Tue Apr 09 2024

Meet the Ebbisham Team Manager!

Following a roaring success in Sundays fixture (more to follow in the match report). We are delighted to introduce Benji James, our Ebbisham Team Manager.

About Me:
I've always really enjoyed watching athletics, both live and on TV. I became part of the club through my son Sam, who started off in Kestrels when he was 7 years old, and began competing for Kingston & Poly in the Ebbisham League as an U11. When the former Ebbisham team manager stepped down before the 2021 season, I volunteered to take over the role.

The Ebbisham League is for boys in the U11, U13, U15, and U17 age groups. It is often the first exposure that our male athletes have to proper track and field competition, being the only boys league in the area that caters to U11s. This league is also ideal for older boys, due to the strong competition from other clubs in South London and Surrey. The Ebbisham League is comprised of two Divisions, with six clubs in Division 1, and four clubs in Division 2. There are three fixtures in this league each season.

What is it about your team that makes it so great?
Kingston & Poly are lucky to have such a group of talented, enthusiastic, and supportive athletes. The Ebbisham League team is a pleasure to manage, and we have always had a great turnout at each competition and many incredible performances from our athletes.

What is the goal for the 2024 season?
The club finished at the top of Division 2 in 2022, winning us promotion to Division 1. Unfortunately, we ended the 2023 season in 5th place and were relegated to Division 2 again. The goal now is to come back strong in the 2024 season by filling as many spots on the team as possible and making it back up to Division 1 for next year.

How do you communicate with the athletes?
Kingston & Poly now uses a joint 'Availability Form' for the various leagues that we compete in. Before each Ebbisham League fixture I will email parents of each of the registered athletes with details of the competition, asking them to let me know their preferred events. If anyone wishes to contact me, feel free to email me at benjijames24@hotmail.com with any questions you may have.

What is your favourite Nando's sauce?
I do enjoy a Nando's, but I'm quite partial to the spicy Korean chicken wings from Wing Stop, with blue cheese dip.