Enfield Harriers best in SA

10 Jul 09 @ 08:00am by Chloe Kennedy

OLYMPIC walker Claire Tallent and veteran shot-putter Wayne Willis have helped Enfield Harriers Athletics Club across the line as 2008/09 Club of the Year.

Tallent, an Enfield member since she was three and now based in Canberra, was awarded Athlete of Year at the annual Athletics South Australia presentation last month. Willis, 35, who is ranked 11th nationally, was named Veteran Track & Field Male Athlete of the Year.

“Initially I was more shocked than anything - now it is quite an honour,” Willis said.

Club director Darren Billet said having elite performers such as Tallent in the team set a standard for the juniors.

“Having Olympic athletes at the club inspires some of the younger, up-and-coming athletes, who look up to these athletes,” he said.

“They see them as hero figures which inspires them to achieve their best performance.”

The club win recognised Enfield’s strong overall results at the State Athletics Championships in March, Billet said

“It’s a fantastic achievement and recognition for the club. To achieve this the club has to have the infrastructure, equipment and facilities to allow the athletes to be the best prepared to compete at their peak.”

Three other Enfield athletes, Lauren Foote, Paige Hooper and Ryan Grieger, were also recognised at the awards, along with club volunteers Graham Billett and John Pearce.

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