Never has so much been achieved by so few against so many
Kent League report – Canterbury 3rd July
A staggeringly small team went to Canterbury on Sunday for the 3rd Kent league fixture how we were not last in both divisions (boys & Girls both 4th) was down to incredible performances from this small band of brothers & sisters. But there are serious implications for the club that parents, coaches & club committee members should be aware off (Please see my footnote).
But first the great news with only 3 under 13 girls, 3 under 15 girls, 5 under 13 boys &; 6 under 15 boys we obtained wins &; Grades for the following.
Under 13, boys
100 &; 200 for Cameron Lyttle, with a Grade 1 in both events (still has a year in this age group) though Cameron was 4th in the Shot Put he also got a Grade 4. Harry Jarvis 2nd in the high jump was a Grade 3 – he was also 2nd in the 800 Luke Bullen was 3rd in a fast hurdles race and managed a grade 3 Ryan Hankey managed three 3rds inc some promising throws James O’Hara again done the club proud having a go at everything
Under 15 Boys
Yemi Otuniyi & Olaitan Awodesu made their Kent league debuts and we had them running everywhere in all the sprint events. Yemi picked up Grade 4’s in both his 200 & 400, Olly not far off. Joseph O’Hara won his 800m with a grade 3, and with 3rd in the Hurdles & high jump for grade 4’s Lewis Cailes, had a win in the 800m to make a Bexley 1-2 Andre Stone won with a grade 3 in the 1500 Ben Mathews again gave us a 1-2 in the 1500 Luc Legon – won his walk which was dominated by ouryoungsters For the relays we had Lewis & Ben doubling up, gave us a fine 3rd in the 100, But again our 4×400 team despite tried legs dominated the event
Girls under 13
Marion Bullen won the 600 in such a tight finish where she was given the same time. Despite the bandage on her knee from her 2nd in the hurdles Kerrie Johnson, wins in long jump & the Walk, but she got her grade 4 in the high jump Sian Caiels, had to jump in on the throws and showed promise with two 2,nds
Girls under 15
Olivia Bailey was our winner in the 1500 and along with Ellie Winch 2nd in Javalin 1500 Eleanor Winch also in a 1-2 with the 1500 Kattie Butterworth, won the walk, so all our under 15’s had win
And thanks to the Kent league, we had a combined age group in the under 15’s non scoring relay for fun. I’m sorry I don’t mention all the placing’s, but my thanks to this small but very determined team.
Before I sign off, as you have read we were a very small team, in some part for good reason’s (London borough games & the national schools at Gateshead). But this year we have just avoided relegation in the NYAL league and the boy’s will probably go down in the Kent. For no other reason than we cannot fill the team sheet and off course a knock on, with costs to the club when we have a coach. These youngsters are the future, we must ask ourselves as managers – coaches – officials – parents are we doing enough in promoting these track & field teams. Please Please give this some thought
Kevin Winch