Name:  Mick Hughes

Age (Group): Veteran

Event (s) or Position in the Club:  Honary Vice President

How long have you been a member of the Club (Why did you join?):   I have been a member of the club for about 8 years. Like most parents I joined because I supported my child and I got involved as a helper because it beats just sitting there and watching!!

What do you enjoy the most/least about training?:   Don’t really train much but I enjoy seeing people prepared to try to achieve their ambitions whatever they be. Least pleasurable thing is chasing those who don’t pay. The club pays out a lot of money during the year and those that don’t pay are cheating the rest and have no place in athletics.

Which athlete (or official) that you have trained with works the hardest in training?:    Everyone works hard to achieve their goals and equally those behind the scenes work as hard to help them.

What is the best result you have achieved?:   The best result for me was securing £10,000 for a new hammer cage. Hopefully in the next few weeks the club will achieve clubmark status meaning it is seen a properly run (excuse the pun) organisation. This will help the club develop further.

What event has been the most enjoyable?:   The 1^st ever UK schools games where 2 athletes from Scunthorpe were selected. This is the biggest youth sporting event in the UK and continues to grow.

What is your ambition for yourself (or for the Club?):   I would love to see one of our current crop of athletes at a future Olympics. We certainly have the talent within the club to achieve this.

If you were to be given one wish, that you could use to improve Quibell Park (equipment or facilities) what would you wish for?:   I would like to see a new announcers box and better toilet facilities to start with. This would get the county champs back to the venue. Then we should look to work with the sports regional council and county council to upgrade the track.

What other sports/interests do you take part in?:   My sporting career is long gone but I watch football.

Who are your sporting heroes/inspirators?:  Loads of sports people I admire mainly the ones who triumph over adversity. Anyone who sets out to achieve something however difficult and does it gets my vote.

Name:  Ashley Wren

Age (Group): U15 Boys

Event (s) or Position in the Club:  Long Jump, 200m,  80m Hurdles, Combined Events

How long have you been a member of the Club (Why did you join?):   I have been a member for about 5 years and I joined because I enjoyed athletics at school and I seemed to be quite good at it

What do you enjoy the most/least about training?: The results you get from training hard / The morning after when I am tired and tight

Which athlete (or official) that you have trained with works the hardest in training?:    Karl McDonagh

What is the best result you have achieved?:   Silver medal for Long Jump at the UK Indoor Championships at Birmingham in February 2008 and Silver medal for UK Indoor Combined Events at Sheffield

What event has been the most enjoyable?:   English Schools last year at Birmingham and also meeting Jason Gardiner and Steve Lewis at Loughborough University

What is your ambition for yourself (or for the Club?): To win English Schools and the UK Championship Outdoors

If you were to be given one wish, that you could use to improve Quibell Park (equipment or facilities) what would you wish for?:   Obviously a new track but proper indoor training facilities at Quibell Park,  eg 60m indoor track and a gym

What other sports/interests do you take part in?: Rugby

Who are your sporting heroes/inspirators?:  Carl Lewis

Name:  Kate Pattison

Age (Group): U13 Girls

Event (s) or Position in the Club:  Shot Putt, Discus, Long jump, Sprints, walks and anything else

How long have you been a member of the Club (Why did you join?):   have been a member for nearly 5 years. I joined so I could keep fit

What do you enjoy the most/least about training?:   I enjoy having fun and seeing all my friends/ I enjoy EVERYTHING!!!

Which athlete (or official) that you have trained with works the hardest in training?:   My sister Beth Pattison   

What is the best result you have achieved?:   Getting the county record for discus.

What event has been the most enjoyable?:   All events I do I always enjoy.

What is your ambition for yourself (or for the Club?):   To get the club record for shot putt in u13.

If you were to be given one wish, that you could use to improve Quibell Park (equipment or facilities) what would you wish for?:   Better toilets and facilities.

What other sports/interests do you take part in?:   Dancing, singing and acting.

Who are your sporting heroes/inspirators?:  Jessica Ennis

Name:  Neil Pattison

Age (Group): Veteran - but only just !!!

Event (s) or Position in the Club:  Vice chairman, who will have a go at anything for a laugh.

How long have you been a member of the Club (Why did you join?):   Although I have been a runner since my teens, I only joined the track and field section around 5 years ago when my two daughters decided they would like to give athletics a go. Having not ran on a track since I was at school I was introduced to Mr Frow who put me through my paces. It is fair to say that I haven’t looked back since (Probably because in a race there is never anyone behind!!).

What do you enjoy the most/least about training?: Training at Quibell Park on a warm summers evening is like being in a different world. Just to be involved in a club where there are sometimes 80 or so young athletes enjoying themselves at the track is brilliant and an honour to be part of.

Which athlete (or official) that you have trained with works the hardest in training?:   There are a few that spring to mind, but the athletes I have seen putting their all into training are Gary ‘long stride’ Spacey, Rachel Robinson and my daughters Beth and Kate (well I would say that wouldn’t I ?).

What is the best result you have achieved?:   Having ran in every Great North run since 1992.

What event has been the most enjoyable?:   London Marathon in 1994.

What is your ambition for yourself (or for the Club?):   Personally I just want to retain my health and keep running. For the club I want to see it continue to exist with more support from parents.

If you were to be given one wish, that you could use to improve Quibell Park (equipment or facilities) what would you wish for?: The setting at QP is probably one of the best in the country.  With some council investment the facilities can be first rate.   Fingers crossed that the talk of investment comes to fruition?

Another improvement drastically needed is for more parents to help out at the club. Whilst everyone is busy, if every parent was willing to put in a small amount of time it would be of great benefit to the club and not over burden the small number that currently help out.

What other sports/interests do you take part in?:   No time!

Who are your sporting heroes/inspirators?:  I am inspired by all of the young athletes every time I go down to Quibell Park.

Name:  Jacob Hammond

Age (Group): Under 13s

Event (s) or Position in the Club:  1500m ,800m shot (I will have a go at any event)

How long have you been a member of the Club (Why did you join?):  Joined last summer 2007. Joined because it was suggested at school by my sports teacher.

What do you enjoy the most/least about training?:   Enjoy Long runs and hard sessions. Don’t like Fiona beating me in sprint sessions.

Which athlete (or official) that you have trained with works the hardest in training?:    Racheal Robinson because she never stops .

What is the best result you have achieved?:   Winning 5 medals at the county champs out of six events.

What event has been the most enjoyable?:   First big cross country event at Northern cross country champs , it’s a different experience to run in a field of over 300.

What is your ambition for yourself (or for the Club?):   To do better than my dad at English school cross country champs (he claims to have finished 121 one year).

If you were to be given one wish, that you could use to improve Quibell Park (equipment or facilities) what would you wish for?:   The track re- laid, I sometimes get tight calf’s after running hard sessions on the track.

What other sports/interests do you take part in?:   Football (going on trial at Doncaster rovers next season 2008/09) Cricket I play for Alkborough.

Who are your sporting heroes/inspirators?:  Kelly Holmes (she was well good !!!).

Name:  Roger Kimberley-Scott

Age (Group): Over 60

Event (s) or Position in the Club:  Chairman, Webmaster and Photographer (by invitation)

How long have you been a member of the Club (Why did you join?):   This is my 3rd year as a member.  I joined the Club in order to help to improve communications within the Club and to help to provide a common point of contact for athletes and officials

What do you enjoy the most/least about training?:   I always enjoy my self imposed challenges which often include a variety of  exercises such as fartlek, 3 - 6 mile runs and weight training.  My pet hate is being asked for directions when I’m out slogging the roads through the town.

Which athlete (or official) that you have trained with works the hardest in training?: When I train, I do so alone.  I guess I’m not much of a social animal. 

Work on the website is another matter.  I couldn’t do this job on my own, no one could.  This is where ‘Teamwork’ really comes into play.  I am totally reliant on others for their contributions.

What is the best result you have achieved?:   I ran 4 mins 13 in a mile race but was thrashed into 3rd place by 2 guys who ran for England.  However, that was more than 40 years ago.  Since then I’ve managed some respectable times in marathons and halfs but have also had my fair share of failure.

What event has been the most enjoyable?:   The 30 mile race across Dartmoor - I won that one.

What is your ambition for yourself (or for the Club?): I’m past the personal ambition stage but I have so many hopes for the Club.

I’d like to see a more robust committee with the majority of members made up from non-competing ex-athletes (athletes and coaches need all their time to train and teach).  In my perfect world the committee would be over subscribed with many parent/guardians waiting in the wings to jump in at a moments notice.  It doesn’t matter how much money is spent at Quibell, it doesn’t matter how much equipment we have and it doesn’t matter how strong the athletic team.  Without a robust structure that involves everyone it will continue to be an uphill struggle to field the right people at locally organised events.  Recruitment of officials and helpers should be a major priority.  I’d love to be overwhelmed with information to publish but it hasn’t happened yet.

If you were to be given one wish, that you could use to improve Quibell Park (equipment or facilities) what would you wish for?:   A serious commitment by North Lincs Council.  They own Quibell (on our behalf) but fail to get involved.

What other sports/interests do you take part in?:   Weightlifting (it helps on those rare occasions when I go shopping) and gardening (free exercise, both aerobic and anerobic).

I believe in ‘community’ so spend much of my time helping out.  I manage the Winterton Town website on behalf of the Council (check it out at www.wintertoncouncil.co.uk) and am involved (with my wife Marion) with Scottish Terrier rescue.  I’ve also created a website for Marion www.scottiedoglovers.co.uk.

Who are your sporting heroes/inspirators?:  Alf Tupper, The Tough of the Track - from the Rover comic when I was a kid.  Alf never had any kit or transport, ran in borrowed shoes, had many rivals from better off competitors but always won his race.

Name:  Matt Hammond

Age (Group): Veteran (nearly)

Event (s) or Position in the Club:  Hammer, shot, discus

How long have you been a member of the Club (Why did you join?):   I joined Barton A.C in the early 80’s as a 1500m / x country runner (I use to be able to beat Scott MITCHELL!!!!!!). I took up throwing as a 14 year old and it soon became my best events. I then swapped to SCUNTHORPE HARRIERS (Eventually swapping to Scunthorpe and district) in the early 90’s, and competed up to 1998/ 99. I had set my P.B’S (some of which are still club records) in 1997, but I had trained for several years with a back injury and on advice I packed in the heavy training / competing.

My son Jacob started competing last summer (2007).   I have been nagged / persuaded / bullied into coming out of retirement by FIONA and STU  and intend just to compete at Northern leagues (with the minimal of training or my wife will shoot me if my back goes again)

What do you enjoy the most/least about training?:   I just enjoy been injury free and been able to do a little bit of running / weights / cycling (I have learnt if I do to much the injuries flare back up) so its better to do a little than nothing.

Which athlete (or official) that you have trained with works the hardest in training?:   Hardest working athlete I ever trained with was a hammer thrower called SIMON DIXON (who competed for SCUNTHORPE HARRIERS) He was a beast in the gym.  

What is the best result you have achieved?:   I came Second / third several times in the Nation police championships.

What event has been the most enjoyable?:   The national police champs in 1996 were in Northern Ireland at the Mary Peters stadium. I came third in the hammer. Then we were all invited to a civic dinner at the Belfast city Hall and the guest of honour was Mary Peters. Who I got to dance with!!!

What is your ambition for yourself (or for the Club?): I don’t have many ambitions for myself any more. I would like to see Jacob progress and compete at the English schools.

If you were to be given one wish, that you could use to improve Quibell Park (equipment or facilities) what would you wish for?:   I would like to see a fitness room / weights room at the club.

What other sports/interests do you take part in?: I am a level 2 qualified F.A coach and have coached at Scunthorpe united school of excellence for last 2 years.

Who are your sporting heroes/inspirators?:  My all time hero was Daley THOMPSON. (He had so much confidence in his own ability his competitors were beaten before they had even run a race). I can remember getting up early in the morning to watch him on T.V at the LOS ANGELES Olympics.

Name:  Gavin Mann

Age (Group): Senior Men

Event (s) or Position in the Club:  Anything from 800M to 10000M on Track and 1mile to half marathon on road not fussed.

How long have you been a member of the Club (Why did you join?):   Nearly 8 years a member, my daughter joined and was doing a cross county run and after she finished her race I said to her come on love you could have done a bit better which she replied why don’t you try it and I did Scunthorpe 10k 43.24 hurt like hell daughter said to me you could have tried Dad.

What do you enjoy the most/least about training?:   Staying fit and injury free the mileage and speed session can take it toll but I enjoy getting out on training mostly on my own but sometimes with who ever out training at that time, sprint training is my least enjoyable.

Which athlete (or official) that you have trained with works the hardest in training?:    Hard to say we all train hard in our own way some might be lazier then others, but I trained with Ian dowse on a Wednesday night on track and not been able to walk till the following week.

What is the best result you have achieved?:   Going under 35 minutes for 10k for the first time.

What event has been the most enjoyable?:   First time doing club track and field championship running the 400M for only the second time at 200m I was 50m down on leader to pull it back and pip him on the line and go on the win my first club championship, (have 3 now).

What is your ambition for yourself (or for the Club?): To stay fit and injury free keep enjoying the sport.

If you were to be given one wish, that you could use to improve Quibell Park (equipment or facilities) what would you wish for?:   New stand, relay the track because it hard, indoor facilities for winter months. Could keep going and wishing.

What other sports/interests do you take part in?:   Go to the gym not got time for any thing else.

Who are your sporting heroes/inspirators?:  Kenenisa Bekele and Paula Radcliffe.

Name:  Lindsay Skinner (previously Curtis)

Age (Group): Senior Lady

Event (s) or Position in the Club:  From 800m – 3000m on track, from 1mile – 10mile on road.

How long have you been a member of the Club (Why did you join?):  I first joined Riddings Athletic Club when I was 11 years old after getting involved in athletics at Junior school. I then joined Scunthorpe & District in 1996 when the 3 clubs in Scunthorpe amalgamated. I was a member until 2000 before having a few years break and then coming back to the club in 2006!

What do you enjoy the most/least about training?:   enjoy the results that can be achieved from all the hard work put into training but it has its drawbacks as the least thing I enjoy is feeling tired most of the time!

Which athlete (or official) that you have trained with works the hardest in training?:   Gary Spacey puts 100% into training, whatever session and however he is feeling, he never gives up! Donna Daly always trains very hard, she sticks to her plan thoroughly and regularly volunteers to sort out the Club team events.

What is the best result you have achieved?:   Humberside County Champion of 1500m when I was 15. Also being part of the Senior Ladies Relay Team (consisting of Donna Daly, Nicola Geddes, Emma Clayton and myself) getting 2nd place in the North of England 4-stage Relay Championships 2007 and being featured in Athletics Weekly for that.

What event has been the most enjoyable?:   The 4-stage relays, I love all the girls getting together and proving that Scunthorpe have a very strong team. I feel we still have a lot more to give in this event and I’m looking forward to doing them again later this year.

What is your ambition for yourself (or for the Club?): To keep training hard and knocking my times down, also to keep enjoying it as I think when the enjoyment goes so does the will to win! Also for the club to keep doing as they are doing, which is producing fantastic dedicated athletics.

If you were to be given one wish, that you could use to improve Quibell Park (equipment or facilities) what would you wish for?:   Definitely to upgrade the changing facilities as I use these quite often. Also an indoor track for during the Winter months would be a great benefit for all athletes.

What other sports/interests do you take part in?:   Other sports??? It’s hard fitting all my training in now without thinking of anything else. But I used to play for Scunthorpe Ironesses, I love a game of football!

Who are your sporting heroes/inspirators?:  Paula Radcliffe, she’s proved that even after having a family, you can come back and run great. She’s an inspiration.