Awards For All

In the Summer of 2004 Junior Ilkley Harriers applied to 'Awards for All' for a grant to help develop our junior section. In October 2004 we were granted £4,946.

The three areas for funding were:

1. To create a sustainable coaching structure to allow us to extend and increase athletics participation in the local community.
2. Organise specialist coaching courses to allow us to raise individual skill levels regardless of ability.
3. To organise local events which did not previously exist.

How we spent the money

About half of the award was spent on athletic equipment (hurdles, junior javelins, starting blocks and a portable shot put circle) which we have used during our Track and Field Athletics sessions in the summer. The race organisation equipment (stopwatch and printer and upload software, tape, plastic stakes and folding tables and tunnel tent) have been absolutely invaluable over the year at our races. 2005 was a very busy year organising 6 junior races - Primary Schools' Cross-Country in January, junior fell races in February, Jack Bloor junior fell races in May, Susa English trials fell races in June, inaugural junior English Championship Uphill races in July, and Sprint Fell Relays in September.
Our red and green tunnel tent (pictured) has proved to be a great focal point for all our races not only for administration (race registration and results) but for all the Junior Harriers to identify with. It's great that it's the same colours as the club vests!
We spent almost £1,000 on specialist coaching courses. West Yorkshire Sports through Stephen Wolstenholme were able to organise 6 specialist activity sessions for us - other athletics coaches from local clubs were invited too. The six activities covered were High Jump, Hurdles, Javelin, Long and Triple Jump and Hammer. We also did a Sportscoach UK Good practice and Child Protection course as well as an Emergency Aid course run by Leeds Metropolitan University.
About £1,500 was spent on UK Athletics coaching courses leading to recognised qualifications for 16 coaches/helpers. Amongst the junior coaching team we now have 3 fourteen year olds with the Children in Athletics qualification; 8 Level 1 coaches; 6 Level 2 coaches and 2 coaches embarking on their Level 3 course. Volunteers are essential for us to run our coaching sessions so it was vital that they gain coaching qualifications. Coach education is an ongoing thing so we will be aiming to continue to increase our 'pool' of volunteer coaches to share the workload for many years to come.

How is this going to help our juniors in the future?

We can now run a full programme of coaching and racing throughout the year as we have the equipment to be able to do so. Alongside this the additional number of newly qualified coaches has allowed extra sessions to take place and over time they will have the opportunity to gain more experience and do more within the junior team if they want. We must not only make all our coaching activities sustainable (particularly at grass roots level) but also strive for excellence with our coaching and continue to learn. Hopefully the knock on effect of this would be to see more and more juniors competing at races and at ever higher standards. The next 5 years will be a very exciting time at Ilkley especially if we continue to progress at the present rate. In that time we hope to make good links with Ilkley Grammar School and together raise the general standard of Athletics in the area. Personally I hope that the fantastic 'team effort' that has been shown over the last few years by everyone connected with Junior Ilkley Harriers continues.

Finally we would like to thank 'Awards for All' for funding our junior section and giving us the chance to make a difference in our community.