Tuesday, July 03, 2012
An athletics meeting.
Today's athletics was, in theory, like any other meeting. Races were started and timekeepers timed and track judges sorted out the positions.
And it was an inter area competition with one school having won through to represent each area of the county.
But this schools athletics competition was part of a major new scheme which on paper is designed to ensure that young people with talent get hooked, join clubs and and fulfil their potential.
A great deal of money has been poured into this and, I guess, a great deal of spin from the upper echelons of athletics bureaucracy to claim that it is achieving its aim. There are full time paid organisers who hire tracks and buy T shirts for all competitors and young helpers etc etc.
Have I ever written the word "bureaucracy"? Don't think so....wasn't sure how to spell it and it looks weird.
It might be better if the athletics clubs, who truly do nurture youngsters in the sport, got a sniff of all that money to train more coaches and provide more facilities and opportunities.
Right - off my soap box!
Particularly, as I am basically quoting the opinions of others who know more than I do.
The day actually was fun for the youngsters and I enjoyed it too.
There were 3 qualified timekeepers and some helpers from 6th forms round the county. We had some charming young ladies working with us, who picked up the art of timekeeping very well.
There were also events for disabled athletes - not exactly fair because physical and mental handicaps had to be classified the same. Of course a big boy with learning problems will beat a small boy with cerebral palsy.
But it was all good hearted.
There were a couple of youngsters in wheel chairs.
The T shirts for the teams were very colourful.
Here youngsters are waiting to be organised for the relays.
Keith went to get a cup of tea whilst we waited for the relays to be organised.
Our young helpers sit and wait.
That's Sophie and Tabby. Bill worked with Tabby.
Hannah, who worked with me, concentrates on not having her photo taken!
Lovely girl and good company.
One relay has started - runners over the far side of the track at this stage.
Teams running in the second relay race wait to be called up.
The team representing our area was Hazelwick. They came second, beaten by Warden Park of Mid Sussex.
The weather could have been better - but, then again, it could have been a whole lot worse.
For much of the time it was not actually raining, but a dampness hung in the air.
And it was an inter area competition with one school having won through to represent each area of the county.
But this schools athletics competition was part of a major new scheme which on paper is designed to ensure that young people with talent get hooked, join clubs and and fulfil their potential.
A great deal of money has been poured into this and, I guess, a great deal of spin from the upper echelons of athletics bureaucracy to claim that it is achieving its aim. There are full time paid organisers who hire tracks and buy T shirts for all competitors and young helpers etc etc.
Have I ever written the word "bureaucracy"? Don't think so....wasn't sure how to spell it and it looks weird.
It might be better if the athletics clubs, who truly do nurture youngsters in the sport, got a sniff of all that money to train more coaches and provide more facilities and opportunities.
Right - off my soap box!
Particularly, as I am basically quoting the opinions of others who know more than I do.
The day actually was fun for the youngsters and I enjoyed it too.
There were 3 qualified timekeepers and some helpers from 6th forms round the county. We had some charming young ladies working with us, who picked up the art of timekeeping very well.
There were also events for disabled athletes - not exactly fair because physical and mental handicaps had to be classified the same. Of course a big boy with learning problems will beat a small boy with cerebral palsy.
But it was all good hearted.
There were a couple of youngsters in wheel chairs.
The T shirts for the teams were very colourful.
Here youngsters are waiting to be organised for the relays.
Keith went to get a cup of tea whilst we waited for the relays to be organised.
Our young helpers sit and wait.
That's Sophie and Tabby. Bill worked with Tabby.
Hannah, who worked with me, concentrates on not having her photo taken!
Lovely girl and good company.
One relay has started - runners over the far side of the track at this stage.
Teams running in the second relay race wait to be called up.
The team representing our area was Hazelwick. They came second, beaten by Warden Park of Mid Sussex.
The weather could have been better - but, then again, it could have been a whole lot worse.
For much of the time it was not actually raining, but a dampness hung in the air.
