The Athletics Victoria Shield Final will be held at Rieschiecks Reserve, George Street, Doncaster (Melways 33 K10) this Saturday, 16 February 2008 from 3:00 pm. Competing for the Coburg Harriers are Men's Division 4 and Women's Division 2, the latter of which are North West Region premiership winners for their division. Some fifteen male athletes and seven female athletes will be representing the club at the Final

Heading their individual events as highest ranked will be Steven Collyer in the 100 metres, Joel Legg in the 400 metres, Mohammed Reese in the 800 metres and Shot Put and Rohan King in the 3000 metres, Javelin and Hammer. For our women's team, Carmel Taylor heads the 800 metres and 3000 metres, Heather Stewart will lead our girls in the 400 metres, Rebecca Collyer is highest ranked in all field events, the 100 metres and Hurdles. The full team list is below

It would be great to have as many Coburg Harriers on hand as possible in order to generate some atmosphere for our athletes. And if you are available to official please let me know as we could use some help in that area. It would be great to have a gaggle of Harriers in the front straight stands screaming their support for their teammates no matter the race, event or place. Please come and be a part of this special day

Afterwards, a team and supporters dinner has been arranged from 7:00 pm at the Doncaster Hotel, located at 855 Doncaster Road, Doncaster (Melways 47 H1). We will be seated near the indoor children's playground. The hotel is at the end of George Street where it meets Doncaster Road, so is a very short drive

The Summer Season Presentation Night will be held on Saturday, 8 March 2008 at Curly Joe's restaurant, 307 Sydney Road, Brunswick. Those involved with the summer season over the last few years will remember this venue. It will be a set menu affair for $20 a head and includes pizza and pasta. There is plenty of parking at the rear of the venue

To other matters and the club had two representatives at last weekend's Victorian Track & Field Championships. Tim Erickson was in the 5,000 metre Walk while your correspondent was in the 1,500 metres and 5,000 metres. Well done to Tim Erickson who finished in seventh place. A report has been posted to our website

At the Championships, Athletics Victoria encouraged clubs to display their club banner along the fence line. In a fantastic initiative, those clubs that did so won two free tickets to the Melbourne Grand Prix Athletics meeting on Thursday, 21 February 2008. Accordingly, while one ticket has gone I am willing to give the other ticket away to the first person who emails me with Tim Erickson's finishing time in the 5,000 metre Walk

Both Tim and myself was very grateful for the support provided by new member Marc Chew who was in attendance to support his teammates. Some of the pictures in the report are from Marc - the better ones. Thanks Marc for coming along

And last but not least, best of luck to our Coburg Little Athletics Centre members who will be taking part this weekend in Little Athletics Regional Championships at the Diamond Valley track. Our best wishes go out to Megan Marsh, Leah Polycarpou, Steven Marsh and anyone else I might have missed. Go well, guys

DATES TO REMEMBER

Saturday, 16 February 2008    AV Shield Final at Rieschiecks Reserve, George Street, Doncaster (Melways 33 K10)

Saturday, 08 March 2008        Summer Season Presentation Night from 6:30 pm at Curly Joes, 307 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Saturday, 29 March 2008        Opening Winter Season Run at Clubrooms followed by our 2008 Annual General Meeting