Beagles managed the complete opposite of the first round when we failed dismally in the field events because all of our guys were competing in the British Universities. I know there is a lot on at the beginning of the season but that was a ridiculous clash which helped no-one.
Anyway this time we won the field events getting nearly
three times the points. The star was Michael Puplampu back from injury who
managed a win in a high quality Triple Jump with 16.03m and a massive
improvement in his long jump best to 7.52m. We struggled on the track and ended
up 5th one point behind 4th place. So half way through
the season we are behind where we expected but we should finish mid table.
Manager Rowan Griffiths did a great job on Saturday juggling the management
with looking after his two young children.
What was really good from our point of view was the new
talent we fielded all of whom were highly encouraging. Archie McNeilis (PV),
Jack Roach (LJ, HJ), Jake Lindacher (110H), Lewis Davey (400, 4x400) all
performed to a high standard and Ben Snaith’s 46.96 sec 400 was another
highlight. My personal favourite was Newham trained High Jumper Jerome Henry an
U17 who not only improved his pb to 1.88m but then informed us how gutted he
was not to jump 2.00m. That’s what we like.
Not quite such an early start on Sunday but down to the
London Marathon Community Track (LMCT) for the Beagles Academy. This is working
well for the younger age group Y1-5 and my job was long jump coaching. Massive
enthusiasm all round, one or two tearful moments but by the end we were all
managing to take off one foot, land on two and get up in the air a bit – job
done. Someone wanted to learn the hitchkick – obviously a bit above my
pay-grade. But who knows if I have started a future GB long jumper out on the
long road to success.
A quick dash to Basildon to see my youngest son run at the
Eastern Young Athletes League. I talked to a couple of Basildon coaching greats
– Martin Brown, James Shane’s coach and Steve Surety. Martin’s group really
wants to have a few sessions at the LMCT at Stratford which is good for our
middle distance guys as well.
Overall a tiring weekend. But even when the Men’s team was
having a wobble in the British League I felt that what is so encouraging is
that there is still talent coming through. You just never know when a potential
big talent is going to walk in through the gate.
On a sadder note I attended on behalf of the club the
funeral of Woodford’s legendary throws coach Ron Bowden this week. Our thoughts
and condolences go to his family and Woodford.
Lastly just some news on the track. The throws cages/areas
have now been costed up. So hopefully we will have some progress there soon.
The entrance to the clubhouse has been re-worked although how this will affect
you be more obvious when the car park opens at the end of the Summer.
June and July will see us having to work with two more sets
of concerts in the main arena – Jay-Z/Beyonce and Foo Fighters – and UKA’s two
promotions in July. Watch the website – we will post the weekly schedule and
let you know if/when we are at McMillan.
