Junior 4x100m relay squads - Hurdlers from the National Sprints squad being coached by Graham Knight - Munster squad day - Annual Primary Schools Athletics Challenge Irelands Junior 4x100m relay squads meet this weekend in Santry Stadium to begin preparation for their quest to qualify for the World Junior Championships. The talented squads are backed by many to qualify for the championships in Poland and compete against the Worlds best. The squads will meet throughout the season in preparation and will have the input of Graham Knight, speed consultant to Athletics Ireland, former UK sprints and hurdles performance director and the architect of many British successes in the relay events. Coaches who would like to observe some top class hurdlers from the National Sprints squad being coached by Graham Knight former UK national Hurdles coach will get the opportunity to do so this coming Sunday in Santry Stadium. The workshop will run from 11am until 5 PM and all coaches are welcome. for further details contact Gary Ryan on 087983070 or Stephen Maguire on +447730308311. The next Munster squad day is Sat 29th march in Nenagh from 11.00am to 2.00pm approx. Coaches have been organised for ; sprints: Short and long Hurdles long and triple jumps High jump + pole vault Shot put Efforts will be made to get an extra session for the walks and middle distance as well as the throwers not catered for here. The third Munster session will be held in CIT Cork on Sat 19 April starting at the later time of 12.30pm for three hours. An Elite Irish squad athlete has been organised to speak to the athletes on that day. All evfents will be catered for in Cork. John Sheehan 37th ANNUAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS ATHLETICS CHALLENGE Venue: Finn Valley A.C. Stranorlar Date: 28th May 2008 Time: 11.00 am sharp Program of Events: Born 2001 60m Born 2000 60m, 100m Born 1999 80m, 300m long jump Born 1998 80m, 600m, High Jump, Long Jump, Relay (see a) Born 1997 100m, 600m, High Jump, Long Jump, Shot Put, Ball Throw for distance Born 1996 100m, 800m, High Jump, Long Jump, Relay (see b) Ball Throw for distance Born 1995/96 5 Shot Born 1995 100m, 800m Rules: 1. Entry fee €3.00 payable in advance or on arrival, each child will receive memento 2. Children may compete in two events only plus relay 3. Children to compete in their own age category the exception being relay where the sections are a) Born 1999 and 1998 b) Born 1997 and 1996 This event continues to be developing with 92 schools participating during 2007. Qualifying regional trails where appropriate will take place during May. It is desirable to have a local area qualifying final. Areas which had a qualifying competition last year, were Finn Valley (2 days) North West, Rosses, Buncrana, Killybegs South West, Carndonagh. Two athletes per event qualifying for the county finals along with one relay each regional event. Schools in other areas may wish to organise a qualifying competition amongst themselves on a mutually agreed day. Schools unable to organise locally may still compete at County final with one athlete per event plus relay team per age group. Principals please note the former as numbers have forced ------It is therefore desirable to have a local area event if at all possible. Awards- medals top 3, certificates all finalists plus mementos for all children. N.B. where areas do not hold qualifying events I will on this occasion hold firm on the above namely one athlete per event per school in jumps and throws. You can understand this as there are time and safety limitations on the day THE ONLY CHANGE TO THE NORMAL FORMAT IS THAT I WILL ORGANISE THE RELAYS BASED ON SCHOOL SIZE ONCE AGAIN ON THIS OCCASION -----THAT IS SMALL SCHOOL ----1to100 PUPILS....MEDIUM SIZE ----1 to 200 with LARGE SCHOOLS 200 plus. THIS PROVED POPULAR LAST YEAR . For further information contact Stephen Maguire at 00447730308311 or stemaguire@aol.com .