Hello,

Thurs night sessions Oct to Dec 2018 now on website.

Oct-Dec2018 (1)

Cheers,

Billy

Club Championships Arrangements
207 Athletes from Age U11 to Masters have entered the Club Championships and we are all looking forward to a great day of competition. It is always aided by good weather but the location at the Ayrshire Athletics Arena at Kilmarnock offers Indoor Cover if needed as well as a covered stand .We hope many parents, relatives and friends will come to support this event, enjoy the relaxed competition and get a chance to talk to coaches and other parents. You can bring your own folding chairs, small tents and/or umbrellas. We just need to ask that Athletes have clothing for any weather.

AYRSHIRE ATHLETICS ARENA
Address: Queen’s Dr, Kilmarnock KA1 3XF
Phone: 01563 555227

Can parents and athletes please note
Registration from 9.00am to collect your Numbers [Front& back] The Timetable will be adhered to as far as possible but as with many meets,it may run early or late so listen to the announcements from Dudley Walker.
Only pyramid spikes allowed at Kilmarnock so no Needle Pin spikes or Xmas tree ones
Athletes are welcome to wear Club vests but, as its our Club event, it’s not essential
Entry to the Arena will be by Programme
.The Entry fees to this event are minimal so bring your cash to buy your lucky [We hope] Programme Tracey Davie and Claire McInnes will be in charge. Lucky Numbers from the Programmes will be drawn during the day as well as a Tombola.
Kit sales organised by Lynda Scott and Alison Watson
Catering is again in the hands of Lisa Saxby with help from Ali Currie & Diana Davidson [we need a few more volunteers for this to allow a rota so that parents can see their Athletes events] We still require donations of Home Baking or Wrapped Labelled Sandwiches for the Catering Stall. Indications to Lisa Saxby
Results Team with performance scores organised by Graham Dunn will be Mike Napthine and Elaine Paul. AAA Standards [ Grade 1/2/3 ] achieved at Club Champs will be recognised with a Certificate
The Club Champions 1st /2nd/ 3rd will receive their Awards at the Annual Awards Night on Saturday the 8th of December in the Carmichael Hall. A separate Xmas Disco & Awards Night has been arranged for Friday 7th oF December for all U11 & 1st Year U13s

ARRANGEMENTS FOR U11 ATHLETES
Jennifer Jackson and Gillian Gallagher will meet all U11 Girls escort them to events, do warm ups etc, liaise re location & timings to meet up over the day and Shona Donnelly & Caroline Bradley will support the U11 Boys. The Timetabling has been arranged by Anne Stewart and along with Doleen Galbraith they have thankfully, managed to assemble the necessary officials to run the event

Entry Lists here

Download (XLS, 19KB)

Erin winning the London Junior Triathlon

Erin Wallace has had another trip Down Under to compete on the Gold Coast. Erin our Tri-Athlete goes from strength to strength.
We asked Gordon Wallace Erins dad for an update.
“Erin recently came 5th in the European Junior Triathlon championships in Estonia, and followed this up by winning the London Junior Female Triathlon. This gained her automatic selection for the GB Junior Female team who will compete at the World Finals in the Gold Coast. This sees the top 60 Female Junior triathletes in the world compete in the biggest championship race of the season. This takes place in the early hours of Saturday 15th September. She is currently in the middle of 2 weeks preparation with the GB team out there with all that involves”

The club wishes Erin the very best of luck in Australia. Also great news to hear that Erin is entered for the club Track & Field Championships as she has done every year since she joined the club and is looking forward to competing there. What a star!

A selection below of photos of a few of her athletics exploits.

Award winner at Scottish Athletics event 2017 with Coach Dudley Walker
On track, Indoor, Outdoor , that photo from the Bahamas when winning the 1500m and over XC representing GB Juniors.

Erin Wallace

Erin Wallace

Erin Wallace

Great Edinburgh XC Event
Jan 7th 2016
(C)Bobby Gavin Byline must be used

Report from Gerry Duggan
Thirty-one of our young athletes hurdled, sprinted, ran, jumped, threw, vaulted and putted their way into the Highland Capital on Saturday the 1st of September. They were in pursuit of PB’s and even a few qualifying standards for next June’s Gothenburg event, before the end of the current Track and Field season.

Inverness Harriers welcomed us to their open graded meeting where our athletes competed in hurdles, 100m, 200m, 800m, Discus, Shot Putt, Javelin, Long Jump and Pole Vault.

Our athletes set off at lunchtime on Friday (everyone was devastated at having to miss an afternoon’s schooling) for the long journey north, where we set-up overnight camp in Elgin. We arrived in plenty of time for tea, before inventing the new Olympic sports of “Rugby in the Dark” and “Luminous Yellow Frisby”. It let us all burn off a bit of energy before lights out.

After a good nights rest, all the athletes were up bright and early, eager to compete, but not before consuming the Breakfast of Champions. Full fry-ups all round.

Our hosts, Inverness Harriers, were brilliant. Realising we were keen to land some Gothenburg qualifying times, they set up the 100m and 200m to “go with the wind”. So our athletes ran the wrong way down the home straight for the 100m and used the 800m stagger mark to set off for the 200m. Thanks guys!

Giffnock’s athletes put their usual heart and soul into the events and we hope that everyone was pleased with their performances. There were too many PBs and SB’s to list out individually, you can see the full results on-line or on Power of 10 (speedy work again on the part of Inverness Harriers).

Full results

One performance does merit special mention. Darcy McNeil (pictures below) set a PB and U13 Club Record in the discus with a whopping 18.70m. Well done Darcy.

Symon Lipp was busy with his iPhone round the track and captured as many of the athletes in action as possible. You can see the pictures in the Highland Capital online photo album.

Click here for photos

All the coaches (Jackie Alexander, Sara Lang, Billy Glasgow, Gerry Duggan and Symon Lipp) would like to thank our athletes on their outstanding performances and exemplary behaviour throughout the trip.
Report with thanks to Gerry Duggan

2^nd Sept Pitreavie AAC Young Athletes’ Trophy Meeting

GAA Sky High Pole Vault 2018 (The Final)

Now in its’ 27^th year and still attracting 200 plus competitors the Young Athletes’ Trophy Meeting occurs at the end of the outdoor season and always produces  great spectacle in the track and field competitions .  With it scheduled so soon after the National Age Group championships  it often offers a final chance to collect a medal , improve a PB,  or a chance to re-challenge  many recent National gold medallists.  It also provides U11 athletes a competition to earn a first trophy at something almost akin to National level with the many competitors it attracts in this age group from far and wide.

Ryan Davie

With fair temperatures and the occasional sunny spell it turned into a memorable day for two of Giffnock’s  U13 Boys.  Ryan Davie collected his first individual Gold in the High Jump with a 1.40m clearance and only narrowly missed a 1.44m PB. Ryan, being a first year U13 performed at an admirable level for his age bettering several boys a year older.  He also competed in the Long Jump finishing 5^th with 4.14m and outdid himself again with a PB finishing 3^rd in the third heat of the 100m with 14.80secs. This earned him a spot in a very competitive final.  He was actually late for his original heat as he was on his last attempt at high Jump at the time and luckily got a move into heat3 when he eventually made it to the start line.  Fortuitously for him though, this was the fastest heat of the day and brought the best out of him, and the time he produced was better than the winner of the heat he should have ran in. Ryan was a bit slower in the final due to a strong headwind and after all the exertion and finished 6^th , but was very pleased overall with his day. More to come next year.

Daniel Martin

Daniel Martin also had bumper day with the medals, earning 3 Golds.  His first of the day being at Long Jump. Having just returned from running his 75m hurdles heat, he and two others had 3 rounds to complete as all the other competitors had finished.  Daniel had some nervy moments with 2 fouls but calmed himself to ensure a safe effort in his final jump to produce  4.38m which won the competition by 5cm. This was much to his surprise afterwards as he wasn’t best pleased with that particular jump. The distance being a good bit down on his performances of late. He followed this up with a safe run in the final of the 75m hurdles winning comfortably in 12.88 secs.  This was his third gold in the event this year after the West Districts and an excellent PB in the National champs a fortnight ago. Finally in the 100m Daniel executed another safe run along with Ryan in Heat 3 making the final.  After managing his effort well throughout the day he stormed through to win the 100m final by 4metres in 13.75s. A very decent time contending with a strong 3.2m/s headwind.

Sky High Pole Vault 2018

Reuben Nairne

Finally after a whirlwind week, Reuben Nairne  pulled off his second Pole Vault Grand Prix victory of the year winning the GAA Sky High Pole Vault competition. This was the fourth meeting of the series and just like he did during the winter season he became summer season champion.  It’s been a successful season for him in Pole Vault with him achieving a recent U17 club record of 4.35m which puts him top 5 in the UK and 5^th best on the Scottish all-time list. Added to his superb Silver at the UK School Games on Saturday in Loughborough in 100m hurdles,  and a 4th place in PV competing at the England Athletics Champs in Bedford the previous weekend,  it’s been a demanding but rewarding week for him.  A massive well done Reuben.

Report by Brian Martin

Calling all club members …

There is now less than a week to get you entry in for the Club Track & Field Championships.   Entries are due to close on the 9th September.

Please make an effort to support this event, a lot of time and effort is put in by the organising team to make this event happen.

Full details and the link to online entry can be found at : https://www.giffnocknorth.co.uk/club-track-field-championships-entries-open/

Many thanks to the following athletes who have competed for Giffnock North in the 2018-19 Men’s League  – 

Calum McWilliam, Alexander Young, John Hamilton, Scott MacIver, Kyle McLean, Finlay Waugh, Eoghan  O’Donnell, Lewis Mitchell, Andrew Robertson, Andrew Clark, Luke Nelson, Kieran Killen, Sam Young, Calum Rogers, David Lees, Neil Hutchison, Murray Fotheringham, Chris MacKay, Greg Turner, Donald MacLean, Blayne Wright, Ben Shaw, Nicolai Gajic

Men’s League Match 4 and Season Round-up

In the  last Division Two Men’s League in 2018-19, Giffnock North’s team put in the best performance of the season, coming third on the day with 249 points. Edinburgh were 2^nd on 269 points and Corstorphine 1^st on 286.  With over thirty events, I think we can declare that a bit of a blanket finish!

In the four match series Giffnock finished fourth overall, a tantalising 1 point behind Lasswade. Edinburgh in 2^nd and Corstorphine in 1^st are promoted to Division 1. The Match 4 and Overall Series points tables are at the bottom of this email.

On our return to the Mens Leagues, (we didn’t compete last season), I am pleased that we put in a credible performance. Match 4 shows the potential of what Giffnock can do when we field athletes in (almost!) all the events. I thank every single athlete who has competed for Giffnock’s Mens League Team this year. Without fail you put your heart and soul into every performance.

I look forward to you all competing again next year when, if we put in a “Match 4 performance” every time, we will push for promotion.

Gerry Duggan, Team Manager

Match 4 Summary (Full results are attached to this email)

We had a very soggy start to the event, making the field events a bit tricky. Our jumpers (Sam Young, Calum Rogers, Scott MacIver, and Lewis Mitchell) landing on puddled crash mats or swampy sand and our throwers (David Lees and Neil Hutchison) handling what must felt like heavy bars of soap. But the guys persevered and landed vital points.

In the middle distances Nicolai Gajic and Donald MacLean (800m) and Andrew Clarke and Ben Shaw (1500m) all scored well for the team. In the guest 1500m Blayne Wright tore strips off his PBB. In the longer event, Kieran Killen ran his first track 10,000m.

Lewis Mitchell and Eoghan O’Donnel performed well in the 400m, despite having to stand at the cold, wet start line for 20 minutes prior to the gun.

The short sprint team also racked up the points. Special mention to new boys Scott MacIver and Finlay Waugh. Scott made a huge round trip from Stornaway and was rewarded with a PB in the 100m and Finlay flew round the 200m for his first sub 23s 200m. Remarkable times in horrible conditions. Kyle McLean continued his series of sub-23 200m runs and John Hamilton had a seasons best in the guest 100m. Alexander Young was frustrated with on an ongoing injury hampering his 100m.

Finally the relays were a mix of highs and lows. The 4×100 landed third place, but in the 2^nd leg of the 4×400, Lewis Mitchell pulled up dramatically with a hamstring injury. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Full Results

Report by Craig Fotheringham with photos from some earlier triumphs.

” The main factor in the second day of the AAA’s or English Championships was the weather. The warmth and occasional sunshine of yesterday had gone. The temperature had dropped considerably and just as events started , so did the rain and it never relented.

First up today was Reuben Nairne in the Pole Vault. PB’s were going to be rare today and in the inclement conditions everyone was well below par. Reuben managed clearances at 3:71 and 3:86 before failing at 4:01 but achieving a very creditable equal 4th place.

Murray Fotheringham had the unenviable task of competing against the class athlete of the meet – Dominic Ogbechie for the second time. Murray was very briefly in 2nd place with 6:59 Metres but in the cold and wet could not improve and slipped to his second 4th place of the weekend.

Both these boys are first year Under 17’s and will be back next year stronger and more experienced.

Meanwhile Alyson Bell was attempting to win her second medal of the weekend in the Under 15 Girls 200 Metres cruising through her heat in 26.34 seconds and going straight through to the final as many girls did not start due to the weather.

The final was run when the rain was at its worst.
Alyson looked a little jaded from her exertions yesterday but with her usual strong finish clawed her way back into contention. She was making ground and gaining places but the line came too soon and she had to settle for another Giffnock 4th place !!

Thanks Craig for keeping us up to date from a soggy Bedford.”

Great efforts from all 3 of our talented athletes just missing the Podium today at this prestigious competition.And well done Alyson returning home with yesterday’s 100m

Bronze.

A reminder that the Club Track & Field Championships will take place on:

Sunday 23rd September at the Ayrshire Arena ,Kilmarnock

The events timetable can be downloaded here

All details and link for online entries can be found here

Please make every effort to support this Club event.

Closing date for entries is 9th September

All photos courtesy of Bobby Gavin and Scottish Athletics

Report from Craig Fotherigham

The Age group Championships were held in Aberdeen this weekend and those who ventured North on day one were welcomed with a warm day , sunny spells and a moderate breeze.

Our first Girls on the track were Katie Foss and Sophie Haldane who cruised through to the final of the Under 20 Women’s 400 Metres.
They returned for the final later in the day and strong running by Sophie looked to have won her the Gold but Katie had not yet lost belief. She found some extra strength down the home straight and clawed her way back to Sophie. The line eventually came for both girls and it was too close too call. Rather remarkably they were inseparable on the photo finish and both were awarded Gold medals.

Meanwhile Daniel Martin had lived up to his top seeding in the Under 13 Boys Shot Putt taking Gold with 9.54 Metres.

He returned to the track and grabbed his second Gold with a dominant run in the Boys 75 Metre Hurdles setting a new PB of 12.15 seconds.

Over at the high Jump , Murray Fotheringham was stepping up an age group to compete at Under 20 ‘s after his triumph at the Under 17 championships last week. Another confident performance gave the 15 year old a remarkable Gold with a new Giffnock Record of 2:03 Metres.

Erin Campbell grabbed another Gold for Giffnock in the Women’s Sprint Hurdles.

It’s not all about winning medals and lots of our athletes have their all in search of PB performances.

In the Under 13 Boys , first year Ryan Davie just failed at a new PB and came 4th – losing a bronze by the narrowest of margins on countback. He also gave Javelin a go but needs at bit more training in that event.

David Lees was 4th in the Under 20 Men’s Shot Putt but was a bit below par in the discus.

Emily Watson reached the final of the Under 13 Girls Sprint Hurdles finishing in a very creditable 5th place. She also competed in the Javelin placing 7th.

Kyle McLean in his first year as an Under 20 put in a great performance to reach the final.

Tuscany Wright battled through her pre-race nerves to produce a huge PB in the Under 13 Girls 800 Metres, breaking 2:50 for the first time. She was just ahead of Abigail Flower who came home in 2:53 and also gave High Jump a go.

Thansk Craig for reporting from Aberdeen

On Day 2 Giffnock Medallists included
Sophie Haldane took her 2nd Gold medal of the weekend in the U20 W 200m. Another race where the same time was given for 1st & 2nd place but the Gold going to Sophie this time.
Kyle Mclean took Silver in the U20 M 200m
David Lees with Bronze in U20 Javelin
Isla Fotheringham with Gold in the U15G Pole Vault
Ross O’Brien with Silver in the U15, 1500m
Jennifer Dallas with Bronze in the U15 G Shot Putt

Congratulations to all our athletes who travelled to Aberdeen , those above medalled, all those who made Finals , narrowly missed the podium or bettered their PBs. Hope we haven’t missed anyone out over the 2 days.