The 2020 T&F season coming to an end!

At one point in time, it didn't look as if there was going to be any opportunity for our young athletes to compete this year, due to the Pandemic. As such, I am very grateful to Trafford AC for all the meetings they have laid on since the beginning of August. Our group have gradually built up their fitness through training since May and as a result a number of PBs were achieved this Summer across a large number of events. As a group which follows the Long Term Athlete Development Model, the highlight was last weekend when our athletes, if they were ready, had the opportunity to do Pentathlons, Heptathlons & Octathlons. Our T&F season will end this coming weekend, strangely in the middle of October, as some of our U11/U13s compete in an Open meeting at Trafford.

The times ahead, with regard to competition are unclear with regard to the Cross Country & Indoor Seasons, but as has been the case over the last 5 months, I will try as lead coach to keep training as close to normality as possible, so that when Competition opportunities present themselves, we are able to get involved and take advantage of them.

I'd like to thank all those who continue to support the group in moving forwards in a positive manner despite all the restrictions, obstacles placed in our way. We will continue to find solutions to problems and will continue to find the reasons to do, as opposed to the excuses not to do. From the very outset it was said that the adverse effects of Lockdown would completely outweight those created by the Pandemic. I will continue to try my very best, for as long as is feasibly possible, to not allow this to be the case for the young people who continue to come along this currently very bumpy athletic journey with the group.

Finally, below are the reports from last weekend's Combined Events Competition. Hopefully, loads of learning took place and an excellent Sporting & Life experience was gained!!

Trafford Combined Events - Day 1 report:

 

Congratulations to all those who competed out there today. We didn't really discuss the Weather, as there was nothing we could do about it and it was the same for everyone. It was however dire and far from conducive to producing good results.

I was really pleased with the fact that Rhys competed in his first Pentathlon, starting off with his first attempt at Sprint Hurdling. A tough, challenging experience that I think all young Sportsmen should put themselves through.

Harry put in a solid performance across his 4 events on the first day of his Octathlon and will pick things up again tomorrow. There are unfortunately, only four U20 athletes competing, a great shame! H is sat in second place having won both the discus and javelin events on Day 1. He starts tomorrow with the 110m hurdles.

Esther also had a good first day and achieved two PBs in Hurdles & Shot. She continues her heptathlon tomorrow in 4th place and has a good chance of closing in on the top three with 3 of her stronger events!

Molly as, a first year U13, competing for the first time in a Pentathlon, has done outstandingly well. She achieved a PB in her hurdles, gained a points total that is a UK ranking for Pentathlon and I will be submitting the result to SHAC as I believe it to be a Club record as well! Taking into consideration the T&F season that "we have not had", her very limited experience, her age and the conditions, I don't think I have exaggerated in any way by using the word outstanding!

Stewart & I are proud of all our group, including Jacob & Lauren who were there competing in 800s and giving it their all.

Stew & I would like to thank the parent group for their support in achieving such fabulous experiences/memories for our young group of athletes. It was also great to see Jen being an official at the event. No officials = No event, it is as simple as that! So thank you from all our competitors Jen!

Finally, thank you to our official photographer on the day - Joelinho - for the fabulous images from Day 1!

Really looking forward to Day 2!

 

 

Trafford Combined Events - Day 2 report:

 

Esther produced a strong 800m at the end of a gruelling two days of competition to produce a Uk ranking overall points total and finish second in her competition, whilst Harry, with all the changes that come with first time competition as an U20, produced two PBs on his second day. Particularly impressive was the 2 second PB in the 1500m!

Combined Events is a tremendous learning experience from many different perspectives. It is down to the individual to make the changes they need to make to progress further. I think these two young athletes have a lot more progress coming their way, if they are able to continue to learn and change for the better. Congratulations Esther & Hulley from the whole group!