LEE MERRIEN’S list of aims for the 2007 track and field season is long and varied, but as important as any of them are the development plans he has put in place at the GIAAC. It is just over a year since the Channel Islands’ most accomplished modern-day distance runner took over the role of GIAAC development officer and the quietly spoken but fiercely determined athlete has made a big impact.
Richard Cowling, head of the GIAAC’s junior squads, is indebted to the man.
‘He has identified a lot of new talent we might not have found had he not gone out and done so.
‘Our under-15s section is huge and under-13s looks very healthy, too,’ he added.
‘It bodes well for the future. I don’t think we’ve ever had so many nationally-ranked young athletes as we have now.’
An indication of the sport’s growing popularity was seen at the latest round of Cowling’s junior competition night.
Nine heats were required to accommodate 45 100m entrants.
On a personal note, Merrien’s wish list would read something like this: win a first national championship 5,000m medal, retain his Island Games 1,500m and 5,000m titles, help Guernsey win a stack of medals in Rhodes, regain the overall inter-insular trophy from Jersey and do what is necessary to help the Channel Islands AC not only win the revamped British Jubilee Cup but also gain British League status for the first time.
Then there is the developmental side.
Merrien hopes to see not only his own group of athletes make big strides in the sport but also help clear the pathway for the biggest and most talented bunch of juniors the club has ever had, to make progress.
It is an exciting time for track and field, Merrien acknowledges.
‘The junior section is certainly very healthy in terms of depth and individual ability at the moment and in the most part that is thanks to the stability Richard has provided in his role for the club,’ he said.
‘The key to developing them now has to be retention and providing good coaching.
‘Guernsey athletics is certainly at its strongest in terms of senior athletes at the moment but potentially much more success can be achieved if we retain our current crop of juniors.’
The competitive season swings into action at the weekend as several of the island’s top women join forces with their Jersey counterparts for the first round of the Southern League.
The following weekend it is the turn of the CI men who are making their bow this summer in Southern Division One.
Then, a week later, the cream of Guernsey and Jersey head off to Portsmouth for the annual two-day Hampshire Championships.
With each passing season the CIAC’s talent base grows and with that in mind CIAC team boss Andrew Winnie has set the target of British League qualification.
Merrien rarely appears for the CIAC but, fitness permitting, will do his part for it at the end-of-season qualifier.
He sees British League qualification as an important step in the development of the sport in the islands.
‘Overall, I believe the CIAC offers a good level of competition for our developing juniors and young seniors.
‘Whilst for some of our very best athletes the standard is not quite high enough, it is perfect for others.
‘Locally we can’t offer as challenging a level of competition on a regular basis which the league currently provides and although that may change locally in a few years’ time, the CIAC will be hopefully be ”premiership” in terms of athletics by then.’
From his own career perspective, Merrien is looking forward to testing himself over his new favoured distance, 5,000 metres.
‘It’s a case of recognising my strongest event.
‘While I’ve had success over 1,500m, potentially I can achieve more over 5,000.
‘My out-and-out speed is not quite quick enough for tactical 1,500m races, however, if I can develop the strength to hold much of that speed late in the 5,000m race I have a useful weapon for that event.
‘Other than Mo Farah [the UK number one] I am as fast if not faster over the shorter distances than the current 5,000m runners.’
Article posted on 26th April, 2007 - 12.00am
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