Sorry for the slow summary on Regionals, I think I only just recovered. Imagine how the athletes feel. Thanks to Leone for all of her Instagram updates.
It was fantastic to see the athletes perform so well. There were incredible performances everywhere. Mal did a great job at the warm-up area over two long days. Even our poor walkers performed well and dealt with the disappointment where we had at least four athletes get carded out after finishing in first or second. More time is needed with Anne I reckon. Thanks also to Jemima, John, Leo, Ghaoorisha, Richard and Phoebe for their work on our duties for the club over two long challenging days.
I have clearly been around a while and remember my first Regionals in 2016 trying to squeeze into the small tent, on hot day under the power pole beside the car park at Sylvania. Robert still talks about it! At the end of that event, we had 29 athletes progress to States and we ended up with 5 medals from State with no relays progressing. The comparison to this year is interesting, where Eastern Suburbs will have 38 progressing to state including our Regional Record setting Junior relay team. After organising the caps for us, Bec is organising a jacket this year for the State Team so we may be in touch about sizing.
It is also awesome to see four Senior Girls progress to State in their last year with us. Well done Lara, Larisa, Gabriella and Eden. You are all talented athletes and we are lucky to have had you represent the club.
Henry, Capri, Chloe, Marnie, Aria, Harvey and Rory all made it to State in four events which is shows their talent across the events. To break a Regional Record is a real achievement, so well done and lets hope they stay there for a while. The Regional Record breakers were Marnie for the 70m and 200m , Harvey and Hugo in the 80m hurdles, Evan in the 400m and the Junior Girls Relay of Billie, Marnie, Aria and Elizabeth. That record was held by a very good Balmain team so well done to our girls.
I reckon Instagram has most of the other athletes covered but if you haven’t already please send Leone your photo from the weekend. I will say I have watched a lot of athletics competitions over the years and what stood out for me was how well the ESLAC athletes competed. You can also see it in the consistency of results between zone and regionals, even though zone had very favourable sprint conditions. Clearly a result of talent, encouragement, coaching and application.
The Under 8’s were awesome. Regionals is daunting and we have one of the strongest Regionals in the State. Many of our State Medalists in the older ages did not win the under 8 medals at Regionals, so I encourage all of our under 8’s to continue to pursue competition. Well done Charlotte, Sienna, Nicholas, Aoife, Destiny, Sebastien, Lachlan and Zara. We hope to see you back there next year and progressing to State for the first time.
Coaching
Our coaching options with Mal Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday continue with Leo and Maxim on Fridays. Mal’s sessions will continue through winter and there will be a winter training levy to join him. This will commence Tuesday 22 March and the levy for winter will be $150.
Jemima will start a Sunday 1500-1700 at Queens park throws group supported by the club. I will work out the levy once we know the numbers. To lock in a spot text Jemima on 0452 653 763 please note it will be a group coaching, not private sessions.
Also, I am close to having a distance coach to support our distance athletes that aren’t already coached outside the club.
Anne will help us for walks and I will also see if I can get some 400m sessions for our 400m crew going to state.
ESLAC Sprint Gift Sunday 13 March 1000 – 1300
Finally, on Sunday 13 March there will be a gift or “Pro” Race at Mackay Oval from 0900-1300 run by the NSW Athletic League run by Brian Wright who is also at our club. We have secured the ESLAC Boys sprint gift and the ESLAC Girls sprint gift. All those that ran the 70m or 100m at Regionals are eligible. The races are handicapped, so I am looking forward to Nicholas our under 8 100m gold medallist taking on James or Ryan our under 11 and 12 gold medalists for a prize.
More details will follow but for the sprinters put it in the diary. It is a great racing opportunity a week before State. I will also try to secure a handicapped 300m race for our State 400m representatives.
Again all parents, carers, coaches and most importantly the athletes should feel proud of how they performed at Regionals.
Regards
Drew
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