LONG-SERVING Liverpool Harriers official Mike Dooling has been appointed chairman of the English Schools Athletics Association.

The prestigious position is reward for nearly four decades of dedication to developing the sport across Merseyside.

Dooling, who grew up in Walton, will retire from his teaching post at Prescot’s St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School next month in order for him to fulfil the role.

He said: “I’m very proud and it’s great to be recognised in this way.

“It was way back in 1980 that I organised the English Schools Championships at the old Kirkby track and now I’m chairman. There are all sorts of aspects to the role including attending championships, countless planning meetings and giving speeches.

“I’ve been on the English Schools national executive for about 30 years, heavily involved in cross country, track and field and team management, so I know what’s involved.

“I’m off to Qatar a week Sunday with an English Schools team for swimming, athletics and gymnastics events over there.

“This isn’t a post you can do if you are working full-time so I’ll be standing down from teaching at Christmas after 38 years.”

MERSEYSIDE enjoyed plenty of success in the Inter-Counties Schools Cross Country Championships in Stoke.

They were up against seven other counties and made light work of the testing conditions.

Zoe Tynan led the way in the Year 7 girls race as she clinched victory in 9:38 to help her side land the team prize.

Matt Shirling triumphed in the junior boys race in 15:32 and also led the county to team glory.

Harriers’ Jonny Mellor won the Leeds Abbey Dash 10k in a PB of 29:14.