Prior to COVID, the North of Tyne Athletics Network (NOTAN) organised a fantastic series of quadkids events across the summer at Churchill Playing FIelds. Athletes in school years 3-6 took part in a sprint, endurance run, long jump and howler throw, with results, certificates and end of season prizes. This was a fantastic series that attracted youngsters from all over the North East, and most importantly provided and incredible pathway for young athletes to go on and develop in the sport. Our very own Blyth Sportshall Athletics Series provided a similar format indoors in the winter months, but again this did not return after COVID. There were also series organised by Gateshead outdoors and Jarrow & Hebburn indoors over the decade which have fallen by the wayside.

There were several reasons that these series were discontinued, but one of the main ones is that the organising team was largely made of of coaches and parents of the athletes competing - as the children were getting older and moved onto other things, it meant that these volunteer coaches and parents moved on to as circumstances changed.

There is now a real passion from the local athletics community to see events return - to enable young people to develop multi-event skills regularly in a fun and engaging environment. Local clubs and organisations are starting to put plans in place. But this will ONLY be possible if we have a new generation of volunteers who are able to plan, manage and deliver the events and all that goes on behind the scenes. So this is an appeal for anyone who would like to get involved in some capacity, however big or small. There are no specific skills or experience necessary, just a passion for athletics. It would suit coaches, parents, family members, senior athletes, older junior athletes, officials, etc etc. 

If you would like to be involved in the re-establishment of foundation junior athletics comps in the North Tyneside/South East Northumberland area - then please get in touch, just email Daniel - [email protected]

What an incredible experience and achievement for Luke Pichler. He became the clubs first U20 international, having been selected to be part of the elite England team for the Swedish Combined Events Championships in Stockholm. Just gaining this selection was a result of years of hard work - however what Luke achieved over the weekend showed just how exciting a future he has, with continued hard work and opportunities like this.

Luke adapated superbly to the new environment, with the wonderful hosts giving the England team the best chance to shine. On day 1, Luke started with a swift 60m despite a small stumble, and came alive in the long jump as he leapt out to 6.96m in the 2nd round, a massive PB. A long gap followed before event 3, giving Luke the experience of the format of a major international champs. The shot put was the toughest event of the weekend, with Luke struggling to get to grips with the 6kg shot. Nevertheless, a solid final throw kept Luke in a strong position. The day ended late, at 2030 local time, with a 1.85m clearance in the high jump to leave Luke in 2nd place overnight.

Day 2 began with hurdles, and Luke was in scintillating form running 8.25s. Next up, and Luke soared like an eagle to clear 3.92m in the pole vault for a huge PB. In the 1000m, Luke set himself a tough target, but wasnt quite able to hit the planned pace. He finished in a fine 2nd place, with 5150pts, ranking him #1 in Europe for athletes born in 2008, and first in the UK for U20 athletes. The whole weekend provided a fantastic opportunity for Luke to experience international competition - and Luke made the most of every second.

For the first time, the NECAA Indoor Championships are split accross 2 seperate weekends, with the field events taking place on Sunday 16th February at Gateshead College. There was a lively atmosphere, and this helped deliver a stunning day of athletics with plenty of success for Blyth's young athletes. 4 Gold medals were won, 2 silvers, and 5 bronzes, with 12 new PB's set.

High Jump
It was a highly succesful day for our 5 athletes  who took part in the high jump. In the U15 girls event, India took bronze with 1.31m, whilst Fearne was delighted to clear a new PB of 1.21m on the 3rd attempt. In the U17 competition Isla Bell recorded a new PB of 1.41m to take bronze - higher heights are just around the corner for sure. Senna Gorvett was in fine form in the U20 comp, taking gold with a stunning new PB of 1.57m.

Shot Put
The medals kept on coming in the shot put. Ben Compton took our first gold of the day as he threw beyond 10m in the U15 boys comp. In the U15 girls event, India threw well, and Fearne smashed her previous PB no fewer than 5 times to record a best of 6.99m for 4th. In the U17 event, Abi Huntly destroyed her PB to record 10.16m for silver, with Hollie-Anne taking bronze with a PB of 9.33, and there was a well deserved PB for Talia with 5.84m. Senna continued her strong day, with a club record 9.24m to take U20 bronze.

Long Jump
In the U15 girls event, India did superbly to qualify for the final 6 with a PB of 3.92m, whilst there was heartbreak for Kimi as she could not quite put together a strong jump, and she finished just shy of the medals. In the U17 event, there was plenty of drama as athletes battled for the medals. Abigail Huntly's massive PB of 4.91m gave her a well deserved silver medal, however Hollie-Anne just missed out in 4th. Talia and Isla both exceeded 4m, but were unable to make the top 6. The U20 event was absolute fire. Sadie smashed the championship record with 5.49m to take gold. In a competition of the highest standard, Amber produced a superb best of 5.21m to take bronze, and incredibly Senna's massive 5.15m PB was not enough for a medal.

Triple Jump
What a day for Millie Train - nearly 8 years after her first NECAA gold medal, she finally returned to the top of the podium thanks to a stunning display of triple-jumping. Her leap of 11.20m was enough to secure a convincing gold, and extend her outright club record. 

Results
Abi Huntly - LJ SILVER 4.91m PB, Shot Put SILVER 10.16m PB
Amber Wright - LJ BRONZE 5.21m
Ben Compton - Shot Put GOLD 10.07m
Fearne Bell - HJ 6th 1.21m PB, Shot Put 4th 6.99m PB
Hollie-Anne Sudder - LJ 4th 4.80m, Shot Put BRONZE 9.33m PB
India Gorvett - HJ BRONZE 1.31m, Long Jump 6th 3.92m PB, Shot Put 6th 6.27m
Isla Bell - LJ 14th 4.02m, HJ BRONZE 1.41m PB
Kimi Ng - LJ 5th 4.12m
Millie Train - Triple Jump GOLD 11.20m PB, Club Record
Sadie Parker - LJ GOLD 5.49m, Championship Record
Senna Gorvett - LJ 4th 5.15m PB, Shot Put BRONZE 9.24m PB, Club Record, High Jump GOLD 1.57m PB Club record
Talia Green - LJ 11th 4.15m, Shot Put 8th 5.84m PB

It was a huge weekend of top quality action around the UK - read our full round-up below!

At the England Athletics Indoor Age Group Champs, 4 Team Blyth athletes took part over the two days having achieved the tough entry standards.

Hollie took 4th in her u17 60m heat, just outside her PB with 8.03s. Sadie was part of an extremely high quality u20 long jump, with her 3rd round jump of 5.66m (SB) securing her an extra 3 attempts, and she eventually finished 7th. Millie opened up in the u20 Triple Jump with her biggest jump for a year - 11.09m, just shy of her PB. She was just 0.02m away from an extra 3 jumps - but a 9th place finish is a great achievement. Abi went in a loaded u17 60m Hurdles field, and gave it 100%. Despite not executing the race she had hoped for, it was still her 2nd fastest time ever.

A wonderful opportunity for our juniors to represent Northumberland on Saturday at the Intercounties Crosscountry and Middlesbrough - brilliant performances from all!
Junior boys - Jamie 39th, Charlie 68th
Inter boys - George 33rd, Dexter 43rd
Minor girls - Amelie 23rd, Lily 37th

At the Scottish Combined events in Emirates, a small squad took on the Scots, and it was quite a day!

India Gorvett went in her first u15 pentathlon - and what a start she had! A massive 10cm PB in the high jump as she won her pool with 1.41m. In the hurdles, India was flying before falling at hurdle 3 - but she bravely continued. A long jump PB followed later in the day, it was truly a day of ofs and downs! India once again showed true spirit.

Senna Gorvett went in the U20 pentathlon - and started with a new PB in the hurdles of 9.58. She was close to her PBs in the high jump and shot, but the long jump did not go to plan. In an incredible battle for the medals, Senna gave it her all in the 800m, but was not quite able to do enough by the smallest of margins. It was bronze 🥉 for Senna, just 1pt behind Silver. A new overall pentathlon PB was well earned, and congrats to Hannah and Tilly who took gold and silver in a fantastic contest.

A small but focused squad took to the track and field at the final Thursday night meet of the winter on the 6th February at Gateshead College.

Ben Compton led the way with the longest shot put of all age groups on the night, before smashing his 60m PB. Senna Gorvett was in similar form, with a small shot put PB and U20 club record, before she went head to head with her Dad (coach Nigel) in the 60m. A massive PB and club record of 8.15s was the reward for Senna, despite losing out to Dad!

Kimi Ng juggled the shot put and 60m, and came away with a race win and big new PB in the 60m. Luke Pichler continued his prep for his England U20 debut with a new club record and PB in the pole vault of 3.80m, whilst Alexander Robson-Lamb took victory in the U13 high jump, and also the 60m hurdles where he set a new PB and club record of 10.15s.

​What a night!

Temple Park was the venue for the Sherman Cup XC on Sunday, with 5 Blyth juniors battling the icy ground. George Bryce produced one of his finest XC runs to date, to take a fantastic silver medal in the U15 race. Dexter Heatley was not far behind in 7th. In the U11 boys race, Alex was 12th, whilst Amelie was 21st in the U13 Girls race. Beth finished things off with a strong 15th in the U17 girls race.

Meanwhile, The Nothern Indoor U15 champs were taking place in Sheffield, with India joined by new club member Kimi Ng. India had a busy schedule, and recorded excellent PB's in both the 60m hurdles and 200m, although her shot put was a little below her best. Kimi produced her 2nd best Long jump ever in the 1st round, however 4.25m was not quite enough to secure a top 8 placing and an extra 3 jumps in what was a massive field. Kimi also ran well in the 60m.

Photo Credits for Northern Indoors: Mick Hall