News
Congratulations to Reading ACs Jess Gibbon who finishes strongly to win the national cross country title at Parliament Hill on 27 Feb 2022.
Jess’s victory made history for Reading AC being the first women’s victory in the club’s history over what is recognised as the toughest course in the country.
Well done to Jess.
Please see the link below to the event page where the match reports and photos are located.
Match reports and photos from the Hampshire League Cross Country Meeting at Prospect Park are available by following the link below.
A few Reading AC athletes have been in action at the England Athletics Senior and U20 combined events championships, and BMC track races, in Sheffield on 8 & 9 January 2022.
In his first year as an U20, Sammy Ball (Coach: Mike Dyer) managed to break the English indoor heptathlon record by 92 points scoring 5,602 points and placing him third on the UK all-time list. In a high-powered competition the winning athlete, Scotland’s Murray Fotheringham in his final year in the age group, attained the Scottish record and second place on the UK all-time list.
On the track Sammy improved his 60m PB to 7.07 secs and his 1,000m PB to 2.43.88. Meanwhile, on the field he set a 5cm PB in the high jump with a 2.00m leap and a 33cm PB in the pole vault (3.93m). In his first competition using the 6kg shot, he was the best combined eventer on display by a long way with 15.06m. In the other events Sammy’s performances were not far off his PBs in the long jump (7.01m) and 60m hurdles (8.32).
With twenty-three months left in the age group category Sammy should have ample time to attempt to attain the current UK record of 5,793 points.
Joe Frew was also in action in the U20 heptathlon finishing in 14th place (4,145 points). Joe had a consistent couple of days and was close to his best in the majority of events; 60m (7.35 secs), high jump (1.70m), long jump (5.99m), shot (8.46m), pole vault (3.13m), 60m hurdles (9.01 secs) and 1000m (2.53.62)
Kevin Cranmer was in action in the senior men’s heptathlon finishing in 17th place overall with 3,445 points. Kevin was just outside his PB in the 60m (8.11 secs) and the M40 athlete had a solid couple of days with performances in the long jump (5.14m), shot (9.98m), high jump (1.61m), 60m hurdles (9.86 secs), pole vault (3.23m) and 1000m (3.09.0).
Hollie Cranmer was taking part in her first U20 pentathlon competition where a PB in the shot (6.42m) and a 1 cm jump below her high jump best (1.37m) saw her record 1841 points to finish in 20th place overall.
In a mixed age group 1,500m BMC A final Lauren Church was 7th in 4.36.0 and in the B final race there was a win for Abi Hancock with a new PB (4.35.09) just ahead of Emma Howsham (4.35.13).
Well done athletes and coaches!
Sammy Ball’s YouTube Channel
Please follow the link below to the match report for the Hampshire League Cross Country meeting on 4 December at Aldershot.
The link takes you to the event page with the match report at the bottom of the page.
Congratulations to Reading AC’s Sammy Ball (coaches Mike Dyer and Kevin Cranmer) who was representing England at the Schools’ indoor U18 pentathlon international meeting at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow on 4 December 2021.
In a ‘frantic’ day, with just thirty minutes between events, the athletes from schools across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales competed against each other in teams of four with results from the top three athletes in each team being counted for the final team positions.
Sammy led the competition from the start with a personal best 8.08 seconds in the 60m hurdles before extending his lead with a 15.44m shot put. In the third event, 200m, he ran in with a personal best time of 22.48 seconds before consolidating his lead with a 6.58m long jump. In the final event, 800m, Sammy again managed a personal best of 2 mins 05.76 secs to score a massively impressive 4,000 points beating the previous championship record by 146 points.
Overall, the England team achieved a one, two, three on the podium with an overall score of 11,538 points surpassing the previous 1998 championship record by 896 points.
See below for a link to a YouTube video, some photos and the score sheet.
Well done to everyone at Reading Athletic Club.
Team Reading AC has been awarded ‘Club of the Year’ at the England Athletics South East Regional Volunteer awards.
A massive thank you to all our committee members, coaches, officials, athletes, parents, helpers and supporters who helped contribute to our award.
Well done to Jess Gibbon on securing selection for the Euro XC Champs next month in Dublin, by finishing 5th at the trails race in Liverpool on 28 November. A strong race as well from Kirsty Walker to come in 18th and Lauren Church finishing 9th in the short course trials race. Abigail Hancock and Mia Waldmann were 41st and 42nd in the U20 race. Great running everyone.
For those that park at Palmer Park, if you are staying for less than 3 hours you do not need to do anything about registering for parking. It is only if you stay longer or return within 24hrs that you need to pay.
Reading AC has been notified that it has been nominated for the award of ‘Club of the Year’ in the 2021 England Athletics Regional Volunteer Awards.
The event will take place virtually at 7.00pm on Monday 29 November 2021 and people wishing to attend can register by clicking to the link below.
Many congratulations to Roddy Slater on his UK coaching award. Roddy was the only athletics coach in the list of 25 national UK coaching hero awards.
Our coaching co-ordinator, Nyasher Browne has written the following:
This man is well loved, known by all and very well respected as a person and for all he does, so it was only right that some good was finally returned to him. Although being the humble guy he is he takes his gratitude from seeing the people he works with on and off the track accomplishments.
Being more than just a coach to each and every athlete on his team alongside his life commitments and full-time job I'm surprised he has time to breath, yet he never complains and is always raring to go and is able to keep everyone focused.
When supporting the athletes, he knows that there is more to them than just the sport and helps them mentally, emotionally and physically when they have injuries. This helps them with their growth and this in turn helps them to excel in their personal performance. Once they hit their targets and reach their achievements, he is sure to remind of them of what they have done and overcome to reach that point so they can build on their confidence.
Having a taste of the track himself he knows what it’s like to be where the athletes are at and this adds to the trust, he has built with those he coaches. As we all know in life advice is always better coming from someone we can relate too.
So, a big well-deserved congratulations and award very rightfully went to the man who wears many hats but certainly doesn’t have a big enough head to fill them.
Here is what some of his athletes had to say about him:
“He treats everyone equally and he’s not just helping everyone on track he helps everyone with their personal issues”
“My favourite thing about Roddy is that he brings out the full potential of everyone while keeping a fun environment and he is always a joy to be around”
“My favourite thing about Roddy is how he makes training specific to each athlete. He keeps us encouraged and motivated. He is also supportive off the track and is always willing to help out”
“He tells me to stand tall but also gives me the knowledge and support to help do so and remain that way”
“My Favourite things about Roddy are that he has helped me with life outside of the track, as he has helped me to balance work and training. But on the track my favourite thing about him is how patient he is with me when it comes to drills, especially with my disability”
“Roddy is very kind-hearted and is willing to go above and beyond for his people. He welcomes anyone with open arms no matter their circumstances and even though he is an athletics coach he takes his time to really know his athletes. Which I feel makes the training very beneficial as he knows each individual's needs. He gives A1 advice and introduces you to numerous opportunities to help your personal growth. Overall, he’s just good energy to be around no matter your circumstances anywhere else when you're around him it’s just good vibes to be around”
“My favourite things about Roddy are his enthusiasm, ambition, drive and caring nature”
Further details can be found here: https://www.ukcoaching.org/.../royal-seal-of-approval-for...’s-lockdown-c
