Blue Mountains Athletics Club is delighted to announce the following teams that will compete at the Athletics NSW State Cross Country Relays at Miranda Park, The Kingsway, Miranda, NSW on Saturday May 31st 2008. Please note that this meet will commence at Noon.

This event is as usual hosted by the Illawong Club and the course is an undulating grass circuit.  The course also allows for excellent spectator viewing as the athletes make their way around the grass track.

The timetable and further information of the events are attached.

These teams are:

U20 Male 4x4k
David Parkes
David Ricketts
Dan Baldacchino
Sam Appleton

Open Male 4x4k
James Perrett
Ed O'Brien
Earl O'Brien
David Ricketts

U20 Female 4x3k
Hollie Emery
Morgan Moloney
Taylor Wild
Kaylor Griffiths

It is the intention to add a male masters team and a female masters team, as and when these teams are known.

As usual, competing athletes are required to wear uniforms of their first claim club (which is of course BMAC) and to wear their Athletics NSW registration numbers securely fastened back and front.

This course will cut up as the afternoon progresses and athletes are encouraged to wear spikes.

We look forward to seeing you on the day.

Kind Regards

Dennis Emery
Club Secretary
Phone:(02) 8209 4233
Fax:  (02) 8209 4299
E: dennis.emery@benfieldgroup.com

Please find attached the Athletics Australia national qualifying times (pdf 21Kb) for the 2008/09 season.

These list by age and gender, the minimum performance standards that you need to meet for entrance to national competition for the 2008/09 season.

If you are considering participating at the Athletics Australia National All Schools in December 2008 (details to be sent in a few months), then you will need to have met the attached qualifying times in order to make the start-line fields.

Please note that the required performance is your age as at December 31, 2008. Please also note that the performance must be achieved at an ANSW, AA or IAAF sanctioned meet. Little Athletics performances are not acceptable to meet the required standard. You should also be aware for entry to Nationals in December 2008 you will have needed to have set this performance in 2008 (i.e. from 1/1/08)

If you have any further questions then please feel free to call me on 02 8209 4233.

Dennis Emery

Blue Mountains Athletics Club now invites all registered senior athletes to compete at the Athletics NSW Cross Country Championships scheduled for Saturday, 26th April 2008, at Scarborough Park, Ramsgate, NSW. 

The event is hosted by St George's Club and the timetable uis listed below.

TIME           EVENT                 DISTANCE  
1:00pm   Club / Invitation       4km   
1:30pm   Club / Invitation       2km   
1:50pm   Club / Invitation      10km   
2:45pm   Novice Female         4km     
3:15pm   Novice Male          10km     

Please note that the female Novice will be a 4k event and the male Novice will be a 10k XC event.  Three Open races over 2k, 4k and 10k will also accompany the Novice.  That gives the meet five races in total for the day.

Entries for the NSW Novice Championships will be taken at the Syd Frost Memorial Hall, Hawthorn Street, Ramsgate.  This is the hall next to the finish line.  You will need to quote your name, registration numbers and senior Club (which is the Blue Mountains Athletics Club).  Entrants in the Novice events must be registered with Athletics NSW and wear their correct 2008/09 registration numbers secured back and front.

To be eligible for the Novice events, athletes MUST NOT have placed (1st, 2nd or 3rd) in any NSW State Open Cross Country, track or hurdle event of distance 3000m or more. This includes the NSW Half Marathon and Marathon Championships.  Athletes placing in equivalent events with other State Associations are also not eligible. In the unlikely event where an individual has not won a State medal, but has won a National or International medal, they will also be deemed ineligible.  Please also note that previous winners of the Novice are not eligible to defend their title.  Given BMAC won the female novice in 2007 and 2006, that precludes both Celia Sullohern and Alison Rothwell entering the Novice. Little Athletics State Medal performances will not disqualify you from the Novice as Little Athletics events are not counted as Open events.

If you are unsure of whether you are eligible then please feel free to call.

I have attached Registration Forms (please follow the instructions in the covering letter) and the Winter Calendar if you have yet to register with BMAC for the 2008/09 Season.  Please can you register well in advance of the Novice to ensure we get the new registration numbers to you with plenty of time.

We look forward to seeing you all once again in the mud!

Kind Regards
Dennis Emery
Club Secretary
Phone:(02) 8209 4233
Fax:  (02) 8209 4299
E: dennis.emery@benfieldgroup.com

Saturday afternoon Inter Club action for senior Blue Mountains Athletics Club athletes was scheduled on March 15 th , 2008 at Blacktown Olympic Park.

We begin with the performance of the afternoon, where Earl O'Brien took first place in the Open 3000m with a 9.02.80 performance. Also taking part in 3000m action was masters' athlete James Barnes, who took third place in the 35+ event with an 11.14.90 effort.

800m action saw David Parkes in action. Parkes turned in a 2.01.88 effort to take third place in the Open event. Making his Inter Club debut over 800m, masters' athlete Brett Kingston took fourth place in the 35+ event in a very creditable time of 2.44.57. Given this large improvement over a small number of 800m races, this athlete will surely surpass Barnes over 800m in the coming months. Kingston later completed his afternoon with a 29.40m javelin throw.

Sprints action saw Stefan Scheurmair run 11.40 for ninth place in the Open 100m and 24.00 for eighth in the 200m Open. Shaun Wearne ran 12.10 for 16 th place in the Open 100m.

The team was Earl O'Brien, James Barnes, David Parkes, Brett Kingston, Stefan Scheurmair and Shaun Wearne.

The weekend of March 15 th and 16 th , 2008 saw the Athletics Australia Under 23 National Championships at Griffith University , Gold Coast, Queensland .

Blue Mountains Athletics Club athlete James Perrett took to the start-line for the 3000m Steeplechase. In a race that he sought to go sub 10 minutes for the first time, Perrett came home to fourth place in the very good time of 10.18.94.

James was understandably very pleased with his fourth placed national performance.

Continuing from previous seasons, we are delighted to announce that when Club members purchase a pair of shoes from The Athletes' Foot in Penrith, Springwood District Athletic Club will receive $5.00 from The
Athletes Foot.

Members need only produce the attached flyer (297Kb jpg) or mention their club membership for the club to qualify for the $5 rebate.

Saturday, April 5th, 2008 saw the annual running of the 2008 Foundation Day Road Race that saw runners race from Faulconbridge Railway Station to Springwood.

Blue Mountains Athletics Club carried off both male and female first places with Earl O'Brien and Hollie Emery winning respective titles.

First five through the finish line were:

Earl O'Brien
James Perrett
Daniel Baldacchino
Edward O'Brien
Hollie Emery

The NSW trio of Eliza Stewart, Melinda Vernon and Lucy Starrat have won the teams silver medal for Australia at the World University Cross Country in Mauquenchy, France.

Stewart finished the highest of the athletes, with a fourth place finish. Her run of 22 minutes, 47 seconds left her just six seconds outside a podium finish in the 6.28km race.

World Cross Country representative Melinda Vernon finished sixth in 23:18, whilst Lucy Starrat rounded out the team with a 20th place finish in 23:55.

Great Britain took out the gold with 20 points, with Australia scoring 30 points, three ahead of Ireland.

In the men's race Victoria's Liam Adams won the silver medal, whilst Australia was third in the team's event.

The 2008 IAAF World Cross Country Championships were recently held in Edinburgh, Scotland.  Blue Mountains Athletics Club athlete Melinda Vernon represented the Open Australia Team.

Melinda finished a very creditable 41st in the open women's race on her debut at the world cross country. Vernon was the fifth Australian across the line, with the first four of Benita Johnson (11th), Lisa-Jane Weightman (20th), Melissa Rollison (26th) and Anna Thompson (27th) securing the bronze medal in the teams event.

Athletics Australia have announced the team for the World Cross Country Championships to be held in Edinburgh, Scotland. Four NSW athletes have been selected as part of the team.

Melinda Vernon's selection in the open women's team caps a fine season which saw her win the Australian 10000m title at the Zatopek Classic in December. Vernon finished fourth at the Selection Trial in Canberra taking the coveted scalp of former world cross country champion Benita Johnson.

The weekend of March 15 th and 16 th , 2008 saw the Athletics Australia Under 23 National Championships at Griffith University , Gold Coast, Queensland .

Blue Mountains Athletics Club athlete James Perrett took to the start-line for the 3000m Steeplechase. In a race that he sought to go sub 10 minutes for the first time, Perrett came home to fourth place in the very good time of 10.18.94.

James was understandably very pleased with his fourth placed national performance.

Saturday afternoon Inter Club action for senior Blue Mountains Athletics Club athletes was scheduled on March 15 th , 2008 at Blacktown Olympic Park.

We begin with the performance of the afternoon, where Earl O'Brien took first place in the Open 3000m with a 9.02.80 performance. Also taking part in 3000m action was masters' athlete James Barnes, who took third place in the 35+ event with an 11.14.90 effort.

800m action saw David Parkes in action. Parkes turned in a 2.01.88 effort to take third place in the Open event. Making his Inter Club debut over 800m, masters' athlete Brett Kingston took fourth place in the 35+ event in a very creditable time of 2.44.57. Given this large improvement over a small number of 800m races, this athlete will surely surpass Barnes over 800m in the coming months. Kingston later completed his afternoon with a 29.40m javelin throw.

Sprints action saw Stefan Scheurmair run 11.40 for ninth place in the Open 100m and 24.00 for eighth in the 200m Open. Shaun Wearne ran 12.10 for 16 th place in the Open 100m.

The team was Earl O'Brien, James Barnes, David Parkes, Brett Kingston, Stefan Scheurmair and Shaun Wearne.

At the recent Athletics NSW Masters State Championships at SOPAC, NSW, on March 8th/9th, 2008, Blue Mountains Athletics Club won a total of 10 gold medals, eight silver and two bronze. 

Gold medals went to Brett Kingston in the pole, hammer, javelin and weight throw.  Daniel Brown dominated the javelin with a 45.83m throw. Graeme Mell took the long.  Maryanne Shaw and Fiona Porley took gold in the 5000m walks.  John Spinney took the 1500/5000m double on the track.

Well done team !

Blue Mountains Athletics Club athletes took to the track for an Inter Club meet, on Saturday, March 1st, 2008 at Campbelltown.

We begin with the steeplechase where both James Perrett and Chris Ollenrenshaw were in action. James Perrett was in sensational form and he lowered his Club U20 3,000m steeplechase record with a 10.10.07 performance. This race was won by Dylan Dudley of Campbelltown in 10.02.13. Ollenrenshaw took third place in his U16 2,000m steeplechase with a time of 8.00.33

Getting some much needed action before next week's Stare Masters Championships at SOPAC, Nonette Aldridge took third in the masters 100m with a time of 15.03 secs. She was followed by her sister Carrie who was fifth in 15.72 secs. Nonette then completed the 200m in a time of 30.40 for second place.

In male sprints action, Stefan Scheurmair took 10 th place in the Open 200m in the impressive time of 24.45. He was followed by Shaun Wearne in 15 th place in 25.52. Shaun had previously completed the 100m in 12.74 earlier in the afternoon.

1500m action saw some good times in what had become windy conditions. Earl O'Brien took third place in the Open 1500m with a time of 4.09.22. Melinda Vernon ran a time of 4.25.75. Edward O'Brien took 10 th place in the same race in a time of 4.36.23. Finally, James Barnes in the masters 1500m ran a 5.25.14 time to take sixth place.

The team for the record was Earl O'Brien, Edward O'Brien, Jim Perrett, Melinda Vernon, James Barnes, Stephan Scheurmair, Shaun Wearle, Chris Ollenrenshaw, Carrie Johnston and Nonette Aldridge.

The SDAC Club AGM will be held at 2.00pm on Sunday April 13th 2008 at the SAD Club, Lawson Road , Springwood, NSW. Nomination forms must be submitted to the secretary of the Club no less than 48 hours from the date and time of the AGM.

Detailed Information (32Kb pdf)

Nomination Forms (53Kb pdf)

AGM Downloads

Presidents Report (43Kb pdf)

Canteen Report (23Kb pdf)

Competition Report (33Kb pdf)

March 14th to 16th, 2008 sees the Australian Under 20 All Schools, Under 20 and Under 23 Championships held at Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus.

Jim Perrett will contest the Under 23 3,000m steeplechase.

Blue Mountains Athletics Club wishes Jim well in his endeavours.

Saturday morning club competition saw a lush track and windy conditions for athletes as the track season moves to a conclusion.

We begin with the 3000m where Craig Carmody took first place. He was followed home by John Spinney.

In under 16 and 17 action, there was a PB for Michael Ferguson in the 400m and an equal PB in the high jump. Natalie Crane had PBs in the 400m, high and long. Jesse LeNaz had a PB in the high and jumped very well in long jump. Tegan Haberman had a PB in the long Jump and equalled her PB in the high jump.

Dear Athlete,

Registrations for the new Athletics NSW senior athletic season begin effective April 1st, 2008 which is only a few weeks away.

I have accordingly attached a covering letter, the ANSW Winter Calendar for 2008 and a blank registration form for your completion.  Online registration is available from March 15th, 2008 onwards, should you wish to follow that option.  The attached letter will give you details of both methods of registration and settlement.

Our new season sees us begin as usual at Ramsgate in April 2008 followed seven days later with a change of venue for the State Roads as we make the short trip to Olympic Park, Sydney for the Road Championships.  This is followed by the relays in Miranda, the XC in Nowra, the Short Course XC in Abbotsbury and the road relays back at the Wollongong in August.

Our last season was an excellent one with the Novice XC, State Roads, Nowra XC and Bankstown XC all falling to the ladies at BMAC.  We later followed this with the victories at AA National XC in Perth, Zatopek
10,000m in Melbourne, Track Classic 1500m and NSW State 10,000m, both in Sydney.

For those that wish to have a hit-out on the track, Winter Inter Club should commence in June 2008.  That schedule will be released in due course.

I do hope that you will take advantage to register with BMAC for 2008/09 and that you have a great season.

Dennis Emery
Club Secretary

In just under three weeks time, Australia's best junior and senior distance runners will be heading to Canberra, ready to battle it out to gain selection to the Australian Team to contest the 36th World Cross Country Championships.

On Saturday 8 March 2008, the Athletics Australia (AA) Selection Trials for the World Cross Country Championships (Selection Trials) will be held at the recently opened Robert de Castella Cross Country Running Track (Deek's Track) at Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra. This will be the first major national running event to be held at Stromlo Forest Park. The 36th World Cross Country Championships will be held on 29
March 2008 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Further details of the World Cross Country Championships can be found at: http://www.iaaf.org/WXC08/index.html

Blue Mountains Athletics Club is delighted to announce that Melinda Vernon and Hollie Emery have been selected to take part in the Australian Cross Country Trials.  Success at these trials will stand both in good stead for selection for Australia World Cross Country Championships.

Australia's top junior girls will be going head to head to for positions on the Australian Cross Country Team. NSW athlete, 2007 Australian Cross Country Champion and 2007/08 NSW 10,000m Champion Hollie Emery will be one of the favourites. Victorian 5000m runner up and 2007 World Youth 2000m steeplechase representative Elise Clayton has to be also one of the favourites. Jessica Gilfillan, also a steeplechase specialist, will be hot on their heels. World Junior Mountain Runner bronze medallist, Veronica Wallington, will try and hold her own a more flatter course that what she is use to. To round out the top junior girls, local ACT runner from the Weston Creek Athletics Club, Emily Brichacek is looking forward to the challenge of racing Australia's best Junior Cross Country athletes as they all vie for selection in the Australian team.

Probably one of the most competitive and high class cross country fields for a while would have to be the senior women's race with former and current world champions, Olympic and World Championship representative, Ediken relay representatives and young girls who have just moved up from the junior ranks to seniors. Olympic, World Championship and 2005/2006 World Cross Country representative Eloise Wellings is on her comeback after a injury prone 2007. 2007 World Half Marathon representative and
2006/2007 World Cross Country Representative Lisa Jane Weightman will be tough to beat along with 2007 Australian 10000m champion NSW's Melinda Vernon. Lara Tamsett, current World Junior Mountain Champion and World Cross Country junior representative for the previous two years, has just moved up to the senior rank and has been very impressive this season on the track. Tamsett also won at the Robert de Castella Cross Country Running Track course opening last November. Victorians Victoria Mitchell (world cross country team member for the last 2 years) and Sarah Lofts, ACT's Sarah McRae (nee Salmon), cross country team member in 2007, and SA's Tara Palm will also be up there pushing for the top places. Other ACT hopes, former World Triathlon Champion, Jackie Fairweather may find it tough against the speedy younger girls, but her experience and determination will give her an advantage.

The Club wishes both Melinda and Hollie all the best in their attempted selection to the Australian team.

Athletics ACT Press Release

Four NSW women have been selected in the recently announced Australian Team for the World University Cross Country Championships, to be held in Mauquenchy, France on 6 April, 2008.

Blue Mountains Athletics Club athlete and Australian 10000m Zatopek Champion, Melinda Vernon, who has set two deaf world records this season (1500m and 10000m) has been selected to run for Australia.

The Club wishes her well in her endeavours.

LAANSW Regional - Full Results ( pdf 331kb)

Springwood District Athletic club is delighted to announce the following athletes that have qualified for the LAANSW State Championships scheduled for next month at SOPAC.

Morgan Moloney - 800m/1500m/3000m

Lewis Hughes - 60m hurdles/70m/High

Campbell Hislop - 400m/shot

Craig Carmody - 3000m

Keisha Allen - High Jump

Sarah Luxford - 800m

Tiarka Hill - Shot

Springwood had 17 athletes compete at the very recent Little Athletics Blue Mountains Zone Multi at Pitt Park, Wentworth Falls on 3rd February, 2008.  The results of these athlete performances in age order are:

Under 7 Boys - Lachlan Slatford 3rd

Under 8 Girls - Caitlin Bass 3rd, Eleanore Mercer 5th and Bronwyn Luxford 6th

Under 9 Boys - Timothy Kniha 3rd

Under 9 Girls - Brooke Stewart 4th, Stephanie Fisara 5th, Sarah Luxford 6th and Sarah Kemp 11th

Under 10 Boys - Ethan Slatford 2nd and Harrison Slatford 3rd

Under 10 Girls - Tiarka Hill 1st Under 11 Boys Dominik Fisara 2nd

Under 12 Girls - Isabelle Maguire 1st and Stephanie Mercer 4th

Under 15 Girls - Madeleine Brazier 4th

Under 17 Boys - Michael Ferguson 1st

The club sends warm congratulations to all the club athletes that competed.

Blue Mountains Athletics Club is delighted to announce the following Open Female Team that will compete at the Lithgow Gift 5,000m Road Race on February 23th, 2008.

The team is:

Hollie Emery
Celia Sullohern
Charlotte Wilson
Nat Sharpe
Morgan Moloney
Jemima Herig Parsons

The first four place placegetters of the six athlete team will score the team points.

We are delighted to have Charlotte run with us for this event and BMAC sends her warmest congratulations on her 3000m steeplechase bronze over the weekend at the ANSW State Championships. 

Ladies, we wish you all the best.

Dennis Emery
Club Secretary BMAC

A decision regarding the LAANSW Regional Carnival will now be made on Monday 11/2/08. When the club recieves further information it will be posted on the website and recorded telephone messaging system - (02) 9990 2085 - either Monday night or Tuesday.

The LAANSW Regional Carnival that is scheduled for February 16th & 17th, 2008 at Dwyer Oval, Liverpool will not take place at the stated location.

The Liverpool ground has had two metres of water on Tuesday morning and LAANSW have made the decision that it will not run the event at Liverpool. The ground will require considerable recovery time.

Until the Club is further advised, we cannot tell you any more on the revised date and location of the Regional Carnival at this stage.  Further announcements will be made as and when they are made available to the Club. We will communicate these via the website and telephone hotline.

Dennis Emery
Club Secretary

Springwood District Little Athletics Centre and the Blue Mountains Athletics Club would like to take this opportunity to wish all of the club members, parents, athletes and coaches, a Merry Christmas for 2007 and a great New Year for 2008.

We would also like to thank the club membership for all their efforts and hard work at the LAANSW Blue Mountains Zone last weekend at Tom Hunter Park.

Club competition resumes on January 12th, 2008 for the usual Saturday morning club competition at Tom Hunter Park, Faulconbridge.

Please note that there will be no club competition on Saturday January 26th, 2008 when the club is contesting the Athletics NSW Country Championships in Glendale, Newcastle, NSW.

Thank you again.

Blue Mountains Athletics Club is delighted to announce that eight of the senior club's athletes have been invited to join the New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) Emerging Athlete Programme for the January 1st, 2008 intake of athletes.

These athletes are:

Michael Cox
Emma Cormack
Celia Sullohern
Christie Pearson
Hollie Emery
Anna Collier
David Ricketts

David Tarbotton, the Track and Field Emerging Athlete Program Coordinator for NSWIS says that these athletes have now been recognised as part of the NSWIS Programme for elite junior athletes in NSW. All have been selected for the EAP Silver Programme for 2008.

Continued selection for the Emerging Athlete Programme is based upon continually meeting performance standards for the forthcoming year.

The Club sends warmest congratulations to the above athletes.

Dennis Emery

Thursday night December 13th, 2007 sees the biggest athletics meet of the national distance running year with the Zatopek Championships scheduled for Olympic Park, Melbourne.

Blue Mountains athletics club has two athletes that have received invites to the starting line-ups.

This meet will see the running of the national 10,000m championships race where Melinda Vernon will make an appearance on the starting line. Melinda ran an impressive City to Surf top five finish of some months ago. The winner of this Zatopek 10,000m race will be crowned national champion.

Also making an appearance is Hollie Emery, who will line-up in the 3000m in a large field of 13 athletes. Hollie was crowned national cross country champion three months ago and will be making her debut in the Zatopek.

Blue Mountains Athletics Club athlete Jenna Heath made the trip to the Apple Isle for the PSSA Athletics National Championships, which were held in Launceston, Tasmania on the weekend of December 1st and 2nd, 2007.

These championships are held annually and pit the best athletes up to age 11 against their interstate rivals.

Jenna is one of NSW’s premier junior sprinters and was in superb form taking out the 10 year 100m national title in a time of 13.65 secs. She later followed this by taking the 200m title in a time of 28 secs.

Jenna was also a member of the NSW team that came second in the 4x100m relays.

Jenna is in her debut season for senior athletics with the Blue Mountains Athletics Club, and is looking to make a big impression in 2008 in the athletics NSW senior programme of athletics.

NSW Masters Athletics are seeking acredited officials and volunteers to help run the 36th Australian Masters Athletics Championships, to be held in Blacktown, Sydney, from March 21-24, 2008.

A letter to our Club from the President of NSWMA (Mark Johnston) is attached here for more information.

Would anyone able to help with this please contact Brett Sowerby direct on 0417 661 938 or by email to waxtech@bigpond.com

Athletics Australia has recently announced the selection of the Australian team for the Chiba Ekiden relays set for Japan in November 2007. These relays feature three males and three females in a mixed team format.

With an injury to NSW distance star Eliza Stewart, Melinda Vernon of Blue Mountains Athletics Club has been selected to represent Australia and will travel as the reserve with the Australian team.

Melinda has personal bests of 16.55 for 5km and 34.54 for 10km and finished fourth at this year’s City to Surf run in Sydney with a time of 50.37.

The Club sends Melinda best wishes in her forthcoming endeavors.

The Club has subscribed to Virtual Message Bank, which provides a telephone message service Club members.

You can access this now by calling (02) 9990 2085

This service will be used by the Committee to provide information such as:

- fixture cancellations

- additional info on meetings

- special notices

NOTE: this service is for outbound messages only. You can not leave messages yourself.

This website will remain the main source of general information, supplemented by this phone service in order to provide urgent information at short notice.

A reminder that zone nominations are due in by Saturday 10/11/2007. Please let your team manager know your selection or alternatively ring Jo Tester on 4752 2912

Athletics this Saturday (10/11/2007) and Wednesday Twilight (14/11/2007) have been cancelled due to the wet weather.

Zone Multi scheduled for Sunday 11 November is also cancelled. A new date will be notified when determined by the BM Zone Committee.

Blue Mountains Athletics Club is delighted to announce that it will be the recipient of $5,000.00 worth of funding from Telstra Australia for the forthcoming summer track season 2007/08.

This funding will be received in the form of equipment that Telstra have agreed to fund on our behalf for club use. This equipment is for use by registered Club athletes. It has been awarded to the senior club and will also be shared with the Springwood Little Athletics Club.

Whilst the complete list of articles is to long to describe in detail, the club will receive a full set of senior hurdles, new starting blocks, javelins, shots and a hurdles trolley etc. We will exhibit this sponsorship when we receive the full shipment at Tom Hunter Park.

The Club did put considerable effort into completing an application for the sponsorship and is delighted with the outcome.

Kind Regards

Dennis Emery
Club Secretary

For club athletes in the Under 11 and Under 12 age teams, information is available here regarding this season's Trans Tasman competition which will involve a trip to Auckland New Zealand.

Selection trials are at Albion Park Little Athletics Club, Croome Regional Sporting Complex on 4th November 2007.

Completed entries must to be returned to the Club by 24th October 2007 maked for the attention of, Jim Perrett or Jo Testor.

After starting the club website some 6 years ago I find I need to pass it on to someone new to manage. My children have now moved on from the Club and I have other commitments which make it difficult to spend the time on this that I used to.

Over the years the website has become an important communication tool for members and it would be a shame for it to wind down. Note that you would be supported by people on the Committee such as Dennis Emery who will provide much of the content/material to work with, which can make your job a lot easier.

If you're interested in taking over running the website, give me a call or drop me an email. I'm happy to help during a transition period and would be available for advice beyond that. Hopefully we have someone in the Club with prior experience, but if not you can easily learn, like I did.

If you'd like to call and discuss what's involved I'm available evenings or on the weekend on 4754-5472 or by email here.

Ratko Petrovic

Urgent working bee :

We need your help this coming Sunday 12 August, to assist in completing the work needed prior to the start of the summer season.

This includes:

- extensions to throwing cages
- finish work on new long jump run ups
- throwing circle maintenance
- general preparation for the season

Please come and assist if you can. Start at 8.30 am and help for as long as you can. Coffe, tea and munchies provided.

For further details and to register your availability please contact Brett Sowerby.

Christie Pearson was recently selected as captain for the NSW under 13 team that contested the Little Athletics National Championships in Perth WA.

Having only been originally selected for the 400m and 800m, Christie was asked to run the 1500m to fill in for an athlete that withdrew.

The scheduling of the meet was demanding to say the least with Christie running the 1500m, 400m heat, 400m final and the 800m in only four hours.

The 1500m event was first, and Christie finished in eighth place with a time of 5.09.4. One hour later, she ran the 400m heat and gained the fastest qualifying time with 59.37 secs. An hour later, Christie ran in the 400m final and won the gold medal in a PB time of 57.57 secs.

Next up for Christie was the 800m final and the workload of the day took its toll. She was leading with 100m to go and hit a brick wall with her legs were going nowhere. The athlete from WA came up from behind and pushed on to the finish line finishing in 2.15.18 with Christie in second place in a time of 2.18.72.

The 800m race was Christie’s strongest event going into the competition, but as it was the last one to run, she had run out of steam with such a heavy program. Christie was still happy she ran the 1500m and helped out the team.

The following has just been announced by Athletics NSW.

Due to the sudden unavailability of Holsworthy Army Barracks, the venue for the NSW State Road Championships has been changed to Cataract Scout Park, Appin, NSW.

Please check back on the Athletics NSW website for information about the course and directions to it.

Further information can be obtained from Dennis Emery on the below number.

Kind Regards

Dennis Emery
Club Secretary
Phone:(02) 8209 4233
Fax: (02) 8209 4299
E: dennis.emery@benfieldgroup.com

Blue Mountains Athletics Club is delighted to announce that two more of the senior club's athletes have invited to join the New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) Emerging Athlete Programme for the April 1st, 2007 intake of athletes.

These athletes are:
Michael Cox
Emma Cormack

The two athletes join the following Club athletes who were invited to the EAP Programme on January 1st, 2007. The full list is David Ricketts, Celia Sullohearn, Anna Collier, Christie Pearson, Hollie Emery, Michael Cox and Emma Cormack.

David Tarbotton, the Track and Field Emerging Athlete Program Coordinator for NSWIS says that these athletes have now been recognised as part of the elite junior athletes in NSW. All five have been selected for the EAP Silver Programme for 2007. Continued selection for the Emerging Athlete Programme is based upon continually meeting performance standards for the forthcoming year.

The Club sends warmest congratulations to the above athletes.

Athletics NSW has announced on April 5th, 2007 that Blue Mountains Athletics Club athlete Vanessa Ebejer has won the Open Long Distance Walker of the Year for the athletic year 2006/07.

In a year that has seen Vanessa achieve a number of excellent performances, the pinnacle of the year came for her at the Telstra 'A' Series in Brisbane in March 2007. Vanessa took the gold medal and first place in the Under 23 20K Road Walk at this event in stifling heat.

Earlier in the year, Vanessa took first place in the Under 23 5000m Athletics NSW State Championships in January 2007 with a top quality gold medal performance.

Vanessa is currently coached by Joe Ebejer at Blacktown and is one of the State's leading walkers. Blue Mountains Athletics Club is understandably delighted with this award and sends congratulations to both athlete, coach and the other Club walkers that have supported her this season.

Athletics NSW have released their Winter Calendar for the 2007 season.

The first meet of the new season scheduled for April 28th, 2007 is the State Cross Country Novice Championships at Scarborough Park, Ramsgate, NSW. This event as usual will be hosted by the St George Club. Ladies will race 4k and Men 10k for the championship events. Open events are also scheduled. Please note that previous winners of the Novice and any medallists from any Athletics NSW Open events of 3000m or more cannot enter the Novice.

The following week sees the Athletics NSW State Road Titles scheduled for May 5th, 2007 at Holsworthy where Country Titles (Blue Mountains Athletics Club is designated as a country club) and medals are up for grabs. The event is hosted as usual by Sutherland and races are scheduled from under 12 to masters.

A copy of the Winter Program as released by ANSW is available here.

Further information can be obtained form the Athletics NSW website at http://www.nswathletics.org.au/ or from Dennis Emery on (02) 8209 4233.

We look forward to seeing you on the start.

Kind Regards

Dennis Emery
Secretary
Phone:(02) 8209 4233
Fax: (02) 8209 4299
E: dennis.emery@benfieldgroup.com

Blue Mountains Athletics Club Colours – Senior Registered Athletes Only

When the Board of Athletics NSW approved in early 2005 both the change of name and the choice of club colours, the Board allowed a two year moratorium for athletes to migrate from the traditional old Springwood navy and white, to the new multi rainbow colours of Blue Mountains Athletics Club.

The moratorium on wearing the old style uniform now expires on March 31st, 2007. All Blue Mountains Athletics Club athletes competing at Athletics NSW meets such as inter club/cross country/roads etc will need to wear the new rainbow coloured tops with navy/rainbow bottoms from April 1st, 2007.

Athletics NSW will be seeking to enforce the wearing of the correct club uniform at all sanctioned meets from April 1st, 2007.

Uniforms can be obtained from the Club Uniforms Officer, Ms Robyn Crane on (02) 4754 5602.

Springwood Little Athletics Centre little athletes still retain the traditional navy and white club and are unaffected by the above change.

Kind Regards

Dennis Emery
Secretary
Blue Mountains Athletic Club
Phone:(02) 8209 4233
Fax: (02) 8209 4299
E: dennis.emery@benfieldgroup.com

Three club athletes have been invited to participate in significant competitions to be held during the next month.

Erin Petrovic has been invited by Athletics Australia to compete in the Telstra Sydney A Series this weekend at SOPAC. Erin will compete in the Womens Hammer Throw. This level of competition is the at the top of the Australian domestic athletics calendar.

Athletics NSW have announced its team for the Australian Interstate Youth (U18) Match, which will be held in conjunction with the Athletics Australia National Open Athletics Championships on 10-11 March 2007 at Queensland Sports and Athletic Centre (QEII).

The Challenge comprises a one a side match competition between each of the Australian state and territories in the youth (under 18) age group and covers all the traditional individual track and field events and two relays.

Michael Cox has been selected to compete in the in High Jump, and Hollie Emery in the 2000m Steeplechase.

The Club congratulates Erin, Michael and Hollie on their selection.

Blue Mountains Athletics Club is delighted to announce that five of the senior club's athletes have invited to join the New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) Emerging Athlete Programme for the January
2007 intake of eligible athletes.

These athletes are:

David Ricketts
Celia Sullohearn
Anna Collier
Christie Pearson
Hollie Emery

David Tarbotton, the Track and Field Emerging Athlete Program Coordinator for NSWIS says that these athletes have now been recognised as part of the elite junior athletes in NSW. All five have been selected for the EAP Silver Programme for 2007. Continued selection for the Emerging Athlete Programme is based upon continually meeting performance standards for the forthcoming year.

The Club sends warmest congratulations to the above athletes.

A number of club records were set at the Athletics NSW Country Championships at Glendale, Newcastle during the weekend of January 27th, 2007.

Athletes that participated at the Country Meet are encouraged to visit the Club Records on the Club website with a view to claiming any records that they believe they now own from recent performances.

These records can be claimed by downloading the claim form from the website or by email to Alison Rothwell, Clubs records Officer at alirothwell@bigpond.com

If you are extracting official results from the Athletics NSW, simply cut and paste the official result into the body of the email and send to Alison.

Shannon Petrovic has been selected to compete at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival to be held in Sydney in January. Shannon will be competing in the Hammer Throw competition.

This Festival is conducted every 2 years by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC). This year's competition will involve 1600 athletes aged 13 - 19, from 23 countries, competing in 16 Olympic Sports. Further details are available at the official website here.

Previous Springwood athletes to compete in this competition include Shannon's sister Erin Petrovic in 2003 (details here).

Congratulations Shannon!

The scheduled Club Twilight Meet for Wednesday December 20th, 2006 at Tom Hunter Park has now been cancelled.

The next club meet is scheduled for Saturday January 13th, 2007 commencing with Program A.

We look forward to seeing you all again in 2007.

Attached for your convenience is a new SDAC Record Claim Form.

This is for use by Little Athletes, Seniors and Masters in claiming a Club Record at home or away.

Completed forms should be forwarded to the Club's Records Officer, Alison Rothwell.

If you wish to scan and email a completed form, Alison's email address is alirothwell@bigpond.com

Please note that the LAANSW Regional Championships will now be held at Blacktown Olympic Park. This is scheduled for 17-18 February 2007.

The Blue Mountains Zone will be hosting this Championship and will be involved in the many tasks required of the host Zone.

Further details will advised as soon as possible

We are pleased to announce that Blue Mountains Council has now reopened Tom Hunter Park, Faulconbridge for athletics effective November 28th, 2006.

Please note from the Club Handbook that the next club competition scheduled is December 6th, 2006 which will be a Twilight Meet. The Club would like to thank athletes and parents (and of course the RFS) for their efforts and patience in the last week.

We look forward to seeing you again.