TRACK + FIELD
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
From high jump to hammer, sprints to pole vault, the full range of track and field events are on offer at CoNAC. Our thriving track and field section welcomes athletes of all abilities and offers something for everyone looking to compete in the sport.
Key Info
Track & Field Competition
Rose Fairhurst
Track & Field Training
Richard Polley (locum)
DOWNLOADS
Join the Facebook group for the latest news and info
(Members only)
TRAINING SESSIONS
Where do you train?
Many of our training sessions take place at the UEA Sportspark, where we have exclusive use of the track a number of times each week. Track fees are paid directly to Sportspark, and the club does not receive any of these funds. You can find out more about Sportspark here.
In addition, various groups will train indoors during the winter months, and our middle distance/endurance groups also train at other locations throughout the year.
Our youngest athletes (School Years 5 & 6) take part in our foundation programme, Athletics 365. This is a multi-event training programme that introduces them to the fundamental skills of athletics.
When do you train?
Event | Tues | Wed | Thurs | Sat |
Combined Events | ||||
Discus | ||||
Hammer | ||||
High Jump | ||||
Hurdles | ||||
Javelin | ||||
Long Jump/ Triple Jump | ||||
Middle Distance/ Endurance | ||||
Pole Vault | ||||
Shot Put | ||||
Sprints |
How do I join an event group?
Athletes completing the foundation Athletics 365 programme toward the end of each summer will be matched with appropriate groups, subject to space being available.
Athletes of Schools Year 7 and older will need to join the event group waiting list for their chosen event. The club is operating at near full capacity in all groups due to the very high demand.
Existing members can move to different groups or events by discussion with our Pathways Manager. This will again be based on availability of spaces in the chosen group.
Further details on how to join the club can be found on our membership page.
Who runs the sessions?
Our training is delivered by a dedicated team of experienced, qualified coaches, all of whom are unpaid volunteers. All of our coaches are DBS checked and hold qualifications with our governing body England Athletics, which also includes safeguarding training.
Our coaches plan, coordinate and deliver all training activity and aim to help to develop every athlete to reach their personal goals.
BECOME A COACH
We are always looking to add to our coaching resource to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for training spaces. If you’d like to find out more about becoming a coach, please get in touch. The club covers all coaching course costs and provides support and development along the way.
COMPETING
Whether you’re just starting out or you’re an experienced athlete, taking part in competition is a great way to measure your progress, helping you set your own goals for improvement, and having a lot of fun along the way.
CoNAC belongs to three track and field leagues (EAL, SAL and EYAL – see below for more information), and the Norfolk Sportshall League. We also actively support other local competitions such as the annual Track & Field County Championships, and Quadkids/Funetics for younger athletes, and some of our athletes travel further afield to compete in regional, national or even international competition.
Talk with your coach to plan your competitions for the year. They will help to ensure you don’t over train or over compete, and do the best for your long-term development.
Activities for all ages take place in accordance with UKA’s approved Code of Practice for track and field event.
TYPES OF COMPETITION
LEAGUE MEETINGS
These are team events, with team managers for each age group selecting the squad. There are plenty of opportunities available – you may also compete as a ‘non-scoring’ athlete to gain experience and improve performance.
CoNAC belongs to three track and field leagues, offering structured competition opportunities for all age groups, ranging from local friendly leagues to highly competitive leagues with some of the very best athletes in the country.
To enter any of the league competitions, you need to speak to the relevant team manager, which you will find below.
East Anglian League (EAL)
The East Anglian League (EAL) is friendly, reasonably local and slightly less competitive than some of the other leagues. It provides a good opportunity for athletes who are less experienced, or are trying new events or are returning from injury.
Teams compete both within their age group. The age groups are:
- Boys/Men: U12, U14, U16, U18, senior
- Girls/Women: U12, U14, U16, U18, senior.
Eastern Young Athletes League (EYAL)
The EYAL is a competitive league which provides an opportunity to compete against some of the best young athletes in the eastern region.
The age groups are:
- Boys: U14, U16, U18
- Girls: U14, U16, U18
The EYAL is a highly competitive league and so there will be more emphasis on performance for team selection.
Southern Athletics League (SAL)
The SAL is highly competitive and involves clubs from all over the South of England.
This league is for U20, U23, Senior and Masters athletes. U18s are permitted to compete but must use implements/distances for the senior age group. We will only include U18s in the CoNAC team on their coach’s recommendation, and with the agreement of the athlete and their parent or guardian.
COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Athletics Norfolk holds its Track and Field County Championships in May each year, with an indoor County Champs in January. You wear your club colours but compete as an individual, vying for the title of County Champion in your chosen events, but also to gain experience, try for a Personal Best or a qualifying time or distance for further competition.
QUADKIDS/FUNETICS
Look out for information about a new format this year as Quadkids will be Funetics. These competitions are designed for junior athletes and are a really accessible way to start competing or to build on your experience. There are usually five events across Norfolk each year.
SPORTSHALL
Sportshall Athletics is an indoor form of track and field for juniors aged 8 to 14, with traditional events adapted for an indoor environment. It’s a nationally-recognised programme and there are local competitions, county leagues and even regional and national finals. Our Athletics 365 programme incorporates Sportshall training in the winter months.
As a club (and county) we have a great record in Sportshall! We compete in the Norfolk Sportshall League, which is a team-based competition. CoNAC always enters a number of teams so everyone who wants to has the opportunity to take part. The Norfolk Sportshall County Championship are individual entry.
CoNAC is a member of Norfolk Sportshall which is the body responsible for organising the county league competitions, as well as selecting squads to represent Norfolk at regional and national events.