General knowledge for all Juniors athletes and their parents

Waiting Lists are in place for years 4/5 and for years 5/6. To add your child to one of the waiting lists and for all enquiries relating to them please use the following email addresses:

• Year 4-5: waitinglist@wadac.org.uk
• Year 6-7: waitinglist@wadac.org.uk

Please also note:

• Year 8 upwards
  Please email juniors@wadac.org.uk and get confirmation that you are expected before attending. PLEASE DO NOT TURN UP WITHOUT CONTACTING THE ABOVE EMAIL FIRST.
• COACHES AND HELPERS required! Experience not essential, energy and enthusiasm preferred!! Please contact comcoach@wadac.org.uk

Development of our young athletes is very important to WADAC. We now have seen over 300 junior athletes regularly turning up for training each week. Our aim is to provide as many opportunities for Juniors to try out new skills and events and help them find their speciality event(s) with a view to competing for WADAC from Junior through to Senior level.

Thursday sessions

All juniors must sign in on the registration sheets inside the pavilion. We offer 3 free trial sessions before committing to join WADAC. If you or your child want to start a 3-week trial please contact the emails above to see whether places are available. Please don't just turn up as there is a waiting list for some age groups. If coming for the first time please sign the “3 weeks trial” sheet.

After a general warm-up and some announcements eg.details of up and coming matches and recognition of recent performances, the Juniors are split into various age groups and disciplines depending on coaches available that evening. Y4 and 5 have dedicated squads (see below) and Y6 and above are offered the choice of sprints, throws, hurdles, jumps and endurance.

School Years 4 and 5 - QuadSquad

QuadSquad is made up of year 4 and 5 children who train together and wish to compete for the club in Quadkids competition (which form part of the Wessex league matches over summer). QuadSquad practice the events for Quadkids competition ie long jump, sprint, distance run and vortex throw. Everyone who commits to training on Thursday evenings is expected to be available for selection for the Quad Kids matches.

Safety

All Juniors should be aware that the track can be a busy arena and must take care when crossing. When recovering or warming down please keep clear of the inside 2 lanes. Do not cross the long jump run up area whilst training is taking place. Cross the infield only if told to do so and take great care not to cross the throws area when training is taking place.

Tuesday sessions

As the juniors begin to specialise (Y6 and above) they have to opportunity to attend training on Tuesday evenings 6:30-8pm. These sessions are for Juniors keen to compete for the club in various competitions such as National Young Athlete league and Wessex League in the summer and Hampshire Cross country in the winter. Tuesday sessions are by coach invitation only.

Coaching

ALL of our coaches are volunteers, some are former athletes themselves whereas others are parents who have come into the sport with their children. Lending a hand on training nights or assisting with officiating at matches helps enormously. If you are interested in taking up coaching more regularly, WADAC will fund coaching courses (from a leadership course with no exam to more specialist coaching courses). Please contact comcoach@wadac.org.uk for more details. All coaches and helpers are CRB checked, this is done through the club’s Child Protection Officer - see Contacts for Child Protection Officer contact details.

To help develop the junior section of WADAC further we would be delighted to hear from any parent, relative or family friend who is keen to get more involved with the club. Those who have taken that step find it is incredibly rewarding. We would be delighted to hear from anyone who is interested in coaching, officiating at matches, lending a hand on training nights or even baking a cake for the host matches! Please contact comcoach@wadac.org.uk if you would like to become involved. 

Communication

Most communication is done via email so please check your inbox regarding competitions, newsletters and items such as when our club sponsors, Alton Sports are coming down with their van of kit.

There are various announcements each week at the start of training regarding up and coming matches. Details for the Young Athlete League and Wessex league are available on the 'calandar' section of this website. Sign in sheets for matches can be found on tables in the pavilion. Please click here for details of selection policy for competition.

There are also various open meetings throughout the track and field season. It is up to you to enter the open meetings individually, forms are available either via a link on the website or at training.

NB If you are currently a club member and not receiving regular updates/team information by email please contact juniors@wadac.org.uk

Should you require more information or have a query on any aspect of junior training please contact Junior Co-ordinator Michaela McCallum at juniors@wadac.org.uk.

Please feel free to send any information or comments to webmaster@wadac.org.uk.

Photos

Juniors, parents and guardians: if you are unhappy about any photos published on this site please contact the Webmaster with details.