Grassroots sports feb. 21

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GRASSRO TS SPORTTHE CHRONICLE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21,201

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Runningduo getgift ofthe Geb!ATTUIETICS

TWO Newcastle University students enjoyed a rareopportunity to take part inan 8K run with Olympicgold medallist and formerworld record holder HaileGebrselassie.

The adidas-organisedevent took place in London.

It saw Tim Davies, captain of Newcastle Univershy’s Athletics and CrossCountry Club, and postgraduate biomedical sciences student RebeccaRigby join the Olympiclegend for an afternoonrunning session.

After warm-up drills inSt. James’ Park, the groupheaded for a casual runaround some of the otherparks in London.

Davies said: “It was agreat atmosphere.

“Everyone was veryfriendly and just as excitedas us to meet Haile.

“He was a great guy andvery funny too.

“He was very chatty andlooked happy and excitedto run with us.

“We were lucky enoughto run with him most ofthe way and seeing people’s reactions to this legend running around london was amazing.

“We completed the runin just under 40 minutes:’

The 1O,000m gold medallist shared tips on hisrunning technique,answered questions aboutupcoming goals, signedthe participants’ ldts andposed for photos with theguest runners.

At the end of the run,Gebrselassie warmeddown with the runnersand gave an inspiringspeech about the benefitsof running.

Davies said: “The wholeexperience was surreal.

“Running around thecentre Qf London with alegend of the athleticsworld who has achievedso much was so inspirational7

A NEW Gateshead College programme will enable youngrugby players to benefit from arecognised qualification whilegaining the skills to improve asclub players.

The college is launching theinitiative in association withDarlington Arena next monthand is looking to recruit talented rugby students to study for aBTEC Level Three in Sport.

Those who join up will beable to take advantage of expertise and guidance from top

NEWCASTLE University studentFinbar Ryley is a real shootingstar - and hopes to fire his way tosenior GB honours in future.

The 19-year-old struck gold aspart of the four-man Great Britain junior squad contesting theannual InterShoot competitionin Holland.

He achieved a personal bestduring the tournament’s finalday with a score of 613.5 — covering the British Minimum Consideration Score (MQS).

That makes Ryley eligible forselection with British Shooting,the top echelon in the sport.

He now hopes tobe equally ontarget when he competes in nextweek’s British Championshipsand then the Scottish Championships from March 8.

InterShoot is an internationalshooting match for air pistoland air rifle competitors and hasbeen held in The Hague for thepast seven years.

First-year marine biology student Ryley and his team-matestriumphed following a top-notchperformance.

Ryley achieved his personal-best score on the tournament’sfinal day.

On the second day he hadfired a score of 608.4 - the highest in his team and enough forthe GB junior squad to claim tophonours. ...—

He said: “This was by far mybiggest competition with teamsfrom 21 countries competing.

“There were a large number ofOlympic athletes and a handfulof Olympic medallists involved- including Abhinav Bindra, thefirst person to win a gold medalfor India in the 2008 Olympics.

“Before the competition I hadset goals! wanted to achieve.

“These were to not drop below100.0 in my 10 shot strings, reach

RUGBY

coaches while training andstudying at either GatesheadCollege’s Academy for Sport orthe Arena.

They will be able to benefitfrom some ofthe best- equippedplaying, training and classroomfacilities in the region.

A key feature of the programme will see students benefiting from dose links withlocal universities and other professional UK sports organisa

the final each day and scoremore than 580 on the integer oldmethod of scoring.

“Where I did not reach onegoal one day, I excelled in another aspect and shooting thatBritish MQS could open doorsfor my shooting.”

Ryley added: “My shooting onthe last day was incredible.

“1 shot 613.5, not only a personal but also a British MQS.

“This means I am now eligiblefor selection with British Shooting, the top squad.

“1 had made the final in fourthplace but! could not control my

tions as well as local businessesfor input and advice on jobopportunities.

They will also be able to continue playing for their own dubsat weekends.

The BTEC Level Three inSport offers progression toeither higher education or intoemployment within the sportsindustry, health and fitness sector, sports development orsports coaching fields.

Studies include practical sessions, workshops, seminars,

heart rate and finished eighth.“This is something I am now

reilly pushing with the coachesas this one aspect of my shootingis holding me back.

“Once it is sorted I am reallyconfident I can medal at international level If my shooting isanything like my matches.

“The British Championshipsand the Scottish Championshipsare lower-profile competitionsand hopefully I will be able tocontrol the adrenalin better.

“If everything goes well therehopefully I can bring back amedal.”

team work, independent study,guest speakers and trips andvisits.

11am Gumbrifi, rugby coachat Gateshead College’s Academy for Sport, is overseeing theprogramme’s development.

He said: “We want to help students to fulfil their potential andperhaps go on to forge a careerin the sports industry or as aprofessional player.”

For more details, e-mail ham.gumbrill@gateshead.ac.uk orring0l9l 4902447.

lnterShoot consists of threedays and three matches withseniors and juniors competingseparately.

A match consists of 60 shots,each shot worth a maximum10.9 points - giving a total possible score of 654.

The current world record is633.5 averaging a 10.5 everyshot.

The 2014 edition of InterShootfeatured 186 shooters from 21countries.

Ryley, from Witney, Oxford-shire, has been involved inshooting since he was 12.

IN BRIEF

Walker join~the county seTYNEMET rugby starlCameron Walker has beselected for the Northurberland under-17 counsquad.

The youngster, wIplays for Morpeth RFCwell as the college, wselected after a trialDruid Park.

He will now underjstrength and conditioniiwork at Northumbria Utversity’s Sports Centibefore a final squad willselected for the count’first game against Curbria in March.

Providing ashuttle servicTYNEMET Collegeoffering badminton ssions for the over-50sconjunction withNorth Tyneside Badmiton Partnership.

Sessions take place dain the sports hall at QueAlexandra Sixth Form C’lege on Hawkeys La(10.00).

A qualified coach ishand and the cost is £3jsession.

Anyone interestshould turn up to a sision.

Developirnrelationship5TYNEMET College’s B.ketball Development Cttre hosted an open evenifor prospective membei

Head coach Marc SUtel said: “We had an exclent turnout and I vproud of the learners ahow they acted as ambsadors for the college.

“1 hope the recnfound the session inforative and that we willseeing them in Tynel~colours next season7

College plan hopes to be a qualified success

Rugby coach Liam Gumbrill

Golden boy Finbar fires his way to top of sport

City’s shooting star isenjoying life of Ryley

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Student Firibar Ryley Is targeting International honours with Great Britain after his latest shooting success

Gebrselassie with TimDavies and Rebecca Rlgby

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