UKJA Website Launch

Finally after weeks of technical issues the new (and much improved) UK Javelin Association Website is here. After the last couple of weeks we have finally managed to resolve this and fthe website will be formally launched this evening around 7pm GMT.

I would also like to draw you attention to the new logo for the association which many of you may well have seen on our facebook page. I think you will agree that this is an excellent logo and one which British Javelin Throwing can and no doubt will become synonymous with in future years.

The last few months have seen some uncertainly surrounding the association but we enter 2011 with a number of opportunities/ events to offer you.

The first of which is the launch of the UKJA membership package. Detail of the memberships can be found on the website and I hope you would all agree that the hard work that has gone into putting this together has all been worthwhile. The membership package provides a number of benefits including free entry to all UKJA organised events as well as discounts with our partners including Beet It, CherryActive, Neuff Athletic Equipment, Sweatshop, Sports Tours International and Vitabiotics. The list of partners will continue to grow over time and any benefits will be passed on to the members of the association ensuring that the membership package is ever evolving. Each member will be issued with a membership keycard as well as a car sticker to increase the advertising exposure for the UKJA and as a non-profit organisation, you can rest assured that any funds raised through memberships, donations, sponsorship etc… will be reinvested to bring you improved and more informative events at all times.

On 13th February 2011, we welcome the 2007 World Champion Tero Pitkämäki and his coach Hannu Kangas to the UK. "A day with Tero Pitkamaki" promises to be an excellent opportunity to observe, learn from, ask questions and moreover be in the presence of one of the Worlds best Javelin Throwers of the last 6 years. This event will be free to members of the association (see the membership section on the website for details), otherwise it will be £5 for children and £10 for adults who are non-members. A chance to see this Javelin Thrower train, be that throwing Javelins, lifting weights, jumping into sand is definitely one that should not be missed by all who are enthusiastic about the event.

On 12th June 2011 we are also hosting the 2nd Annual UK Javelin Carnival including the "Wilf Paish Memorial Trophy" competitions (2010 winners, Matti Mortimore and Sarah Vermier). This will take place at Mount St Mary's School which is 15 minutes South of Sheffield (a little better for those travelling from the South than the 1st Carnival). We appreciate it is a long way for those in the South to travel, however due to the embryonic nature of the association, we are working on a very tight budget, therefore at present our options are limited in this regard. That being said, we hope to move the carnival round the country in the ensuing years, but ultimately we would like to have a permanent home of UK Javelin Throwing (similar to Pihtipudas in Finland). The 2011 athletics summer is a busy one and we have tried to choose a date which minimises clashes in the the fixture calendar. The County Schools Championships take place at their various locations around the UK on 11th June and for those who may be fortunate enough to be travelling to the European Junior Championships and are looking to throw 2 days running, to mimic the format of a major championships, then this might be the opportunity that they are looking for. Details of the 2nd Annual UK Javelin Carnival will be posted on the website very soon. In the meantime please place this fixture in your diary as it will be the UK Javelin event of 2011.

We are also working hard to bring you a coaching masterclass in April sometime with some of the UK's finest coaches as well as a reunion event in August/ September when our Annual AGM will take place. There will be many committee positions to be recruited this year and I would hope that when the association begins to grow, many of you will think about what you may be able to bring to the association and will put yourselves forward for committee positions.

As part of our determination to provide the ultimate level of support for our Javelin throwers, we will also be looking to provide a training camp in October and again at the beginning of 2012, in association with one of our partners, Sports Tours International.

Like you, we are extremely passionate about the Javelin Throw and want to develop it into the UK's premier field event over the next decade. The Javelin Throw is the most exhilarating of events to watch and having been fortunate enough to throw for 20 years, I recognise the importance of the Javelin Community and the many people who are involved in the event at every level. In order to continue to develop our event in the UK we require the support of the Javelin Community which we are proudly a part of./p>

The UK Javelin Association has the aim to become the voice of British Javelin Throwing and to put the systems and structures in place to allow all athletes & coaches to prosper within the event regardless of age, ability, and gender and not forgetting the vitally important role that parents, volunteers, friends, extended families etc… play in the development of our event.

With your help and continued support we can make 2011 a resounding success.

As ever, if you have any questions, then please direct them to myself and I will do my best to answer them.

Thanks for your continued support

Best wishes

David Parker - Chairman