News from February 2008

As we step into March; more and more people are lacing up their running shoes and taking to the streets.
The Lincoln 10k is creeping ever nearer; and for the hundreds of competitors taking part, training has never been more crucial. [read more...]

Lincoln City and Sleaford Netball clubs are the latest to achieve CAPS accreditation while Horncastle Belles and Fenland submit their completed folders for assessment. They join Barge and Bottle and Brigg Netball clubs who have already received the award for quality and high standards from England Netball.

Well done Lincoln and Sleaford

Spalding Sparks are now a massive 1 year old. The club started in February 2007 at the Castle Sports complex in Spalding. It now has two senior teams and numerous junior members. The club has developed at a fantastic rate over the last year with a website, sponsorship deals, a presentation night and an invitation shield held in September. This was all down to some very dedicated volunteers and some expertise from Leigh Taylor with the website and sponsorship. The club received some Awards-for-all funding back in March which they have put to good use by training coaches, buying equipment and funding the venue.

The future looks bright for the ‘sparks’ as they won the Boston B league last summer and now have two teams in the Boston League and a team in the County league. Well Done the Sparks!

Sleaford Town Runners have become the first road running club in East Midlands to achieve Clubmark Accreditation.

The club has spent the last few months working hard on the pack and has now achieved the lucrative status.

The club have evidenced that they can meet and exceed criteria within club areas such as Club Management, Duty of Care and Welfare, Sports Equity and Ethics and Coaching and Competition Programme.

Established in 2006 Sleaford Town Runners have shown that they are an equitable and safe club to be a member of and that they are open and accessible to all.

England Athletics East Midlands would like to congratulate Sleaford Town Runners for their efforts and commitment.

The club can now enjoy benefits such as heavily subsidised coach education course places and will receive a grant of £250 from England Athletics East Midlands for achieving accreditation.

For more information about Sleaford Town Runners please visit their website - www.sleafordtownrunners.com

For more information about Clubmark please visit - www.clubmark.org.uk

Congratulations to both Stamford school and Spalding Hockey Club who defied the wet, cold and breezy weather to secure 1st place in the under 11’s and the under 13’s category’s of the County Mini Hockey Final.

This secures both clubs a place in the East of England Regional Finals on April 26th & 27th.

Barry Barr- Fixtures & Tournaments Secretary, Lincolnshire Hockey Association had this to say:

“I think the lads were magnificent to stick it out, in such dreadfully cold, & windy conditions, the Hockey was of an exceptional standard.”

February has got off to a great sporting start, with the first weekend in February celebrating some excellent junior sporting achievements.

For the first time since the induction of Sports hall Athletics National Competitions 25 years ago, I am pleased to spread the news that; Lincolnshire has a team progressing to the National Finals of the Norwich Union Sports hall Athletics Competition. The National Finals take place at the NEC Birmingham on April 12th 2008.

My congratulations go to all team members of Lincolnshire’s Under 15 boys squad; the squad made up of; Jeremy Baily, Aidan McClure, Alex Pycock, and Peter Spencer- all Boston & District A.C; David Bush- Nene Valley Harriers, Adam Runacres- Sleaford Striders, & Gary Wong- Grantham A.C sped past competition from Nottingham, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, & Derbyshire to win first place in the East Midlands Regional Final at Grantham last Sunday, in so doing securing themselves a place in the prestigious National Finals.

The team finished the Regional Final at ease with a combined point’s score of 670 ahead of; Derbyshire 643, Nottinghamshire 628, and Northamptonshire 444.

In addition to the team’s success, I would especially like to congratulate Peter Spencer and Alex Pycock of Boston District A.C, who featured in the top three positions in the Individual All Rounder Rankings. 14 year old Peter Spencer was joint 3rd with an individual point’s score of 140, whilst Alex Pycock was awarded the East Midlands Regional Title with a momentous score of 144.

Lincolnshire’s Under 15 Boys Squad will now be fighting it out in the UK grand final on Saturday 12th April, the 2008 Grand Final represents the 25th anniversary of Sports hall Athletics, and I’m sure I speak for everyone when I wish the County’s Under 15 Boys, the best of luck.