It was cold and foggy in Navan for the uneven ages All-Ireland Cross-Country with Orlaith and Olly both competing in the u11 races.
First up was Orlaith who get away to a great start at the front of the 137 athlete field. A slip at the first main switch back saw Orlaith lose some ground but great composure over the middle part of the race saw her claw back several places to finish 26th. Orlaith was the third Dublin finisher and with the Dublin team second in the Inter-County Competition, she claimed her first All-Ireland Cross-Country medal.
Orlaith Navigating The Tricky Downhill Section
Next up was Olly and he too set himself up brilliantly, getting in contention also right from the start. He maintained his position throughout the race and at the halfway mark was in a strong Top 30 position. With a tough uphill section to the finish, athletes could lose several places quite easily but Olly dug deep to come home in 28th. He too was 3rd Dublin athlete home with the Dublin team placing 5th in the Inter-County Championships.
A big day for Marianne today in Wales when she made her debut for the Irish Schools team in the Schools Combined Events International. This International Meet sees the four best multi event athletes from each of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England competing. Marianne was competing with girls who were mostly a year older, so a tremendous achievement.
She acquitted herself brilliantly getting three PBs in the five events. First up was a 4.99m Long Jump followed quickly by 9.73 in the 60m Hurdles with the PB hattrick sealed with 1.50m in the High Jump. The afternoon saw the Shot Putt and 800m and while she didn’t hit the dizzy PB heights of the morning she closed out a very impressive international debut.
Sometimes the challenges with a first international, the travel overseas, staying overnight in hotels and the nerves can be overwhelming for a young athletes so the fact that Marianne managed all that and performed so well makes her debut even more impressive.
Well done also to Marianne’s coach, Cliodhna, and all the specialist event coaches who have been working hard with all the athletes over the winter.
Marianne with Ireland teammates Ruby, Emma & Ella Kate.
Sunday saw the third and last round of the Dublin League in Tymon Park. Great commitment for the athletes over the past few months with many athletes making their debut in cross-country and competing in all the rounds.
Selection of some of the League Finishing positions across the ages (most age groups will have 80 competing).
Marianne had a super day at today’s Irish Schools Pentathlon Championship in Athlone finishing 2nd overall and getting three new PBs along the way.
First up was the 60m hurdles and Marianne dipped under 10 seconds for the first time, clocking a new PB of 9.88. Next up was the Long Jump and a 4.85, just off her PB and in the last round. A solid high jump of 1.45 meant Marianne was now in silver medal position.
But with the Shot Putt to come and it not being her strongest event it was all still to play for. But again, a super last throw saw a nearly 1.5m PB with 9.17 in the Shot Putt.
The day closed out with a gutsy 800m and again new PB of 2:26.75, taking nearly 5 seconds off her old best.
But performances in competitions don’t happen overnight and Marianne has been diligently working hard in training the last few months and today got her just rewards, a fine role model to all our younger athletes.
Marianne Training Hard On The Hills In Fr Collins Park Last Month
Danny was rewarded with a brilliant bronze medal at today’s All-Ireland U12 Cross-Country Championships in a very muddy Gowran in Kilkenny.
Danny took the lead from the gun and set a fast pace in early stages. This broke up the field quickly and at the halfway mark the major medals were down to just five athletes. A break by the Moy Valley spread the field even more as the athletes entered the final winding section of the course.
A big battle over the final stages saw Danny just hold off the Sligo athletes to finish in 3rd individual. Considering there were 167 of the best young athletes in Ireland competing, this was a great performance.
Danny also led home the Dublin County team which finished 2nd in the County team race.
Club Name:Clongriffin AC is affiliated to Athletics Ireland and provides various sporting activities and opportunities for children and young people through participation in clubs, regional/provincial events and through to our national teams.
Club Name: Clongriffin AC
Sport: Track and Field Athletics, Cross Country, Road Running and Race Walking.
Location (National/Local level): Local and County.
Number of members in your club: 215
Activities: Track and Field, Cross Country, Road Running and Race Walking.
Section 2 – Principles to safeguard children from harm
Athletics Ireland is committed to safeguarding children and by working under the guidance of our Safeguarding Policies our staff, both volunteers and employed, working with our young people, throughout the organisation, seek to create a safe environment for young people to grow and develop within sport. The following set of principles should be adhered to:
Importance of childhood – The importance of childhood should be understood and valued by everyone involved in sport.
Needs of the child – All children’s sport experiences should be guided by what is best for children. This means that adults should have a basic understanding of the emotional, physical and personal needs of young people.
Integrity in relationships – Adults interacting with children in sport are in a position of trust and influence. They should always ensure that children are treated with integrity and respect, and the self-esteem of young people is enhanced.
Fair Play – All children’s sport should be conducted in an atmosphere of fair play. The principles of fair play should always be emphasised, and organisers should give clear guidelines regarding acceptable standards of behaviour.
Quality atmosphere & ethos – Children’s sport should be conducted in a safe, positive and encouraging atmosphere.
Competition – Competition is an essential element of sport and should be encouraged in an age appropriate manner. A child centred ethos will help to ensure that competition and specialisation are kept in their appropriate place.
Equality – All children should be valued and treated in an equitable and fair manner regardless of ability, age, gender, religion, social and ethnic background or political persuasion.
Section 3 – Risk Assessment
This Athletics Ireland Club written Risk Assessment document indicates the areas of potential risk of harm, the likelihood of the risk occurring, and gives the required policy, guidance or process documents require to alleviate these risks.The list of risks identified and procedures to manage these risks are contained in the following categories:
Risk Identified
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Club and Coaching Practices Lack of coaching qualification. Supervision issues. Unauthorised photography & recording activities. Behavioural Issues. Lack of gender balance amongst coaches No guidance for travelling & away trips Risk of harm of sexual abuse of a child by a volunteer/member of staff while away on an overnight trip Lack of adherence with misc procedures in Safeguarding policy
Coach education policy/Recruitment policy. Supervision policy/Coach education policy Photography & Use of Images policy Code of Conduct / Safeguarding 1 / Complaints & Disciplinary policy. Coach education policy / Supervision policy. Travel/Away trip policy / Child Safeguarding Training. Travel/Away trip policy, Code of Ethics, Code of conducts for sports leaders and parents Safeguarding Policy / Complaints & disciplinary policy
Complaints & Discipline Lack of awareness of a Complaints & Disciplinary policy. Difficulty in raising an issue by child & or parent Complaints not being dealt with seriously
Reporting Procedures Lack of knowledge of organisational & statutory reporting procedures No DLP appointed. Concerns of abuse or harm not reported. Not clear who YP should talk to or report to.
Reporting procedures/policy / Coach Education policy / Code of Conduct/Behaviour. Reporting procedures/policy. Reporting procedures/policy / Child Safeguarding Training – Level 1 Post the names of CCO, DLP and Mandated person.
Use of Facilities Unauthorised access to designated children’s play & practice areas & to changing rooms, showers, toilets etc….. Unauthorised exit from children’s areas. Photography, filming or recording in prohibited areas. Missing or found child on site. Children sharing facilities with adults e.g. dressing room, showers etc…
Supervision policy / Coach Education. Supervision policy / Coach Education. Photography policy and use of devices in private zones. Missing or found child policy. Safeguarding policy.
Recruitment Recruitment of inappropriate people. Lack of clarity on roles. Unqualified or untrained people in role.
Communications Lack of awareness of ‘risk of harm’ with members and visitors. No communication of Child Safeguarding Statement of Code of Behaviour to members of visitors. Unauthorised photography & recording of activities. Inappropriate use of social media & communications by under 18’s Inappropriate use of social media & communications with under 18’s.
Child Safeguarding Statement / Training Policy. Child Safeguarding Statement (display) / Code of Behaviour (distribute). Photography & Use of Images policy Communications policy / Code of conduct Communications policy / Code of conduct
General Risk of Harm Harm not being recognised. Harm caused by: Child to Child. Coach to Child. Volunteer to Child. Member to Child. Visitor to Child. General behavioural issues. Issues of Bullying. Vetting of staff/volunteers. Issues of Online Safety
Safeguarding policy / Child Safeguarding Training. Safeguarding policy / Child Safeguarding Training. Code of Conduct. Anti-Bullying policy. Recruitment policy / Vetting policy. Social Media / Online Safety policy.
Section 4 – Procedures
Our Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015, (the Children First: National Guidance, and Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice). In addition to our Risk Assessment document described above, there are further procedures that support our intention to safeguard children while they are availing of our activities.
Athletics Ireland has the following procedures in place as part of our Safeguarding Policies:
Procedures for the management of allegations of abuse or misconduct by staff or volunteers against a child availing of our activities.
Procedures for the safe recruitment of staff and volunteers to work with children in our activities.
Procedures for access to child safeguarding training and information, including the identification of the occurrence of harm.
Procedure for reporting of child protection or welfare concerns to Statutory Authorities.
Procedure for maintaining a list of the persons (if any) in the relevant service who are mandated persons.
Procedure for appointing a relevant person (Club Children’s Officer).
Please note that all procedures listed are available on request.
Kieron Stout is the relevant person for Athletics Ireland, and he is also a mandated person as set out in the Children First Act 2015. Kieron can be contacted on 086 2450134.
Section 5 – Implementation
We recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Our club is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and the procedures that support our intention to keep children safe from harm while availing of our activities.
Please note the following:
That all volunteers and staff have been furnished with a copy of this statement.
This statement is available to parents/guardians, the Agency & members of the public on request.
This statement will be displayed in a prominent place by the Club.
Treat sports leaders, coaches and club officials with respect.
Treat all other athletes as you would like to be treated.
Respect club-mates even when things go wrong.
Respect competitors and be gracious in defeat.
Compete fairly at all times and do your best.
Athletes should never
Intimidate, use physical contact that is not welcome
Shout at or argue with another person unreasonably
Cause harm to or damage property
Bully or threaten another person online or offline
Spread or circulate rumours online or offline about another person
Tell lies
Parent Code of Conduct
Parents of Athletes
Respect the rules in the Athletics Ireland’s Code of Ethics for Children in Sport.
Respect your child’s club-mates, coaches and other parents.
Encourage your child to treat other participants, coaches and officials with respect.
Never demonstrate threatening behaviour or use foul language.
Never ridicule, humiliate or shout at young athletes
Recognise the value and importance of volunteers and coaches.
Coach Code of Conduct
All coaches involved with children and young should:
Consider the well being and safety of participants before the development of performance.
Develop an appropriate working relationship with members, based on mutual trust and respect.
Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and the experience of the athlete
Promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play)
Display consistently high standards of behaviour.
Follow all guidelines laid down by the National Governing Body
Never exert undue influence over participants to gain personal benefit or reward.
Never condone rule violations or the use of prohibited substances.
Encourage participants to value their performances and not just results.
Encourage and guide participants to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour.
Never use foul or inappropriate language.
Never engage in any form of sexual relations with anyone under the age of 18, or vulnerable adults.
Do use a group email system for communicating with parents/guardians & coaches of athletes.
Do not communicate individually by social media, text or email with juvenile athletes
Do not engage in communications with underage athletes individually via personal social network sites.
Always use official squad group text or social media sites to communicate with juvenile athletes.
A coach should under no circumstance undermine the efforts of an athlete’s personal coach and/or attempt to ‘poach’ an athlete within a squad environment.
After all the rain of recent weeks it was mucky conditions for the Dublin Uneven Ages Cross Country in Santry today. The Dublin Uneven Ages Cross Country involves all clubs in Dublin and races can have up to 100 athletes competing.
Orlaith and Olly, both mastered the underfoot conditions to finish 3rd and 4th in their respective races. Both qualify for the All-Irelands in Meath in December and will be part of the Dublin team. Well done to both.
Olly led the Boys u11 in the team race with Ruben, Alex, Etienne, Leon & Freddie while the Girls u11 were led by Orlaith with Niamh, Lucy and Amelia in their team.
Good performances across the board in the U9 and U13 ages with Melanie, Luzia, Marina, Maddy, Denis and Lorenzo making their Cross-Country Championships debut in U9 while Liliya, Ava and Arthur running well in the very competitive u13 age group.
Cross-country coach Dan said ‘Well done to all for working hard in preparation for this. They have shown huge commitment in training this Autumn’ while Coach Marie ‘was really happy with the performances of the athletes in the championships and they will now turn their focus to the Indoor season’.
There is one round of the League left in 3 weeks while Danny (in two weeks) and Orlaith & Olly (in four weeks) will be competing for Dublin in their All-Irelands. All in the club are proud to have the athletes representing Dublin County in the All-Irelands.
Competing for her school, Belmayne ETSS, Marianne won the Junior Girls Pentathlon Title in NIA last Wednesday. A solid morning over Long Jump, Hurdles and Shot Putt put Marianne in the medal position but then a new PB in the High Jump (1.49m) and controlling run in the 800m saw Marianne take overall gold.
There was a big contingent of club athletes also in the Boys and Girls Minor age groups. Meabh had a super day, winning her hurdles and also jumping a new PB in the High Jump (1.36m). Sarah, Eva and Alicja all made their pentathlon debuts and all clocked up PBs across the various events.
The Boys had Oscar, Ben and Jaden and again all the boys nicked up several PBs with Oscar and Jaden running storming finishes in their 800m and Ben clocking a big PB in the hurdles earlier in the day.
Thanks again to Dan, athletics coach in Belmayne ETSS, and school principal, Aisling, a great supporter of the Club.
The All-Ireland Cross-Country Relays took place in Abbotstown last Sunday.
Super 4th For Girls u11
First out were our Girls u11. Each team had four athletes all running 500m each. Niamh got team in a super spot after the first leg and after storming runs from Lucy and Viola they handed over to Orlaith who brought the team home to finish 4th. A great performance and following up the Squads 3rd place in the All-Ireland 4x100m relay in the summer.
Next up the Boys u11 who were making their All-Irelands debut. But nerves were dusted off as soon as that gun went and Leon, Ruben, Adam and Olly came home a fantastic 14th place.
Our final team out was the Girls u13 team. This Squad are probably our most experienced having been competing together now for 4 seasons. It was great to see Coach Marie being able to use her full squad in an All-Ireland event with Eva and Liliya making their debuts at All-Ireland level. A massive team performance saw the girls finish 7th with Sarah passing to Eva to Ava with Liliya finishing.
The All-Ireland Cross-Country relays are very competitive with over 30 teams from all around the country in the events, so really encouraging to see our teams so competitive.
Start of the Gu13 4×500 All-Ireland Cross-Country Relay
Clongriffin AC 