Athletic Events this week at EFSC

This week at Epping Forest Sportability Club we had a variety of Athletic events for the kids to practice and enjoy.  We also had a surprise celebration at the end of the session as well but more about that later....
The session started as usual with a warm up with a game of tag led by Ollie and Ciara. It was then in to the first three events, these being standing jump, ball push and low hurdles. The standing jump is literally how far you can jump from a standing start, on to a mat. The ball push is pushing the basketball out from the chest and seeing how far they could get it to go before it bounces. As you can see in the photos the kids stood behind a bench to ensure they started from the same spot but also to ensure they were stationary. The low hurdles was a series of six little hurdles and it was about practicing not just jumping over the hurdles but about getting a stride pattern and rhythm to ensure a fast time from beginning to end.

After a drinks break it was out with the big crash mat and time for the high jump. Instructions came from Alan, organizing the queue was Ray whilst Lesley and Ollie held the rope that acted as the bar. The kids loved it and while some perfected their jumping style others preferred to practice their belly flops!
It was then outside on to the grass to practice throwing some Javelins - and do not worry these were made of plastic rather than metal. Javelin is Ollie's favourite sport but it also lends itself to one of coach Alan's favourite lines and that is "Make a bow and let it go". As you can see from the photos below the lead arm is out in front bent at the elbow with the javelin in the hand of the trailing arm. The shape forms a bow or C-shape and as you throw both arms move forward in unison. If you get it right the tip of the javelin points upwards and the barrel spins as it flies through the air like an arrow. Ollie and Thomas were consistently the furthest throwers but all the kids got involved and most had one or two good throws in them.

To finish off most of the kids, and adults, joined in a game of football on the playground. The exception being Charlotte who isn't a fan of football so practiced her basketball in the hall. By the time I joined in the football it was 8-0 to the side containing Thomas, Ryan and Callum despite them being outnumbered. They won comfortably won the game about 10 to 4 in the end after Hal pulled a couple back for the other team (which contained most of the adults which shows you how good we are!).  At the end of the session the coaches awarded the Star of the Week to Thomas who really joined in well and excelled at the javelin and all the athletic events. A very well done to Thomas.

As mentioned at the top of the story we also had good cause to celebrate this week as it was Ollie's 21st birthday. Ollie is one of our original members starting as a young boy over a decade ago. He has been a regular throughout the years going on almost all the trips and in the last year or so has been assisting the coaches and leading games or refereeing. He is an integral part of the Sportability Club and what we stand for and we are very proud to call him one of our own. As it was his birthday he brought in some yummy cakes to share but we managed to surprise him as we presented him with some birthday gifts and a balloon.
Congratulations Ollie!

Happy 21st Ollie!