Welcome back and we hope you all enjoyed the Xmas break. We missed a lot of training due to the snow and hopeyou are all going to work really hard now we’re back, to make up for lost time. We have a very busy month ahead withcompetitions and other events.

First up.we have the Leinster Junior XC and XC relays in Kilmacow on Sun next at 12 o’clock. Relays are for U12/14/16 (last year’s ages) and we will be selecting teams of 4. Athletes who are available to take part need to let Theresa(0868635797) know right away. Next is the postponed National XC in Tullamore on Jan 16th. All team members needto confirm availability asap. Jun athletes (U17-U20) have indoors on Sat 15th Jan and the AAI games are on Sat 22nd.The Wicklow Jun/Sen XC is on Sun 23rd Jan in Shanganagh and the Co relays are on that day as well. On Fri 28th Jan,we will have a Sportshall competition in the Shoreline hall from 6-9pm. This is for all athletes up to U15 (2011 ages).Older athletes will be needed to help run the events.

The Athletics Wicklow Star Awards are on in the Martello on Fri 14th Jan at 8pm. As there are several GreystonesAC athletes getting awards, we hope lots of people will go along to support them. The following Fri 21st Jan, we willbe holding the Greystones AC Awards at Shoreline Leisure Centre, also at 8pm. We have missed these awards for acouple of years and look forward to bringing them back this year. All athletes and their families are invited to attend.Light refreshments will be served. This is a great opportunity to get to meet the coaches and officials and have a chat!

REGISTRATION/INSURANCE FEES
Fees are now due for 2011. AAI have increased their fees this year and so we have had to increase ours also. We havetried to keep our fees as low as possible and we are still lower than most other clubs. Registrations will be taken at thecentre on Tues 18th Jan , from 6-7.30pm and on Wed 19th from 6.30-7pm. As we have new forms to be filled out, itwill be necessary for parents to attend and sign these. Registrations will also be taken at the awards night on Jan 21st.Fees must be paid during this week, as coaches are unable to accept them at training. Athletes will not be covered byinsurance after Jan. and will not be allowed to attend training or other club events, if registrations are not up to date.

Fees for 2011: €30 for one family member (adult or child), €50 for two, €70 for three and €90 for four or more. Theweekly sub. will remain at €2. Some athletes have become very careless about paying this €2. This is very unfair tothose who do pay all the time. As these fees are what pay for the hire of the track and the hall, entry fees and othercosts, it is essential that everyone pays their weekly subs.

ADULT TRAINING
The adult road running programme continues on Tues & Fri evenings, with Tues sessions starting from the track inCharlsland and Fri sessions starting from Shoreline Hall. The Fit4Life sessions on the track on Mon/Wed/Fri alsocontinue at their usual times. Details from Theresa on 0868635797 or from our web-site or facebook page.

APPROPRIATE TRAINING GEAR
As it has become very cold we remind athletes that they need to wear suitable warm gear when coming to training.Turning up in shorts and T-shirts at this time of year is totally inappropriate. Please remember to bring a lightwaterproof jacket to training sessions on Tues and Wed as we are outdoors, no matter what the weather is like. Groups1&2 should bring one on Fri as well, as most will be doing a run outside, as well as the indoor session.
Many of our young athletes are wearing unsuitable footwear when coming to training. Please ensure that you haveproper runners, preferrably with fabric uppers and a good thick sole that will minimise the impact when striking theground.

CLUB GEAR
The new club singlets and rainjackets have arrived and these will be available from the club shop, open once a month, in the room behind the reception area, at the track. Shop will be open next on Tues.11th Jan. at 7pm. We have a goodsupply of gear now, but orders will be taken if sizes are not in stock. A few athletes still haven’t collected their hoodies,which are also available from the shop as well as tracksuit bottoms and jackets. Shorts are finally on their way also.

WEB-SITE
Once again we would ask that you sign up to the web-site and get your newsletter sent to you directly, as this is a oneoff paper version. The 1st two months of a fixtures calendar are now available on the site and the rest of the monthswill be added during the week. This will give athletes a chance to plan their holidays etc. around competition, wherepossible. Keep checking as we will add any additional events, eg Fit4Life races etc. as they become available.
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