Secretary's Report to AGM 2003
Success breeds success and, following on from what Alan Mead described in his report to the AGM in 2002 as the "most successful year in our 115 year history", then the last twelve months have certainly not been a disappointment.
Track & Field
In our track and field teams, the men's British League team dominated yet again, winning not only all four matches, but also the British League title for the 7th consecutive year. They have now won this title more than any other club, though we still must win next year if we are to equal the marvellous 8 consecutive victories of Wolverhampton & Bilston. Our women, although finishing in the bottom half of the table in Southern Division 1, were offered the opportunity to compete in the UK Women's League qualifier match earlier this month. This was as a result of their performances in the Jubilee Cup. Despite only seven days' notice, and missing many of their leading internationals, they convincingly won the match, thanks to the great effort and commitment shown by all those taking part, and have now gained that all important promotion to the UK Women's League.
In Lisbon, the men once again represented the UK in the European Champion Clubs Cup and finished 6th of eight teams, and in conjunction with the ladies team, we retained the Jubilee Cup, now in its second year.
Success, however, does come at a price. With many of our men either taking part in international competitions or competing at national level, our men's Southern League team, after relegation to Division 2 last year, finished in the bottom part of the table.
Our Junior men now seem to be coming into some good form under the leadership of Gerald Sprigings. They won their final junior league match and with many of the juniors already experiencing senior and international competitions so we have a bright future ahead of us. Last winter the Youths and Boys team won the Surrey Cross Country League and they are looking to repeat that success in the coming winter.
Race Walking
Our race walking section has seen no material changes over the previous year. Unlike in our other senior sections and also our masters where we have younger competitors coming through, our race walking section struggles to attract new blood, a problem faced by the sport as a whole in this country. However, our walkers continue to enjoy and are very enthusiastic about their sport and surely it must be time to put a little more emphasis into this section, which boasts Belgrave's only Olympic gold medallist.
Road Running
In road running, the men have again continued their reign of success by retaining both their National 12 Stage and National 6 Stage titles, in addition, on the way to those achievements, also retaining the Southern 12 stage title and winning the Southern 6 stage title for the first time ever. The men were also second in both the AAAs 10 km and Half Marathon Championships, as well as placing 9th in the European Champion Clubs Cup Half Marathon in Almada, Portugal - the first time Belgrave had been asked to represent the UK in a road competition.
The ladies team is also continuing to improve. Although the ladies were not medallists at Southern or National level last year, it is now only a matter of time before they are enjoying success similar to the men's team and they are looking forward to the new year ahead with great enthusiasm and team spirit.
Cross Country
In the cross country section, we struggled in the men's Surrey League, finishing 3rd, although this does follow the pattern of previous years - 1st, 3rd, 1st, 3rd, so perhaps this year we can look forward to regaining that title! In the major Southern and National Championships, we finished well below our potential, and this is the one area where we need to encourage everyone to turn out and represent the Club, so that we can aim to be crowned National Champions over the country as well as on the road. Although no significant victories for the ladies cross country team, they are now firmly established in Surrey League Division 1 and have high hopes for the forthcoming season.
We should take this opportunity to thank all the team managers for their invaluable contribution and for all the time and effort they put into running these teams. Of course, we should also thank our sponsors, adidas, for their continued support of the Club and our supporters and helpers who follow the teams across Europe.
Individual Performances
Now turning to individual performances, in the major worldwide championships, seven Belgravians qualified for the World Athletic Championships; Sean Baldock, Tim Benjamin, Dwain Chambers, (who achieved a silver medal in the 4 x 100 m), Julie Hollman, Rachel King, Shelley Newman and Amy Spencer. In the World Indoor Championships, we were represented by Tim Benjamin, (a bronze medallist in the 4 x 400 m), Sarah Claxton, Rachel King, Chris Moss and Amy Spencer. Vernicha James was also selected but had to withdraw due to injury.
In the World Student Games, we were represented by Chris Lambert (won gold in the 100 m), Matt Douglas (won silver in the 400m hurdles and bronze in the 4x400 m relay), Goldie Sayers and Michelle Carey. In the European U23 Championships, we were represented by Tim Abeyie (gold 4x100 m), Tim Benjamin (silver 400 m), Darren Chin (gold 4 x 100 m), Dominic Girdler, Chris Lambert (gold 200 m and 4 x 100 m), Samson Oni, Goldie Sayers and Scot Thompson. In the European U20 Championships, we were represented by James Ellington and Amy Spencer. In the European Youth Olympic Festival, we were represented by Wade Bennett-Jackson, who took gold in both the 100 m and 200 m, Amala Onuora and Chris Gearing.
In the World Cross Country Championships, we were represented in the long course by Spencer Barden and Mark Miles. In the European Cross Country Championships, we were represented by Spencer Barden and Allen Graffin in the long course, as well as Jonathan Blackledge in the junior race.
Of course, many more of our members, across the age groups and events, have produced fine performances, winning county, area and national championships. All these details can be found on our website and in the Belgravian magazine. Thanks should be given to Alan Mead and all those who contribute to these important publications.
General Matters
I now turn to some more general matters relating to the Club. Following an EGM in February this year, Belgrave Harriers have now gained Community Amateur Sports Club status. What this basically means is that we now have charitable status and for every £1 donated to the Club from taxed income, we are able to claim a further 28p from the government.
In April this year, we set up and incorporated Belgrave Sports Promotions Limited - known simply as BsportsP. This is a trading company, the profits from which are utilised wholly for the benefit of Belgrave Harriers. The Company is run on a voluntary basis by members of the Committee and all the shares in the Company are held by Belgrave's Trustee's on behalf of Belgrave Harriers.
So what about the immediate future? We have already made a good start a few weeks ago, with the men's team winning the Surrey Road Relays for the first time since 1997 and our ladies winning bronze, with Angela Walker setting a new course record on the way. This weekend, we will be at Aldershot where the men will be defending their Southern 6 stage title and the women will be aiming to win their first medals in the 4 stage competition. If we can keep the momentum going we'll be heading to Sutton Park as favourites to win the Men's National 6 stage for the 3rd consecutive year, with a highest ever placing on the cards for the ladies.
With all this success, we should not forget that there are many other people who give their time voluntarily to the Club and to the sport as a whole, often taking on small roles which are invaluable to the running of the Club and I would like to take this opportunity to thank those individuals, particularly to the team of cleaners, who came to the rescue when the Hall was without a regular cleaner last year. The success of the Club as a whole relies on all the individuals who devote their spare time. We are always seeking more volunteers and if you think you can assist in any way, however small, then please do come forward. It is due to the time and effort given by all the volunteers and the athletes who are competing for us, that we are now enjoying such a sustained period of success, of which we can all be very proud. Long may it continue.
Roger Alsop, General Secretary, September 2003
Restored from the club's earlier website, belgraveharriers.com, and published here as originally written.