2009

PANTHER INDOOR CHALLENGE,

PANTHER PENTATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS

AND

THE JERRY EVERETT MEMORIAL TROPHY  

   On Sunday 11th October 2009, Northgate Sports Centre Ipswich saw a series of remarkable events. First there was the 2009 Indoor Challenge when athletes from the Ipswich Area competed with Orwell Panthers and a very strong visiting team from Stevenage and North Herts. AC. The athletes were put into mixed teams and this proved very popular as athletes began making new friends and building an awesome team spirit. Initially the athletes performed a variety of field events ranging from Standing Long Jump and Vertical Jump, Balance Beam and Speed Bounce, to Chest push and Shuttle Run. After lunch there were running races of various lengths and over hurdles. There were some stunning performances especially from the visitors but competing for the first time as a guest was 9 year old Jamie whose Standing Long Jump of 1.73m was the best of all 27 competitors.

Meanwhile on the track outside, 12 Panther Men and 1 Panther girl contested the Panther Pentathlon Championship over 100 metres, Shot Put, Long Jump, Discus and 800 metres. As with the indoor Challenge there were some fine performances with 13 year old visually impaired athlete Olivia not being outdone by the men in the "competitive" stakes.

At 3.30pm all the athletes from both events together with officials, team managers, parents, coaches and friends were joined by members of Colchester Harriers AC, Supporters of Colchester United FC and International Race Walkers Dan and Dominic King to walk around the track in memory of the late Jerry Everett Vice Chairman and coach to Orwell Panthers, Race Walking International Judge, Coach and competitor, Marathon Runner of over 100 marathons, Colchester United supporter and visitor to all 92 FA League grounds, music guru and so very much more. Jerry passed away earlier this year leaving a huge gap in the local sporting arena that is proving almost impossible to fill.

Walking for Jerry a view of the memorial walk.                                         Dan & Dom King playing their part

The Officials and Committee of Orwell Panthers collectively decided to award the Jerry Everett memorial Trophy to the athlete who may not necessarily be a "winner" but who showed on the day a level of sportsmanship, endeavour and spirit of fair play to the best effect.

The person who achieved the best performance in this category was judged to be Stephen Foulger of Orwell Panthers. We think Jerry would have been proud of Stephen who although being in the competition himself was happy to assist the officials in setting up the events prior to competition. He looked after the one female competitor making sure that she was not dominated by the men in the competition. At all times Stephen stood apart as the ideal candidate to be the first recipient of The Jerry Everett  Memorial Trophy and he received his Trophy and Replica from Mr Lance Williams, Chairman of Colchester Harriers, Jerry's first claim club, who stood in for Jerry's widow, Michelle who unfortunately for us had to work on the day.

Stephen receives the Jerry Everett Memorial Trophy from Lance Williams

RESULTS FROM THE 2009 INDOOR CHALLENGE

The successful Stevenage & N. Herts. athletes who swept the board in the individual competition.

They received their trophies from GB Archer, Matt Baker from Copplestone School.

Team A                                                                                  Team C

Team E

GROUP RESULT

PANTHER PENTATHLON CHAMPIONSHIP - 2009

Top three Pentathlon athletes with Matt and their trophies

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OTHER PRESENTATIONS

Other presentations were made, belatedly to the following athletes 

for their outstanding performances in the Nationals at Blackpool

*Denotes medals presented at Blackpool

Olivia with Matt                                               &                                            Ollie with Matt              

and by James Cudmore of England Athletics to Paul Rutter as

Official of the year in the East.