Golden return for Jenny
Twenty-five years old, Jenny Graham returned home to glory after competing in the North Eastern Counties Athletics Association (NECAA) Indoor Championships, at Gateshead Stadium on Saturday 16th February 2013.
The Huddersfield University based athlete stayed loyal to coach and Club as she won the Senior Women’s 60 metre title in an impressive time of 8.13 seconds, over a tenth of a second ahead of nearest rival Bryony Potter of West Cheshire and Durham University.
Jenny’s performance led home the rest of the travelling Poly’s sprint group who equipped themselves well in their return to the International stadium. Thirteen years old, Emily Davis ran a heat time of 8.37 seconds to see her progress to the Under 15’s ‘A’ race, in which she finished in bronze position recording a time of 8.33 seconds for the 60 metre distance. In the same category, Emma Wordsworth recorded a time of 8.91 in the Under 15’s ‘B’ race whilst Millie Young ran 9.15 to finish 4th in her heat race. Laura Mole was the sole Poly female representative in the Under 20’s 60 metre event, finishing 5th in the final and recording a time of 8.62 seconds.
Lewis Price and James Mole represented the Poly in the male categories, with both athletes finishing in 4th place in their respective finals. Lewis ran a season’s best time of 7.75 seconds in the Under 17 Men’s age group whereas James recorded exactly the same time in both his heat and final of Under 15 Men category. His time of duplicate times of 8.11 seconds, gave him second place in his heat. However, he had to be content to finish 4th in the final.

If you enjoy sprinting or would simply like to partake in athletics, training sessions are held at Churchill Playing Fields on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 5:30pm or contact Ian Woodward, Chairman, via the Club’s website: www.nspoly.co.uk

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Kevin caps debut with bronze medal
Fifty years old, Kevin Capper marked his debut at the North Eastern Counties Royal Signals Road Relay Championships, at Hetton Lyons Country Park, on Saturday 16th February 2013, by helping North Shields Poly’s Over 50’s Mens Team win a bronze medal.
Capper, who has only recently joined the Whitley Bay based club, stunned on-lookers as he followed in the quake of Durham City Harriers future international runner, Rosie Smith to finish second on the opening leg of the combined Women’s and Over 50 Men’s race. His time of 12 minutes and 16 seconds would have served the Club well in any of the other age category and promises a bright future for talented new comer.
His effort gave the Churchill Playing Fields, Whitley Bay based Club a commanding 35 second lead from nearest rivals Sedgefield Harriers, however, seasoned Masters international athletes from both Durham City (Ian Crampton: 1150, and Rob Hand: 11:52), and Sunderland Harriers reduced the deficit over successive legs and if it had not been for the appearance of former National Cross-Country Champion, Brian Rushworth, of Sunderland, who ran an impressive last leg of 11:49, the Poly outfit could well have finished higher on the medal rostrum. Team mates David Hall and Neil Dick recorded exactly the same time (13:38) whereas Barry Young improved on his 2012 performance and recorded a time of 13:43 minutes to bring the Poly home in bronze medal position.
Capper’s performance inspired no fewer than 12 other athletes to run better than in the previous year. The undulating 2.2 mile course has proved to be a great success with athletes from all over the region competing at the annual event.
If you enjoy running and would like to partake in athletics, training sessions are held at Churchill Playing Fields on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 5:30pm or contact Ian Woodward, Chairman, via the Club’s website: www.nspoly.co.uk.

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A baker’s dozen of improved performances at the 2013, Royal Signals Relays at Hetton Lyons Country Park saw North Shields Polytechnic AC, walk away with their heads held up high and medals round their necks.
For the 4th successive year the North Eastern Counties Athletics Association (NECAA) Road Relay Championships, were held at the picturesque two-lap venue whose undulating features make it a test of stamina as well as speed. The Royal Corps of Signals (one of the combat support arms of the British Army who provide battlefield communication support) presented the North East Counties Association with a replica of its insignia in 1927. This was used as the trophy for the first road relay.
Initially, the ‘Signals’ was run from Sunderland to Catterick in 10 stages. Each stage was between 4.5 and 8.25 miles. It took even the strong teams about 5 ½ hours to complete the race. Fortunately today’s event is a much shorter version, consisting of a 2.22 miles run over six stages for the men and four for the women.
This year’s event saw no fewer than 13 improved times from those posted in 2012, across all age groups, but the biggest improvement of all came from Mel Carr who ran an amazing 87 seconds faster than in 2012. Other notable performances include:

Carla Maley (15:24 – 15:17), Noreen Rees (17:23 – 17.05), Chloe Loredo (13.22 – 13.09)
Mel Carr (15.27 – 14.00), Allison Cummings (15:28 – 14:55) Guy Bracken (11:43 – 11.02), Paul Hughes (14:46 – 14:14), Patrick Houghton (12:52 – 12:13), Gary Robson (13:09 – 12:44), Barry Young (13:50 – 13: 43),  Tommy Brannon (12:42 – 12:31), Gary Moore (12:07 – 11:43), and Michael Moore (13:09 – 13:03).

In addition, to the above North Shields Poly AC, also walked away with medals in the Men’s over 50 category where Kevin Capper (12:16), Dave Hall (13:38), Neil Dick (13:38) and Barry Young (13.43) earned themselves a bronze medal. But the biggest cheer of the day was reserved for the Men’s Over 40 Masters event which was a rematch of the 2012 clash between local rivals North Shields Polytechnic and Byker based, Tyne Bridge Harriers.
The Newcastle outfit had boasted of thrashing the North Tyneside club and were calling in their ‘big guns and new recruits’ to get revenge for their 2012, drumming. However, their over-confidence was punished by an awesome team performance from long serving club stalwarts Ian Twaddle (11:33), Tommy Brannon (12:31), Sean Malley (11:04), John Baty (14:06), Gary Moore (11:45), and Guy Bracken, who retained their trophy despite being in third team place with two legs to go.
The Club is now looking to combining the performances of all its Over 45 year old men in a bid to clinch the 8-stage Masters National event in May 2013, at Sutton Park, Birmingham. If you want more information about North Shields Polytechnic AC go to their website www.nspoly.co.uk.

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Sixty seven members of NS Poly ran in the 2012 Bupa Great North Run.

Scott Ellis, Tommy Brannon and Paul Wilkinson were the first three male Poly finishers, Suzanne Thew,Christine Burns and Alison Dixon the first three female Poly finishers.

Well done to all who took part.

NS Poly individual results

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Request from Claire Bruce ex Poly runner.

Hi, my name is Claire Bruce, I am a runner in Morpeth Harriers AC and before that at North Shields Poly AC.

In June 2012 I am taking part in The Wall race (69 miles in two days) and in June 2013 trekking up Kilimanjaro with St Oswald’s Team Kili. Through these events I hope to raise as much money as possible for the Hospice.

I was wondering if people I know or knew me from my time in the Poly would be kind enough to sponsor me for these events.

Thank you for your support.

Claire

www.justgiving.com/clairebrucekili

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Norman Wins Scottish Title At First Attempt

Norman deBruin of North Shields Polytechnic Club won his first Masters title when he travelled to Glasgow for the Scottish Indoor Championships and picked up the gold.

Following on from his recent bronze medal win at Sheffield a week earlier Norman was confident that a better performance was on the cards if he could get his tactics right and so it proved with him returning to his home in Chirton, North Shields with a gold medal in his pocket. The winter season is proving highly lucrative for the 48 year old who will travel to the National Championships, at Lee Valley, London in March full of optimism for a similar result.

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NS Poly ladies team took first place in the NE Harrier League at Wrekenton, latest rankings here.

The women of North Shields Polytechnic Club lead the way home despite the freezing conditions at the latest North Eastern Harrier League at Wrekenton, Gateshead on Saturday 11th February 2012, by winning the ladies team event.

The final event of the day was based on a slow, medium and fast pack format with the first three finishers scoring saw the Ladies team storm home with 54 points ahead of closest rivals Tynedale Harriers who had 61 points. Leading the Club home from the slow pack was Vicky Stephenson, recording a 6th place finish in a time of 27 minutes and 27 seconds, followed by Carla Maley who finished 19th in 28.51, and Michelle Thompson (29th) in 29.22. Clare McManus running from the fast pack finished in overall 39th place, but recording the 7th fastest time of the day in 25.47. Other Ladies runners included Karen Foster (60th), 30.46; Louise Turnbull (70) 31.10, Leah Davison (77th) 29.34, Melanie George (82) 31.43, and Sue Potter (83) 31.50.

The day was started by gallant runs from Messrs Wilkinson and Morley in the Boys Under 13’s race. Based on slow and fast pack format it was Wilkinson, starting the in slower pack who finished first of the Poly runners and closely followed home by Morley in a quicker time.

Next to go was the Senior Men’s event which saw 331 athletes cover the hilly 6-mile course. First Poly athlete home was slow pack runner Michael Moore who finished 34th in a time of 36.47.  Other competitors included:  Patrick Houghton (35) 36.47, Alan Haddon (48) 34.41, Sean Maley (57) 37.33, Tommy Brannon (63) 35.12, Paul Wilkinson (81) 38.11, Martin Spiers (86) 38.20, John Baty (117) 36.27, Barry Young (125) 39.07, Mel Carr (239) 43.47, Alex Robinson (274) 45.12, Mark Small (295) 47.38, and Alan Webb (317) 50.18.

Shortly thereafter the U17 Men’s event commenced with sole Poly athlete Anthony Wallet having a brilliant run finishing 3rd, putting him 5th overall in the North East Harrier League competition.

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Norman gets bronze in first indoor outing.

Norman du Bruin of North Shields Polytechnic Club gained a bronze medal finish at his first ever indoor athletics meeting at the inaugural Masters Indoor Event, Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield, on Sunday 5th February 2012.

The 48-year old Poly athlete has only been training for two years and had never before competed on a 200m indoor track, which meant doing four laps for first time in his career. Yet, he marked his 800m debut with a remarkable race which saw the first three runners cross the line with less than three-tenths of a second separating them. Although he finished third in the race he was second in his age category and speaking about his experience Norman said “I got boxed in on the home straight, learned a lesson there!”
Winner of the Senior 800m race was Edward Huxford, from Cleethorpes (M35) in a time of 2.13.54, second place and fellow over 45 year old John Nibb, Derby A.C. (2.13.67), with Norman finishing in a personal best time of 2.13.77.

Norman travelled to the event with fellow Poly Athlete Richard Baker, who competed in the Senior Men’s 400m. He finished forth in his heat in a time of 62.25.

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Fifteen Poly runners took part in the Morpeth 11K Road Race on New Years Day. Graham Cook was the first Poly runner home in 6th place with a time of 36.45 which I believe was a PB. First Poly lady home was Katherine Davis with a time of 49.42

NS Poly results here
Full results here
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For the statisticians among you. Since April 2006 I have been keeping an annual record of the number of times the NS Poly home page has been accessed. I didn't put a counter on the site until sometime early 2003 but since I started looking after the site in November 2002 the count has exceeded 144,549

From April 2006 to date (01/01/2012) the home page has been accessed 118,159 times with the number of visits per year increasing each year, except for 2009. A yearly breakdown is shown below:

2003/4/5      26,390
2006              10,347
2007              14,168
2008              17,001
2009              16,490
2010              28,610
2011              31,543
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Congratulations to John Renney and Victoria Spence in the recent North East Regional Awards nominations, both finishing runner up in their respective categories; Development Coach and Young Volunteer of the year. Chronicle article here.

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We had a good turnout of Poly members at the 2011 Blaydon Race, if I counted correctly we had 83 runners across the finish line. A good night for running, dry, not too hot but with a bit of a headwind.

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Group leaders please read this and if you wish to register your group with Run England go here for more information.

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In August 2010, North Shields Polytechnic Club were awarded a grant of £1000 from the Wells Sports Foundation, whose patron is Jessica Ennis, World and European Heptahlon Champion.

The grant would enable the Club to buy junior batons, marker cones, hurdles, indoor and outdoor javelins and shot putts, a flexible jumps bar and an overhead projector and screen to host England Athletics' Run in England, Athletics Leaders, Assistant Coach, Coaching Children and Officials education courses.

We are also hoping to use the money to purchase a specialist weights platform for our throws section.

Representatives of the Wells Sports Foundation hope to making a formal presentation of the cheque to our Chairman Ian Woodward, in the coming weeks.
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For a while now NS Poly have had a group on Facebook where we put up photographs of events and it also gives members somewhere to talk to each other (often about relatively prosaic things like who needs a lift to a race, or whether anyone knows what the training session is that evening). Take a look here

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In November 2009 a promotional video was made by the Tony Blair Sports Foundation in partnership with the NS Poly and involved a number of our junior and senior club members at the clubs track. This video can be seen on the newly launched web site at:
http://www.tonyblairsportsfoundation.org/sports/pages/athletics/

In appreciation for his part in the making of the video and to the other club members who ably assisted him, Tommy Brannon received the following vote of thanks.

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Subject: website launch

AT LAST – our new website has launched and I thought you’d like to see your oscar winning performance………

http://tonyblairoffice.org/sports/pages/athletics/

thanks once again for helping out with this.

Jeanette Pickard

Chief Executive
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Paul Dickenson, a former club member and now BBC Sports commentator has kindly provided a list of some former Poly athletes who he remembers from his time with the club. See here
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Read Tommy's story - Focus on Tommy Brannon
Read the full version of Focus on Barbara Ingman from the Poly Patter here.


 A couple of pictures of our gym here


North Shields Polytechnic Club Cups and Trophies information here. If you have any further information about these awards can you please let me know at Les@holywell.demon.co.uk