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Athletics Review 2016 & Looking Forward to 2017

My blogging ability has been pretty rubbish throughout 2016 and I've not done one, generally cos I've been that busy doing lots of other things, mainly athletics related.

So, this time last year, there was also a lot going on and 2016 was a bit more full on than I'd anticipated.  For me, I completed the Athletics Coach qualification in March and since then it's been a very busy year with coaching at Houghton Harriers with the U11's on Mondays and Wednesdays, with me also helping out at Gan Canny at Chester-le-Street on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I've also worked as a field official too and am now at Level 2 and still gaining experience and learning under the great mentorship of Mick Frazer.  I've also done my 10th Great North Run and also competed a few times for Houghton Harriers in relay competitions and also for the Senior Team.



Then there's Dominic - he's had a great year and whilst he's probably not competed as much as he'd like too, his performance as an official has been excellent.  He's quickly got to Level 2 standard and has established himself as a respected official in the NE region and has then be recognised nationally.  He was chosen to officiate at English Schools as well as numerous events in the North East.  He was then nominated in the Volunteer of the Year category at the England Athletics NE Awards, where he was runner up, plus he was also nominated in the Young Volunteer of the Year category for the Chester-le-Street and Durham area, which he won, which then got him into the County Durham final, which he also won.  Lastly, he was then nominated by UK Athletics in the Young Official of the Year category at the Sports Official awards, and whilst he didn't win, him being nominated by the National Governing Body was a fantastic achievement.  He's also got a bright 2017 pending as he's been chosen to officiate at the Northern Indoor Champs, England Athletics Age Group Indoor Champs and also at the National Indoor Champs.  He's also been chosen to be on the UKA Youth Access Group, so he's got a bright future ahead of him as he's determined to get to Level 3 this year and his mentors will get him there.  He's still competing too and has done his first Great North Run and has a purple hoodie for competing for his County in the 400m.  In addition, he qualified for the Boys & Girls team for County Durham and he was also 3rd in the NE Grand Prix in his U20 age group.


Moving onto Philippa, and she's had a good year in her first year as an Under 15 and has made great progress in lowering her times, increasing distances and trying new events.  She's also competed in the Northern Indoor & Outdoor Champs as well as stepping up and competing in the England Athletics Indoor Championships.  She was also 2nd in the NE Grand Prix, 2nd in the NE Indoor Pentathlon, 2nd in the Discus at the NE Champs, qualified for the Boys & Girls Club Co Durham team in Track & Field and Cross Country, made the Tyne & Wear Sportshall team at the National Final, has numerous Park View School records and has competed for Durham in the 75m Hurdles and Multievents.  2017 sees a busy start to the indoor season and she's competing in Glasgow on the 14th Jan before competing at the Northern Champs, NE Champs and English National Champs as she's got qualifying times for 60m & 60mH.  Fingers crossed that she avoids injury as she did suffer from back problems towards the end of last season.

Now it's Lexie's turn - she's never afraid to push herself forward as the picture below with US sprinter Natasha Hastings shows.  I'm really chuffed that she's continued to compete in sprints, XCountry and has now started throwing, with shot putt being her chosen discipline.  This will be her first U13 year and she's shown promise with the shot despite her switch to throwing left handed (due to metalwork in her right wrist following her fall of climbing frame, whilst doing Gangnam Style, a few years ago).  She's had a busy year and has picked up a couple of medals at Monkton Indoors and from sprinting and throwing at the Bobby Tinkler event at Chester-le-Street, plus she also made the Boys & Girls team for Durham.  I'm looking forward to her joining the U13 team at the NE Youth Development League and also competing in the NEGP, especially as she's contemplating the hurdles !








There's no return for the Mrs to athletics, as she much prefers her team management/cheerleader role and you can't miss her encouraging words and cheering !

All in all, we've learned a lot in 2016 and gained valuable experience that we'll take forward into the New Year and you never know, I might even blog a bit more frequently in 2017 !!!



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