UK YDL Lower Age Group Final 2/9/2023
Forty-seven of our young U13/U15 male & female athletes, coaches and officials headed off to Manchester on the 1st of September to compete and represent Giffnock North A.C and Scotland in the UK YDL Lower Age Group Final at the Manchester Sports Arena on the 2nd of September.
We headed off from GHA about 12.30 however, given the heavy traffic we didn’t get to the Premier in Denton until about 5.45 so rooms were allocated and we all headed for our evening meal, which everyone enjoyed. After the meal we had a quiz for all the athletes which seemed to go down well as it was pretty competitive. After the results were announced by our quiz master Andy Munro the athletes were encourage to head off to their rooms for a bit of chill time before lights out.
Following a good night’s rest, it was an early start at 7.00a.m.for all the coaches as it was anticipated that the athletes might be a bit blerrie eyed. However, we were pleasantly surprised that most were up and ready at 7.15a.m. After breakfast all boarded the bus and our Four graded officials Anne Stewart, Craig Fotheringham, James Coyle & Amparo Ruiz headed off to the track by car.
Upon arrival we met up with Jackie, Sara & Garry who travelled to the track by car. We took a prime viewing space in the stand on the first bend. First up were the field events in the U15 Boys Hammer with Freddie Scott and Alex Black & the U13 Girls High Jump, with Celeste Sheridan & Laura Tedesco followed by the sprinters at 11.00 a.m. and first up was the U13 Girls Amy Plunket & Bethany McNeil, in the 150m Bethany won a bronze medal in the B race. Although we got off to a slow start as far as medals were concerned all our athletes gave their all and it wasn’t long until it was the start of the middle-distance events with the 800m picking up Four A & B string medals.
In total Giffnock North AC won Twenty-Six A/B medals and the Frank Starkie Cup for the winner of the Under 15 Boys 1500m was awarded to Calum Dick (Giffnock North) in a time and new club record of 4:05.62 Although we finished 7th it was great experience for all, particularly the young athletes who did the club proud
Many thanks to all the coaches and officials who supported the trip to Manchester.
Report by Billy Glasgow