News

Last Tuesday 7th August, the 4th Cardiff AAC Invitational for young throwers was held. The event is by invitational only, due to the limited time available for an evening meeting. Athletes taking part are mostly from South Wales & West areas of Wales.

Once again Cardiff's elite senior men took part. Brett Morse and Aled Davies F42. Brett must like the event, as his Discus throw was his second longest throw DT2K (60.47m) of this season. Aled Davies also had a good Discus throw of DK 1.5K (52.46m). Matteo Holmes U23M had pb's in Discus DT2K (31.68m), and Hammer throw 7.26K (34.11m).

Having 2 elite athletes taking part, must help young competitors seeing them close up in action, and no doubt the seniors giving advice to the young throwers.

Youngsters taking part range from U15 to U20 age groups. Cardiff's Ben Hillman U17M Discus throw 1.5K (30.29m), was close to his personal best. In Hammer throw Cassey Grimwade U17W HT3K (47.78m), was close to her personal best throw.

The full results can be seen on Power of 10 results page, on date 7th August of event.  

Yesterday at Leigh, Manchester, history happened for Cardiff's senior womens team. They gained promotion for first time to UKWL Premier League in 2019 season. A weaken team (holidays/injuries) meant athletes doubling up or even trebling up in order to finish in first 2 places to garantee promotion.

Sharon Thor Heveran team manager, said other teams were similary affected, leading to 2 events had no (B) competitors. Despite being shown in Pof10 results, have been advised that our 4x400 team were DQ. Despite those issues, the team finished a comfortable 2nd place in yesterdays match, led Division in overall standing with (23pts), and scored the most team points (637pts)in the 3 matches. 

Sharon made sure every event had a Cardiff competitor, hence athletes doubling up, Kate Seary 800m (A) 6th, 3km (B) 1st, Ffion Price 1500 (A) 2nd, 3km (A) 3rd. Ffion delaid flying back to US College, in oder to compete in final match. Emily Brown 400H (B), 2km s/c (A). Sara Buggy LJ (A) 2nd, TJ (A) 1st. Rebecca Chapman LJ (B) 1st, JT (A) 4th. Gwennan Lewis SP (A) 5th, HT (B) 6th, DT (B) 7th.

In the last match (4th) of Cardiff's senior men's team (first season) in the Premier League at Hendon, London, the team needed to finish in front of Thames Valley Harriers (TVH) in order to retain their place in the Premier League. Unfortunately this did not happen, with TVH 5th (260pts,) beat Cardiff 6th (259pts) by 1pt. However Cardiff beat City of Sheffield & Deane AC (222pts) 7th, with Swansea (130pts) 8th. After match 4 the league table at bottom 6th Cardiff 14pts, 7 th TVH 13.5pts, Swansea 4pts. Looking at split between track 125pts and field 134pts. Track low score was caused by no team in 400x4 relay and one athlete in 110H. Our lead senior teams, are affected by the success of athletes being selected into various Welsh teams, and elite into GB teams, add main holiday season has impacted on most of our club teams..

Those in track events did their best highlighted by Matt Elias a spectator sat in stand, did 400H B event (8th) to gain a point. James Thie V40 did the 5000m B (6th) gaining good points.

Sam Gordon 1st (A) 100m, with Kris Jones (B) 2nd 100m. In 800m Joe Reid (A) 2nd, with Elliot Slade (B) 1st were the highlights on the track, that included U20 athletes, and those new to Premier League competition.

In field events, team had excellent results including JT (A) Jason Copsey 1st 68.04 (pb), (B) Richard Dangerfield 1st 59.87. 

After the seasons 4 matches Cardiff's Youth Development League team (YDL) Upper age groups (U17M/W & U20M/W) the team finished 2nd, with only the combined teams of Team Avon ahead. The Area final was held at Newport last Sunday. Like the day before (WJL) the weather was awful, with heavy rain showers and gusts of strong winds. Due to holiday season, the team was seriously depleted. Many athletes doubled up, or did 3 events to help buildup the team's score, in a bid to qualify (first 2 teams) for UK YDL final at Bedford. Despite the athletes best efforts, the lack of athlete numbers meant the team finished 4th.

Debbie Bull reported. A massive well done to all who competed at Newport in the YDL UAG Area Final. We didn't get the result we wanted overall, but appreciated the huge effort the athletes put into the team on the day. The conditions were really not good, but didn't deter team members giving theIr all on the day.

Debbie is very proud of all the athletes, and looks forward to seeing you again next year, and added, good luck for rest of season, and have a good winter season. 

The final match of the Welsh Junior League, (WJL) was held in Newport last Saturday. After fine warm weather since May, normal weather service applied last weekend with heavy rain showers and gale force gusts of wind. With the holiday season in full swing, meant Team Managers were struggling to field a competive team.

Nevertheless team managers using athletes resources wisely, managed a good team result, finishing 3rd at Newport and 2nd overall of 9 clubs, after the 4 WJL competitions, Cardiff Archers lead the way, who were strong in U11 and U15 age groups. However Cardiff's U13B won the trophy for the best age group in the 4 matches. Hence picture of winning trophy showned.

Once again a huge thank you to all of our WJL team managers of the 3 age groups, U11, U13, U15. There was strong vocal support from team managers, parents, and fellow athletes, helping competing club athletes in their events.

As Welsh Athletics have a comprehensive report written by a Carmarthen member, and our club Facebook reports, thought a view from one attending event at Pembrey Park last Saturday. Arrived in car park before 10.30am, changed into more kit as it was pouring with rain. Then a long walk over road park land to start, finish area. The rain persisted most of day with a cold wind. By the time the first started was already getting wet despite wearing plenty of water proof gear, that at end day, needed new water proof bottoms.  

Cardiff's team for the YDL AREA FINAL in Newport on Sunday, has the lowest number of athletes who are competing. 

Debbie Bull U17/U20M, requires athletes to contact her ASAP.

Jennifer Stone U17/20W, urgently needs endurance runners with many events without A or B string athletes. Also U20W throwers are required.

Gail Gaskin needs U17 hurdlers, only 1 100mH and 1 300mH so far. Also only has 1l U17 High Jumper.

In the Area Final, only first 2 teams qualify for final at Bedford in August. Strong teams are taking part, including:-

Birchfield Harriers

Rugby & Northampton

Team Avon

Team DC

Team managers main problem besides athletes on holidays, is the closure of the stadium while refurbishment of the inner field area and track takes place. Team managers do not have normal face to face contact with athletes, as athlete groups are training at different locations, in the Cardiff & Vale area.

A recent great team result by our YDL lower age group, with reduced numbers taking part, finished 2nd. Sunday's UK weather forecast is rain, no sun bathing weather, never a problem in competing, just like the last match at Exeter, when the team had a good result. Please support your club Volunteer Team Manager.

British Athletics is sending 102 athletes (The largest GB team for over a 100 years) to the Senior European Championships held in Berlin during August. Wales has 8 athletes in the British team, the most since 1986.

Cardiff AAC has 4 athletes in GB team.

1. 3000ms/c         Ieuan Thomas  (James Thie).

2. 10,000m          Charlotte Arter  (Chris Jones).

3. 20km Walk       Bethan Davies   (Andi Drake).

4. 400m Relay      Owen Smith      (Matt Elias).

Congratulations, and good luck to all Cardiff members competing in Berlin.

Cardiff's Youth Develoment League (U13/U15) match last Saturday was a critical match, as the team needed a really good result to prevent relegation. Thanks to the hard working Team managers, not helped by school holidays, meaning many athletes were not available to compete in Yate.

Nevertheless as Amjad Mohsin reported on club FB that an incredible team result was achieved. The final team scores showed how important every point scored is valuable to team, a lesson to all club teams. Thank you Amjad for photo of some of the team members, some team members went off before photo was taken.

Mike Farrell commented on the very vocal travelling support (parents and team managers) for team athletes in their competitions.   

This year, Cardiff AAC will be 50yrs old, created from the club's AGM in November 1968. Many changes of personnel and stadium locations have taken place, since the almalgamation of Roath Harriers and Birchgrove Harriers. Originally based at Maindy Stadium (both clubs) that  had a cinders track, we later moved to a new stadium in Leckwith, now Cardiff City FC stadium. Our current location, is to the current stadium, opposite the Leckwith Retail Park.The Club General Committee has decided to hold a 50th anniversary Club Dinner, to be held in the Cardiff CFC stadium, with free parking available.

The dinner with take place on Friday 2nd November 2018 7pm till late.

Tickets are available from the club office. Ticket sales and enquiries can be made to Mark Gold Club Manager, email office@cardiffaac.org. Office phone 07549651424.

Club Chairman Bernie Plain (who is co ordinating ticket sales) can be contacted for inquiries.