Due to the ongoing Covid restrictions it was not possible to hold the traditional indoor Awards Evening for all BRAT members. Not to be disheartened, the Junior’s held an outdoor event at the track following their Sunday morning training session.
The weather held, the Christmas tunes played, mince pies were eaten and the applause kept coming.
A special thanks goes out to Julie Smith for organising the event, Martin Ludford for getting the trophies engraved and set-up and Gordon Ainsley for collating all the results. A collection was made for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where £100 was raised.
Before the awards were announced, Gordon highlighted all the members who had broken Club records – 28 had been broken in total, some multiple times!
Congratulations to the following:-
Club Record Breakers:
James Marshall (Masters) 8 x all at 800m
Lucie Tait-Harris (Masters) 7 from 800m to 5000m
Karl Welborn (Masters) 5 from 5km to Marathon
Isla O’Connor (U15) 2 x Triple Jump
Lily Smith (U15) 1 x Long Jump
Bonheur Tschibola (U15) 1 x 75m Hurdles
Rachel Gifford (SW) 1 x 1500m
Becki Timmings (SW) 1 x 5km Road Race
Paul Coughlan (M50 – 59) 10 Mile and Half Marathon
AAA Awards
The first set of presentations was for athletes who had achieved AAA Standards. These are to recognise achievements in individual events – there are certificates for Seniors, U23s and U20s and certificates and badges for younger age groups (U17 – U13). They are to encourage every athlete to target the next standard and to encourage athletes when moving up from one age group to the next; particularly when athletes leave the junior rankings, i.e. enter U23 rankings.
The Standards are as follows:
Standard 1: top 7.5% of performances in the UK
Standard 2: top 15% of performances in the UK
Standard 3: top 30% of performances in the UK
Standard 4 (U17, U15, U13 only): top 65% of performances in the UK
Congratulations to the following athletes:-
MEN
Standard 1
Senior Men David Lima for 200m 21.39 at Worthing on 02/05/21; also Grade 2 for 60m 7.00 at Loughborough on 13/02/21; also Grade 2 for 100m 10.74 at Dagenham on 25/04/21
Senior Men Adam Peacock for 800m 1.51.46 at Stretford on 24/08/21; also Grade 1 for 1500m 3.48.01 at Birmingham on 31/07/21; also Grade 2 for 3000m 8.20.01 at Birmingham on 14/07/21; also Grade 3 for 5000m 14.56.5 at Cheltenham on 21/07/21
Junior Men U20 Joshua Hale for 400m 48.93 at Nuneaton on 13/06/21
U15 Jamie Keene for 800m 2.05.95 at Stretford on 31/08/21
Standard 2
U15 Nathaniel Walker for 100m 11.8 at Stourport on 03/07/21; also Grade 3 for High Jump 1.60 at Stourport on 03/07/21; also Grade 4 for Long Jump 5.18 at Stourport on 03/07/21
U15 Jamie Callaghan for Hammer 42.29 at Wrexham on 25/09/21; also Grade 4 for 300m 42.2 at Sutton Coldfield on 19/06/21; also Grade 4 for Discus 28.22 at Nuneaton on 01/05/21
Standard 3
Senior Men Henry Brocklehurst for 1500m 3.57.01 at Birmingham on 31/07/21; also Grade 3 for 3000m 8.28.70 at Birmingham on 14/07/21
Senior Men U23 Khari Mitchell-Lewis for 100m 11.1 at Nuneaton on 15/08/21
Junior Men U20 Dan Hindle for 400m 50.65 at Nuneaton on 31/07/21
Junior Men U20 John Stolberg for 2000m S/C 6.24.74 at Loughborough on 24/07/21
U15 Jacob Gosnall for High Jump 1.60 at Cheltenham on 18/09/21; also Grade 3 for 300m 39.7 at Cheltenham on 18/09/21; also Grade 4 for 200m 25.55 at Stourport on 31/07/21
U13 Robert Lee for 100m 13.3 at Much Wenlock on 26/09/21; also Grade 3 for Long Jump 4.48 at Much Wenlock on 26/09/21; also Grade 4 for 200m 28.8 at Much Wenlock on 26/09/21
Standard 4
U13 Anthony Golding for 100m 13.8 at Much Wenlock on 26/09/21
U13 Dylan Gargett for Shot 7.23 at Much Wenlock on 26/09/21
WOMEN
Standard 1
U15 Lily Smith for Long Jump 5.27 at Stourport on 03/07/21: also Grade 3 for 100m 12.94 in Nuneaton on 01/08/21; also Grade 3 for 200m 26.75 at Nuneaton on 31/07/21; also Grade 4 for Shot 7.95 in Leamington on 26/08/21
Standard 2
U15 Bonheur Tshibola for Shot 9.92 at Leamington on 26/08/21; also Grade 3 for 300m 43.6 in Stourport on 03/07/21; also Grade 3 for 75m hurdles 12.44 at Nuneaton on 22/08/21; also Grade 4 for 200m 27.7 at Much Wenlock on 26/09/21
U13 Evie Rendell for High Jump 1.35 at Telford on 11/09/21; also Grade 3 for Long Jump 4.21 at Nuneaton on 01/08/21; also Grade 4 for 100m 14.3 at Cheltenham on 18/09/21; also Grade 4 for 200m 30.39 at Kettering on 21/08/21; also Grade 4 for Shot 6.83 at Nuneaton on 01/08/21; also Grade 4 Javelin 18.03 at Kettering on 21/08/21
Standard 3
Senior Women Rachel Gifford for 1500m 4.37.74 at Birmingham on 09/06/21; also Grade 3 for 3000m 10.03.59 at Birmingham on 14/07/21
Senior Women Molly Brown for 3000m 10.01.85 at Milton Keynes on 22/05/21
Senior Women Becki Timmings for 3000m 10.04.86 at Birmingham on 14/07/21
U17 Tywana Kuluziza for 100m 12.79 at Nuneaton on 01/08/21
U15 Isla O’Connor for Triple Jump 9.78 at Nuneaton on 31/07/31; also Grade 4 for 200m 27.4 at Much Wenlock on 26/09/21; also Grade 4 for Long Jump 4.46 at Cheltenham on 18/09/21; also Grade 4 for Shot 8.10 in Much Wenlock on 26/09/21
Standard 4
U17 Maisie Scamp for 300m 43.7 at Sutton Coldfield on 19/06/21
U15 Nancy Foster-Jones for 100m 13.37 at Nuneaton on 01/08/21
U15 Lara Stevens for 800m 2.26.3 at Sutton Coldfield on 19/06/21
U15 Ruby Smith for Discus 20.32 at Cheltenham on 18/09/21
U15 May Smith for 300m 45.6 at Nuneaton on 01/08/21; also Grade 4 for Shot 8.40 in Leamington on 26/08/21
U15 Diaz McKenzie for 75m Hurdles 13.04 at Nuneaton on 31/07/21
U13 T’yana Josephs for 100m 14.4 at Much Wenlock on 26/09/21; also Grade 4 for 200m 30.51 at Telford on 11/09/21; also Grade 4 for 150m 21.83 at Birmingham on 14/07/21
U13 Kenyah Reddin for 100m 14.5 at Stourport on 08/08/21; also Grade 4 for 200m 30.6 at Stourport on 08/08/21
U13 Alba Smith-Pena for 1500m 5.35.7 at Stourport on 03/07/21
Club Championships
The Awards then moved on to the Club Championships. A record 73 athletes had taken part, and the results were based on performances recorded in meetings sanctioned by the UKA throughout the year. Points scored across U11’s and U13’s best 3 events are used, and for U15’s and U17’s it’s their best 4 events.
This year the U15 girls was the most keenly supported group, with 16 athletes in total. Very close contests ensued in the U13 and U15 girls’ groups, which resulted in a tie for 1st place in the U15’s. Unfortunately no U17 boy competed in 4 events, so there were no winners.
Congratulations to the following:-
|
Group |
Athlete |
Position |
|
U11 Girls |
Josephine Colclough |
3 |
|
Oshi Knox |
2 |
|
|
Leanna Rendell |
1 |
|
|
U11 Boys |
Tiernan Clark |
3 |
|
Mustopha bailey |
2 |
|
|
Oliver Knight |
1 |
|
|
U13 Girls |
Alba Smith -Pena and Amira Emery |
3= |
|
T’yana Josephs |
2 |
|
|
Evie Rendell |
1 |
|
|
U13 Boys |
Dylan Gargett |
3 |
|
Anthony Golding |
2 |
|
|
Robert Lee |
1 |
|
|
U 15 Girls |
Isla O’Connor |
3 |
|
Lily Smith |
1= |
|
|
Bonheur Tshibola |
1= |
|
|
U15 Boys |
Niklas Van Mourik |
3 |
|
Jacob Gosnall |
2 |
|
|
Jamie Callaghan |
1 |
|
|
U17 Girls |
Lilian Smith |
3 |
|
Keira Valentine |
2 |
|
|
Maisie Scamp |
1 |
Main Awards
There were 10 Awards to be presented in this section. The first were relatively new for the Juniors, but it is hoped that Triathon goes from strength to strength.
Congratulations to all those nominated and to the winners.
Best Junior
Triathlete – Female – Alba Smith-Pena
In 2021 Alba competed as Tristar 3 at the Junior West Midland Triathlon Mini Series. At the Sandwell Junior Triathlon, the second open water triathlon she ever did, she qualified to represent the West Midlands at the IRC-Inter Regional Championships. She competed at the IRC in September, finishing 47th on Tristar3 in the UK . She was one of the little ones in Tristar 3 at the nationals, so she will be on the same category next year. She has finished the season as the second best Tristar 3 girl within the West Midlands, just behind Patience Lamb who is the 3rd in the UK. She has been invited to join the West Midlands Triathlon Junior Development Group again this year.
Best Junior
Triathlete – Male – Jeremy MacLean
Jeremy competed in the Eton Dorney Sprint where he came 3rd in the U20 category, and the Sandwell Regional Super Sprint where he was 1st overall. He went on to the English AG Sprint Championships where he was the 1st U20. He has also competed in a couple of Duathlons, namely the Bedford Autodorme AG World Qualifiers where he finished 4th U20 and Castle Combe where he was 1st overall.
Cross Country Award Young
Athlete Male – Reuban Kite
NOMINATIONS: Tom Burdett, Morgan Hill, Reuben Kite, William Walker
Our leading runner in the West Midlands Young Athletes League who finished 6th and 9th in 2 meetings, 3rd in
the County Championships, 78th in the Intercounties County Championships, and 92nd in the English Schools Championships.
Cross Country Award Young Athlete Female – Alba Smith-Pena
NOMINATIONS: Esme Abrahams, Poppy Close, Lauren Hevey, Alba Smith -Pena
In the West Midlands Young Athletes League Alba finished 19th overall. As you are aware, this club is run entirely by volunteers without whom there would be no club; therefore, it is important that they should be recognised. In athletics we are pleased that several parents have stepped forward recently to become more involved, but we are still seeking further assistance in both coaching and officiating, across all disciplines.
GUY HARRISON AWARD ( For Services to Club) – Female – Helen Callaghan
NOMINATIONS: Molly Browne, Catherine Bone, Julie Smith, Helen Callaghan, Eloise Lee
Helen works behind the scenes to support the club with web site reports and has taken on the role of AAA Standards Coordinator. She has also been a Field Official at a number of open meetings.
GUY HARRISON AWARD ( For Services to Club) – Male – Colin Bailey
NOMINATIONS: Nigel Clegg, Richard Gray, Colin Bailey,
Colin has worked tirelessly with the Junior athletes in the role of Junior Academy Coordinator, helping the club go from strength to strength. He has helped pioneer a new online booking systems and streamlined the comms. There are more Junior athletes than ever before (over 100), and their performances across multiple disciplines have made
the club one to be recognised in the West Midlands. He has secured coaching assistance which makes the sessions more structured and has also taken on the role of Heart of England Team Manager.
TAFF HEIR SHIELD – (Outstanding performance by U17 in a Championship) – FEMALE – Lily Smith
NOMINATIONS: Isla O’Connor, Lily Smith, May Smith, Bonheur Tschibola
We have had some excellent performances from our U15 girls this year, which is our strongest section at present. Lily was 6th in the Long Jump at the National Championships, having also won the County, County Schools and Midland Championships in the same event. Isla won both the County and Midland Championships in the Triple Jump, breaking the club record, Bonheur broke the club record in the 75mH at the Midland Championships and May was 4th in the Shot at the Midland Championships.
TAFF HEIR SHIELD – (Outstanding performance by U17 in a Championship) – MALE – Jamie Callaghan
NOMINATIONS: Jamie Callaghan, Jacob Gosnall, Zac Humphries, Jamie Keene, Robert Lee, Reuban Kite
Again, some excellent performances across all age groups. Jamie had a superb year winning Hammer and Discus at County, County Schools and Midland Championships, whilst coming 9th at the English Schools Championships Reuben had an excellent cross country season culminating in his 92nd place at the English Schools Championships and 78th at the Intercounties Championships. Jacob demonstrated his versatility by winning the County Championships at 200 and 300m, was 2nd in the Long Jump at the West Midlands Schools Championships and 3rd in the High Jump at the Midland Championships. Zac won the West Midlands Schools spring hurdles and was third in both County and Midland Championships. U13 Robert Lee came 2nd in the Midlands Quadrathlon Championships.
FRANK CULL CUP – (Most improved athlete) – Female – Isla O’Connor
NOMINATIONS: Poppy Close, Katie Collis, Isla O’Connor, Tywana Kuluzizi, Erin McDaid, Alba Smith-Pena, Lily Smith, May Smith, Ruby Smith, Becki Timmings
This is a very difficult category to judge as we are trying to compare improvements of sprinters with distance runners and those competing in the technical events. More athletes than those mentioned have made excellent progress this year so well done to you all, even if you haven’t been named. This year’s winner, Isla, has shown significant improvement across 4 events from sprinting to Triple Jump and High Jump achieving a club record in the Triple Jump.
NEDDY HINMAN TROPHY – (Most improved athlete) – Male – Jacob Gosnall
NOMINATIONS: Jamie Callaghan, Jacob Gosnall, Dan Hindle, James Marshall, Adam Peacock, John Stolberg, William Walker, Karl Welborn
The number of nominees highlights how difficult it is to judge this category and congratulations to all of you who have improved this year even though I may not have named you tonight. It is expected that youngsters will improve year on year as they master athletic techniques, become stronger and faster as they grow , but to carry on improving beyond senior level is much more difficult, so congratulations to those masters nominated. This year’s winner, Jacob, is a young athlete who has shown significant improvement across sprints, High Jump and Long Jump achieving AAA gradings in the process.
Congratulations to all athletes and thank you to Brendan MacLean and Toby Gosnall for the photographs.
