Junior section officers

U11 Age Group Leader	Carolyne Johnston
( 01789 750583
carolyneajohnston@btinternet.com
U13 Age Group Leader	Sandie Evans
( 01926 843349
sandie@thetrumpethouse.co.uk
U15 Age Group Leader	Michael Lane
( 01789 269174
mjlane@fsmail.net
U17+ Age Group Leader	Paul Bearman
( 01789 268462
paul.bearman@btinternet.com
Junior Membership	Gail French
( 01789 292435
gail.french54@btinternet.com
Junior Finance	Mike Turner
( 01789 268980
Junior Welfare Officer	Michael Wright
( 01564 793737
Volunteer, Coach and Officials Co- ordinator	Helen Lane
( 01789 269174

 

Juniors

The club has a thriving Junior Section for all abilities and from every background, with a membership nearing 200, and is still expanding. The aim is to give members basic instruction in all athletic disciplines, to encourage them to attain a general level of fitness and the athletes and coaches all enjoy a multi disciplined coaching approach to athletics throughout the year in preparation for appropriate competition. In 2004 the club achieved the prestigious Sport England Clubmark accreditation

The Junior Section meet on Tuesday and Thursday at the Jubilee track at Stratford High School Track and they also use the Sports Hall in the winter. The Junior Section is affiliated to the following organisations:

Heart of England League. Division 1 for both Boys and Girls

National Young Athletics Boys/Girls League East Midlands Div 1

Warwickshire Sports Hall League

West Midlands Cross Country Young Athletes League.

In the past, success has been achieved in both League and Open events and the team have recently retained the Warwickshire Sports Hall league title. Numerous youngsters have represented South Warwickshire in the inter county competitions, Warwickshire in inter county matches and the English Schools championships and in National events.

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About the Junior Section

The Junior section of the club was formed in 1979 with 12 members and 2 volunteer helpers and today it has grown to a membership of 170 + with a team of 32 volunteers supporting it (and is still growing)

The athletes and coaches all enjoy a multi disciplined coaching approach to athletics throughout the year and in 2004 the club achieved the prestigious Sport England Clubmark accreditation.

The club provides opportunities for young people from the age of 8 to receive appropriate coaching and competition. All coaching is by UKA qualified coaches who are trained and have been screened for their suitability for working with young people (see the club's Welfare policy below).

The club prides itself on promoting a supportive, family environment where young people feel welcomed and are encouraged to enjoy athletics. The club will help athletes improve their skills to meet their potential, irrespective of their ability level and will expect them to compete for the club if selected, or as individuals in the different competitions the club is involved in.

We are keen to try and involve parents in the club and would like to invite parents/carers to come along and meet the age group coaching leader, club members, see what we do, how we do it and find out more about the club. Below is some information about training times and dates, and details regarding travel arrangements, kit and club registration.

We really value parental support and we welcome (and need) parents to get involved with the running of the club in various capacities such as coaching, officials at all competitions, as a volunteer helper, administration etc (see the Junior Membership application form for details).

Download a Junior Membership form here

If you would like to talk to someone at the club about this information or your child's involvement with the club, please contact the respective Age Group Leader.

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Junior Section Charter

Introduction

Joining the Junior section of the Stratford upon Avon Athletic Club is an important step in a young persons Athletic career, therefore, when becoming a Junior member, the youngster and parent/guardians should be aware of the Club's objectives and the obligations for the person joining.

The club works very closely with Stratford upon Avon District Council and the schools in South Warwickshire to develop athletics in the area.

Objectives

The club is committed to:

• give basic instruction in all the Athletic disciplines where equipment, environment and safety allow
• provide every member with the opportunity to participate in all forms of Athletic activity to:
• enable them to reach their potential
• ensure every member's contribution, irrespective of ability, will be valued
• encourage all members to attain a general level of fitness
• achieve success in Athletic competitions
• provide a good social environment for youngsters
• meet established standards of Athletic achievement

Welfare Statement including Child Protection Policy

As an athletic club we are committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for children and young people to practice athletics.

We will do this by:

• Recognising that all children and young people have the right to freedom from abuse
• Ensuring that all our staff and volunteers are carefully selected and accept responsibility for helping to prevent the abuse of children in their care
• Responding swiftly and appropriately to all suspicions and allegations of abuse, providing parents and children with the opportunity to voice any concern they may have
• Appointing a Child Protection Officer who will take specific responsibility for child safety and act as the main point of contact for parents, children and outside agencies
• Ensuring access to confidential information is restricted to the Child Protection Officer or appropriate external authorities
• Reviewing the effectiveness of our Child Protection Policy annually at the relevant committee meeting

Arrangements should be made for your child to travel to and from training sessions and competitions. We appreciate it if your children can arrive promptly and are collected on time. If you are going to be late picking your child up, please contact the respective Age Group Leader and let them know.

For the safety of your child it is important that the club is informed of any medical condition or allergies that may be relevant should your child fall ill or be involved in an accident whilst at the club and an emergency contact number.

Equity Policy

This club is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its development. In doing so it acknowledges and adopts the following Sport England definition of sports equity:

"Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure it becomes equally accessible to everyone in society. The club respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of their sport, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/economic status. The club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of intimidation, harassment and abuse."

All club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity. The club will deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously, according to club disciplinary procedures.

Standards for Athletes

On joining the club, members will be expected to:

• abide by the club standards and policies
• strive to achieve individual potential
• take pride in being a member of the club
• respect the coaching staff and helpers
• listen & learn from the coaching staff and helpers
• respect other club members & those from other clubs
• attend training sessions regularly & take part in club events when invited e.g. Heart of England League and Club Championships
• show due regard to the safety of others and to oneself
• show impeccable behaviour when representing the club and at training
• wear the club T Shirt/Sweatshirt/vest at club associated activities/events

Any sport can potentially be dangerous, therefore, the behaviour of our athletes is important both during training and competition. The club prides itself on running the club in an open, friendly manner, however, if an athlete shows a lack of discipline e.g. unsafe behaviour, bullying, bad language, back chat to coaches or helpers etc, we try to correct the situation within the group immediately. A repeat of any similar behaviour will mean having a discussion with the parent/guardian and a further repeat of the bad behaviour will mean the athlete will be asked to leave the club.

Code of Conduct for Parents/Carers

We welcome and actively promote parental involvement in the running of the club and as such we have adopted the following policy:

• Encourage your child to learn the rules and play within them.
• Discourage unfair play and arguing with Coaches, helpers and officials.
• Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results.
• Never force your child to take part in sport.
• Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding the good performances of all.
• Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes.
• Publicly accept Coaches, helpers and officials' judgments.
• Support your child's involvement and help them to enjoy their sport.
• Use correct and proper language at all times.