‘THE BEAR’ – JANUARY 2006

Let us make this year one of cooperation, support of the County A A and vice versa, and let’s put athletics on a firmer footing.

1 Past- Combined Leicestershire/Warwickshire Cross Country Championships at Burbage Common (14^th January). Very wet, testing going, good competition and our thanks to Nuneaton Harriers. Let’s now plan for the next stage, for Warwickshire success at the Inter Counties (Nottingham 11^th March). If you missed the County Championships and want to be considered for our teams contact IAN RILEY URGENTLY on 0121 353 2073.

2 Also URGENT. There is an Indoor ‘CountyAthon’ for Under 17’s at the National Indoor Arena on 11^th February (Ladies), 12^th February (Under 17 Men). Teams of six. Again any candidates for Warwickshire selection should contact IAN RILEY. Individual events 60Hurdles – High Jump – Long Jump – Shot and 800m.

3 Officials: Upgrading for the following and with our congratulations

To Grade Two – Timekeeper – Ruth Dobbins

Field – Barbara Taylor – Geoffrey Arnold-Pinchin – Martin Ware

To Grade Three - Track – Pauline Churchill – Robert Bates – Graham Thompson

Timekeeper – Graham White

Field – Jill Butcher – Karen Wilkes –Robert Mills

Please Note – We hope to circulate information of local Level 1, Level 2 Officials courses for late March, early April soon. Watch and then support!.

4 The next few months also include : -

Sunday 26^th February - County Race Walking Championships

Sunday 12^th March - Inter Counties Race Walking Championships from Coventry Godiva Headquarters starting at 1.30pm

Saturday 18^th March - W C A A Open Road Relays @ Sutton Park – see Website, and Forms readily available from Richard Carney, Stewart Harris. Closing date 8^th March

Sunday 19^th March – Inter Counties 10km Championships, Eastleigh, Hampshire

Sunday 2^nd April – Inter Counties Half Marathon Championships, Ackworth, Yorkshire

Sunday 7^th May – Stratford Half Marathon incorporating Warwickshire C A A Championships

Saturday 13^th & Sunday 14^th May – Our Track and Field Championships, with Leicestershire and Rutland joining us at Leamington Spa. Additional event this year Under 15 Girls 300m.

Sunday 28^th & Monday 29^th May – Inter Counties Track and Field Championships @ Bedford

5 B A L HIGHER COMPETITION OPPORTUNITIES There are two Warwickshire Clubs currently holding Men’s British Athletics League status (Birchfield Harriers Division I and Rugby and Northampton, Division IV) and we hope they will retain their status in 2006. There is movement in arrangements, fixtures to assist a range of promising athletes, with all four B A L rounds including the UK Challenge domestic series, B A L fully accepting Higher Competition Athletes (HCAs) and a coordinated fixture list designed to separate League, B M C meetings, Loughborough International.

Brian Acford (01788 – 543156) would be happy to discuss HCA opportunities with anyone interested.

Follow ‘THE BEAR’ again in 2006.