England Athletics 2009 Award Winners "Junior Club of the Year" - Horwich RMI Harriers & AC

YAHOOO!!!

Last night our Club received a highly prestigious award from England Athletics at the Hall of Fame Awards in Birmingham in front of many famous Athletes and Coaches.

We were awarded "Junior Club of the Year" for 2009 - putting this into context, as I am sure it was said last night, there are 1,300 athletic clubs in England! So this some achievement.

Photos for EA Awards Night 2009

Name Dropping!

Famous people present at the awards included : David Hemery, Steve Backley, Darren Campbell, Christian Malcolm, Jonathan Edwards, Noel Thatcher, George Bunner, Dorothy Tyler and even the daughter of the legendary Harold Abrahams! The chiefs of Engand Athletics and UKA Athletics were there too!

There were too many names to mention.

You can see a report on the website www.englandathletics.org

OUR THANKS TO VOLUNTEERS

We would not have received this prestigious award if it had not been for the fantastic support we receive from our "volunteers", i.e. coaches, officials, administrators, helpers and even "butty-makers" and our own committee.

We must not forget the help and support that is provided by the Horwich and District Primary & Secondary Schools and Bolton Arena for their services. Also, Horwich Rotary, as we must not forget they donated £ 4,000 4 years ago to buy the indoor sportshall equipment (and continue to support us every year!).

If I have forgotten anyone, please forgive me as I am still in shock at our Club receiving such an award.

One thing I must say is that we have the most fantastic young athletes, none better, who continue to amaze us with their enthusiasm for training and great spirit for the sport of athletics. We have great sportsmanship and a willingness to help others as has been shown recently by some of the athletes even becoming Coaches too. Everyone wants to do their best and also wants to help each other which is truly amazing.

On behalf of the Club, a BIG thank you once again and if anyone is interested in our club continuing to get better and better, please let me know. In particular, we are now getting to the stage, where we need more coaches to support our young athletes. So if anyone is interested please let me know or any of our coaches.

Please continue your support. Thanks and well done to the whole of the Club!

Kind regards


Mark Dacre
Junior Coach
Horwich RMI Harriers & AC

PS Dont forget Indoor Sportshall starts next Sunday 18/10/2009 at Blackpool.

Horwich Juniors @ Mid Lancs

In near perfect conditions our junior team of only 3 found the pace of the U13’s race faster than last weeks Red Rose. The field was 50 boys strong and 35 girls strong in the same race of u15’s.

First home in 12th with 11:31 was Jo Howe who had a strong race beating some of last weeks competitors and satisfied he couldn’t have done more. Close on his heels and finishing 14th in 11:39 with 2 other runners across the line in same time was Nathan Townsend. After recognising he had beaten all his closest rivals was please with his performance. Another sterling run from Will Townsend brought him in at 32nd in 12:43 again beating some of last weeks runners from Witton Park.

The only cloud for the team is not having 4 runners meant they didn’t have a full team of four. After the team came 2nd Last week due to Jonathan or Cameron not being able to make it meant no results. A second would have been on the cards again if we have had a full squad.

Jo’s brother Zac Howe had a challenging day being our only U17’s runner. The race again was quick and Zac having had a good season on the Fells just couldn’t find the pace today. Nevertheless a respectable 22nd place wasn’t a true picture of what we are looking forward to from Zac this season.

English Schools Fell Champs

On the 27th September at Sedbergh in Cumbria a number of Horwich Juniors represented their schools and pride of place went to Phoebe Howe who won the U/11 Race which consisted of 2miles with 720 foot of ascent, after leading throughout she finished in a remarkable seventh place overall only beaten by six boys and broke the course record by 40 seconds. She was presented with her Gold Medal by Joss Naylor O.B.E. We had two other competitors in this race with Will Townsend 19th after taking a nasty fall and Johnathan Powis 10 seconds behind in 20th. In the U/13 race Joseph Howe ran well for 26th place and in the U/15 race a 3.5 mile race Zach Howe did well and finished 15th. All the children deserve credit for racing these tough courses considering this year is their first on the Fells.

Tony Hesketh