On Sunday 19 January, Colchester Harriers were represented by three youngsters at the 2020 Sportshall UK Championships East Region Final which saw over 400 athletes compete for the first time at the University of Essex Sports Arena.

For Amelie and Megan Taylor this was their second year competing for Team Essex and having not been selected last year, Florence Clark was delighted to join them following successful qualifying rounds held over the past few months in Chelmsford. Sportshall athletics, with its adapted athletic events, is an ideal fun opportunity to learn core skills and be competitive from a young age.

Having started her athletics journey with the Club fifteen months ago as one of the very youngest Sunday members, Florence has already caught the attention of coaches as a potential multi-eventer.   Having placed first during the three preceeding trials in Vertical Jump, Standing Triple Jump and Standing Long Jump, it was somewhat of a surprise that she had been entered into the final to compete the Chest Push and Vertical Jump only.  However, she showed her value as a team member by taking an excellent first place in the U11 Girls Vertical Jump with a new PB and club record height of 55cm.  She also claimed fifth place in the Chest Push, with her score ensuring the Essex team of a great second place finish.

Competing as an U13 Amelie Taylor came third in the 4×1 lap relay and also took on Vertical Jump where she placed fourth with a best height of 52cm. 

Megan Taylor came 15^th overall in the U15 Girls competition, competing three events.  Like her fellow Harriers, Megan competed the Vertical Jump and was pleased to come away with a second-place finish with a height of 54cm, She completed 71 clear bounces in the Speed Bounce for 10^th place and took 11^th place in the 4 Lap race in a time of 56.7s.  Her team came third in the 4×1 lap relay.

Like the U11 team, both the Essex U13 and U15 Girls Teams finished the day as runners up.

For details of Sportshall Athletics in Essex visit www.essexathleticsnetwork.org/sportshall

Sprinter Maya Rattray opened up her indoor season competing In the London Indoor U20 / Senior Games at Lee Valley Athletics Centre at the weekend, in the under 20 womens’ 60m, winning her first race in 8.30s and equalling her PB in her second race, finishing third with a time of 8.26s. Akin Akinboh also opened up his indoor season with fifth in his heat of the under 20 mens’ 200m, stopping the clock at 23.11s. Many Harriers will be competing at the Essex and Eastern Counties Indoor Championships which take place at Lee Valley on 8th/9th February.