It hardly seems 12 months ago that I was reporting on the forthcoming English Schools' Track and Field Championships, that blue riband event of school athletics.
As usual, the team comprises athletes from local schools, St. Mary's College and Mosslands, who have each qualified to be one of the 70 athletes selected to represent Merseyside County.
One of the three athletes qualifying from Doug Hanna's group of athletes, Pete Doyle, needed to satisfy the selectors that he had recovered from his recent lay-off caused by glandular fever.
Comic, as it did just when the real winter work was over, when stamina and strength work are the order of the day, he needed to carefully re-assess the situation and, along with his coach, his training.
Brothers Steven and Neil Henfrey, from Mosslands, join him this year at the championships in Thurrock, Essex. Pete contests the senior boys' 800m event, Steve, the gruelling 400m hurdles event, also at senior level and Neil, the equally gruelling 400m at the younger Intermediate boys' age groups. Joining them will be a sprinter from Mosslands School, hoping to maintain the success-of last year by fellow pupil, Paul Beacall contests the youngest age groups, junior, 100m.
Competing recently over in Ireland in the annual Merseyside v Dublin match, Pete Boyle did much to emphasise his coming fitness when he won his 800m race. Running in the same race, even though 18 months' younger, Neil Henfrey finished fourth and yet another pupil from St. Mary's College, Mark Cooper, also coached by Doug, finished seventh.
Pete and Neil also ran as members of the winning 4 x 400m relay team.
Mark, along with many other athletes from the group, has knocked many seconds off his last season's time and it will not be long before he and others will be members of the team on a regular basis.
Qualifying standards are high for English Schools' entry, and only a few athletes can make the grade. They train regularly and hard and have the determination and patience to improve steadily.
No longer a member of Wallasey Athletic Club after 20 years' service, Doug has joined Wirral but continues to coach athletes from Wallasey and other clubs. Sessions for middle distance athletes are held by him at the Oval, Bebington, on a Monday and Wednesday at around 6 pm. Other coaches are present at the Oval and any person interested in athletics will be made welcome.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 07/07/1984 by D.H.
Ref 1998