Athletic club's display of skill
Published 21 Aug 2012 14:00
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INVERCLYDE Athletic Club start the new training term today at 5pm at Inverclyde Academy.
Inverclyde AC, the only mainstream athletic club in Britain to be recognised by HM Queen for it work in developing athletics in Inverclyde and Scotland, has worked tirelessly over the school holidays to further educate the team of coaches to ensure that they continue to offer all young and old the full range of athletic disciplines.
Under the guidance of one of Scotland's most respected and decorated coaches, Janice Hendrie, Inverclyde has coaches who have detailed knowledge to educate in all disciplines seen during the Olympics.
Looking to build on the popularity of the Olympics Inverclyde AC is able to offer coaching for all age groups in all forms of running from sprints to distance to hurdling, long, high and triple jumping and if throwing objects is your thing they can get you to throw further wither that be javelins, shot putts, discus or hammer.
For the mature individual they offer a range of programmes to fit all lifestyles.
To join the fun and the first steps toward the next Olympics in Rio and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014 come along 5pm to Inverclyde Academy every Tuesday.
The past year has seen a large number of successes for Inverclyde AC with the junior boys winning all the major cross country relay events, Jonathan Glen and Greg Williams gaining national vests for representing Scottish schools at cross country internationals.
There was also selection for district cross country and Jonathan Glen represented Scotland in the London mini marathon.
The track season has also seen top performances from Inverclyde AC juniors with the under-18 boys teams gaining a gold and a bronze in the national 3x800m relay championships. Fifteen-year-old Evie Semple represented Scottish schools at both the UK school games and the schools international.
At the UK school games in May, Evie had the enviable opportunity to actually participate in the Olympic Stadium and was not overawed by the size of the venue as she played a major role in her team's silver medal performance in the 4x300m relay.
More recently, under-18 athlete, Greg Williams was selected for the Scottish futures team taking part in the Celtic games in Aberdeen on Saturday 11 August.
While there have been a considerable amount of success by individuals and teams, Inverclyde AC's long established junior programme has won praise for its open to all policy from both Scottish athletics and also UK Athletics.
This was a major influence in the club being awarded The Queen's award for voluntary services, the team equivalent of a MBE. This accolade is held in highest esteem by the club and there is a considerable effort continually made by all coaches and club committee to ensure that youngsters attending the junior section sessions are catered for no matter their ability.
It is a testimony to the club's Run Jump Throw programme that the under-12 girls recently won the silver medal in a very exciting and competitive Scottish superteams event held at Pitreavie Stadium.
Club competitions are held on a regular basis and there was great enthusiasm for the monthly quad challenge, where teams of four competed over four events with events changing for each challenge.
The sponsored pentathlon event at the start of the summer season was another fantastic event enjoyed by all age groups and the youngest members were enthralled by their Mascathon challenge as part of the build-up to the Olympics.
Despite having to travel to Linwood, the club's new look track and field championships were voted a tremendous success which can only get better next year when Ravenscraig Stadium is once again available.
Not having the track available for the last 18 months did not deter the coaches at Inverclyde AC, who created excellent learning environments for their young athletes with use of the adjacent Inverclyde Academy and Ravenscraig Sport Centre to provide the necessary indoor venue so that training could continue despite the weather and established new jumps, hurdles and throws groups which hopefully will see dramatic improvements when the track reopens.
Inverclyde junior section sessions having been on a holiday timetable over the last six weeks, with sessions taking place at the Battery Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5pm.
As this year's club fees are not due until 1 October, new participants will be able to enjoy free taster sessions.
For further information, call 07538 210221. Inverclyde AC senior section also has sessions catering for all abilities and a wide programme of events.
This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 21 Aug 12
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