| Nowra Athletics Club | |
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| The Patron's Epistles |
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Epistle 10- Summer Track and Field The track and field season is upon us and in my last epistle I mentioned the need for officials to conduct the Wednesday night events and that the programme of events would depend on available officials. I had contact from one parent who offered to help. That is a start but the proposed programme has been drafted in hope of many more officials and it includes more event choices which will need regular teams of officials if the programme goes ahead. The need is urgent for people to be prepared to undertake some basic training in conduct of various events or even undertake an officials theoretical exam. By being a helper you get practical experience at this stage. Wednesday 15th September is our starting day so we need to know if YOU can help. Information and the programme will be posted to all athletes who took part in track and field last season and winter runners who have just completed the cross country season. We really need many to commit to be a regular helper,
several of our experienced officials are not going to be available. The best helper for our purposes is one who is not competitive and can be a weekly official or helper without the pressure of competing as well. Officials helpers notes are available while John Morris and I are qualified to instruct. Please consider this appeal for assistance and ‘phone me on 44460226 if you want more information or are prepared to be a regular helper. The winter season just completed was one of the Club’s best. Whether this was because we all had a rush of enthusiasm because of our 50th Birthday celebrations or not, everyone involved can be justly proud of their achievements. At State level many performed with great keenness and if you check the Athletics NSW Website you will note that the under 14 boys squad were overall State champions. Many of our other age groups figured well in the pointscore. With Country track and field and various State age championships to be conducted through the summer lets make this season another success. Rod Gibb
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Patron’s Epistle 9 - 1st August, 2010 The winter season is drawing to a close with two rounds of the pointscore left and a couple of special events. Club members should note that the last round of pointscore on August 21 will be away at Dapto when we will have the second round of the McCaffrey challenge against Kembla Joggers Club. We will be running on the KJs new track which will be officially opened on 14th August. We need a big roll up of runners for this return match because there is a big points gap at present. The Club will run a coach up to Dapto and will subsidise the cost so the team organizers must have an idea of numbers without delay. If you wish to go on the coach, it holds about 50, get your name in to Kevyn Davis – 44478309 – NOW! The cost will be decided depending on numbers therefore a full coach will be great. Directions for those travelling by car to Dapto will come later. So far our 50th birthday year has been one of celebration and achievement and just recently following the State schools cross country championships three Club members have been selected in Athletics NSW teams for the Australian Cross Country Championships in Brisbane on 21st August. Congratulations to Gus Frank, Michaela Quinn and Harry Scouller. Michaela and Harry, coached by Rob McDonald and Gus under the guideance of Sharon Gibb- Creer have made the team following a season of fine performances. The loss of these gun runners for the McCaffrey Challenge will mean our Nowra squad will have to lift for the occasion and they certainly will I am sure. With the City to Surf, State Half Marathon and Marathon and the Australian Cross Country still to be run , Club members thoughts may not be yet on the summer, but the track and field season is not far away. Club officials are aware that some of the regular helpers and officials that usually take part in the summer track and field season will not be available so the need for more officials is now quite serious. Without people to regularly assist with the conduct of events the athletes are disadvantaged. Some of the officials tasks are not difficult and training in the various rules and technical details is not arduous. Anyone willing to assist or seek more information should contact Club Secretary, Jan Gibb 44460226. The planning of the programme for the summer will be considered in relation to the number of officials that may be available. Something entirely different for you to consider is the possibility of entering into the Dragon Boat races at the Regatta on the Shoalhaven River on September 11th. I would imagine that runners could be paddlers, provided they had their floaties on in case the boat may spring a leak. Lisa Carroll can give you the details if you are interested.
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Patron’s Epistle 8 - June 25th. What a day we had at Willandra last Saturday. The annual Cross Country Classic was the best in my memory at least and I have seen them all. Those who took part whether as a runner or a helper carrying out any of the many jobs that go with a State Championship should be justly pleased with their effort it was certainly a great day and I thank you all. The Club has received positive emails from some of our visitors and I believe some comments on the Cool running site were also positive. After a day like that, what do we do now I hear you ask. Well the King of the Mountain is a little over a week away and another big effort from many Club members will be required to make this day another success. The event starts at 9.00am on Sunday 4th July. The run from Cambewarra School to Kangaroo Valley Showground is 32 Km. At the Valley showground much other activity will be going on apart from the race finish and wind down. A Celtic celebration involving pipe bands, highland dancing and many displays and a vintage car display will keep folks interested and entertained. Helpers are needed at the showground particularly and some are still needed on the course itself. Please contact our Club President, Kevyn Davis 44478309 if you can help. Ok when that is over then what? On Saturday 10th July we have the State Road Relays at Wollongong on the great Flagstaff Point course. Jan and I will not be around for these championships either on the day or for the organization of the teams. Please support the officials who will be organizing. Our Club has been having a great winter season so far and our tussles with the Kembla Joggers Club are eagerly anticipated. Anything else? Actually there is and it is the following week Saturday July 17th. Will we be able to front up again for the State Short course Cross Country at Upjohn Park Rydalmere? The same age groups will be run as at Willandra for the Classic but the distances will be shorter. Watch for details. And just for your running diaries: City to Surf 8th August. State half marathon 22nd August and State marathon in conjunction with Blackmores Sydney Running Festival 19th September. That’s all folks (for now). Rod Gibb
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Epistle 7 As we continue to celebrate our 50th Birthday the Club will be very busy in the coming weeks with some major events. Next Saturday 19th June, 2010, the by now well known Country Classic, will be conducted at Willandra. Although all Club members have had a printed circular to read which contains all the information about this big occasion, I will explain further. This event is the NSW Cross Country Championships where races from under 12 through to the Masters age groups are conducted. Place getters receive Athletics NSW medals. Athletes 9 years and under are covered by a 2 km. run where girl and boy place getters receive medals provided by Willandra. Two fun runs are also conducted over 2 and 4 Km. Plenty of Lucky Drawer prizes. Club members who have not decided about entering the Championship events should do so without delay, particularly if they have not received a registration number. They should contact Jan Gibb, the Club Secretary 44460226 right away. They may also need a Club uniform and Jan can sort that out too. Remember that black pants go with the Club top. Volunteers are needed on the course and in the administration area and thanks to those who put their names on the list to date but many more are needed. With many keen members wanting to run as well as help we need to have a roster so a course marshal for instance can be relieved so they can run at their race time. So, as of now (Saturday 12th June) we need another 15 names. The canteen will be in operation and cake and slice is required for sale, this is a fund raising exercise for the Club as well as all the other stuff happening. THE STARTING TIME FOR THE FIRST EVENT IS 12 NOON. NOTE THIS CAREFULLY - it is not a normal winter pointscore day, you should be at least 30 minutes early because of new electronic timing procedures that require you to pick up a timing chip when you enter your event. The chip is tied on your shoe lace. PLEASE CONTACT JAN OR ROD GIBB 44460226 IF YOU CAN HELP. After this big effort the next important event is the King of the Mountain on Sunday 4th July. Not another one I hear you say. Yes yes another one though somewhat different. The need for many volunteers is the same however with
lot of jobs to be carried out for a 32 Km road race.
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Epistle 6 - 2010 A lot has happened since my last writings to Club members and the most recent happenings may be of the most interest.. The design a new club flag competition attracted some
fine entries and was won by Paul Jennings. It was flown at the 50th
birthday celebration at Willandra on Saturday 22nd May. It was
also revealed to those who attended the celebration dinner on the Saturday
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 Winner of Nowra Athletics Club Flag Competetition - Won by Paul Jennings | |
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It was great to see a huge number of people at the Saturday afternoon run which was followed by afternoon tea and the cutting of the birthday cake. Many of the ‘old’ club members from the seventies and eighties came to share the festivities and enjoy the occasion. Many others from this era and earlier, the sixties, came to the dinner on Saturday night and shared the nostalgic night with some special guests and club members from all eras of the club’s first 50 years. State Cross Country Relays - Miranda - 29th May, 2010 Today, Saturday 29th, while the the pointscore events were being conducted at Timberhill, Tomerong the Club’s relay squad was in action at the State cross country relays at Miranda in Sydney. In mud and slush they put up a tremendous performance right through from under 12s to veterans. Two gold and three bronze medals were won and a lot of mud was accumulated on our striking gold, black and white running gear. Every team succeeded in giving their best effort whether they were medal winners or not and I was so proud of them. For the fashion conscious the young ladies took out the “cutest” prize with their black, gold and white hair ribbons while others with various coloured pants (they are supposed to be black) added to the spectacle. The announcer commented on the great day Nowra was having and as he did last year , reckoned it was a black and gold invasion. | |
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Under 14 Boys Relay Team - Gold Medals
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Under12 Girls Relay Team - Silver Medals
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Now to comment on the medalists. The under 14 boys were clear winners of their event even though the finish was a very close affair with the KJs under 12 team. The gold medalists were Jed Frank, Angus Pryde, Jye Edwards, Zach Havadjia. The boys put in great mud running performances to stay near the front of the field for all four laps. Likewise the under16 girls led off by a very fast first 3k lap from Michaela Quinn stayed up front and defied any to overtake. The other gold medalists in the team were Tori Jones, Rose Vucic and Casey Jones. Our silver medal team was the under 12girls Shenay Edwards, Jade Mustapic, Layne Jones and Clare Dobson. These young ladies with hair ribbons flying hung on to their position with great determination. The under 18 boys were always in the mix and were in the top group for the whole race. This team of Harris Scouller, Mitch Brown, Bradley sawyers and Jyle Smith deserve their bronze medal. The 45 plus ladies were pleasantly surprised with their bronze medal mainly because there were several age groups in the event and with the mud and just survival on their mind it was hard to think of anything else. The competition in these relays is quite hot and the Club’s teams continue to give a good account of themselves. Well done Maxine Gernyi, Annette Sampson, Helen Lucas and Linda Wetherill. Next State event will be on home soil on June 19th when the NSW Cross Country Championships will be conducted at Willandra. Watch for more details next week.
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Epistle 5 - 2010 Saturday next will be a busy day for Nowra Athletics Club as it celebrates its’ 50th Birthday. The running events will have their numbers swollen by members of the Kembla Joggers club who will be contesting all the races from 1k to 8k. The reason for the visit and Nowra’s return visit to Kembla Joggers later in the season, is the re-institution of the Mc Caffrey cross country challenge. The founder of the Nowra Club, the late Frank McCaffrey instituted the challenge in 1969 to be contested between the Club and the RAN College at Jervis Bay. The challenge has lapsed in recent years and was last conducted in 1995. | |
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All the events contested on Saturday will be counted in the point scoring for the interclub challenge against Kembla Joggers. Events start at 2.30pm sharp and Club members should note that the 4k and 8k races will start together at 3pm. The tight timetable is necessary because of the other activities planned for the day. Following the running, afternoon tea and cutting of a large birthday cake will take place and this will be a time for many former club members, who have indicated they will be in attendance, and current members and our visitors to enjoy the occasion. The winner of the new club flag design competition will be announced and the flag will fly for the first time to signify the beginning of the next 50 years. In the evening from 6.30pm at the Bomaderry Bowling Club many Club members from the ‘old days’, current members and guests will gather for a celebration dinner. Tickets are still available from Sportspower in Nowra, the Bomaderry Bowling Club and on this website. The highlight of the evening will be the launching of a book detailing the history of the club through the first 50 years.
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Epistle 4 - 2010 CONGRATULATIONS PETER!! Peter Dooley received the Australia Day Senior Sports
Award at a presentation ceremony conducted at the City Entertainment Centre
last Monday. POINTSCORE RESUMES ON WEDNESDAY Weather permitting the summer pointscore resumes on
Wednesday with series 1. 50Th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS There has been one entry so far in the new Club flag
competition. | |
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The flag ratio to be 2:1 that is for example 1.2 metres
x .6 metre, 1.0metre x .5 metre etc. The club logo to be included . Include the club name NOWRA ATHLETICS CLUB INC. (The INC may be optional) and reference to our 50th year. |
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If you have questions ask me. Your design should have your name and can be submitted to me. Rod Gibb | |
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Epistle 3 - 2010 COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS – WOW !! The Club contingent to the Country Championships last weekend covered all age groups and these groups from the mighty midgets to the old buffers did very well. Unfortunately I did not see many of the performances but I was on the ground at various times and did see some. All who took part, no matter the results achieved, deserve a hearty cheer, you performed above your best. CONGRATULATIONS!! I was able to see some events before I disappeared back to the check in centre under the grandstand. It was easy to see Michaela Quinn in the 1500 because she was really powering along at a great pace. She won that event and the 3000metres and added the 800 metres to the list on Sunday in another powerful run from the front, defying any to overtake. Very impressive Michaela. I noted also young Zac Havadjia feature in a close finish in his 100, he just pipped Cameron Musgrove and Bradley Fuller was fourth, good work Nowra boys. I was impressed with the relays where some teams got among the medals but more important was the teamwork and enthusiasm. It is great that you can smile after being edged out of a medal by a millimeter and be happy with a ‘PB’ anyway. We had success in steeplechase as well. It was awesome to see Alex Pitkethly fly over the water jump, he hardly got his feet wet. Teila Bruce and Perry Strand in their first attempt at the steeplechase did very well. It was satisfying to note that Tim Cooper put in a huge Javelin throw, 58.45 m to be precise. This is an Australian qualifier and very pleasing following the disappointment of last season. I wish I could have seen that. I certainly missed a lot so will have to check the web to get the full results. Thanks to our members who acted as officials and
well done all.
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Epistle 2 - 2010 DESIGN A NEW CLUB FLAG COMPETITION As part of the
Club’s 50th Birthday celebrations a competition is being
conducted for the design of a new club | |
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The flag ratio to be 2:1 that is for example 1.2 metres
x .6 metre, 1.0metre x .5 metre etc. The club logo to be included |
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This will give you something to think about for a while. If you have questions ask me. Your design should have your name and can be submitted to me. COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS THIS WEEKEND. Our squad will be in action at the Kerryn McCann Athletic Centre,Beaton Park, Wollongong this weekend and a reminder to take your water bottles and sunscreen. The Club’s shade tents will be there so look out for our people somewhere on the lawn around the ground. A reminder that all those entered should make sure they have their registration numbers and correct club uniform which includes the famous Gold, Black and White top and BLACK shorts. You must check in for track events as soon as you arrive, the check in place is under the grandstand. Go well at the Championships and I will see you in the check in centre where I will be working. Rod Gibb
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Epistle 1 - 2010 2010 is here! I hope all Club Members had a pleasant Christmas and New Year celebration. Now let’s get on with a new year, our 50th year of athletics. The Country Championships have attracted a big entry from our club, one of the biggest for some time. To tune up for this big weekend on January 15 and 16 our Wednesday night events will be designed for that. Various events will be staged to cover most of the events entered by our country squad. You are reminded that the club uniform must be worn at the Championships with your registration numbers attached. The club Gold, black and white top is worn with BLACK shorts or briefs etc. If you have any problems with uniform or registration numbers contact Jan Gibb without delay. 2010 is our 50th Birthday year and you should put 22nd May in your diary, your computer, on your ‘frig to remind you this will be our PARTY DAY. More details will be announced soon but for now you could start thinking about a competition to design a new Club Flag/ Banner to celebrate our 50 years. Full details will be announced in the coming weeks so stay tuned to our website.
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A past McCaffrey Challenge - Nowra Athletics Club
and Albatross runners with the McCaffrey Challenge Shield 