Western Province Athletics
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Western Province Athletics www.wpa.org.za November 2011 Newsletter Editorial Western Province Athletics again leads the way for the rest of the athletics federations in the country with the seamless handover from one Board to the next at the recent Annual General Meeting. Elections are held every two years in Western Province and our constitution also provides that no-one may serve more than two terms in the same position. This prevents the building of dynasties and allows for the handing over of reigns without the need for a revolution every few years. In previous years the AGM has finished well after mid-night, this year it was completed by 22:30. WPA is pleased to announce our newly elected President, Vice President, Board and Commission Members; we welcome them and wish them much success for their two-year terms. Jakes Jacobs was elected as the new WPA President, he has been the chairperson of the Road Running Commission for the past four years and has done a fantastic job. He has ample experience, enthusiasm and passion for the term ahead. Kevin Harlock was elected unopposed as the Vice President. James Evans successfully completed two consecutive terms of office and is currently the President of Athletics South Africa. The commission chairs for 2011-2013 are Glynis Bowie (Road Running); Russel Mehl (Cross Country); Malcolm Salida (Race Walking); Cedric van Wyk (Track & Field). Richard van Schalkwyk is the financial officer, while Allen Barnes and Norma Nonkonyana are additional members. Nazema Abels is the chairperson for technical officials. During October Western Province also played host to the SA 50km Race Walking Championships, which was held at Youngsfield Military Base. The event was an IAAF approved event and race walking judges from the United Kingdom, Russia and Kenya were present. They praised the standard of the event and suggested that we look at hosting an annual international level event for Race Walking in Cape Town. At the same time, the Confederation of African Athletics has again requested South Africa to host the African Cross Country Championships. They will again be held in Cape Town in March next year. The inaugural African Championships were held in Keurboom Park in March this year. After 2012, the African Championships will be held every second year, in even-numbered years, with the World Championships every other year. The World Half Marathon Championships will be held every second year, in the odd- numbered years. The Western Province Kids Athletics programme is progressing well, with it being rolled out to more and more areas. This programme is part of the IAAF's athlete progression, which aims to take young children all the way to Olympic senior level. Instead of making athletics for young children into a small version of athletics for adults, the Kids Athletics programme is geared towards teaching youngsters the basics of the sport in a fun-filled team environment. The skills they learn through that competition will bode well for their future development as senior athletes. Coupled with that is the next round of WPA Coaches Courses, which will be held in November and December. Athletics South Africa is revising the national structure to mirror that of the international coaching framework, so that the development of coaches mirrors that of the athlete's progression. Commission News CROSS COUNTRY The following commission members were elected at the WPA AGM on 6 October 2011: Chairperson : Russell Mehl Vice Chairperson : Andy James Additional Members : Ben Oliver Gavin Burgess Vonnie Dreyer Nazema Abels Glen Bentley Wesley Neumann Selectors : Andy James, Glen Bentley, Vonnie Dreyer Cross Country leagues over the past 5 years have shown a steady growth in numbers, for those of you who have not attempted cross country; you‟re missing out big time. The WPA 2012 Handbook will be available in January 2012. The Handbook has been designed and published to help you make your season more enjoyable by providing you with essential information and inspiration. Keep up the training and remember that Cross Country running will help you improve your performances in both Track and Field as well as Road Running. RACE WALKING The following commission members were elected at the WPA AGM on 6 October 2011: Chairperson : Malcolm Salida Additional Members : Pieter Vorster Cindy Lange François Brandt Lydia Richards What a fantastic day everybody had at the ASA Race Walking Championships which were held on 8 October 2011. So much work had been done behind the scenes in preparation for the event, which resulted in a perfectly orchestrated Championship event. The early morning sunrise was met with the National Anthem played by the SA Army band which sent shivers down our spine. The heroes of the day kicked off the 50km with 9 athletes. The winning time for the 50km was Marc Mundell (AGN) in 4:22:14 and the ladies‟ event, Sandra Steenkamp (AGN) in 5:17:55 bettering her previous ASA record. Our WP athletes saw Ross McDonald taking Silver in 5:06:38, Joseph (Essie) Esterhuizen took 6th place in 6:09:17, and in the ladies‟ race Trudi Carstens took Bronze in 6:18:50. The 50km and 20km races were both Olympic Qualifying races which, along with the other supporting races, had almost 140 athletes taking part in the different provinces. Unfortunately for us, Central Gauteng Athletics beat Western Province Athletics in the overall points, by only 4 points! Other gold medal placings on the day were: Wally Hart (M60-64) 20km, Jurgen Spencer (M70-74) 20km, Dave Kirby (M75-79) 20km, Althea Janari (W45-49) 20km, Peggy Reid (W70-74) 20km, Gail Williams (W50- 54) 10km, John Child (M60-64) 10km, John Hotston (M80-84) 10km, Bronwyn Roman (Sub Youth Girls) 5km, … and Siobhan Dunn stole the show at only 10 years old, walked the 3km distance all on her own – with a massive crowd support! Congratulations to all the athletes and thank you for making the day a huge success. We would also like to thank our hosts at the Youngsfield Military Base for a perfect venue and for all their assistance in allowing us this opportunity. A huge thank you to all our judges (local and international), all the organisers and officials, family and friends; we thank you and congratulate you on a job well done. ROAD RUNNING The following commission members were elected at the WPA AGM on 6 October 2011: Chairperson : Glynis Bowie Additional Members : Chris Dooner Chris Goldschmidt Charlotte Kettlewell Priscilla Williams Gavin Wright Frikkie Kotze Marshall Moiloa Busisiwe Matiwane The RR commission is there to work for you so you are invited to contact any of the above members should you have any problems, suggestions, input etc. for improving RR in the WP. Reminder of some basic domestic rules for clubs and athletes: Licence numbers – your official current licence number MUST be worn on the front and the back of your running vest during all races, failing which you may be disqualified. If a race number is issued, this can be placed over the front number on your vest. Clubs need to inform athletes purchasing temporary licences that these must be worn on the front of their vest/ T shirt during the race. Race entry cards – these must be issued to all athletes who are required to keep these in their possession throughout the race. Finish cards must be placed on the results board as soon as possible for the officials to verify and so as not to delay the prize giving. Correct club colours (vest and shorts) must be worn by any athlete wanting to be taken into consideration for the team prizes. Age category tags must be worn on the front and the back of the athlete‟s vest, must be secured so that it does not fold over and must be visible at all times. (The best position is at the top of the vest on the shoulder area.) Most of all have respect for your fellow athlete and behave in such a way that everybody‟s running experience is a pleasant one. Club News ATLANTIC ATHLETIC CLUB OUTSURANCE 94.5 KFM GUN RUN TOP CAPE TOWN EVENT ATTRACTS A RECORD FIELD A record field of over 11 000 participants lined up outside the Cape Town Stadium to take part in the OUTsurance 94.5 Kfm Gun Run half marathon, 10km and 5km run/walk on a perfect Cape Town morning. The near perfect running conditions saw Gauteng runner Gladwin Mzazi and last year‟s winner Xolisa Tyali involved in a sprint for the finish line in the half marathon, with race referees putting Mzazi in first place. Their time was 63:41, almost two minutes ahead of third placed runner Gert Thys, who finished in 65:21. Mzazi won R5 000 for his efforts. The women‟s half marathon title went to another up country runner Nolene Conrad in 76:26, with local runners Bulelwa Simae (80:08) and Joanna Thomas 83:19 taking second and third places respectively. Lindikhaya Mthangayi took line honours in the 10km in 30:05 and pocketed R3 000 for his efforts with Celtics runner Nomvuyisi Seti taking the women‟s race in 37:56. A cheque for R35 000 was presented to Ron Rutland from the Bobs for Good Foundation, thanks to the runners, sponsors and Atlantic Athletic Club. The money will be used to provide learners in the impoverished areas of Cape Town with locally made leather school shoes. Deputy mayor, Alderman Ian Nielsen, fired the gun to start the half marathon, with 94.5 Kfm DJ‟s Liezel van der Westhuizen and Charmaine Noy starting the 10km and 5km events respectively.