Glasgow Jaguars get ready for NAL decider in Birmingham; John Anderson

Thursday 1st August 2024

Alessandro Schenini in long jump action last summer (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Preview by Moira Maguire

Glasgow Jaguars head to Birmingham for the third and final match of this season’s National Athletics League campaign.

The Alexander Stadium venue which hosted the 2022 Commonwealth Games will be the place to be on Saturday. Currently lying in fifth place, every point will be crucial for the Jaguars in the battle to retain Premiership status next season.

Alyson Bell, the GB and Ni international who won a medal at the World Relays, makes her season’s debut for the team and goes in the 100m, 200m and relay.

Alessandro Schenini makes his first appearance in the pink and black in the Long Jump and resumes rivalry with Murray Fotheringham, currently top of the Scottish rankings.

Fresh from his 10.68 PB in the 100m in the English Senior Championships, Murray makes his season’s debut in a 200m, where he is joined by Dean Patterson, who was named in the GB U20 relay squad for the World Championships in Peru later this month.

Top ranked U20 sprinter Euan Cunningham is another athlete, making his debut for the team in the 100m and is in the strong relay squad, who will have their eye on another club record.

Silver medallist in the Senior English Championships Scott Connal (110m Hurdles) will be looking to lower his PB again while Henry Clarkson (Triple Jump), also a silver medallist in those championships, makes his season’s debut for the team and adds strength to the jumps squad.

U23 gold medallist in the English Championships, Dawn Russell (javelin) was delighted to record a PB and will be looking to hit the 50m mark on Saturday, while Scott Hopper (javelin) makes his first appearance for Glasgow Jaguars.

Team stalwart Alicia Paton (3000m steeplechase) was extremely happy with her silver medal and a PB and will be a high points scorer in the 2000m steeplechase.

In the U20 event at those England Athletics Championships it was a bronze medal and another 2m clearance for Matthew Tait, who will be hoping for a strong performance on Saturday.

Lauren Stoddart (photo by Gordon Innes)

In the U17 English event it was gold medal success for Matilda Brockley (TJ), and she makes her debut for the team in Birmingham alongside Charis Crawford (PV) top ranked Scottish U17 and second ranked Senior, who will enjoy gaining experience in the National Athletics League.

Bradley Francis (400m hurdles), who has had a breakthrough season and finished in second place with a big PB at Woodford, will be looking for good conditions on Saturday while Andrew Peck (Discus), Lauren Stoddart (2ooom steeplechase) and Beth Ansell (800m) should be high points scorers for the team.

Decathlete Euan Wallace (PV, 110m Hurldes) will have a busy afternoon and epitomises the team spirit of all those who are headed for Birmingham by coach.

Simon Okititi will make the journey for the non-scoring 100m and 200m just to ‘be there’ and gain experience.

Eden Duff, another new member goes in the 400m hurdles for the first time. Injury has restricted Rachel Callan’s racing this season, but this weekend she will compete in the 400m hurdles.

Thanks to sponsors Glasgow Life and Joma, without whom the team could not offer this pathway.

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All at scottishathletics were sad to hear last weekend of the passing of well-known coach John Anderson at the age of 92.

John was a big figure in our sport for decades and coached the Scotland national team as well as numerous Olympians.

We send our condolences to John’s family and friends across the athletics community in Scotland.

Moira Maguire sent us these words in tribute.

‘Like many in the sport, I was saddened to hear of the passing of John Anderson.

‘A number of years ago I was privileged to be one of the 100+ plus Olympians to be coahced by John.

‘His passion for the sport and his ability to motivate generations of athletes to achieve at the highest level not just in sport but in life is legendary.

‘In paying tribute to John, I feel it is appropriate, on the eve of the athletics in Paris, to acknowledge that within the Glasgow Jaguars family and in clubs around the country that ‘selfless dedication’ is very much in evidence and future Olympians are being nurtured.’

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Tags: Glasgow Jaguars, National Athletics League