Last updated
08 September 2015
UK Youth Development League
2015
5
September
2015 - U13/15 Final - Alexander Stadium,
Birmingham
Full results
here...
Blackheath and Bromley Harriers AC officially have the
best U13 and U15 combined boys and girls team in England, despite narrowly
missing out on winning the National title, trailing Scotland’s Edinburgh AC
by a mere 9 points.
Eight of Britain’s best athletic clubs battled it out
for the honour of becoming champions but by the afternoon Sale Harriers
(last years winners), Edinburgh AC (Scottish champions) and BBHAC had opened
up a small lead on the rest. With only a few points separating the top three
and positions constantly changing, it was clear the result would be tight.
The final result read as
Edinburgh AC 608
Blackheath and Bromley HAC 599
Sales Harriers 591
Southampton AC 549.5
Cardiff AAC 527.5
Rugby and Northampton 507.5
Reading 448
Preston Harriers 405.5
This result, along with our U17 and U20 placing 3rd in
their final, makes BBHAC the best young athletes club team in Britain.
The twelve U13 boys that made up their team once again
competed out of their skins and produced some excellent results including a
few personal bests.
77 people piled onto the double decker coach for the
journey to Birmingham and after a short stop to refuel with KFC and haribos
(athletes fuel!) we arrived relatively fresh at our hotel.
Once settled in and fed in the well stocked restaurant
it was time for the team meeting and collection of team shirts.
Lights out early, next morning a continental breakfast
or full english breakfast OR both and they were all ready for an exciting
days athletics.
Birmingham arena with its High Performance indoor
centre is a great venue and B&B set up home in prime position above the
finish line.
First into the arena were Ethan Kitteridge and Jacob
Byfield in the high jump. Ethan has had a great season improving steadily
throughout the season but was unfortunate to twist his knee on his very
first jump and wasn’t able to improve on his best. Jacobs mind was taken off
his competition when he remembered that his spikes were still on the coach
in his suitcase. Unfortunately for us the coach had already returned to the
hotel!! Such is team spirit that all the boys were rallying around offering
the use of their spikes. Jacob settled on Pedro’s Nike pair and he even
suggested they were more comfortable than his own ( as his own were a little
tight!). Jacob may have been a bit distracted but it didn't show as he jump
just short of his best.
Michael Burfoot and Kyron Morgan were next up and they
scored maximum points winning both A and B strings in the shot with massive
puts, as they have done all season.
First event on the track was the 75m hurdles and a
great technical run by Jacob just off his best and a great new personal best
for Barnaby Corry got us off to a good start.
Tareq Bannour with his first race of the day and Kyron
were next up on the track in the 200m and once again maximum points were
scored with blistering wins for both. Tareqs 25.53 was a PB (albeit windy)
and Kyron’s 25.98 just a fraction outside his best.
Thomas Penlington and Jake Leng, running in their fist
National final were up next in a highly competitive 800m. Thomas ran a gutsy
run and did well finishing 5th in a new personal best of 2:32.77. Jake ran
equally well in the B string also finishing 5th in 2:38.27. After their race
they were now both free to get full use out the indoor soft play area
otherwise know as high jump mat!
Michael and Ethan were back in action in the field in
the javelin. Micheal got in a safe throw to secure valuable points before
trying a new run up technique (he may have seen on you tube!) that could
have seen the javelin orbiting mars but sadly didn’t. Ethan struggling with
his knee was only able to throw with a restricted approach but scored more
valuable points.
Back on the track were the sprinting boys and two more
great victories and more maximum points in the 100m. Tareq 12.55 and Kyron
12.49 (windy) were classy performances.
The 1500m was the next event and Rowan Fuss and Sam
Reardon continued to do what they have done all season, win, both strings
and in fantastic style. Rowan powered away from the gun and looked
controlled in all the 3.75 laps. Rowan crossed the line 20 seconds clear of
second place and in doing so set a new league record of 4:31.20.
A brilliant run despite having just climbed down from
Gemma’s physio bench after treatment for a back spasm! Sam Reardon has
really taken to the track season and runs with more maturity than his years
as he comfortably won the B string.
Sprinter Archie Shipley had to wait all day to compete
in his first event as the long jump didn’t start until 4pm. Archie wasted no
time leaping to a great 4.34 in the first round but wasn't able to improve
on this further. Jacob sporting a new pair of spikes having returned the
borrowed pair, took a while to settle in with two no jumps. The pressure was
on as he faced his final jump but we needn’t have worried as he nailed the
board and flew to a big 4.15 winning the bronze medal in the process.
The last event of the day for the U13 boys was the 4 x
100 and three strong legs and three safe change overs from sprinter Leo
McCallum, Kyron and Archie left Tareq only 10 m down on the very strong
Cardiff quartet. Tareq took the baton and flew down the track gaining on
Cardiff with every stride but unfortunately ran out of track and crossed the
line just 2/10th of second behind but still winning a superb silver for the
team.
Blackheath and Bromley HAC are one of the best
supported clubs and that was evident on the day with Mr and Mr President and
many BB members and parents there in large numbers. I would especially like
to thank Ethan’s mum Teresa, Barnaby’s dad Nic and Jacobs dad Paul for all
their help in ensuring the weekend was safe and fun. Thanks also to Jay for
all he does behind the scene (and that is loads) and for his great work
behind the camera.
Two track meetings left this summer season, next weeks
Kent champs (12th -13th Sept) followed by Kent relays on Sunday 20th Sept.
Photos from Jay Galley
Photos from Rod Harrington
