Stephen Miller was the Inspirational Speaker at the recent North East England Athletics Regional Awards ceremony at Lumley Castle. He started the evening off in fine style with a brilliant talk on how volunteers had helped him on his athletics journey from “skinny lad to 6 time Paralymian”
The club were successful with 1 winner and 2 runner up awards – see nomination details below. In addition the Pattinson House Innovation has won the National England Athletics Award and a club representative will be at the National Dinner in Coventry to receive it on behalf of Pattison House and Gateshead Harriers.
Innovation Of the Year – Winner – Pattison Athletics Initiative
Opposite Gateshead International Stadium ” home of Gateshead Harriers AC” are Old Fold and Nest Estates, among the UKs poorest areas and subject of official concern about very high childhood obesity. When Edberts House, a local community development charity, started on the estate in 2015, young people wanted to try sport, particularly running, such as impromptu races outside the Pattinson House community hub, timed on a youth worker’s i-phone!
None had used the stadium, although some lived 50m away. Residents thought they were not allowed to enter, couldn’t afford it, or it wasn’t for people like them. Meanwhile, Gateshead Harriers were concerned at low participation of local children in their activities.
Through an innovative partnership, in line with Sport England guidance:
- local young people are training with an existing harriers group involving running, strength and conditioning, mobility etc. 12 young people, aged between 10 and 15, have participated so far, 6 girls and 6 boys
- The Edberts Youth Worker, Steve, is gaining coaching skills
- young people are developing their interest – 3 have completed a local Park run. This includes white British and Syrians, and one child with Chinese heritage.
Next steps
- sustaining current participation, developing individual’s abilities and confidence
- Steve gaining coaching qualifications
- encouraging women and family use of the track
- sourcing financial support
The project dismantles cultural and racial barriers, challenging generational perceptions about athletics and the Stadium. It enables all to learn from each other so that running and athletics benefit the local community
Coach of the Year – Runner Up – Richard Kaufman
This year Richard has continued his coaching journey by introducing 1-1 sessions with several disability athletes in different disciplines – T11 sprints; T36 SP and T42 long jump. These 1-1 sessions are in addition to the group sessions where he coaches hurdles and sprints. He also runs a mini athletics session for 5-8 year olds. For these sessions he encourages his older group to assist and has encouraged several of them to train as Coaching Assistants. Recognising the requirement for an outlet for the 8 year olds he has also set up a group which offer multi-events for 8 – 13 year olds, including pole vault. This group has grown over the year and has opened up opportunities for the local community with several families receiving financial support from the club. Richard’s involvement in athletics as an athlete and a coach has provided him with career direction and for the last year he has worked as a Sports Coordinator in a local school, delivering both in and out of school activities. He also encouraged them to do a whole sports day at Gateshead Stadium, recruiting his group of athletes to act as officials and volunteers to run the day for over 500 children.
Official of the Year – Runner Up – Joan Smith
Joan is incredibly friendly and passionate about athletics. She always takes the time to talk to young athletes and encourage them