As indicated in the last newsletter, a tax deductible fund has been established to assist athletes competing in State League Competition in an effort to increase the number of athletes prepared to compete regularly in State League Competition. At this stage the full details of the incentives to be offered for the coming season are not available as we are not yet sure of the level of funds available for distribution, however the following incentives which were adopted last year will once again be in place as a minimum:

? Full payment of fees for next season for all State League athletes that score more than 100 points in State League Competition.

? A cash payment of $200 to the leading points scorer in both Mens and Womens State League Competition.

The Box Hill Athletic Club has a policy of not paying registration fees for athletes and does not have the financial resources to do so given the substantial commitment to capital improvements at the ground over the next few years. However, we recognise that other clubs do pay fees for some of their athletes and to counter this we are offering an opportunity for athletes who compete for the club at the highest level to have their fees paid for them, and hopefully provide an opportunity to win some additional cash as well. We hope that this will help to once again re-establish Box Hill as the most successful club in State League competition.

This incentive scheme will only be successful if we can continue to gain donations to the fund, so if you are able to make a donation to the fund or know of a business that may be interested in providing sponsorship for the Club, please contact a member of the committee or our Sponsorship Coordinator, Ian Sloane (9489 4486).

The committee is pleased to announce the appointment of the following athletes as Club Captains for the 1998-1999 track season:

Simone Purvis Women’s Captain
Tim Cherry  Men’s Captain

Both athletes have competed regularly for the Club over a number of years whilst also competing successfully in the National Grand Prix series and National Championships.

All athletes are urged to support Simone and Tim, as well as the State League team managers Val Armstrong and Chris O’Connor to ensure that we have a successful season.

At the Annual General Meeting held on 15 July 1998, the following members were elected to the Committee for the coming year.

President                   Graeme Olden
Secretary                   Julie Milner
Treasurer                   Angela Robbie
Committee Members    Andrew Dunner
                                   Joan Hines
                                   Stewart Livingston
                                   Colin Organ
                                   Tom Waters

This is a very small committee for a club of this size and we urgently require additional volunteers to join the committee and help share the workload. Please contact one of the committee members if you think you may be able to help out in any way.

At the last committee meeting, the following capital expenditure and maintenance items were approved for the coming year.

Raise hammer cage to 5.5 metres
Repair/replace motor on canteen freezer
Purchase second hand drinks fridge (the existing hired fridge has been returned to Coca Cola saving $30 per month in hire charges)
Install awning over canteen serving area
Purchase computer for recording of results at interclub
Hire of clock for display of times at finish line
Install new floor covering on officials room
Purchase microwave oven for canteen
Purchase photocopier
Modify junior shot and hammer implements to comply with new IAAF rules

A number of other items were discussed but can not be implemented this year because of lack of funds, but will be considered next year. In general, there was a very poor response to the committee’s request for suggestions for improvements, so this list reflects the immediate requirements of the committee, rather than general requests from Club members. If there are other works that you feel should be undertaken at the ground, please submit them to the committee some time before June next year so that they can be considered for next year’s budget.

Several club members were spotted running for their school at the championships. Nikki Chapple ran the fastest time of the day in the 4km relay with a 13.58, helping Balwyn High into second place, while Kate Rosengren ran 16.04, Rachel King 16.15, Anne Maree Scott 16.24 allowed MLC to take victory for the second year. Chrissie Argyros was spotted running the anchor leg for Lauriston and ran 17.05.
 
 

Nikki Chapple was fortunate to be flown to Hobart by the event management and given a luxury hotel room in return for showing the locals how to run. Nikki had a great race and recorded yet another personal best, this time by 33 seconds finishing second to Olympic 10k runner Kylie Risk. Nikki recorded 34:37 while Kylie ran 32:55.
 
 

Many athletes ran for their schools at these championships and recorded excellent results. In the 3km U 15 race Jenita Dunner ran a strong race to finish 16th in of 11.45 in the 107 strong field. The winner ran 11.05, which showed the closeness of the race for Jenita. The 4km U 16 race was won by Jessica DeBruin from the Wes Windsor stable in 15.48 with Elizabeth Bird finishing 3rd in 16.08, Anna Dowling 4th in 16.17, Jess Lees 9th in 16.56 and Emily Smith 19th in 17.41. The U 16 race had 82 competitors. The 4km U 17 race saw an off colour Anne Maree Scott finish 12th in 17.23 with Nicole Dunner showing her endurance finishing in 16th with 17.59 in the 69 strong field. The 4km U 20 Championship was the best represented with Golden Girl Nikki Chapple tantalising the opposition by allowing them to actually see her finish this time winning the Senior title in 14.21. Kate Rosengren showed what consistent Training can do to finish 7th in 16.34, Rachel King close behind in 11th with 17.13, Victoria Brown 14th in 17.30, Fiona Turner 16th in 17.39, Sophie Evans 18th in 17.51, Eliza Eddy 20th in 17.55, Laura Brown 22nd in 17.57 and Sarah Luxton 34th in 18.55. 85 athletes raced in this event.

Congratulations to Jess DeBruin, Elizabeth Bird and Kate Rosengren who were named in the Victorian Team to compete in the Australian Championships in Canberra on August 29th & 30th.
 
 

Congratulations to Erin Hewitt, Jenny Marshall and Nikki Chapple who were selected in the Australian team. Erin is running the 4 x 400m relay, Jenny is running the 400m and the 4 x 400m relay, while Nikki will confront the Kenyans again in the 3000m and 5000m. Goodluck to all girls as they leave this week for what promises to be a great experience.