Hi Folks – another year over and it was a historic one for Harmeny – and 2019 promises more of the same. Below is a full update with all of the information that you need for the term ahead…..

Regular Training Nights
Training will start on Wednesday 9th January (and finish on 4th April with a week break 11-15 February), except for the 3.45-4.45pm session at Balerno High School. At present we don’t have an insured coach for this session and this will be looked at early in the new term with the Active Schools team.
Monday nights at Balerno High have now changed and will be event and competition focused. Everyone who previously attended a Monday at Balerno (6-7 or 7-8) should have received an email and MUST respond to secure a place in either one of our new sessions or an alternative evening.

Cross Country Update – Next League Race 19th January
Massive congratulations to Finlay Ross, Nathan Denis and Alasdair Wallace for gaining selection for the East District team at the forthcoming Inter-District races that are part of the Great Winter XC event in Stirling on Saturday 12th January. It’s fantastic for the club to have so many representatives and reflects the strength of the U13 boys team so far in the East District league, where they find themselves top after 2 races. Similarly the U11 boys have a lead in the U11 league and with just one race left, at Livingston on 19th January, a good turnout and some strong runs from all will hopefully see some silverware winging itself our way. An email will come out shortly from Andy Ross about the Livingston race.
After that, attention turns to National Champs in Falkirk on 23rd February for U13 upwards.

Scottish Athletics Indoor League (SAIL)
Our first foray into this league, held annually over 3 dates in winter at the Emirates in Glasgow, was a massive success. After overcoming a few early numbering issues, everyone made it to their events and all had a great time. The provisional results have some corrections required, but are very encouraging for Harmeny with some stellar individual performances against the best in Scotland. The next event is on 5th January and the last league match is on SUNDAY 27th January. A few teams have a possibility of reaching the final on 16th March, which also features a number of open relay races. More information on these to follow, but please pencil the date in!

Under12 Superteams
This event also takes place at the Emirates on Sunday 10th February. Teams of 4 compete together in 4 events: long jump, shot putt, 60m and 4x200m relay for a combined team score. Harmeny has historically done well at this, picking up a number of medals in recent years, again against the best and biggest clubs in Scotland.
We are looking for a new Team Manager to take over from Mike who has done a sterling job over the last couple of events. This would involve gathering names of athletes, entering the team paperwork and picking up the numbers on the day. Mike, Andy and myself will provide all the support you need. Athletes must be born between 1st Sept 2007 & 10th Feb 2010. If you’re interested in doing this one-off job for the club, please let me know. An email invitation will be sent to eligible athletes in the coming weeks, but without a team manager we can’t enter a team.

Young Athletes Road Races
This takes place on Sunday 17th March at the Royal Highland Centre and Harmeny AC are the host club – so we will be looking for a number of volunteers to help out on the day. The race itself it open to U13 and upwards and an email will be sent to all eligible athletes nearer the time. As host club, and with it being in our vicinity, a strong turnout is expected!

Other Events
All athletes are encouraged to enter non-club district, national, open and local events wherever possible. Check our Facebook regularly as interesting events are often posted in there. Here are a few key ones:
• Grangemouth Open-graded: http://events.scottishathletics.org.uk/…/20996-17905-grange…
• National Indoor Open: http://events.scottishathletics.org.uk/…/20717-17908-fpsg-s…
• U17 Indoor Champs: http://events.scottishathletics.org.uk/…/20718-17922-fpsg-s…
• U13 Indoor Champs: http://events.scottishathletics.org.uk/…/20720-17929-fpsg-s…
• U15 Indoor Champs: http://events.scottishathletics.org.uk/…/20979-17930-fpsg-s…
• U20 Indoor Champs: http://events.scottishathletics.org.uk/…/20719-17929-fpsg-s…
• Scottish Schools Champs: http://events.scottishathletics.org.uk/…/20938-17933-ssaa-i… (speak to your Active Schools or PE Teacher for entries)
• Grangemouth Open-graded: http://events.scottishathletics.org.uk/…/20997-17940-grange…
• Combined Events Inddor Champs: http://events.scottishathletics.org.uk/…/21007-17943-fpsg-s…
• Scottish Schools XC Champs: http://events.scottishathletics.org.uk/…/20829-17957-ssaa-s… (speak to your Active Schools or PE Teacher for entries)
• Team East Lothain XC Series: https://teameastlothian.org.uk/…/team-east-lothian-open-c…/…

Looking further Ahead
Our annual Water of Leith race (over 4km) is likely to be held in the final week of term on 1st and 3rd April at 6pm from Balerno High School. TBC.
The dates and venues for our summer (outdoor) league have been released and are:

Match 1 – Livingston Stadium (Craigswood) 27/4/19
Match 2 – Livingston Stadium (Craigswood) 18/5/19
Match 3 – Grangemouth Stadium 22/6/18

Charitable Status
Off the track, the club made a successful application to become a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) which was approved on 19th December. The benefits of this status for the club are that; the Board of Trustees (formerly committee) and the members are no longer personally liable as the club takes on its own legal identity; and there are various funding opportunities opened up, details of which will be shared shortly. Please let me know if you have any further questions about this.

Schools to Club Officer
Many of you will know that Lorraine Boyd resigned from the post of Schools to Club Officer for Harmeny in November, having successfully secured a post at Oriam Sports Centre. We wish Lorraine all the best in her new role and we’re sure she’ll be just as fantastic as she has been for us over the last 2+ years. The good news is that Lorraine will continue to coach on a Monday and Thursday evening.
Having interviewed 3 very good candidates to replace Lorraine, I’m delighted to say that we have offered the job to Gordon Robertson and he will begin in post on 7th January. Gordon brings with him a wealth of coaching experience and, we understand, is the only IAAF (level 5) coaching in Scotland at the moment. We will be working with Gordon over the coming weeks to ensure we are using this experience to the maximum benefit for the club. Please welcome Gordon when you see him about.

Coaching Courses
There are still a few places available for our Coaching Assistant course on 19/20 January in Currie. Club meets all costs in return for a commitment to coach on occasions to help the club and its athletes. Please let me know if you’re interested.
Lorraine Boyd and myself both passed our Event Group Coaching (level 3) qualification recently – Lorraine in both Jumps and Sprints/Hurdles and me in Endurance. The club really does offer an amazingly well qualified coaching team!

Phew! that’s it for this term, I think!!!!
If you have any questions about anything at all, please do not hesitate to phone or email me – or ask one of the coaches.
Thanks and Regards
Craig Stewart
Club Secretary & Coach