Page 5 - BBHAC Winter 2016-17 Gazette

President’s Profile 5

Steve Ovett (1) powers his way to victory in an 800m heat during the Nationwide AA Championships at
Crystal Palace. Blackheath Harrier Nick Brooks (4) fought his way through to finish third.
not help, but I proved them wrong and However despite his Bob Taylor, Ian Wilson, John
trained hard with Botley that year for rugby activities and work Baldwin, Chris Haines and
the 1983 New York marathon where requirements he always Graham Botley and a little later
I limped around in 3.26.” maintained his membership at Les Roberts who always gave
Once the broken leg had BBHAC and in 1992 was made 110%. “I was also very fortunate
mended he returned to playing a vice president by his long time to have had two great coaches as a
rugby for Beccehamians RFC mentor Graham Botley at the youngster in Charles Elliott and
at Sparrows Den as 1983 was end of his presidential year. Dennis Watts, and in addition to
their 50th year. He made the He held the communications these Glenn Hayes in Memphis, and
first team for the next 19 years and sponsorship brief for a few of course my best friend Graham
and used rugby fitness to run years from 2007–2012 and more Botley as a mentor.”
for the Club without training recently he has taken on the Summing up his athletics career
for the track. “Eventually I could role of writing the reports for Nick says:
not keep this up with a new job and a the press following the success “Blackheath and Bromley Harriers
girlfriend who went onto be my wife. I of our athletes every weekend. AC has been a big part of my life for
did come out of running retirement to “This is a difficult task as it has to the last 45 years and will continue to
run the 1991 London marathon and be done on a Sunday night to make be so and it is an honour to be asked
won the closing 5 handicap in 1990, press deadlines, often results are not by Bill to be the new Club President.
having taken a year away from rugby available and with only one or two I hope Club members will accept me
to run half marathons”. However, faithful Club members providing as President! I’m really keen to do all
he missed the rugby and the me with any data a lot of good I can in the coming year to help in the
Club convinced him to go back performances probably go unreported.” continued success of our great Club
and play before retiring in 1994 Nick acknowledges that the and build on the great foundations
with a broken arm, to take on knowledge which experienced that have been laid down over the
coaching mini rugby, writing athletes pass on to younger years! I have a tough act to follow after
match reports, coaching the Club members is a key factor Bill’s fantastic year as President.”.
first team and then becoming in the success of athletics and
Chairman in 2005, a role he still many people at Blackheath gave Nick Brooks, ed. Wilf Orton
holds today. him good advice in my early
years at the Club, including