Legacy Issue 01

20 23

OCTOBER

ISSUE 01

Photo before edit: Gary Mitchell

season

Legacy

...an RPMF newsletter

STARS IN THE MAKING FROM GRASSROOTS TO THE WORLD STAGE

WORLD CHAMPS ROUND UP

JUNIORS ON STEPS OF SUCCESS

Hammer thrower Charlotte Payne shares her story about making her first World Championships

A reflection on GB’s World Championships triumph and RPMF recipients' performances

A summer filled with championships, we discuss RPMF juniors who have had multitudes of success

Welcome to the first issue of

Legacy ...an RPMF newsletter 01

From Grassroots to the World Stage - Charlotte Payne’s Story

03

UK Championships

04

World Championships

06

Athlete Feature - Ben Pattison

07

European U23 Championships

08

European U20 Championships

09

Thank you, Ronners!

Written and created by Carmen Neat

01

FROM GRASSROOTS Athlete

TO THE WORLD STAGE

Story

Growing up, Charlotte was no stranger to the world of sports. Encouraged by supportive parents who believed in the value of exploration, she dabbled in various sports clubs during her formative years.

Athletics, however, resonated with her on a deeper level. At the age of 11, after trying their hand at sprints and jumps, she decided to join the throws group – initially to annoy her older brother who was also in that group. It was here that the foundation of their journey was laid, ‘I started with discus and shot – far too scared to attempt the hammer. The throws became so much more natural to me than the sprints and jumps did.’ Eventually, the Hammer became less scary and more exciting, and it was then that her passion was ignited. Ten years have now passed, and it has been a whirlwind of a journey.

DISCOVERING THE HAMMER: A

‘Having the faith and support

HUMBLE BEGINNING

from RPMF has contributed so

Charlotte’s evolution in the sport has been marked by dedication, milestones, and an unswerving focus on self-improvement. Her junior years saw her competing in both the hammer throw and discus. Whilst her breakthrough came in 2016 when she clinched her first National title in the Discus, the hammer gradually claimed her focus.

Her journey in hammer throw led her to secure her first English Schools Title in 2018. As her skills sharpened, so did her achievements. Payne talks us through her jouney, ‘I won my first English Schools Title in 2018, was selected for the European U20 Championships in 2019 and then again in 2021’. It was in 2021 that she made a pivotal decision to specialize in the hammer throw, a turning point that set her on a path to further success.

2022 stands as a watershed moment in Payne’s career. Her performances soared; starting the season with a PB of 64m, she found herself going on to throw the ‘magic 70m barrier’ not just once, but 3 times! 2022 not only saw her clinch her first British Title but also and secure her selection for her debut on the senior international stage. This year, 202,3 has proved to continue being a wave of success. She won silver at the European U23 Championships in Espoo, Finland as well as her second British Title in Manchester

much over the years, not only in a

RPMF: A PILLAR OF SUPPORT Behind every athlete’s success story lies a network of support, and Payne credits the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund (RPMF) for playing a significant role in their journey. Beyond the financial assistance, the faith and encouragement from RPMF have been invaluable.

financial way but also in a mental way too. When you’re younger, having an organisation like RPMF support

you

is

the

biggest

confidence boost. It makes you feel valued as an athlete and often is great motivation to strive to be better.’

For young athletes, like Payne, this support instils a sense of value and motivation to constantly strive for excellence, a form of intrinsic motivation that we pride ourselves on helping to provide at RPMF.

INSPIRATIONS AND THE DRIVE TO MAKE AN IMPACT Payne discussed with us how she draws motivation from those around her, particularly her coaches and family. Her coach, Paul Dickenson, an Olympian and BBC Commentator, serves as a role model whose achievements she aspires to emulate.

Gareth Doody, her gym coach, ignites her spirit with his positivity and unwavering support. And then, there’s her family, especially her parents, who have been her steadfast pillars of support and motivation.

But Payne’s motivation isn’t just rooted in personal ambition. A lack of deaf role models

02 uring her upbringing fuels her desire to be a beacon of inspiration for young athletes. She aims to demonstrate that being deaf should never be a barrier to pursuing one’s dreams.

‘When I was growing up, I didn’t

have

any

deaf

role

models to aspire to. There was barely

any

representation.

I

want to be that person for young

athletes,

realising

that

being deaf isn’t going to stop you

from

achieving

your

dreams.’

With the World Championships on the horizon, Payne is poised to enter uncharted territory. The journey leading up to the championships has already been exhilarating, and the prospect of competing against the world’s best fills her with anticipation. She mentions that she is ‘ready for something I’ve never experienced before. I’m also looking forward to competing against the best in the world. Although I’ve met most of the Europeans, there’s lots of girls from US who I have looked up to for years so to get the opportunity to compete against them is going to be the best’.

Payne’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, support, and a relentless pursuit of one’s passion. From a young girl exploring different sports to a world-class hammer thrower ready to take on the global stage, her story inspires us all to chase our dreams with unwavering determination, and we are very proud to have been able to support her in her journey.

If this story has inspired you to help fund the next generation of British athletes, please visit www.RPMF.org.uk

FROM DREAMS TO A REALITY: THE 2023 SEASON This year, Payne’s dreams became a reality as selectors allocated a spot on the GB team for her to compete at the forthcoming World Championships in Budapest – a possibility that once seemed distant. The call of selection felt surreal and despite the hard work and dedication, Payne sometimes grapples with feelings of being an “imposter,” an echo of her younger self. Yet, she remains resolute in their belief that she can still throw further.

Photograph by Gary Mitchell

03

UK Championships SATURDAY 8TH JULY 2023 - SUNDAY 9TH JULY 2023 MANCHESTER REGIONAL ARENA - MANCHESTER

The unpredictable British weather couldn't dampen the spirits of athletes at the 2023 UK championships, especially those who have received support from the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund (RPMF). Current and past recipients of RPMF grants showcased their exceptional talents in a competition filled with thrilling moments and outstanding performances. We reflect on some of these performances, however, it cannot be forgotten how impressive it is to even be invited to this event and we are very proud to have support are large number of these athletes.

In a display of remarkable prowess, Bekah Walton secured her third British title in the Javelin event.

Her throw of 58.19 meters not only clinched the gold but also marked her second-best performance ever. The tantalisingly close distance to the coveted 60-meter mark speaks volumes about Walton's talent and we are very excited to see what she can produce next year, especially with the Olympics on the horizon.

Bekah Walton - British Javelin Champion

For Joel Clarke-Khan, it was a moment-toremember as he claimed the British champion title for the second consecutive year. His clearance of 2.18 meters was a season's best at the time. At the time, this was a seasons best but he has since soared to an incredible 2.27m at the London Diamond league which he dubs as the greatest day of his career so far.

Georgie Forde-Wells emerged as a first-time British champion in the women's triple jump, making headlines with her remarkable performance. What set her apart was her last-round jump, which propelled her to the gold medal and came with a jaw-dropping 60cm personal best improvement.

Forde-Wells is not just a track and field talent; she's also a part of the junior England netball team, showcasing her exceptional sporting versatility.

Joel Clarke-Khan - British High Jump Champion

Keely, a favorite in the women's 800m final, lived up to expectations with her graceful victory in a remarkable time of 1:58.26. Her previous achievements, including achieving the world championships standard and a British record, had already solidified her reputation. Her ticket to Budapest for the upcoming world championships was well and truly booked.

Molly Caudrey's performance in the pole vault event was nothing short of sensational. She not only achieved a new personal best by clearing 4.71 meters but also secured the British title and met the world championships qualifying standard.

Her remarkable achievement meant she would be representing her country at the prestigious world championships—a dream come true for any athlete.

Molly Caudrey - British Pole Vault Champion

04 World Championships SATURDAY 19TH AUGUST 2023 - SUNDAY 27TH AUGUST 2023 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Photos before edits: Mark Shearman and Gary Mitchell

An impressive 70% of the athletes proudly wearing the Team GB vest were a combination of both past and present beneficiaries of the grants provided by the RPMF. This level of support underscores the fund’s enduring commitment to fostering talent and its influence on shaping the career of British athletes, some of which reach the global stage. The team at RPMF are immensely proud and fortunate to be able to support such a talented group on athletes. Watching their journey progress from juniors to the world stage is a wonderful privilege.

To cure the World Championship blues (that we all have now), we have a looked back at a few of the top performances from athletes part of the RPMF Family.

Josh Kerr shocked the stadium to claim the 1500m title over the betters-favourite Jacob Ingebrigsten. A tremendous final 100m saw Kerr overtake to clinch the title, emulating the victory of Jake Wightman last year.

Kerr’s triumph in the middle distance events was closely followed in the coming days by a hard-fought bronze in the 800m by Ben Pattison and a silver from Keely Hodgkinson in a stacked race. Hodgkinson has emphasised in the past the significance of being recognised as a promising athlete RPMF has been to her, “I’m so grateful to RPMF for giving me a great start. The recognition I was seen as a talented athlete and had potential was important to me as it gave me the belief that I could achieve in sport”. Not to be forgotten, Jemma Reekie finished a fine 5th too. These victories are certainly hinting at a new era of British excellence in middle-distance running.

The whole quartet that won bronze in the men’s 4x400m were composed of both past and present recipients of RPMF grants.

Amongst these accomplished athletes were Rio Mitcham and Lewis Davey, both of whom were granted RPMF support this year. It gives us great satisfaction that our grant has played a part in them reaching the pinnacle of their careers… so far. It is with an air of anticipation and certainty that we state “so far,” because we are sure there will be much more to come. Mitcham and Davey were also silver medallists in mixed 4x400m alongside fellow RPMF beneficiary Laviai Neilson, who also was the first leg that rocketed the women’s team Bronze in the 4x400m. The 4x400m team also featured Amber Anning, who we supported as a junior as we saw an un-tapped potential in being an unbelievable 400m runner. In fact, her split was recorded at 49.7s… need we say more?

In a similar scenario, the women’s 4x400m quartet have all been supported by RPMF in their athletic careers. With regards to the race itself, Asha Phillip told British Athletics “we knew it was going to be tough, all teams are basically top their right now and we knew if I set us up with a good start we’d come home with another medal”. A tough race it was, but her belief was rewarded for with the bronze medal.

05 Morgan Lake soared over 1.97m in the women’s high jump final. It was a bitter-sweet fourth, but an Olympic Qualifying mark meant that her journey to Paris 2024 was well underway and very much in reach.

Another incredible performance was from Molly Caudrey who finished 5th in the Pole Vault final, just 5 months after having surgery. Still lost for words by her performance, Molly told British Athletics “A PB, Olympic qualifier, fifth in the world – my emotions are all over the place. It is just not settling in – what a night. I don’t have words for it. It is pure joy [clearing 4.75m] and all the hard work, effort – I have had two surgeries this last year – I didn’t think I would be at worlds and now I have just come fifth. It is just pure joy. I came in really wanting to make the final. If I made the final, anything else was a bonus – top eight would be great – but top five is amazing.”

Amidst the varying outcomes of their performances, it is with immense pride that we reflect being able to these exceptionally skilled athletes.

Whether it is helping them afford to go on a warm weather training camp or being able to afford of equipment like new spikes, whatever it might be, the impact of our contributions resonates profoundly.

Looking ahead, our aspiration remains steadfast: to maintain this unwavering support for these remarkable athletes and, in turn, continue to be a driving force behind their achievements.

69%

of the GB&NI team have been supported

by RPMF

ily at World C m a ha FF m M ps P R

Josh Kerr Elliot Giles Jeremiah Au Jona Efoloko Joe Brier Lewis Davey Charlie Dobson Alex Haydock-Wilson Rio Mitcham Lawrence Okoye Charlotte Payne Holly Bradshaw

Jessie Knight Amber Anning Laviai Nielsen Morgan Lake Molly Caudery Jazmin Sawyers Reece Prescod Max Burgin Ben Pattison Daniel Rowden Megan Keith Eilish McColgan Aimee Pratt

Daryll Neita Imani-Lara Lansiquot Dina Asher-Smith Bianca Williams Victoria Ohuruogu Ama Pipi Isabelle Boffey Keely Hodgkinson Jemma Reekie Melissa Courtney-Bryant Laura Muir Katie Snowden

Athlete feature

06

Ben Pattison - 2023 800m World Bronze Medallist In a stunning twist at the championships, Ben Pattison clinched an unexpected bronze in the men's 800m final, leaving spectators and competitors astounded. What adds an extra layer of astonishment to his achievement is the fact that he became the first British man to secure a medal in this event at the championships since 1987, marking a 35-year milestone.

Ben's journey to this incredible accomplishment has been aided by the support of RPMF grants, which he says have been instrumental throughout his career.

In a candid conversation, he shares how this financial backing has played a pivotal role in shaping his path to success.

RPMF has allowed me to invest in myself to achieve the best out of myself in numerous ways. It allowed me to travel to races and run standards which opened doors to a lot of new opportunities for me as well as giving me some peace of mind though the winter that someone was recognising the hard work I was putting in.

Overall, the RPMF has helped me achieve my world medal and I am very grateful for the long term support I was able to receive from a young age.

Photo before edit: Gary Mitchell

07 THURSDAY 13TH JULY - SUNDAY 16TH JULY 2023 ESPOO FINLAND

Photos before edit: Gary Mitchell, Mark Shearman, SakuraSportsMedia and James Rhodes

European U23 Championships

The long-distance events witnessed a remarkable display of dominance by Scottish runners who were recipients of RPMF grants.

Megan Keith, with unwavering confidence, conquered the 5km race, clocking an impressive time of 15:34.33. A mere 48 hours later, it was Alice Goodall's turn to shine, as she led from the front, securing a gold medal in the 10km event with a phenomenal time of 33:16.45. A true moment of Scottish domination.

Jeremiah Azu electrified the track as he clinched the 100m title for GB in spectacular fashion, not only defending his previous championship title but also setting a new championship record and a Welsh senior record with a scorching time of 10.04 seconds.

He shared his exhilaration with British Athletics stating, "This was my goal coming into this Championship, to win. Looking at the numbers before the competition, I was hoping to go sub-10, but it feels amazing to win the U23 Championship title."

The women's 4x100m relay team, comprising Amy Hunt, Cassie-Ann Pemberton, and Aleeyaa Ribbons, all RPMF grant recipients, powered their way to victory, securing the title of the fastest women’s European team.

Charlotte Payne showcased her prowess by winning silver in the Hammer event, while Ethan Hussey battled to a photo finish in the 800m, ultimately earning a well-deserved silver. The long-distance events witnessed GB's supremacy, with Will Barnicoat securing bronze in the men's 5km and Rory Leonard claiming the ultimate gold in the 10km, completing a clean sweep of victories for the British team.

Keely Hodgkinson, a well-known name in the athletics world, made her major championship 400m debut. Undeterred by the change, she delivered her fastest 400m time to win a hard-fought bronze medal behind fellow teammate Yemi-Mary John who took the title.

In a thrilling final, the men's 4x400m relay team, featuring Ed Faulds and Ethan Brown, both RPMF grant recipients, showcased remarkable teamwork and determination to claim the bronze medal, an achievement that had the entire stadium roaring in support.

As we reflect on a few of the remarkable performances of these RPMF athletes and recognise the sheer talent of all the RPMF athletes at these championships, we celebrate their dedication and resilience, which continue to inspire the future generation of British athletes. Their successes at the European U20 Championships are not just a testament to their individual brilliance but also a reflection of the support provided by organisations like RPMF in nurturing Britain's athletic potential.

European U20 Championships

08

MONDAY 7TH AUGUST - THURSDAY 10TH AUGUST 2023 JERUSALEM, ISRAEL

In the Holy City of Jerusalem, the European U20 Championships took centre stage, serving as the pinnacle event of the year for Britain's top junior athletes. Among these aspiring stars, we had the privilege of witnessing some truly remarkable performances from some of the athletes who are proudly part of the RPMF Family.

A moment of deja-vu for Mia McIntosh as returned to the very stadium where she had been crowned European U18 champion the previous year, this time hoping to conquer a higher age group.

Despite a phenomenal 13.20-second run in the heats, a strong headwind (+2.4) prevented it from being a personal best. Though she couldn't reach the final, Mia displayed grace and determination, sharing on her social media her commitment to fix what needed improvement and her excitement for the remainder of the season.

Jessica Duncton's journey through the heats and semis led her to the final, where she ran a solid time of 13.53 seconds, securing a respectable 7th-place finish and confirming her status as a rising star in her event.

In the shot put, Cleo Agyepong faced a frustrating qualifying round but managed to secure her spot in the final with a best throw of 14.15 metres. In the final, she upped her game with a throw of 14.28 meters, earning her an 8th-place finish.

British team captain and British U20 record holder Zara Obamakinwa experienced the heartache of finishing in fourth place in a dramatic women's discus event. Despite maintaining a medal position throughout the competition, she was pushed out of the top three in the final round, epitomising the unpredictable nature of sports.

Luke Ball's performance in the men's high jump was marked by both frustration and achievement. He cleared 2.12 meters, securing an eighth-place finish. While he attempted a height better than his personal best of 2.14 meters and narrowly missed out, he expressed gratitude for his efforts and determination as the team captain.

In the 400m hurdles final, Emily Newham narrowly missed out on a medal but ran an incredible time of 57.02 seconds, smashing her previous personal best by over half a second, a testament to her dedication and hard work.

Abbie Ives entered the championships as a strong contender and lived up to the expectations, claiming a silver medal in the 800m with a time of 2:05.89. Her remarkable performance foreshadowed her later achievement of running 1:59.92 in Belfast, making her only the fourth U20 British female athlete ever to break the twominute barrier.

David Race and Jake Mishull were crowned champions as part of the 4x400m relay team. While Race also competed in the 800m individual event, he faced tough competition and narrowly missed making it to the semi-finals.

Photo: Mark Shearman

Success Eduan added to the medal tally with a bronze in the women's 200m, clocking an impressive time of 23.34 seconds whilst Gabrielle Garber soared over 1.81m in the women’s High Jump to make her first ever major final. Similarly, Las Benjamin made his respective final in the Pole Vault after clearing 5.15m.

09

Thank you, Ronners!

Without our Ronners, we would be unable to support the next generation of British Athletes, many of whom you have read about today.

This year, our incredible Ronners raised over £30,000 at this year’s London Marathon.

There are many ways you can help support young British athletes. Donate online or take part as a ‘Ronner’ in the 2024 London Marathon. Email us to find out more!