A big number of athletes will be moving up to a higher group next week. Athletes in the 6-7pm groups should go to their usual check-in  area and coaches will then tell those that are moving where to go in future. Athletes who are now 7 and are moving from 'Little Athletics' will be contacted. Athletes moving from the earlier 6-7pm time to the 7-8.30pm group will be informed beforehand. We will not be moving athletes (born 2001) to the later group, where the session is longer and work rate is higher, if parents haven’t replied to our e-mail asking for their consent. If you want your child to be considered for this move, please contact Theresa immediately. If you feel you/they cannot make the commitment required, please do not move to the later time. It is very upsetting for everyone if we have to move children back to the earlier time.
We remind parents & athletes in the 7.00-8.30pm groups that they have three training nights every week and an organised training run on Sunday mornings. Athletes are expected to attend a minimum of two of these sessions each week in order to keep up with the group training. Attending less than this is unfair to yourself, to the coaches and to the other athletes in your group, as it holds back the entire group! Athletes in these groups are also expected to represent their club at a reasonable number of  competitions.  If you cannot give this level of commitment, we can move you to the earlier 6-7pm training time, where the work rate is less intense.
It is the responsibility of parents to make sure children are collected on time after training sessions. Coaches are busy checking in the incoming groups and are unable to supervise collections as well. You are welcome to come down and wait at the lower gate to collect them.
CONGRATULATIONS
Well done to all the athletes who competed in the Leinster XC in Avondale last Sunday. We lost a number of competitors due to illness which was unavoidable, and were disappointed that others just didn’t bother to attend despite the fact that they had agreed to go and the club had paid entry fees for them. All who attended gave their best and once again we had good results, with Eoin Taggart 5th and Rachel Diggin 12th both taking individual medals in their events. Team medals to boys U 18 Eoin Taggart, Padraig Lennon, Jamie Lennon, Jack Lacey Curtis, Dylan Grimes Larkin who were 2nd club team and Eoin, Padraig and Jamie were also scoring members of the 2nd placed county team. Jack & Dylan also qualify on this team. Sadhbh Redford, Anna Hayes, Zoe O'Donnell & Rosa Kirwan were members of the 3rd placed girls U16 County team and Richael Browne, Hilary Gallagher & Susie McParland part of the U14 3rd placed County team. Sinead O'Neill & Lisa Dallaghan also qualify as part of this team
Congratulations also to our club members who took part in the Dublin City Marathon on Monday last, our coach Joanna Pluck (3.45), Carol Costello (4.13), Meichelle Mooney (4.15), Shane Gillan (4:26), Clare Ryan (4.27), Orla Caffrey (5.45) Well done folks!
Huge congratulations to GAC's Niamh Kearney who had a fantastic 12th place finish in the 5km race at Bowling Green, Kentucky today in 18:41.5, helping her team Georgia State, win the Sun Belt XC Conference! Keep up the good work Niamh!
COMPETITION
We have the second of our Leinster Championship Cross Countries on Sunday 11th Nov. in Dunboyne, Co Meath. These are open to registered athletes only, born 2003 and before. Entries are very poor so far and we need to make up teams. Deadline for getting entries to Theresa 0868635797 has been extended to 1pm Fri. (today). Must go in tomorrows post, no late entries are accepted by Leinster. Club singlets must be worn.
XC LEAGUE
Round 2 of the XC league has been changed to Friday 30th Nov. in Bray Emmet’s grounds, Old Conna Avenue.Bray at 6.30pm. There was a fantastic turn out from our younger athletes in Round 1, but we fell down in the U14/U15 groups. Big effort please, we need as many points as possible from all age groups. Training for Group 1 (oldest group) only on that night., as all others should be at the event.
CLUB SHOP
Our club shop will be open on Tues next 6th Nov from 7-8.30pm for anyone looking for singlets, hoodies etc..
NATIONAL ENDURANCE SQUAD
We had a fantastic day at the National Endurance squad day where we were privileged to meet the great David Rudisha, Olympic 800m Gold Medalist & World Record Holder. We also met his very famous coach Bro Colm O’Connell who gave a  wonderful talk that inspired athletes and coaches alike. The remainder of the day was also very  worthwhile and we look forward to the next one.
FUNDRAISER
Help raise funds for our club and also for Newcourt Special school in Bray. We have been asked to supply stewards for the Marathon Cooldown race taking part in the Phoenix Park on Sat. 10th Nov. It will be a commitment of about two hours, with the race starting at 10am. Anyone willing to help out should contact Theresa immediately please. The race organisers will make a donation to the club for help provided. All profits are going to the school!
MORE HELP NEEDED URGENTLY
We have a good number of committed coaches helping out, but are still looking for more volunteers to lighten the load, so please call Theresa 0868635797 if you can spare an hour a week or even every other week. We promise not to throw you in at the deep end. New recruits work with one of our experienced coaches and we also send them on a short coaching course. Ideally, we would love to have two coaches with each of the younger groups, at all sessions. This can be a great way to get involved with your children’s sport and can be very rewarding as you watch the athletes progress.