Excelsior ADC Summer Update

Summer Training and the Olympics

Here is an overview of what is happening at Excelsior Athletic Development Club over the next 2 months, including news of 4 athletes I have coached who are competing in the Olympics. I have included links to timetables to when to watch our 3 main sports on TV.

Athletics

Training continues every Thursday from 11th August until 1st September, with our team competing on 30th August.

It is great to see the progress made, especially with the throws and jumps. What is more important, is that the practice transferred to a recent competition at the Exeter Arena.

Here is the Olympics Track and Field schedule (Watch out for Long Jumper Jazmin Sawyers  ).

Weightlifting

Thanks to all our lifters who continued to train around their busy exam schedules. We have also recently welcomed some new, younger, lifters who have impressed with their work ethic.

Lifters and volunteers

These dedicated few will be training throughout August on Monday nights. We shall also be travelling to Crystal Palace National Sports Centre to train with National Coach Keith Morgan for a special workshop.

Here is the Olympics Weightlifting Schedule (Watch out for Devonian Sonny Webster who trained alongside James at Ivybridge for several years. They even competed against each other once!)

Gymnastics

The gymnasts are enjoying a well deserved break over the Summer. They finished up the term with a great display of vaulting, using the new kit we have purchased:

The big news for us is that we are moving venues from September and opening a Satellite venue in Wellington. We shall be using the Willand Village Hall which has a sprung floor. We have also raised nearly £9ooo to buy new kit since the club opened in September which we can use with the bigger space.

We shall be raising more funds on Sunday 14th August by packing bags for customers at Tesco’s in Cullompton.

We shall be running Freestyle Gymnastics (FreeG) twice a month in Willand, and weekly in Wellington from September. This is a great new style and is especially popular with teenage boys. James is qualified to coach this, and recently went on a refresher course. This video gives an idea of what it entails:

We shall be having a sign up and taster session in Willand on Saturday 3rd September in the morning.

Here is The Olympics Gymnastics Schedule

Other athletes to watch out for at the Olympics

Here are 3 more athletes who I have coached and who are competing in Rio, good luck to them all.

Modern Pentathlon: Arthur Lanigan O’ Keeffe is competing in his second Olympics for Ireland. Arthur is a very strong athlete, mentally and physically.

Hockey: Maddie Hinch is the GB goalkeeper. A real determined young lady when I coached her, worked extremely hard.

Wheelchair Basketball: Judith Hamer (from Exeter) is probably the most improved player and opened up our Club a few years ago. It is a true delight to see her develop and flourish as a person.

I hope everyone has a great summer, thanks for your continued support.