Congratulations and many thanks to everyone who competed or volunteered as an official, team manager or helper at our T&F league and championship fixtures this year and to the coaches for their dedicated support of the athletes. We had around 120 athletes compete and more than 40 officials/volunteers contributing at the fixtures across the season.
In the Youth Development League, for U13 and U15 athletes, Macclesfield finished 7th in the tough West 1 division and therefore will move down to West 2 next season. This was undoubtedly a high standard league, but we were also hampered by a low turnout at the away fixtures, contrasted with the home match where we had 30 athletes participate. All the athletes seemed to enjoy the competitions and there were many personal bests across the events and age groups. In addition to those who turned out at every event – Eric, Joshua, Lola and Beth, athletes who turned out and gained maximum points regularly included Tristan, Bobby, Millie, Jake and Emma.
In the Northern League for seniors, U17s and U20s, Macclesfield finished in 3rd place overall in the West 2S division. After finishing 5th in round 1 and 4th in round 2, some sterling performances and a great turnout at the final fixture at home secured 2nd position, moving Macclesfield up to 3rd place in the final standings. Macclesfield will compete in the West 1S division next season. Special mention to Charlie Bird, Hilary West and Ashley Pritchard for competing in multiple events in every round!
The Cheshire league covers all age groups, with the U13-Seniors scoring together and the U11s separately. A good turnout of athletes and great performances at all 4 rounds saw the men/boys take 2nd overall, the ladies/girls 6th overall and the U11s 7th out of 17 teams. In this league the best throw, jump, sprint and middle distance performance at each match is highlighted and Jake Rowley, Emma Farmer, Tristan Lamprecht, Evie Clarke and Bobby Tomlinson all gained this accolade at least once. Special mention should also go to newcomer Emma Johnson (U17W), who competed in all 4 Cheshire Leagues and 2 out of 3 Northern leagues, often being our only U17 athlete and setting numerous PBs throughout the season across the full range of T&F events.
The Cheshire T&F championships were held at Macclesfield this year and our officials worked hard to assist the County officials put on a great event. Our athletes didn’t disappoint with many gaining multiple medals, including Hayden Blunn with 5 golds, a silver and 4 PBs. See website for full report: https://macclesfield-harriers.co.uk/cheshire-tf-champs/
A number of individuals have again excelled at Regional and National Championship level. Five Macclesfield Harriers qualified for the prestigious English Schools Championships: Hayden Blunn, Sam Danson, Jake Rowley, Albert Bradshaw and Callum Wain. Hayden Blunn and Sam Danson put in amazing PB (and club record breaking) performances, in the high jump and long jump respectively, to bring home GOLD medals – very well done both! Hayden also gained his first international vest representing English Schools at the Schools International event in Belfast. In the Northern age group championships, Jake Rowley (U15) took 3rd place in the 800m as did Callum Wain (U17) in the Long Jump. Jake continued to improve his 800m performances throughout the season and secured an excellent 3rd place in the English Athletics U15 champs. Congratulations also to thrower Samira Cox (U23) who won the women’s ambulant discus gold medal and javelin silver at the English Championships. At the younger end of the age groups, our U13 javelin throwers also impressed, with Tristan Lamprecht ending the season as 4th ranked in the UK with a throw of 38.56m, and Evie Clarke finishing 2nd ranked in the UK with her 36.50m throw. Well done All!
Please remember that all the coaches and officials at the club are unpaid volunteers who give their time freely week in week out to support the athletes and club development. Please show your appreciation to them by turning out to compete regularly next season and consider joining us as a volunteer, coach or as an official. I am retiring as T&F manager, therefore the club needs someone to take over this role. Fortunately Shaun Wilde has kindly agreed to take on the Officials’ co-ordinator role, therefore the T&F manager role no longer needs to cover this aspect.
Good luck to everyone competing in the cross-country and indoor T&F competitions over the winter, which will hopefully set you up for a successful T&F season in 2023.
Barbara Murray, Track and Field Manager, October 2022
Links to T&F League results:
YDL: https://www.ukydl.org.uk/page10.html
Northern League: https://www.northernathletics.co.uk/track-field-league/
Cheshire League: http://cheshireaa.com/results/TFL/cheshire_tf_league_2022.aspx