CHAIRMAN’S NOTES

As we go to press, all members are looking forward to the track and field season and the summer road races. We hope that the new winter training facility at Le Cateau Gymnasium has benefited all - and particularly the younger members.

The Club has eight members ready for the London Marathon - Mike, Jon and lan are running for the Sports Aid Foundation and are pleased to accept your support.

I have only recently been informed that one of our members has been awarded the MBE and will shortly be going to London to receive the medal from the Queen, so congratulations to Colin Sewell. Although I understand that the award is for his service to the RAF (and Colin says it’s because they had a spare medal), the man is a stalwart of RZH and this reflects well on the Club.

On another note, Bill Simms offered to be Honorary Secretary of the Club at the AGM. Sadly Bill has had health problems and has been unable to carry out his duties so far. We wish Bill a speedy recovery and look forward to being his involvement in the administration of the Club.

My very best wishes to all Officials and Members for the coming season.

Bob Pocklington Chairman

SECRETARY’S NOTES

Spring has sprung, the grass is riz – I wonder where the runners is? The runners is fleet of foot and to be found at RZH, meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Catterick Athletic Stadium.

One of the advantages (and there are not many) of being unable to train oneself is that one can watch others doing so. During the past couple of months I have had my eyes opened by the rich host of talent in our Club. Young and not-so-young, male and female alike, all training hard, enjoying themselves and making progress. And let’s not forget our Coaches who, with cheerful countenance, encourage their charges and help them improve their technique and performance. From what I have seen in recent weeks, of both track and field, I foresee an exciting season ahead for us all, with PBs falling and honours being won.

And best wishes to all those hardy souls doing the London Marathon - may they never hit the wall!

Finally and above all; there is a great spirit in the Club which bodes well for the future – may you all have a successful and enjoyable season and stay injury-free.

Bill Simms Honorary Secretary

MEMBERSHIP

This message follows on from what I wrote in the last Winter Newsletter and the one before that and the one before - that Junior numbers have fallen, to the point where the Club could only field one team at our home X-C fixture, that the internet is expanding, more’n’more households are connected but you’re keeping it secret, and that the same handful of people are “running” the Club.

Numbers: at the end of March, Club Membership stands at 134. A breakdown with new categories @ 1/9/2003 shows… under 11 boys & girls…1+2

under 13 boys & girls...9+3

under 15 boys & girls…13+14

under 17 boys & girls…5+9

Junior Men & Ladies…7+4

Senior Men & Ladies…13+7

Veteran Men & Ladies…27+3

…that is 117 competing members plus another 17 Coaches, Life or Social members. On paper we have just about enough Juniors and Seniors, Mums and Dads etc, to fulfil our commitments this Summer; to provide T&F teams and Officials in the YAL, NML and NYSD plus the Harrogate Road Race League. But we don’t want paper tigers, we want the real thing; we’re a competitive Club - let’s do the business.

Internet: the 134 members quoted live in 98 households and according to my information, only 51 are connected and not all are active - please let me know if you’ve joined the 21st century.

Vacancies: at the last AGM, we managed to fill the posts of Honorary Secretary, Boys X-C and T&F Team Managers and, in the fullness of time, Publicity Secretary. Subsequently we have found a Fixtures Secretary in Neil Piper but have lost Tony Colmer as Road Race Manager and we still need a Social & Fund Raising Secretary - anybody interested?

Annual Subscription 2003-04

Also at the last AGM, it was proposed and accepted by the Membership to reduce the Subs to £25 for both Junior and Senior members and to £60 for families and to maintain Subs at £10 for Super Vets and Social members, with discount for HM Forces. The Club’s financial year commences 1st April which means they are due NOW! Paragraph 12 of the Constitution reads “any Member who has not renewed their Annual Subscription by the 14th May will be deemed to have resigned etc”. PLEASE, DON’T BE LATE WITH YOUR SUBS!

Mike Brooks Membership Secretary

COACHING and other matters - SPRING 2003

There has been plenty enthusiastic training by athletes over the winter months. The coaching groups continue to work well and have recently been reviewed and modified according to an individual athlete's stage of development and aptitude ready for the new track and field season.

Tuesday nights from October to February have been based at the Le Cateau Gymnasium in Catterick. This has proved a very good facility with more space than we had before and a nice bouncy floor, some useful equipment, nice changing room shower and toilet facilities, and good parking facilities both safe and secure. John Wild has also made good use of the weights room upstairs.

Back at the track on Thursday nights we have generally been fortunate with the weather and snow and ice has only spoiled our training plans on a few occasions. The new building, housing the changing rooms, showers and toilets, was completed in December and has proved a real luxury in contrast to the old one with heating and well-lit spacious rooms. On one occasion, an exceptionally cold night in February, we were able to do circuit training indoors.

So far, two athletes have attended the Regional Coaching Clinics and one the Elite Squads at the fine new indoor training facility at South Leeds Stadium. There is a further one day clinic on Sunday 13th April 2003. For further details see the notice board. Several athletes have also competed and performed creditably at indoor competitions. Matthew Prosser and Sam Stanislaus went to the Northerns at Manchester and Sam, Kim Bartram and David Powell to the North-East Pentathlon at Jarrow. Emma Metcalfe has continued to pursue her interest in the pole vault at Gateshead and joined an Elite Squad there. Matthew has also been to a BBC fitness competition for talented young sports people.

Last year we achieved more of a balance with track and field training and aim to do the same this year with plenty of hurdling and jump sessions. Once again, we will need assistance from seniors and/or parents to help us move the High Jump beds and other equipment to and from the shed.

Safety as always remains vitally important. As a routine, athletes should stay out of the top part of the field whenever any throwing is taking place and we shall continue to put out traffic cones as warning markers. I plan to put a safety notice on the notice board in the stand this spring - PLEASE READ IT. Leyburn Road Stadium has been inspected by UK Athletics and awarded a certificate of suitability for training and competition until 2007. Unfortunately, since then, the throwing cage appears to have been affected by the winter weather and will need checking for safety purposes before use.

I am pleased to report that our uk:athletics Clubs Futures 2 application for Grant Aid, submitted in November 2002, has been partially successful and we have been awarded 50% of our bid. This will help towards the cost of coach education and reprinting of the RZH promotional booklet. I have just submitted a further Grant Application this time to Awards for All. If successful this will be used to fund the purchase of two poles for pole vaulting and also to hire-in Senior Coaches from Region to provide coaching clinics in various field events for club athletes. Parents should also be aware that grants are available from the Local Authority for talented young sports people. One athlete has already been successful and another application is in the pipeline.

Enjoy the new track and field season. Support your Team Managers in the Leagues and have a go at the Yorkshire Championships in May. The Young Athletes League is a whole new ball game this season with a combined boys and girl team operating for the first time. Sadly the Senior Women are out of the League temporarily but should join the Senior Men in a combined team in 2004.

Graham Purvis Coaching Secretary

MEN’S CROSS-COUNTRY REPORT - WINTER 2002 - 03

The Sunderland Relays on Saturday 24th September were the opening fixture of the X-C season and three teams competed against tough opposition, mostly from the North East Counties. There were a good number of Internationals, past and present, taking part including Terry Wall of Morpeth, Rob Hand of Durham City and Glenn Forster of Sunderland. The Harriers “A” team performed well to finish 5th - Shaun Purkiss 10:45, Jon Orange 10:22, Dan Brooks 10:46 & Robin Carter 10:51 - with Jon just outside the top ten fastest times. The Vets team finished 13th overall and 3rd in category and won 4 x £8 vouchers from “Running Specialist” for their efforts - Ian Scott 10:55, Chris Peacock 11:14, Taff Rogers 11:42 & Jim Robinson 11:54 - with Ian equal 8th fastest amongst his peers. The “B” team was only three-strong and the organisers elected to disqualify (alias Jon Orange, probably for a lack of good humour) but nothing stops a good race - Brian McNabb 11:02, Mike Brooks 12:12, Paul Roberts 12:05 & 10:36 - the team would’ve finished in 14th place.

There were no takers for the Skipton Open meeting and then the first NYSD League fixture at Barnard Castle was cancelled, due to the course being under water in parts, meaning there was a considerable wait for the next race. Sunday 10th November, Windlestone Hall near Newton Aycliffe and, like the previous year, the course resembled a bog in parts. The Men’s race was four laps, approximately five and a half miles, and the team made a great start to the season with first place ahead of Nestle Rowntree and Hartlepool Burn Road. John Aspell showed his class as he stayed in contention throughout the race and was first home in 4th place. He was followed by Jon Orange in 5th place, showing the strength he’s gained from the extra miles put-in as part of his London Marathon training. Behind them, Ken Harker was 10th, Kedar Singuali (our adopted Gurkha) was 20th, Ian Scott 25th and Club Captain, Shaun Purkiss, made-up the scoring six in 31st place. Dan Brooks led the “B” team home with Chris Peacock, Jim Robinson, Brian “Taff” Rogers, Mike Brooks and Neil Piper giving support.

Two weeks later we were at Thirsk Racecourse for the second fixture and the team was boosted by the appearance of three key runners. The Men’s race is always the last race of the day; three and a half loops of an increasingly muddy course with sugar beet and brussels sprouts to contend with. John Aspell was again the first Harrier home in 6th place, leading a winning pack with Jon Orange 10th, Ken Harker 13th, brothers James and Scott Wardman 18th and 27th and Shaun Purkiss sixth counter in an identical 31st place - total 105 points, 10 points better than the first fixture and 14 points better than runners-up Nestle Rowntrees. In the absence of fellow Veterans Ian Scott and Chris Peacock, Taff Rogers led the “B” team home, followed by Brian McNabb, Jim Robinson, Mike Brooks and Neil Piper rolling-back the years to outsprint Ian Hepworth and finish in 128th and 129th places respectively.

The Yorkshire County Championships arrived immediately after the Christmas and New Year break on Saturday 4th January and Nunroyd Park, near Guiseley, was picturesque - the frost and snow covered scene was a welcome relief from the weeks of rain which had threatened the fixture although the undulating course was very muddy in parts. The Senior Men’s race was again the last race of the day and the 11K course proved an arduous task. There were nine Harriers amongst more than one hundred and eighty at the start but James Wardman and Paul Roberts were both forced to retire injured leaving some unexpected names in the six-to-count team - Jon Orange 31st, Ken Harker 40th, Taff Rogers 108th, Jim Robinson 115th, Mike Brooks 129th and Ian Hepworth 150th, backed-up by Neil Piper in 162nd place. The team finished 12th.

Next on the agenda was fixture three in the NYSD League, Acklam Grange on Sunday 12th and the six week gap between races was already all-but-forgotten. In the absence of three of the Club’s top six from Thirsk, responsibility fell to John Aspell, who responded with 5th place and is now second in the individual rankings. Ken Harker was second home in 18th place and Karl Povey was 33rd - but Nestle Rowntree were in dominant form with six in twenty! Shaun Purkiss, Jim Robinson and Chris Peacock filled the other three scoring places, relegating Taff Rogers to the “B” team along with Mike Brooks and Neil Piper. The team were beaten into fourth place and were now level with Nestle Rowntree on 32 points but in number one place by virtue of two wins to one. Jim Robinson leads the individual MV2 category ahead of Neil Scruton of Scarborough.

The Northern X-C Championships were on Saturday 25th January at Heaton Park, Manchester - an excellent venue for the Championships with a hilly, switchback course that suited both competitors and spectators and with good support facilities. A massive field of close to 800 runners lined-up in their pens, across the length of a football pitch, for the traditional charge to the first corner. Jon Orange chose to race although most of the RZH “A” team had other commitments and was first counter in 72nd place. Jon wasn’t happy to finish almost two minutes down on leading Vet, Rob Hand of Durham City, who may line-up against him in the London Marathon this April but his new sponsorship from Peacocks of Richmond provided him with fresh impetus. Second counter Ken Harker has never been a mudlark, preferring the track but knowing the benefits of X-C to his strength training, and finished 189th. Shaun Purkiss was third counter in 340th place, racing with a large dressing on a finger on his left hand, evidence of an accident while splitting logs, and doing just enough to stay ahead of Paul Roberts and Jim Robinson, who enjoyed their own mini-race. Paul hung-on to win 416 to 424 with just nine seconds and sixteen years between them. Neil Piper was rewarded for his loyalty to the cause by making the scoring team as sixth counter, finishing in 639th place and anchoring the team ton 39th position.

The 2003 North East Veteran’s X-C Championships were held at Branksome School, Darlington on Saturday 8th February and two Harriers competed. The 10K race was over three laps of the School playing fields and adjacent parkland and the usual internationals - Brian Rushworth, Glenn Forster, Archie Jenkins etc - turned-up to make a race of it. Jim Robinson was not “fazed” and finished second M55 in 39:04 to earn a silver medal and Mike Brooks, running as a guest, finished one place behind in 40:03.

Scarborough AC and Loftus AC combined on Sunday 16th February to host the fourth NYSD X-C fixture at Caedmon Community College, Whitby. Although the weather was cold and misty through most of Teesside, there was sunshine over the North Yorkshire Moors and at the coast. Jon Orange chose this fixture for a best-yet performance in the NYSD, finishing 3rd in the Senior Men’s race. This was Jon’s first pay-back for his new sponsorship from Peacocks of Richmond, which is designed to allow him to make a serious challenge in the Veterans/Masters race at the London Marathon. John Aspell still had the residue of racing for his Regiment in the Army X-C Championships at Aldershot the previous Wednesday but was strong enough to finish second counter in 7th place; ahead of Ken Harker 16th, Shaun Purkiss 24th, Taff Rogers 36th and Jim Robinson 56th (and 3rd MV50) making-up the six-to-score team. Dan Brooks finished 60th, seeing-off Mike Brooks who was 62nd, then Neil Piper 92nd and Sean Fowden (enjoying his first X-C race since schooldays) in 114th place. The team finished third on the day and dropped to second behind Nestle Rowntree by three points with two fixtures remaining.

The ECCA Nationals are the biggest X-C Championships, attracting the best of the English Clubs plus guests from the Celtic nations and abroad. This year’s fixture was staged at Parliament Hill Fields, London and the Harriers had their third team in as many Championships. The customary last race of the day saw 1300 Senior Men toe the line, in lines up to nine deep and in pens stretching all along the length of a football field. Although this number was down on previous years and there were several big names missing, nothing could detract from the spectacle of watching this myriad of Club colours nor the rush of competing in such a race.

Jon Orange ran the 12K race in superb style to come home in 75th place, with a time of 45:43 less than four minutes behind the eventual winner Matt Smith of Tipton and although he joined the Veteran ranks last December and was giving away twelve years, he showed his marathon aims are on target. Behind him, Ken Harker also had a great race - he’s an 800m/1500m track runner not a mudlark, so 218th place in 49:16 was fair moving. Shaun Purkiss was third counter for the Club in 453rd place, Paul Roberts 585th, Mike Brooks 783rd and Jim Robinson 830th. Leeds City AC won the team race and RZH were 51st.

The penultimate fixture in the NYSD X-C League was at Summerhill Country Park on Sunday 2nd March. The venue is popular with the runners and in recent years has been used for N E Counties and Veterans Championship races. The course is very testing, especially after rainy weather, with a stream to cross, several steep hills to climb and equally sharp descents, a ploughed field and chicane-like fences to negotiate. The team was already without several of their “A” team and, although bolstered by Scott Wardman’s appearance, was reduced to six when Taff Rogers pulled-up with a calf strain and any hope of winning Division One was wiped-out by the quality of the Nestle Rowntrees team - 6 finishers in 22 places for just 81 points, the lowest winning number of the season. John Aspell had no complaints about his 5th place, running with tired legs having raced for his Regiment at Aldershot earlier in the week. Scott Wardman showed he had recovered from injury by finishing 12th and then it was left to the Vets to fill the remaining four scoring places - Jim Robinson 48th, Chris Peacock 55th, Mike Brooks 56th and Ian Hepworth 92nd - and the team down to 7th giving Rowntrees a 10 point lead in Division One. Jim Robinson was now tied with Neil Scruton in the individual V2 category.

The last NYSD X-C fixture was at Richmond School on Sunday 16th March. The early morning frost and mist gave way to a clear and sunny afternoon, perfect weather for competitors, officials and spectators. Despite most of the individual and team Trophies being “sorted”, runners and Clubs still had their last races - to be sure. John Aspell confirmed his runners-up place in the individual Senior Men’s category behind Paul Welham of NMH with 7th on the day. Jon Orange was second home for the Club in 10th place and finished 5th overall. Ken Harker was 15th, Shaun Purkiss 21st, Jim Robinson 55th & Mike Brooks made-up the “A” team in 63rd place. Paul Zissler led the “B” team finishing 90th with Ian Hepworth & Neil Piper in 94th & 97th places respectively. The team were 3rd and ended the season as runners-up. Jim Robinson finished 4th MV2 on the day and 2nd overall.

On reflection, this has been an enjoyable and successful season. We’ve finished teams in all three Championship races and have had our highest place finish in the NYSD for more years than anyone can remember - all with the smallest of squads. Our thoughts are with Karl Povey, Mark Hawtin, Dave Armstrong and Darren Cox; all with HM Forces in Iraq - may they return safe & sound. Well done everyone!

Jim Robinson X-C Team Manager

CROSS COUNTRY REPORT FOR YOUNG ATHLETES (male and female) AND SENIOR LADIES.

Well what a season we have had. If people do not know what colour strip Richmond and Zetland Harriers wear they never will. Everyone who has competed in the Cross-Countries should be very proud of their achievements - it has to be one of the best seasons I can remember for attendance at races and achievements. For me to name everyone individually will take oodles of paper so I have opted to list actual results. This means I have only listed people who actually gained points in the NYSD league, but those who did not get on the score sheet can I say a big thank you as you are an important member of the TEAM results.

YORKSHIRE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

U13 Douglas Roberts – 9th U13 Scarlett Gray – 8th

U15 Phil Fitzpatrick – 4th U13 Jo Adams – 18th

U15 Chris Andrade – DNF Sprained ankle U13 Rosie Adams – 27th

U17 Nick Zissler – 12th first race back! U13 Sophie Broadway – 40th

This meant Phil, Scarlett, Jessie and Louise all gained their Yorkshire Vests and ran at the Inter-Counties - Well Done!U13G – 4th teamU15G – 5th teamSen. Ladies – 4th team U13 Katie Roberts – 46th

U13 Lindsey Johnston – 50th

U13 Leanne Shaw – 55th

U13 Jessica Gray – DNF fell and injured

U15 Jessie Roberts – 1st Yorkshire Champ!

U15 Georgina Zissler – 33rd

U15 Ashleigh Robinson – 36th

U15 Jade Cawthray – DNF injured

Sen. Louise Jackson – 7th

Sen. Andrea Woodvine – 15th

Sen. Rachel Robinson – 35th

Sen. Fiona Hughes – 71st

NORTHERN CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

U13 Douglas Roberts – 27th U13 Scarlett Gray – 32nd

U15 Phil Fitzpatrick – 33rd U13 Jo Adams – 39th

U17 Nick Zissler – 52nd U13 Jessica Gray – 40th

U13G – 8th teamU15G – 11th team U13 Rosie Adams – 27th

U13 Sophie Broadway – 87th

U13 Rosie Adams – 99th

U15 Jessie Roberts – 16th

U15 Georgina Zissler – 75th

U15 Jade Cawthray – 78th

U15 Leah Jackson – 100th

U15 Ashleigh Robinson – 105th

JL Andrea Woodvine - ?15th

Sen. Louise Jackson – 39th

Sen. Fiona Hughes – 176th

ENGLISH SCHOOLS

Inter Boy – Phil Fitzpatrick finished 178th

Junior Girls – Jessie Roberts finished 12th, Jo Adams finished 162nd and Scarlett Gray 212th.

NYSD LEAGUE

U13 Douglas Roberts – 7th U13 Scarlett Gray – 3rd

U15 Phil Fitzpatrick – 7th U13 Jo Adams – 4th

U15 Chris Andrade – 15th U13 Jessica Gray – 5th

U17 Nick Zissler – 7th U13 Sophie Broadway – 8th

U13B – 6th teamU13G – 1st teamU15B – 4th teamU15G – 4th teamSenior Ladies – 2nd team U13 Rosie Adams – 13th

U15 Jessie Roberts – 1st

U15 Jade Cawthray – 15th

U15 Ashleigh Robinson – 21st

Sen. Louise Jackson – 1st

Sen. Fiona Hughes – 17th

V1 Judith Fowden – 15th

As I said pretty amazing results!!!

This cross-country season has been a pleasure looking after the boys and girls (and Senior Ladies), watching everyone improve as the season progressed. Thank you to everyone for your commitment, and the parents for chauffeuring, and I wish you continued success through the athletics season. Do not forget we are in a Young Athlete’s League, boys and girls together, and information will be distributed any day now!! I am the Girls team Manager and Faye Chilton is the boys and we are both looking forward to a fun and successful league! Also there is a new structure to the NYSD track league – information will be posted on our notice board.

Yours in sport! Fiona

Fiona Hughes Coach, X-C Teams Manager & T&F Team Manager

SENIOR MEN - TRACK & FIELD

After last years promotion we find ourselves in division 3NE. The opposition is as follows; Birtley, Houghton and Peterlee, Hartlepool, Morpeth B and Seaton.

Fixtures:

3rd May, Middlesborough [we are host club]

8th June, Carlisle

5th July, Jarrow

2nd August, again at Jarrow

There is also the first round of the Knock-Out Plate competition in July, in which we did so well last year - date and venue to be confirmed.

We need communication of your availability. Already I have our VIOs [Very Important Officials] committed for most matches - the points they give us are just as valuable as the athletes. Your preferences for events and any individual needs you may have can be sorted out in advance by ringing or e-mailing me.

Finally I would just like to wish every one the very best for their summer competition and good luck.

Shaun Purkiss T&F Manager

PS At long last I will be a vet this August so I will have justification in looking and running like one!