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Fraser Valley Regional Athletics
Centre Report
Annual General Meeting of BC Athletics
The 2003 year has been busy and productive for the Fraser Valley
Regional Athletics Centre. During the year, this Centre has conducted
clinics, held camps, arranged competitions and conducted high level
coaching for athletes throughout the Fraser Valley area.
A summary of projects that were completed by the centre include the
following:
- A Spring Break Camp was conducted for two days in March. At least
fifty teenagers from schools as far away as the Sunshine Coast
attended this camp.
- Three, one week morning camps were held during the month of July.
Approximately 15-young people took part in each of these camps that
stressed all aspects of track and field.
- A level 1 technical certification clinic was hosted by the Centre
- A level two middle distance clinic was hosted and taught by the
Centre. This clinic was highly successful and drew 13-student
coaches from all parts of the Fraser Valley and the North Shore.
- Coaching was provided in the power/speed events, the throws and
the middle distance runs. Throwing coach, Harold Willers, conducted
sessions at SFU, Rotary Stadium and Sardis. Throwers from a number
of communities and clubs attended Harold’s throwing sessions.
- Ziggy Szelagowicz was in charge of the power speed events until
the end of August. In addition to providing all year round coaching,
Ziggy conducted event instruction for coaches in the pole vault and
high jump.
- Brit Townsend held middle distance workouts in the
Coquitlam/Burnaby area. In addition, Brit published three
newsletters during the year that was distributed to most of the
secondary schools and clubs within the Fraser Valley.
- The Centre made available the opportunity for athletes throughout
the Fraser Valley to take part in high-level secondary school
competitions in such places as Washington, Oregon and California.
- In cooperation with the Valley Royals Track Club, the centre
hosted an invitational meet at the beginning of May and the BC
Jr./Sr. Championships in July.
- In addition, in cooperation with the Valley Royals Track Club, the
Centre organized Elementary Schools Cross Country Grand Prix. This
series of meets that involved youngsters from grade 4 to 8 involved
1,100 entrants on each of four consecutive Wednesdays.
After serving the Centre well for a number of years, two coaches took
their leave at the end of August. Ziggy Szelagowicz accepted a full time
teaching position in Texas and Harold Willers made the decision that he
needed a year or two break from his duties as a regional coach. The
Centre was very fortunate to be able to replace these two outstanding
coaches with two other outstanding coaches. Ron Bunting has assumed the
position of throws coach and Barb Vida has assumed the position of
power/speed coach.
The Centre would like to serve clubs within the Fraser Valley. Those
clubs that have athletes who would benefit from the coaching expertise
of any of the centre coaches are welcome to take advantage of the
opportunity. Membership in the Centre for an individual athlete would
cost $100 per annum. For that sum an athlete will be provided with
coaching at the venues the coach’s conduct practices. The personal
coaches of these athletes are encouraged to attend practices with their
athletes. The athletes would remain members of their respective clubs,
but, of course, either the athlete or his/her club would assume all
expenses of entering and traveling to meets. For more information please
contact any of the following.
Gerry or Jane Swan—Centre Coordinators: phone 604-859-9801, email: gswan@uniserve.com
Barb Vida—Power/Speed Coach: phone 604-852-4562, email: barb_vida@hotmail.com
Ron Bunting—Throw Coach: phone 604-596-5652, email: rbunting@sd35.bc.ca
Brit Townsend—Middle Distance coach: phone (h)604-939-4414, email: btownsen@sfu.ca
(b)604-291-3382
Submitted by: Gerry Swan on behalf of Jane Swan
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