News

The final match of the Welsh Junior League, (WJL) was held in Newport last Saturday. After fine warm weather since May, normal weather service applied last weekend with heavy rain showers and gale force gusts of wind. With the holiday season in full swing, meant Team Managers were struggling to field a competive team.

Nevertheless team managers using athletes resources wisely, managed a good team result, finishing 3rd at Newport and 2nd overall of 9 clubs, after the 4 WJL competitions, Cardiff Archers lead the way, who were strong in U11 and U15 age groups. However Cardiff's U13B won the trophy for the best age group in the 4 matches. Hence picture of winning trophy showned.

Once again a huge thank you to all of our WJL team managers of the 3 age groups, U11, U13, U15. There was strong vocal support from team managers, parents, and fellow athletes, helping competing club athletes in their events.

As Welsh Athletics have a comprehensive report written by a Carmarthen member, and our club Facebook reports, thought a view from one attending event at Pembrey Park last Saturday. Arrived in car park before 10.30am, changed into more kit as it was pouring with rain. Then a long walk over road park land to start, finish area. The rain persisted most of day with a cold wind. By the time the first started was already getting wet despite wearing plenty of water proof gear, that at end day, needed new water proof bottoms.  

Cardiff's team for the YDL AREA FINAL in Newport on Sunday, has the lowest number of athletes who are competing. 

Debbie Bull U17/U20M, requires athletes to contact her ASAP.

Jennifer Stone U17/20W, urgently needs endurance runners with many events without A or B string athletes. Also U20W throwers are required.

Gail Gaskin needs U17 hurdlers, only 1 100mH and 1 300mH so far. Also only has 1l U17 High Jumper.

In the Area Final, only first 2 teams qualify for final at Bedford in August. Strong teams are taking part, including:-

Birchfield Harriers

Rugby & Northampton

Team Avon

Team DC

Team managers main problem besides athletes on holidays, is the closure of the stadium while refurbishment of the inner field area and track takes place. Team managers do not have normal face to face contact with athletes, as athlete groups are training at different locations, in the Cardiff & Vale area.

A recent great team result by our YDL lower age group, with reduced numbers taking part, finished 2nd. Sunday's UK weather forecast is rain, no sun bathing weather, never a problem in competing, just like the last match at Exeter, when the team had a good result. Please support your club Volunteer Team Manager.

British Athletics is sending 102 athletes (The largest GB team for over a 100 years) to the Senior European Championships held in Berlin during August. Wales has 8 athletes in the British team, the most since 1986.

Cardiff AAC has 4 athletes in GB team.

1. 3000ms/c         Ieuan Thomas  (James Thie).

2. 10,000m          Charlotte Arter  (Chris Jones).

3. 20km Walk       Bethan Davies   (Andi Drake).

4. 400m Relay      Owen Smith      (Matt Elias).

Congratulations, and good luck to all Cardiff members competing in Berlin.

Cardiff's Youth Develoment League (U13/U15) match last Saturday was a critical match, as the team needed a really good result to prevent relegation. Thanks to the hard working Team managers, not helped by school holidays, meaning many athletes were not available to compete in Yate.

Nevertheless as Amjad Mohsin reported on club FB that an incredible team result was achieved. The final team scores showed how important every point scored is valuable to team, a lesson to all club teams. Thank you Amjad for photo of some of the team members, some team members went off before photo was taken.

Mike Farrell commented on the very vocal travelling support (parents and team managers) for team athletes in their competitions.   

This year, Cardiff AAC will be 50yrs old, created from the club's AGM in November 1968. Many changes of personnel and stadium locations have taken place, since the almalgamation of Roath Harriers and Birchgrove Harriers. Originally based at Maindy Stadium (both clubs) that  had a cinders track, we later moved to a new stadium in Leckwith, now Cardiff City FC stadium. Our current location, is to the current stadium, opposite the Leckwith Retail Park.The Club General Committee has decided to hold a 50th anniversary Club Dinner, to be held in the Cardiff CFC stadium, with free parking available.

The dinner with take place on Friday 2nd November 2018 7pm till late.

Tickets are available from the club office. Ticket sales and enquiries can be made to Mark Gold Club Manager, email office@cardiffaac.org. Office phone 07549651424.

Club Chairman Bernie Plain (who is co ordinating ticket sales) can be contacted for inquiries.      

This evening will be the last Academy session before the summer break. Certificates have been handed out to Academy members this week at Monday, Tuesday, and this evening session. In total 215 young members have attended the three evening sessions.

The new term will start on Monday 10th September, as will this evening session, the Academy training will take place in the Dome. The refurbishment work that has started this week at the stadium, the football pitch will be completed first, before work on the track commences. The new track will not be completed (new surface, and lined) for training sessions, until mid September.

The club office that runs the Academy, (Gayle Farrell, Administrator), and (Club Manager, Mark Gold), who handles all other club inquiries. Due to summer holidays, the club office will close on Friday 3rd August. Office will open on Monday 27th August.

During this timescale, club Chairman Bernie Plain, will be available to take phone calls (07976 368543) re any urgent issues.    

As from today the track at Cardiff International Sports Stadium, at Leckwith, is not available for training. Over the next 2 months the track and infield will be refurbished, therefore will not be available for training until mid September. The Club Room will operate as normal on club nights, Monday and Thursdays. The Academy training will be held 6pm to 7pm, inside the Dome Unit opposite the track. The Dome Unit can be used by senior groups from 7pm.

Club Chairman Bernie Plain, has agreed an arrangement with Barry Harriers Secretary Fred Malkin, that Cardiff athletes can use Jenner Park for Training on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6pm to 8pm. Entrance to stadium via Gladstone Road.

Bernie Plain will make inquiries whether it is possible that club athletes can train at Jenner Park on oher evenings. Bernie thanked Fred Malkin for being so helpful towards our club athletes, during disuption of club training while refurburbishment takes place.

Charge per athlete for Jenner Park training will be £1.50. Some MD groups will meet in Club room, and train in local parks.    

Cardiff's Senior Womens Team Manager Sharon Hevaron, reported last Thursday before Sundays Division 1 match (2) in London, that her team was very strong. Saw Sharon near end of Saturdays Welsh Schools Championships in Cardiff. Sharon was looking worried. Met Sharon as she was leaving stadium, asked how her team was, her reply was team is in tatters.

Imagine my surprise upon seeing on club FB page, that Cardiff's UKWL team had won the second match in London. Andrew Seary BAL Team manager went with tee shirts for the team, and took a couple of team photos. Had to wait till team results were posted on Power of 10 to see team individual results. No team positions are available at moment. Once results were sighted, it was no surprise the team had won the match. With (9) 1st places won in A and B events. Team also had (5) 2nd places, thus were stacking up a good number of team points. 

Like the men's BAL team, the UKWL ladies team members also doubled up on events. The only event not covered was s/c, only 3 club runners took part in s/c, an event that few runners concentrate on. 

It was no surprise that Cardiff's Senior men's Premier League team finished 7th out of 8 teams last Saturday in Bedford, with only Swansea Harriers (8th place) already in relegation position. Unless Cardiif can raise a decent team for the final fixture on the 4th August in London, they will be relegated.

There are many reasons why athletes do not compete in BAL team, yet on paper our senior men should be able to compete with the top teams in the Premier League. Rather than holding a post mortum on last Saturdays result, far better to be positive, and work towards supporting BAL Team manager Andrew Seary, and Club Captain Brett Morse, in fielding a team that will retain our place in the BAL Premier League in 2019.   

Those that did turn out last Saturday did their best, plenty of athletes doubling up in events to gain points that may well count in keeping our BAL team in the Premier League. Brett Morse was not well, yet competed in three events. He was beaten for first time in BAL meetings, in his main event throwing the Discus, with Shaftesburt Barnet Nicolas Percy fine throw of 63.17, with Brett best throw being 56.66. Brett also took part in Hammer and Shot Putt events.