Well done to the Isle of Man under 11 athletics team who competed in the North West Inter Counties Sportshall athletics championships in Manchester on Sunday 22nd January.

IOM vs the Best in the Northwest

On 22^nd January2012, in front of a packed audience at the Eastlands Indoor Athletics Arena in Manchester, the Medis IOM Sportshall Athletics team  competed in the under elevens northwest counties “Fun in Athletics” championships.  Both boys and girls teams finished sixth from eight teams in a test of athletic ability against the best athletes from Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire and Cumbria. The atmosphere was electric and really brought the best out of all the young athletes taking part.  

The Isle of Man girls produced some outstanding performances during a fun packed afternoon.  Angela Aumonier from Manx Harriers (MH) managed to win the Target throw and second place in the speed bounce.  She then joined two more twinkle toed Manxies, Madeline Kipling from Western AC (WAC) and Chloe Venus of the Southern Manx Harriers (SMH) to pick up overall team second position for the speed bounce.

Over at the Balance Test Dhoona Leece (WAC) and Isabella Barnes (SMH) showed the brilliant balancing skill of mountain goats to finish equal first with team mate Leah Goddard from Northern AC (NAC) helping to secure overall team top spot in this difficult event. Georgia Foxton (MH) and Clare Townsend (SMH) produced powerful performances in the Chest Push, throwing the IOM into 3^rd position for this junior equivalent to shot putt.  Not forgetting the track events in what was a thrilling hurdles relay from start to finish, Aumonier and Venus teamed up with Jessica Hill and Mille Palmer from Northern AC.  Displaying smooth hurdling technique the four Manx girls just pipped Merseyside Thunder to victory by 0.3s!  In the field Hill managed to record the second fasted time through the High Stepper Shuttle in 13.2s.

In the boys competition, Angus McLeod, George Melvin and Harry Read all from Northern AC showed fast footwork in the speed bounce, achieving team second place with McLeod managing overall second spot with a score of 52.  Another Northern Trio of Ryan Kinrade, Deacon Lombard-Chibnall and James Strickett also managed a team second place position showing great speed and agility through the Hi-Stepper Shuttle.  Kinrade narrowly missed out on winning overall to Jason Bickerstaff from Merseyside Thunder.   Western AC boys Elliot Callow and Joseph Spencer joined forces with Northerners Fletcher Kneale and Harry Read to clinch third in the Over Under relay, firing through the tunnels like bullets and gliding over the hurdles like birds of prey.  The last podium place of the day went to the Manx Harrier and Northern AC duo of Matthew Flint and Juan Kennish who both showed great skill and accuracy to take third place in the target throw.

Trevor Christian the Athletics Development Officer and Team Manager said “Every boy and girl in this 30 strong team gave 100% effort from start to finish and have done themselves and the Island proud.  Before we arrived our objective was to do our best and have lots of fun.  Judging by the smiles on their faces which lasted all day long, I can definitely say it was mission accomplished”.

IOM Sports Awards 2011

Have you nominated any athletes for the IOM Sports Awards of 2011? 

If you would like to nominate individuals for outstanding sporting achievement during 2011, you only have until 27th January to do so. Categories are: Sportsman of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year, Administrator/clubman of the year, IOM Ambassador of the Year, Coach of the year, Team of the year, Disability sportsperson of the year, U21 Sportsman of the year, U21 Sportswoman of the year, Lifetime achievement and Achievement in the IOM. Winners will be announced at a gala evening at the Villa Marina on 29th March. Send your nominations to Pauline Carr, IOM Sport, NSC, Groves Road, Douglas IM2 1RB or by email to pauline.carr@gov.im. Nominees must be Manx born or have resided in the IOM for at least 2 years. Nominees for the U21 awards must have been under 21 on 31st Dec 2011.

Could you help the IOMAA raise funds?

Volunteer fundraiser required to co-ordinate a team of willing volunteers to raise money for athletics events, in particular the Bermuda Island Games 2013.  If you think you could help us with this very important role, please email mail@iomaa.info

IOMAA launches facebook page - IOM Athletics Association - visit this group frequently to keep up to date on all matters relating to athletics on the IOM.

2012 Fixtures Calendar now published on Fixtures page.

2011 Road Running Rankings now published on Road Running page.

North of England Track and Field League 2012

The Isle of Man Athletics Association (IOMAA) is pleased to announce that after full discussion and consultation between Manx Harriers, Western Athletics Club and Northern Athletics Club, and also with the UK organisers of the North of England Track and Field League, the Isle of Man will be represented in the 2012 league by two composite Isle of Man teams instead of by individual club teams. 

Isle of Man A team will compete in Div 3W and Isle of Man B team will compete in Div 4W.  Anthony Brand has been appointed as overall Team Manager.  Selection to compete in either team will be made by a sub-committee of representatives from all three athletics clubs.   

Further details will be made available during the Spring of 2012.

BERMUDA ISLAND GAMES 2013

The IOMAA has launched a savings scheme for those athletes and families/supporters who hope to attend the Island Games in Bermuda in July 2013.  If you would like the opportunity to make regular savings between now and 1st March 2013 towards the costs of transport and accommodation, please contact Cheryl on mail@iomaa.info for more information.