Category Archives: sport

Oh Why the Saints?

Oxford Saints kneel
I was passing by the American Football Game between the Oxford Saints and a visiting team on Sunday at Southern Town Park in Abingdon.

After a period of stop-go action, both teams went off for a talk from the team coach.
Oxford Saints kneel
There are 45 players in each team and as the coach spoke quite a few of the Saints ‘took a knee’. The only thing I overheard was the coach say “you went in too high that is why you got hurt.”

I left wondering why they keep kneeling down when anybody gets hurt, or the coach is talking.

Is it because …
a) They are the ‘Saints’ and want to pray
b) They want to show respect to the coach
c) Sitting would look lazy and inattentive
d) Another reason ?

Leah, the Parkrun Dog, runs her 100th Abingdon Parkrun

Thanks to Mike for this piece …

Every Saturday, all over Britain, thousands of people take part in Parkrun. Abingdon has its own parkrun held at Rye Meadow and each week around 250 people complete the 5k course, run by volunteers and completely free.
Leah the Parkrun Dog
This Saturday, there was a special milestone. Leah ‘the dog’ ran her 100th parkrun (that’s 500 kilometers or 310.6 miles!).
Leah the Parkrun Dog
Leah has now not only completed 100 parkruns to date but she has also managed to finish first a total of 18 times and has a personal best of 17:01. In the early days of parkrun, Leah would often go slightly off course to take a dip in the river but has learnt to focus on the task at hand.
Leah the Parkrun Dog
Abingdon parkrun is a very social affair and Leah is always the centre of attention at the town square where runners enjoy a post run coffee at Java.

Her owner, Les Newell, runs for Oxford City AC.

www.parkrun.co.uk
www.parkrun.org.uk/abingdon

The Northcourt Centre and “The Northcourt”

Northcourt Centre
At the Northcourt Centre, on Northcourt Road, a lot of the user groups had stalls for a big get together and fund raising afternoon. They included the Abingdon Peace Group who cannot see the reason for renewing Trident when times are hard and our money could be better spent.
Northcourt Centre
There was a colourful display put on by the Abbey Quilters (who meet monthly first Tuesday in the month during the day) and by the Fitzharry’s Quilters (who meet on 4th Tuesday of the month in the evening.) There also seemed to be 2 or 3 different W.I.s, an art group, Scottish Country Dancers, Tap and Ballet classes, the Abingdon Horticultural Society, and possibly quite a few other groups.

They were raising funds for improving the centre.
Northcourt Centre
As part of the same afternoon’s fund raising event there was an Open Garden nearby. £5 got you entry, and tea and cakes, and the chance to help the Northcourt Centre financially. The weather could not have been better.
Northcourt Centre
The bees loved the lavender.
The Northcourt
Meanwhile, close by, at “The Northcourt”, home of Abingdon United FC and Oxford United WFC, there was a game in progress.
The Northcourt
A lot of people were there to see mid table Oxford United go down fighting to top of the table Doncaster Belles.

After the recent very successful World Cup Campaign, some of the Lionesses, who gained England third pace, will be coming to The Northcourt…. Fran Kirby, or England’s “mini Messi” as she was dubbed by manager Mark Sampson, will be there when Reading visit on August 9th. More info at oxfordunitedwfc.co.uk

Athletes to be left in the dark at Tilsley Park

Thanks to Roy for this …
Athletes left in the dark
I am an athlete who trains at Tilsley Park. Now I am not sure if you are aware but Abingdon School are going to change the centre of the track dramatically. The throwing area in the centre of the track is going to be replaced with a 3G rubgy pitch. This will mean track training will be impacted. Worse still, the throwers will not be able to do winter training, because they have to move the throw cage to a new location and they cannot put up lights as they would be too close to residences.

Our club has produced some incredible world class throwers at Tilsley Park in recent years.

Emma O’Hara:
Emma qualifies final Eugene
O’hara comes close to England gold medal

Ossy Muskwe who is now in Team GB:
Osman gets his GB call cards
Radley’s Muskwe lands English crown/
Muskwe breaks Radley record/
Athletes left in the dark
But sadly they will not be able to train in the winter at Tilsley any more.
Athletes left in the dark
The equipment and bulldozers are on site for work this weekend. We are puzzled as why we were not consulted beforehand. More at Radley Athletics Club.