Ella Rush is one of seven outstanding U.K. Under 20 athletes to gain a place on this year’s Olympic Futures Academy Programme for 2022/23. The programme which is sponsored by Nike is a key step to support development with the aim of progressing to become a successful senior athlete, and eventual transition onto the World Class programme. It also looks to support those who have highlighted the potential to take part at future Olympic Games and other major championships.
It is a great honour for Ella to be included in the programme which is recognition of the successful season she had in 2022 culminating in a sixth place finish in the Heptathlon at the Under 20 World Championships in Cali, Colombia in August. The Pathway programme has seen many successful graduates over the years, including most recently Keely Hodgkinson, the European 800m champion. Ella who is currently on a scholarship at the University of Georgia will benefit from the programme while back in the U.K. during the long summer holiday period.
Ryan gains place on Youth Talent Programme
Other good news announced last week included Ryan Rawlinson gaining a place on the England Athletics Youth Talent Programme for 2022/23. The programme provides a first stepping stone to support athletes from age 16 who have the potential to represent England and Great Britain at domestic and international championships. His place was secured through his excellent performances in the Long Jump at regional and national level last year. Taking part in this programme will give Ryan the opportunity to attend event specific days over the next two years with leading national jumps coaches while at the same time allowing him to undertake an academic support qualification (Diploma in Sporting Excellence) helping progression to further and higher education.
Ryan gains place on Youth Talent Programme
Other good news announced last week included Ryan Rawlinson gaining a place on the England Athletics Youth Talent Programme for 2022/23. The programme provides a first stepping stone to support athletes from age 16 who have the potential to represent England and Great Britain at domestic and international championships. His place was secured through his excellent performances in the Long Jump at regional and national level last year. Taking part in this programme will give Ryan the opportunity to attend event specific days over the next two years with leading national jumps coaches while at the same time allowing him to undertake an academic support qualification (Diploma in Sporting Excellence) helping progression to further and higher education.
Northern Athletics Open Meeting – Saturday 10th December, EIS Sheffield
There was good AVEAC representation at the second Northern Athletics Open Indoor Meeting at Sheffield on Saturday 10th December with many personal bests recorded in the process.
In the Girl’s Under 15 60m graded sprints, Isla Hiscocks, like she did in the first Open Meeting in November, ran the second fastest time of the day recording 8.32 seconds. Isabelle Overy Jones also ran a PB of 9.20 seconds in her race while Joe Moss, won his graded sprint in 8.93 seconds. In the Women’s graded 60s there were best ever performances as well for Grace Young (U20) who knocked three tenths off her previous best recording 8.61 seconds and Jasmine Ellis (U17)who marginally bettered her time set at the previous fixture clocking 8.79 seconds.
Jasmine Shore’s time in the U15 150m of 21.23 seconds was her fastest ever, while in one of the later 150m races on the programme there was a one, two, three for AVEAC with Betsy Wilson (U13) winning in 22.28 seconds followed closely behind by first year U15s Madeleine Turner in 22.35 seconds and Ailsa McMillan finishing in 22.59 seconds.
At U20 level, Ben Pitts put together two outstanding performances in the 60m Hurdles and High Jump in preparation for the forthcoming England Athletics combined event championships in early January. In the 60m Hurdles Ben knocked four tenths off his previous best, dipping through the finish line in 9.02 seconds. Later in the day he went on to clear 1.92m in the High Jump improving his previous best height by six centimetres. Corey Tatum, now a first year in the U20 age group comfortably won his graded 300m in a new personal best of 38.55 seconds and and will be looking forward to producing the same type of form over 400m next month at the Northern Championships.
In the U15 Girl’s High Jump, Jasmine Shore set another personal best clearing 1.32m with team mates Ailsa McMillan and Madeleine Turner getting over 1.27m and 1.17m. In the Senior Men’s Long Jump, George Reynolds got his indoor campaign off to a good start finishing 3rd overall with a respectable 6.24m. In the same Long Jump pool Corey Tatum’s best effort was 5.34m. In the Senior Women’s A Pool Long Jump 10 centimetres separated Under 20 jumpers Nicole Bonser and Grace Young with Nicole getting out to 4.82m and Grace finishing on 4.72m. In the B Pool, Isabelle Hay’s best jump was 4.16m while Jasmine Ellis recorded her second PB of the day with a distance of 4.12m.
Our three U15 Girls, Jasmine Shore, Ailsa McMillan and Madeleine Turner, completed a busy day competing in the Long Jump Pool B. Jasmine finished second with yet another best ever jump of 3.97m with Ailsa and Madeleine not far behind on 3.89m and 3.85m.
Joe Moss stepped up two years to compete alongside U15s in the Shot and his throw of 8.66m with the 3kg implement was a huge improvement on his previous best which had stood at 7m exactly. In the Women’s Shot Jasmine Ellis had another consistent effort of 5.72m while Betsy Wilson finished 3rd in the U13 event with a best of 5.86m.
Loughborough University Indoor Open – Saturday and Sunday 10th and 11th December
Under 20 Triple Jumper, Michelle Yalekhue, who has recently transferred to AVEAC from Charnwood had an excellent start on her debut for the club winning the Senior Women’s Hop, Step and Jump on the Sunday. Her distance of 11.79m bettered her previous best of 11.49m, set when winning the Scottish U20 title last year. Michelle who has an outdoor best of 12.23m was ranked 3rd in the UK as an U18 last season and 6th at U20 level; she will be a great asset to the YDL team this outdoor season.
Alice Robinson also took part at the meeting on the Saturday contesting a mini Multi Event competition in a run, jump, throw format. Alice set a PB in the 60m Hurdles of 11.23 seconds, long jumped 4.22m and ‘put’ the Shot 8.62m.
Derbyshire Mini League Cross-Country
A fuller report with photos on Saturday’s final fixture in the Mini Cross Country league will appear in a few days time.
Words – Joe McColgan
Photo credits
Ella Rush – Screenshot from World Athletics TV
Northern Open – Northern Athletics Google Photos – (more photos available on AVEAC Facebook page)