West Norfolk Youth Athletics Shines in Season Opener
In a thrilling return of Sportshall Athletics to Norwich, the West Norfolk under-13 boys’ team delivered a standout performance to claim victory in their age group – a remarkable achievement not seen in many years. The indoor league, specifically designed for younger athletes, hosted teams from across Norfolk in the first of three scheduled matches. Events were specially adapted to suit the indoor sportshall environment, creating an exciting atmosphere for competitors and spectators alike. West Norfolk brought impressive numbers across all age categories, including full teams of Under-11 boys and girls, a single Under-13 girl competitor, a dominant Under-13 boys’ squad, and two Under-15 athletes. The day showcased not just athletic talent but the dedication and spirit that makes youth athletics so inspiring.
The Under-13 boys’ performance was nothing short of spectacular, with James Watts, Riley Gray, Matas Petreikis, Rhys Howard, and Samuel Howard working together to secure top position overall. Watts and Petreikis formed a particularly formidable partnership, taking first and second places in the 4-lap race with times of 51.5 and 51.8 seconds respectively. Watts continued his winning ways in the 6-lap event, crossing the line in 82.6 seconds. Meanwhile, Petreikis showed his versatility in field events, leaping to an impressive 2.26m in the long jump for first place, claiming victory in the triple jump with 6.72m, and finishing second in the vertical jump with a height of 57cm. Samuel Howard contributed significantly with a personal best of 2.08m in the long jump and an outstanding 69 repetitions in the speed bounce for third place. Rhys Howard made his shot put debut, successfully reaching his 5m target, while also recording 29.7 seconds in the 2-lap race. Riley Gray added to the team’s success with 47 bounces in the speed bounce and a strong 6-lap time of 1:09. The boys’ dominance was cemented when they won the obstacle relay, sealing their overall first place and marking a significant milestone for the club.
The Under-11 boys demonstrated remarkable teamwork, with Jacob Green, Abe Gosnell, Rex Gilham, and Julian Szafranek combining for a respectable fifth place overall. Gosnell, competing as a Year 4 athlete, made an impressive debut with a 12.5m throw in the foam javelin and a 1.39m standing long jump. Gilham matched this enthusiasm with a 1.17m long jump and a 23cm vertical jump. Szafranek showed his prowess with a 57.7-second 4-lap race and 34 speed bounces. Green had a particularly successful day, achieving personal bests across all his events, including 28.2 seconds in the 2-lap race and a fifth-place javelin throw of 14m. Their collective effort and support for one another throughout the day exemplified the team spirit that makes these competitions so valuable for young athletes, providing them not just with competitive experience but also with lessons in cooperation and sportsmanship.
The West Norfolk Under-11 girls team also put in a commendable performance, finishing sixth overall despite facing some challenges. Teagan Thorne, Kacey Gray, Chloe Gayton, and Evelyn Hoare demonstrated remarkable resilience and teamwork throughout the competition. Thorne showed particular determination by continuing to compete after suffering a fall in her opening race, going on to record a long jump of 1.59m and finishing seventh in the speed bounce with 43 repetitions. Gray demonstrated her strength with an outstanding chest push of 6m, earning second place, and achieved 31cm in the vertical jump. First-time competitors Gayton and Hoare made impressive debuts, with Gayton achieving a 1.65m long jump and Hoare recording 31.3 seconds in the hurdles along with a 9m javelin throw. Their perseverance and mutual encouragement throughout the day highlighted the character-building aspects of youth athletics, where personal growth often matters as much as competitive results.
In the older age categories, West Norfolk athletes continued to shine despite smaller numbers. Sofia Gilboy competed solo in the Under-13 girls’ division but performed admirably across her events. She achieved 49cm in the vertical jump, threw 6.07m in the shot put, and recorded a personal best of 1.76m in the long jump – an excellent start to her first year in this age group. Meanwhile, in the Under-15 category, Luke Anderson and Myley Gilboy each tackled six events with remarkable determination. Anderson dominated his competition, winning overall with an almost perfect score of 149 out of 150 points, claiming first place in nearly all his events and setting a personal best of 2.36m in the long jump. Gilboy also performed exceptionally well, particularly in the speed bounce (64 repetitions) and shot put (5.57m), finishing an impressive tenth overall. These older athletes demonstrated not only physical ability but also the mental toughness and versatility required to excel across multiple events.
The successful opening meet has set an encouraging tone for West Norfolk Athletics as they look forward to the second round of competition. The day represented not just athletic achievement but also the strength of the club’s community, with parent volunteers playing a crucial role in supporting the young athletes. This blend of competitive success, personal development, and community spirit encapsulates the best aspects of youth athletics. As these young competitors continue their winter campaign, they carry forward not just their medals and personal bests, but also valuable lessons in teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship. The triumphant return of Sportshall Athletics to Norwich has provided these young athletes with a platform to showcase their talents and continue their development in a supportive environment, and the West Norfolk club has certainly established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the competitions to come.
