WHERE do you start in trying to sum up the year of success that has been had by North Somerset Athletics Club, it has been truly amazing!

WHERE do you start in trying to sum up the year of success that has been had by North Somerset Athletics Club, it has been truly amazing!

It started with fantastic wins for the Under-11, 13 and 15 Avon squads in the South West Sportshall competition in which they had many athletes involved, Calum Hannay going on to become a UK champion, and Emma Smith and Jake Fisher taking national medals. An impressive primary school squad from NSAA competed in the Quadkids home international against Wales and were runaway winners, Ada'ora Chigbo being the standout athlete in the standing long jump a UK best of 2.23m.

Eleven athletes were included in the Avon squad for the South West Inter Counties and it ended with a joint first place victory in the Avon League. NSAC finished above teams from Team Bath, Bristol and West, Yate and Gloucester, a major result, bearing in mind that they do not have the training facilities of these clubs.

Many awards were presented on the evening including 25 athletes who received AAA standard certificates and badges. Winners were: Clevedon Club, Sam Aizlewood, Lauren Meredith and Jasmin Emery; Churchill Club, Emma Warinton, Pippa Reilly and James Payne; Nailsea and Backwell Club, Sarah Page, Rebecca Abbot and Ellie Parker.

Endurance development athlete of the year was Katie Grinyer, who finished the season on a high with a national grade 1 performance in both the 800m and 200m.

Endurance athlete of the year was Cameron Coetzee, South West inter-counties champion and College Green mile winner.

Ben Maliphant was the recepitant of the Coaches Endurance Award. Year 7 Worle student Sophie Thomas was crowned speed development athlete, with national Grade 1 performances in the 75m and 200m. She is now ranked number 2 and 3 in the UK respectively in her year group.

Speed athlete honours went to Gordano's Tasha Osgood, fine performances in the 100m (13.19), 200m (27.76) and an inter counties squad place were the highlights of her season.

Francesca Allen was confirmed as throws athlete of the year, a personal best in the shot of 7.47m and a silver medal in the South West indoor championships. Kody Mortimer with a Grade 2 performance in the long jump, various endurance and sprint victories was the deserved winner of the multi events award and Anicia Skeates was the runaway winner in the jumps award. Her performance of 1.52m in the high jump now ranks her fifth in the UK. Superb performances have also been recorded in the long jump and hurdles.

North Somerset Athletics Club are always looking for new talent and coaches. If you would like to get involved in our sport, please contact Chris direct chrisbtg@blueyonder.co.uk or make yourself known at any of our training sessions. Please visit our website www.fitnessontrack.co.uk for more information.