Note from Chairman

Welcome to the spring edition of the clubs newsletter as the cross country season is coming to its end and the track season is fast approaching, and with the prospect of some great road runs, such as the London marathon only just round the corner. I hope your winter training and competition season has gone well for you and we are delighted that the new track has been laid and finished, and we are looking forward to testing it out competitively very soon. The club continues to attract many new members and we now have over 600 members listed who compete, support, officiate, train or help out with all the many different areas of athletics that the club spans. We are looking forward to success this coming summer across the many age groups and leagues and I’d like to wish you a very successful and enjoyable 2011 and hope you enjoy this newsletter.

Richie

Southern Athletics LeagueThis is to inform you all that the club has joined the new Southern Athletics League which is a joint Men’s

and Women’s competition. The Northern and Midland Leagues are already in this format and have been for several years.

So far 32 clubs have joined the SAL for the 2011 season, with many more indicating that they

will be joining in the 2012 season. (Website: southernathletics.org.uk) The League has two Divisions and we have been placed in Division 1.

Below are the dates and venues for the forthcoming season.

The decision was not taken lightly; consultation was taken with Athletes, Coaches and Team Managers.The outputs of this and reports from the SWL, SML AGM’s were placed before the committee, which

unanimously agreed to the above decision. We feel that this is the wayforward and will be a better transition from the Young Athlete’s competitions into the Senior Leagues.

This means that we have withdrawn from both the SWL and SML.

Saturday 7th May Harrow (Harrow, Walton, Chelmsford) Saturday 21st May Enfield (Enfield, Tonbridge, Nene Valley) Saturday 9th July Southampton (Worthing, Ashford, Stevenage) Saturday 30th July Milton Keynes (MK, Ealing, Herts Phoenix) Saturday 20th August Luton (Luton, Blackheath, Norwich) *Please note that there is a Steeplechase for Women:Anyone interested or volunteers?

CluWe************* Hampshire XC League Selected Final Top 5 Placings *************

U13 Boys - George Butler - 1stU13 Girls - Team 1st (3rd year we have now won the team trophy), Alana Spiers - 3rd, Lizzie Payne - 5th

U15 Boys - Team 3rdU15 Girls - Caitlin Stewart - 5th

U20W - Jenny Beckingham - 2nd, Sophie Darling - 5th Senior Women - Team 2nd, Ceri Mitchell - 2nd, Laura Brenton - 3rd, Nicci Blandford - 5th (2nd in Vets)

Senior Men - Team 3rdVet Men - Team 2nd

-U13B John Jenkinson (j_jenkinson@sky.com)-U13G Rob Cooper (cooper-angela15@sky.com)-U11B&G Andy Fisher (aj_fisher@btinternet.com)-NJAL - Sue Stevens (Susan.Stevens@akcsl.com)

BAL- Todd Bennett and committee including Derek Warn, Tony Fern, Eric Little, Michael Coker and Gary MacDonald-Gray (todd455685@aol.com)

UKWL- Tim Hall and Pete Wareing (tim.hallts@ntlworld.com, p_wareing@sky.com)SAL (men)- Jon Tilt and Derek Warn (jon.tilt@googlemail.com, delwarn@ntlworld.com)

SAL (women)- Tim Hall and Pete Wareing (tim.hallts@ntlworld.com, p_wareing@sky.com)

NYAL and Wessex YAL

SPRING 2011

EPOS

Selected RECENT ResultsSouthern Indoor Championships Finals Congratulations to all!

48th Herouville X-country near Caen

Recently saw Southampton Athletic club re-unite with Sporting Club Herouville AC in France after many absent years.

A small number of athletes crossed the channel to compete in the 48th Herouville cross country near Caen.

Southampton have a history at this event dating back to the 1970’s when team managers Harvey and Jean Bowles first took athletes to this event

boasting former winners Neil Coupland and Janet Dawkins (the latter winning an impressive 4 years running).Other senior winners from the 80’s and 90’s include Karen Rushton, Zara Hyde ( former head of UK athletics),

James Starling and Andy Morgan-Lee.With the Belgians also attending, the British flag flying and the sun shining the scene was set for this

International cross country event.

In the Masters category Andy Morgan-Lee had to work extremely hard in the latter half of the race to hold off the challenge of the Frenchman, Eric Pouree, to claim victory while Billy Isaacs, slowly returning to fitness after long term back

injury finished strongly to finish 28th. Neil Hanna, a former Southampton man, now representing Mynydd Du in Wales finished 82nd.Unfortunately Richie Pearson had to pull out due to a knee injury but his continued vocal support around this fantastic

spectator course was much appreciated from his team members.Matt Bracher was Southampton’s only representative in the Senior race and after a steady start worked his way through the field

to finish 52nd in a quality field won by the U23 Belgian national champion.

(Pictured below the Southampton AC runners and supporters)

Track Repairs and fixtures

Southampton City Council finished the main works on the track at the end of autumn but now need to do some completion of the repairs and to do the work on the Pole Vault area. We anticipate most of this work

(hopefully including the Pole Vault area - but not yet entirely certain) will be completed at some point in the spring and that the use of the majority of the track will still be possible whilst this limited work is going on. We were also hoping to plan an official club event to mark the opening but cannot now do so as the exact details of when the track repairs will be completed is not completely clear. For that reason we have not yet been able to finalise the dates of any club open meetings although we are provisionally hoping to hold events on 25th May and a medal

meeting on 11th September, a reduced number this year due to the uncertainty over the track repairs. Final details of all events will be posted on the website

GoldJenny Beckingham U20

800m 2.18.0Emily Jenkinson U17 800m 2.17.6

(Championship record)Aaron Bennett U20

800m 1.57.0Sophie Merritt U15

Shot 11.47m PB

SilverGarry Newton Shot

13.44Dudley Mason U17

800m 2.01.7Emma Cowell U17 LJ 4.9m

Rory Farrell U15 Pen 2510 (PB)

Bronze Matthew Watson

HJ 2.05

In the Masters category Andy Morgan-Lee had to work extremely hard in the latter half of the race to hold off the challenge of the Frenchman, Eric Pouree, to claim victory while Billy Isaacs, slowly returning to fitness after long term back injury finished strongly to finish 28th. Neil Hanna, a former Southampton man, now representing Mynydd Du in Wales finished 82nd. Unfortunately Richie Pearson had to pull out due to a knee injury but his continued vocal support around this fantastic spectator course was much appreciated from his team members. Matt Bracher was Southampton's only representative in the Senior race and after a steady start worked his way through the field to finish 52nd in a quality field won by the U23 Belgian national champion. (Pictured below the Southampton AC runners and supporters)

Track Repairs and fixtures

Southampton City Council finished the main works on the track at the end of autumn but now need to do some completion of the repairs and to do the work on the Pole Vault area. We anticipate most of this work (hopefully including the Pole Vault area - but not yet entirely certain) will be completed at some point in the spring and that the use of the majority of the track will still be possible whilst this limited work is going on. We were also hoping to plan an official club event to mark the opening but cannot now do so as the exact details of when the track repairs will be completed is not completely clear. For that reason we have not yet been able to finalise the dates of any club open meetings although we are provisionally hoping to hold events on 25

th May and a medal meeting on 11

th September, again reduced number this

year due to the uncertainty over the track repairs. Final details of all events will be posted on the website (which already now lists the season’s provisional fixtures and which for completeness are set out below), [insert provisional fixture list]

Appeal for Helpers during Eastleigh 10k

Your help is needed to make the Eastleigh 10k its usual great success! The B&Q Eastleigh 10k on 27th March 2011 is our club race and we need helpers from the club to put their names foward for assistance in various tasks. Up to 50 helpers will be needed on the finish line, inside the hall at Fleming Park, at the two water stations, and out on the road as marshalls. Friends or relatives of club members are most welcome. Please contact either: Malcolm Price mc123456@tiscali.co.uk or Eryl Penney eryl.penney@talktalk.net Thanks very much for helping support your club!.

Selected RECENT Results

The Southern road relays (seniors)Southern 12 stage mens and 6 stage ladies takes place in Milton Keyneson 27th of March. The men run 6 short legs of 5.5K and 6 long legs of7.9K. Ladies run the short leg only. The club want to make a real effortthis year to field the best possible team but do need committment fromour athletes. Hopefully we shall qualify for the final at Sutton Park onthe 9th April 2011. It would be really good if interested athletescould send an E Mail indicating that they wish to run torichiepearson@ntlworld.com (men) or niccibee180@hotmail.com(women) or phone Richie on 02380909327 and leave a message. Some of you will know that subject to being fit you will get a run but it can be a struggle to get everyone out so let Richie/Nicci know if you are prepared to runeven if you think that you might not get in the team.

Appeal for Helpers during Eastleigh 10k Your help is needed to make the Eastleigh 10k its usual great success!

The B&Q Eastleigh 10k on 27th March 2011 is our club race and we need helpers from the club to put their names foward for assistance in various tasks.

Up to 50 helpers will be needed on the finish line, inside the hall at Fleming Park, at the two water stations, and out on the road as marshalls. Friends or relatives of club members are most welcome.

Please contact either:Malcolm Price mc123456@tiscali.co.uk or Eryl Penney eryl.penney@talktalk.net

Thanks very much for helping support your club!.

RR 10 fixtures 201120th April* RR10 RVCP, Netley 7:00pm 4th May RR10 Longdown Enclosure, Ashurst 7:15pm 18th May RR10 WilverleyEnclosure, Sway 7:30pm 1st June RR10 Deer Leap Enclosure, Ashurst 7:30pm 8th June RR10 Cadland Estate 7.30pm 22nd June RR10 Manor Farm or Marwell Zoo 7:30pm 6th July RR10 Fleming Park, Eastleigh 7:30pm 20th July RR10 JanesmoorPond Wessex & Romsey 7:30pm 3rd August RR10Itchen Valley CP 7:15pm 17th August RR10 IBM, Hursley 7:15pm * Southampton AC members to marshal

RR 10 fixtures 201120th April* RR10 RVCP, Netley 7:00pm 4th May RR10 Longdown Enclosure, Ashurst 7:15pm 18th May RR10 WilverleyEnclosure, Sway 7:30pm 1st June RR10 Deer Leap Enclosure, Ashurst 7:30pm 8th June RR10 Cadland Estate 7.30pm 22nd June RR10 Manor Farm or Marwell Zoo 7:30pm 6th July RR10 Fleming Park, Eastleigh 7:30pm 20th July RR10 JanesmoorPond Wessex & Romsey 7:30pm 3rd August RR10Itchen Valley CP 7:15pm 17th August RR10 IBM, Hursley 7:15pm * Southampton AC members to marshal

Upcoming Main Track Fixtures this Summer Date League Venue Opposition

27th March Southern Road relays (seniors) Milton Keynes9th April National Road relays (seniors) Sutton Park17th April London Marathon, London17th April Wessex League IOW IOW, New Forest, Portsmouth, Winchester1st May NJAL (U20) Bournemouth Basingstoke/Andover, Bournemouth/Poole, Brighton, Chichester, Portsmouth, Guildford, Havant/IOW7th May SAL Harrow Harrow, Walton, Chelmsford8th May McCains NYAL Reading Team Dorset & WSEH14th May Hampshire County Championships Portsmouth 15th May Hampshire County Championships Portsmouth 21st May SAL Enfield and Haringey Enfield & Haringey, Tonbridge, Nene Valley22nd May McCains NYAL Bracknell Bracknell & Reading AC25th May Open (TBC) Southampton TO BE CONFIRMED29th May NJAL (U20) Havant/IOW Basingstoke/Andover, Bournemouth/Poole, Brighton, Chichester, Portsmouth, Guildford, Havant/IOW29/30 May CAU Inter Counties Bedford 4th June BAL Bournemouth Bournemouth, Mansfield, Nene Valley, Reading and Victoria Park5th June UKWL Swansea Blackheath, Shaftesbury Barnet, Swansea, Bedford, Milton Keynes Newham Essex Beagles, TVH5th June McCains NYAL Hillingdon Bournemouth & Harrow11th June Hampshire Schools Championships Portsmouth 12th June Wessex League Oxford Oxford, Weymouth, Dorchester, Poole18/19th June South of England Snr/U20 Champs Crystal Palace (TBC) 19th June McCains NYAL Barnet Copthall Shaftesbury Barnet & Brighton 25/26th June VIVA England Athletics U20 Champs & European Trials and U23 Championships Bedford 1/2nd July English Schools Gateshead 2nd July BAL Shaftesbury Barnet Bournemouth, Mansfield, Nene Valley, Reading and Victoria Park3rd July UKWL Barnet Copthall Blackheath, Shaftesbury Barnet, Swansea, Bedford, Milton Keynes Newham Essex Beagles, TVH3rd July Wessex League Winchester Winchester, IOW, Woking, Oxford9th July SAL Southampton Worthing, Ashford, Stevenage10th July NJAL (U20) Portsmouth Basingstoke/Andover, Bournemouth/Poole, Brighton, Chichester, Portsmouth, Guildford, Havant/IOW17th July McCains NYAL Area Final24th July NJAL (U20) Brighton Basingstoke/Andover, Bournemouth/Poole, Brighton, Chichester, Portsmouth, Guildford, Havant/IOWClub SUPER8’ Semi Final - Saturday 23rd July - Venue TBC Final (provisional) Saturday 10th September - Venue TBC24th July Wessex League Aldershot Aldershot, Woking, Poole, Team Kennett29/31st July AVIVA UK Champs and World Trials Birmingham 30th July SAL Milton Keynes Milton Keynes, Ealing Southall and Middlesex and Herts Phoenix6th Aug UKWL Southampton Blackheath, Shaftesbury Barnet, Swansea, Bedford, Milton Keynes Newham Essex Beagles, TVH6/7th Aug Southern Areas U17/U15 Champs Ashford 13th Aug BAL Abingdon Bournemouth, Mansfield, Nene Valley, (Double Fixture) Reading and Victoria Park20th Aug SAL Luton Blackheath and Bromley, Luton and Norwich20/21st Aug England U17/U15 Championships Bedford 27th Aug BAL Derby (Double- Host is Mansfield) Bournemouth, Mansfield, Nene Valley, Reading and Victoria Park3rd/4th Sept McCains National Final Birmingham 11th Sept Open (medal meeting) Southampton

.,

2011

No subs. No competition

******* Team Managers *******

*********************Helping out

If you are willing to consider helping the club out in any way as a helper on match days or for road fixtures or would like to become a qualified official please would you kindly contact Fiona Webb. Help is

always welcome, and so please do take the opportunity to get involved with the club.

Club contacts: Membership Secretary - Fiona Webb, 79 Shanklin Road, Upper Shirley, Southampton SO15 7RG Tel:

02380788874, Email: webbfdlk@aol.comSecretary: Tim Hall. Email: tim.hallts@ntlworld.comWelfare Officers: Alison Beckingham, Mark West.

Emails: alisonbeckingham@gmail.com, andwesty@aol.com

Socials Barn Dance – Saturday 26th February 2011

Blarney Band – Live!7.30pm Start

Pear Tree Church Hall, Pear Tree Road, Southampton, SO19 7GYBuffet and Band – cost £8 per adult, £15 a couple, £5 students, U18’s and over 65’s

Bring your own drink and come along and dance!

Tickets from:Mirella Spalluto c.spalluto@soton.ac.uk Tel: 07890 705 576Hannah Coombs latehannah@yahoo.com Tel: 07759 050 464

Rebecca Mulley Rebecca_mulley@hotmail.com Tel 07958085109

Southampton Athletic Club Presentation Evening - Saturday 12th March 2011

Wide Lane Pavilion, University of Southampton, Wide Lane Sports Grounds, SO50 5PE 7:00 to 11:00pm

Buffet/Disco - cost £6 per Adult, £3 per Child (17 and Under)

Tickets from:Tim Hall tim.hallts@ntlworld.com, Tel 07710 929175

The following have been appointed by the committee as team managers for the club for the forthcoming track season.

Please give them all your support and lets make it a successful summer for all.

-U13B John Jenkinson (j_jenkinson@sky.com)-U13G Rob Cooper (cooper-angela15@sky.com)-U11B&G Andy Fisher (aj_fisher@btinternet.com)-NJAL - Sue Stevens (Susan.Stevens@akcsl.com)

BAL- Todd Bennett and committee including Derek Warn, Tony Fern, Eric Little, Michael Coker and Gary MacDonald-Gray (todd455685@aol.com)

UKWL- Tim Hall and Pete Wareing (tim.hallts@ntlworld.com, p_wareing@sky.com)SAL (men)- Jon Tilt and Derek Warn (jon.tilt@googlemail.com, delwarn@ntlworld.com)

SAL (women)- Tim Hall and Pete Wareing (tim.hallts@ntlworld.com, p_wareing@sky.com)

NYAL and Wessex YAL -U17M Brian Fisher (bfisher.nets@virgin.net)-U17W Gillian Seaman (gillianseaman@btinternet.com)-U15B Lisa Butler (butler-anthony1@sky.com)-U15G Andy Fisher (aj_fisher@btinternet.com)

-SCVAC League - Derek Warn (delwarn@ntlworld.com)