In the year after our own silver jubilee, Amber Valley & Erewash Athletic Club held its latest Club Championships at our home at Rutland Sports Park. In the past year, we have seen our membership grow by over 20% as the club continues to climb onwards and upwards, bucking the trend that is apparently affecting our sport.
Last year we made the decision to move the Club Championships forward by a couple of weeks to try and avoid the team-sports calendar and, as a result, we saw an increase in competing athletes on Saturday, 06 September, as 76 athletes lined up to try and claim one of our podium spaces.
The weather was kind and we were incredibly grateful for all the volunteers that helped make the championships successful, whether they be familiar faces or parents helping out for the first time. Teamwork is dreamwork after all!
We would also like to pass on our thanks to both the current, and previous, mayors of Amber Valley – Steve Marshall-Clarke and Paul Lobley BEM. Giving their time to our club is very much appreciated and we hope they enjoyed their day.
On to the competition! Each year, AVEAC crowns its champions across the age groups: under 11, 13, 15 and 17. The under 11s take on the ever-popular Quadkids format — a 75m sprint, 600m run, long jump and howler javelin.
For the older athletes, the challenge has now been set in stone: four events for everyone. Just like Quadkids, our under 13s and above must complete a run, a jump and a throw — and, to top it off, a middle distance run – 800m or 1500m. While there were a few groans when this was first introduced, the effort, determination and spirit shown last year proved that our athletes are more than up to the task. The four-event format is now part of AVEAC tradition, and it really brings out the best in everyone.
Under 11s
Our numbers were down a little in this category from last year, but we still saw 13 girls compete for the gold, silver and bronze, whilst 11 boys took to the field to try and claim the win.
In the girls’ 75m, Eva Price and Flo Sibley ran dead 12 second sprints with Sophie Wright a smidgen back on 12.2 in third place. We then had four athletes (Maddie Szabo, Mya Offler and Niah Proctor) all running 12.4, with April Malone clocking a 12.5. In the 600m, Flo came back in just over 2 minutes (2.01) whilst Eva (2.12), April (2.14) and Sophie (2.17) all went sub-2.20. In fact all of our athletes came home in less than 3 minutes, which is a great achievement.
In the field, Flo won the long jump with a good 3.18m. Sophie also cleared 3m (3.11) with Eva (2.92m), Bethany Davies (2.79m) and Mya (2.73m) coming in after. Whilst in the howler, there were some impressive arms on show – Eva threw a big 25m to take first, with April (22.30m), Flo (20.80) and Macey Offler (20m) all going close or past last year’s winning throw.
Last year, Flo and Eva came second and third with 166 and 157 points respectively. This year, both went one better and massively improved their points total. Flo scored 202 points to win gold, Eva grabbed 192 points, winning silver. In bronze with a score that would have won silver last year, April Malone was able to celebrate (170).
For the boys, Joseph Brackenbury (unofficially) broke the club’s 75m record with a 10.9 whilst Reggie Taylor (unofficially) equalled it with a dead 11. Eli Wheatley and Harley Alldread both ran 11.6, whilst Noah Fowlkes also went under 12 (11.8). For the 600m run, Reggie came home in 1.58, just ahead of Joseph although both scored the same time. Eddie Straker ran a great 2.06, whilst Eli (2.08) and Harley (2.10) came in the top 5.
Moving to the throws and jumps, Reggie took the long jump (3.75m) and howler javelin (37.17m). But there were equally impressive attempts from the rest of the field. In the long jump, five athletes cleared 3 metres: Harley (3.14m), Kobi Elliott-Grey (3.12m) and Eddie (3.07m). Whilst in the howler, Eli threw 35m on the dot with Joseph (25.50m), Eddie (25.40m) and Ronnie Ward (23.68m) taking the rest of top 5 spaces.
The podium was therefore made up of Reggie in first place (267 points), Joseph in silver (240 points – which would have won last year) and Eli taking third with 218 points.
Under 13s
We increased our field of competitors from last year with 17 under 13s gathering to compete at our track.
In the girls, Summer Biggs (11.6) knocked over a second off her time from last year in the hurdles whilst Elsie Whittleton ran a good 16.6. In the 100m, Aalin Olubodun was the quickest with a 14.5, just ahead of Aimee Brackenbury who sprinted a 14.7. Katherine Turner (15.1), Sophie Humphrey (15.3), Davie-Rae Redfern (18.2) and Sienna Carlton (18.8) completed the contingent. The 200m was undertaken by Chelsea McCondach (34.4) and Florence Protheroe (36.8).
The ever-popular 800m saw Summer come back first with a 2.49, just a second ahead of Katherine. Aalin completed the top three with a 3.26, whilst FloPro ran the 1500m as the only girl in the whole competition – time: 7.08.
In the jumps, Summer took first place in the long with a 4.89m (first overall for the girls in the whole comp) whilst Aalin (3.25) and Sophie (3.13) joined for the top 3. Aimee was the best high jumper (1.25m) with Katherine (1.20) and Chelsea (1.10) also leaping upwards. In the throws, Summer completed another win with a huge 9.62m shot ahead of Chelsea (5.87m) and Aimee (5.23m). Sophie won the javelin (10.40m) with Aalin (8.74m) & Sienna (8.15m) to complete the throws.
So, Summer retained her championship, taking first place 315 points. Katherine was 2nd with 223 points (after winning the U11s last year) and Aimee took home bronze with 202 points.
In the boys, Elliott Wright was the quickest with 14.0, with Adam Banton (14.5) and Eli Metson-Scott (15.9) competing for the under 13s. We had three 200m runners; Dylan Knowles was first in 31.1, just ahead of Owen Watson (32.6) and Jasper Sangster (34.7). In the 800m, Dylan was back first in 2.42 with the other athletes close together; Elliott ran a 3.01 and Eli a 3.13. Jasper was the sole 1500m runner crossing the line in a good 6.20.
Jumps wise, Elliott (3.93m) and Leo Durrant (3.90m) took top 2 in the long jump whilst Owen leapt 1.16m in the high jump. Elliott won the u13 shot with 4.99m with Eli grabbing 2nd with 4.30m. Leo won the javelin at 16.16m with Owen in a silver place with 15.81m.
This meant that Elliott replicated his under 11 win last year by taking home gold with 244 points with Dylan in silver place with 226 points and Adam took a bronze with 208 points.
Under 15s
A big field contested the under 15s competition as 15 girls, and 10 boys vied for success. This was an increase on last year which is great to see.
The hurdles at 75m were contested by Erin Beresford (who took first place with a 12.8 run) and Isla Douglas (who got a second place in 13.7). Whilst, in the 100m, Olivia took the tape first in 13.8, followed by Isla Fowlkes (14.0), Amelie Wheatley (14.5) and Layla Knowles (14.7). Ruby Hill took the 200m plaudits in 29.7, ahead of Maggie Flinders in 30.2. The under 15s had the chance to do the 300m, and three athletes competed in the same. First went to Bibi Mulholland (45.0), with Lucy Norman (46.6) and Katelyn Taft (48.1) completing the top 3.
In the middle distance, Lucy took 1st in 2.38, with Isla D a small way back in 2nd place in a time of 2.44. The top five were further made up of Katelyn (2.50), Bibi (2.54) and Erin (2.58). No 1500m runners I’m afraid to report!
The jumps were scattered between long, high and triple. Erin jumped the longest with 4.12m. She was followed by Layla & Olivia (both 3.74m). Ruby Hill was the sole triple jumper, landing 8.32m into the sand. Meanwhile, in the high jump, Bibi took first place with a 1.36m, with Maggie in 2nd with 1.33m. The Islas (F & D) shared third place; both clearing 1.30m. Finally, in the throws, Amelie took gold with a 6.19m put, ahead of Layla (5.66m) and Mamie Skipper (5.65m). Erin was the spear-leader – she threw 23.96m in the javelin. Bibi (13.20m) and Katelyn (7.30m) claimed the next two places. The discus was a 4-way of under 15s; (1) Ruby H (17.11m), (2) Isla D (14.71m), (3) Ruby Shore (12.94m) and (4) Maggie (12.29m) and the hammer was split between the winner, Bella Parsons-Loades (25.83m) and Olivia (23.15m).
After all that, the winning places of the event went to Erin (294 points), Olivia (265 points) and Bibi (259 points).
Ten athletes competed for the under 15 boys’ title. Joe Stimson was the sole hurdler, crossing the line in 16.9 whilst in the 100m, Joe Moss broke (unofficially) the club record with a 11.1 sprint. He was followed by Gabe Parr (14.0), Lucas Sangster (14.4), Marcus Parsons-Loades (16.5) and Ethan Ray (17.0). Unfortunately, Ethan suffered a serious injury during the run. All at AVEAC wish him a speedy recovery.
In the longer 200m, Alfie Ray was first in 26.1, just ahead of Joe Falivena (26.4) and Charlie Davies (27.3). The sole 300m runner, Harvey Glover, was first in 44.0. In the 800m, Joe M got a 2nd win with a 2.22 run, 4 seconds ahead of Harvey. Charlie (2.28) and Joe F (2.38) ran well. Joe S was the only 1500m runner and ran a very good 4.57.
On the field, Joe M jumped a massive 6.10 to win. He was joined up the top by Charlie (4.11m) and Gabe (3.67m). Joe S and Ethan both did the triple clearing 8.82m and 7.63m respectively. Finally, there was a three-way competition in the high – Joe F took the plaudits with a clearance of 1.46m. Alfie (1.40m) and Harvey (1.30m) also featured. In the throws, Joe M putted 12.89m; Marcus a little back in 2nd with 8.67m, followed by Alfie (6.63m). Charlie took the javelin (15.77m) with Ethan (14.34m) in 2nd whilst Harvey (19.14m) and Joe F (18.15) fighting for the discus. Lastly, Gabe won the hammer with a chuck of 15.36m.
All this saw Joe Moss take home gold (374 points) ahead of Harvey in 2nd with 295 points and bronze going to Joe Falivena (290 points).
Under 17s
Last year we did not have enough for two full podiums. This year, I’m glad to report, we saw 10 athletes competing for the under 17s. It may be a small increase, but it is one nonetheless.
In the women’s category, we had Ebony Longdon, Leah Parkin, Jasmine Shore, Madeleine Turner and Jessica Dickinson whilst Adam Hill, Will Stimson, Riley Jones, Ashton Hayes and Corey Fisher for the men.
Leah was the first woman back in the 100m, being 1.5 seconds quicker than she was last year (13.1). She was followed by Ebony (14.0) and Jess (15.2). Madeleine and Jasmine took on the 300m, clearing the line in 43.8 and 46.3 respectively. In the 800m, Madeleine topped the female side with a 2.21. Jasmine completed the course in 2.59, ahead of Leah (3.09), Jess (3.14) and Ebony (3.17).
On the field, Madeleine won long jump with a 4.53m, with Jasmine in 2nd (4.23m). Jess (3.99m) and Leah (3.93m) were a fraction off clearing 4 metres. Ebony leapt 3.34m to complete the jumps, as the girls all settled in the long jump only. The girls obviously wanted to keep themselves together as they all did shot too! Madeleine was again top (8.22m), challenged by Jasmine (7.54m), Ebony (7.10m), Jess (6.25m) and Leah (5.18m).
In the end, Madeleine took the title with 321 points with Jasmine 2nd (282 points), Leah in 3rd (249 points), Ebony 4th (235 points) and Jess in 5th (225 points).
In the men’s, Will was again the sole hurdler, coming back in 15.8. Riley won the 100m in 11.8, with Adam taking a third overall with a 12.7. Corey ran the 200m in 24.7, whilst Ashton ran a quick 40.4 in the 300m. In the 800m, Riley was first back overall in 2.18. Ashton took 2nd in 2.27, just ahead of Will (2.29), Adam (2.37) and Corey (2.50).
The men replicated the women in all doing long jump. Will leapt a very good 5.21m, with Corey claiming 2nd with 4.89m. Adam (4.85m), Ashton (4.60) and Riley (4.43m) completed that event. There was variation in the throws; Riley won shot with a 12m chuck. Will came second with 8.78m; Ashton (7.33m) and Corey (7.25m) were a little apart later in the field. Meanwhile, to complete matters, Adam threw 26.60m in the javelin to win that event.
The podium saw Riley claim gold with 348 points. We then had a joint second place – Adam and Ashton with 317 points. Will came in 3rd with 315 points and Corey took a 4th in 308 points. Less than ten points separated 2nd from 4th.
Jess Turner Trophy
Every year, the best scoring athlete is the recipient of the Jess Turner Trophy at our Club Championships. There was plenty of competition. At under 11, Reggie Taylor took home 267 points, whilst Erin Beresford was close to 300 points, winning the under 15 girls’ competition with 294 points.
Further, Summer Biggs (315 points), Madeleine Turner (321 points), and Riley Jones (348 points) all went past the 300 milestone. However, there was only one winner, and that was the 2025 under 15 boys’ champion, Joe Moss who compiled a big 374 points in winning his category. Joe joins a list of many great AVEAC members and lays down the gauntlet for next year to see who can lift that trophy.
New season
The 2025 AVEAC Club Championships were well planned and well executed. There was a lot of joy on show as parents, coaches and athletes all worked together to create what I would say was even better than last year. The introduction of Emma’s Cakes of Ripley and Jens Super Whippy were fantastic additions this year and, I would say, well received!
A big thank you to all those involved from the great organisational skills of Dan to the officials and helpers, those running the tuck shop & the registration team. The only thing missing is TrackMark but we are hoping that may be remedied by next year!
And, to finish, a big thank you to our athletes that competed. Now, you turn your mind to the Winter Season and the Sportshall and Mini League Cross Country. We look forward to seeing you all at training and competitions this winter!
Report – Rich Woodward
