A beginners guide to Racewalking and the ‘Challenge’!

Time to step up to a new challenge? 

 Considering trying something new and rising to a new challenge?  Well, look no further! The wonderful world of race walking is here for YOU! 

Give it a go and who knows, you might just discover a whole new passion!  

Here are some friendly tips to help you hit the ground walking (pun intended!): 

 Master the technique: 

Race walking is much more than just fast strolling, it’s got a style all of its own. Keep one foot on the ground at all times (sneaky jogging is seriously frowned upon) and make sure your leading leg stays straight until your body passes over it. It might feel a bit funny at first, but you’ll soon get the hang of it. 

 Start slow and build up: 

Don’t worry about speed right away. Focus on getting the form right and walk just a short distance, maybe just round the block or a lap of the track. Gradually increase your time and distance. You’re not racing (yet!), so take it easy and enjoy the process. 

 What you need: 

No expensive equipment is required. A pair of trainers that offer support and flexibility will do the trick (definitely NO spikes). 

Swing those arms: 

Your arms are your secret weapon in race walking. Bend them to about 90 degrees and swing them energetically. Think of moving your hands from your sternum to your pocket and rather than punching forward focus on pulling your elbows backwards. Keep your shoulders down and your hands relaxed, don’t clench your fists. This will boost your momentum and make you feel like a pro. 

 Practice: 

Try doing some drills. When I started, I found the YouTube videos posted by Coach Carmen to be invaluable, have a look at Coach Carmen 101. It’s very important to have the right technique from the start as you will quickly develop muscle memory and rather than perfect, practice makes permanent. 

 Join the fun: 

Come and join us at the Bar End track on a Wednesday evening, sessions start at 6:00pm. You’ll be sure to receive a warm welcome. 

 Have a blast: 

Seriously, don’t stress if you’re not perfect right away. Enjoy the rhythm of your steps and the fact that you are challenging yourself and trying something new. You’re already a champion for starting. 

Give it a go and who knows you might surprise yourself with how much you love it. Any questions as you get going? Just ask. Rest assured, we’re here to cheer you on! 

Author: Nick Fleeman 

 NOW TRY THE CHALLENGE 

 If you feel even just a little bit motivated by Nick’s write up, then how about having a go at this. 

 Using the technique explained (as best you can) try doing a self-timed lap of the track. This could as be part of your usual warm up, warm down, separate from your normal session or even as part of a group, and note the time it took you to get around. Most people should be able to manage below 3 minutes 45 seconds, but it is more about enjoyment. If your time is significantly below this or you enjoyed the experience, then we would be delighted to have you join our group. Just for reference, our two senior citizen male walkers consistently go below 3 minutes and another one of our number regularly smashes the 2 minutes 15 seconds mark for a lap. 

We would be interested in seeing your times, so please feel free to let us know how you did by sending an email to derek.smith@wadac.org.uk  

Derek Smith 

Racewalking leader 

2025 WADAC Track & Field rankings

The 2025 WADAC Track & Field rankings make for hugely impressive reading.

The women have set no fewer than 28 new all time top 3 club performances and these include 2 new British Masters indoor records for Moira West (coach Dave Sherry) over 60m & 200m, 2 absolute indoor club records (the best indoor performance ever achieved by a WADAC female) by Arabella Wilson (coach Andy Fisher) over 400m and Lexie Trott (coach Tom Farres) in the pole vault and 2 absolute overall club records either outdoors or indoors by Annie Mann (coach James Mann) over the mile and Jess Howells (coach Andy Fisher) in the javelin.

Every single WADAC female performance so far this year can be found on the rankings list below.

WADAC 2025 female Track & Field rankings

The men have set a mere 16 all time top 3 club performances and these include 3 new absolute indoor club records (the best indoor performance ever achieved by a WADAC male) by Alex Beck (coach Mark Upron) in the 400m, Thomas Evans (coach James Mann) in the 1500m & Oliver Thatcher (coach Andy Fisher) in the shot putt.

Every single WADAC male performance so far this year can be found on the rankings list below.

WADAC 2025 male Track & Field rankings

Interesting to note that the rankings cover 3 continents with performances so far this year taking place in Europe, North America & Africa.

All top 3 performances have been updated in the records section of the website.

2025 Outdoor Track & Field Fixtures

The clubs outdoor fixture list is vast and can look daunting as there are so many fixtures throughout the year.

It is important therefore that you and your coach create a competition plan that is right for you.

To help this process, I will email a tailored fixture list to all the clubs members with the relevent fixtures for your age group which filters the clubs vast fixture list to only events that you or your son and daughter can take part in.

I have begun this process with the U11 age group and will gradually work my way through the age groups over the next couple of weeks to enable you to get all the important dates in your Spring & Summer diaries.

To help the club at league matches we are also looking for Team Managers that can assist with organisation and logistics on the day at league matches. The Team Managers checklist has been updated on the club website and can also be seen through the link below. Based on feedback from previous Team Managers, the role is now managing the team on the day only with selection the responsibility of the Head Coaches making the job much more enjoyable and less onerous. Anyone interested should contact me.

Team Managers checklist

A Tale Of Two Walks

Club racewalker, Nick Fleeman, has an inspirational book published interlinking two major events in his life. One being a life saving operation a few years ago, and the other representing his country earlier this year. It is a remarkable story and well worth a read and currently available to buy on Amazon in either paperback or Kindle format. Please click on the link below.

A Tale of Two Walks: Amazon.co.uk: F, Nick: 9798323294794: Books

If you wish to contact Nick regarding his experiences, his email address is: njfleeman@gmail.com

All new 2023 club records on display in clubhouse

You don’t need to go far for proof that last year was the best in the clubs history. This can be seen in the latest club records.

The Club records are displayed on the WADAC noticeboard in the corner of the clubhouse next to the trophy cabinet. Huge thanks to Owen Watts for printing, updating and displaying these.

The overall club records are shown but on the top page, all the records that were broken last year are displayed. There are no fewer than 155 of these!

Some of them have now reached a standard (amongst the best ever recorded in the UK, including 6 British age group records) that I keep thinking surely they won’t keep being broken but year on year the clubs athletes keep getting better and like painting the forth bridge updating them is a never ending but pleasurable job.

Please take the opportunity to take a look at them, perhaps your name is on there or if not, will be soon.

The club dazzles at annual awards night

WADAC held its annual awards night last night with 150 attendees and star guest speaker GB International Heptathlete Grace Richards (nee Clements).

The awards showcased a never ending list of talented athletes across all age groups and event disciplines and you could only be in awe of the performances of the athletes throughout 2023. Looking forward to 2024 already.

Those that attended who had a top 3 all time WADAC track & field performance received an achievment award and here are the list of Performance & Contribution award winners.

Triathlon

Performance awards Amber Price & Ollie Nurse

Contribution awards Jess Perry & Ben Boyd

Sportshall

Performance awards Mia Gligorowski, Anais Andrews, Jackson Purdie & Harry Elliott

Road Running

Performance award George King

Contribution awards Vanessa Monteleone & Tom Stephenson

Cross Country

Performance awards Millie Honan, Leo Davies-Pratt, Ellie Jepon, Luke Furby, Grace Baker, Ruben Price, Eve Baley, Eddie Chambers, Lily Neate, Will Boutwood & Vicky Gill.

Contribution awards Isabelle Hoskins, Jack Sansome, Evie Smith, Sam Parker, Rosie Sharrock, Aiden Furby, Jasminne Gosse, Ben Chesterfield, Ellie Davies, Rose Chesterfield & Emma Carter.

Track & Field

Performance awards Eva Raftery, Declan Dew, Lexie Divers, Tom Pate, Isabelle Letch, Gracie Osman, Casper Wilson, Mia Judd, Oliver Wye, Amy Wall, Charlie Elford-Pond, Laura Clark, Gareth Lewis, Moira West & Tim Smales.

Contribution awards Liane Marquis-Onibuje, Evan Perry, Hallie Eldridge, Harry Moreton, Lucia Bertacchini, Beth Mballa, Zac Reynolds, Erin McBriar, Ieuan Thomas, Jasmine Gordon, Sam Jarrett, Rosie Upton, Sam Clifton, Amanda Smith & Pete Sansome.

Coach of the year

David Vosser

Young inspirational athlete of the year (Allegra Cup)

Abi Belward

Ewan Simmonds thrower of the year

Abi McBriar

Tony Bushell Official of the year

Heather Sheffield

John Broadway Club person of the year

Gill Bowyer

Vets female athlete of the year

Lucy Elliott

Vets male athlete of the year

Jeremy Clifton

Young female athlete of the year

Arabella Wilson

Young male athlete of the year

Ned Scott

Senior female athlete of the year

Annie Mann

Senior male athlete of the year

Alex Beck

Under 11s turnout in large numbers and perform well

Recently the under 11 girls and boys WADAC runners braved the elements as they took on the first Hampshire Cross Country match of the season, held in Aldershot. For many this was their first outing in the Wadac vest and gave them valuable experience of running in these competitive races which bring together school years 4, 5 and 6.

With the conditions consisting of patches of sun and rain, the runners were in for a challenge against the elements and their opponents. Despite it taking place at the back end of the school holidays, there were over 23 boys and 5 girls taking part in the races which was the largest team of any club.  

All the WADAC runners gave it 100 % and ran their best race in this course. The first three Home for the under 11 girls were Bella Webley (9th), Naomi Hurford-Potter (10th) and Isabella Hoskins (11th) who all achieved times under 7 minutes 30 seconds. For the under 11 boys were had four in the top ten namely Teodor Sledz (3rd) Hugo Halt (4th), Oliver Furby (5th) and Robyn Ashley (6th) all achieving times under 6 minutes 40 seconds.

Everyone put in good performance and the other results can be found here: https://www.hampshireathletics.org.uk/results/2023/20231028_hlunder11.html 

Overall, it was an incredibly strong team, with an excellent sporting attitude! A great effort to all the runners who participated in this race!

Track & Field Review - U20

The U20 age group is a strong one for the club and will be even more so next season and this is reflected in the new records set within this age group during the track & field season.

Starting with the men Alex Beck (coach Mark Upton) had an unforgettable season and his time of 47.30 secs recorded in the 400m at the National U20 champs in Chelmsford in June is the fastest time ever run by a WADAC athlete of any age at this distance. Alex finished the season in the worlds top 20 in the U18 age group. Charlie Elford Pond (coach Eric Davison) also broke the clubs age group hammer record in June throwing a mighty 58.71m with the 6kg hammer at the upper age group YDL match in Hemel Hempstead.

For the women, Grace Colmer (coach Andy Fisher) became the fastest senior sprint hurdler in WADAC history by running a time of 14.48 secs at the County Champs in May. Annie Mann (coach James Mann) did the same thing at the 1500m at Watford on the 1st July. Her time of 4 mins 16.77 secs ranks her 15th in the world on the end of season U18 rankings. For good measure Annie also broke the age group club record at 3000m at the SAL match in Bournemouth in July and went 2nd on the clubs all time age group 800m rankings with her run at the clubs first Open Meeting in April. Lily Neate (coach Nick Anderson) broke the clubs age group 5000m record by recording a time of 17 mins 33.10 secs at the BMC World Challenger event in Manchester at the end of May. The quartet of Poppy Shroff, Jess Howells, Abi Belward (all coached by Andy Fisher) & Elsie Brindle (coach Mark Upton) broke the clubs age group 4 x 100m record in the clubs SAL match at Eton in May. Amy Wall (coach Andy Fisher) went 3rd on the clubs all time long jump lists with her leap of 5.59m at the SAL match in Bournemouth on the 9th July. Finally Jasmine Gordon (coach Martin McBriar) broke the clubs hammer record with a throw of 40.98m at the Open Meeting in Swindon in September. Yet another best ever performance by a WADAC athlete of any age.

All U20 records have now been updated on the website.

U11 boys win Sportshall match

At first Hampshire Sportshall league match yesterday

The first of 4 Hampshire sportshall league matches took place at Places Leisure in Eastleigh yesterday.

This is where so many of our youngest athletes get their first taste of representing the club and yesterday was no different.

No fewer than 13 U11 boys took part from schools years 4 through 6 and the first 4 of these came in the top 6 of a total of 54 competitors to win the U11 boys team event. Rhys Soutter was 2nd, Teo Sledz 4th, Arthur Cooney 5th and Harry Elliott 6th and this saw the A team as comfortable team winners on the day. The B team of Hugo Holt (8th), Lukin Parker (15th), Alex Wood (19th) & Felix Humphries (21st) were the 4th team on the day and the C team of Leo O'Leary (24th), Lex Barker (29th), Jonathan Lockyer-Mackay (30th) & Declan Dew (37th) were the 8th team on the day. Declan had to retire after just 2 events both of which he won. George Hardcastle was 50th.

5 U11 girls took part and the team were 2nd on the day just behind AFD. Lottie Osman was 4th, Genevieve Riches was 7th, Elsa Ramsey 12th and Ayla Hermitage 13th were the girls making up the team. India Middleton was joint 21st on the day.

For the U13 boys, 4 young athletes make up the WADAC team who were 2nd on the day. Filippos Anontiou made a fine debut for the club finishing 3rd, Niko Sledz was joint 5th, Jacob Tyler 10th & Timo Thomas Machleidt was 11th.

The U13 girls had a team of 5 who were 4th on the day. Hallie Eldridge was 6th, Bo Hatchett 9th, Francesca Bertacchini 12th and Holly Crook completed the scorers in 23rd place. Maggie Weatherup was 28th.

The U15's take part as individuals and Joel Stanton and Rhys Wye were 1st & 2nd respectively for the boys with Aeryn Hurst & Voilet James coming 4th & 5th respectively for the girls.

Huge thanks to go Sportshall Team Manager Steve Torance for his organisational skills, to Gracie, Zac & Nyima who officiated the field events for the club and to Simon & Stuart who acted as Timekeepers for the day.

All the results can be seen through the link below and the next league match takes place at the same venue on the 17th December.

https://www.hampshireathletics.org.uk/events/sh_league.html

Strong results for the junior athletes in the Wessex cross country league at Canford Heath

The cross country season has started officially with the usual Wessex league match at Canford Heath and, unlike last year, the weather was much better.

First off was the u11 girls and representing Wadac was Naomi Hurford Potter, Isabelle Goulding, Evie Churcher and Vivi Sell. After a fine race the first girls’ team of three secured a third place finish. Naomi showed what a determined runner she is with a fine performance to secure 4th place with a strong finish.

Next off were the under 11 boys who were very strong in numbers and also performance to earn a first and third place finish for the two Wadac teams. The athletes were placed as follows: Teodor Sledz was in fine form with a perfectly timed run holding back in a group of four and stepping up with 400m or so to go to win the race; Robin Ashley 4th; Samuel Barton 10th; Alex Olestsenko 12th; Oliver Isaia 13th; and Alfred Macaulay 17th.

In the u13G Amelia Underwood put in a good performance with a very strong finish as well (demonstrating clearly she has a lot more to give as the season goes on) to come 12th and for the u13B Frazer Noble came 4th.

Results here: https://teamdorsetathleticsnetwork.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/results-1.xlsx?force_download=true

All the athletes put in an amazing performance with 100 per cent effort. They deservedly enjoyed cakes at the end of the race. Thank you to the parents who brought the athletes and the cakes!

Next cross country races are on 28 and 29 October, details have been emailed around. Any questions please contact me on paul.cox@wadac.org.uk.

Paul Cox

U11 and U13 team manager

Team WADAC win 5 medals at age group National Champs

With Abi taking home two of them

Team WADAC enjoyed a magnificent English national championships at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham over the weekend with 20 young athletes qualifying to compete and winning 5 medals.

Despite some changeable weather which brought 4 seasons in a day on Saturday, the black & gold vests were on display in run, hurdle, jump & throw in an event which was streamed live on England Athletics youtube channel.

Abi McBriar (coach Martin Mcbriar) had a championship to remember winning silver in the U15G javelin on Saturday and returning on Sunday to win bronze in her favoured discus event. Will Atkins (coach Nick Anderson) took the club’s other silver medal as he found a fine sprint finish in the U17M 3000m yesterday with the first 3 breaking well clear of the rest of the field. Training partner Ruben Price (coach Nick Anderson) was 11th in the same race.

Bronze medals were won by Erin McBriar (coach Martin McBriar) who took bronze in the very first event of the championships the U17W discus on Saturday and by Gracie Osman (coach Andy Fisher) in the U15G long jump yesterday. Gracie completing a hatrick of podiums in this event across all 3 national champs this year (National indoors, national outdoors and English schools). Gracie was also 6th in her 75M hurdles semi-final.

Beth Mballa (coach Heather Sheffield) was 5th in the same discus competition as Abi and was also 12th in the hammer where she threw a huge pb and 13th in the shot putt. Chloe Poore (coach Andy Fisher) was 5th in the U15G 300m final on Saturday and in a breakthrough season and also reached the semi-finals of the 200m yesterday. Esme Buchanan (coach Andy Fisher) was also a 5th place finisher in the U15G high jump yesterday and Esme will be back in the same age group next year. Ned Scott (coach Martin McBriar) was also 5th this time in the U15B javelin yesterday. Ned throwing yet another pb as he has also had a real breakthrough year.

Poppy Taylor (coach Nick Anderson) was 6th in the U15W 1500m final yesterday. This was a fine performance from Poppy who had only made the final as one of the best timed non automatic qualifiers. Abi Belward (coach Andy Fisher) was 6th in the U17W shot putt as was the best of the welsh athletes in the field. Jessica Howells (coach Andy Fisher) was 6th in a high quality U17W javelin competition yesterday with Jess going over 40m with her first throw.

Zac Reynolds (coach Andy Fisher) was 7th in the U15B 300m final on Saturday. Carys Jeffries (coach Andy Fisher) was 9th in the U17W Long jump final on the same day. Reuben Noott (coach Martin McBriar) was another of the club’s top ten finishers coming 10th in the U15B hammer final on Saturday. Casper Wilson (coach Nick Anderson) was also 10th in Saturdays U15B 3000m final.

Elsie Brindle (coach Mark Upton) can count herself unlucky as she just missed out on the U17W 300m final by less than a tenth of a second after finishing 3rd in her semi-final. Grace Weeks (coach Gary Bettridge) was 7th in her U17W 80mH semi-final and Lily Flute (coach Andy Fisher) was 5th in her U15G 300m semi-final and 8th in her 100m heat. Seth Noott (coach Nick Anderson) was 7th in his U15B 800m semi-final.

Throwers enjoy golden South of England age group champs

Results from Lee Valley at the weekend

Head of throws Martin McBriar has completely transformed the clubs throws squad over the last few years so much so that it provides huge amounts of points in league matches and medals at regional and national champs.

Again it proved at the South of England age group (U13/U15/U17) champs at Lee Valley at the weekend as the club brought home 10 medals of which 5 were in throwing events, two of them gold.

Zoe Jack (coach Martin McBriar) is relatively new to javelin but won the U13 girls title. Elsewehere at this age group Francesca Bertacchini (coach Andy Fisher) was 8th in her 800m heat and 5th in her sprint hurdles heat. Lexie Divers (coach Andy Fisher) was 4th in the sprint hurdles final and 5th in the long jump.

No U13 boys took part but in the U15 girls age group, Isobel Jordan (coach Andy Fisher) was 5th in her 200m heat & 8th in her 300m heat. Training partner Chloe Poore (coach Andy Fisher) was 4th in the 300m final. Gracie Osman (coach Andy Fisher) picked up a brace of silver medals with pb's in both long jump & high jump and was also 6th in the sprint hurdles final. Training partner Esme Buchanan (coach Andy Fisher) was 6th in high jump. Two WADAC throwers took the podium in the discus with Abi McBriar (coach Martin McBriar) taking silver and Beth Mballa (coach Heather Sheffield) taking bronze. Abi also took silver in the javelin and was 5th in hammer whilst Beth was 6th in the shot putt.

Hayden Rogers & Monty Brindle (both coached by Dave Sherry) were 5th and 6th respectively in their U15 boys 300m heats with Zac Reynolds (coach Andy Fisher) taking the silver medal in the final after just being overtaken in the last 5 metres. Rhys Wye (coach Dave Sherry) was 6th in his 200m heat. Seth Noott (coach Nick Anderson) was 8th in the 800m final. Brother Reuben (coach Martin McBriar) was also 8th in the discus final ensuring bragging rights over the dinner table were shared. Ned Scott (coach Martin McBriar) continued his fine form this season with a bronze medal in the javelin just a few cm's short of his pb.

The WADAC performance of the championship came in the U17W age group where Jess Howells (coach Andy Fisher) threw a massive 46.53m with her clutch last round throw to win the South of England javelin title and smash Liv Busher's club record. Mia Judd (coach Tony Bateman) also won gold in the high jump with a jump of 1.65m. Erin McBriar (coach Martin McBriar) can count herself unlucky not to pick up a medal with 4th place finishes in discus and hammer and a 6th place finish in the shot putt. Evie Scott (coach Martin McBriar) was 7th in the hammer. Elsie Brindle (coach Mark Upton) was 4th in the 400m final.

No U17 men took part with the lure of summer festivals to tempt them away and there were also no WADAC competitors in the walks.

Weekend track & Field preview

South of England age group champs

The South of England age group champs take place in Lee Valley, North London today & tomorrow.

For athletes in the U13, U15 & U17 age groups it provides a chance for a regional title and medals and a number of the clubs athletes will be taking part across the age groups.

Jasmine becomes first WADAC lady over 40m (hammer)

Weekend round-up

Jasmine Gordon (coach Martin McBriar) broke her own club record and in doing so became the first WADAC female to throw the 4kg hammer over 40m in competing as a higher claim athlete for City of Portsmouth AC in an NAL championship match on Saturday. Jasmine has been steadily improving throughout the season and extended her pb to 40.93m at Kings Park in Bournemouth. Jasmine also added points in shot putt and javelin.

Sam Clifton (coach Jeremy Clifton) was competing higher claim for Sale Harriers in the premiership of the NAL and threw the hammer over 50m to take 6th place in the Alexandra Stadium in Birmingham.

Abi Belward (coach Andy Fisher) finished in 12th place in the National U17 Combined Events champs in Manchester at the weekend including a pb in the sprint hurdles.

Alex helps England into 4 x 400m final

Results from Trinidad in the early hours

Alex Beck (coach Mark Upton) helped England into the final of the mixed 4 x 400m relay at the Commonwealth Youth games in the early hours of this morning.

Alex ran a strong leg 1 and the England team never looked back in winning their semi-final and qualifying for the final which will take place at Midnight tomorrow morning. This will be the very final event of the track & field programme of the Commonwealth Youth games and surely Alex looks well placed to pick up his 2nd medal of the games.

Alex takes Commonwealth Youth Games bronze

In thrilling finish

Alex Beck (coach Mark Upton) snatched the bronze medal in a dramatic finish to the mens 400m at the Commonwealth youth games in Trinidad yesterday. Running in lane 6, Alex was locked in a battle for the medals down the home straight with Nigerian Samuel Ogazi well clear of the field. Guyanese athlete Malachi Austin moved ahead for silver but Alex battled all the way to the finish and his dip for the line just caught the indian athlete Navpreet Singh. Both given the same time, Alex timed his lean to perfection and was rewarded with a bronze medal and a place on the podium that he will remember for the rest of his life.

Annie Mann (coach James Mann) has not felt at her best since being in Trinidad and this was reflected in her performance in the final of the womens 1500m where her time clearly reflected all was not well. Annie finished in 8th place but this should not distract from the winner Nancy Cherop from Kenya who broke the games record in taking the gold medal.

Annie's games are over in terms of competing but Alex will be back in action in the early hours of tomorrow morning where he will contest the semi finals of the mixed 4 x 400m relay with his England teammates.


Alex’s interview: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cvuav16uhO1/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Annie and Alex in action for England

 Weekend track & field preview

The Commonwealth youth games takes place this week with the track & field action taking place in Trinidad. Both Annie Mann (coach James Mann) and Alex Beck (coach Mark Upton) will compete in their heats on Monday in the womens 1500m and mens 400m respectively with both hoping to make Tuesdays final. Alex could well be in action for all 4 days of the track & field schedule with the mixed 4 x 400m relay heats on Wednesday and the final on Thursday. We wish them both the very best of luck.

Abi Belward (coach Andy Fisher) competes in the National age group Combined Events finals on Manchester today & tomorrow and Sam Clifton (coach Jeremy Clifton) and Jasmine Gordon (coach Martin McBriar) will be in National Athletics league action for their higher claim clubs today.

Young athletes win their county vests

Results from Walton on Saturday

The U13 age group is the first time that you can win a Hampshire athletics vest for track & field and the South of England inter-counties champs along with the South of England individual champs is the highest standard that you can compete in at this age.

The inter-counties champs for U13's named after Derek Crookes took place at Walton on Saturday and a number of the clubs young athletes were selected to take part.

Lexie Divers (coach Andy Fisher) was 4th in the girls a string sprint hurdles and Jackson Purdie (coach Andy Fisher) was 7th in the boys equivilent. Leo Davies-Pratt (U13 academy) was 11th in the boys high jump and Tom Pate (coach Andy Fisher) was 6th in the boys javelin and 9th in the long jump and Hallie Eldridge (coach Andy Fisher) was 6th in the a string shot putt and 3rd in the b string javelin.

U17's/U20's reach the YDL Premier league

The U17 & U20 young athletes join the U13 & U15s in reaching the Southern premier league of the YDL next season.

Along with our composite partners City of Portsmouth AC, the team finished 2nd in terrible conditions in Perivale, West London on Sunday and in doing so secured the Division 1A league title and won promotion to the premier league next season.

Some amazing performances on the day and some great filling in with the team missing a few athletes away on holiday saw the team home and remarkably this is the clubs 3rd league title of the track & field season with the final match of the SAL still to come.

Huge thanks to our 4 officials, Karin, Paul, Andy & Patrick for standing out in the pouring rain all day and to Paul Farres from Portsmouth who manages the team and gets the very most out of all the athletes.

Conditions were so bad that some of the events were abandoned but nevertheless the team boarded the coach at the end of the day soaking wet but very happy.

Track and Field Weekend Preview

Last YDL match takes place tomorrow

The track & field preview returns today with the clubs U17 & U20 athletes in action in their last YDL match tomorrow.

The South of England Combined Events Champs take place this weekend and also a number of the clubs young athletes are in action for Hampshire at the U13 Inter-counties match at Walton.