Sad news

It is with deep regret that the club learned of the death of Kate Longhurst on Monday. Kate became involved with the club in what was then Southampton City AC when her son Paul joined the club after doing well at schools athletics.  Paul tried a variety of events but found his niche with the pole vault where he excelled into a county athlete who enjoyed a keen rivalry with local rival Ashley Swain of Team Solent. Kate and husband Rod were very supportive of Paul as every young vaulter needs parents to help with transporting the pole around to competitions.  However, more than that Kate was very keen to support the club and became the Club Treasurer, Team Manager and performed a variety of roles, giving up huge amounts of her time all with great enthusiasm and great support for the athletes.  Rod became a field official and they became permenent members of the young athlete support team, always to be seen at individuual and team events around the county and beyond. Kate's huge contribution to the club was recognised through her life membership and without her help and support many young athletes simply would not have got to the start line, runway, circle or cage. Kate worked at Greggs school for over 30 years always keen to encourage the childrens well-being and encouraged many youngsters to join the club.  When Paul retired from competing he became a succesful pole vault coach and with Kate's help began his own pole vaulting group initially made up of children from Greggs school including Peter Humby and brother Rich who won the British U17 pole vault championships and is now a very succesful coach in his own right. Kate continued to support the clubs athletes often to be found at competitions next to her beloved vaulting bed and in recent years became a stalwart of both county schools and county athletics becoming President of Hampshire Athletics in 2015/2016 and acting as Team Manager right up to her sudden death. All our thoughts at the club are with Kate's Husband Rod and the rest of the family.  Kate's funeral will take place at the Wessex Vale Crematorium in Bubb Lane, Hedge End, SO30 2HL on Monday 8 August at 1pm. Rod has confirmed that all are welcome.