Athletics
The boys’ athletics season started with meetings against
In all, 40 boys represented B.R.A. at the District Championships at the Antrim Forum. There were some outstanding performances with B.R.A. pupils becoming District Champions in 11 events.
The team performed well at the Ulster Championships with the team finishing second overall. In all, five boys became Ulster Champions in various events. They were Adam Walsh in the Junior Hammer, Conor Spence in the Inter Pole Vault, Damian McIlroy in the Inter 100m Hurdles and Chris Reynolds in the Senior Discus. There were also many excellent performances throughout our team with many athletes setting personal bests. This had been a very successful meeting with nine boys in total qualifying for the Irish Schools’ finals in Tullamore.
BRA pupils performed very well at the Irish Schools’ Championships, inspired by club captain Chris Reynolds who became Irish Champion in the Senior Discus. This was thoroughly deserved and was an excellent reward for many years hard work. Adam Walsh finished second in the Junior Hammer, again this was richly deserved. Adam worked very hard on timing and technique and we thank Mr Moffett for all the time and energy that he invested in him. Three boys just missed out on a medal finishing in fourth place, Conor Spence in the Inter Pole Vault, Damian McIlroy in the Inter100m Hurdles and Howard Stapleton in the Junior Javelin. Jamie Nevin finished 5th in the Senior Hammer and Ross Vance finished 5th in the Junior 80m Hurdles.
In the age group championships at the Antrim Forum many athletes again performed well. Along with the usual suspects many other athletes hit form later in the season delivering some very sound performances, these included: Adam Martin and Adrian Yeung in the Hammer, Marc Glover in the Pole Vault and Javelin, Ian Henderson in the Discus and Daniel Laird and Oisin Gribbon in the 1500m.
In the Form II competition the team finished 3rd overall in
Conor Spence and Marc Thompson were selected to represent
In the Celtic Championships Damian McIlroy finished 4th 100m Hurdles.
Our top athletes deserve huge credit. At the highest level it is not possible to compete on ability alone. The success of our athletes is a direct result of hours of practice and physical conditioning done far away from the bright lights of the big events. This training is not done only in the summer months but most athletes follow a strict winter training schedule led by Miss Stewart. The Boys’ Athletics Club is deeply indebted to her for her tireless work and enthusiasm. She truly is an authority on all things to do with athletics and we would be lost without her. The Club would be lost also without the knowledge and support of Mr Moffett. His enthusiasm is inspiring for staff and pupils alike. He worked very hard with the male and female throwers which was evident when they reaped the rewards in the
The Girls’ Athletics Club enjoyed a very full and successful programme throughout the year 2007-2008. The Junior team collected the Junior Challenge Trophy at the Ulster Championships. The Minor team finished runners up in
Athletics is a sport that never ‘sleeps’, but somehow it manages to convey the image that it only takes place during a few weeks in May and June. For a number of athletes pre-season training did in fact start at the end of October 2007. The first competition of the season – N. Ireland Indoor Championships, took place in January 2008 at the Odyssey. The season finished with the UK Games at the end of August in
It is always exciting to see the new ‘batch’ of the Form I athletes in action. Many potential new stars emerged at the first outdoor competition against Hunterhouse, Friends’ and
The Form I girls did not disappoint at the District Championships, held on the 12th May 2008. The team was placed 2nd just one point behind
Charlene McAdams who sometimes springs a surprise or two during competitions was in fine form to take the No. 1 spot in discus. Her friend and personal organizer Laura McKay took second place in hammer. Vicki Sefton narrowly missed qualifying. Middle distance events are probably the most competitive in District, so it was great to see Lauren O’Donnell Anderson qualifying in the 1500m.
At Intermediate and Senior level, we did not have the large number of competitors of previous years. We did have a number of athletes who had the potential to be the top in
The Ulster Championships were held on the 18th and 19th May at the Antrim Forum. The competition got off to an excellent start on the Friday evening with a gold medal for Lauren McCay in hammer. She also recorded a new personal best of 27.83 metres. Lucy Dugan claimed her gold medal in pole-vault just a few minutes later. She was delighted to set a new
I am delighted to report that there were more gold medals to follow on the Saturday. In total the girls notched up 8 gold medals, 3 silver and 3 bronze in the Ulsters. All our athletes rose to the big occasion and showed a great deal of determination and composure to make the finals.
One of the most eagerly awaited races of the day was the final of the 800m. A number of spectators remarked that the race between our two high quality athletes Sasha Hooks and Christine McMahon could be likened to a clash between the mighty Steve Ovett and the magnificent Seb Coe. Both girls ran impressively and were well ahead of the field but Christine’s final kick around the last bend brought her home ahead of Sasha in times of 2.16.8 mins and 2.17.1 mins respectively. Sasha gained a bronze medal in the 1500m and Christine went on to run a superb 2nd leg in the 4x100m relay. Rachael Harvey, Shannon Turkington and Christine Martin were also part of the team which picked up the silver medal.
Captain Orla Drysdale won the Ulster Champions Title in discus for the 3rd consecutive year, with an excellent throw of 32.22 metres – some 8 metres ahead of the field. Not to be outdone Charlene McAdams won the Junior event with a new P.B of 25.59m.
Among the highlights of the day were the performances of the jumpers. Emily Reid produced a good series of jumps in the triple and like a true champion – kept her focus throughout. Anna Hutchinson competed well under pressure and struck gold in both the long jump and high jump. She was delighted with a new personal best of 1.40m in the high jump. Emma Kelso did well to lift the bronze medal in high jump. With her fantastic gymnastic ability she could well be a potential recruit for pole-vault next year. Other noteworthy performances came from Trudy Neill, Nikita Cheyny and Lauren O’Donnell Anderson.
Overall it was a great two days of competition and the girls deserve much praise for their success and in lifting the top trophy in
12 girls qualified for the Irish Championships held at Tullamore on 1st June 2008. We teamed up with the boys and travelled down to Athlone the night before. To reach this level is a superb achievement for our young athletes, but it can also be very daunting. We did bring an excellent back-up team with us – Mr McCarey, Mr McCoy, Mr Carolan, Mr Dorman, Mr Moffett and our youngest recruit Mr Johnston. We had every eventuality covered! The staff members were even prepared to lace up their spikes and guest in the 4x100m relay. Mr McCarey and Mr Dorman spent a long time debating who should run the 2nd leg – Mr S Johnston being the hot favourite!
In a more serious note I would like to thank all the staff for their hard-work and support throughout the year. You would not find staff anywhere willing to give up so much of their free-time for Athletics. It is very much appreciated by the girls.
All the athletes performed admirably with Lucy Dugan and Christine McMahon winning gold, Emily Reid winning silver, Sasha Hooks silver and Orla Drysdale silver. The 4x100m relay settled for a bronze medal. All our other athletes can be very proud of finishing in the top 6 in
As a result of their performances, the following girls were selected for the Ulster U17 Inter-provincial team – Lauren McCorey, Lucy Dugan, Christine McMahon, Sasha Hooks and Rachel Harvey. They managed to maintain their momentum which led to international selection for Christine McMahon, Sasha Hooks and Lucy Dugan. To represent your country is every athlete’s dream and selection is the culmination of an enormous amount of hard-work and effort. Hopefully they will remember this achievement and it will inspire them to set their targets even higher in the future.
When school finished at the end of June, the athletics season was far from over and for Christine, Sasha, Lucy and Rachel it probably felt like it was only getting going. They competed with distinction at the All Ireland Club Championships and in the Celtic International. They could not afford to take their foot off the pedal, as they had gained selection for the
The
In the longest season that I can ever remember, there have been many memorable performances. For those girls whose names have not yet hit the headlines, I urge you to be patient and keep on practising the basics and beating your own personal targets. You can still be winners if you if you have the desire, dedication and determination.
We are moving into an exciting era for athletics, especially with the 2012 Olympics. There are many challenges ahead to encourage development of athletics at grass roots as well as at the elite level.
Finally on behalf of all the athletes, I would like to thank the headmaster for his unflagging support down the years. Mr Young was a familiar figure at the major championships and was always the first to congratulate the athletes. He never ceased to amaze pupils and staff with his incredible knowledge of performances. He shared his passion of sport and he believed firmly in the power of sport to inspire young people’s lives. We wish him well in his retirement.
School News
SPRING CONCERT
23rd Mar 2010
Ulster Hall - 23rd March - 7.30pm
THE ACADEMY THROUGH TO SCHOOLS CUP FINAL
17th Mar 2010
16 - 12 win against Wallace High School
HOCKEY NEWS
10th Mar 2010
Shield semi-final win & selections for U15 Area Board Tournament
MUSIC NEWS
9th Mar 2010
Ballymena Music Festival
