June 2006

Daley Thompson Tips Woodward For Success Wednesday, June 28 2006

A young Tamworth AC athlete has been tipped for success by Olympic legend Daley Thompson after a superb performance at the recent Warwickshire County Schools Championships.

Nathan Woodward scored a notable double in the intermediate boys 400m and 400m hurdles at the championships underlining his position as the number one all-rounder for his age group in Britain.

 That was enough to attract the attention of Thompson who is an ambassador to Sainsbury's support of the English Schools Athletics Association (ESAA) at all levels.

 The double Olympic decathlon gold medallist was impressed at Woodward's display and at the general quality of performances at all the recent County Championships and believes it bodes well for the ESAA Sainsbury's Track & Field Championships in Gateshead on July 7 and 8.

 Thompson said "Having seen the results for the various County Schools Championships it looks like we are going to have another great year for young English talent.

 "Nathan looks like he may be one of the stand-out performers at the ESAA Sainsbury's Track and Field Champs next month, but we will have to wait and see if he can reproduce this level of performance or an even better one.

 "As someone who competed in the finals of the English Schools Championships, I know first hand that the event teaches you how to handle yourself in competition, and hopefully for some it will be the stepping stone to greater things."

 Woodward will face a major challenge at the ESAA Sainsbury's Track & Field Championships, which are the pinnacle of the schools athletics calendar.Most of Britain's best-known names in the sport were winners in the event including Seb Coe, Steve Ovett, Kelly Holmes, Paula Radcliffe and Denise Lewis.

 
Posted by:chris
Duo Ready To Take on The World Wednesday, June 28 2006
Tamworth Ac athletes Meghan Beesley and Nathan Woodward warmed up for the world schools championships in Athens by producing top ranked British 400m hurdles performances when they both won the Midland under-20 titles at Birmingham last weekend.
  Sixteen-year-old Beesley won the under-20's 400m hurdles in a championship record time of 1:00.18mins, which is the second best British performance of all time by an under-17 lady athlete.
  She also went on to pick up another medal in the 200m event by finishing third in the 200m in 25.21secs.
  Woodward, also aged 16, won the men's 400m title in a personal best time of 53.42secs, which is the best time in Britain by an under-17 male athlete this year and places him in the all time top ten list of British athletes.
  Tom Adams picked up his first Midland championship medal when he finished third in the under-20s 2,000m steeplechase. Adams clocked 6:11.5mins, a personal best time, to earn his well deserved medal.
  Laura Langowski finished second in her heat of the senior women's 400m in 56.11secs and was fourth in the final in 56.12secs.
  Dan Cash finished third in his heat of the under-20 men's 400m in a personal best time of 51.02secs and improved his time again to 51secs flat in the final for an excellent fourth place finish.
  Also in top form was Liz Checkley, who finished second in the under-20 ladies' heat of the 400m in a personal best time of 58.77secs and went on to finish fifth in the final in 59.52secs.
  Alex Berrow just missed out on the medals in the under-20 men's hammer event with a throw of 44.79m, giving him fourth place.
  Alana Smetham picked up a good fifth place in the senior women's hammer with a throw of 37.51m and Tom Burton was eighth in the under-20 men's 110m hurdles in a personal best time of 15.76secs.
  Sarah Williams finished fifth in the under-20s ladies' pole vault with a clearance of 2.80m and Mike Pierpoint cleared 3m in the men's event.
  Ben Jones recorded 11.46secs for fourth place in the senior men's 100m heats and 23.20secs for the same position in the 200m heats.
Posted by:chris
Greece is the Word for Athletes Wednesday, June 28 2006
Tamworth Ac athletes Meghan Beesley and Nathan Woodward will be competing at the birthplace of the modern Olympics this week in the World Schools Championships.
  The talented twosome are among just 20 athletes from across the country - ten boys and ten girls - chosen to represent England at the prestigious event.
  They will be testing themselves against the world's best as they take another step along the road to international athletics stardom.
  "I should make the final in Athens and I think I have a chance of a medal," said Woodward, who will compete in the 400m hurdles - the event in which he is both Midlands and Warwickshire champion.It is going to be a big stage but I am getting used to the big events now."
  The two 16-year-olds are close friends off the track and Beesley believes that will be a big help when they head off for international duty.
  "It is nice to know someone else in the squad and great for the club that two of us have been selected," said the Great Britain under-20s international, who will also be competing in the 400m hurdles in Greece.
  "The whole atmosphere is different when you compete in internationals, you feel like you are involved in something bigger. It is more relaxed when you are with Tamworth.
  "I am happy with what I have been doing this season but I was not expecting to be in this event.I have been mostly taking part in 300m hurdles race so this is a serious competition for me."

Multi-talented Beesley, who is coached by Trevor Marsay, is the current Midlands champions over 60m, 200m and 300m and she came within 0.12secs of breaking the British under-20s record for the 400m hurdles at last week's Midland Counties Championships.
  She is also the Warwickshire hurdles champion over 80m and 300m, as well as the long jump.
  Woodward is coached by Matt Hargreaves and has ten titles to his name already this year. He is the reigning National Indoor champion for both the 800m and combined events.
Posted by:chris
Super Showing is All Heart Wednesday, June 28 2006
Tamworth athletes produced some excellent performances in the opening Heart of England match at Rugby.
  Athletes producing winning performances in their events were Amy Frith, Hollie Owen, Sophie Cash, Robert Stroud, Kristian Edwards, Chris Smith and Oliver Wood.
  Personal bests were recorded by Eloise Redfern, Jasmine Oliver, Rose Williams, Nicole King, Milly Kellyman, Sophie Cash, Hannah Alcock, Oliver Wood, Robert Stroud, Sam Mcdonald, Joshua Hadley, Kristian Edwards, Richard Mahoney, Jack Williams, Ricky Hawkes, James Thacker, Jack Childs, Bret Cash, Tom Challis, Tom Adams, Ted White, Steve Deeley, Joe Saddington and Chris Smith.
  With some of the results not being available , it is hoped to provide full results of this meeting asap.
Posted by:chris
Beesley Goes Close to British Record Wednesday, June 28 2006

Birchmoor athlete Meghan Beesley is officially the second fastest female British under-20s 400m hurdler in history.
  The 16-year-old was just 0.12secs away from breaking Faye Harding's British record when she stopped the clock in 1:00.18mins at the Midland Counties under-20s Championships last weekend.
  As well as the gold she picked up in the 400m hurdles, the Polesworth High School pupil proved once again what a good all-round athlete she is by picking up a bronze in the 200m.
  Beesley has now been selected to compete in the English Schools Championships at Gateshead on July 7-8.(further update on this report coming soon).
  She will be joined by six more Tamworth athletes, which equals the record for the club.
Coleshill's Nathan Woodward, who won the men's 400m hurdles at the Alexander Stadium last weekend, Tom Challis (400m), Hollie Owen (300m), Sarah Williams (pole vault), Brett Byrd (javelin) and Alex Berrow (hammer) have also received invites.

Meanwhile, youngster Kane Densley won all four events at an under-11s quadrathon at Stockport last weekend.
  Densley won the 75m in 12.16secs, the long jump with 3.50m, the 600m in 2:16.19mins and the vortex ball throwing with 22.34m.
Posted by:chris
Williams Walks His Way to UKA Championship Win Wednesday, June 28 2006
Tamworth AC race walker Mark Williams has continued his superb run of form when he walked his way to victory in the UKA National 20km Championship in Leamington.
  Williams was representing Wales against England, Ireland, Belgium, Denmark and Switzerland in the match, plus invited walkers from around the world, many of whom had Olympic World Championship experience.
  The tough qualifying standard that had to be obtained at the UKA Championships in order to qualify for the event meant that the field was as elite as possible.
  Williams has been in great form this season winning ten regional and national titles so far, but hi preparations were affected by a virus and the race was held in fierce heat.
  However, he walked a sensible, measured race and as walkers dropped out, Williams steadily came through the field to finish as the first UK walker home behind Yohann Diniz of France.
  "This was not my quickest performance but because I knew it would not be a day for fast times, I knew I had to look after myself to make sure I got through 20km," he said.
  "I had to judge the race as it went along, to get the best result possible.When I looked at the start list I would have took a top 12th placing and first placed British athlete, especially in the conditions, so I'm delighted.It was great to race against such a world class field."
  Williams' performance may see him selected for the Great Britain team for the European Cup.
  Meanwhile, Williams has been selected to represent the Midlands in a 3km track and field match against the North and Southern counties.
  He has also been invited to compete in the AAA European Trials and Track and Field Championships in Manchester over 5km.
Posted by:chris
County Action Hots Up Wednesday, June 28 2006

Eleven Tamworth athletes represented their counties in the Inter-Counties Schools matches held over the weekend at Birmingham and Corby.
  Two more Tamworth athletes have qualified for the World Championship trials at Bedford.
  In the Mason Trophy match at Birmingham, Brett Byrd chalked up a win in this eight county event when he won the intermediate boys' javelin with a good throw of 50.71m.
  Simon King took second place in the intermediate boys' 1,500m steeplechase in a personal best time of 4:40.7mins.
  Ashley Smetham was second in the intermediate boys' B hammer event with a throw of 34.32m.
  Faye Palmer finished fourth in the 300m hurdles in 52secs and fifth in the 80m hurdles in 14.1secs.
  Laura Taylor equalled her best 100m time of the season when she clocked 13.2secs for seventh place.
  Milly Kellyman finished fifth in the junior girl's 100m in 13.9secs and Sophie Taylor was sixth in the 200m in 27.9secs.
  Taylor and Kellyman were also in the Staffordshire relay team that finished fourth in the 4x100m relay.

In the Inter-County match at Corby, Nathan Woodward won the 400m hurdles event in a personal best time of 53.6secs.
  Hollie Owen won the intermediate ladies 300m in the good time of 41.4secs.
Tom Challis was second in the junior boys 400m in 53.8secs and third in the long jump with a personal best jump of 5.69m.
  Stephen Parkes also represented Warwickshire in this meeting but at the time of going to press his result was not available.

Two more qualify for World trials
Amy Frith will be taking part in the under-23 women's 400m and Liz Checkley qualified for the under-20 women's 400m when she clocked 58.77secs at Birmingham on Sunday.
Posted by:chris
The Annual Tamworth Open Meeting 2006 Friday, June 16 2006

The Annual Tamworth Open Meeting for 2006 will be held on Bank Holiday Monday, 28th August.

As usual there will be Electronic Timining,  Electronic Distance Measurement (long throws only), Medals and T shirts for winners.

Entry forms, which must be returned by Saturday 12th August, will be available to download from the website soon or email tamworthac@aol.com for a copy.
Posted by:chris
Star:Track is Back Friday, June 16 2006

Tamworth Ac is launching its search for the next generation of athletes with a special athletic course during the summer holidays.
   Tamworth will be running a week-long Star:track scheme at the Marlborough Way Stadium from Monday to Friday, August 14-18, between 10am-3pm.
   During the action packed week, children aged between eight-15 will receive expert coaching on all core athletics disciplines and can even try their hand at events such as pole vaulting, hurdling, discuss and javelin in a fun and safe environment.
   The cost is £35 for the week or £8 per session (minimum of two sessions) and includes all the coaching, competitions, Norwich Union t-shirt, goodie bag and more.
   Olympic champions Denise Lewis and Mark Lewis-Francis, Olympic bronze medallist Kelly Sotherton and other top Great Britain stars such as Jamie Baulch and Paula Radcliffe all took part in the scheme on their roads to success, and it is hoped the increasing numbers now taking part will increase the talent pool for the future.

   Tamworth AC's 2006 Star:track was visited by a UK:Athletics representative who considered it to be one of the best schemes in the UK. 
   Registration forms and further details are available from Chris (Star:track scheme organiser) on 01827 287177 or 01827 260897.
   Forms accompanied by a cheque for the full amount should reach the organiser by Tuesday, August 1st 2006.
Posted by:chris
TAC Athletes in Junior World Championships Trials Friday, June 16 2006
The highest ever number of Tamworth AC athletes are bidding for a place in Beijing after qualifying for the Junior World Championship trials.

Alex Berrow (hammer), Hollie Owen (400m), Tom Adams (steeplechase), Nathan Woodward, Meghan Beesley and Tom Burton (hurdles) have all qualified for the under-20s trials, while Laura Langowski (400m) and Amy Frith will compete in the senior trials.

The Norwich Union World Junior Trials take place on July 22-23 at Bedford International Stadium.

Club chairman John Graves hopes the trials will be a stepping stone to international honours for some of Tamworth's athletes.

"The club is proud to have so many athletes performing at a level which allows them to enter these trials as it means they are ranked amongst the top 20 in Great Britain," explained club chairman John Graves.

"Success doesn't come quickly or easily and is the result of hard work, dedication and commitment by the athletes and their coaches over a long period.

"For example, Laura Langowski has worked for ten years to achieve this standard.

"Hopefully, for some of them these championships will be a stepping stone to international honours in four or five years time."

The IAAF World Junior Championships take place in Beijing, China, from August 15-20.
Posted by:chris
Staffordshire County Schools Championships Friday, June 16 2006
Seven Tamworth athletes claimed county titles at the Staffordshire County Schools Championships at Cannock last week.

Faye Palmer (80m hurdles), Sarah Williams (long jump), Simon King (1,500m steeplechase), Alex Berrow (hammer), Brett Byrd (javelin), Daniel Cash (400m) and Tom Adams (1,500m steeplechase) all picked up gold after superb performances.

Palmer won the 80m hurdles in 13.9secs and also finished second in the 300m hurdles in 50.7secs, with personal bests in both events.

Williams won the long jump with a leap of 4.69m and King won the intermediate boys 1,500m steeplechase in 4:59.4mins.

Berrow won the senior boys hammer with a throw of 46.89m, while Cash won the senior boys 400m in 52.3secs and Adams the senior boys 1,500m steeplechase in 4:38.6mins.

Byrd won the javelin with a throw of 51.71m.

In the under-15 girls events, Milly Kellyman finished second in the 100m final in 13.7secs and was tenth in the long jump with a leap of 3.86m.

Sophie Taylor was also second in the 200m final in 28.1secs and finished fourth in the long jump with a jump of 4.37m.

Amy Williams finished fifth in her heat of the 800m in 2:57.2mins and Elyse Jinks was 11th in the final of the 1,500m in 5:55mins.

Laura Taylor finished second in the intermediate girls 100m final in 13.4secs and third in the long jump with a leap of 4.88m.

Jade Leplas finished fifth in the 300m in 46.1secs while Sophie Cash was sixth in 47.1secs. Cash had earlier set a personal best in the heat with a time of 46.1secs.

Clare Hedderman finished seventh in the 800m final in 3:00.7mins and Alyson Bird was fifth in the 1,500m in a personal best 6:17.1mins.

Matthew Wood finished third in the junior boys' 1,500m in a time of 4:55.7mins.

Nick Crawford was third in the intermediate boys' 400m in 56.3secs and fifth in the triple jump with a leap of 11.24m.

Ashley Smetham earned himself a place in the county team for the Mason Trophy with a throw of 31.8m.
Posted by:chris
STARter Squad Sessions Friday, June 16 2006
Tamworth AC's summer 'STARter' squads for young athletes aged between eight-15 are now running at the Town Stadium off Marlborough Way.

The coaching squads take place every Tuesday and Thursday between 6-7.15pm, and are run by Tamworth AC's own UKA coaches, including Midlands multi-events coach Trevor Marsay and an experienced endurance coach, backed up by a team of UKA qualified coaches.

Youngsters are being invited to come along and try out a host of athletics disciplines including sprints, hurdles, high jump, long jump, throwing, middle and endurance running and race walking in a fun environment.

All new athletes who join the 'STARter' squads will be entitled to two free sessions after which each session will cost £3 for non-members and £1.50 for those who join as a club member.

Induction sessions take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm in the clubhouse and are run by Peter the club's Induction Officer.

For health and safety reasons, all new athletes must attend one of these sessions before training can begin.

There will be no training on an Induction night.

All junior athletes (under-16) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

For more details, call club secretary Chris on 01827 287177 or 01827 260897. Alternatively, email tamworthac@aol.com  or call in at the club.

Posted by:chris
Williams Wins 5K Masters Title Friday, June 16 2006
Tamworth AC's International race walker Mark Williams continued his impressive form at the weekend, comfortably winning the Midland Masters 5km walk title at Solihull.
  Tamworth athletes are being invited to sign up for the Lichfield Health and Fitness Club Tour of Lichfield Series of evening runs.
  Williams led the race from start to finish to record a very respectable time off 22:47mins on a very hot mid-day race.
  Baxterley's Anne Wheeler produced an excellent performance to finish third in the women's 5km event in an excellent time of 28:28mins.
  Wheeler, representing Nuneaton, was only beaten by British internationals Lisa Kelher of Wolverhampton and Bilston and Bromsgrove's Sharon Tonks.

Sign up for the running tour

The 5km races begin on June 28 at Friary Grange Leisure Centre.The second race will take place at King Edward VI Leisure Centre on July 5 and the Tour will conclude in Beacon Park on July 12.
The main races get underway at 7.30pm, with a 2km fun run for juniors starting at 7pm.For information, call Paul on 07947 698147.
Posted by:chris
Under Strength Squad Shows Grit Friday, June 16 2006
A Very much under-strength Tamworth team pulled out all the stops in this latest National Junior League Premier Division match at Tipton to finish in a very creditable fourth place to keep their overall third place in the league table.

Personal bests were recorded by Alex Berrow (hammer and shot), Tom Burton (110m hurdles and high jump), Sarah Williams (pole vault and high jump), Liz Checkley (pole vault and discus), Tom Adams (200m steeplechase and 400m hurdles), Hollie Owen (400m), Rachael Line (800m), Gemma Wheelhouse (discus), Laura Taylor (high jump), David Levett (hammer), Claire Free (triple jump), Simon King (800m) and Martyn Naunton (800m).

Top performances of the day were produced by Berrow, Owen and Burton, who all achieved qualifying standards for the AAA under-20 Championships at Bedford in July, which are also the World Junior Trials. Full results on Report page.
Posted by:chris
Third Place for TAC in YAL Premier Division Friday, June 9 2006

Tamworth's young athletes produced a hard fight to finish third behind Bristol and Charnwood in the latest meeting in the National Young Athletes League - Premier Division.

Twenty nine of the squad recorded 42 personal best times. Full results on the Reports page.
Posted by:chris
TAC - Men's League Friday, June 9 2006
There were mixed results for Tamworth Athletic Club's men's athletics clubs in their latest league matches.

While the A team managed to finish sixth in the Midlands League Division match at Telford, the B team were victorious in their match to maintain top spot in Division Five. Full results on the Reports page.
Posted by:chris
Beesley and Woodward to Compete in World Schools Championships in Athens Monday, June 5 2006
London 2012 hopefuls Meghan Beesley and Nathan Woodward will be heading to the birthplace of the modern Olympics later this month to compete in the World Schools Championships. Full details on the Reports section.
Posted by:chris
Mildand Under 17's Championships Monday, June 5 2006
Tamworth AC members gave a very good account of themselves as they turned in some excellent performances in the Midland Under-17s Championships at the Alexander Stadium last week. For full details see Reports section.
Posted by:chris
Beesley and Woodward Off to See the World! Thursday, June 1 2006

Meghan Beesley and Nathan Woodward have been selected for the team to represent England at the World Schools Championships to be held in the Olympic Stadium in Athens at the end of June this year.

Only ten boys and ten girls are chosen for the England team so this is fantastic news for the talented pair , their coaches Trevor Marsay and Matt Hargreaves and for the club.

More news soon.
Posted by:chris
Induction Sessions - IMPORTANT NOTICE Thursday, June 1 2006

There will be no Induction Session for athletes new to the club on Thursday 1st June.

The next Induction meeting will be held on Tuesday 6th June at 7pm in the clubhouse and will be led by Peter , Tamworth AC's Induction Officer.
Posted by:chris