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UPDATE 21/09/2021
The Sheffield Festival of Athletics has been hugely popular for many years now. In recent times, the Indoor Open especially has proved incredibly well-subscribed, and offered high quality competition for participants from all over the country – and beyond. Our last event (in January 2020) was the largest yet, attracting well over 500 athletes, from 120 different clubs. Almost 70% of the entrants come from athletes from U17 upwards, and of a good standard.
Much of that success is down to the high quality and number of officials who regularly support the event, contributing a standard rarely found outside national events.
The last two years has proved challenging for everyone
– not least of all the organisers of this event.
Lack of clarity has made it impossible to forward-plan very far ahead, and
the reality of lockdowns and venue closures has exacerbated the situation.
Like most other events, the January 2021 Festival was a victim of the Tier 4 restrictions and never got close to taking place. We were, however, optimistic that things would get better and we could return for January 2022.
Sadly, one of the key organisers (John Howley) contracted Covid and was hospitalised in July. Many of you will know that John is vulnerable following a liver transplant a few years ago, so no chances could be taken. I’m pleased to report that he is back at home and is undergoing a slow recovery, although he still cannot get out and about.
The event is large, takes a lot of organising and has an excellent reputation as a quality meeting – which we did not want to compromise. We therefore felt that it would be untimely and risky to try and resume for January 2022. Consequently, and after much deliberation, we have taken the decision to defer for another year, in the hope that we can come back stronger in 2023.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us in past years:
athletes, officials, service providers alike.
With your help, we have been able to raise almost £25,000 for charities
who work hard to make people’s lives better. Beware of other events claiming
to be us – and keep looking at this web site for further updates.
Steve
.
NEWS
12/10/21
SHEFFIELD FESTIVAL OF ATHLETICS was delighted to be able
to make a donation of £500 to Firth Park Food Bank. They provide meals
for the needy in one of the poorest areas of Sheffield. Any leftover food
is given to S6 Food Bank, so nothing goes to waste.
Pastor Sam is seen accepting the cheque along with his fellow workers
at the Brushes Community Centre.
02/05/20
Following on from the Indoor Open in January, we were
pleased to be able to send another donation of £1,000 to Bluebell Wood
Childrens' Hospice - a local charity who care for very sick children.
01/10/19
From the proceeds of the Steel Cup, SHEFFIELD FESTIVAL
OF ATHLETICS was able to make furrther donations of £300 to Leeds Transplant
Unit (who looked after John so well throughout his own transplant) and
£200 to TOP CLUB, a Sheffield based club who provide athletics for people
with learning disabilities.
12/09/19
SHEFFIELD FESTIVAL OF ATHLETICS was delighted to be able
to make a donation of £1,000 to St. Luke's Hospice - a local charity who
provide care for the terminally ill.
Steve, together with his wife Caroline, were very grateful for the incredible
care they provided for their daughter last year.
You can read about the amazing work they do
here.
7/09/2019
STEEL CITY CUP was held on Sunday 7th September 2019.
This is an end of season challenge cup held at Spinkhill track, for invited
local clubs.
Congratulations to CHESTERFIELD & DISTRICT AC who won the Cup for
the second year in succession..
The event was contested by Barnsley & Wombwell,
City of Sheffield, Chesterfield, Doncaster, Hallamshire Harriers, Rotherham
Harriers and 2 Dash - and this year we also ran an Open alongside. In
all, 331 athletes, across all age groups from U11 to Vets, entered.
We were pleased to again invite the C.R.Y. (Cardiac Risk in the Young)
personnel, who facilitate screenings for active youngsters all around
the country. A collection on the day made £150 for the local branch, which
SHEFFIELD FESTIVAL match funded with a further £150. You can find out
more about them here.
8/08/2019
SHEFFIELD FESTIVAL OF ATHLETICS was delighted to be able
to make a further donation of £1,000 to Bluebell Wood Childrens' Hospice
- a local charity who care for very sick children.
The success of our meetings allows us to continue to do try and make a
small difference to the lives of those less fortunate.
27/01/2019
Another very successful SHEFFIELD FESTIVAL INDOOR OPEN
was held at E.I.S. Sheffield on Sunday 27th January 2019. This very popular
event is fast becoming the "must do" competition for
track and field athletes seeking a good quality warm up in preparation
for major indoor competitions in February. Yet again, we were pelased
to welcome over 520 athletes from all over the UK, and beyond. In all,
athletes from 126 dfferent clubs took part, includiing returning contingents
from Guernsey and Poland.
Over half of the competitors were U17 and above. Power of 10 reported
305 Personal Bests for the day.
We were privileged to have the meeting completely staffed by national
grade officials, who worked tirelessly throughout.
The meeting raised will over £2000 for charities,
details of which will be posted later in the year.
13/09/2018
STEEL CITY CUP was held on Sunday 9th September 2018.
This is an end of season challenge cup held at Spinkhill track, for invited
local clubs.
Congratulations to CHESTERFIELD & DISTRICT AC who won both the Cup
and the Relays Shield in their first participation.
The event was contested by Barnsley & Wombwell, City of Sheffield,
Chesterfield, Doncaster, Hallamshire Harriers, Rotherham Harriers and
2 Dash - attracting nearly 300 athletes.
This year's charity was C.R.Y. (Cardiac Risk in the Young), who facilitate
screenings for active youngsters all around the country. We were pleased
to be able to raise £660 for the local branch, and equally important -
raise awareness of the work they do.. You can find out more about them
here
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27/02/2018
SHEFFIELD FESTIVAL INDOOR OPEN as held on Sunday 28h
January 2018 at E.I.S. Sheffield. This year attracted a record entry of
526 athletes, and we were especially pleased to welcome contingents from
Poland, Guernsey and Jersey.
The meeting is now truly a National one, with a number of senior and performance
athletes making it one of the highest-quality opens
on the calendar..e cup was won by City of Sheffield AC and the shield
by HallamshirHarriers.
Proceeds form the event meant we were again able to give a cheque to BLUEBELL
WOOD CHILDREN'S HOSPICE and, thanks to everyone's
efforts we were able to raise £862.50 for this very good cause.
Thank you to all who took part, and the hard-working officials and volunteers
who made it such a success.
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27/09/2017
John visited E.I.S.to hand a cheque for £200 to TOP CLUB,
a local organisation in Sheffield who do sterling work providing athletics
opportunities for people with learning difficulties. Receiving the cheque
on behalf of Top Club are Andy Longden and Leslie Morgan.
You can find more information about Top Club by emailing
Phil Morgan at phil_s_morgan@hotmail.com
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20/09/2017
SHEFFIELD STEEL CITY CUP and SHIELD took place on 10th
September 2017 at Mount St Mary's, Spinkhill. The cup was won by City
of Sheffield AC and the shield by Hallamshire Harriers.
Proceeds of the day were earmarked for BLUEBELL
WOOD CHILDREN'S HOSPICE and, thanks to everyone's
generous donations on the day - plus Mount St Mary for giving us free
hire of the venue - we were able to raise £704.61
for this very good cause.
Thank you to all who took part, and the hard-working officials and volunteers
who made it such a success.
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17/03/2017
SHEFFIELD FESTIVAL OF ATHLETICS was pleased to donate
£500 to SHEFFIELD
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL from the
proceeds of the INDOOR OPEN in January 2016.
Thank you to all who took part, and the hard-working officials and volunteers
who made it such a success. If you would like to help this charity further,
you can find out how to here.
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