Greystones Athletic Club
www.greystonesac.com

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS
It’s Wicklow County Championships time again, with two full days of athletics on Sat/Sun 7th/8th May.  As this is one of our biggest events of the year, we will expect to see everyone making a huge effort to be there. This is open to all registered athletes from U8 to over 80. Athletes need to text your name to Theresa on 0868635797 or give it to your coach at training by Wed 4th May latest, as entry sheets will need to be filled up. Please specify if you are attending on Sat. or Sun or both days. You may take part in all events in your age group, plus relays!
Events begin each day at 11am, so athletes will need to be there by 10.30am for check-in and warm-up. While we will endeavour to get the younger athletes started and finished as early as we can, you should expect to possibly be there till 4 or 5pm, especially if you are on a relay team.  Bring lots of water, lunch, sunscreen & rain gear!
We will have the usual award scheme on Sat. for all athletes up to U12’s (age 11 in 2011). All athletes who take part and complete all their events ( run, jump & throw) will receive a gold, silver or bronze award. On Sun. there will be both individual and team events for these age groups. All other age groups have individual events on both days. All athletes have relays on both days, as you can move up one age group for these. Full programme on our web-site!
Names are also needed for the Leinster Relays which are bing held in Greystones on Sun 22nd May. As this event is on our home track, we expect a big uptake and should be able to put out at least one team in each age group. Names asap please as Leinster entries have to be in well in advance and they will not be taking late entries this year!
CLUB FUNDRAISER
Don’t forget our club is holding our annual fund-raising 5K race on next  Sun 1st May at 12 o’clock. This year the race is open to men as well as women with medal & T-shirt to all finishers. Entry fee is €20 for seniors and €10 for juniors with prizes for juniors, seniors, O35/40/45/50/55. Check-in, results, refreshments  etc will be done from Shoreline Leisure Centre. We would hope that as many as possible will take part and that you will all encourage family members to come along and take part as well. You can run, jog, walk or even push a buggy or walk the dog…….. just come along and support us. Refreshments afterwards in Shoreline and lots and lots of Spotprizes!                                             We have also adding a short childrens race this year, starting at 11.15am. Cost is €3, with medals for all finishers
We urgently need help on race day, so please let us know asap if you can come along and give a hand. It will only be for an hour or two at most. We will need lots of marshals, help with check-in, teas and a host of other jobs. Please text your name to Theresa (0868635797) if you can help in any way.
Cakes, sandwiches, biscuits etc. will be needed on the day and all donations will be very welcome!
CLUB SHOP
The club shop will be open this Tues 3rd May, from 6.30 – 7.30pm,  in the room behind the reception area at the track. It will be open from 6.30pm to 7.30 pm approx. We have singlets, shorts, t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, tracksuit bottoms and rain gear in most sizes. We have a couple of pairs of second hand spikes in stock also and one new pair. This is your last chance to get singlets, shorts or T-shirts before the championships
REGISTRATION CARDS
We have been handing out the 2011 registration cards to the athletes at training. Previously the club held these for safe keeping, but  this year the card entitles the holder to a 10% discount on purchases at Woodie’s, so we are giving them to the athletes. You will need to keep this card safely as it may be required during the year. If you only paid your registration very recently, your card may not have arrived yet, as it takes a while for them to arrive.
SPECIAL COACHING SESSION
We held a very successful coaching day for our 11-14 yr old athletes on Good Friday. Events on offer were  Sprints, Hurdles, High Jump, Long Jump, Javelin, Shot Putt and Discus. This was a great opportunity for athletes to improve their skills and technique or to try out a new event and all the athletes who attended were delighted with the day. A huge ‘Thank You’ goes to Ciara, Laura, Caoimhe, Ferdia, Sean and Ronan for the expert coaching on the day and to Deirdre for helping with the organisation. We are very lucky to have so much expertise available within our own club and look forward to holding more days like this in the near future.
We are in the process of organising a similar day for athletes from 15 up and details of this should be available shortly!