Weekly Update Friday 23rd October

This week we give thanks to all the volunteers in the club, report on Kristian Jones at the world half marathon, give you some things you can do over lockdown two, including a pentathlon challenge, attend a field judge course, watch some coaching webinars and Starting on Monday 26th October, walk, jog or run a mile each day.

Covid 19 Lockdown Two, 23rd October to 9th November:

Well, we had a thirteen week run since August before we have to shutdown the club again for another lockdown. We hope that those athletes we managed to get back training enjoyed what they could under the many restrictions and regulations everyone in the club has had to adhere to. The club would like to especially thank all the coaches who tried their very best under difficult circumstances, making themselves available each week, and in some cases 5, 6 or 7 times a week you know who you are! Thanks to all the parents who offered their support as club as covid officers/marshals and in the club cafe when we were on the verge of cancelling all the sessions. Thanks to the club trustees and covid 19 sub committee for all their unseen work in the background, compiling covid plans, covid risk assessments and covid registers, it has been and continues to be an enormous amount of paperwork! Thanks to the university track staff who have also been working their socks off to keep the facility open to us and covid free! The university facilities are now closed and training will recommence on Monday 9th November (we hope!). In the meantime any exercise must start and end at home within your own household bubble, no training or coaching together for the time being.

Results:

Saturday 17th October saw our second Swansea Harrier this month flying the flag for the club on the world stage. SM Kristian Jones ran a lifetime best of (63.05) in the World Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia, Poland. Kristian’s superb time placed him 60th overall, 30th European and 3rd Britain. The time secures his place in the Welsh All Time rankings for half marathon. Well done Kristian on this magnificent achievement you did yourself proud!

Schools SportsHall Athletics Pentathlon Challenge:

Will run from Monday, November 2nd to Friday, November 27th. Full details plus the results pack are included as downloads on the link below. This is a fully inclusive offer available to ALL Primary and Secondary Schools across Wales and is targeted at Years 5&6 (Primary) and Years 7&8 (Secondary). Ask your school PE teacher to take part. We did this ourselves over lockdown 1, so should see some more impressive results this time! All you need to know can be found on this link.

UK Athletics Level 1 Field Judge Qualification:

The more volunteers we can get signed up to this free qualification, the more opportunities we can create for our athletes when normality returns.

This 4 hour, practical course is split over 2 days online on Tuesday 3rd and Tuesday 10th November 6pm to 8pm and will introduce candidates to the key roles, responsibilities and duties of a field official, including how to follow a duty sheet, complete a results card, application of the rules in field events and how to provide a safe environment for athletes to compete.

Who should go on this course?
Anyone who is interested in officiating the field events:

Shot (including seated throws for disabled athletes)
Discus (including seated throws for disabled athletes)
Hammer
Javelin (including seated throws for disabled athletes)
Club Throw
High Jump
Long Jump
Triple Jump
Pole Vault

What will I learn?
Follow a duty sheet
Be able to list field events and the various roles covered
Understand and describe Health and Safety issues in Field Officiating
Application of the rules surrounding field officiating
Ability to present the result card accurately

Is there an assessment?
There isn’t an assessment but after the course candidates need to complete at least 4 competition experiences to become licensed. The experiences must cover both horizontal and vertical jumps and both shot and long throws. This may require candidates doing more than 4 experiences. Candidates must have completed the Health & Safety course for Officials.

What do I do after the course?
It is essential you complete a DBS.
Ensure there is a passport quality photograph.
Complete a minimum of 4 experiences for Level 1.
Complete the Level 1 Application for Accreditation.
Send your completed Level 1 Application for Accreditation to Welsh Athletics.

Health & Safety Online
This FREE online course should be completed for anyone training to become a Track and Field Athletics Official. The course will need to be completed before a licence can be issued at Level 1. The course will need to be undertaken by officials every three years.

Duration: The course will typically take around 90 minutes to complete with a multi choice assessment exercise upon competition. Note: To complete the course candidates will need to achieve a pass mark of 75% or above.

Webinars for coaches:

Over lockdown two there are now additional event specific and generic webinars available to watch or watch back.

Welsh Athletics cover:

27/10 Looking back to look forward, what lessons can be learnt from experiences.

28/10 An introduction to sprint hurdles.

2/11 Developing the junior endurance athlete

For the full calendar of webinars click this link.

England Athletics cover:

29/10 Discus fundamentals.

4/11 Triple Jump – hop landing into a step take off

5/11 Javelin – winter training.

for their full webinar calendar click this link.

Welsh Athletics ‘Mile-A-Day’ (MAD) Firebreak Challenge:

Starting on Monday 26th October, walk, jog or run a mile each day during the Firebreak Lockdown, following the theme for each day. It doesn’t even really have to be a mile – you can go further if you want- we just want to encourage as many people as possible to be active during this period and beyond. For full details of the initiative and how to take part click this link.