Hi, My name is Dave Proffitt and, like yourself, I'm a Welsh Masters Athlete; I am also a mature student, I'm studying for a Sports Coaching degree at the University of Wales, Newport. This questionnaire forms part of my dissertation, an important part of my final year course work. I want to investigate the reasons why Welsh Masters Athletes participate in sport. You can assist me by completing a questionnaire, your participation is voluntary; confidentiality and anonymity is guaranteed. All will be explained on the first page of the questionnaire which can be found and completed on-line at the following link:
Part 1 of the Indoor Championships have been completed..... Get your entries in for the February meeting............ Details are on the Championship 2012 page along with the entry form.
Results are on the track & field page -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May I remind all that the
Closing date for the Welsh Masters Indoor Championship event on January 8th 2012 is Friday 30th December 2011
Welsh Athletics records with great sorrow the passing of an outstanding member of its community.
Until his recent illness Bill Kingsbury was still actively involved in coaching in our sport and at age 71 was still representing his club (Rhondda AC) in the Welsh Athletics League.
Bill was a multi-talented sportsman representing the Army in no fewer than seven different sports. His rugby ability was such that in 1954 he was offered terms (reputedly the then huge sum of £2000,) to play rugby league but declined due to Commonwealth Games ambitions. As an all-around athlete he won Welsh titles or medal placings in Shot and Javelin as well as being a more than competent triple jumper. In his later years he won British Masters Pentathlon, Hammer and Weights titles.
In 1993, he was Lloyds Bank Coach of the Year and six years later was presented with a Torch Trophy, for outstanding voluntary services to athletics, by the Duke of Edinburgh. After the former ceremony the TV cameraman came up to Bill to say he had been coached by him 27 years earlier. Closer to home Welsh Athletics accorded him their Award of Honour in 1996.
Over and above his personal achievements Bill’s record as a coach and mentor in sport is immeasurable ranging from Derek Tapscott (Wales-Soccer) and Gordon Brown (GB Rugby League captain ) to Carys Parry (Commonwealth Games Hammer medallist).
Off the sports field, Bill was excellent company who could be depended upon to enliven proceedings at social events with monologues, informal presentations or sleight of hand. Our thoughts are with his family, several of whom inherited his sporting ability, in their loss.
The funeral will be held on Thursday 8th December. Service 11.15am at St Mary Magdelines RC Church, Ynyshir, Rhondda followed by cremation at Glyntaff Crematorium 12.45pm.
After the cremation, friends are all welcome back to Tylorstown Rugby Club. JHC
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Athletics today lost a Great man....William (Bill) Kingsbury sadly passed away this morning. Our thoughts are with Bill's family at this sad time.
Once again we will be having an Indoor Championships. Welsh Athletics & UWIC have kindly offered to hold the Championships in conjunction with the UWIC Grand Prix meetings in January & February. An entry form will be published on the website in the next few days. Events as follows....... Sunday 8th January....200m / 800m / PV / TJ. Sunday 19th February....60m / 400m / 1500m / LJ / HJ / Shot.
Entry forms are in the Indoor Championship page... _______________________________________________________________________________
Sorry to have to report that the Social Evening planned for Friday 18th November 2011 has been CANCELLED due to lack of numbers attending. At the moment there is no plan to rearrage the evening. 8th Nov ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Once again we will be having a Welsh Masters Indoor 2012 Championships.... It will be formed on a very similar layout to the 2011 event. As soon as the details are finalised you will be informed.
At the moment it will be held over 2 seperate meetings... Sunday 8th January & Sunday 19th February...
Watch this space for final details
Also in the pipe line for the Outdoor Championships is a combination Championships with all age groups from U13 to Seniors... Held over 3 days on the June bank holiday, 2/3/4 June. We are having talks with Welsh Athletics regarding this event. 4th Nov 2011 ____________________________________________________________________________________
Welsh Masters Cross Country Championships 2011
The 2011 Welsh Masters CC Championships will be held as part of the Welsh Inter Regional Championships, Builth Wells on Saturday 10th December 2011.
Entry forms are available from the Welsh Athletics Website....
Please read the form fully and return to Welsh Athletics NOT Welsh Masters Athletics... __4th Nov 2011 ___________________________________________________________________ The Social Evening has been booked for Friday 18th November 2011..........
Aberdare Hall Cardiff.. Come along for a great evening of food & chat with your fellow Masters..
Tickets are £15.00 Payable to WMAA....
Please send payment to Sue Hooper, 28 Mill Common, Undy, NP26 3HJ (Payment is required by 7th November)
Do not leave it to late as places will need to be booked and the buffett ordered...
I need to know by MONDAY 7th NOVEMBER................ 13-10-2011 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Readers of Womens Weekly magazine will no doute be awear that it is celebrating it's centenary and a special issue out on the 25th October will heavily feature six of our BMAF members. all aged 60+....They are Dorithy Fraser, Iris Holder.Anne Martin, Eva Osborne,Iris Holder and of course our own WMAA member Pat Gallagher....Should be a very good read.... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Congratulations to Dave Proffitt (M55) Who also competed in the Worlds Masters Championships. Dave competed in the 8K CC, finishing 4th British runner, with the British team also finishing 4th..Dave recorded a time of 35min 51.5sec Dave then competed in the B final of the 5000m, finishing in 23rd overall position and again was 1st British runner home. Dave time was 20min 41.52sec. If that was not enough Dave then competed in the 1500m, finishing 12th in the 1st of 3 heats and 36th position overall in a time of 5min 32.61sec his fastest overseas recorded time. Dave also competed in 3 local races while in Sacramento, a 10k, 5 mile and a marathon.
Congratulation to Pat Gallagher (W65) who recently competed in the World Masters Championships, Sacramento, US of A. Pat brought home 2 Gold medals & 1 silver medal.
5000m 1 Pat Gallagher 22.37.63 race run in very hot conditions 100+ 1500m 1 Pat Gallagher 6.18.83 Slow tactical race 800m 2 Pat Gallagher 2.53.58 Pat just missed out on the Gold.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Championship Timetable is now on the Championship Page...... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Congratulations to Sean McCormack & Jeremy Mower on there selection to represent Wales in the Commonwealth Mountain & Ultra Distance Championships. This will take place in Llandudno on 23rd /24th September. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT NOTICE
The AGM will take place on Sunday 5th June 2011 at CISS after the Championships. At committee meeting on Wednesday 27th April 2011 it was proposed that all current elected members would stand for re-election unless other nominees were proposed by the membership. In line with the consitution all proposals and nominations for the AGM should be forwarded to the secretary 28 days prior. Therefore if any members wish to submit a proposal for the AGM please direct to Brian Williamson by 8th May 2011. 29-04-2011 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Once again the Inter Area Challenge is to take place on Sunday 7th August in Solihull. If any member wishes to be considered please contact myself (Sue) my details are on the officers page. Selection will be done on time/distance/high and members availability. 29-04-2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After looking at the Championship programme it has been decided that NO Weight event will be included. 20th April
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2011 Championship entry form is now on the Championship page (7th April) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Congratulations to Jeremy Mower & Sean McCormack who both set PB's when representing Wales in the Anglo-Celtic Plate last weekend in Perth. Sean did 7.57.10 (a pb by over 66mins), for 11th overall, Jeremy did 8.18.34 for 19th.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------League Track & Field Programme for 2011 is now on the Track & Field page..... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To all members who have not renewed your 2011 membership..... If you wish to renew the membership fee is £15.00. I have to inform the BMAF of our members and if not renewed your membership will not be included and taken from there listings. March 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Welsh Athletics have produced the 2011 Year Book.....
Few errors.....
On Saturday 6th August WE DO NOT have a Championships it is JUNE 5th, the August 17th League meeting has been missed from the listings.
The contact details for myself, once again is my works number, having told the offices on a number of occasions not to use it... I will not be able to give details of meetings if contacted on that number... Please use my home number on the officers page.
Thanks Sue Jan 2011 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This is a request to all Welsh Masters Athletes.....
Your action photographs are needed to compile a special calander for Olympic Year 2012.
Start clicking your cameras now.. Team or individual photos wanted....
Photographs to be sent to:
John Townsend 9 Wyebank Close Chepstow Monmouthshire NP16 7ET.
It may mean that prints are non returnable. Photographs to be submitted by end of September 2011.
All proceeds from the sales of the calanda will go towards Welsh Masters Athletics.
Also if you can email Sue (Hopper) photos she will get them onto the website in the photo section.
Jan 2011
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Congratulations must go to Sean McCormack & Jeremy Mower who have both been selected to represent Wales in the Anglo Celtic Plate 100km in Perth (Scotland) in March 2011. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welsh "Masters" Indoor Championship Entry Forms are now on the website.
Go to the Track & Field Section and download.
Many Thanks to Welsh Athletics for organising these Championships..
PLEASE READ THE ENTRY FORM BEFORE FILLING IN..... PAYMENT IS TO WELSH ATHLETICS UK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It looks like we will be having a Welsh "Masters" Indoor Championships in 2011.....
After having talks with Welsh Athletics they have arranged with UWIC to hold a Championships for Masters... The championships will take place over 2 seperate dates and will be incorporated with the UWIC Grand Prix open meetings.
January 9th the events will be... 400m/1500m & Pole Vault Entries now Closed.........
March 5th the events will be ...60m/200m/800m/Long Jump/Triple Jump/High Jump & Shot...
This will be a Welsh Championships for Masters age groups but also "Open" to non Welsh Masters . It is by entry form only and not entries on the day.....You will be able to download the entry forms from this website.
I am still waiting for more information with regards to the time table, age groups (one age only or 5 year bands) so please be patient.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------It is with great sadness I let all Welsh Masters members know that Ken Bray our treasure for many years passed away on Saturday 6th Novenber.
Our heartfelt sympathy go out to Mavis and the family.
KEN BRAY (1932 – 2010)
Prompted by the running boom, Ken joined Les Croupiers Running Club in 1982 at the age of 50. Taking up the sport again, he was no stranger to competition. Ken was a successful athlete in the 1950’s, competing for Roath Harriers and the RAF. Being competitive for his age, many medals came his way. I can recall being a member of the same winning team at the Finchley “20” in 1984. At that time he helped to form a “vet’s team” to compete in the Castles Relay.
Besides competing for the club, Ken decided to devote more time to assist the club in administration. On club nights he would take the members entries and then send them on to the race promoters, pre “electronic mail”, this was a boon to athletes and organisers alike. Ken’s appetite as an official then grew as the years progressed. He worked on the Castles Relays, Gwent League, Barry 40, Cardiff 10k, Old Father Time, the list is endless. He was so efficient; other race organisers noticed his values and began to request his help at their own events.
Welsh Athletics also noted his valuable work and awarded him the Meritorious award for his services to the sport.
It was with the Welsh Vets Association, (now Welsh Masters) that Ken will be most remembered. He served as Treasurer for as long as I can remember, continuing in that role up until this year. Ken also gave his time as a selector and assisted on the organisation of the Masters Five Nations Cross Country Internationals every five years when it was the WMAA’s responsibility to host them. His dedication was acknowledged with a Life Membership of the Association.
Over the last twenty years plus, club nights were spent with Ken, enjoying his customary glass of red wine alongside the other “vets” in the aptly named “Wrinklies Corner” of the club, where we discussed how we could put the world to right.
Our thoughts and prayers go out his family, his devoted wife Mavis, “behind every great man there is great woman” and Mavis certainly fits that role, also his two daughters, Yvonne and Jennifer and their families, on this very sad occasion.
He will long be remembered, with affection and respect, by all that knew him.
Mel James.
Funeral Arrangements:
Service at Fairwater Presbyterian Church, St Fagans Road, Cardiff
Monday 22nd November at 12.30pm
Followed by a service at Wenallt Chapel, Thornhill Crematorium, Cardiff
The Llandaff Rugby Club will be open from 2.45pm following the services.
Family Flowers only.
Donations to the British Heart Foundation in memory of Ken, can be made to:
Green Willow Funerals, 33 St Isan's Rd, Heath , Cardiff. CF14 4LU
16-11-2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The SOCIAL EVENING has been booked for Friday 19th November. Aberdare Hall Cardiff Tickets are £15.00. (Send payment to Sue Hooper (01633 881608) (28 Mill Common, Undy, Monmouthshire, NP26 3JH)
Please get in touch if you wish to attend this event. It is an evening of great food and great company.
Do not leave it to late as numbers will need to booked with the cateriers.... 9th November at the latest please....
Sept 12th -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am in the process of updating the 2010 rankings... Please be patient
Track & Field Meeting scheduled for Wednesday 11th August 2010 CANCELLED
Due to unforeseen circumstances the 4th Track & Field League Meeting on Wednesday 11th August 2010 has been cancelled. This is mainly due to a Cardiff Football Fixture clashing with the event on that evening and also the subsequent changes in date of the Welsh Masters Championships and Inter Area event which are being held during the same week.
Congratulations to ALL Welsh Masters Members who competed in the British Masters Championships over the last weekend (3/4 July) at Cardiff. We had a total of 42 male entries and 22 female entries, fantastic turn out.
We came away with the follow haul of medals 25 GOLD 18 SILVER 25 BRONZE
I am not going to pick out performances as the 64 members who took part all competed brilliantly and were a credit to the association.
A full set of results can be found on the BMAF website.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notice from Maurice Dougan (BMAF) also see his report, attached to the latest minutes.
Through your First Claim Club, you are required to be registered with England Athletics/Scottish Athletics/Welsh Athletics/Athletics Northern Ireland, for which you are given a Registration Number/ Competition Licence Number. That Number MUST BE GIVEN on your Entry submission, it shows you have Public Liability and Third Party Insurance.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Congratulations to members Sean McCormack & Jeremy Mower who have both been selected to represent Wales in the Celtic Plate 100km race, competing against England, Scotland and Ireland. Due to take place on 19th June 2010 at Boddington nr Cheltenham. Jeremy hopes to complete in around 8hrs 30mins, if in the area give them your support.
Sean was selected after taking the Welsh Ultra Title at the Barry 40, Sean finished 3rd overall, but was the 1st Welsh person to finish. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 1st league meeting took place at Cardiff last Wednesday,5th May, what a turn out our largest gathering of ages ranging from u13 to 70+. Although we "ran" late , due to the numbers attending, I think and hope that all enjoyed it. The results are now on the site. For the next meetings we will look at the timetable and tweek the times a bit to cover the increasing numbers competing. Hope to see you at the next one on June 9th and maybe a few more new faces....
Our best wishes go out to Bill "Champ" Kingsbury who unfortunatly had a very nasty fall last weekend, at Lee Valley stadium, while watching the BMAF indoor championships. After an overnight stay in hospital the news from daughter Cath is that Bill has broken his nose in 2 places has a lot of brusing and stitches, but is feeling fine in himself.
Speedy recover from us all Bill xxxxxxxxx ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22 Welsh Masters members have entered the British Indoors at Lee Valley. We wish you all the very best, bring the medals home... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Membership from March 1st 2010 is now £15.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ More good news about David.. he is out of hospital after 10 weeks and is now recovering at home, we wish him well and hope to see him out and about in time. (27.02.10) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dic takes on the WORLD
Congratulations to Dic on his 2 medals at the recent World Indoors In Canada.
GOLD in the Half Marathon M60 1 hour 27 min 13.7 sec SILVER in the 8k CC run M60 32 min 10.9 sec
You did us all proud Dic very well done from all Welsh Masters members...
We wish Dic all the best as he competes in the forth coming World Masters Indoors in Kamloops Canada (1st-6th March) over 8k xc and the Half marathon.
Check out the NEW STANDARDS on the BMAF site... Should ours be adjusted ???? Your views would be welcomed on this.. (Jan 2010)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have received some good news about David... He is now out of intensive care and has been moved from Leicester Hospital to Gloucester Royal Hospital where he is making slow but steady progress. He is likely to be in hospital for a least 2 more months. (01.02.2010)
I am sure you would all like to join me in send our very best wishes to David Richards (Severn AC). David is in hospital at the moment, and has been for several weeks. We wish you a speedy recovery, from all Welsh Masters members. (15.01.2010)
At the recent Welsh Masters’ Annual Awards Dinner, Bill Kingsbury MBE, announced that he would be retiring from competition, and taking a much less active participation in the sport. Bill made it clear that for a number of reasons, not the least some serious health issues over the summer, he was bringing his participation in his beloved sport of Athletics to a close.
It is difficult to convey in a satisfactory manner exactly what Bill has contributed not only to Masters Athletics, but to Athletics in general, particularly in Wales and specifically to his beloved Rhondda AC. He has produced hundreds of Welsh Champions across all the age groups. However it is clear that from the very beginning of his sporting career as a ‘boy soldier’ and Army PTI, through the dozens of British Masters throwing records along the journey to his current 82 years of age, the nature and depth of the man’s knowledge, his determination, his dedication to his sport and particularly to those he coached, and specifically his belief in the integrity and respect that the athlete should display to others within the sport and to the sport of Athletics itself, were absolutely outstanding. He was particularly concerned that those in our sport should not only recognise special performances of excellence, but that they should also understand and respect the dedication and commitment that such athletes had to devote to their event in order to achieve that level of success. Behind his obvious geniality and natural ability to communicate with anyone, all of these core attributes always shone through
Bill Kingsbury is often described as a legend amongst those within the Welsh Masters fraternity, and within Welsh Athletics generally. While Bill himself might say that this description was inappropriate, as he was more interested in the successes of those around him, it is probably one that few within the sport in Wales would disagree with.
The above is taken from an appreciation of Bill that will appear in full in the March edition of Masters Athletics.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The catering college at the Aberdare Hall was once again the venue for the Welsh Masters Social Evening, which took place on Friday 27th November. It was very well attended with members from Rhondda, Swansea, Newport, Port Talbot, Bridgend and Cardiff. Also present were several officials who have been of great supported to Welsh Masters Athletics.
The evening got under way with everyone gathering in the lounge and at 8..15pm all proceded through into the dining room for a buffett meal prepared by the college catering students, once again the buffett was up to it's high standards. After all had all eaten we retired to the lounge for the main business of the evening.
Mel James (Chairman) opened the proceedings with an overall view of Welsh Masters achievements through 2009 from domestic to international level. Congratulations were given to the Welsh Team who recently competed in the British & Irish Cross Country, one of our best results to date. Brian Webb then spoke of how well the Track & Field championships and evening league meetings had been. Cups were then presented to Rhondda ladies and Newport men for winning there respective leagues, along with plaques to Anna Follen(Rhondda), Helen Cole(Rhondda), Derek Osborne(Brecon) and Geoff Miller(Newport) for being top age group points scorers in the league meetings.
The Dave Williams memorial trophy was presented by Mel James to a very surprised Val Davison, a starter, who over many years has been a loyal supporter of Welsh Masters Athletics. Bill Kingsbury MBE then took the floor and entertained us with his general observations of Welsh Masters Athletics, during which he announced his retirement from competitive competition bring to an end an unbroken involvement of over SEVEN decades. He went on to pay a moving tribute to Mary Webb who sadly passed away in July, and who over the past 15 yars had been the organiser of the social evening before presenting the Bill Kingsbury Shield to Mary, husband Brian and daughter Sue received the shield on Mary's behalf.
Welsh hammer thrower Cerys Parry (not quite a Master) and John Howe, payed tribute to Bill for his contributions to Welsh athletics, especially the throwing events.
Folling this, friendly conversation took over and thus bring to a close another successful and enjoyable evening.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well done John (Collins) on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for Services to Welsh Athletics
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Welsh Master comes home with Bronze
Congratulations must go to Alyson Hourihan (W45) who picked up a Bronze medal at the World Masters Championships (Lahti) in the Discus. Alyson who competed in six events, also broke the British Record in the throws pentathlon where she finished in 4th place.
Alyson is also a level 3 throws coach with Cardiff AAC
Well done Alyson
Well done to Satu Haikala (Brecon) who also travelled to Lahti for the World Masters Championships. Satu competed in the 8km Cross-Country race (W40) and finished 10th, 2nd GB runner home, and picked up a Gold medal in the team race.
Thank you to all who participated in the Track & Field League meetings, we hope you enjoyed them. Any feed back would be useful, only useful feed back please.....And a special thanks to the officials without you we would have no meetings.
