Bénédicte Coleman runs her last lap as coordinator of the Beara Athletics Club (BAC) at the end of May. We wish to mark this occasion by recognising the significant achievements that constitute her legacy to the club and community. Bénédicte has blessed the programme with tremendous energy, enthusiasm and commitment. Among the many highlights of her term as co-ordinator, we include: the expansion and support of local clubs, including the procurement of equipment for each area through grants, bag-pack days at Supervalu, etc.; the initiation of the Summer Leagues, a successful and fun community-wide event; securing significant funds for diverse new initiatives, requiring substantial insight into the intricacies of the world of grants and, importantly, tenacity; arranging the successful visit of international athletics star Sonia O’Sullivan, a huge PR win for the area and a fantastic inspiration to children and parents alike. Bénédicte has worked closely with parent volunteers to provide training opportunities and to help them provide a fun, safe and challenging athletics experience for their children. She brought expert and inspiring coaches and courses into Beara such as the Athletics Leader course, Child Protection in Sport Awareness Workshop, and Safety and First Aid in Sports, as well as taking kids out of the area to expert clinics around Cork/Kerry. Her organisation of “Fun Days at the Mardyke Arena” have been a special treat for parents and kids alike, and are exemplary of Bénédicte’s “going the extra mile” approach. Throughout her tenure, she doggedly devised new and interesting ways of addressing the difficulty rural clubs’ face in accessing opportunities to up-skill their athletes and coaches. Bénédicte also acts as a positive role model in that she walks the walk (or, in her case, runs the run!), by participating in local and national track and field events and marathons. She actively demonstrates to kids that athletics is part of good healthy lifestyle. We want to offer Bénédicte our deepest thanks for her efforts on behalf of the children of Beara over the past number of years and wish her all the best in her upcoming endeavours! Bénédicte will no doubt continue to be an active force within the BAC as her coaching skills, experience and dedication are invaluable to our community. Kate Crowley, Co-Secretary Beara Athletics Club Marie Shea, Co-Secretary Beara Athletics Club