The accent shines on the youngsters again this weekend and it has been a particularly tough few weeks for the Under 15s who two weeks back contested the South of England championships. Last weekend they were involved in the Inter-county match and this weekend they will be off to Bedford for the England U15 and U17 championships.
At the recent South of England championships, also for these twin age groups Sussex, won six gold medals so we can look for more glitter, but not all gold, this weekend.
Under 17 performers Joe Fuggle (Wadhurst), who also won the English Schools 400m hurdles title, Lillie Franks (Crawley), High jump, Scott Staples (Lewes) javelin while Orla Brothers (Crawley) who missed the SoE but won the English Schools300m title could all get medals if they compete.
In the U15 group Amber Anning (Brighton & Hove) won two golds at the SoE and the 200m at the English Schools and she could get more success but Ben Hawkes (Worthing) who won the shot putt at SoE and took bronze in the hammer throw at English Schools may find getting medals at what is the National Championships a bit tougher.
There are expected to be other Sussex athletes who could get medals, in the U17s, particularly Archie Davis (Brighton Phoenix) in the 800 metres and club mate Toby Harries in the sprints if they compete, for the following weekend they will be at the Commonwealth Youth Games with Joe Fuggle.
Pole vaulters Natasha Purchas (Crawley) and Bill Saunders (Lewes) in the U15s and Calum Neil (Horsham) in the U17s are also worth keeping an eye on.
The championships are being held both Saturday and Sunday but athletics does not end on Sunday as the Crawley club are promoting their final “Open Meting” of the season when they hold the “Tom Lintern” medals meeting at the K2 stadium.
It should be noted that Field events and Hurdles are by PRE ENTRY ONLY -NO ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED ON THE DAY! entries before the day.