Remembering Chris Pickard (1931-2012)

The following was based on my induction for Chris at the NL Athletics Hall of Fame in the summer of 2011.  I felt it was fitting to share with a broader group on Chris’ passing.

That evening it was my pleasure to speak about Chris.  And as I thought of what to say, I remembered the impact that Chris has had on my love of running and Track and Field.  Chris introduced me to the athletics as he did so many others.  Chris taught us that we could be as good as any athlete in the country – a great lesson that for many has come true – both in sport and in life.

Chris loved the sport – his technical knowledge – his vision – and his hard work along with others brought track and field and road racing to a new level in the 1980’s.  He had such a positive impact on the growth and development of Track and Field, Cross Country Running and Road Running in Newfoundland and Labrador.

He had such attention to detail – he was so thorough with statistics, and kept impeccable records.  There would be an event – track meet or road race – and this is in days before Internet and computerized timing and by the end of the week in the mail you would receive the complete results – all typed (on a typewriter) and complied by Chris.

Many may not be aware of Chris’ many achievements, since moving to Canada in the 1950’s

• He coached and trained with notable National Champions like Bruce Kidd and Bill Crothers in the 1960’s.
• Did you know Chris was a runner?  He finished 47^th in the 1961 Boston Marathon – is was a Windy day with cool temperatures around 39 degrees Fahrenheit
• In 1976, Chris was an official during the Olympic Games in Montreal.
• He moved to Newfoundland in preparation for the 1977 Canada Games, as Technical Director for Track and Field in our province.
• Up until 2005 Chris was the head coach for Memorial University’s Track and Field and Cross Country teams.  Which is really where I got to know Chris.
• At least 9 times Chris was named Atlantic University Athletic Association’s Coach of the Year.
• And besides myself there were many champion athletes who were part of these Memorial teams including: Paul McCloy, Dave Whittle, Sheldon Curnew, Dieter Hauschildt, Mark Stender, Gerard Farrell, Scott Young, Trevor O’Brien, Sandra Harbin, Libby Wadland (Dyer), Mark Baldwin, Mark Pollett, Keith Pittman, and Colin Fewer.
• Chris was the head coach for several teams that went to the Legion National Championships, and the Canada Games.
• Chris was for many years head coach of Memorial Varsity Athletics Club
• In 2001 was elected to the NLAA Board of Directors as a Secretary.
• For many years, the Telegram sought out Chris’s predictions for the Tely Ten, with a recurring article entitled Pickard’s Picks.

As I finished off the induction…

“Tonight is about the impact Chris has had on the development of a sport but more importantly on a life long love of running and physical activity.  Chris planted that seed for me and for so many others.”

Today, I again reflect on the impact Chris had, planting that seed that you can be the best and compete with the world.  Many happy memories and my thoughts and prayers are with Chris’ family, I extend my deepest condolences.

Jeff Collingwood

PSA: Scotiabank Cape to Cabot Health Expo

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Oct. 9, 2012

Download Expo Flyer

The Scotiabank Cape to Cabot Health Expo is open to all runners and the general public this Saturday, Oct.13 from 1 to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Macdonald Drive Junior High School in St. John’s.

You can hear guest speakers, watch a trampoline demonstration, meet health professionals and sports vendors, and donate your gently used running shoes. There will also be a bouncy castle for the little ones.

Admission is free.

The Scotiabank Cape to Cabot is a race created by Athletics NorthEAST running club.

www.capetocabot.com

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Volunteers needed for the Cross-country Running Series for Schools

NLAA needs volunteers for the Cross-country Running Series for Schools

The first meet of the 20th Annual Cross-country Running Series for Schools is scheduled for this Saturday, September 22, at the Pippy Park Driving Range on Ridge Road, St. John's.  Meets two and three are to follow on September 29 and October 6. The NLAA organizes the event and is looking for volunteers.

The meets are the largest cross-country running events in the province with over 600 participants. I expect similar participation for this year's meets.  Please visit our web site for information on the Series:

http://www.nlaa.ca/xcseries/index.php

The NLAA needs help to safely organize this wonderful school event. On occasions we have some spectators staying a little longer or come earlier to help, especially with the marshaling duties, however, every year we are struggling to get sufficient number of volunteers.

The positions that we are looking people for are not demanding when the workload is spread among more volunteer. We are looking for volunteers that can help from 8:00 to 12:30; however, even if one can stay for 2-3 hours it would be of great help, especially in the mornings when we have the most participants.

We need people for setting up the course and finish line. We need marshals especially around the start/finish area and around the course. With the large number of entries, registration requires to be very efficient and prompt. Verifying all registration information is time consuming and tiring. We need at least 6 to 8 people for the first couple of hours of registration.

If you live in the St. John’s area or visiting and have some time to spare this Saturday or the next two, and would like to give something back to the NLAA, please come and help out.  The following is an outline for our event on this and next two Saturdays:

8:30 Registration desk opens

9:30 Start of first race

12:30 p.m. expected end time of the meet

Volunteers are needed in the following areas:

Registration: 6 to 8

Setup (start/finish area/course): 4 to 6

Marshals (course and finish/start area): 10-12 (9:30am to around 12:30 p.m.)

Finish line/chute: 8 to 10 (timing, recording of numbers and keeping runners in order)

Awards: 2-3

Please contact the NLAA office for further information. To volunteer, please sign-up online or contact the office:

http://www.nlaa.ca/xcseries/index.php?id=volunteer

George Stanoev

(709) 576-1303

Track and Field Athletes Competing at the 2012 Atlantic Championships

A contingent of 44 athletes and staff from this province will take part in the Atlantic Track and Field Championships on August 4 & 5 in Moncton, NB. The competition will take place at the site of the 2010 IAAF World Junior Championships in Athletics. The  Moncton 2010 Stadium is equipped with a Mondotrack SX surface.


Team Staff:
Becky Sjare, St. John’s
Rosie Frey, Paradise
Doug Halliday, St. John's
Robert Dollard, Kippens
William Forsey, Kippens

Athletes:
Adam Healey, St. John's
Amanda Wilkins, Mount Pearl
Anderson Traverse, Corner Brook
Daniel Alexander, Kippens
Daniel Kelloway, Mount Pearl
Darcy Buckingham, St. John's
David Alexander, Kippens
Deepal Deshpande, St. John's
Dominic Loro, St. John's
Donovan White, Kippens
Elizabeth Hicks    Carbonear
Emily Chaisson, Kippens
Erin O’Brien, Mt. Pearl
Evan Whalen, St. John's
Hershal Deshpande, St. John's
Ian MacDonald, Kippens
Jennifer Boland, St. John's
Jesse Walsh, Burnt Cove
Jillian Forsey, Kippens
Jodeen Willams, Mount Pearl
Julia Howely, St. John's
Kathryn Bautista, St. John's
Keisha Ogden, Kippens
Kirkland Beanland, Kippens
Levi Moulton, Mount Pearl
Matt Noseworthy, St. John's
Meghan Murphy, Mount Pearl
Michael Gilbert, Kippens
Nicole Chan, St. John's
Rita Jane St. Croix, Kippens
Ruth Shelton, St. John's
Sandy Walsh, Burnt Cove
Sara Cheema, St. John's
Sarah Wooland, St. John's
Scott Richards, Paradise
Skye Lynn Barnes, St. John's
Thomas Faour, St. John's
Tyler Kelloway, Kippens
William Forsey, Kippens

Good luck to all participants!

SCOTIABANK CAPE TO CABOT ROAD RACE OPENS FOR REGISTRATION

Public Service Announcement

July 31, 2012

SCOTIABANK CAPE TO CABOT ROAD RACE OPENS FOR REGISTRATION

Registration opens at noon on August 1 for the 6th Annual Scotiabank Cape to Cabot 20km running race on Sunday, October 14, 2012 - register quickly for an unforgettable running experience!

Known as the “toughest race in eastern North America,” the Scotiabank Cabot to Cabot starts at Cape Spear, and climbs three major hills before reaching the historic waterfront of St. John’s.

From there, it’s just one more mile - all uphill - to the finish line near Cabot Tower at the top of Signal Hill.

New for 2012 - bands will play live music along the course.

Again, registration opens at noon on August 1, 2012 for a maximum of 400 participants - so sign up early at www.capetocabot.com to get your spot!

The Scotiabank Cape to Cabot is a race created by Athletics NorthEAST running club.

 For more information on the race as well as registration, please visit our website at www.capetocabot.com

NLAA seeks regional coaches and managers for the 2012 NL Summer Games

The Newfoundland and Labrador Athletics Association is inviting applications for regional coaches and managers positions in each region part of the 2012 Newfoundland and Labrador Summer Games. The 2012 NL Summer Games will be hosted by Carbonear - Harbour Grace, August 18-25, 2012 (Athletics August 22-25).


Requirements

• Up to four (4) staff members will be selected for each regional team - two coaches and two managers, two of which will be male and two female staff.
• These are volunteer positions and carry no remuneration.
• All coaches, managers and attendants must be at least 19 years of age as of December 31, 2012.
• All coaches must be trained to at least NCCP SPORT COACH or Level 1 Technical in Athletics. Familiarity with the various disciplines in track and field is desirable.
• Coach applicants that are not yet trained in SPORT COACH can attend the Sport Coach course on May 4-6 in Mount Pearl.
• All applicants may be required to complete a police background check.
• All selected staff members are required to reside in the Athletes' Village during the Games.
• Coaches and Managers must agree to abide by the NLAA policies and Newfoundland and Labrador Games Code of Conduct.
• Coaches and managers must have proven abilities to work with athletes in the age group under consideration - ages 11-18 (born 1994 through 2001)

Some of the Duties and Responsibilities for MANAGER and COACH include:

• Ensure that all team members are registered members of the NLAA
• Register regional teams with the Games organizing committee
• Register team members for the competition part of the Games
• Organization, planning and execution of athlete Regional Qualifying meet to be held in June/July, 2012.
• Select regional team members.
• Organization, planning and execution of training from June to August, 2012.
• Coaching and supervision of the team during the NL Summer Games 2012, in addition to travel to and from the event.
• Act as the regional Representative for respective region for communication between the NL Games Organizing Committee, NLAA and region.

The closing date for all positions will be May 1, 2012.
Additional information is available by contacting the NLAA Provincial Office at (709) 576-1303 or E-mail: athletics@nlaa.ca


To apply for any of our open positions, please send an e-mail to athletics@nlaa.ca and provide the following information:

1. Position you are applying for: Coach or Manager
2. Region: St. John's/North / Mount Pearl/South / Avalon / Eastern / Central / Western / Labrador / Host Region
3. Name:
4. Address:
5. Telephone:
6. E-mail:
7. Current NCCP Status: Coaching Certification; Highest Level Completed; Certification Passport Number

NLAA to offer NCCP Sport Coach on May 4-5-6, 2012

Newfoundland and Labrador Athletics Association

Sport Coach (formerly Level 1 Technical and relevant theory components)

Hosted by: NLAA

The Course:

The Sport Coach course is based on the new NCCP program and incorporates the relevant sports generic, theoretical aspects of Introduction to Competition Module A (Sport). Certification is granted following completion of on-line Ethics module and Evaluation.

Who should benefit from the course:

Those interested in coaching within the sport and those involved in recreational activities at the community level.

Date: May 4-5-6, 2016
Location: Pearlgate Track and Field Complex, Mount Pearl

• Time: Friday 6pm-9:30pm; Saturday 9am-4pm; Sunday 9am-4:30pm
• Fees:$125 ($5 off for NLAA registered coaches)
• Registration Deadline:April 27, 2012 (PDF form)
• Prerequisites: None
• Clothing: Bring clothing for light activity.
• Learning Facilitator: Ray Will
• For more information: Ray Will at <raywill@nl.rogers.com>

Attendance for the course is limited to 20 participants. Pre-registration is required and acceptance is determined on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact Ray Will if you plan on attending the course.