2007/08 AV SHIELD SUMMER SEASON
ROUND 1 - COBURG on 20 October 2007

The first round of summer competition last Saturday saw numbers slightly down in what has become a traditionally slow start to the summer season. Over the summer the club lost decathlete Brent Voogt to work pressures, Phil Curtain to retirement and on Saturday we had five athletes unable to compete due to injury, with three of those likely to miss half the season. However the club more than made up for those missing with several exciting new athletes making their debut for the club

From Coburg Little Athletics Centre, we welcomed in Coburg Harriers colours for the first time Steve Marsh, Megan Marsh and Tim Conway. Steve is a sprinter from the Benny Tancredi stable with the 400 metres his specialty. This will build on the promising 400 metre stocks the Tancredi stable is producing these days

Conway is a young all rounder who cites the High Jump and Hurdles as his best events. These tend to bring big points, so Conway might well be important to the club’s finals chances this season. In the same vein is Megan Marsh. This talented young lady enjoys the Walk – where she finished third on Saturday – and Discus. Having now two Walkers at the club will bring huge points and as a genuine discus thrower Megan will be an important asset to the womens team

We also welcome Luke Dragon to the club. This former Little Athlete from Craigieburn is a state representative in both the 800 metres and 1500 metres at the U/11 level. This super talented athlete ran 2:48 in the 800 metres last Saturday, taking six seconds off his previous best. Going through the first lap in 2:26 pace gives you an idea of what this 11 year old athlete might be capable of as the season progresses. He will also likely push some guys in the 400 metres, given half a chance

And in what will be a massive boost to the our field squad, Tony Persson - father of promising middle distance athlete Josh - competed for the club on Saturday for the first time. With both Curtain and Voogt sitting out the season, the club desperately needed another quality field athlete to partner Lawrence Willis. We certainly found that in Persson senior, who has his eyes set on re-writing a number of club age group records. With 9.82 metres in the Shot Put, he is not far away

We also saw the return of Shane Jansen, Kon Varkopoulos and Joel Legg to the track. It has been a while since these athletes raced in the Coburg singlet. For Jansen, his 800/1500 metre times on Saturday were the club's second fastest. Quite a versatile athlete, Jansen also recorded 1.35 in the High Jump. And following on from their promising first season of winter cross country, we were pleased to have Jason Kennedy and Heather Stewart make their summer season debuts

Our winter athletes found their middle distance and walk events tough going, to be expected after six months of long runs. It will undoubtedly take a few more weeks of speed work to get times in to where we were accustomed to having them last summer. These athletes can take heart from the fact their times will only get faster in the coming weeks. And while results are yet to come to hand, we can be confident of a top three finish from our Division Two and Three men on Saturday

This week’s round two action is at Williamstown (Newport Athletics Facility – Melways 56 B4) from 1:00 pm. We start with the Walk and Hurdles, then the 1500/5000 metre double for open age athletes and the 3000 metres for juniors, while sprinters will enjoy the 200 metres, 4 x 100 m Relay and the 400 metres. Field events are the Triple Jump, Hammer, Discus and Shot Put with the Javelin not counting for points as an invitational event

After the day’s competition – and a hot one is forecast at this stage – you are cordially invited to join your fellow Coburg Harriers as we re-convene at the Customs House Hotel where a dinner booking has been made for us. There will be pre-dinner beverages in the public bar, as meals are served from 6:00 pm

DATES TO REMEMBER

Saturday, 27 October 2007      Round 2 at Williamstown from 1:00 pm (dinner afterwards at Customs House Hotel)
Saturday, 3 November 2007    Round 3 at Aberfeldie from 1:00 pm. Enjoy their newly laid track
Sat – Sun, 10 – 11 Nov 2007    All Schools Track & Field Champs (U12 – U16). Please email me if you know someone competing
Saturday, 17 November 2007   Round 4 at Coburg from 1:00 pm. Helpers needed from 11:30 am