Newport Harriers

Former Newport Harrier Mark Morgan's laid criticism at the door of Newport Harriers in last week's Athletics Weekly. Whilst not wishing to get into a slanging match with Mark, an athlete whose ability is admired by many, it is only appropriate that we as a club correct some of his statements. When Mark joined Newport Harriers the men's road and cross country team was enjoying one of the most successful periods in the club's history. We had runners of the calibre of Steve Jones, (former World Marathon record holder) Ieuan Ellis, Kenny Davies, John Robertshaw, Mike Rowlands, to name just a few. On the track Steve Jones was world class and a young Neil Horsfield was carving out a name for himself. With such high quality success came easily. If criticism is to be laid at the club, it would be fair to say that we did not build on that success by developing a squad of young athletes to take over the mantle of these international stars. The club however did continue to produce athletes of quality. To say that we did not produce international athletes is a blatant misrepresentation. In recent years Jamie Baulch, Doug Turner, Kevin Williams and Christian Malcolm have all developed into international athletes whilst with Newport. These athletes have moved on, seeking British League competition with Cardiff, but their skills were developed whilst members of Newport Harriers Athletic Club and capitalised upon by Cardiff.

In addition Newport Harriers women's team has gone from strength to strength. The track team currently competes in the U.K. women's league and is amongst the top 30 clubs in Britain. They have stormed through the Midland Women's League travelling from Division 7 to Division 1 in 6 years, a remarkable achievement, and have eyes on the title next season. On cross country and road the women's teams near invincibility over the past 5 years was stalled last winter by an unfortunate run of illness and injury. Angharrad Mair, Hayley Nash and Sally Lynch have all competed in major international events. We have a young track and field team, which continues to grow and has many potential Welsh and U.K. internationals.

Turning now to the men's track and field team. Harriers were rocked by the loss of the track stars mentioned earlier and embarked on a rebuilding programme with the emphasis on youth. We believe that some of the key elements of producing a successful team are now in place. These include a good social atmosphere, which contrary to one of Mark Morgan's criticisms was an element that has been sadly missing at the club. Far from being too social, it can be argued that the club, and this applies to many other athletic clubs, has not been social enough. If team members in any sport form friendships and build a social identity around the club they are less likely to depart for mercenary reasons.

If the focus of success is narrow, then Mark Morgan is right. Newport as a national name in men's athletics has declined in recent years, but these thing tend to be cyclical and we are prepared to predict far better times for the men's side of the club over the next few years. Our ambitions for both the men's and women's teams is to develop so that we can provide competition for athletes of all abilities from the international stars right down to Joe Jogger.