ABOUT GRANITE STATE FLASH
Why should my child join the Granite State Flash?
The Granite State Flash offers a healthy balance between advanced youth training and competition while recognizing that a child's development must be gradual over time so that he or she does not become injured or "peak" too early and lose his/her desire to run when in high school and beyond. We are conservative in our training approach, limit our practices to 2-3 times per week and encourage our runners to have interests and activities outside of running, even during their USATF season.
Our balanced approach to youth running works. In November 2003, eight former Flash runners finished in the top 20 of their respective high school cross country class championships and five later finished in the top 25 at the prestigious N.H. Meet of Champions. In December 2003, five Flash runners were selected by the New Hampshire Interscholastic Coaches Association to the State Cross Country All Star Team. In Fall 2004 thirty four (34) present and former Flash runners competed for their respective high school cross country teams in the N.H. High School Cross Country Class Championships. Eight of those runners were later named by the New Hampshire Interscholastic Coaches Association to the State Cross Country All Star Team. In 2005 ten former Flash runners were named to the State All Star team including the N.H. High School Runner of the year,
John Schroeder.
Last but not least, our runners make enduring friendships with runners from other area towns and cities that last long after they have finished running for the Flash. While we are proud of the athletic accomplishments of our team members, our greatest reward is when we see our (present and former) Flash runners supporting their Flash teammates despite competing for different schools.
"Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself."
Who founded the Flash?
The Granite State Flash was founded by a small group of parents and school coaches who desired more post-school season opportunities within the USATF program for local youth distance runners. In our first year in 2001 we had just three coaches (Mike Sarro, Cathy Merra and Don McCarty) and 20 runners. Our Youth Girls team, which had only five runners from Manchester and Bedford, advanced to the national championships in Lincoln, Nebraska finishing eighth in the country. In 2002, we had 45 runners participate in the program and our Youth Boys team finished eighth in the United States, the top finish of any team in the eastern U.S. In 2003 we had grown to more than 70 runners from 16 different towns and cities. We had six teams compete at the New England Championships with three teams qualifying for the Regional Championships in New York City (Van Cortland Park) and the Boys and Girls Youth teams advancing in December 2003 to the National Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We also had our first Bantam boy qualify for the National Championships, finishing 33rd in the United States.
In 2004 it became obvious it was necessary to make some changes
to accommodate our growth. Several of our coaches obtained their
Level I USATF Track & Field coaching certifications by attending
three-day schools in Rhode Island and New Jersey. We
formally incorporated as a non-profit corporation with the
New Hampshire Secretary of State's Office and also became a member
of the Road Runners Club of America which formally grants us a number
of benefits including federal tax exempt 501 (C)(3) status as well
as certain additional forms of liability insurance. In 2004 all six Flash
teams qualified and competed at the Nationals held just outside
of Chicago, Illinois. Three of those teams finished in the top 10 in
the U.S. Most recently in 2005, seven Flash teams qualified for
the National Championships held in Providence Rhode Island, with six
of those teams earning top 10 finishes including two teams
winning National Championship Titles and another capturing a bronze.
Nine runners in 2005 earned All-American honors (top 25 individually
in U.S.).
How do you raise funds to support the Granite State Flash?
This is our greatest challenge. Our annual dues (approx. $50) cover only a portion of our total annual operating expenses. All of our coaches are volunteers who pay their own expenses. This includes such things as hotel, air travel as well as most off-season training seminars and expenses related to their coaching certifications. Our biggest expense involves our insurance coverage, membership in RRCA, annual filing fees, printing costs, website development and equipment costs to name a few. We are most grateful for generous donations to the Flash from such organizations as the Manchester law firms of Wiggin & Nourie and Nixon, Raiche, Manning, Casinghino & Leach, the Nashua law firm of Merra, Kanakis, Creme & Mellor, the Gate City Striders, and Sunny Delight, as well as many Flash families and other individual supporters. Some of our coaches donate their annual school coaching salaries to support the Flash.
What if my child has to miss a practice, is that allowed?
Since the season is so short and we practice only 2-3 days per week we hope that your child can make every practice. Nevertheless, we understand doctors appointments, school conflicts and other emergencies do arise. These need to be discussed directly with the coach.
Are all of your workouts held in Manchester?
All of our Midget and Youth-level workouts are held in Manchester.
