Under-11s

Newcomers under the age of 11 divide broadly into  two categories and the minimum age is 7 on the day -  

1)     those who already have an inclination to long running - eg. cross-country -and who  prefer to explore that first  

2)     those who either do not like cross-country running or who  are not yet sure which activity they might enjoy

  
If your child falls into the first category, he/she may join a group which trains predominantly on grass under the supervision of a Level 2 Middle-distance Coach, assisted  by Level 1 coaches  (both male and female) who are dedicated specifically to middle-distance running for children aged 7 and over

The very young do a scaled down version of the distance running done by  the older ones some of who race at county and national level;

  

If your child is in the 2nd category, he/she will join the general group for the new or undecided : in this group, children have a go at all sorts of exercises and, in winter, will train and compete predominantly indoors - effectively, they take part in a  general "run-jump-throw" setup  until age 11, after which most will do more event-specific activity, though some remain as all-rounders and end up doing multi-events like Pentahlon and Heptathlon.


  

General "run-jump-throw" sessions for  u-11s

These sessions are all on TuesdaysThursdays generally 1 hour from 5.30 to 6.30pm  at the Canterbury High School track :

  

Cross-country and distance running group

This group also trains on Tuesdays Thursdays  (6pm  to 7.15pm) and always outdoors. mostly  on grass or in the woods in order to protect growing bones and joints from high impact on hard surfaces like the concrete-based all-weather track. - in summer they train in Blean Woods and in winter on the grass field at Kent College.        

  

Whichever group your child joins, in principle, the club favours group coaching for the very young : we're uncomfortable with the intensity of one-on-one coaching for the very young (ie. under the age of 15)   and we don't encourage one-on-one training until mid-to-late teens when the youngster is in a better position to make an independent, informed choice to 'do what it takes'. Until then, the emphasis is fun among a group of  youngsters of their own age, interest and ability.
  

The club has a system whereby you  come for 4 sessions and "taste the set-up" - after that, you will know if this is for you, and we leave it to you to pursue full membership.     

The fee includes access to changing rooms and showers.

  

Trying us out   -   how to join

No need to book ahead for a taster session - just turn up and and state your child's preference to Gilien, the lady who operates our computerised register in the clubroom overlooking the finish line.

Until membership is applied for, the training fee is  £3 per session which has the effect of temporary memberhsip for that day

Once your child is ready to join, you can either print an application form which you'll find on this site - go to the MEMBERSHIP tab, Far Right, under the header photos - or ask for one in the clubroom

  

Your child will normally need to bring

-   a spare T-shirt and socks (for the journey home on rainy days)  

-   a bottle of water,

-   trainers + sweat shirt + jogging bottoms,

-   a light coloured top, for easy visibility - WHITE is best.    

Don't go spending on special trainers or spikes until your child really likes the sport and we've spoken - this avoids unnecessarily expensive designer labels.

  

Summer Competitions

We have formed a partnership with Kent College Nursery Infant & Junior School to stage monthly competitions for Primary School children each summer

  • in April and early May, three meetings are staged on weekdayshave a go at as many things as you like  
  • from April to September special meetings are staged at the all-weather track at The Canterbury Campus, onc a month on a   Sunday morning   - again children have a go at as many things as they like
  
All these meetings encourage children to run, jump and throw - for dates and times click the header tab "Open Meetings" and click the year in question

  

Winter Competitions

  • The general group take part in indoor team events called Sportshall Competitions and selection is normally done by coaches of the General Group