NI Athletes Succeed in Trinbago
15 August 2023
NI athletes, Jamie Moffatt (Coach: Roger Sexton, Club: North Down AC), Lucy Foster (Davy Foster, Willowfield Harriers), Frank Buchanan (Francis Shaw, St Michaels College AC), Toby Thomspon (Roger Sexton, Ballymena and Antrim AC) and Anna Gardiner (Peter Morgan, East Down AC) represented Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad & Tobago (Trinbago) from 4th- 11th August 2023.
After spending a few days in the warm climate of Trinidad, Jamie was the first NI athlete to compete in the games on Monday 7th August in the Men’s 100m heats. In his first international competition, Jamie ran a PB of 10.85 (wind +0.1) to finish 3rd, qualifying for the semi-finals later that day. Jamie went on to run 10.99 (wind -0.4) in the semi-finals, missing out on reaching the final but finishing 13th overall.
Later that day, Lucy Foster and Frank Buchanan were in the 1500m heats. Lucy ran 4:40.71, placing 5th qualifying for the Women’s 1500m final the next day while, Frank finished his heat in 4:11.79 in 3rd to qualify for his final.
On Tuesday 8th August, Lucy was the first of the 1500m athletes in the final where she ran a strong 4:35.45 and came 9th in a CYG record race. In the Men’s 1500m, Frank ran 4:06.41 in a very fast race with the winner breaking the CYG record, to finish in 10th place overall.
The third day of competition, Wednesday 9th August, saw Ballymena & Antrim AC’s Toby Thompson competing in the Men’s 200m heats with an excellent performance running 21.44 (PB) with a wind reading of -0.2 and placing 1st in his heat which set him up nicely for the semi-finals later that evening. His new PB time, was some 0.01 seconds short of the NI U18 record, set by Aaron Sexton. Within 2 hours of getting a PB, Toby ran his second fastest 200m in 21.65 (wind +0.7) in 3rd place narrowly missing out on reaching the final by 0.02 seconds.
Thursday 10th August was the last day of Athletics at the Commonwealth Youth Games with East Down AC’s Anna Gardiner being the last athlete to compete in the Women’s 3000m final. Anna ran 9.56.02 placing 5th, performing above her ranking against a competitive field of athletes in humid conditions.
The Games, hosted every four years, are a multi-sport games for athletes aged 14-18, and provide a unique development opportunity to experience international competition.
Athletics NI Academies Manager, Amy Foster stated: “All five athletes stepped up to the challenge of competing with some of the best youth athletes in the world. Toby Thompson ran his two fastest races of his life and narrowly missed out on a final place with Jamie Moffatt, in his first international championships also running a lifetime best. Lucy, Anna and Frank ran strong races in what were tough conditions for endurance running. All five athletes outperformed their ranking and gained valuable championship experience. Recognition must be given to the personal coaches for their commitment to the preparation of the athletes.”
“I must thank Commonwealth Games NI for their support in the lead up and throughout the Games and to Mary Peters trust for their support of these young athletes.”
Congratulations once again to our NI athletes competing at the CYG. This is an amazing achievement and experience to represent NI at these games.