Helensburgh AAC

Junior Athlete Development Pathway. (February 2010)

Level One – Run Jump and Throw Club

All new athletes aged under 12 years will normally enter the club through the Run, Jump and Throw Club. The RJT Club will be held indoors and will operate over a twenty week season from October to March, split into two 10-week blocks either side of the Christmas / New Year break.

The RJT Club sessions teach key athletics skills in a fun and safe environment, including the fundamentals of sprinting, hurdling, javelin, shot putt, discus, long jump and triple jump. At the end of each season a Run, Jump, Throw Championship will be held.

Athletes in the RJT club will undergo continuous assessment by the coaches. If, at the end of the season, it is considered that they have attained an appropriate standard, taking into account such things as ability, attitude to the sport and level of commitment they will be allowed to move up to Level 2 – the Induction Group.

It is recognised that some athletes may attain the appropriate standard in the course of one season of RJT but that it may be preferable for others to remain in the RJT for a second season before progressing to the next level.

Level Two – Induction Group

The Induction Group will meet outdoors on one evening each week through the summer, transferring the skills learned in the RJT Club to the range of “proper” Athletics events. Through the winter the group will meet indoors for one evening.

Athletes in the Induction group will continue to be monitored by the coaches and when it is considered appropriate, taking into account the considerations referred to above, they will be allowed to progress to Level 3 – the Development Group. Again, athletes considered not yet ready to progress will remain in the Induction Group for a further year.

Level Three – Development Group

The Development Group will meet outdoors on two evenings each week through the summer and winter.

Athletes will remain within the Development group until it is considered that they have attained a standard which will enable them to cope with the demands of the next level – Specialist Groups. The decision as to which of the specialist groups the athletes should move through to will be taken in consultation with the athletes, their parents and the relevant coaches.

It is recognised that some athletes may move through to the Specialist groups more quickly than others. It is also recognised and accepted that some athletes may be content to remain within the Development Group indefinitely.

Level Four – Specialist Groups

At present this is the highest level for junior athletes within the club. The level of sub-division will depend on the availability of coaches with possibly three groups operating – Sprints / Jumps, Throws and Endurance.

Frequency and location of training, Indoors and Outdoors, Summer and Winter, will very much depend on the requirements of the event and the availability of Coaches and helpers.