Hi all, Please see the attached example of good practice within the
network based on the first of many commissioning projects to Manchester
Athletics Clubs to facilitate links to local communities. Thanks, Ceri
Richardson
Manchester and M60 Athletics Network Coordinator
Manchester
Regional Arena, Eastlands Gate 13, Rowsley Street, Manchester, M11
3FF
Telephone: 0161 220 3855
Email:
c.richardson@manchester.gov.uk
Mobile: 07534 223392
To find your
nearest club visit: www.sportinthecity.co.uk
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Manchester Harriers & AC
Easter Star:track Holiday 2012
Manchester Health Academy
This is our ninth year of staging the AVIVA ACADEMY STARTRACK Indoor Athletic
Sessions and they are getting more and more popular every year, with over 100
youngsters take part aged 7-15 years. All from the local community and a great turn
out.
Each youngster on the scheme received a ‘Goodie Bag’ – a useful backpack
containing T-Shirt, Cap, Water Bottle and Mini Vortex – courtesy of AVIVA & UK
Athletics.
Both weeks from of the Easter Break were held at Manchester Health Academy,
Wythenshawe, Manchester and disciplines covered included Javelin, Shot Putt,
Discus, soft hammer, hurdles, mini hurdles, Speed Bounce running over 60m, 75m,
80m, 100m and 200m, 300m, 400m, 600m, 800m, and the standing long jump, vertical
jump and the new vortex howler, with many more over the week. Youngsters attending
can try out all the events and most will see improvement throughout the week learning
some skills and having fun on the way, meeting new friends and gaining a very positive
experience of Athletics.
The weather on both weeks varied from blue skies to pouring rain but we were able to
make every session fun and varied, using Sportshall events if raining mixed with some
agility sessions and making the most of the outdoors when fine. Luckily we have had
some great days and made the most of the weather, over the weeks we have seen
youngsters of abilities through the sessions and hopefully given everyone of them the
encouragement needed to get involved in athletics and perhaps one day we will see
them competing for the club and maybe the country!!
On our final day of each week, we were very fortunate to have the help of Carl Locke,
from QUAD KIDS who came along to assist with the session courtesy of England
Athletics. Carl came along to hold one of the new athletic competition formats for both
Schools and athletic club use, for youngsters from year 3 up to and including year 7’s.
Should you fancy looking at this please go to the website. The weather was great and
everyone really had a great time. At the end of the session Carl Locke and Debbie Beresford
gave out all the Aviva Academy Awards to all the youngsters to reward the
effort and ability shown by every youngster who attended the course.
Every youngster taking part was encouraged to come along and join Manchester
Harriers & A.C. They were given information on our activities and where and when we
meet. As a Club we hope to encourage more youngsters into the sport and help them
achieve a healthier lifestyle.
The Club could not do this without our Coaches, Officials and Helpers all of whom are
unpaid volunteers who give up their time to help promote Athletics within the
Manchester Boroughs. So, a very big thank you to everyone who helped to put on the
AVIVA STARTRACK weeks, we could not do it without them and the amount of free
time they commit to the club and promotion of Athletics. Our coaches really enjoy
taking the sessions each year and come back year on year to help out, it is a
opportunity for experienced coaches to pass on their knowledge to the newer/younger
coaches and results in a much stronger relationship within the club and a real team
spirit.
We have had further support from Manchester Leisure & the Manchester Athletic
Network who have given us much needed support for our Aviva Startrack sessions,
also Manchester Health Academy for the use of the School Sportshall facility and
grounds. Manchester Harriers & A.C. have get a great deal of support from being part
of the McCain Manchester Athletic Network which is a group of MANCHESTER clubs
working together to promote Athletics in and around Manchester and the wider Greater
Manchester area. The Network is a great asset as we exchange ideas and work
together on some projects to help Athletic grow and give youngsters, parents and
volunteers a very positive and professional experience.
