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There were some great results in the West Midlands Young Athletes League Cross Country at Warley Woods on the 14^{th of} November.  Renowned for being a tough cross-country course many of our athletes had great performances on the day.

RSCAC were first overall in the Under 11 boys, Under 11 girls and Under 17 girls and second in the Under 17 boys.

As well as strong team performances several of our athletes achieved top 5 places.

• Brilliant running from Sian Duval 3^rd and Bethan Homer in 4^th  place in the under 17 girl’s race.
• Great results from Will Seager winning the Under 11 boys and Sam Seager finishing in 5^th place.
• George O’Connor had the race of his life to finish in 2^nd in the Under 17 boys.
• Noah Homer had another great performance finishing in second position in the Under 13 boys.

It was great to see so many athletes competing helping RSCAC help the club achieve 2^nd best performing team overall on the day.

For more results, please go the WMYACCL website or click on the link below.

2021 11 14 Warley all races.pdf (wmyaccl.com)

Both Ladies and Men’s senior athletes made the journey to Betley Court, Crewe where the first fixtures of the respective leagues took place on Saturday.

The day started off with a combined race featuring the Ladies 1st and 2nd divisions running together, with RSCAC making its return to the top level following promotion back in the 2019/20 season. This also marked the first ladies cross country race since the sad passing of former team manager and inspiration of the ladies team, Roy Humpherson, which left a big hole in the assembled gathering from the club and brought emotions to the fore for many there on the day.

An enthusiastic team of 8 ladies took to the start line for the undulating two-lap course. With over 340 athletes in the multi-division race and 166 finishers in Div 1 , Olivia Harris led the team home finishing an impressive 30^th overall (24th Div 1). Linda O’Connor and Jen Lloyd showed great teamwork on the final lap with only 5 secs between them at the finish. Linda, on her long overdue return to competition, was 87th (Div 1) and 24th (Masters), with Jen 89th (Div 1) and 25th (Masters). Gemma Sidaway brought the scoring team home strongly in 94th place. There were debut performances from Sky Mileto, 99th and Dale Lyons, 128th. Having turned her ankle during the race Annette Belcher showed great courage and commitment finishing 102nd and 34th (Masters). Georgia Delaney returning from injury finished strongly in 138th.

With 7 ladies unavailable for this first race the ladies team is going from strength to strength and the team spirit, support and encouragement both in training and on the race course is testament to Roy’s legacy. The enthusiasm of the ladies team in cheering on the men really added to the occasion.

Following swiftly on from the Ladies race, it was the turn of the men’s team in another combined divisions race covering three divisions with RSCAC taking its place in Division 2.

23 athletes stood on the start line for the club, the largest single turnout for the men in current memory, spanning back over 20 years. In a fiercely competitive race, Ollie Harradence was first home for the club finishing 32^nd overall, but 2^nd in the second division battle. Excellent debut performances for the club over the country saw Alex Seabridge, David Sutton and Andy Bradley make the scoring 6 along with Barry Lloyd and Richard Naylor rounding off the A team, which finished in 5^th place on the day less that 40 points off the promotion places. The strength of the team, reflecting the ever growing training squad, was even more in evidence with the B team comprising of Chris Taylor, Ollie Sheppard, Sam Crawford, John Hayman, Shaun Hemmings and Fred Tremblay finishing in top place in the B team competition.

With other athletes who were unavailable for this fixture due to return for the next race in December, it is hoped that movement towards a promotion place can be made. Other runners making up the 23 were Russel Simpson, Paul Terleski, Dylan O’Rourke, Tom Lloyd, Matt Bennet, Iain Mackie, Josh Hughes and Paul Jenkins. Squad coach and Team manager Steve Marklew was also on hand to provide his usual words of “gentle encouragement” to his athletes around the course, particularly on the last climb to the finish line.

Having both Ladies & Men’s teams at the same venue helped create a great sense of combined team spirit, which was assisted greatly by an awesome array of home made cakes and cookies provided by various of the athletes in attendance and bolstered the post-race celebrations. The good news is that both groups ate together for the next two races so, in the words of the popular TV cooking program, “On your marks, get set, BAKE”

A small number of athletes competed in the National cross country relay championships at the weekend with some excellent results.

Despite being part of an incomplete under 13 boys’ team, Noah Homer came back 3rd on the 1^st leg against 81 other teams. He completed the 2 km course in a time of 6.57, 6^th fastest u13 boy of the day.

In under 15 boys,  Isaac and Joel Cartwright ran well with times of 7.22 and 8.05 respectively for the 2km course.

The under 15 girls came 53rd, Francesca Allen was on first leg (8.20)  followed by Olivia Allen (8.23) and Mariah Taha on 3^rd leg in a time of 8.53 for the 2km course.

Under 17 girls finished 34th and were the 4^th best Midland s team on the day. Bethan Homer was 18^th on the first leg in a time of 9.25 for the 2.5 km course. On second leg Martha Wood completed the course in 10.23 with Charlotte Prince completing the final leg in 11.01.

Well done to all who completed in this very high standard prestigious event.

The next cross country league race will take place on Sunday at Warley Woods (postcode B67 5LX).  Please make sure that you take your number from the first race to use again.

Below are the race time as well as the course map setting out the routes and distances for each age group, please liaise with your coach to find out the meet times to walk the course and warm up.

The first West Midlands Young Athletes XC league took place on the 17^th October 2021 at Newbold Revel, Rugby.

It was fantastic to see so many athletes competing especially some of our athletes who were running in their first ever cross-country race. Overall, RSCAC came third on the day.

Under 17 Girls

2^nd overall, just one point behind Tipton. Bethan Homer came back 3^rd in the race and was well supported by Sian Duval (5^th), Martha Wood (21^st). An excellent start to the season.

Under 11 Boys

1^st Overall with great individual performances with 4 athletes in the first 10. Will Seager won the race closely followed by his brother Sam Seager (5^th), Yuvan Sidhu (8^th), Jayden Bailey (9^th) and Reece Barrows (13^th). Well done to all the other Sutton runners.

Under 17 Boys

Overall, the boys came 4^th overall with Ethan Patel a credible 3^rd place. Also in the top 10 was George O’Connor (9^th) with Ethan Cook (27^th) the final counter.

Under 11 Girls

1^st overall,  first back was Eliza Winmill (6^th) closely followed by Sophia Potocka (10^th), Isla Daly (11^th), Aiza Ulhaq (12^th) and the final counter Charlotte Newby (25^th).

Under 15 Boys

Will Stead was first back in 18^th supported by Isaac Cartwright (21^st), Joel Cartwright (43th) and Frank Wildig (64^th) finishing overall in 9^th place club.

Under 13 Girls

The girls finished 4^th overall, first back was Elizabeth Fleming (8^th) followed by Gabrielle Daly (25^th), Izzy Mason (34^th), Evie Edwards (40^th) and Amelie Leffler (45^th) the fifth counter.

 Under 13 Boys

Overall 5^th place team with Noah Homer home in 2^nd place followed by Dan Smith (11^th), Oliver Allen (30^th), Leighton Ryde (43th) and fifth counter Oliver Wild (59^th).

Under 15 Girls

The under 15 girls also finished 5^th overall, first counter was Francesca Allen (15^th) followed by Grace Besant (29^th), Jorja Wright (36^th), Amber Hoey (37^th) and Elizabeth Warne (37^th).

Well, done to all the other athletes that competed. The next Race is on the 14^th November at Warley Woods.

A full list of results can be accessed at WMYACCL Series.pdf.

Race Report by Jo Homer

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A very dark cloud hangs over the headquarters of RSCAC and Wyndley Track following the news of the death of one of our club’s founding members, Ernie Eames, on Thursday 14th October 2021 at the age of 89 years. He was surrounded by his caring wife Val and their 3 grown up children 

Earlier this year Ernie and Val had celebrated their Diamond wedding anniversary and it was only in July that he was appointed President of RSCAC in recognition of his services to the Club.

Athletics was in his blood and whilst in the RAF he started competing some 70 years ago, competing in track and field, road running and cross country in the winter, sometimes taking part in 2 races in a single weekend. As a result, in taking on a new job, Ernie joined Sparkhill Harriers, but after a number of years he moved to Sutton. When a shale track was laid for the first time on the current track’s location in the early 1970s, a meeting was called shortly afterwards by local councillors to explore setting up an athletics club for the town. And so formed RSCAC, with founding members: Marjory Carpenter (local councillor), Tom Wyer, Doc Campbell (a chemistry teacher at John Willmott School), Conrad Philips and Ernie Eames.

The club was initially given 2 rooms at the leisure centre as changing rooms – it wasn’t until 1989 that we started to rent our now clubhouse. This building started life as ‘The Wyndley Café’ in the 1970s, until it was forced to close in 1974 when Wyndley Leisure Centre’s café was used instead and our clubhouse building was then used by the Wyndley groundsman to store his tools and tractor. Sadly, it kept getting broken into so his tools were moved under the swimming baths and by the time RSCAC took it on in 1989 it was a derelict building.

Ernie helped create the club back in 1973 and was instrumental in growing the club as one of our initial coaches, as well as in getting us an all-weather track in 1984 (replacing the initial shale one) and the track we have at present in 2005, for all of which the club had to raise the necessary funding. As Ernie took on the role of Treasurer in 1994, the planning, fundraising and delivery work for the current track required a vast amount of work from him. This was nothing new for Ernie as a lot of the work required at the club would fall to Ernie to complete himself -whether it was a requirement to strengthen the wood on the timekeepers’ stand or to act as Team Manager. It would be Ernie who would book and organise the bus company to take him and the athletes to an away fixture whether it was in south Wales, Yeovil or wherever else, and it would be Ernie who would telephone parents giving them an expected time that the bus company would return to Wyndley that night. He has been instrumental in growing the Club to its present strength and would enjoy watching his Club members take part in the various leagues that we were affiliated to.

The Club has been a never-ending job for Ernie, who would sometimes spend a vast majority of the day working at the Track. It became a ‘second home’ to him. He would also get his wife Val involved, for example buying food for all the officials on competition day. Even as late as 5 years ago, he was coaching athletes how to Pole Vault, with a group of interested youngsters and adults who always won valuable points for their team when competing.

He had been Club Treasurer for 27 years, and whilst holding other positions on the Management Committee, he could often be found collecting training fees at the Club house entrance, and at the end of the day counting it all up before proceeding to bank the proceeds the following day. He would ensure that all bills were paid in time and the good reputation of the club spread far and wide across the nation.

He always wanted the club to have a good and friendly aspect to it and this he achieved quickly and still the club maintains this reputation for there are many occasions where you will see children and their parents training at the club. You even see parents and their children competing for the club at different events on the same day or possibly even competing in the same event!

One can almost visualise seeing Ernie asking to organise the ‘Heavenly Games’, asking, ‘Who would be up for doing the 100m sprint?’ And, ‘Who is prepared to record the times!’

RIP dear Ernie – we shall miss you very much.

Great news the West Midlands Schools Trials have been confirmed for the 23rd October. The race is at Sutton Park on Aeroplane Hill. The age groups and times are as follows –

10.00am Minor Girls (Yr 7) approx. 2.6K

10.20am Minor Boys (Yr 7) approx. 3.6K

10.40am Junior Girls (Yr 8 & 9) approx. 3.6K

11.00am Junior Boys (Yr 8 &9) approx. 3.9K

11.20am Inter Girls (Yr 10 & 11) approx. 3.9K

11.40am Inter Boys (Yr 10 & 11) approx. 4.8K

Coaches have already given me a list of athletes who want to run, however if you have not confirmed attendance please let me know by Tuesday by emailing johomer@btinternet.com.

The race will act as selection to represent the West Midlands Schools in the Dave Sunderland Schools Inter County races on the 20th November.

The first West Midlands Young Athletes Country Country League race is on the 17th October at Newbold Revell, Rugby, CV23 OTH.

Please find the course map below

The event times and distances are as follows –

Please liaise with your coaches to confirm the times to arrive on race day.

Full details of all league fixtures are available via the following link

WMYACCL – West Midland Young Athletes Cross Country League Sponsored by Sportswear Deals

Midland Road Relays  Sutton Park 25th September 2021

Well, done to all the athletes that competed at the Midland Road Relays in Sutton Park 25^th September 2021.  In total we had 39 athletes competing across U13 to Seniors.  A fantastic effort by all competing and putting on the RSCAC vest, especially those competing at the event for the first time.

The Junior athletes formed teams of 3, running over 3.88 Km across the a very challenging course which includes the infamous 3 stage hill.   

Senior teams formed teams of 4 for the women over 4.33 km and teams of 6 for the men’s competition running 5.88 km.

Some notable performances included Noah Homer (U13 boys), although part of an incomplete team he was 2^nd fastest across all stages of the relay with a time of 13 minutes 23 seconds.  The Under 17 girls narrowly missed out on a bronze medal by just 5 seconds finishing in 5^th place overall, well done to Bethan Homer (in 14:35  – 6^th fastest overall on the day), Sian Duval and Beatrix Whistance.

A great performance also by Ollie Harradence in the Senior Men’s team  who returned back in 12^th place in the 1^st leg in a fantastic time of 18:28.

It was also great to see 2 teams in the Senior Women’s event. Our thoughts are with Roy Humpherson’s family, I am sure Roy would have been there proudly shouting on all the teams.

U13 Boys (incomplete team)

Noah Homer(1) 13:23, Christian Neal (5) 16:27

U13 Girls A (14^th overall in 51.40)

Willow Mccarthy (16)16:16, Elizabeth Flemin (11)17:08, Katie Straw (14) 18:16

U13 Girls B (Incomplete team)

Imogen Neal(26) 17:55, Gabrielle Daly (28) 18:39

U15 Boys A (21st overall in 46.13)

Isaac Cartwright (25) 15:06, Joel Cartwright  (21) 15:41, William Stead  (21) 15:26

U15 Girls A (16th overall in 49.11)

Grace Besant(21) 16:31,Jorja Wright(18) 16:23, Amber Hoey(16) 16:17

U15 Girls B (25th overall in 52.43)

Elizabeth Warne  (27) 17:26, Mariah Taha(24) 17:22, Lucy Rigby (25) 17:55

U17 Girls A (5th overall in 46.12)

Bethan Homer(5) 14:35, Sian Duval (3) 15:28, Beatrix Whistance (5) 16:09

Senior Men A (23rd overall in 2:01:51)

O Harradence  (12) 18:28, B Lloyd (13) 19:32, A Seabright(13) 20:10, 

B Watkins (19) 20:56, P Terleski (22) 21:42, J Hayman(23) 21:03

Senior Men’s B (58th overall in 2:18:58)

A Bradley (81) 22:16, E Stead (78) 23:02, I Wood (72) 22:26, I Mackie (71) 24:41, D Orourke (65) 23:20, T Lloyd(58) 23:13

Women’s B (25th overall in 1.11.47)

Olivia Harris (20) 16:31, Gemma Sidaway (25) 17:51, Annette Belcher (21) 18:01, Jennie Lloyd (25) 19:24

Women’s A (52nd overall 1.19.17)

Caitlin O'connor (58) 18:50, Ellen Humpherston (65) 20:40, Lucy Carey  (60) 20:05, Katie Britnell   (52) 19:42

If you have lost you favourite hoody or can’t find your winter running jacket please take a couple of minutes to look in the club house. All lost kit has been put on tables so please check and collect anything that belongs to you.

The club is supporting BBC Radio’s Make A Difference campaign – Kit Out the Nation to secure unwanted children’s sports kit and distribute it to children and teenagers who need it most. Any uncollected kit will be donated to this very worthy cause at the end of October.

If you have any kit at home that you no longer require or that no longer fits please feel free to bring it down to the club so that it can be donated to support the initiative. Please make sure your unwanted kit is washed and put in bags. All donations will be dropped off at one of the collection points during November.