Kissi's World Adventure.

We are incredibly proud of this young lady.

After he second place in the U20 200m at the UK Championships in Birmingham this year Kissiwaa Mensah was one of only 16 women selected by British Athletics to contest the Bi-Annual World U20 Championships which this time round was held in Lima, Peru. 

Down to represent GB&NI for the 200 metres and the 4x100 metre relay. Kissiwaa went through from the 200m heats with a 23.92s to the semi finals placing fourth with a 23.90s and just missing out on going through to the final. The 4 x 100 relay unfortunately brought about disqualification.

Success on the National Relay Stage.

What a day for our under 17 youngsters as they contested the National Relay Championships at the Alexandra Stadium, Birmingham - two club records one of which brought them home as NATIONAL CHAMPIONS, not often can that claim be made.

Those four gold medals were won by Milana Thorpe, Sophia Gavrilovic, Lucy Bulman and Sienna Shipton from the 4 x 300 metres event with a time of 2m 49.55s., a time which set a new club record set in 2014 of 2m 52.90s. AND places them as third club team in the UK ranking lists for the year.

From the boys team it was a case of both glory and sadness. In the heats of the 4 x 100m Harry Lee, Jack Hignett, James Becker and Harry Marshall improved on the club record as        they won in 42.93s. And here was elation. Perhaps to early for in the final their enthusiasm and a faulty take over brought disqualification., Yes it happens to the best - why even the USA have suffered this in past Olympics. In other events the girls 4 x 100 team of Amelia Scott, Summer Foskett, Evelyne Shonde and Milana Thorpe placed fifth in the final with 50.15s after placing third in their heat with 49.92s. In the boys 4 x 400 Harry Shorey, Ben Watley, Josh Eida and Oscar Dove with a clocking of 3m 41.34s placed fifth whilst an under 15 girls team of Chelsea Clarke, Michelle Shadipe, Lucy Ajayi and Alicija Yalaju in the 4 x 100 after qualification in the heats with 50.85s could not match this in the final - more take over problems !!!   

Report Written by Roy Meadowcroft.

No Win at Winchester for our SAL Team.

It has most certainly been a disappointing end of the season for our senior team in their Southern League campaign. Second at Norwich in match one, first at home in match two and then fifth place matches three and four. Yes both these fell in the holiday season and we have missed vital members in both of these meetings proving that we do not have the depth in numbers that the larger clubs can call upon.

It was thought to be a formality for TVH to take the win and ensure their taking the league title which Chelmsford had won in 2023, but with only 33 points parting the remaining five clubs every placing was vital. Strong events for the men were the 400 metre hurdles in which full points came Archie Simms and Bradley Reed winning the `A` and `B` string races. Likewise in the hammer throw with Oliver Graham and Yasha Bobash taking the honours, Oliver`s performance of 60.29 metres was to give him man of the match acclaim. Indeed for CAC he was already their man accumulating 18 points as he contested all four throwing events. Nathan Bushnell`s return to competition was very welcome with a third place in the shot and second in the discus. Back to the track and newcomer Tom Rehal started off by setting a personal best time of 8m 45.7s for second spot in the 3000 metres - and paving the way for Zach Bridgeland to win the `B` string. These also paired up for vital points in the 1500 metres. Under 17 year James Becker, second in 100 and third over 200, was again showing his promise against strong opposition. Sadly however there were events in which we may have expected a strong showing but fell way short. In the high jump with athletes capable of two metres full points would have been taken - instead it was just one. Here the holiday season was most notable.

From the women's events and again it was the throws bringing about the best results with Jess and Maegan Hopkins taking full points from the shot putt and then placing second in both strings of the discus. Matilda Hewitt recorded a pb in the javelin with 32.33 metres. Grace Trammelling was a mere one centimetre from here best in the long jump. On the track Sienna Shipton with 57.78s set a pb for the 400 metres as indeed did Hannah Bolton in the 1500m – this after tacking second place in the steeplechase with Molly Drane also second in the `B` string. There were also two second places from the 800 metres with 15yr old Lottie Wilkin and Molly Drane. Rosie Townley with hurdles, high jump and javelin was an example of team spirit but still there were unfilled spots in the results. 

For the photo gallery click here        

Report written by Roy Meadowcroft