A brand new venture was launched at the athletics track at Tavistock College with the first session of a newly formed steeplechase group.

Tavistock Athletic Club does have in its ranks a rising star in this specialist discipline with other club athletes keen to give it a go. U17s athlete Sam Lane De Courtin has qualified for the English Schools Championships which take place this coming weekend in Birmingham. The winner of the South West Schools event Sam is currently ranked fourth in the country in his age group after achieving another personal best at the Exeter meeting.

Last Friday he was among eight junior and senior athletes who took part in the inaugural session of the club's new training group.

Coach Carrie Lawson and guest 'expert', Charlotte Fisher from Taunton, took the athletes through a series of exercises and drills. Most in attendance were completely new to the event and the steeplechase equipment itself was being used for the very first time. But everyone came away enthused by the experience and the club now plan to hold a monthly session until the end of the track and field season.