Birmingham Wheels Roller Speed Club

Well, where to begin? After our hugely successful 2008 season I honestly thought that it wouldn’t get much better. How wrong was I?

So, what did we achieve in 2009? The answer is simply – “lots”. Birmingham Wheels finished the season as the undisputed top club in the country with it’s performances at the British Championships. No less than 13 of our skaters won a grand total of 27 British Championship gold medals this year between them, not to mention the countless numbers of silvers and bronzes. Four of our skaters – Rachel Knight, Jacob Pullen, Jared Williams and Michal Roman - won their first ever national titles. A wonderful achievement in itself!

79 medals in all – that’s what we won. Just one shy of doubling what our nearest rivals achieved. On top of that we had four skaters become Overall British Champions: Joshua Robins, Jordan Robins, Hannah Wilkes and Alexandra Geen, not to mention new British Records set by Jordan and Vincent. In all the years I have been associated with this sport (which is quite a few now, before any of you say it!) I cannot honestly recall a time when one club has been so dominant across so many age groups. A sincere well done to everyone! Not just the skaters but also the parents, coaches and helpers, without whose support much of what we have achieved this year would most definitely not have been possible.

Internationally, Great Britain was represented again this year by our own Vincent Henry and Doon Yuen. When the sport was in desperate need of a National Team Manager & Coach, both Chris Stafford and Mark Simnor stepped in to rescue the situation.

Since the European Championships, Vincent has decided to spend more time in America with his wife Emily. He is still doing some skating over there and is planning occasional visits to the UK throughout next year. I know that when he makes these visits we will all welcome him back with open arms.

Other members that we have missed at training and racing this year include Chris Stafford, Simon (Baldrick) Davies and Alex Bradley. I’m sure we would all like to see them back in the mix some time soon.

This year, not only have we been satisfied with our performances and support on the track, but off it as well. Ian Williams, Bill Pegg, Elayne Robins and Vinny Aitken have all taken the plunge into officialdom (so skaters beware!), whilst Sharon, Vincent, Ian, Michelle and Del have continued to support and run the Skate-Smart sessions in local schools.

With so much to celebrate I think this is an opportune moment to congratulate our new racing members of 2009 – Ffion Lewis, Tiffany James, Liam Warren and Will Dobson – on their outstanding performances during their first season. I would also like to welcome Jordan Ryan and Dion Everill, together with their families, to the club and look forward to seeing them racing in 2010 along with Heather James and Rhian Lewis, and who knows, maybe even Charlotte! I should also like to welcome back Mark Simnor, who as well as being back in training after some time away from the sport, is also working hard behind the scenes with our website and helping the youngsters along.

I would also like to make a special mention and give a big “THANK YOU” to Joe and Connie Yuen. Yet again they have supported our club with four pairs of brand new speed skates. This year the skates went to Scott Aitken, Jared Williams, Kirsty Pullen and Heather James. All four skaters are most deserving and I know that they will benefit greatly from Joe and Connie’s generosity.

So where to next? Well…Portugal it seems. In February the club will literally descend on the Portuguese town of Lagos. I doubt they know what is coming! But by the time we leave they will certainly know who has been! No fewer than 37 of our members are making the trip with 21 of them taking part in the competition. I can’t recall any British club having 21 skaters take part in a single international event. Yet another first for our club! As well as taking part and having fun, it will prove invaluable to our winter preparations as it comes at an ideal time in readiness for the 2010 season. I for one can’t wait.

I should also tell you that the Birmingham Wheels has secured a home track advantage for the 2010 British Championships which will be held on 3rd and 4th July.

And so, as we say “goodbye” to a most successful 2009 season let us not forget that this year was a landmark in our club’s history. Earlier this year we celebrated 25 glorious skating years, and none have been so glorious as 2009. THE NUMER ONE CLUB IN GREAT BRITAIN - what a fitting way to celebrate such an important milestone!

Not only did we hold another well attended and exciting race meeting, but the hard work that went into the exhibition of club history, (not to mention the cake!!), was just another example of what makes our club so great. It was a fantastic trip down Memory Lane for me as I know it was for some of the old skaters who had also turned up to share in the celebrations. We had nothing but positive comments from so many people. Looking around on that special day and seeing the club as it is today made me feel as proud as I have ever been at any time I have spent with Birmingham Wheels. Long may it continue!!

John E. Fry

Chairman

Chairman John E Fry January 2008

 at the NIA, Birmingham 

2008 BIRMINGHAM WHEELS RSC

CHAIRMANS REPORT

2008 has been yet another successful year in the history of Birmingham Wheels Roller Speed Club. But before we reflect on that I’d like to take a moment to reflect on a person we lost this year, who helped us build the foundations of the club that we now have and enjoy today.

In August, Cliff Stafford lost his battle against a lengthy illness. Battling was something that Cliff was a master of, but for him this was one battle too many. Cliff was 86 when he passed away and had been involved in skating for 70 years, but it was in the mid-1970’s when he joined the Mercia Roller Speed Club, the forerunner to our club today. It was because of his knowledge, experience and moreover the fact that he was simply a great guy, that he was made the first ever Chairman of Birmingham Wheels RSC when it formed in 1984. Ever present at Wheels events, Cliff’s enthusiasm, charm and boyish sense of humour will be sorely missed.

Despite the doom and gloom we see and hear about the world today, whichever avenue you turn down, the Birmingham Wheels club is enjoying a period of prosperity. We have the largest number of members we have ever had which in turn is leading to the most successful period we have ever enjoyed.

In years gone by Wheels was seen pretty much as a club that relied on the success of it’s senior skaters. That cannot be said to be the case anymore. Whilst our senior men and women are still taking national titles and are members of the GB squad, we are now seeing our younger talent, both boys and girls, emerge across all age groups with our skaters rising up through the category system and the younger club members winning four British titles and breaking two British records. I see a vast improvement in each and every skater from the time they first took to the track to where they are now.

I would like to think that the International event that we attended in Belgium could be repeated again in 2009. The experience was a real eye-opener to many of our skaters and parents but after a nervous start I thought all our skaters gave a good account of themselves and came back with a very positive attitude, which will mean they will be better prepared for this type of event next year.

The club not only enjoys the material successes of medals and trophies, but it also has the success of "togetherness". As a club, have no doubt that we are the envy of all others. I can remember a time when the track was simply a bit of tarmac in the middle of a mud bath. Over the years it has developed, but never have I been so proud of how it looks today. With all of the hard work, time and sheer effort put in by everybody we have what is unquestionably the best skating facility in the British Isles. That is something that we can all be proud of and my thanks go to each and everyone of you who has worked unselfishly hard to make it so.

And so, where next? Well, next year marks the 25 th Anniversary of the club’s formation. This is something we may want to consider when we put on our events in 2009. I am adamant that with the skaters we have and the parental and coaching support we enjoy, the club can only go from strength to strength. I look forward to working with each and everyone of you to make 2009 our best year yet!

John 

Report presented at the BWRSC AGM on November 23rd 2008