October 2005

Invitations will go out in mid November for the 4th Tamworth AC Volunteers Party which will be held on Friday 6th January in the clubhouse.

This annual event is to thank all those volunteers who have given their time freely to help out at Tamworth AC over the past year. If you are one of this excellent band of helpers then book this date in your diary NOW!

The nine Interim Regional Chairs for England Athletics have been appointed this week. Appointments were made following nominations received from the respective regions.

The Interim Regional Chairs are:

London ­- Simon Tuckey

South (East) -­ Peter Masters

South West - Nigel Rowe MBE

West Midlands -­ John Graves

North West -­ Charles Gains

North East -­ Bill McGuirk

Yorkshire and Humberside -­ John Waterhouse

East Midlands -­ Cy Knibb

East -­ Peter Tanner

In addition, Barry Parker has been appointed as a Special Association Link

This is part of the implementation of the main proposals of the Foster report that has been on-going since May 2004, under the direction of former British international athlete Jack Buckner.

The role of the Interim Regional Chair, which is a voluntary one, involves:

• Helping to set up the regional councils
• Mobilising support and leading the direction of the sport in their region
• Involvement in the recruitment of regional managers

Further information on the role of the Regional Chair can be found on http://www.athletics-movingon.com together with further biographical information.

The project will conclude in April 2006 when England Athletics ­ the main recommendation of the Foster Report - is created. Peter Radcliffe has assumed the role of interim Chair of England Athletics.

Jack Buckner said: "This is another important step for athletics. We were impressed with both the calibre and the enthusiasm for all nominations for these posts. They will be vital in the local delivery of the sport and a key component in the modernisation process."

Britain's 1400 athletics clubs currently being polled about key issues arising out of the Foster Report on the future of athletics in this country. The nationwide independent poll is being conducted by the Electoral Reform Services. The deadline for the return of the poll is 25 October 2005.

For further detailed information on the Foster report and the independent poll please can be found on http://www.athletics-movingon.com

The javelin coach who groomed Steve Backley and Mick Hill for international success has been casting his eye over the javelin squad currently training at Tamworth AC.
  Amongst the many throwers who train at the club, sixteen-year-olds Alex Shepherd and Brett Byrd are the best in the country in their age group after finishing first and second respectively at the English Schools Championships and have gone on to represent England.
  The duo have now attracted the attention of UK:Athletics' head of javelin and sprints John Trower, who conducted a training session with the whole squad at Tamworth AC last week.
  Trower, who is also trying to improve the javelin throwing of Britain's Olympic bronze medal heptathlete Kelly Sotherton, watched the pair train with their county at Lilleshall recently.   "I heard Staffordshire had a couple of good lads and I was asked by their coach Phil Owen to take a look at them," Trower said.
  "I have seen their results and they have both done very well. It is extremely rare to have two good throwers from the same county.  "I enjoy the javelin and I know a lot about it so I accepted Phil's invitation to come to Tamworth and have a look at the training and offer some advice.
  "I am looking at their technique because this can be a dangerous sport and I don't want them to hurt themselves."
  Whether the duo follow in the footsteps of Backley and Hill depends on how they develop over the next couple of years, Trower said."That was a golden period for British javelin throwing," he added. "The chances of repeating that are remote but we will keep trying.
  "If the boys have the ambition and motivation then perhaps they can progress.
"I am looking to see what they are and what they may become.
  "They are currently the best in their age group in the country but next year they move up a level. Can they become the best at under-20 level?
  "This is the start of a very exciting journey for them."

John Trower was impressed with the enthusiasm and commitment of the javelin squad and the coaches and was bowled over by the number of athletes using the facilities for training on one evening.

Cross country running may conjure up horrible images from your days at school when you were sent on a cross country run for a punishment or asked to run around the field. Running for a club is different.

  There is a great amount of friendship and a lot less pressure than running on the track. Times don’t matter as every course is different and even if you finish 292^nd as Paula Radcliffe did as a junior your position still counts as cross country is always a team event. There is often more of a rivalry in cross country as you are usually trying to beat someone who was close in a previous meeting and you gauge your performance against fellow competitors rather than times. You also get the opportunity to get muddy, run through streams, race up hills and see some wonderful countryside.

  Races start from your 9^th birthday and go up to senior athletes in their 70’s.

A few tips for all cross country athletes and parents:

  You must wear a club vest or you will be disqualified. Vests can be purchased from Chris at the desk in the clubhouse on training nights. Don’t leave it to the last minute to buy one.

• You will need to bring at least 4 safety pins to put your number on your vest. Keep a box of pins in your bag as you will always need them.
• It would be better if you had running spikes with longer spikes in them, about 9mm
• Some athletes prefer to race in fell shoes / studs rather than spikes. Walsh are an excellent shoe.
• Bring a carrier bag to keep your dirty shoes in after the race. It saves you messing up your kit bag.
• Bring a change of clothing for after the race, especially training shoes and socks. You will sometimes run through water.
• Bring a towel in case it rains or you get wet.
• Bring warm clothing for before and after the race. Several layers are better than one thick coat.
• Gloves and a hat are advisable in the worst of winter for warming up.
• When it’s very, very cold some people like to race in leggings.
• When it’s very, very cold some people like to wear a tee-shirt under their vest.
• Bring food and drink if necessary but don’t eat too close to your race.
• If it’s a big race a toilet roll may come in handy. It is more comfortable than leaves.
• You must warm up before your race or you will get injuries. It can be very cold in winter.
• Arrive at least 45 minutes before your race, preferably longer so that you can look at the course.
• Always report to the team manager as soon as you arrive.
• Go to the start of the race 10 minutes before the start time. You don’t want to miss it.
• Don’t start too quickly in your first few races. You will eventually find your own starting pace.
• Remember cross country is a team race and every person and every position counts.
• When it is very, very muddy it sometimes helps to tape your running shoes on to your feet.
• Some of our group bring a small tent to shelter in when it rains.
• Make sure you know where the meeting is. Maps will be available for all venues.
• Make sure you know what time your race is. Timetable will be available .
• Check your bag before you leave home.
• Let the team manager know if you can’t make it, either on Thursday at the club or on Tamworthac@aol.com
• Parents are always welcome as young athletes benefit from encouragement.
• If you’re not sure of anything then please ask.

A Children in Athletics Coaching course will be taking place at Tamworth Athletic Club on Saturday 22 October 2005.. This course is suitable for qualified coaches and those new to coaching.

There are only 16 places available so please get your applications in to Pat Cropper ASAP.

UK Athletics Children in Athletics Coach Award Information

This course is designed for people who are involved in leading groups of children (aged 8-13) taking part in athletics type activity. It introduces various athletics type activities that are appropriate as an introduction to the full athletics events for children. It helps leaders to make sure that sessions they are taking are fun, create maximum involvement and are safe for all concerned. The organisational and planning elements of running such group sessions are covered. It covers topics such as the responsibility of the coach when running sessions with growing children.

The course will help coaches to:
- Deliver safe, enjoyable and well organised sessions that maximise involvement
- Plan, deliver and evaluate a series of sessions appropriate to the age/stage of the children
- Develop fundamental movement skills appropriate to the age/stage of the children
- Experience a range of athletic activities for children
- Identify your responsibilities when working with children

The course qualifies and ensures you to lead a group of children (aged 8-13) in athletics type activities using soft play equipment.

The course is one day long (normally 9.00 until 5.00) and costs £50.

Application forms are available from the club on training nights or can be downloaded from the UK:Athletics website.

COACHING AT TAC

Tamworth AC is very keen to encourage as many coaches as possible to commit to coaching at the club on a regular, part-time or rota basis and in return to provide training wherever possible. As the number of athletes who wish to train at and join our club continues to grow, so the demand for coaches increases.

With this in mind a coaching contract is now part of the coaching structure at TAC.

Following this course your coaching experience can include assisting with coaching during main training squad sessions, the summer Reception squad sessions , Sportshall and the summer Star:track week.  

If you are a TAC club member please let Chris know when you have applied for a place on the course.

To find out more about the coaching contract and what it involves and the coaching structure at Tamworth AC please contact Chris the club secretary via email at tamworthac@aol.com or on training nights at the club.

For details go to the Reports section