WELCOME
There is a regular club programme tonight. Next Monday, there will be a shortened programme (and lollies) for the last club night of the
season and Hamilton Club will be providing someone to take the 11-14 year olds for javelin.
TRAINING
Hamilton Hawks have invited our 12-14 year olds to their coaching sessions on a regular basis. This Wednesday night at 5.30pm, they will concentrate on the triple jump and the javelin, and then there is also the regular training at 10.00am on Sunday mornings.
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
The club championships are almost over, with only the 80-metre runs for the Tiny Tots. If any child missed an event, please tell the Club Captain and we will arrange to record your time or distance tonight. Last week, we inadvertently obliterated the times for the second race of the 5-year Girls 60 metres. Therefore, we will run the race again for those who did not have a time recorded.
COLGATE GAMES
If you are likely to be attending the Colgate Games at Auckland next January, please give your names to Craig Walker. Motel rooms will be at a premium because of the America's Cup. We may ask some people for an early deposit now to secure the rooms.
FIREWOOD
We have bluegum firewood for sale to help keep you warm and dry in the winter. For your supplies, contact Frank Holcroft at the club or ring him at 855 0678. If anyone wants to take the wood as rounds to later split at their leisure, this can also be accommodated.
WAIKATO CHAMPIONSHIPS
Last Saturday was the Waikato Championships at Porritt Stadium. What a day. This was the biggest children's event of the year in our area. Thanks to all the children who took part -the competition was tough but we had our fair share of medals. Fairfield parents helped to set up the grounds, erect the tents, ran the shop and the barbecue, did the backup timekeeping, and then helped to tidy up at the end of the day.
In my opinion, the strength and depth of a club is shown in its relay teams. We had the most teams of any club; only four relays did not have a Fairfield team. And they did well- I did not see a poor baton change or a dropped baton. It is one of the most exciting parts of the competition and thoroughly enjoyed by all who take part and those who watch.
Unfortunately, the day ran some 40 minutes overtime. I was told that the link from the LYNX to the printer was not working -therefore, all the times had to be called out and written down by hand. But we cannot do without the video and the LYNX -in one instance, in one race three boys finished within five-hundredths of a second for third to fifth place.
OFFICIALS
The Waikato Centre is always on the outlook for officials, such as for the Waikato Secondary School Championships at Porritt Stadium this Saturday. The word 'officials' is a wide-ranging term as it also includes those who, for example, want to hold a measuring tape. Also they do want new people to learn how to use the video and LYNX system at Porritt Stadium. It is a fascinating job watching the replays of the finishes and doing the times of each runner. All volunteers will be accepted.
PS: We have just been asked to run the barbecue on Saturday: it will help club funds and volunteers are required from IO.30am- 2.30pm. Please give your names to Amrit Thomas.
INTERPROVINCIAL TEAM
The Waikato I Bay of Plenty team for the New Zealand 12/13 years interprovincial competition was announced on Saturday evening. There are four girls from our club in the 13-year team/reserves, being Kylie Adams, Emma Thomas, Katherine Olsen and Stephanie McGrath, and three boys in the 13 boys team/reserves, being Royce Teinakore, Andrew Brown, and Arden Foy. This means that almost a quarter of those selected for the 13-years part of the team are from our club. Congratulations to all.
This interprovincial competition is at Ericsson Stadium, Auckland, on the Saturday and Sunday (30-31 March) of Easter. The Auckland centre is short of officials -I have forms for anyone who wants to be part of the action. They also give a free official's shirt and a free lunch each day.
COMMITTEE MEETING
There will be a committee meeting on Wednesday night to discuss prizegiving and AGM matters.
TROPHIES
Please bring back all the trophies from last season so that they will be engraved in time for the club prizegiving.
CLUB PRIZEGIVING AND AGM
The club prizegiving and annual general meeting will be held on Sunday 24 March 2002 at the Hukanui School Hall commencing at l.30pm. All children who are members will get something, even if it is just a Colgate Certificate. Ladies a plate please. Put this event on your calendar as it will save me doing about 130-odd phone calls this year.
Cliff Thomas
Club President
THE BARBECUE IS KINDLY SPONSORED BY THE 'MAD BUTCHER', CHARTWELL SQUARE. FRIENDLY STAFF, A WIDE SELECTION OF GOODS, AND THEY PROVIDE EXCELLENT SAUSAGES TOO