Happy Birthday from Thursday 4 April to Wednesday 10 April – Alexandra Baltazer-Hall, Ben Bellisario, Grant Brown, Phillip Crout, Richard Goodman, Phillipa Lowe, Phoebe Music, Paul Simons, Claire Spurway, Alon Taylor and Amelia Wills

LONDON INTER CLUB CHALLENGE HURDLES NIGHT – Due to take place on Wednesday 8 May has now been cancelled.

ENGLAND ATHLETICS APRIL THROWS NEWSLETTER – I recently received this months edition from NICK RIDGEON of EA.
The content is varied and interesting including upcoming events from April to August – Throws Newsletter Apr-24

STATUS ON OPEN MEETINGS – These are the fixtures which are now open for you to enter yourself, which are as follows. Changes this week in Red.
BFTA Series – 14 April Closing Date 6 April, 19 May Closing Date 12 May and 2 June Closing Date 26 May (All entries on Opentrack)
Lee Valley – 24 April Closing Date 23 April , 8 May Closing Date 7 May, 22 May Closing Date 21 May, 5 June Closing Date 4 June (All entries on Opentrack)
Newham – 26 May (Not open as yet) (All entries on Opentrack)
Watford – 17 April (Not open as yet) (Entries on Roster Athletics)
Please remember there is a possibility that the limits may be taken up before the closing date.

SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS SUBSCRIPTIONS – Our new Club year started on 1 October 2023. The current SBH annual subscription is £80 and the current England Athletics annual registration from 1 April 2024 is £19. The current total is £99 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.

HERTFORDSHIRE AND BEDFORDSHIRE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 11 May and Sunday 12 May. at the Woodside Stadium, Horseshoe Lane, Watford (Satnav WD25 7HH)
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women
Link to enter on Roster athletics – https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions?nextUrl=L3B1YmxpYy9jb21wZXRpdGlvbnM%2FaWQ9MjQ5NDUmY2M9R0JSJmZyb209MjAyNC0wMy0yMyZ0bz0yMDI0LTA2LTMwJnBhZ2U9MQ%3D%3D&cc=GBR&page=2&from=2024-04-03&to=2024-06-28
Entries Closing Date Sunday 30 April
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a possibility that the limits will be taken up well before the race day.

 MIDDLESEX COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 11 May and Sunday 12 May at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR)
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women
Link to enter on Opentrack and Information – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/?o=&page=2&date__gte=2024-03-20&date__lte=2024-06-30&type=&q=&country_id=GBR&uses_ot=on
Entries Closing Date Sunday 30 April
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a possibility that the limits will be taken up well before the race day.

RESULTS
LONDON INTER CLUB CHALLENGE THROWSFEST – Took place at StoneX Stadium on 30 March
Shot 3kg – U17W ELSA SHABANI U17 1st (11.93m), KEIRA LAKE-BRYAN U17 2nd (SB 10.09m) adding 4cm to her 17 March put
Shot 6kg – U20M ALASTAIR BROWN U20 (2nd Claim) 1st (14.19m)
Shot 6kg – M50 MIGUEL GONZALEZ-BETANCOURT V50 1st (PB 12.03m)
Discus 1kg – SW B EMMA BEARDMORE V35 (2nd Claim) 2nd (SB 42.11m) adding 21cm to her 24 March throw, and is ranked UK No.2 V35 in 2024
Discus 2kg – SM A GABOR KISS V40 1st (PB 37.52m)
Discus 2kg – SM B REUBEN VAUGHAN 1st (SB 47.90m) and is ranked UK No.9 in 2024
Hammer 3kg – U17W A ELSA SHABANI U17 1st (PB 43.29m) adding 2.43m to her 2023 throw, and is ranked UK No.6 U17 in 2024, KEIRA LAKE-BRYAN U17 3rd (SB 38.38m)
Hammer 3kg – U17W B MAIREAD MCGRATH U17 1st (PB 35.71m)
Hammer 4kg – SW A AMY CLEMENS 1st (SB 45.28m)
Hammer 6kg – U20M ALASTAIR BROWN U20 (2nd Claim) 1st (SB 51.23m) and is ranked UK No.4 U20 in 2024
Javelin 500g – U17W HANNAH PHILLIPS U15 3rd (PB 26.05m) and is ranked UK No.9 U15 in 2024
Javelin 700g – M50 MIGUEL GONZALEZ-BETANCOURT V50 1st (PB 40.46m)
Javelin 800g – SM MILAN TRAJKOVIC 1st (SB 52.32m)

FALKIRK VICTORIA HARRIERS INDOOR OPEN MEETING – Took place at Grangemouth on 30 March
Shot 7.26kg – SM 1 ANGUS MCINROY V35 1st (13.59mi)

UCONN DOG FIGHT – Took place at Storrs, Connecticut, USA on 30 March
100m – SW 3 LARISSA GILES U23 (Yale University) 3rd (SB 12.44 w1.3) and is ranked UK No.4 U23 in 2024
200m – SW 6 LARISSA GILES U23 (Yale University) 2nd (SB 26.57 w2.4) taking .12 of a second off her 10 February time

SAM HOWELL INVITATIONAL – Took place at Princeton, New Jersey, USA on 30 March
200m – SW 3 LILY PARRIS U23 (Princeton University 2nd Claim) 5th (SB 25.80 w2.8)
100m Hurdles – SW H2 LILY PARRIS U23 (Princeton University 2nd Claim) 1st (SB 14.35 w0.9) in her next race LILY finished 5th (SB 14.35 nwr) equalling her H2 time

STANFORD INVITATIONAL – Took place at Stanford, California, USA on 29-30 March
110m Hurdles – SM H4 JAMI SCHLEUTER U23 (University of Washington) 4th (SB 14.85 w-2.7) and is ranked UK No.1 U23 in 2024
Pole Vault – SM I GLEN QUAYLE U23 (Long Beach State University) (NH)
Shot 7.26kg – SM CB JAMI SCHLEUTER U23 (University of Washington) 13th (PB 14.28m) adding 22cm to his 2023 put, and is ranked UK No.7 U23 in 2024
Discus 2kg – SM CA JAMI SCHLEUTER U23 (University of Washington) 13th (SB 34.29m) and is ranked UK No.10 U23 in 2024

ST ALBANS EASTER 10K – Took place at St Albans on 29 March
PAUL LEWIS V50 40th (SB 39.24 3rd V50)

RALEIGH RELAYS – Took place at Raleigh, North Carolina, USA on 28-30 March
1500m – SM 11 LIAM GARRETT (Yale University 2nd Claim) 14th (SB 4:00.58)
3000m Steeplechase – SM 3 KRISTIAN IMROTH U23 (Eastern Kentucky University) 1st (PB 8:42.07) taking 13.52 seconds off his 2021 time, and is ranked UK No.1 U23 in 2024

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…
1,164 events – 224,614 walkers, joggers, runners and volunteers – 10,733 first timers – 23,841 PBs

COMPLETELY USELESS RANDOM FACT – In March, there has been more than 41,000 parkrunners volunteering all over the world

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Aldenham on 30 March.
PAUL LEWIS V50 21st (24.49) this was his 210th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Avondale on 30 March.
EUAN PHILLIPS U15 1st (PB 18.39) this was his 42nd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Blandford on 30 March.
HUGH RICHARDS V75 242nd (39.30) this was his 242nd Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Felixstowe on 30 March.
ROSS HAMMOND U17 4th (PB 17.57) this was his 37th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Hampstead Heath on 30 March.
JAMES SOTHCOTT 36th (PB 22.57) this was his 29th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Harrow on 30 March.
DANIYAL JANMOHAMED U11 19th (21.26) this was his 10th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Highbury Fields on 30 March.
AIDAN MCAVOY U17 4th (17.26) this was his 7th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Lordship Recreational Ground on 30 March.
SAM CLEMENTS U13 17th (20.01) this was his 9th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Monsal Trail on 30 March.
SCARLETT  KENT U23 14th (19.15) this was her 66th Parkrun, JO KENT V55 32nd (20.47) this was her 135th Parkrun, RUFUS KENT U23 33rd (20.47) this was his 57th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Oak Hill on 30 March.
JOSHUA BOWMAN U15 23rd (PB 21.20) this was his 3rd Parkrun, BRADLEY SINGER V35 24th (21.26) this was his 264th Parkrun, STUART SINGER V60 38th (22.23) this was his 414th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Panshanger on 30 March.
RUSSELL DEVITT V75 277th (49.10) this was his 297th Parkrun

PARKRUN 5K – Took place at Perry Lakes, Perth, Australia on 30 March.
STUART MOORE V60 127th (29.03) this was his 226th Parkrun

UPCOMING TRACK AND FIELD FIXTURES FOR THE NEXT 5 WEEKS, WHICH COVERS THE PERIOD THURSDAY  4 APRIL UNTIL WEDNESDAY 8 MAY – The SBH 2024 Summer Fixture Card can be found on the SBH website, in which you can Access/Print a copy for future reference. Also the majority of fixtures Information can be found on the SBH Website under the ‘Fixtures and Results’ section.

SUMMER OPEN MEETINGS 2024 – The link will open the document that has the dates for all fixture dates for BFTA, Lee Valley, Newham and Watford fixtures and updated up to the 4 April – All Summer Open Meetings 2024 Updated 4 April 2024
The Information including how to enter for each fixture, will be published below as and when known.

LONDON INTER CLUB CHALLENGE THROWSFEST WEEK 2 – Takes place on Sunday 7 April at the StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon (Satnav NW4 1RL).
Entry fee is £12 per event for all age-groups, which includes 6 throws. SBH Members qualify for a 50% discount.
Events are Discus, Shot, Hammer & Javelin.
Entries Closed

EASTERN YOUNG ATHLETES LEAGUE  – The first of four fixtures takes place on Sunday 14 April at the Stuart Storey Track, Wodson Park, Wadesmill Road, Ware (Satnav SG12 0UQ).
Age-Groups Under U13, U15 & U17 Men/Women.
Link to the timetable – EYAL Timetable 2024 For Matchess 1 and 3
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 11 April as the declarations have to be in on Friday 12 April

BFTTA OUTDOOR SERIES 1 – Takes place on Sunday 14 Aprill at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR)
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women.
Entry is now open via Open Track – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/?o=&page=1&date__gte=2024-02-26&date__lte=2024-04-30&type=&q=&country_id=GBR&uses_ot=on#
Entries Closing Date Saturday 6 April
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a possibility that the limits will be taken up well before the race day.

WATFORD OPEN MEETING  – Takes place on Wednesday 17 April at the Woodside Stadium, Horseshoe Lane, Watford (Satnav WD25 7HH).
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women.
Timetable – TBC
Link to entries on roster athletics, although entries not open as yet –
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee.
There are no entries on the day, and there is a possibility that the limits will be taken up well before the race day.

TCS MONEY LONDON MINI MARATHON – Takes place on Saturday 20 April close to Temple Station and finishes on The Mall.
Note: You will have to be pre-selected by your respective London Borough or UK Region. 

TCS MONEY LONDON MARATHON – Takes place on Sunday 21 April from Greenwich. We should have a few runners representing the Stripes.
Note: You will have to enter yourself.

LEE VALLLEY 100M/200M SPRINTS NIGHT – Takes place on Wednesday 24 April at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR)
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women.
Timetable 19.00pm 100m, 20.00pm 200m estimated start time, or 20 minutes after the end of the last 100m race.
Entry is via Open Track, now open to enter – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/?o=&page=3&date__gte=2024-03-20&date__lte=2024-06-30&type=&q=&country_id=GBR&uses_ot=on
Entries Closing Date Wednesday 23 April
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a possibility that the limits will be taken up well before the race day.

MIDDLESEX YOUNG ATHLETES LEAGUE ROUND 1 – The first fixture of four takes place on Saturday 27 April at the Finsbury Park Athletics Track (Satnav N4 2NQ).
Age-Groups Under 13, 15 & 17 Men/Women.
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 25 April as the declarations have to be in on Friday 26 April. 

UK YOUTH DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE PREMIER SOUTH ROUND 1 – The first fixture of three takes place on Sunday 28 April at the Thames Valley Athletics Track, Pococks Lane, Eton, Windsor (Satnav SL4 6HN).
Age-Groups Under 17 & U20 Men/Women.
Link to the timetable – UKYDL UAG Timetable 2024
Note: You will have to be selected by your respective Team Manager

WATFORD OPEN MEETING  – Takes place on Wednesday 1 May at the Woodside Stadium, Horseshoe Lane, Watford (Satnav WD25 7HH).
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women.
Timetable – TBC
Link to entries on roster athletics, although entries not open as yet –
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a possibility that the limits will be taken up well before the race day.

BUCS CHAMPIONSHIPS  – Takes place from Saturday 4 May to Monday 6 May at the Manchester Regional Arena, Gate 13, Ethiad Campus, Rowsley Street, Manchester (M11 3FF)
Entries Closed

EASTERN YOUNG ATHLETES LEAGUE ROUND 2  – The second of four fixtures takes place on Sunday 5 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 2024 For Matches 2 and 4
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 2 May as the declarations have to be in on Friday 3 May 

LEE VALLLEY DOUBLE 100M SPRINTS NIGHT – Takes place on Wednesday 8 May at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton (Satnav N9 0AR)
Age-Groups Under U13 and above Men/Women.
Timetable 19.00pm 100m 1st round, 2nd round will follow the last race of the 1st round.
Entry is via Open Track – https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/lvac1001001/
Entries Closing Date Tuesday 7 May
Note: You will have to enter yourself and pay the appropriate entry fee. There are no entries on the day, and there is a possibility that the limits will be taken up well before the race day.

CHANNEL 4 DOCUMENTARY FOLLOWS NINE GB ATHLETES IN RUN-UP TO PARIS GAMES – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

The National Lottery has joined forces with Channel 4 to allow a peek behind the scenes as stars such as KEELY HODGKINSON, HANNAH COCKCROFT and JOSH KERR approach the Olympics and Paralympics in Paris. Some of Britain’s biggest track and field stars will be heading into the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris this summer with Channel 4 cameras following their preparations and training. Two fly-on-the-wall documentaries, in partnership with The National Lottery, will provide a unique insight into the journey these athletes take and the sacrifices they make to be able to compete for Olympic or Paralympic gold.

Nine athletes will allow fans a behind-the-scenes peek of what it takes to succeed at the very highest level of the sport. Episode one will follow four athletes that all have the dream of becoming the next Olympic champion in track and field, while episode two will shine a spotlight on five outstanding Paralympians as they set out on a mission to light up the stadium in Paris. The series will explore what it takes to be a professional athlete heading to an Olympic and Paralympic Games. Each athlete has a unique story to tell, and the series will follow their gruelling training sessions, championship battles and the challenge of trying to qualify for the Games. Viewers will be introduced to the high-performance support environment, enabled by National Lottery players, including coaches, nutritionists, physiotherapists and psychologists. This team that sits behind every National Lottery-supported elite athlete will give a unique insight into the mentality and physicality of an elite sportsperson fighting to represent their country.

The nine athletes set to take part in the documentary are just some of the over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme. They are: HANNAH COCKCROFT, KEELY HODGKINSON, JOSH KERR, MORGAN LAKE, NATHAN MAGUIRE, FUNMI ODUWAIYE, JONNIE PEACOCK, ZAK SKINNER and JAKE WIGHTMAN.

KEELY HODGKINSON, Olympic 800m silver medallist, said: “Getting to compete at an Olympic Games and representing your country is such a special feeling, but people watching from their TVs at home never see what it takes to reach the start line. National Lottery players have transformed Athletics and Para-Athletics in the UK but you don’t often see how that investment powers us to win. You don’t see the hours in the gym, the time spent with physiotherapists, nutritionists, strength and conditioning, and our coaches working through our training plans. None of this would be possible without that investment. “Being part of this documentary will give people an insight into how we train, our day-to-day lives before a major competition and the challenges you have to overcome to race against the best in the world. I love my sport and I want to let people see what goes into those few minutes on the track in front of the world.”

JONNIE PEACOCK, two-time Paralympic gold medallist, said: “This is an incredible opportunity for us as athletes to give people a behind-the-scenes look into what preparation for a Games looks like. We as a country have been really successful in track and field over the years and that is in large part thanks to National Lottery investment. It enables us to have World class facilities and support. This, paired with hours and hours of intense training, is why we’re a global force. I’m excited to take fans on the journey with us to Paris.” 

JACK BUCKNER, CEO of British Athletics, said: “I love track and field and I’m absolutely thrilled that we can shine a light on our great sport and the stars within it as the nation builds up to Olympic and Paralympic fever this summer. The series allows us to show the transformational impact that The National Lottery has had on our sport in the last 30 years. Investment into facilities, support staff, camps, competitions and more means that our athletes are the very best prepared they can be. “The documentary will reveal the highs and the lows of our athletes as they bid to be their best at the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer. Allowing National Lottery players and fans to see behind-the-scenes will make them that bit prouder when our athletes line up in Paris. “I am very grateful for the teams at Channel 4 and The National Lottery for bringing this series to life with us – it’s going to be an epic watch!”

ANDRIA VIDLER, CEO of National Lottery Operator Allwyn, said: “As the new operator of The National Lottery, we are committed to finding exciting new ways to enable everyone to know the difference they make every time they buy a ticket. This documentary promises to deliver just that. “The transformation of elite UK sport thanks to National Lottery funding has been extraordinary. To see how every penny raised makes a difference through facilities, coaches and support staff, means that all National Lottery players can feel that they have played their part when they see one of our Olympic or Paralympic heroes competing this summer.”

JOE BLAKE-TURNER, Commissioning Editor, Sport, at Channel 4, added: “We’re used to seeing the end product, but now we’re going to be able to give Channel 4 viewers a real sense of the sweat and sacrifice needed to succeed at the elite level of athletics – whether disabled or able bodied. It’s one of several insightful pieces of content we have ahead of the Paris 2024 Paralympics.”

STEVE BACKLEY ON HOW TO REVIVE BRITAIN’S AILING THROWS EVENTS – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently. Photogragh take by MARK SHEARMAN taken at Crystal Palace in 1990.

Former javelin world record-holder says the nation’s struggling throwing disciplines could be addressed by starting with the schools.As STEVE BACKLEY tells it, the javelin chose him rather than the other way round. Having started his schoolboy athletics journey as a middle-distance athlete, he soon realised he “didn’t have the ticket to the party” when it came to that particular discipline. He loved athletics, though, and wanted to keep that connection to the sport. When he attended a meeting and saw former British international GARY JENSON throwing, he was intrigued. “It just made sense to me,” says the now 54-year-old. “There are very few times in life, where you come across something and go: ‘I can see why that works and that if I do this and this then that will happen’. You just feel like you’re at home. It’s a very comfortable feeling, knowing that you’re wielding something you were destined to be working with.”

He carried that feeling with him throughout a career which saw him break the world record, win two Olympic silver medals and a bronze, two world silvers, the European title four times and the Commonwealth title three. Coached by JOHN THROWER and pushed to excel by the likes of MICK HILL, BACKLEY was the latest in a line of celebrated British javelin throwers, such as Olympic champion TESSA SANDERSON and world champion FATIMA WHITBREAD. He fed off a momentum that was already in motion but, since his retirement 20 years ago, it has largely been lost. TROWER’S work was dismantled when the governing body decided to go in another direction. “I remember writing to them and saying: ‘Look, this is what’s going to happen’. And that’s why we are where we are,” says BACKLEY

The current situation leaves him looking for answers. He is quick to acknowledge there is a lot of good work being done, there is talent emerging and there have been bright spots. There’s LAWRENCE OKOYE’S impressive European discus bronze from 2022, NICK MILLER’S two Commonwealth hammer victories and sixth place in the Tokyo Olympic final, plus SCOTT LINCOLN’S Commonwealth shot put bronze. When it comes to para sport, too, the likes of HOLLIE ARNOLD, DAN PEMBROKE, ALED DAVIES and DAN GREAVES are no strangers to major throws success. But Backley sees what he calls “pockets of passion” rather the kind of joined up thinking he experienced in his pomp. BACKLEY remains the last British man to contest an Olympic javelin final or compete in the event at a world championships. GOLDIE SAYERS, 2008 Olympic medallist, was the last on the female side, while SOPHIE HITCHON’S hammer bronze in Rio is the last Olympic medal of any sort from a British thrower.

“The success we had with what JOHN TROWER did in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s was down to him pulling people together, putting smart people together and good things happened,” says BACKLEY. “That was dismantled but we need that glue again.” Going about tackling the issues facing this side of athletics is a multi-faceted problem which won’t be ω solved quickly. But BACKLEY sees one glaring area at the root of it. Namely, that schoolchildren’s experiences with the disciplines are fleeting. In a different era of health and safety, he can remember he and his friends being allowed into his school’s PE cupboard to take a javelin out on to the playing fields at lunchtime, and asking the footballers to shuffle their match over a bit so he could practice a throwing technique still in its infancy.

Now, though, the athletics offering for most pupils falls into the category of blink and you’ll miss it. If BACKLEY had his way, this would be the first area to be addressed. “I think the problem is that athletics is treated as one sport and, as we know, it’s not only one sport,” says the BBC commentator, who also works in property management and motivational speaking. “Excluding the combined events, outdoor track and field athletics has 19 different disciplines. “So if athletics has a space in the curriculum to the same level as basketball or gymnastics or whatever, it means that those disciplines are diluted. So take my event, the javelin. If it’s one of 19 disciplines when athletics is seen as one event then what that actually means on a year by year basis is that a child going through the curriculum will have one experience with a javelin. One. One with a high jump, one with a discus and so on. That’s all a PE teacher will have available if they follow the curriculum – and that just doesn’t work. “It can happen, of course, but what are the chances of falling in love with something when you have so little exposure to it? And what if you were off school that day? That was your one chance. It barely gets an intro.”

BACKLEY knows it will take the initiative of some purposeful, driven individuals to start turning the tide. He is also more than happy to offer his wealth of experience to the cause. But that has been the case for 20 years now. “I often wonder what I could do personally,” he says. “I remember taking an idea to UK Athletics when I first retired. I had this idea that in many ways athletics is built on a series of mentorships. So you might have a local coach or somebody who an athlete could speak to and the higher you go, the better the mentor becomes. “Why don’t we design a mentor scheme so that a club athlete can speak to the county athlete, the county athlete can speak to the regional champion, the regional champion speaks to the national champion, the national champion can speak to the most recently retired, and they’re overseen by the champion who’s long since retired and has time to devote to it? That at least puts in place a ladder you can ascend by sharing information.“ And I remember the feedback at the time questioned whether everyone has that mentality. I was really surprised because I just assume that people have that sharing mentality. I think they do generally.” He adds: “I retired 20 years ago and I could count on one hand how many people have approached me asking for help. I’m working with a shot putter at the moment. Their coach approached me and we do a weekly or fortnightly zoom or phone call as a way of offloading ideas. But there’s very little activity, considering how many former champions are still out there. I remember LYNN DAVIES saying something similar. People just don’t get tapped up.”

BACKLEY cites the work of people like DAVID TURNER at Loughborough University, who coaches Arnold and reigning British champion BEHAH WALTON, as well as shot put specialist PAUL WILSON, mentor of 2022 world champion CHASE EALEY and eight-time British champion LINCOLN, as reason to believe that all is not lost. He can also see clues to a way back  through what is happening with some of the British team on the track. “The conversation is similar in the throws to what we were saying about the middle-distances in the late 1990s or early 2000s. It was: ‘We were so good in the 80s and 90s’,” says BACKLEY. “But what I see now is the successes of JOSH KERR, JAKE WIGHTMAN, KEELY HODGKINSON, LAURA MUIR and all the others are more manufactured in that they seem to come from a well-structured, supportive system of development. “There are some clues there in how to go about this. There’s some great stuff going on. We just need more of the same.”

Britain’s emerging throws talents
KENNY IKEJI
Age: 21
Event: Hammer
His PB throw of 77.92m won the 2023 NCAA title, set a British U23 record and put him third on the British all-time list.

ANNA PURCHASE
Age: 24
Event: Hammer
The 2022 Commonwealth finalist also reached the world final in Budapest last year.hael Allison MICHAEL ALLISON
Age: 19
Event: Javelin
Britain’s only field event medallist at the European U20 Championships last year, winning bronze, his PB of 76.97m puts him fourth on Britain’s all-time under-20 list.

BEKAH WALTON
Age: 24
Event: Javelin
The three-time British champion’s PB of 59.76m put her fourth on the British all-time list.

CHARLOTTE PAYNE
Age: 21
Event: Hammer
The youngest British female ever to throw 70m won European U23 silver last year and was a late addition to the British team at the World Championships

ZARA OBAMARKINWA
Age: 19
Event: Discus
The Blackheath & Bromley athlete broke the 16-year-old UK under-20 record with 55.99m when winning bronze at the UK Champs

SEB COE CALLS FOR MORE EURO NATIONS TO SUPPORT WORLD CROSS – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.

World Athletics president says “cross country, properly used in the modern training regimen, is an ageless and timeless concept” at pre-champs press conference in Belgrade. On the eve of the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, only five countries have proudly competed at every meeting since the modern event began in 1973. United States, Britain, Spain, France and Italy are part of an exclusive club of ever-presents but that number is set to fall to four nations this weekend due to Italy not sending any athletes to the Serbian capital.

Ironically, an Italian athlete, PAOLA PIGNI, won the first two women’s world cross-country titles in 1973 and 1974. There will be no athletes in Belgrade from Finland either, who claimed the first-ever men’s crown in ’73 courtesy of PEKKA PAIVARINTA. Times have changed. An incredible 85% of the line-ups at the 1973 event in Belgium were from Europe with just 7.7% from Africa and no athletes at all from continents like Asia and South America. In contrast, last year’s championships in Australia, consisted of 34.8% Africans and only 11.3% Europeans, with 15.2% from North America, 23.5% from Oceania, 12.4% from Asia and 1.8% from South America.

“We’ve got work to do – there’s no doubt about that,” said COE at Friday’s pre-event press conference in Belgrade’s Old Court Palace. “Africa consistently support these championships. But I’d like to see more of our European nations supporting and travelling to these championships. And that’s not just because they are our championships but it’s because I’ve always genuinely believed that cross country, properly used in the modern training regimen, is an ageless and timeless concept.”

COE was asked the question about the health of the event by letsrun.com, who, like AW, do their best to support the event with coverage. COE added: “So, there’s work to do, but it’s an important property and it has an historic place in the athletics landscape.” Italy and Finland aside, there are also no-shows this weekend from Germany, Belgium, Turkey, Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal and Switzerland among others. The solitary Dutch entrant, SIFAN HASSAN, has withdrawn, while Norway’s only competitor is three-time European champion KAROLINE BJERKELI GROVDAL. This is despite the championships being held in Europe. Fellow athletes having a focus on training camps at this time of year, GROVDAL suggests, is one of the reasons more of her fellow Norwegian athletes aren’t in Belgrade. JAKOB INGEBRIGTSEN, for example, is in Flagstaff, Arizona, preparing for the summer track season.

In recent days a vintage video recording of the 1984 World Cross Country Championships in the United States did the rounds on social media as it was the 40th anniversary of the race. CARLOS LOPES of Portugal stormed to victory ahead of England’s TIM HUTCHINGS and Welshman STEVE JONES – in those days the home countries competed separately instead of a GB & NI team – with PAT PORTER of the United States fourth. WILSON WAIGWA of Kenya was the leading African in fifth, however, with Ethiopia winning the men’s team title. One reason athletes will give for skipping this weekend’s championships is that they want to focus on the Olympics. But the men’s winner in 1984, LOPES, plus the women’s champion, MARICICIA PUICA of Romania, went on to win the Olympic titles in Los Angeles a few months later in the marathon and 3000m respectively. The next World Cross is in Tallahassee, United States, in January 2026. Traditionalists might shirk at the event being held shortly after Christmas but perhaps it might attract more runners as it will mean the cross-country season is wrapped up effectively before the indoor season gets going.

COE talked on Friday about “the coherence of a calendar being really important” and working with European Athletics to create a “critical mass of cross-country running” in the December to January period. “There needs to be,” he added, “a greater understanding and rhythm to the season for fans around the world.” Read More: World Cross 2024 news

With temperatures in Belgrade unseasonably warm ahead of Saturday’s race, holding an event in January might make most events a little cooler, too. COE said: “The big challenge for all global sports right now is staging events in a sensible and sequenced way and doing it in a way which is changing climactically by the year – and probably posing more problems in future as governments are not grasping the challenge as they should – so this is a challenge that myself and my successors are going to be dealing with for a long time.”

ENGLAND ATHLETICS THROWS COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER MARCH 2024 – Attached is this months newsletter which contains recent results, selection policies for various International championships. also various fixture information from March to August – Englnd Athletics Throws Newsletter March 2024

OLYMPIC GAMES 2024 – Take place in Paris from the 26 July until the 11 August. The Athletics take place from the 1 August until the 11 August.

Link to the Olympic Games website for the schedule for all events – https://www.paris2024.org/en/competition-schedule-olympic-games/
Detailed schedule for events will be issued later this year
Link to the Olympic Games website to register for tickets – https://tickets.paris2024.org/en/

PARALYMPIC GAMES 2024 – Take place in Paris, from the 28 August until the 8 September.
Link to the Paralympic Games website for the schedule for all events – https://www.paris2024.org/en/competition-schedule-paralympic-games/
Link to the Paralympic Games website to register for tickets – https://tickets.paris2024.org/en/

SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS ON INSTAGRAM – Since the account was setup, there has been an amazing amount of Videos and Photographs contributed with many comments. There are 2 posts this week.

Video of High Jump coach GRANT BROWN demonstrating an advanced technique

3 photographs taken at the 23 March Lee Valley Minithon, currently the results are still to be published. the first photographs features TEMI JAIYEOLA and the remaining two group photographs of our athletes.

SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS NEW INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT– Many thanks to SEAN SUTHERLAND who undertook a review on the best way forward, following this a decision was made to set up a new account, and SEAN has now set that account up.

THE FOLLOWING IS CLUB INFORMATION ON VARIOUS TOPICS

SBH 2024 SUMMER FIXTURE CARD – The 2024 Summer Fixture Card is now published on the SBH Website, in which you can Access/Print a copy for future reference.
The Information on upcoming fixtures will be published in the SBH Weekly Newsletter, plus the majority of fixtures Information can be found on the SBH Website under the ‘Fixtures and Results’ section.
Link to Fixture Card – A SBH Summer 2024 Fixture Card Front Sheet Re-Issued 10-03-24    B SBH Summer 2024 Fixture Card Fixtures Re-Issued 30-03-24 – 8 May LICC Fixture Cancelled

STONEX STADIUM MEMBERSHIP – To use the StoneX Stadium facilities for training, SBH members are required to pay a fee. You can register as a member (which is free) which then entitles you to a discount. This is the link to the form to apply for membership – StoneX Membership (1) as of 30 October 2023

JAMIE BATH MEMBERS MASSAGE SERVICE – Since joining SBH he has been working closely with TY HOLDEN in his quest for Athlete and Athletics Development. To help support the club members he has (with the club’s support) set up a Members Massage Service available on club nights at a small charge of £15 (as compared to outside masseurs who charge £60) to simply cover materials and insurance.
Please contact JAMIE at jamiebath@live.co.uk or text him on 07902 592561. You can also see him on training nights for availability.

GEORGE HARRISON MBE MEMORIAL DOCUMENT – The document has been put together with contributors from LISA WEBB, MARTIN ROCHFORD, NADEEM SHAIKH, RACHEL FELTON, LIAM and JAMIE DEE, JAMES LOVELL, EMILIA ECONOMU, ALAN WELLER,  KAREN HARRISON,  TIM UNDERHILL, GLEN WATTS, JOANNA WINFIELD, SHAUN CLIFFORD and EUAN MACKENZIE – Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers Memorial To George Harrison From Friends And Members 20 April 2023
If you wish to contribute your own memories and/or photographs of GEORGE, please email them to me, either within the email or as a separate attached word document.

CODES OF CONDUCT – SBH have now adopted the UK Athletics (UKA) and the Home Country Athletics Federations (HCAF) Codes of Conduct which set out national standards of conduct for all clubs, coaches, officials, volunteers and athletes in the sport.  The purpose of the codes are to clarify what behaviours are acceptable and unacceptable, the standards of practice expected and the basis for challenging and improving practice.  The Codes are similar to our previous Codes of Conduct which were part of the previous ClubMark scheme.  All club member and anyone undertaking a relevant role must agree to abide by the codes of conduct. The Codes of Conduct have now been put onto our Website, please read these to understand the commitments you are making by being a member of SBH.
Link to the Code of Conduct document – Codes Of Conduct Booklet 2021 (1)

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION OF INTEREST CAN BE FOUND ON THE SBH WEBSITE BY USING THIS LINK – http://sbharriers.co.uk/
Section ‘About Us’, includes Annual Reports, Best Performance Trophy Awards, Individual And Relay Best Performances By Year, Club Records and SBH All-Time Top 10 T&F Performances.
Section ‘Team Managers And Competitions’, shows details of Track & Field, Cross Country and Road Relays Team Managers.
Section ‘Future Information/Results’, includes Information On Each Fixture, Summer & Winter Fixture Cards, Winter X/C Points Tables and Winter Club Championships Winners.

SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS NEW CLUB KIT – They are now available to purchase from our club kit supplier, Supreme Sports – click on the link for the full range – https://www.supreme-sports.co.uk/webshop/schools-and-clubs/shaftesbury-barnet-harriers/
By opening the link, you will be on the front page, which displays the men’s items. Click on SBH LADIES for the women’s items, or click on SBH KIDS for the young athletes’ items.

CLUB HOODIES– With well over eight hundred hoodies already in circulation, this is your opportunity to join the club. The bright red hoody is made to order and has your name embroidered on the front along with the club badge and has the Club name on the back. We now have 2 styles, the original pull over style at £37 + P&P or the new one with a full zip at £40 + P&P.
Here is the link to the Supreme Sports website which if you click on it, will take YOU to the new Club Hoody and allow you to then view the full range of Club kit online – https://www.supreme-sports.co.uk/webshop/schools-and-clubs/shaftesbury-barnet-harriers/

ACCESS TO SBH CLUBHOUSE – The new Keyholders to the outside door are TY HOLDEN, CLYDE GORDON, NEVILLE THOMPSON, GREG THOMPSON, COLIN GODFREY and YAMILLE ALDAMA who all use the Clubhouse outside of normal stadium opening hours. GEOFF MORPHITIS and DAVE BEDFORD will also have a key. All other key fob holders can continue to gain access to the clubhouse via the (New) West Stand Entrance and the Trackside Door to the Clubhouse.
Link to note and details for further information – SBH Club House Door 20-01-23

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.

FACEBOOK – Photographs can be found on the SBH page.

CAN YOU HELP PLEASE – 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.

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 MIDWEEK JUMPS CLUB AT STONEX STADIUM – The current arrangements until further notice are that Pole Vault training is on Monday’s and Wednesday’s from 18.30pm to 21.00pm. High Jump training is on Wednesday’s from 18.45pm to 21.00pm.
Please contact the session administrator CLYDE GORDON at clydeg67@hotmail.co.uk in advance and let him know if you are planning to attend.

SBH TRAINING AND COACHING – Please see the 2024 Summer Fixture Card, which gives full details of Traing and Coaching – A SBH Summer 2024 Fixture Card Front Sheet Re-Issued 10-03-24

POLE VAULTERS REQUIRED FOR 2024 – To all athletes young & old – are you aware of the SBH Pole Vault sessions held at StoneX Stadium on Monday & Wednesday evenings from 18.30pm. We have room to coach more of you, why not come along and watch a session and the get involved – give it a try NOW.
Please contact the session administrator CLYDE GORDON at clydeg67@hotmail.co.uk for more details.

STEEPLECHASE TRAINING AT STONEX STADIUM – Check with your Coach for details of training times.

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

STONEX STADIUM – Main Switchboard telephone number is 020 3675 7250.

STONEX STADIUM AWARDED TRACKMARK STANDARD – Congratulations on achieving the UK Athletics Quality Assurance Standards for StoneX Stadium. This is the letter from UK Athletics and certificate showing all area that achieved compliance – StoneX Stadium Award Letter 09.11.21StoneX Stadium Certificate

ALAN WELLER – SBH NEWSLETTER EDITOR AND WEBSITE MANAGER