Dacorum Athletics off to Nationals

Dacorum Athletics Club has recently qualified for the Youth Development League (YDL) Nationals Finals in Manchester as a combined team with Harrow Athletics Club.

This year Dacorum Athletics Club has been hugely successful in the Premier Division of the YDL as a combined team with Harrow AC. As a team they have finished 2nd in every league match, qualifying for the National Finals on 3 September. This is a huge achievement as the YDL is a national league for 2 age groups of athletes: U17s who are in school years 10 and 11, and U20s who are in school years 12 and 13 and 1st year of university, born after January.

As a combined team with Harrow, the club’s athletes have worked extremely hard to do the best they possibly can with some impressive performances. Within the team are 4 English Schools’ Gold medallists: Toby Cherry (High Jump), Ellie Bostock (Shot Put), Isabella Turner (Pole Vault) and Godwin Mutandwa (Discus). Deb Keenleyside, Team Manager, is thrilled as ‘the teams have shown such dedication to training and an amazing team spirit. Their success is well deserved.’ This is even more of an achievement considering the club has qualified from the Southern Premier Division in its first attempt at this level. Having finished 2nd to Blackheath and Bromley, who have been undisputed National Champions since 2016, in every match they have demonstrated the talent the club has to offer.

One of the young athletes has explained: ‘In one way we are a victim of our own success! We’ve had the most amazing summer season but we now need to find the funds to compete in Manchester.’

Rob Deane, Club Chairman went on to explain that to get to Manchester and back the team will hire a coach which costs £2,000 and the club is reaching out to any local businesses who may be interested in sponsoring them to go.

‘In order for all our qualifying athletes to compete in the National Finals we need to look at what is affordable to everyone. A coach to and from Manchester will cost the club £1,000 (shared cost with Harrow AC). We are also weighing up the benefits of possibly heading up there the night before to avoid a 4.30am start on the day of the competition – which is not ideal if our athletes are to be on top form.’

The Club is reaching out to local businesses who would be interested in offering some sponsorship to help send this amazing team to the Finals. Sponsorship presents the opportunity for exposure at a National level whilst offering tremendous support to the local community and of course keeping young people active.

Contact details for the club: hello@dacorumac.org.uk.