KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN
11 September 2022

We would firstly like to acknowledge the death of Queen Elizabeth II this past Thursday afternoon. Queen Elizabeth was a champion of sport and this writer remembers with fondness her starting the London Marathon ‘with the touch of a button’ from Windsor Palace in 2018 (I did think she was going to be there at the start line!). She also played a wonderful role in the London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony that I am sure many will remember. Our thoughts are with her family, members of the Royal family at this time. 

A quieter week on the Kent AC racing calendar, with some races being cancelled out of respect to the mourning period for the Queen. Well done to club member Ronnie Haydon who completed a solo marathon effort around Battersea Park today after the Richmond Marathon was cancelled. It’s also great to see so many Kent AC group long runs happening in the lead up to one of the highlights of Kent AC’s calendar the London marathon in a few weeks! 

We do have one more track club champs opportunity this week with the 5000m and 400m club champs on Thursday. Please read below for last chance to sign up! 

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LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER: 5000m & 400m CLUB CHAMPS

Entry to our final club championships of the year close tomorrow night (Monday 12th September) so please enter here for either the 400m or 5000m on Thursday 15th September.

Club trophies and medals will be up for grabs for all age categories, so get involved!

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REQUEST FOR JUNIOR TRACK AND FIELD DEVELOPMENT DONATIONS

A message from Ted Aston: 

It has become customary for us to reach out to our members to seek donations to support our Junior Athletics programme.

Junior membership has grown to nearly 100. The range of disciplines we offer now includes:
·       Sprints
·       Middle distance
·       Long jump
·       High Jump
·       Hurdles
·       Javelin 

Our objective is to add shot put, discus and hammer by spring.

In the past year we have spent £2308 on junior activities of which coaching fees were 95% and equipment the balance. And this is all achievable thanks to you, our club members, and the support you’ve provided over the years. But the funds are dwindling as there remains only £2250 in the Just Giving pot and we’re only just starting with lots more to do!

We currently have a waiting list of more 70. Our growth is only restricted by the speed at which we can recruit additional volunteer coaches. At 160 junior members we could field competitive teams across all age groups and genders on a regular basis for both track & field and XC.

To implement the above we need funds for:
·       coaching courses
·       coach travel expenses
·       coach development workshops,
·       coaches kit
·       equipment specifically appropriate for youngsters for ALL disciplines
·       league and race entry fees
·       sundry items like awards (other than medals).
·       Helping to keep sports affordable for families and providing opportunities to low-income families.

Finally, this Christmas we’d love to be able to hold our first social event. Your donation to the development and future sustainability of the juniors would be appreciated and put to great use.

 If you are able please consider donating via this link.

Please note: There may have been some confusion with the initial email request sent out which may have been interpreted as a request to donate if you had been successful in receiving a Big Half community place. Please note this was not a request to donate to cover your place. If you did receive a community place and do wish to donate, in accordance with HMRC guidelines we request you please do not claim Gift Aid

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KIT UPDATE

Delivery of crop tops and other race kit items due around 19th September. We will keep you updated when we hear any further information.

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ROAD RELAYS

Southern Road Relays:
It’s not far off one of the best times of the year for club racing, with the Autumn relay season starting in September. 

Southern Road Relays on Saturday 24th September 
Women & Vets – Crystal Palace
Senior Men – Aldershot

National Road Relays on Saturday 8th October (Sutton Park)

More information on team selection and travel arrangements will be sent out by Relay Captains in the coming weeks, but please let Chris Busaileh (Men), Katie Rowland (Women) or Jules Gevers/Nikki Hayes (Vets) if you are interested in running and haven’t done so already!

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WINTER FIXTURE LIST

A preliminary list to Club Winter fixtures for Road & Cross Country can be found here

Make sure to keep these dates free in the diary and they will be listed on the website (together with any current inoor track fixtures) in due course!

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NEW MEMBERS

Welcome to our new members. We look forward to seeing you at the track soon.
Cillian Roots
Jon Griffiths
David Child
Amanda No

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WIN A TRACK PASS

In recognition of the importance of our volunteers, all gate volunteers each month are in with a chance of winning themselves a month’s track pass (worth £10).
To be added to the rota simply email Jacqueline/Laurie at ( / 
). 
 
We only need each track attendee to volunteer a couple of times a year to spread the responsibility fairly.

T&Cs for the track pass draw:

All volunteers for the current month will be added into the hat for a draw each month.
The winner will win a free pass for the next calendar month.
Names will be automatically drawn from https://namepicker.net/ (or similar alternative)
The winner can either chose to:

use their free pass within a calendar year
allow their free pass to roll down to another volunteer
annual pass holders can nominate another club member if they cannot make use of the pass themselves 

No refunds/discounts will be provided in place of the free monthly pass.
Volunteers will only be eligible to win a pass once every three months.

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TRACK, TRACK, TRACK

Buy your track pass here.
The usual track times are:
Tuesday 17:15 – 20:45
Thursday 18:30 – 20:30
Sunday 09:00 – 11:30
Please note that individuals are permitted to do their own sessions during club opening times, but coached group sessions continue to take priority.
 

Track Pass – Juniors
Please purchase your £5 junior monthly track pass in advance here. When purchasing the track pass can parents/guardians please enter the athlete’s name when completing the transaction

Please see a helpful FAQs guide here

Ladywell Arena now has new opening hours dedicated to the public. While during these times the Kent AC track pass is not valid, members can pay for an individual session.

Session times are: 
Monday: 07:00 -15:00
Tuesday – Thursday: 1300 -1700
Friday: 07:00 – 15:00
Saturday – Sunday: 09:00-15:00

Price:
Adult resident: £2.70
Adult non resident: £3.00
Junior (U16): £1.30

The Kent AC track pass continues to be required for training on Tues/Thurs evenings and Sunday mornings.

Track staff have encouraged people to double check the opening hours before their training session, as they may occasionally be closed for school sport days and football friendlies. Hours can be checked at https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/lewisham/ladywell-arena. This will likely suit members who can’t make training sessions but would like to train in the morning/lunchtime/evening.

Pay as you go fees can either be paid via cash to the desk or using the Better app (note: staff are working to add the sessions to the app).

The password for the club contacts page  –