Building upon the existing youth programme at her club ranks is high on the agenda of newly installed Mid Atlantic Athletic Club (MAAC) president Rose-Anna Hoey.The reigning Bermuda Day Half Marathon women’s champion ran unopposed for the leadership role at the Association’s AGM last weekend after predecessor John Thompson stepped down from the top post.Hoey, 31, will serve in the role for the next three years during which she has vowed to take her club’s youth programme to the next level.“We are hoping, in conjunction with Rosemary Jones, and legendary local runners and coaches Victoria Fiddick and Steve Jones, to develop our youth Programme over the coming years,” Hoey said. “We have a number of young athletes in our club who could certainly become future Carifta athletes and even Olympians.“Additionally I, along with the rest of the MAAC committee, wish to ensure a high standard of MAAC road races and training sessions for all of our athletes. We have a vision of developing athletics from age eight to 80 and beyond in Bermuda.”Laura Wright (vice president), Sam Naude (secretary) and former president Thompson (treasurer) make up the remainder of MAAC’s executive.“We also have other great members who selflessly give up their time to help with club management and development,” added Hoey. “MAAC is a great club and since I arrived in Bermuda I have found MAAC to be a wonderful supportive group that has helped me to develop so much as an athlete.”Earlier this week MAAC extended their sponsorship of 2016 Olympic hopeful and national 800 metre record holder Aaron Evans.Last year saw the club sponsor the elite middle distance runner to the tune of $2,000 which has been increased to $3,000 for the upcoming 2013-14 season.Hoey, who is also a past National Cross Country and Bacardi 8K women’s champ, said serving on the club’s executive was something she had pondered for awhile.“I think that any voluntary work is good work and life experience for anyone,” she said. “I feel that such organisations are always needing new volunteers.“I knew that John Thompson was stepping down this year and some friends thought I should be nominated for this role — and I was elected at this year’s AGM last Saturday.”This season will see Hoey limited to making cameo appearances on the local road running scene. And for good reason.“I am delighted to say that I am four months pregnant and myself and my husband David are expecting our first baby in early March,” she revealed. “I will continue to run for as long as it is safe for me to do so.”The top female distance runner, who participated in this year’s ill-fated Boston Marathon, hasn’t ruled out defending her Bermuda Day Half-Marathon crown next year just weeks after giving birth.“All being well, I would love to be able to enter May 24th again and make my way from Somerset to town in whatever time I can manage,” she said. “As the old saying goes- if you’re not in, you can’t win!”Hoey claimed a maiden Bermuda Day Half-Marathon women’s title earlier this year after upstaging defending champion and training partner Ashley Estwanik.