Five Under 11 Leighton Buzzard athletes were selected to represent their County in Saturday’s Sportshall UK Championships East Regional Final on 16^th March 2013:

Hana Benaceur, Zara Butler, McKenna Keefe, Harrison Philpott and Sadie Towell.

All put in an excellent performance and did their club proud. The atmosphere in the Sportshall arena at Wodson Park in Ware was competitive, exciting and motivational with the emphasis very much on fun for the young athletes who were strongly encouraged throughout to make as much noise as possible.

Our County competitors from Biggleswade, Luton and Bedford became our teammates for the day and the 30 strong Bedfordshire team of Girls and Boys were in great spirits after the team pep talk on the coach ride to the venue.

On arrival the children were a little blown away by the cameras and bustle and the general professionalism of the event organisation, but on seeing the standard of the equipment they were eager to get out there and warm up!

(Our equipment is improving all the time (thanks Tescos) but we have a long way to go to catch up with other counties to help our children prepare for such events in future. All donations most gratefully received).

Hana was our ‘Speed Bouncer extraordinaire’, McKenna threw that javelin like she was hurtling a pie at her head teacher, Zara ran like the wind and dived through the obstacle tunnel as if she was being chased by hers! Sadie gained maximum points for the team on the balance beam and Harrison jumped like Zebedee recording a phenomenal 2 metre standing long jump for Beds.

All were encouraged by the very high standards of the other counties and left determined to beat their scores next year.

Despite Beds’ best efforts Herts won the day but we’ll be better prepared next time! (Each club vowed to go home and practice passing that relay baton!)

County run events for Under 11 and Under 13 are non-selective at present with the emphasis very much on participation. From these events the County Squads are selected to compete at Regional level with some clubs being strong enough to compete on their own. Already we have quadrupled participation in the Leighton Buzzard Club for our next Sportshall event and with a week to go, we hope to have more children come forward.

We’re confident that Leighton Buzzard AC will be able to field a Regional standard team next season if participation continues to rise.

To find out how your child can take part now please contact Nick Clay or Fiona Towell