd (SB 14.42 w0.7) taking .40 of a second off her 9 April time, SW LILY finished 4th (SB 14.41 w0.7) taking .01 of a second off her H4 time, and is ranked UK No.2 U20 in 2022

COMEBACK 5000m OPEN MEETING – Took place at Battersea Park on 15 April
5000m – SX 5 KOJO KYEREME V45 3rd (SB 14:51.68) and is ranked UK No.1 V45 in 2022, 6 TOM BUTLER 7th (SB 14:48.30), 7 JEREMY DEMPSEY 9th (SB 14:23.27), ALEXANDER LEPRETRE (2nd Claim) 11th (SB 14:29.84), 8 GEORGIA BELL 3rd (PB 16:08.42)

RUN JUMP THROW SERIES – Took place at Sheffield on 15 April
300m – SX 1 ROBERT SHIPLEY U13 (2nd Claim) 2nd (SB 35.04)

ST ALBANS 10K – Took place at St Albans on 15 April
PAUL LEWIS V50 46th (PB 39.55)

PACIFIC COAST INTERCOLLEGIATE – Took place at Long Beach, California, USA on 14 April
Discus 2kg – SM E NICK PERCY 1st (SB 62.54m) adding 19cm to his 9 April throw, and is ranked UK No.1 in 2022

BOSTON MARATHON – Took place at Boston, Massachusetts, USA on 18 April
DANIEL WATTS 1231st (2:48.55)

TOM JONES MEMORIAL MEETING – Took place at Gainesville, Florida, USA on 15-16 April
200m – SM OD2 CHARLIE DOBSON (2nd Claim) 1st (PB 20.19 w0.9) taking .34 of a second off his 2019 time, and is ranked UK No.1 in 2022
200m – SW OD1 LINA NIELSEN 5th (PB 23.11 w0.6) taking .02 of a second off her 2021 time, and is ranked UK No.1 in 2022
400m – SW OD LINA NIELSEN 3rd (PB 51.54) taking 1.02 seconds off her 2021 time, and is ranked UK No.1 in 2022 

HARROW OPEN MEETING – Took place at Harrow on 14 April
Discus 1.75kg – U20M JAMES ISAACS U20 1st (SB 40.39m) and is ranked UK No.7 U20 in 2022
Discus 2kg – SM NEVILLE THOMPSON V65 3rd (SB 40.08m) and is ranked UK No.1 V65 in 2022
Hammer 4kg – SX AMY CLEMENS 2nd (SB 45.48m)

ML SAC RELAYS – Took place at Walnut, California, USA on 13-16 April
100m – SM D2 JAMI SCHLUETER U23 (University of Washington) 3rd (SB 11.11 w1.9)
200m – SM E MICHAEL OHIOZE 6th (SB 20.91 w1.6) taking .12 of a second off his 2 April time, and is ranked UK No.6 in 2022
400m – SM D1 JAMI SCHLUETER U23 (University of Washington) 6th (51.91)
800m – SM E KYLE LANGFORD 9th (1:51.90)
1500m – SM D JAMI SCHLUETER U23 (University of Washington) 9th (PB 4:39.72) taking 16.29 seconds off his 2019 time
110m Hurdles – SM D3 JAMI SCHLUETER U23 (University of Washington) 4th (14.85 w0.8)
High Jump – SM D JAMI SCHLUETER U23 (University of Washington) 12th (1.86m)
Pole Vault – SM D JAMI SCHLUETER U23 (University of Washington) 11th (PB 4.40) adding 20cm to his 26 February height
Long Jump – SM D JAMI SCHLUETER U23 (University of Washington) 10th (6.83m w1.0)
Shot 7.26kg – SM D JAMI SCHLUETER U23 (University of Washington) 11th (PB 12.90m) adding 15cm to his 25 February put
Discus 1kg – SW E JADE LALLY 4th (59.22m), SHADINE DUQUEMIN 8th (54.37m)
Discus 2kg – SM D JAMI SCHLUETER U23 (University of Washington) 12th (36.36m), E NICK PERCY 1st (PB 63.47m) adding 23cm to his 2021 throw, and is ranked UK No.1 in 2022
Javelin 800g – SM D JAMI SCHLUETER U23 (University of Washington) 10th (PB 49.96m) adding 3.82m to his 2020 throw

Decathlon – SM JAMI SCHLUETER U23 (University of Washington) 11th (PB 7139 points)

RED RAIDER OPEN MEETING – Took place at Orange City, Iowa, USA on 13-14 April
Pole Vault – SM GLEN QUAYLE U23 (Northern State University) 1st (4.90m)

BRYAN CLAY INVITATIONAL – Took place at Azusa, California, USA on 13-14 April
400m – SM 12 JAMAL RHODEN-STEVENS 1st (47.17)

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. 

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Canons Park on 16 April.
LOUIS PELTA U17 10th (22.16) this was his 53rd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Chevin Forest on 16 April.
ARTHUR PHILLIPS U13 6th (20.10) this was his 56th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Clapham Common on 16 April.
DAVID BOWERS 1st (16.47) this was his 1st Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Colchester Castle on 16 April.
JULIAN LAMY 1st (17.52) this was his 34th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Fell Foot on 16 April.
RUSSELL DEVITT V70 253rd (35.32) this was his 219th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Finsbury on 16 April.
BRADLEY SINGER 85th (24.15) this was his 174th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Gunpowder on 16 April.
SCARLETT KENT U20 17th (PB 19.57) this was her 45th Parkrun, RUFUS KENT U23 18th (19.59) this was his 44th Parkrun, JO KENT V55 (2nd Claim) 22nd (20.01) this was her 83rd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Llanerchaeron on 16 April.
EMILY NIELAN V35 42nd (23.39) this was her 17th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Lymington Woodside on 16 April.
REBEKAH HOUNSELL 13th (PB 19.48) this was her 65th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Oak Hill on 16 April.
STUART SINGER V60 37th (22.26) this was his 326th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Upton House on 16 April.
HUGH RICHARDS V75 223rd (34.37) this was his 171st Parkrun

UPCOMING FIXTURES FOR THE NEXT 4 WEEKS, FOR THE PERIOD THURSDAY 21 APRIL UNTIL WEDNESDAY 19 MAY – The current 2022 Summer Fixture Card can be found on the SBH website – http://sbharriers.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixture-cards/ – also the contact details for all Team Managers can be found on the SBH website – http://sbharriers.co.uk/athletics/track-field/team-managers

UK YOUTH DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE PREMIER SOUTH ROUND 1 – The first fixture of four takes place on Sunday 24 April at the Thames Valley Athletics Centre, Pococks Lane, Eton, Windsor (Satnav SL4 6HN).
Age-Groups Under 17 & U20 Men/Women.
This is the link to the timetable – YDL UAG Timetables 2022
Note: You will have to be selected by your respective Team Manager

EASTERN YOUNG ATHLETES LEAGUE ROUND 1  – The first of four fixtures takes place on Sunday 1 May at the Woodside Stadium, Horseshoe Lane, Watford (Satnav Wd25 7HH).
Age-Groups Under U13, U15 & U17 Men/Women.
Link to the timetable – EYAL Timetable 2022
Note: You will have to be selected by your Team Manager, Those athletes who wish to compete as a non-scorer, please contact your Team Manager no later than Thursday 28 April as the declarations have to be in on Friday 29 April

NATIONAL ATHLETIC LEAGUE ROUND 1 – The first of four fixtures takes place on Saturday 7 May at the Sportcity Regional Athletics Arena, Rowsley Street, Manchester (Satnav M11 3FF).
Age-Groups Under U20 & Senior Men/Women.
Link to the timetable – 2022-NAL-Timetable-OTF-2
Note: You will have to be selected by your Team Manager 

MIDDLESEX YOUNG ATHLETES LEAGUE ROUND 1 – The first fixture of four takes place on Sunday 8 May at Parliament Hill Fields Athletics Track, London (Satnav NW3 2JP).
Age-Groups Under 13, 15 & 17 Men/Women.
Link to the timetable – Awaiting Issue
Note: You will have to be selected by your Team Manager.
To Be Confirmed: Those athletes who wish to compete as a non-scorer, please contact your Team Manager no later than Thursday 5 May as the declarations have to be in on Friday 6 May.

MIDDLESEX U13 UP TO SENIOR CENTENARY T&F CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 14 May to Sunday 15 May at Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton, London (Satnav N9 0AR).
As a general guide U17, U20 & Seniors will compete on Saturday and U13 & U15 on Sunday.
Link for on-line entries – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2022/GBR/mdx-all/
Entries Close Saturday 30 April

NIGHT OF THE 10000m PBs – Takes place on Saturday 14 May at Parliament Hill Fields Athletics Track, London (Satnav NW3 2JP).
Established in 2013, the 2022 races incorporates the British 10,000m Championships and return as the British Athletics 10,000m time trial race for the World Championships and European 10,000m Cup. Taking place at Parliament Hill Athletics Track, it will also provide a key performance indicator for athletes targeting the European Championships in Munich later in the summer. Free for spectators against a backdrop of music and entertainment, the high-quality open races are sure to be an event for all the family..

JAN PEARSON HER FIRST DAY TIMEKEEPING – JAN who recently joined us, sent me this note following her timekeeping experience at last Saturday’s LICC meeting.

Did my first ever stint as a volunteer athletics timekeeper today. Full on 8 hour day but at a venue only 10 minutes from home. Luckily the sun was shining. A top official trusted me with her expensive stopwatch – I’ll have to buy my own to carry on. A mix of events and age groups. A surprise entrant was the delightful Team GB golden girl DINA ASHER-SMITH who ran in the unfamiliar 300m and of course left everyone in her wake. She took a long time to recover but still spent time with her adoring public (the other athletes). Her parents were there supporting her.

There’s a lot of concentration involved in timekeeping. I was just given 1st place to take and then to compare my time with the chief timekeeper. She and the other two also recorded 2nd and 3rd and usually all the rest in the longer races. You have to focus on the starter who is positioned in different places depending on the event (we have a good vantage point from our timekeeper’s stand) and know when to click start when he fires his starting pistol and then to click stop at the right time on the line. Hard to see the winner in a close 100m. It all happens so fast. Apparently, I did well for a first time. Luckily there was also electronic timekeeping and photo finish so I could check how close I was to the actual time. I was never spot on but got very close sometimes. For the 4x 400m relay I had a bit extra to do – pressing a different button to record the 4 individual runners’ lap times too. There was a junior female from Taunton attempting to qualify for the European Champs and Commonwealth Games in the 5000m Walk. Not sure if she made the time. Hope she did – she looked good.
I did enjoy it so I’ve got a few more days lined up this year – mostly at StoneX Stadium, aka Copthall, home of Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers (who were there before Saracens arrived to share the space!)

Congratulations JAN on your debut, it sounds that you had an exciting and fulfilling day at Lee Valley, photograph of JAN during the day.

Photograph of a timekeeper’s watch, I think I would need a 2 day course to use it.

In fact, DINA ASHER-SMITH ran (36.41) in winning her 300m race, ranking her UK No.1, earlier this year Shaftesbury’s LINA NIELSEN ran (37.35) albeit Indoors, ranking her UK No.3.

A LOOK INSIDE THE CALL ROOM – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

Before stepping out into an arena to compete, the final stage athletes have to negotiate is the Call Room. VERITY OCKENDEN writes about a space which can either make – or break – your performance.

Log your 10,000 hours, eat well, sleep well, break the bank for the shoes if you must, but come “squeaky bum” time all can be won or lost in the final quarter of an hour before the gun fires. The last frontier, the space in which the only variables left are entirely down to you and your competitors and how you react to the situation you find yourselves in, is the often-dreaded Call Room. The mere crackle of peeling paper as hip numbers are slapped on to sweating skin charges the room with an unavoidable electricity – whether you choose to catch a gaze or avoid it, to crack a joke or to remain aloof. This is a place within which the closest of bonds and the fiercest of rivalries between athletes are forged, and you never quite know what you’ll be faced with until you cross that threshold.  To begin with the bare bones of the beast, one must smoothly navigate the plethora of logistical formalities involved in the differing Call Room procedures of each event throughout the season. Although certain rules and norms exist, these can vary from country to country and depend on the facilities available and the level of the competition itself. Understandably, it helps if you understand the language spoken at the meet in which you’re competing. Timings for entry to and exit from the Call Room are precise, and protocols within them are strict so planning your warm-up accordingly is the first step to success here. There’s a very fine line to be trodden between the achieving the optimum timing of your last set of drills or stride-outs and missing the last call. Once you’re inside, there’s really no going back so you must be ready to race both physically and psychologically.

Personally, I’ll never forget once of my first experiences of a no-nonsense Call Room back when the British Universities Championships were the biggest date on my calendar and I was a naive young 1500m runner. GEMMA KERSEY was the favourite to win by some margin and her confident pre-race chatter baffled me, even if I couldn’t help but laugh along nervously. I couldn’t fathom how somebody so serious about the sport could so blithely be pondering the best ice cream shop to visit that afternoon a mere 15 minutes before such a decisive event in her career was due to begin. That, coupled with the old-school attitudes of our officials who merrily stereotyped us as we begged for one last chaperoned trip to the bathrooms with an “all right, I suppose you girls all need to fix your hair again don’t you?” was enough to sow subtle seeds of doubt in my malleable mind that day. Somehow, since then, I’ve graduated to coping well and even thriving in these kind of scenarios with many a sickening stomach-lurch and many a laugh along the way. At the 2020 European Indoor Championships in Poland for example, when mask-wearing was mandatory even in the Call Room and for the first time in my life, my entrance on to the track was choreographed for the camera beforehand, it was fun and I felt a power in the absorption of the atmosphere of the Call Room.

Arriving at this point can feel like a consciously performative process at first, but as Olympians such as ALEXI PAPPAS and MOLLY SEIDEL have recently advocated after receiving public critique for their smiles and waves mid-marathon efforts, there shouldn’t have to be a divide between pursuing excellence seriously and enjoying oneself while doing so.  Evidently, experience is a valuable asset in developing the kind of confidence required to walk into such an environment as the Call Room and come out of it the other side unshaken in your attitude. However, while the Call Room can be an unpleasantly anxious place if you let it, it is possible even to enjoy it if you cultivate a good mindset. You’ll know that perhaps you’ll have your attire questioned and covered in duct tape by an overzealous and intimidating official, perhaps you’ll be assigned a starstruck kid with whom to bump fists as they carry your discarded belongings into the arena for you. You’ll know that all eyes might shift to you when the pacemaker double-checks the splits requested, or perhaps contrarily you’ll find yourself the underdog nobody is watching. Perhaps you’re the only entrant without another team-mate present, an outsider to the camaraderie of their conversation. All of these things you anticipate and you find a tried and tested method that suits you and helps you to remain who you need to be on reaching the start line. Of course, you’ll make mistakes and learn from them along the way but isn’t that all part of the game?

AIMING HIGH IN THE POLE VAULT – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

Former Olympic champion and Spire Institute Academy coach TIM MACK gives his top tips to the next generation of pole vaulters. You want to be a pole vaulter – and who can blame you? True glory is to be found in flinging yourself over a bar with a fiberglass pole. The truth is, the pole vault is not only one of the most fun events in track and field but, in my opinion, it is also the most rewarding.  There’s a lot more to it than a random fling over a pole. There are many different qualities that one must possess, including a little speed, strength, gymnastic ability, flexibility, mental toughness, a hard work ethic, patience, competitiveness and the willingness to try something new and exciting. It helps to excel at any one of these attributes, but it’s not required. You can be great at some of the elements and not so good at others but, ultimately, you must have the willingness to work hard to get just a little bit better. The true beauty of the sport is that there are limitless ways to get better. I am going to identify some elements that will help a young vaulter enjoy a long, safe and healthy future in the sport.   

Step One – Find your coach and mentor Before you even start this journey, it’s important to find a pole vault coach. This person may be at your school or a private sports club in your area, but he or she could also be a private individual that offers lessons.  

Step Two – Learn to run properly As a pole vaulter, you should run upright, extending your legs fully into the ground while maintaining a high heel recovery and lifting your thighs very high. Remember not to lean forward. We have a pole that is trying to pull us forward and the only way to counter that is to be sure to run tall. Make sure to take all the running drills very seriously. Understand the hows and whys for each drill. Eliminate talking while performing drills; talking takes your focus off the task and slows down your progress. Really try to feel what your muscles are doing and become “in tune” with your body. As a young athlete, you may not initially feel any connection with your muscle groups. Give it time and patience and you will.

Step Three – Maintain your flexibility and co-ordination Although you will work on developing flexibility and co-ordination in your regular workout routine, commit to an additional 10 or 15 minutes each morning to focus exclusively on these aspects. In pole vaulting, your body must be able to move in strange and different positions. If I ask an athlete to perform an action and they aren’t able to do it, I want to be sure it isn’t an issue with their flexibility. I call this a “sticking point”.  To remove these “sticking points”, I have a series of pole vault-related exercises and drills that we perform four days a week. These exercises are related to running mechanics, hip and shoulder flexibility, abdominal and shoulder strength and flexibility. I also add many pole vault-specific skills to these morning sessions. These may include walking drills with a pole, swinging on rings or a rope or whatever the focus is for that time of the year. I do these to further create layers of pole vault technical patterns, literally programming the pole vaulter’s body. We do these exercises at SPIRE Institute & Academy (IA) before 8:30 am. Early morning is when it’s calmest. Quiet sessions, without any stressors or distractions, provide the optimal atmosphere to learn. These early morning repetitions, done over the span of a year, can lead to thousands and thousands of repetitions more than the average pole vaulting competitor will achieve.

Step Four – Learn to run with the pole and drop it properly You must become on with the pole! The width of your grip should be as wide as if you jumped up to hang on a high bar. Don’t grip too wide or too narrow. I teach every vaulter to count their left steps quietly under their breath. This is because there are certain “checkpoints” that I use to determine if the pole is falling at the proper pace. I teach them to count down high to low, from the first time their left foot hits the ground until they jump off the ground. At the vaulter’s sixth step out from take-off, I like the pole angle to be 50 degrees from the ground. Then, at the vaulter’s third step out from the box, the pole angle should be approximately five degrees. Finally, at the vaulter’s take-off position, the pole should be completely extended with the vaulter ready to jump off the ground. I made up many drills, if not all, on my own to mimic these positions. I had fun with it. I was just being an actor, acting out what the best pole vaulters in the world were doing. 

Step Five – Use your Imagination Use your imagination while practicing, when creating your own drills, and when motivating yourself each day. I used my imagination when I looked at myself in the mirror and told myself, “you are the greatest pole vaulter to ever live,” even when I didn’t necessarily believe it. I used my imagination to build a running sled to help my running posture and when I tore apart my running spikes, I rebuilt them and glued them back together to make me taller. I used my imagination to see myself walking out to the Olympic Stadium every day. Use your imagination to visualise your goals each and every day. You are the next generation of pole vaulters; learn from those who came before you, as I did. When you’ve succeeded, I hope to hear that they helped you achieve your dreams.

UPDATE ON VOLUNTEERS – RAY POWELL has now advised me that the response for The Westminster Mile has been disappointing, and RAY has now advised London Marathon that the club cannot fulfil our commitment.
Regarding the Vitality 10k on Monday 2 May, RAY now has the 10 volunteers required, many thanks to you all, and enjoy your day in Green Park.

SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS ON INSTAGRAM – Since the account was setup towards the end of last year, there has been an amazing amount of Video and Photographs contributed with many comments. The following is an update of this week’s contributions.

All the following photographs feature our many athletes that competed in the Hertfordshire, Middlesex and Kent Indoor Championships at Lee Valley on 19-20 March.

The following are photographs from the LICC meeting at Lee Valley on 16 April

DINA ASHER-SMITH WITH SBH ATHLETES – Taken with her following her 300m win, from left to right MIA HIGSON, LUCY CAMPOS, SEAN SUTHERLAND, MACIE SUTHERLAND, DINA ASHER-SMITH, DAISY HARVEY-DEW and ALANA SAMJI.

200m ENTERING THE STRAIT – From left to right is HAYLEY MCLEAN who finished 4th with a personal best (24.81 w-1.1), then GWENDOLINE DALEY of Woodford Green who finished 3rd, EVE WRIGHT who finished 2nd with a personal best (24.41 w-1.1), finally HANNAH FOSTER who won the race in a season’s best (24.10 w-1.1) which ranks her UK No.8 U23 in 2022.

OUR UNDER 20 DISCUS THROWERS – Celebrating after their afternoon efforts are KATIE WEBB who won the Discus with a season’s best (32.84m), and OLIVIA LAVA also with a season’s best (32.59m)

TWO OF OUR SPRINTERS AFTER THEIR DAYS WORK – SEAN SUTHERLAND who ran the 100m (12.45 w-0.3) then won the 300m with a personal best (41.95) which ranks him UK No.2 V50 in 2022, then EUGENE RIZA who ran a season’s best in the 100m (12.83 w-0.6) and a personal best in the 200m (27.47 w0.0).

NICK PERCY – Photograph celebrating his outstanding Discus personal best of (63.47m) adding 23cm to his 2021 throw, and is ranked UK No.1 in 2022. The competition was the ML SAC Relays at Walnut, California, USA on 16 April.

VIDEO OF TOM BUTLER – Taken at the Comeback 5000m Meeting at Battersea Park on 15 April,
TOM finished 7th in a season’s best (14:48.30).

BIRMINGHAM 2022 COMMONWEALTH GAMES – You may wish to sign up to receive their Newsletter. Link – https://www.birmingham2022.com/register-your-interest/. This is the link to the current schedule for the 25 events – https://images.birmingham2022.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/11441664_CWGs_Daily_Competition_Schedule_FINAL.pdf.