County calls for young Chichester athletes

In a busy month for local athletes, several of the juniors from Chichester Runners have had inter-county call-ups.

This Sunday sees the south-east regional Sportshall final at Burgess Hill with seven of the club being called into action.

Collins Alfred and James Austin are both in the under-13 boys’ Sussex team while Georgia Sutherland, Abbie Moss and Sophie-Anne Haigh will represent the girls’ team in the same age group.

Thomas Ackerman will be one of the main Sussex points-scorers in the under-15 boys’ age group while the only doubt may be whether Nathalie Godden accepts her invitation to join the under-15 girls’ squad as she may not wish to risk aggravating a slight injury before the important outdoor track season.

Meanwhile the club’s cross-country runners are looking to come back with individual and team medals after this Saturday’s final Sussex League fixture at Lancing Manor.

Two juniors hoping to make an impression are Georgina Warner and George Dempster after their storming performances in the Southern Schools inter-county races at Reading last weekend.

Warner finished 11th and Dempster 20th in very competitive fields from across the south.

As for the seniors, Saturday sees all eyes on the senior men who need to put in a good team performance if they’re to avoid dropping down into the second division for the first time.

The programme starts at 12.30pm. Reports will feature next week.