Sportshall in Suffolk

Sportshall Athletics is back is back in Suffolk!

County Sportshall league development to support the delivery of athletics in Suffolk.

That’s the message coming from Suffolk after Sunday’s Sportshall Athletics Launch:Event at Northgate Sports Centre, Ipswich. Teams from Ipswich, Waveney, West of Suffolk and the Rest of Suffolk came together to battle it out and launch the inaugural Suffolk Winter Sportshall Athletics League, which will see two more matches take place at Bury St Edmunds on November 5 th and Lowestoft later in the year.

Although Sportshall Athletics has seen much success in Suffolk in the past, in particular in winning the National Championships in the 1980’s under the leadership of the Ipswich based Ron Jones, it has been weaker in recent years. For that reason West of Suffolk’s Ian Blythe, and Jennie Grimwood teamed up with Mike Oakley from Orwell Panthers to work with Suffolk Athletics Association and Suffolk Sport to organise a county wide Sportshall League. This venture has been ground breaking in taking the decision to include disabled athletes in the competition. Suffolk has built up an excellent reputation for disabled athletics and the organisers wanted to continue the good work that has been done by Orwell Panthers.

Over a hundred youngsters aged between 8 and 16 took part in a full programme of events which included sprints, hurdles, endurance races and relays, together with field events such as Shot Put, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Vertical Jump and Speed Bounce. Commentating on the success of the day event manager Vicky Tunaley said “ Athletes came from all parts of the county and although the competition was very keen the young people demonstrated all that is best in terms of team spirit and appreciation of the many volunteers who made the day possible for them”

Although Sportshall Athletics has grown around the ethos of fair play, participation and team spirit, there always has to be a winner and this accolade went to the team from Ipswich who had a mere two point margin over the second placed Rest of Suffolk team. The West of Suffolk team placed third with Waveney in fourth position. All teams will have the opportunity to do battle again in the Bury St Edmunds and Lowestoft events.

The League could not take place without the help of the many volunteers who filled crucial roles such as team managers and officials. The support from Sportshall Associates and Norwich Union has also been most helpful with equipment and resources sourced in support of the Norwich Union sports:hall UK Championships which Suffolk will be competing in the new year.

To ensure the future success of the League programme, the organisers would welcome further support through sponsorship. If anyone is interested please contact Vicky Tunaley.

Any young people aged between 8 and 13 years able bodied and 8 and 16 disabled who are interested in taking part in the League may contact Vicky Tunaley on 07917 233399 or via Email pado.suffolk@btconnect.com

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