I would like to thank the sub committee headed by Wynne and Hazel for all the hard work they put into making sure the Presentation Evening went well. The efforts of their team are very much appreciated by all concerned.
MC Simon Armstrong welcomed everyone and handed over to President who gave his review of the year (see seperate report). Dave then welcomed our special guest Mick Woods, one of the U.K.'s best known coaches. Dave started by giving a brief synopsis of Mick's athletics career with particular reference to his achievements over the Marathon including a PB of 2 hours 20 mins 12 secs. Dave then went on to outline Mick's remarkable coaching successes for which he is best known and for which he received the UK Coach of the Year award in 2008.
Mick then spoke about his long association with Bournemouth AC and mentioned that he well remembered competing at Kings Park in the Hampshire Championshps back in the days when Bournemouth was in Hampshire!
This was then followed by a Question and Answer Session during which Mick gave an update on Steph Twell's progress and rehabilitation from her serious injury. He also gave an insight into training at altitude and in Kenya in particular. In response to being asked what his proudest moment was as a coach, Mick replied that it was sitting in the Olympic Stadium in Beijing watching Steph compete for GB (just missing out on the 1500m finals) and knowing that he had coached her from a very young girl to this moment.
Mick then kindly presented the tropies to the winners.
All in all, a very enjoyable evening.
Reflecting on the Club’s performances during the year, I would say that it has been a good year of consolidation, progress and hope for the future. In Track & Field, our Men’s team retained their place in the British League Div 4 finishing 4th overall. The season began with a successful home fixture and a very creditable 2nd position. One of the highlights was the winning 4x100 team of Rhys Bennett, Bradley Pickup, Paul Dickson & Sven Knipphals who not only won the race but broke the club record. Looking at the results over the season, we again excelled at the jumps and the throws. The top point scorers were Brad Pickup with 184 points and a new League record in the Long Jump and the evergreen Simon Armstrong with 130 points. It was also good to see consistent point scoring performances from our two steeplechasers, Rob Hardyman and Simon Monroe.
In the Women’s Southern League, despite finding it difficult to field many athletes on occasions, we finished a very solid 3rd overall. Top points scorer and only ever present was Jemma Bates, but there were very valuable contributions from Kerry Squires, Katrina White and Sarah Kearsey The Men’s Southern League team again found it difficult to put out a full squad although it still gives a valuable opportunity for athletes of all ages to get the chance to compete at Track & field and those who do take part enjoy the experience.
Our younger athletes again competed in three leagues, NJL, NYAL and Wessex League. In the NJL our composite team with Poole Runers finished 4th overall and indeed 4th in every fixture. Our top performers were Alex Cox and Matt Aldridge who would have had a clean sweep of A & B strings in the High Jump if it hadn’t been for Alex being unable to compete in the final fixture. The top three female performers were Katrina White, Holly Beth Hassall and Natalie Whisken.
In the NYAL, our composite team came 5th overall. Our top three female points scorers were Natalie again, Emily Orford and Rosie Wootten. Matt Aldridge was the top male scorer with a massive 65 points and there were 5 others who scored 50 or more in Arran Mooney, Joshua King, Jamie Williamson, Declan Toth and Jordan Harding.
In the Wessex League, our top female and male scorers were Danielle Broom and Patrick Sylla.
Individually, there were a whole host of excellent performances in various championships and representative matches in a wide variety of age groups from U13 to V70. I make it at least 17 medals in such events from (in no particular order) Phoebe Dowson, Jemma Tewkesbury, Natalie Whisken, Sarah Kearsey, Alex Cox, Bradley Pickup, James Lelliott, Simon Fricker, Bill Legg, Patrick Sylla and Declan Toth. If I have missed anyone out then I apologise.
On the country, our Mens Senior team were unable to repeat the fine performance of the previous year in the Hampshire League, but nevertheless finished a respectable 6th to easily remain in Division 1. They have begun the new season in fine style finishing 2nd in both the first two fixtures behind the might of AFD. In the U13 girls races, Bridget Dence currently leads the individual standings having come 4th in the first race and then 1st in the second race at Good wood. Ella Sykes has also put in two strong races.
On the road, our Men’s team have retained the Dorset Road Race League title. Although we were pushed hard by Poole Runners, we still clinched the title with two races to spare. Our runners took the first three individual places overall with Ian Habgood, Simon Munro & Roy Long, in that order. Whilst our ladies team was not strong enough to challenge for team honours, the individual winner of the Ladies' League was Janie Chapman. Helen Ambrosen was also the winner of the 55-59 age group.
BAC runners again performed well over the marathon distance with Steve Way well out in front with another superb run in the London Marathon finishing 22nd overall and 5th GB runner in a time just one second slower than 2010. He was well backed up by Ian Habgood and Jon Sharkey and this resulted in them picking up the silver medals in the team competition behind Tipton. Amazingly this is the 4th time BAC has finished second in the London and on each occasion it has been Tipton who have won! We were to have two individual winners over the Marathon distance with Ian Habgood retaining his County title in the north Dorset race and one of our newcomers, Jacek Cieluszecki winning the Mauritius marathon by an astonishing 15 minutes. We have a really good group of road and country runners and the Tuesday night training group has grown significantly and has resulted in an excellent team spirit with the top runners being well backed up by a whole host of others who are improving all the time. Long may it continue.
I would once again like to thank Tony Jones-Pert and his group who look after our Special Olympics Group. I was very disappointed to be unable to make their event at Kings Park this year as it is always such an inspiring day.
I would just like to take this opportunity to take a moment to mention the terrible accident that Serita Shone recently suffered whilst training with the UK bobsleigh team. It was a great shock to us all. It is very good to read that she is progressing well despite the initial prognosis. I’m sure you will all join with me in wishing her a full recovery. Our thoughts are with her and her family.
We have a special year to look forward to with the Olympics coming to this country. The challenge ahead for all Athletic Clubs remains a difficult one with funding problems, the recession and the lure of other sports and activities. I still feel, however, that we as a Club are moving in the right direction and we have the talent and the desire for a good future. I wish you all a healthy and successful 2012.
The 100m, 200m and 400m trophies go to MUIRIS EGAN. Muiris only joined the club this year. He won the 200m at Dorset County Championships and was 5th in the 400m at SEAA U15/U20 Championships.
LEWIS GOLDEN and CORRIE NORTON compete in both 800m and 1500m for BAC. Lewis is awarded the trophy for 800m and Corrie the 1500m trophy. The Long Jump and 80m Hurdles trophies are awarded to NISHAN BROOKS. Nishan is ranked 3rd in the South West for 80mH. He won both Dorset County and Dorset Schools in this event and was 3rd in both South West Intercounties and SEAA U15/U20 Intercounties.
JAMIE WILLIAMSON has won the High jump trophy. Jamie won both Dorset County and Hampshire Schools Championships. He was selected to represent Hampshire at English Schools Championships in Gateshead but had to pull out through injury. He broke the New Forest Schools High Jump record. He is ranked 1st in the South West and 7th in UK.
The Shot, Discus and Javelin trophies winner is ARRAN MOONEY. He also has the trophy for the most NYAL points. Another athlete who only joined the club this year, Arran competed in all 4 NYAL meetings. He won the Shot at Dorset County Championships and was 2nd in the Discus.
JOE ARUNDEL is presented with the Cross-Country trophy. Joe won the overall title at last Season’s Wessex League Cross-Country.
HANNAH STAMMAS and KERRY SQUIRES returned this year after both taking a few years away from athletics. They both supported the Southern Womens League team in many events and helped the team to 3rd overall in their division. Hannah receives the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m and Long Jump trophies. Kerry gets the 100mH. 400mH, High Jump, Discus and Javelin trophies.
JEMMA BATES competed in all the matches in Southern Womens League and as Team Manager filled in in events for which BAC did not have athletes. She gets the Trophy for most points scored in the league and also the shot and hammer trophies. She also gets the Cross-Country trophy.
The Marathon trophy goes to HELEN AMBROSEN. Helen competes on the road over many distances for the club.
AMY SPENCER is awarded the shot trophy. Amy has been unable to compete in her main event this year(Hurdles) owing to injury so has taken up throwing so she can still compete for BAC.
SARAH KEARSEY is awarded The Outstanding U20W Track Athlete of the year trophy. Sarah is a first year U20 and is ranked 12th in the UK and 3rd in the South West for 400mHurdles. She won both Dorset County and Dorset Schools Championships. She went on to win South West Schools and then represented Dorset Schools at English Schools Championships in Gateshead where she was 5th in the final. Sarah also won the 400mHurdles at the SEAA U15/U20 Intercounties.
PHOEBE DOWSON has won the Outstanding U20W Throws Trophy for her Discus. Phoebe is ranked No 1 U20W in the country. She has scored maximum points in all the League matches she has competed in this year.
GLEN BALFOUR wins the 1500m trophy. Glen has a go at many different events and will still be in this Age Group next year.
The trophies for Javelin and 75mHurdles go to BEN DICKINSON . Ben won the Javelin at Dorset Schools and was 2nd in the Dorset County Championships. He also competed for Dorset in the Southern U13 Championships.
DARSHAN BROOKS competes in all the throwing events for the club and he receives the trophy for Shot Putt. The trophy for the most points scored in the NYAL goes to JORDAN HARDING. Jordan competed in all 4 NYAL matches at 100m, 200 and Long Jump.
The trophies for 100m, 200m, High Jump, Long Jump and Triple Jump go to BRADLEY PICKUP. He also receives the trophy for the most points scored in the British Athletic League. Bradley is ranked first in the South West for Long Jump and 4th in 100m. He is also ranked 4th U23 in the UK for Long Jump. He broke the BAL Div 4 Long Jump record.
DAN PRICE is unable to be here tonight but his brother Joe will pick up his trophies for 800m, 1500m and 10,000m. Dan won the 1500m at his County Championships and was 4th in the 10000m at BUCS.
ROB MCTAGGART competes for the club on the track, on the road and at Cross-Country but he receives the trophy for 5000m.
The Marathon Trophy and Best Performance trophy goes to STEVE WAY who competed in the London Marathon and was 22nd in a time which was only a second slower than the previous year.
RHYS BENNETT receives the 110mH, Pole Vault and Mens Loyalty trophy. In recommending him for the Loyalty trophy his team manager wrote: Last season Rhys was an enthusiastic and versatile member of the BAL team. He was always willing to take on events outside his own in order to earn valuable points for the team and had so much fun in doing this. He was even desperate to compete through periods of injury, such is his loyalty and determination for the team to succeed.
The Shot Putt and Hammer trophies are awarded to SIMON ARMSTRONG . Simon competes in BAL at all the throwing events and is a valuable member of the team scoring many points.
SIMON MUNRO is presented with the Cross-Country trophy. Simon was 4th in Dorset County Championships and 10th overall in the Hampshire Cross-Country League.
Also winning trophies but not here tonight are Darryn Campbell, Robert Hardyman, Peter Briant, Aaron Harris, Mark Hargreaves and Chris Birch.
BEN AMEY receives the trophies for 100m and 200m. Ben won the 200m at Dorset Championships.
Alex Cox is unable to be here tonight but has also been awarded a trophy.
ROSIE WOOTTEN has won the trophies for High Jump, Long Jump, Shot and scoring the most NYAL points. Rosie is ranked 3rd in the south West for High Jump and 4th for Long Jump. She won the Long Jump at the South West Intercounties in Exeter.
Yasmin Wilcock, Angel Kerin and Storm Quarchioni have also gained trophies.
The trophies for 100m, 200m and 400m go to RICHARD GALLOWAY. Richard was injured for part of the summer . He was 2nd in the 200m at South West Schools.
JOSH KING is awarded the trophies for 800m, 1500m, 3000m and Javelin. Josh won the 1500m at Dorset Schools and was 6th at the U15/U20 SEAA Intercounties where he ran against athletes who were up to 3 years older than him.
JAY COLLINS receives the Long Jump trophy.
The trophy for Shot goes to HARVEY DARBY
Also receiving trophies but not able to be here tonight are Declan Toth, Matt Aldridge and Jamie Grose.
The 200m trophy and the trophy for the most NYAL points go to CHLOE BURROWS. She shares the 100m trophy with Danielle Broom
DANIELLE BROOM Receives the Discus trophy. Danielle will still be in this age group next year.
The Cross-Country trophy winner is BRIDGET DENCE .In her first year in this age group she was 1st in Dorset Schools Championships, 14th in South West Championships and 40th in the Intercounties. She also won the Wessex Cross-Country League.
The 100m, Long Jump and Triple Jump trophies go to KATRINA WHITE. She also receives the trophy for the most points scored in NJAL. Katrina won the Triple Jump at both South West Schools and South West Intercounties. She then represented Dorset at English Schools in Gateshead. She is ranked 2nd in the South West for Triple Jump.
ORNELLA O’BRIEN receives the trophies for 200m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m and Cross-Country. Ornella was 2nd overall in the Wessex Cross-Country League. Also receiving trophies but not here tonight are Natalie Whisken and Emily Orford.
Quad Kids is a four event competition for boys and girls under 11 open to 19 athletic clubs within the Wessex League. It comprises of -
75m sprint,
Long Jump,
600m and
Vortex throw
Points are awarded individually for each event.
Michael McElhatton – Michael was the leading points scorer for B.A.C. He was 12th overall in theWessex League scoring 239 points, he was also no. 2 in the Wessex for Vortex with a throw of 40.93m. Michael also won the Dorset u.11 Summer League, helping the B.A.C. Boys team win both overall and the relay trophy.
Hannah Molyneux – Hannah was the overall girls' points scorer in the Wessex League with a league record of 268 points – in addition to this she holds the Long Jump record of 4.04m and the Vortex of 36.42m Hannah was also the leading points scorer in the Dorset summer league. She now holds the Primary Schools record for Long Jump, jumping 4.04m, breaking the record which had stood for 24 years.
Our thanks go to many of the parents who supported their children in these league and to those who helped in many ways and particularly Paula Broom for all her efforts.
LOYAL SERVICE The Joe Caslake Cup This trophy is being presented to someone who helps the club as a very knowledgeable official especially of the throws. He travels to away matches as well as helping at home meetings. He supports his wife, Wynne , in her capacity as Club Secretary. The trophy goes to RAY MUNDEN
OUTSTANDING JUNIOR ATHLETE Cooper Dean Salver PHOEBE DOWSON Phoebe started her first discus year as an U20 by winning the Hampshire County title and quickly followed that with further gold success at South of England Championships. Her next success was winning her 2nd successive title at English at Gateshead with a throw of 44.03m. Other wins included South of England Intercounties. The highlight of 2011 for Phoebe was being selected to represent England Youth at the Commonwealth Youth Games and finishing 4th in an equal PB of 45.01m, just 26cm short of the Bronze Medal.
OUTSTANDING SENIOR ATHLETE The Portman Eagle STEVE WAY was selected to compete for England but was unable to take up the offer.
First of all I would like to apologise for not being with you all tonight, due to a long standing family commitment in Scotland. I view this evening as being very important in the club calendar as it gives recognition to those athletes who have been successful during the past season and gives me the opportunity to thank all the athletes, coaches and officials who have contributed to those successes. Many thanks to you all.
Getting down now to The Presidents Prize/Award.
This young lady joined BAC 5 years ago when she took only a sort of recreational interest in the discus. John Rumbold, one of our past Chairmen, took her under his wing teaching her the basic skill of throwing and giving her the taste for competition and only dreaming of qualifying for the English Schools never mind winning.
Over the past 3 years Daria Swiaska, using her Polish coaching skills in discus, has developed this young lady into a leading junior discuss thrower and her successes to date are,
2 English School Titles
1 International School Title
2 South of England Titles
This year, 2011, she made her England debut at the Youth Commonwealth Games narrowly missing out on the medals by finishing 4th.
All this success has not stopped her from turning out at the various League and Championships for the Club and for this we are all most grateful.
By now you will all probably know who I am awarding the Presidents Prize to
Miss Pheobe Dowson
Tom Cochrane
President Bournemouth BAC