About Invicta East Kent AC
INVICTA EAST KENT AC was formed in 1984 by the amalgamation of two clubs, East Kent AC and Invicta AC - in turn, Invicta AC had been formed in 1969 by the amalgamation of Canterbury AC and Thanet AC.
For full history please go to the History page.
Since September 2001 we have been based at the track on The Canterbury High School Campus where the facility is managed by Body & Mind and comprises a sports hall, a fully equipped gymnasium, a sports bar and an all-weather, floodlit running track with associated field areas.
We cater for athletes of all ages (from 7 upward) and of all abilities, from novice up to international elite. All members have access to coaching/training by a range of UKA accredited and CRB-checked coaches who have a wide range of experience.
We use both indoor and outdoor facilities - the indoor sports hall from October to March, the track is used all year round. We have our own dedicated club room, where parents can get refreshments and watch while their children train.
Membership enables you to compete in athletic events on the track, in road races and at cross country. We are affiliated to all national and regional bodies who govern our sport. We subscribe to the UK Athletics policy on child protection and have a nominated child protection officer within the club.
Training sessions/activity groups
We have 'introductory/induction' groups and sessions for those who (a) have no real preference or (b) are completely new to the sport. However, we do have event-specific groups and training sessions with event-specific coaches for those interested in, or already doing, specific events.
Whichever group attended, the primary club nights are Tuesdays & Thursdays, somewhere between 6-8 pm (5.30-6.15 for under 11s) when we aim to ensure that members develop at the correct pace and level relative to their age, ability and fitness. There are also sessions on Mondays & Wednesdays for more technical events like jumping, hurdling and throwing.
All club sessions are £3.00 for non-members and visitors and £2.00 for members.
Standard and commitment
At school level, we have dozens of beginners, many middle order youngsters (years 6 to 13) about 20 county level athletes, plus an England runner or two. We have Senior Men’s teams for track, road and cross-country, as well as veteran teams for “evergreen” men and women ……
There is no obligation to attend EVERY training session, nor indeed, to turn out for ANY club fixture - even our England runners occasionally miss either training or matches because of parents evenings, GCSE choices evenings etc - clearly, you only get out of it what you actually put in.
Commitment is something that develops naturally.
Trial sessions/activities
Whichever activity you attend (induction, sprinting, middle-distance, cross-country, jumping, or throwing) we have a system of 4 'taster' sessions for the visitor activity fee of £3.00 per session - after that, you will know if this is for you, and you then take out full membership.
During those 4 sessions, the new and the unsure will be taken through a range of activities in the induction group, while those with a specific identified preference will be encouraged to develop the activity they’re already keen on, or good at, and to branch out later if/when necessary.
Although there’s a hammer/discus cage at the CHS track, it is suitable only for the training of newcomers and, for hammer and discus, is safe only for those not yet able to clear 40 metres.
Starting up
You may turn up at the Clubhouse “on spec” and declare your interest/preference there and then, or, you can contact us by phone: either way, you’ll be introduced to the group which best caters for your needs/interests…… and away you go!
Do come and give it a go – we don’t bite!
Contact phone numbers
Secretary Tony Piersall 01227-831679
Chairman James Roberts 01304-211667
For membership details please click here to go to the membership page.
