Amber Valley comes out on top at U11 Derbyshire Sportshall Athletics Finals
Amber Valley came out on top at the U11 Derbyshire Sportshall Athletics Finals, which were held at Moorways Sports Centre in Derby.
The event saw teams of budding athletes from across Derbyshire taking part in a variety of indoor track and field events, cheered on by special guest Commonwealth Gold Medallist Lisa Dobriskey as well as scores of parents.
Topping the scoreboard with 682 points was Amber Valley, who won first place for the second year running.
In second place was the team from Derby West, with 592 points, and in third place – with a score of 578 – was North East Derbyshire.
All the teams which competed received certificates, and reigning champions Amber Valley were also presented with a trophy and individual medals from Lisa Dobriskey.
The 1500m runner, who is hoping to compete at the Beijing Olympics in August, also took part in a demonstration and mini interview and cheered on the athletes during the afternoon’s events.
She said: “It was a fantastic event and I really enjoyed it. Everyone was so determined and enthusiastic.
“Hopefully they will take it forward, and perhaps we have some future Olympians here.”
The annual event, now in its second year, brought together the best sporting talent from local schools with nine teams of 14 – seven girls and seven boys – competing having won their place in a series of district events.
Teams were made up of school pupils aged nine to 11, representing Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire, Amber Valley, Erewash, Derby East, Derby West, Derbyshire Dales, Bolsover and South Derbyshire.
The event is organised by Derbyshire Athletics Association with England Athletics, as part of the athletics competition framework for Derbyshire. Equipment for the day was provided by Sportshall Associates.
Event manager both in the run-up to the event and on the day was Julie Feeney, Athletics Co-ordinator for Amber Valley.
She said: “The standard has improved from last year and there was some great running, throwing and jumping. There is obviously some great work going on in the districts.”
Sportshall Athletics is traditional track and field brought indoors, using specially adapted equipment, and on the day events included indoor javelin, standing long jump, hurdles and obstacle relays, all designed to test speed, strength, coordination, agility and balance.
The Derbyshire Athletics Action Plan 2008/09, outlining plans for the development of the sport within the county, was also officially launched at the Derbyshire Sportshall Athletics Finals.
Pictured above is Lisa Dobriskey, signing t-shirts for some of the athletes who competed.