Message from Lyn Orbell

23 November 2007

AGM’s MIDLAND MEN’s & WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD LEAGUES

Please accept our apologies for the lateness of the AGM’s for the above leagues but it has been crucial to try and establish a joint constitution.

Please accept this letter as advance notice of the AGM’s of both leagues that will be held on Sunday 16 December at Alexander Stadium between 12 noon and 4pm.  Both individual AGM’s will be held concurrently and if the new League is set up then an inaugural meeting will be held immediately after both AGM’s.

Further details to come.

TAC need a representative to attend this meeting on behalf of the club and the two teams.

West Midlands Young Athletes League

2^nd December           Sandwell Valley               Tipton

All information letters will be at Registration this Tuesday and Thursday training nights

Advice Sheet for Cross Country.

If this is your first cross country you need to be aware of several things.

1.      Bring spare clothing in case it rains.

2.      The club kit is club vest and BLACK shorts

3.      Don’t forget your safety pins

4.      Bring spare shoes and socks

5.      Dress warm before and after the race.

6.      Arrive about an hour before your race.

7.      Look at the course before you run.

8.      Wear spikes if you have them.

9.      Bring tape to fasten shoes on in very wet conditions.

10.  You must wear a club vest. – Available for desk on club nights.

11.  Cross country is a team event.

12.  You are a member of the team and so every position counts, no matter where you finish.

Directions from Junction 1 M5

Continue to follow A41, and at the roundabout take the 3^rd exit on to the A4031 – All Saints Way. Turn right at All Saints Way and continue on Parsonage Street. Turn Right at Church Vale and stay on Church Vale at the slight left. Continue on Dagger Lane, turn left in to Salter’s Lane and then turn right in to Sandwell Valley Park Farm.

(Easiest advice is to follow the Brown and White Tourist signs marked Sandwell Park Farm which is a Cart symbol.)

Important announcement over the page.

Hi everyone,

I have decided that I shall no longer be able to be the organiser, team manger for the West Midlands Young Athletes league next year due to pressure of work and Chris and I would also like to spend more time with our grandchildren at weekends.

If anyone is interested in taking on this role, which is not too onerous, then now would be the ideal time to work with me over the final events of this season to see how things work.

Unlike track and field, there are no selection headaches as you just try to get as many people to turn out as possible. Names are sent in at the beginning of the season with additions allowed up to the Tuesday before each race during the season. These additions are accepted by email with payment being made on the Sunday. Its £1 per athlete for the whole season. Please let me know asap if interested.

Ps. It’s an ideal job share opportunity for someone!

TAMWORTH ATHLETIC CLUB

WINTER INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD FIXTURES

2007/2008

Get your entry forms from Mick Sanderson NOW

as some closing dates are during the next month

Jog England is a new nationwide initiative encouraging adults to become more active and to tackle the risk of illnesses, such as heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and obesity by joining and taking part in a recreational running group for adults. Tamworth AC is delighted to have been selected to run a pilot project at the Town Stadium, Marlborough Way, Tamworth.

Now that the first set of Tamworth Jog England joggers are 5 weeks into their training programme, its time to see how they are progressing and what benefits the joggers are experiencing  from being involved in the pilot project.

Two of the first joggers to sign up for the pilot project hosted by Tamworth AC were Katrina Sargeant and Sharon Gardiner. Both were relative novices to jogging and both wanted to find a way of keeping fit that didn’t involve gym work and where they could meet with like-minded people and also share a well organised and planned jogging and fitness session with others.

When asked why she had started on the Jog England programme Katrina Sargeant said “Like most people I wanted to get fit and started to jog on my own, however I found it difficult to keep up the enthusiasm when it was just me.  When I joined the Jog England group I thought I would be out of my depth, but the standard is mixed, and the way the sessions are handled we all get a good work out.  The people who run the group and all the members are very friendly and now that we have been jogging for 5 weeks another member and I jog together on another night so that we keep up the good work.  I would recommend anyone who wishes to start to keep fit but who does not want to start on their own to join.  Everyone is given encouragement  which makes it so much easier”.

The novice joggers who signed up for the first 10 week block of Jog England sessions  have all put a huge effort into their weekly group training sessions on Tuesday evenings at the Marlborough Way Stadium, with some even requesting additional training! Several new joggers have already expressed an interest in or signed up for the next 10 week programme in January.

For those who may be concerned that the Jog England programme is just for ‘athletic types’ here is a simple breakdown of what happens in a session. The weekly session plans include warm up's, the main activity phase of walking/jogging, cool down's and stretch sets tailored to the needs of joggers with differing abilities or health requirements. There really is something for everyone.

The majority of the sessions take place away from the stadium with the occasional one planned for the track or the surrounding hills.

The joggers are led by the Tamworth Jog England leaders who were fortunate to be trained by senior coach Bernie Campbell from Glasgow who shared his many years of experience in leading jogging groups in Scotland. The group were put through their paces in a packed day of theory and practical sessions and all Tamworth AC’s delegates successfully completed the course.

The Tamworth jog leaders, led by Jackie Wakeman, are well trained and enthusiastic and are greatly encouraged by the progress and commitment of the present group who will no doubt be signing up for the second set of sessions planned for January 2008.

If you want to get fit or improve your fitness levels find out more about the current Jog England programme or the next 10 week Jog England block starting in January 2008. Email Jackie at jogengland@tamworthac.co.uk or Chris at  tamworthac@aol.com for further details.

Two rising stars scooped top prizes at the Warwickshire Schools Sports Awards at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

The awards are held annually to celebrate the achievements of individuals, schools and volunteers throughout Warwickshire.

Nathan Woodward – the No. 1 ranked Under-19s 400m hurdler in Europe and World School Games bronze medallist – was voted the sports person of the year among secondary school students.

Holly Scott earned the female award after finishing first with sailing partner Anna MacKenzie from Cumbria in The Mirror World Championships 2007 in South Africa – the first female champions.

Roger Davis, National Director for the National Council for School Sport, presented both Coleshill School students with their Ricoh Awards.

Coventry City defender Marcus Hall presented the prizes to the winners of the primary and secondary schools teams.

Former Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers striker Gavin Peacock, who is now an analyst on Match of the Day 2, was the MC for the evening which attracted over 300 guests.

Colin Naismith, from Southern Warwickshire School Sport Partnership, said a total of 28 awards were handed out in 12 categories.

“The Warwickshire Schools Sports Awards signify the achievement and dedication of pupils across the county,” he said.

“As ever, it was a difficult choice for the judges because there were some outstanding performances but Nathan and Holly shone out in particular.

“These awards also recognise the achievements of our young disabled athletes who have shown exceptional ability and determination to succeed.

“This is a celebration of sport and it is fantastic to be able to acknowledge some of the unsung volunteers who give up hours and hours of their spare time to help youngsters pursue their interest in their particular sport.

“It was a wonderful evening and the Southern Warwickshire School Sport Partnership would like to congratulate all the winners and those who were highly commended.”

Julie Graham, Head of Sales at the Ricoh Arena, said the venue had sponsored the Ricoh Award.

“The trophy will be engraved each year with the name of the winner so Nathan and Holly are the first teenagers to have their names on there,” she said.

“It was the second successive year the organisers have held this event in the E.ON Lounge and we hope to see them again in 2008.”

Roll of honour for the 2007 winners at the Warwickshire Schools Sports Awards:

Sports Person of the Year, secondary school male, winner Nathan Woodward (Coleshill School) athletics; Sports Person of the Year, secondary school female, Holly Scott (Coleshill School) sailing; Sports Person of the Year, primary school male, Kaedan O’Neill (St Matthews Bloxam Primary) gymnastics; Sports Person of the Year, primary school female, Julie Emmerson (Clinton Primary) orienteering; School Sport Team of the Year, secondary school, Polesworth ILC Under-19s, boys trampolining; School Sport Team of the Year, primary school, Clinton Primary School, orienteering; Volunteer in School Sport, Stuart Dunn (Clifton Primary School); Leadership in School Sport, Kirsty Roath and Tom Hill (Kingsbury); Services to School Sport Award for Outstanding Commitment, Roger Jacques (football) and Rita Bridges (athletics); Sports Person of the Year (Disability), male, Daniel Berney (Myton) athletics; Sports Person of the Year (Disability), female, Natalie Bemrose (Round Oak) athletics and football; Sports Team of the Year (Disability), Round Oak, secondary boys football.    

Regional & County Squads – Tamworth AC Athletes .

If you receive an invitation for inclusion in the regional or county squads please let your coach, Andy Day (coaching coordinator), Mick Sanderson (athlete data) or Chris Graves (club secretary) know asap.

Nick Robinson, Regional Development Performance Coordinator for England Athletics West Midlands Region, has informed the club that Tom Challis, Dan Cash, Brett Byrd and Tom Hardman have been selected for the West Midlands Regional Squads.

Jordan Roach has also been invited to attend the high jump squad.

Louisa Facchino-Stack (Warks), Catherine Smith (Warks) and Doug Sparke (East Midlands) have also been selected.

There are still more Tamworth AC athletes to be listed here, the Staffordshire list will be out soon, so please let us know who you are!!

Congratulations to all of them and their coaches and let Chris know how you get on so a report can go into the Herald and on the club website.

email tamworthac@aol.com

Dear All,

It was decided by the Regional pole vault group that there would be no Regional squads for PV this year and the focus would be on coach development instead.

 The first West Midlands Region Pole Vault Coach Development Session will be held alongside the Regional Squads on Sunday 18^th November at the HPC, Alexander Stadium from 10am – 1.30pm. Ray Webb is arranging for some athletes to be present and I’m informed that the content of the day will include:

-          Running                                                 Strength and conditioning              Planning

 ANY coach in the Region with an interest in Pole Vault is welcome to attend, they just need to e-mail me to let me know so I can keep a track of the numbers.

 Kind Regards,

 Leonie Lightfoot

Sign up now for the UKA Level 1 & Level 2 Courses to be held at TAC in the new year.

Level 1 will be held on Saturday 26th January and the Level 2 will be held over 2 days on Sat and Sun 23/24th February.

For an application form visit the UK Athletics website and for details of coaching at the club and funding opportunities see Chris on club nights or contact her via email at tamworthac@aol.com.

Three club members have come forward to run the Men and Women's Track and Field Teams for the summer 2008. They are Matt Hargreaves, John Jenkins and Paul Tasker who will work together as a team.

Three club supporters have already come forward to organise and run the social events starting with a 'Thank You' evening for club Volunteers. Katrina Sargeant, Linda Horsley and Debbie Jones held their first meeting on Tuesday with club secretary Chris Graves to discuss the first event timetabled for February 2008.

Alan Oliver will act as an assistant to the officials secretary but as yet no-one has come forward to take on this most important job. The post of officials secretary needs filling most urgently.

Ricky Hallam will run the National Junior League but he will need at least 2 other members or supporters to help him.

Caroline Woodward will continue with the Heart of England and Mandy Challis and Caroline will run the YAL.

Steve Deegan and Dan Challis have offered to help behind the bar.

Amy Frith will take on the role of coach education coordinator.

Thanks to all those who have come forward. All the remaining roles, listed below, are still open and need filling asap.

OTHER CLUB ROLES THAT REQUIRE VOLUNTEERS

OFFICIALS SECRETARY-wanted urgently

Assistant team managers for NJL                         

Five Tamworth AC cross country runners were staring automatic relegation to the Division Three in the face at Senneleys Park, Birmingham, as they did not have the required six runners.

Quick thinking on behalf of team manager Tom Orton, with back up from his team mates, resulted in contact being made with Tamworth AC runner Mark Waplington.

Waplington, who had been barely able to walk earlier in the week, had just pulled on his drive but by the end of the call he was back in his car and heading for Senneleys Park the goal of saving the club's season.

He arrived just in time as the senior men's section of the Birmingham League kicked off at what is regarded as the traditional curtain raiser at Senneleys Park.

Despite the unusual start for the local club and the number of notable absentees due to holidays and illness, Tamworth AC made a solid beginning to the league campaign on a difficult course.

The team was lead home by Dave Williams, followed closely by team manager Tom Orton as the second counter for the club.

Steve Deegan showed his usual true grit to take third place for Tamworth with new squad member Luke Taylor in fourth and Nigel Fisher in fifth.

Waplington brought the team home and together the squad ensured they were set up for the rest of the campaign. (As a thank you for saving the day, the club registration team have agreed to waive the outstanding training fees of £2.23p accumulated over the last 2 or 3 sessions by Tamworth's hero, Wappy)!!

During the race a quirky incident took place when Dave Williams was announced to the Senneleys crowd over the tannoy as a pole vaulter during his second lap. This was made even funnier by the fact that it was Tom Orton that passed the announcer's box at that point and anyone knowing them would know that there is no way Dave is that ugly!

Orton will want to see all possible runners at Coughton Park, Coventry, for the second fixture on Saturday, December 1 as Tamworth go for a place in the top half of the league.

For details on training and competition for cross country and road running at Tamworth AC, contact Tom via email at sharon.tom@tamworthac.co.uk or Chris at tamworthac@aol.com .

West Midlands Young Athletes League

11^th November    Arrow Valley, Redditch

Advice Sheet for Cross Country.

If this is your first cross country you need to be aware of several things.

1. Bring spare clothing in case it rains.
2. The club kit is club vest and BLACK shorts
3. Don’t forget your safety pins
4. Bring spare shoes and socks
5. Dress warm before and after the race.
6. Arrive about an hour before your race.
7. Look at the course before you run.
8. Wear spikes if you have them.
9. Bring tape to fasten shoes on in very wet conditions.
10. You must wear a club vest. – Available for desk on club nights.
11. Cross country is a team event.
12. You are a member of the team and so every position counts, no matter where you finish.