World Masters’ Athletics and new clubhouse opening

Report: Peter Powell -

The Harriers’ partnership of Jackie Newton and Bashir Hussein enjoyed full measure at the World Masters’ athletics championships in Perth, Western Australia and with both competitors going in three events each in the over 50’s section.

Both Newton and Hussein had already enjoyed good finishes in the 8 kilometre cross country events and now took to the track at 5,000 metres with Newton making it 11th out of the competitors in 20:49:21 but Hussein was unable to complete the equivalent men’s event whilst at the shorter distance of 1,500 metres both competitors qualified through to the finals with Newton finishing in 12th (5:27:53) and Hussein well up the field in 6th out of 16 competitors in a time of 4:33:16  

It was a time for much rejoicing at Woodbank stadium with the new state-of-the-art clubhouse being declared open by the mayor and mayoress of Stockport, councillor Chris Gordon and Dr Margaret Gordon and to help them with the proceedings T33 100 metre paralympic bronze medallist Andy Small of Stockport wheelchair racers and along with fellow Rio competitor Carly Tait and junior athlete Adam Finch who is a year 5 pupil at St Simon’s Catholic primary school were in attendance to ensure that the event was carried through with great style.

Adam who is not well at the moment was determined to participate in the following on primary schools cross country competition after the official buildings opening and has been a keen and active competitor since he was a year 3 pupil at this event and the best wishes go to him from all in the athletic community for a healthy and speedy recovery.   

Many former members and life members were present to exchange happy memories but all were pleased to see the removal of the old building being a wartime mobile classroom which had stood on the site since the early 1980’s with it’s brand new replacement boasting fine training opportunities together with catering and meeting facilities and it will welcome persons of all backgrounds and ages through it’s doors for many years to come and all thanks to grant funding from Sport England and additional and substantial financial assistance from Stockport council and from Stockport Harriers & AC.       

Following on from the opening of the new Woodbank stadium buildings complex, Stockport Harriers will be welcoming on Tuesday evening, the 15th November, the chief executive of England Athletics being Chris Jones along with his business development and communications manager Dean Martin which will give all athletes a chance to have widespread discussions and at “grass roots” level and there will be busy times ahead for all who will be training and competing at Woodbank Park.

Congratulations to Andy Small of Stockport Harriers who won The Disabled Achiever of the Year Award for 2016 at the Greater Manchester Sports Awards. Many congratulations Andy and coach Rick Hoskins on a fantastic year, a bronze medal in Rio in the T33 100m and now this well deserved Award


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