Stubbington Green Runners

IT'S growing fast and still looking for new members - that's Fareham & Gosport juniors, which is jointly run by Stubbington's Colin Elderfield.

The club, which meets every Wednesday night at Brune Park Community School in Military Road, Gosport, is already producing a formidable crop of young running talent.

Colin, who is a level 2 coach, helps to run the club together with Ian Ore, a level 4 coach, and level 1 coach, Lorraine Harris.

"The club is going really well," reported Colin. "We meet from 6pm to 7pm, and the age range is from seven-years-old upwards, although younger children with an adult are welcome. Some of the children at Stubbington Green members, and others are not."

It is a fun-packed hour which helps boost the youngsters' fitness through a variety of activities.

Colin explained: "Everyone does a warm-up in the hall, and then goes out for a supervised run. The distance depends on ability and fitness level. Lime-coloured reflective vests are supplied when running outdoors, in accordance with health and safety.

"We organise sprint sessions in door and ball games. Once a month we hold a 'bleep test' which is a good measure of the children's fitness and gives them targets to aim for."

The work the coaches do has gleaned results. Over the winter, the Fareham & Gosport juniors have competed in the Sportshall League, which involves competition in a number of indoor athletics events. Fareham & Gosport have produced some outstanding results, more than holding their own against clubs from Portsmouth, Southampton and Eastleigh. "The children who went really enjoyed it," added Colin.

During the summer, the club will be doing track and field using equipment loaned to them by Stubbington Green Runners.

Ian Ore is a qualified basketball coach, and that is also expected to figure in the club's summer programme. All the coaches are unpaid and the cost is £1 per session which goes towards the cost of the hall hire.

Colin admitted that he and the coaching staff enjoy working with the youngsters. "The club gets children used to competing though fun and fulfillment."

For more information contact Ian Ore on 02392-551641, Colin Elderfield on 02392-586108, and Lorraine Harris on 02392-617800.