“What a team, what a club”

English Schools National Track and Field Athletics Championships

 

Report: Paul Bearman

The final part of the school’s athletics pathway, the English Schools (ESAA) National Track and Field Athletics Championships were held at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham last weekend and the 5 Stratford athletes in the Warwickshire squad Annie Silvers (300m Hurdles), Will Hovell and Seb Hillard (400m Hurdles), Alex Wood (400m) and Sam Lambert (1500m) all played their part in Warwickshire finishing 3rd in the  category C (small county) championship.

These are the 4th biggest athletics competition in the world with nearly 2000 of England’s top young athletes from 46 counties competing over two days in blistering heat. 

The ESAA programme runs like clockwork by the top notch team of Officials, with heats and finals on the track and field all over the stadium throughout.

Qualifying for the championships is a tough enough ask and to step up to this national level is very hard, but once again Stratford athletes proved worthy and capable of competing against the very best athletes in England. 

An unprecedented 18 new championship best performances were set that illustrated the incredibly high standard of competitors involved.

Inter boy Alex Wood was first on the track of the Stratford contingent.

“For me it was a great comeback year after the disappointment of last year’s ESAA competition when I suffered a hip avulsion fracture in the 300m. I ran a 50.67 PB in the 400 despite some questionable race modelling again but can’t complain. Amazing result in the mixed 4x100m relay to come away with a silver medal and running the second fastest time the competition has ever seen is a surreal feeling. Next year looks exciting”

Next up came the long hurdle heats and Annie Silvers competed in the 300m Hurdles and was the first of an unprecedented 3 Stratford long hurdlers at the champs.

“After competing in the 800m last year, the weekend was a new and great experience competing in a completely different event and it was amazing to run against some really talented athletes. I was fairly happy with my race apart from the penultimate hurdle when I was tired and trying a bit too hard and lost my rhythm. I came 5th in my heat in a time of 46,79s and I am motivated to work even harder for next year as I move up to 400m hurdles”.

Combined eventer Will Hovell followed in the Inter boys 400m Hurdles.

“This was my first major individual national championships, and it was such a great experience and I loved every minute of it. Unfortunately, my performance wasn’t as strong as I would have liked it to be finishing 7th in my heat in a time of 59.76s but it didn’t take away from the amazement of being there and competing..

Being on the younger side of the age group, I’ve got next year and I’m ready to put in the hard work to get to the champs again.

Following Will, Seb Hillard competed in the senior 400m hurdles.

“This event was my first time I had made it to the English Schools making it such an amazing experience. Although my race didn’t go quite as well as I hoped, finishing 6th in my heat in a time of 57.70s, it has given me fuel to work even harder over the winter training period.

Being my first season competing in the 400m hurdles I’m happy with how I have done so far this year, competing against some of the best athletes in the country. Now to focus on my final few races of the year and continue improving my performances into next season and looking forward to the ESAA Combined Events champs in September.

Sam Lambert was running probably at the height of the heat in the Inter 1500m

“The heat was a battle and I made it to the final finishing 6th in 4.08.35 but what an experience it was to make it to the final which was my main aim from last year.

To be able to be led out to the final start line by our younger volunteer athletes and Danny Tolhurst from the club was both an honour and a privilege.

The final was, as expected, tough and tactical especially having a fall coming on to the bell lap which put me off by messing up any rhythm but it happens to anyone.

After finishing 8th in a time of 4.07.22 and to come away with 8th overall in England is incredible and I will come back stronger next year for sure”.

As coaches we couldn’t be more proud of these 5 athletes ,plus Zak Lambert as a reserve, and their achievements and determination to come stronger next year but there’s no let up with the England Athletics Champs still to come and look forward to in August.

The Stratford Volunteer Army.

Report: Paul Bearman, Lucy Edwards and Danny Tolhurst:

In addition to our competitors, Carolyne Johnston put together an enthusiastic team of 22 athletes and 5 coaches/parents (Lucy Edwards, Danny Tolhurst, Becks Ledgard, Eleanor Nabney and Madeline Birch) who endured temperatures in the early 30s while volunteering.

Challenge of the day – bucket management! Their role was to collect the competing athletes’ kit and drinks and lead them from the call room into the stadium for their events. Delivering them safely to their start lines and ensuring they were well-watered and supported. It was hot and often heavy work, but excellent fun and inspirational.

The highlight of the day was the parade, where we walked out together in our Stratford AC club kit and proudly acknowledged the thanks given by the 46 counties and the thousands of supporters. We especially enjoyed meeting Denise Lewis who was pleased to join us all for a picture.

After the parade we were able to walk Sam Lambert out to his start line for the 1500m final and watch the incredibly exciting race trackside.

It was such a privilege for us all to represent Stratford AC at such a prestigious event and hopefully our young volunteers will have been inspired to compete at the ESAA champs themselves one day.

In addition Sue Mothershaw said afterwards” once again we had positive comments about the number of volunteers we provide and how smart we look. What a team, what a club”.