News Sheet

Last amended at 13-01-03

Earlier editions: Summer 2000, Winter 2000, Summer 2001, March 2002

This News Sheet is available as a PDF file - which looks like the original...

Winter 2002/3

Ron Sawyer

Immediately before the last Newsletter was to be published the sad news came from Australia that Ron had suddenly died. I had been one of the last people to see Ron in the UK as I took him and Marjorie to meet their coach to the airport.

He joined the athletics scene when his son, who turned into a reasonable exponent of the Decathlon, joined Bexley AC. But Ron, the quiet man, could not see a job that needed to be done without acting upon it and doing it whenever necessary. In this way he became a leading man in Bexley AC for many years and so to the Kent County Association, where he still diffidently offered to help wherever there was a shortage of help. He was not only quiet but an accurate man who did all his tasks with great accuracy and very rarely did anyone see his exasperation at some of the less than accurate things he encountered. He had a quiet sense of humour that he shared with those around.

Many of you, not of Bexley A.C., may wonder what he did. Well many different and diverse activities for athletics. He would announce, clearly and accurately, he would work on preparing the results of meetings, he had for many years taken the entries for the under 13 Track & Field Championships, he took over from Tom Gordon the Chairmanship of the Kent Boys and Colts League and as time went on proposed changes to keep it fully effective for under 13's. He has guided the Annual Dinner of the County Association, or Dinner-Dance as it was. Indeed he preferred it when it was in the latter form, but changed it as more wished for only a Dinner. In this function he consulted with the President each year and then organized all the finances and performed this duty which was always a "rush" job, and never particularly straightforward.

Oh yes, he was also Vice-Chairman of the Association, but I cannot comment on his attributes there, because I was always absent when he took over!

Immediately before he went to Australia I used his good nature, and the fact he lived just around the corner, and asked him if he would write to all the section secretaries to get information for the March newsletter and to receive it and get it typed, when necessary, ready for the printers. You will have seen what a good job he did, sadly his last job in the County.

He could also persuade others to help, most noticeably, Marjorie his wife, who he suggested should look after all our trophies and medals. Sometime count the number of trophies, for all sections of our sport, and the number of medals issued each year! Of course he offered to help her in this job, but it was still much for her to perform.

He was justifiably elected to be President of the association for 1997/8.

If you think this was enough to keep him occupied, it wasn't, because to my knowledge he was chairman of one of the two bridge clubs he attended and was secretary of the London branch of his old university.

We are still seeking an auditor especially since the second one feels he is too inexperienced to deal with the accounts before they have been "sorted out" somewhat.

Sadly we have more recently lost a respected coach, and "back room boy" at our championship meetings, Tony James and we offer our condolences to both Majorie Sawyer and Betty James for their sad losses.

Ian Smith

DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

Development Plan: By now, secretaries of KCAA subcommittees will, no doubt, be taking on board the actions required of them under the plan. This would be difficult for Press and Publicity as there is still a vacancy for a secretary. This is just one of the several vacancies in the county structure so, if you would like to make a contribution at county level and no-one has thought of asking you, volunteer (please)!

There have already been important developments following from the Communications Action Plan. An IT group has formed and, at its first meeting, Mike Peel agreed to develop a new website for the county (the new address is www.kcaa.org.uk) and Chris Bowman agreed to compile a list of county e-mail addresses. Also, the requirements of a county championships package were discussed generally and left for further thought. It is already becoming standard practice for our county championships entry forms to be available for down-loading from the website.

Active Sports: Chris Bowman has been appointed as the Kent Active Sports Partnership Athletics Development Officer (PADO). He reports to the Partnership Manager, Shelley Eaton, of the Kent Sports Development Unit, and also to Paul Eales (SE Regional Development Co-ordinator, or RDC, of the AAAoE). Chris will therefore be responsible for driving many objectives common to our Development Plan and to the Active Sports programme. One of his first projects was to direct the athletics section of the Kent Youth Games, held at the University of Kent, Canterbury, on 15th June, resulting in a highly successful competition between eight district teams drawn from school years 5 and 6.

Chris is now busy preparing a programme of coaching schemes for pre-club athletes, to take place in various parts of Kent, starting in the autumn. There is a lot more than this in Active Sports and many clubs, coaches, officials, young athletes, schools and local authorities should benefit over the 5-year period of the initial scheme.

Facilities: It is now pretty safe to say that Maidstone will be getting a full facility track at Oldborough Manor School, as the local authority has allocated funds and is well advanced in preparing its lottery bid, and the requirement is in line with KCAA and UK Athletics facility plans. There is also a realistic chance that Thanet will be getting a training track, with field event facilities, in the foreseeable future.

Sportshall Athletics: Following a very successful season in the winter of 2001/2002, preparations are already under way for another country series of monthly meetings throughout the coming winter. These fun competitions (in the warm and dry) are aimed at three age groups most easily identified as school years 5/6, 7/8 and 9/10. Teams and individuals from schools and clubs all over Kent take part in the series, which includes a county championship and county selections. Notices should appear in September - check the website.

Mike Davies - Secretary, Development subcommittee 
Tel: 01689 602038 e: mike@mikejdavies.fsnet.co.uk 

Sportshall Athletics Sub-committee Secretary: Jan Duffin, 89 Forest Road, Paddock Wood, TN12 6JX

To all interested in Sportshall Athletics

Sportshall Athletics - Winter 2002/2003

Last winter's Sportshall season built on the success of the previous year, with some 200 children at a time enjoying some exciting Sunday afternoons away from the winter weather. With the interest shown by some of the stronger clubs and training groups, we look forward to yet another increase in the level of competitiveness this coming winter.

As many of you know, Sportshall Athletics provides a warm and dry environment for fun competition suited to the younger agegroups. Many coaches and team managers welcome the events as an aid to keeping young athletes motivated during the long winter's months. Some of the events are also useful progress tests of power. There is also the incentive of a possible county vest for some.

Most of the events are learned very quickly by the children, often during the warm-up. No-one, therefore, should be put off by the prospect of doing a new event for the first time. The under-11 competition is entirely team based, with scoring according to team placings, while the under-13's and under-15's have individual as well as team scoring, using decathlon-type scoring tables.

We have kept the team sizes small in order to make it easier to enter and transport teams. Also, team management, whether by coach, parent or conventional team manager, is made very straightforward.

This series of competitions has been made possible by the support of the Sports Development functions of Dover District Council, Sevenoaks District Council, Canterbury City Council, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and the Kent Sports Development Unit.

Entry forms and details are available from www.kcaa.org.uk  , where results will be posted, and also from myself (above) or Mike Davies (Tel: 01689 602038 or e-mail: mike@mikejdavies.fsnet.co.uk )

THE TEAMS for Under 11 (School years 5 and 6). Two boys and two girls suggested but any combination of 4 children accepted. The number of teams per school or club may be limited if the meeting is oversubscribed.

THE EVENTS

(Event descriptions obtainable from Mike Davies, 21 Tudor Way, Petts Wood, Orpington BR5 1LH)

Each child does two runs, a jump and a throw or speed bounce. Where there are under/over or obstacle relays, all four children run. In all other events, two children from each team take part. For example, in November, each child does the U/O relay, a flat or hurdles race, standing triple jump or vertical jump and javelin or speed bounce.

In the field events, the performances of the two children from the team will be aggregated to give a team performance. To achieve the same effect in the track events, the 1 lap flat and hurdles races will be run as relays with two runners in each team. So, the entire competition will be team based.

Individual entries: If a team cannot be made up, individual entries may be accepted. Such individuals may do flat and hurdles races, 1 jump and either a throw or speed bounce. Alternatively, it may be possible to form a team from individual entries.

TIMES: Teams should arrive in time to collect their numbers and be ready for the mass warm-up at 1.40pm (12.40 for the championships in February). We should be on our way home by 6.00pm. (Any variation in times will be notified with entry confirmations)

THE TEAMS for Under 13 (School years 7 and 8) and Under 15 (School years 9 and 10). That is, as last summer. . Four boys or four girls. The number of teams per club in any agegroup may be limited if the meeting is oversubscribed. Individuals may enter.

THE EVENTS 8th Dec Canterbury 12th Jan Dover 2nd Feb Larkfield 2 lap race 4 lap race 2/4/6 lap races High J U13 Vertical J U15 Vertical jump Vertical jump S Triple J S Long J S Long J S Triple J Speed bounce Speed bounce Speed bounce Shot Shot Shot

Team event: On the first two dates all team members do the pentathlon, consisting of the events shown in the table. The Championships in February will be individual, not team, and athletes may select up to four of the events shown.

Individual entrants may do any or all of these events, including the pentathlon.

The high jump in December and 6 lap race in February are included to aid selection for the regional inter-county match, which follows our championships.

TIMES: Teams should arrive in time to collect their numbers and be ready for the mass warm-up at 1.40pm (12.40 for the championships in February). We should be on our way home by 6.00pm. (Any variation in times will be notified with entry confirmations)

DATES & VENUES remaining:

Canterbury: Canterbury High School 8th December 
Dover: Dover Leisure Centre 12th January 
Kent Championships: Larkfield Leisure Centre 2nd February

Closing dates for entries:

Canterbury: 3rd December Dover: 7th January

TRACK & FIELD

Reports from the ladies teams

Under 13 Inter County Meeting - Kingston - July 2002

For several years now this meeting has been blessed with some wonderful weather and fine performances at the Kingsmeadow track in Kingston and this year was no exception. For most of the team they were experiencing inter county competition for the first time but nerves were quickly put aside in the pursuit for high positions and we didn't have to wait long for our first victory of the day. Sophie Robinson stormed to victory in the B race of the 70 m Hurdles in a personal best time of 12.16 seconds backing up Serita Solomon who finished a strong 2nd in the A race also in a personal best time of 11.90 seconds.

Success quickly followed in the field as Shaunagh Brown heaved the shot out to 8.88 metres with other good placings by Emily Godley (2nd Long Jump 4.53m) and Charlotte Kitney (2nd Javelin 27.35m) points were beginning to stack up.

Back on the track a superb piece of front running by Rebecca Taylor secured victory in the A 800m race, whilst Amy Jackson (2nd A 200m) and Emily Featherstone (2nd B 100m) ensured our strong position was maintained.

The relay team of Amy Jackson, Sophie Robinson, Emily Godley and Serita Solomon finished the day off with a solid 2nd place, to confirm a top three placing.

At the end of the day the final positions could not have been closer with Oxfordshire winning with a score of 356 points, Surrey second 350.5 points and Kent, just seven points behind the winners, with 349 points. A fine result with fourteen counties having attended the meeting.

Our thanks go to all athletes and parents who competed and supported with special thanks to Michelle Solomon who acted as Team Manager on the day and also took charge of the relay team ensuring that the baton was passed smoothly and safely throughout the race.

Under 15 and Under 20 Inter County Meeting - Copthall - 25th August 2002

With seventeen counties competing in the Under 15 competition and eighteen in the Under 20 competition the standard of competition was always going to be high but as defending champions Kent was determined to hang on to both trophies.

Under 15

Fresh from her victory in the National Championship Clare Cooper was alaways going to be the one to beat in the 75m Hurdles and so it proved as Clare showed her class to win in 11.28 seconds. Also gaining victory on the track was Sarah Foster who was a convincing winner in the 3000m walk, whilst Amy Gibbs was involved in a close fought battle over 200m and just lost out, placing second, in a time of 26 seconds.

In the Pole Vault Hannah Olson showed just why she is the UK age record holder with a convincing win clearing 3.70m. Rebecca Saunders also claimed victory in the Discus throwing 31.92m whilst further good points in the throws were gained by Victoria Thomas with 3rd in the Shot, 9.37m.

With all our scoring athletes finishing in the top eight an overall win seemed to be heading our way and so it was to be with Kent coming out on top once again with a score of 57 points, Essex second 40 points and Devon third with 39 points.

Under 20

Not to be outdone by their younger colleagues the Under 20's put up a fine performance.

Montell Douglas, fresh from a double win at the National Championships, stepped up an age group to win with ease over 100m in 11.8 seconds, whilst Kelly Roomes, also still an under 17, placed a solid third over 200m in 25.14 seconds. Clare Reeves was a comfortable winner of the 3000m walk in 15.18.66 mins and Haley Goodall had started the meeting well with a 3rd place and personal best in the 400m Hurdles in 66.43 seconds.

In the middle distance events Gemma Mars secured 3rd over 800m with 2.17.8 mins and Jenny Pereira gained the same position over 1500m in a time of 4.36.89 mins.

Natalie Olson, another under 17 athlete stepping up an age group, made sure of a win in the Pole Vault with a clearance of 3.60m. Laura Fox gained 2nd in the Discus, 40.57m and Katy Benneworth finished 3rd in the Long Jump, 5.50m ensuring that the points continued to build.

The result was starting to look very familiar. Consequently it was no surprise that Kent won the Under 20 competition with ease finishing with 78 points, Surrey were second on 49 points and Essex 3rd with 47.5 points.

Our gratitude is extended to all the athletes who competed and also to all the parents and supporters who came along on the day, thank you for all your support.

Under 17 Inter County Meeting - Kingston - 4th August 2002

Eight counties contested the annual U17 inter county meeting at Kingston in August. Once again Kent went into the meeting as defending champions and were keen to continue this success.

Victories on the track were hard to come by but Harriet Robinson managed a convincing first place in the 80m Hurdles and was ably supported by Emma Giles who gained a second place in the B race. Good points were also obtained in the middle distance events by Heather Friend and Lauren Fawke over 1500m (3rd A and 1st B) whilst Jennifer Heany and Terri Wiley both secured 2nd places over 3000m. Kelly Roomes impressed in the sprints with 3rd in the 100m A race and 2nd over 200m, with good backing from Melody Georgeson and Charlotte Featherstone over 100m and 200m respectively.

Kelly then joined forces with Melody, Charlotte and Emma to come home a strong 2nd in the relay.

Excellent points were scored in the field, a double first in the Pole Vault through the efforts of Natalie Olson and Maria Crowe. Layla Hawkins and Harriet Robinson finished 2nd A and 1st B in the Long Jump with Rachel Smith gaining victory in the B High Jump.

Further good points were gathered in the throws. Christine Lawrence and Anita Oliver paired up for the 1st A and 2nd B in the Javelin, Hannah Hogben and Zenab Farag finished 3rd A and 2nd B in the shot and Sophie Hanys scored a 2nd in the B discus.

At the end of the day Kent once again finished top of the points table with a score of 339 points, with Essex second in 284 points and Surrey third with 258.5 points.

And the actual details of the matches mentioned here:

TEAM MANAGEMENT AND SELECTION  CROSS COUNTRY

SEAA Inter Counties Cross Country Championships at Bury St Edmunds

Ladies            Senior               92        5^th                                Helen Wheeler               7th

                      under 20           78        3^rd                                Nalalie Bartie                 15th

                      under 17           55        2^nd                                Jenny Pereira                6th

                      under 15           166       8^th                                Alex Lenzan                  35th

                      under 13           34        2^nd                                Jessica Taylor                2nd

Men               under 17           49        3^rd                                Dean Lacey                   7^th

                      under 15           113       6^th                                Stephan Munn               26^th

CAU Reebok Inter Counties Cross Country Championships                                            at Nottingham

Ladies            Senior               518       10^th                              Louise Watson              25^th

                      under 20           72        1^st                                Charlotte Dale               1^st

                      under 17           213       8^th                                Jenny Pereira                13^th

                      under 15           461       22^nd                              Joanne Roberts              65^th

                      under 13           191       8^th                                Rebecca Taylor             4^th

Men               Senior               357       6^th                                Allan Graffin                 7^th

                      under 20           231       10^th                              Jamie Atkinson              32^nd

                      under 17           92        3^rd                                Olly Freeman                4^th

                      under 15           512       26^th                              James Hillery                 66^th

                      under 13           215       9^th                                Matt Dawson                12^th

TRACK & FIELD

   under 13 match          16 counties                    29th July                                               at Kingston

  girls                Kent                 349       3rd       (1st Oxfordshire 356; 2^nd Surrey 350.5)               3 X 1^st places

  boys               Kent                 315.75  6^th        (1^st Surrey 377.5)                                              3 X 1^st places

  under 17 match           8 counties                     4h August                                             at Kingston

  women           Kent                 339       1^st        (2^nd Essex 284)                                                  7 X 1^st places

  men               Kent                 337       2^nd        (1^st Middlesex 365)                                            10 X 1^st places

  Senior Match              8 counties                     18th August                                           at Ashford

  women           Kent                 378       1^st        (2^nd Middlesex 358)                                           12 X 1^st places

  men               Kent                 415       1^st        (2^nd Surrey 373)                                                13 X 1^st places

  ,S.E.A.A. Under 20 Inter Counties        19 counties                    25h August                    at Hendon

  women           Kent                 78        1^st        (2^nd Surrey 49)                                                  3 X 1^st places

  men                Kent                72.5      1^st        (2^nd Middlesex 69)                                             1 X 1^st place

  Combined       Kent                 150.5    1^st        (2 Middlesex 115)

  S.E.A.A. Under 15 Inter Counties         19 counties                    25th August                   at Hendon

  girls                Kent                 57        1^st        (2^nd Essex 40)                                                    4 X 1^st places

  boys               Kent                 68.5      1^st        (2^nd Essex 60,5)                                                 3 X 1^st places

  Combined       Kent                 125.5    1^st        (2^nd Essex 100.5)

This was the third occasion in the last four years that Kent has won both S.E.A.A. women’s Trophies, commencing with the meeting in Exeter in 1999.  

In part these results are due to the hard work of the team managers. Thanks are due to Mick Paul and Carl Foster (ladies), and Vic Smith, Brian Fagg and Derek Garrard (Men). 

Vacancies:

The numbers serving on the Team Selection and Management Sub-committee are dwindling and sooner rather than later they are going to be short of the number required to look after County teams. In fact they really need someone who lives in the Ashford or Canterbury area so that they can run coaches from there through to Dartford Bridge or the like now. Obviously we cannot send youngsters alone to pick up adults laterr in Kent. While it is not necessary to be on the sub-committee a place would be available to anyone wishing to do something in such position.

You have seen how successful our teams have been, but their continued success depends on the backroom men and women who travel with them and who can deal with any problems.

The existing sub-committee are sure there must be several out there who could not only do the job, but who would get much pleasure from doing it. So come on, contact Mike Rowbottom, and see exactly what is involved, or of course speak to anyone else on that sub-committee.

AND the view from our Officials Secretary

6 days in the life of………………

The Commonwealth Games now seem a distant memory, and for one or two Officials, (well one in particular) who were working at the games, it was a very eventful time, perhaps events that he would like to forget! However I don't have a wooden spoon for nothing and would like to share with you the escapades of Dave Lindsey, a very respected Timekeeper from Kent, (what a creep I am).

By all accounts, well Dave Vidler's actually, it all started on the Sunday evening, when the timekeepers went out for a Chinese meal. Dave had (by all accounts) eaten very well the night before and seen off a light breakfast that morning, of fruit, cereal, Danish pastries and followed by a mountain of bacon, egg, sausage, mushrooms black pudding, baked beans, tomato, toast and marmalade all washed down with a jug of fruit juice and a vat of coffee. Dave Thinsey? Well maybe not by the end of the week as you will see. Anyway back to the Chinese, Dave had selected it, as it was a buffet style and therefore could eat as much as you like. A group of six went and Dave apparently ate as much as the other five put together. It was at this point that his companions noticed his unfortunate mannerism of twiddling his fingers (as if playing the piano) when trying to select his next plate full (a finger buffet?). It was also noted that when he held a cup or glass, his little finger stuck out at right angles (a la Hyacinth Bucket). By the end of the meal, he was flagging a little and could only manage four sweets (True!). Rumours that the restaurant was eaten out of business are unconfirmed.

On one day he was known to have eaten a three course meal at lunchtime, another three course meal in the evening, and still found room for a large Donner kebab after turning out of the pub later in the evening. On another day (not surprisingly) he suffered from a dicky tummy. He put this down, not to the quantity of food that he ate, but to some mussels that he ate at lunch time.

As the week went on Daves stardom became legendary. David Littlewood, (Accommodation was allocated alphabetically, four sharing a bathroom) shaving in a bathroom without windows had the light switched off, by David, unintentionally of course, but shaving in the pitch black is not the easiest or the safest, (probably needs to be incorporated into a Health and Safety workshop!!). At the end of the games, David Littlewood shook Dave by the hand, but instead of wishing him well and thanking him for a great week, said he would try to get his name changed by deed poll so that he wouldn't have to have a room next to 'Lindsey' again. Will our top track referee now be known as David Zloty or David Aardvark.

Apart from the shaving incident, he also made so much noise generally, especially at 3am for the loo run. You've seen the TV programme 'Neighbours from Hell".

He received a mobile phone call, and once he worked out that it was his phone, was away for ages answering it. When he returned, he announced that it was a wrong number, but had a chat with them anyway!

He spilt coffee all down his blazer and spent the next half hour trying to persuade Stan Burton (Chief Timekeeper) that everyone should be in shirt sleeve order (to give him time to clean the jacket off).

On another occasion Bob Harvey (presentation) asked for his phone number to ring him during the day. Dave duly obliged. However, when Bob rang him he was surprised to find that he was talking to Dave's wife Val back in Kent. Why? Yes Dave had given him the number of the phone he had left behind, not the one in his possession.

Apparently from the time of the trials, it was clear that Dave was not one of the most domesticated of men. Every morning Val rang him to make sure that he was awake and out of bed. It was clear early on that every one would have to do some washing whilst at the games and due to Daves lack of household skills he was earmarked for some ribbing about doing the washing for the whole Timekeeping team. His suggestion was that Pat Lockley, the only lady on the team, should take on these duties.

Anyway the big day came when he just had to go to the launderette. Every one resisted the temptation to go and watch him struggle. He put his washing into the machine and then realised that he hadn't any change nor washing powder. So it was off to the front desk and back he came with both. In went the washing powder and in went the pound. He looked through the window. Yes success. The washing was whirring around nicely. Then he spotted it. Was that a blouse in there with other ladies garments? This was not his washing. He had put the money and powder in the wrong machine and had set off someone else's that had already finished. Never mind, no one had to know it was Dave. He just set his own running and hoped that no one would notice. The rest of the Officials knew he had gone washing, and when Jean Coker got off the bus later in the day and told them that when she went to get her washing out someone had sent hers round again. ' I must have the cleanest washing in the world ' She said. Putting two and two together, Fingers was grilled.

"Washing go alright?" "Fine says" Dave "No problems then?" "None to speak of" says Dave. Looking rather less sure of himself "How many coins did you use to wash your clothes?" "Two" says Dave. "How did you know".

They then told him that they had just guessed and he didn't actually need to confess. They also took great delight in telling him whose washing it was. He looked terrified. Especially when Dave Vidler offered to smooth things over for him with Jean. For some reason he felt it would be better if he told her himself, and Dave V. only had his best interests at heart.

Day three was the big table tennis match. For almost two years there had been talk of a match between Stan Burton and Dave. Both played local league table tennis. Both talked a good game. Dave due to his impressive weight loss programme had improved this season to an 86% win record in his league. Stan had a less impressive record, but has an almost flawless record in one-upmanship! Certainly by the time the table was booked, Dave looked less confident. He turned up with his own bat. He certainly looked the part dressed in tracksuit, shorts and trainers. Stan looked less impressive, but by now Dave had eaten most of Manchester, before playing he checked his fighting weight on the sports centre scales only to discover that he had put on 12 pounds in three days (true!). Needless to say he lost, blaming Dave Vidlers wife Jude who was 150 miles away in Wales, because her mobile phone call had disturbed his concentration. Barry Gladwin who had come into spectate (He had not played for around 12 years and has a mobility problem, offered to give him a game. Dave lost this one as well and subsequently discovered that Bary played for Essex in his youth. Stitch up springs to mind.

Tuesday was the day of the official photograph. All technical officials have to turn up for the picky in formal dress. Dave turned up on the bus wearing light grey trousers (official ones were black). He went back to change, but the bus left without him. Not to worry, he got in a taxi (cost him £6) arrived back at the track………just in time to see the photo taken without him in it!

So into the last day, Wednesday. Nothing more could go wrong. It poured with rain, so off Dave went shopping with Pat Lockley and Dave Vidler, umbrella in hand. Unfortunately Dave is around 6'5" and the trees were around 5'6", all the right numbers, but in the wrong order. Dave's umbrella got badly tangled in the trees. After he had extricated it, he assured his companions that the brolly was fine. Unfortunately about 200 yds down the road, the brolly started to turn inside out, the handle fell off and it eventually just disintegrated. Apparently, a sight to behold.

As Dave put it, this will go down in the " Annals of History" (Unfortunately he said "Anals"- never mind.

My thanks go to Dave Vidler for providing the material and Barry Gladwin for the embellishment, but above all Dave Lindsey, because without him this could not have been written. (In other words "You couldn't make it up")

Gill Freeman

2002 / 2003 CROSS COUNTRY DATES

                                       DATE                  FIXTURE       VENUE

        2002

       Sunday                    6th October           Parkwood League       Canterbury University

       Saturday                  19th October         Kent Young Athletes & Senior/Vets Ladies League       Tunbridge Wells

                                                                  & Kent Senior Men's (Over 17) League

       Sunday                    20th October         Kent Fitness League       Knole Park

       Saturday                  2nd November       Kent Senior Men's (Over 17) League       Capstone Park

       Sunday                    3rd November       Parkwood League       Canterbury University

       Saturday                  9th November        ECCA National Cross Country Relays       Mansfield

       Saturday                  9th November        South of the Thames CCA Junior Race                   West Wickham

       Sunday                    10th November      Kent Fitness League       Swanley Park

       Sunday                    17th November      Reebok Challenge ( incorporating Kent Young       Margate

                                                                  Athletes & Senior/Vets Ladies League)

       Saturday                  23rd November      London CC Championships / Youth Games       Parliament Hill Fields

       Saturday                  23rd November      School's Inter-Counties CC Match       Coventry (t/b/c)

       Sunday                    24th November      Kent Fitness League       Canterbury

       Saturday                  30th November      Kent Young Athletes & Senior/Vets Ladies League       Danson Park, Bexley

                                                                  & Kent Senior Men's (Over 17) League

       Saturday                  7th December        SEAA Inter Counties Match (Women & U23M)       Banbury, Oxford

       Saturday                  7th December        Kent Veteran and Clubman's Championships       Sparrows Den

       Saturday                  14th December      SEAA Veterans CC Championships       Bournemouth

       Sunday                    15th December      Parkwood League       Canterbury University

       Sunday                    29th December      Kent Fitness League       Avery Hill Park

       2003

       Saturday                  4th January            Kent County AA Championships       Wildernsse School

       Sunday                    ]2th January          Kent Fitness League       Minnis Bay

       Saturday                  18th January          Kent Schools CC Championships       Hythe

       Saturday                  25th January          SEAA CC Championships       Bicton, Exmouth

       Sunday                    2nd February         Kent Fitness League       Oxleas Woods

       Saturday                  8th February          Reebok UKCAU Inter-Counties Championships       Nottingham

       Sunday                    9th February          Kent Fitness League                                              Mote Park

       Saturday                  15th February        Kent Senior Men's (Over 17) League       Parkwood School,          

                                                                         Swanley

       Saturday                  15th February        School's Inter-Counties CC Match       Southampton (t/b/c)

       Saturday                  22nd February       English National CC Championships       Parliament Hill Fields

       Sunday                    2nd March             Parkwood League       Canterbury University

       Saturday                  8th March             English Schools CC Championships       Brighton

       Saturday                  8th March             South of the Thames CCA Championship Race       Coulsdon

       Saturday                  15th March            Kent Young Athletes & Senior/Vets Ladies League       Parkwood School,

                                                                         Swaiiley

       Saturday                  22nd March           School's Inter-Counties CC Match       Sussex (t/b/c)

       Sunday                    30th March            Parkwood League (Relays)       Canterbury University

AND now more seriously from the Officials Secretay:-

OFFICIALS REPORT

Congratulations to the following Officials on their recent upgrading:

John Jackson (Timekeeper) 3 to 2 
Den Reed (Field Judge) 4 to 3 
David Benneworth (Field Judge) 4 to 3 
Bryan Middleton (Track Judge) 4 to 3

Health and Safety Workshops

Most of you are aware about the need to attend one of these workshops, and quite a number of you have already attended. If however, for whatever reason you still have not contacted me, there is still time to attend one of these courses before the track and field season begins. There will be more set up in the new year and spring, dates to be decided, but the venues will be in the Canterbury and Rochester areas. I am sure that all those who have attended have found them worthwhile.

County Champs

I hope that more of you will make yourselves available to help about at the County Championships next season. It is becoming increasingly difficult to staff meetings, it is not ideal when Referees have to phone round asking for volunteers, when I have already done that in the spring. I also realise just how much of our time we freely give to athletics and that we all have families with whom we could spend more time, so I hope that our championships can be fitted into your already busy diary. Availability forms will be posted towards the end of December for the Indoor Champs.

Commonwealth Games & World Indoor Champs

It was a great honour for 5 of our Officials to work at the Commonwealth Games in July and that also 5 from Kent will be working at the World indoor Games in Birmingham in March. It is particularly pleasing when you consider how many Officials are required from all over the country, that we do have a good representation from this County.

Gill Freeman Honorary County Officials Secretary

From Our Coaching Secretary:

The coach's forum was held on 18th October, which 30 attended. Topics discussed included the closing dates for entries to Kent Championships and it was felt they should be as near the time as possible. Stella Banda spoke on Active Sports in Kent and the need for more coaches to sign up for these paid posts. Mike Mein outlined the aims and purposes of the Athletic Academy at Canterbury High School. The coaching Secretary then spoke of his need to update the data base of the County's coaches because UKA will not release to him a county data base. To that end I have written to all Club Secretaries requesting, return by 1st December, of their coaches. So far the only responses are from Invicta East Kent, South London, Medway & Maidstone and Cambridge H. After that date those clubs who have not replied will be sent a supply of the Newsletter for them to distribute to their own club coaches, perhaps not the best way of distributing information to coaches. Another forum is being planned for March/April for which I have two speakers, Simon Tolson on stretching and John Bancroft on Dart Fish, a new coaching aid for all events and sports, which I have seen demonstrated.

The County Winter Coaching Squads are now taking place, following the sending out of about 160 invitations, with over 90 athletes turning up for a County Squad day in October. The talks on Nutrition and on Sports Psychology were well received by all present on that day. My thanks go to June Plews for her help in addressing envelopes and getting invitations in the post, and to the Squad coaches.

So far this winter Level 1 courses have been held at Ashford in October, along with a Coaching young Children course at Canterbury in November.

Chris Newman - Coaching Secretary (14 Brompton Hill, Chatham, ME4 4XG) Tel: 01634 405645 or E-mail: newman@seniorwright.co.uk  19th November 2002

The Annual Dinner

This was held recently and those present enjoyed a good meal, and dare I say, good company. What a shame more do not attend. If it could be held at a better time, or with any other variation, please let someone on the executicve committee know. Hopefully the next one will be next November, but do indicate your comments long before that, indeed as soon as possible.

The Chairman thanks the clubs who have responded by sending him, largely by e-mail, an appropriate e-mail address for the county to use to contact them. If there are more still to come he would be very happy to receive them at kcaa@ukonline.co.uk  .

A NEW SECRETARY

We are pleased to announce that following the recent AGM a new secretary has been elected, the chairman being the most pleased. The new postholder is Dave Forman (husband of the late Maggie) who offered to step in and it is anticipated you will all make his life as easy as possible.

AND FINALLY

Hopefully this will reach you before Christmas and so -we wish you all a happy one, and also wish everyone a successful 2003.