On Friday 4 December 2015, Nelson Mandela Bay will host the enthralling final of the Friday Night Lights Athletics (FNL) Series. The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University stadium will host world class athletes from around the country who will come out and test their stamina, speed and strength against one another.
The Friday Night Lights Athletics Series comprises of 5 track and field competitions held in Nelson Mandela Bay over the period of September to December. Points are accumulated during the series over the five legs of FNL to determine the top three places and medal winners for each event and age group. The points for the series will double in the final; 1st – 12 points; 2nd – 8 points; 3rd – 4 points and 2 points for the rest of the places. The top 3 athletes after the final event will be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals respectively!
Ms Jessi Heatley, Director and Head Biokineticist of TJ Athlete Management, shares “We realised the need for additional platforms for athletes to challenge themselves and harness their skills and had to think of an innovative way to implement this and that is when my partner and I decided on FNL”
Ms Heatley’s partner of TJ Athlete Management who is also a Director and Head Coach, Mr Thobela Thoba confirmed, “The event is owned by TJ Athlete Management and is modelled against the IAAF Diamond League Series. The initiative was taken to create excitement around track and field athletics by creating a series of 3-hour meetings. Friday nights were chosen to encourage family participation as a whole.”
The events have proved to be popular and a great success thus far attracting athletes from East London, Humansdorp, Jeffrey’s Bay, Jansenville, Cradock, Graaff Reinette, Queenstown, Middleburg, Aliwal North and Umthatha. The final leg on the 4 December will host athletes from the Western Cape and KZN.
Mr Thoba further confirms as a coach, “I am extremely proud as for the first time in many years; athletes are actually engaged in training from August in preparation for the series. This is beneficial to the youth as it gives them something to look forward to and prepare for. We also include U/8 – U/13 Exhibition Races as part of the series giving those young athletes exposure to senior athletics in the Province.”
Ms Heatley excitedly confirmed, “We are truly thrilled to see the series grow from strength to strength as well as the opportunities it has provided for athletes to improve their talents.”
There will be roughly 500 athletes participating in the event on Friday. Athletes to keep an eye on include Cayla Seddon who is currently the SA Schools 100m Hurdles and 200m U/19 as well as ASA Junior 100m Hurdles champion. Levert Pieterse who represented South Africa at the World Youth Athletics Championships; Luxolo Adams who is the 200m and 400m ASA Junior Champion and finally Ischke Senekal, silver medallist at the African Senior Championships are also set to entertain and inspire.
For the 2015 Friday Night Lights Athletics Series the event was managed by TJ Athlete Management with the support and sponsorship of Eastern Province Athletics, Jumbo Clothing, NMMB Legacy Project as well as Madibaz Sport culminating in a great success.
TJ Athlete Management confirmed we look forward to continuing this initiative in 2016 and welcoming new sponsors, athletes and stakeholders to the FNL family.
Alan Straton
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