| About . . . the History |
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In 1947 two men, both
policemen in Tonbridge, had the vision and foresight to found an athletic club
in the town. One was Tom Jones, a pre-war sprinter of some note; and the other,
Norman Fowler, also a sprinter, of county standard and an athletics
administrator.
The venture needed
determination to succeed as there was no track or facilities of any kind. But
there was a piece of ground, belonging to Tonbridge School, on the right hand
side, going north, of Shipbourne Road, just past the Yardley park turning. This
became the first home of the Club and had to be got ready before entertaining
visiting teams right down to the marking out of lanes for racing.
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That field has
long since become a housing estate but the Club survives on its present
location at Tonbridge School and many aspiring boys and girls, men and women
have benefited from its presence.
For more details about the track and how to find it,
click here. |
About . . . the Summer Season
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| Training |





|
| . . . is at the Tonbridge School Track every
Tuesday and Thursday evening between April and September inclusive. It starts
at 6.15pm and finishes at about 7.45pm. There are a number of coaches and
helpers available, but we could always do with one or two more. |
| Age Groups |
The key date is midnight on the 31st August
of the year of competition. If a child is 11 or 12 on this date then they are
in the under 13 group. In other words, if they are in years 6 or 7 at school
they are in the under 13 age group. Similarly, if they are 13 or 14 on this
date, then they are under 15. If they are 15 or 16 on this date, then they are
under 17.
Finally, if they are under 20 at midnight on 31st December,
of the year of competition they are in the Junior, under 20 age group and if
older are classified as a Senior. If confused speak with one of the coaches!
For acceptance into the club for training an athlete must be a minimum
of 9 years old. |
| Competition |
On the first Tuesday evening of every month
from May to August* is a Tonbridge 'Open' Meeting. An 'Open' meeting means that
anyone can compete and there are events for every age group. The events vary
from meeting to meeting, so you should be aware of the precise listing and
timetable beforehand. There is an entry fee. These meetings are the best
opportunity for novices to try out competition and for more experienced
athletes to improve their performances. In some events the races are graded so
that you get athletes of different ages, but similar abilities, competing
against each other. These Open Meetings are also an opportunity for under 11s
to compete, as there are always a few events included in the timetable for them
specifically. See listings beforehand.
* Due to
alterations at the track we regret that there will be just 2 open meetings in
2007. These will be on 9 April and 2 September (which will combined with the
Club Championships).
Tonbridge also compete in a number of
leagues. The National Young Athletes League is for girls and boys in the under
13, under 15 and under 17 groups. Tonbridge are in the Southern Premier
Division of this league, which can require trips to meetings as far away as
East Anglia and north of London. This year Mark Hookway is the Team Manager,
and as usual is hoping he'll have a merry team of helpers. The teams are
selected on merit, but it is also very important that anyone who might like to
compete lets him know well in advance. Again check the Summer fixture list for
details.
Similarly the Kent Young Athletes League is for girls and boys
in the under 13 and under 15 age groups. Pete Mason is the Team Manager, so
again keep him informed.
In the Southern Women's League there are two
age groups, Juniors (U13/U15) and Seniors (U17/U20/Seniors/Veterans). We have 5
matches each year on Saturdays. There are scoring and non scoring events. Dee
Fielden is the Team Manager.
The Southern Men's League is for Senior
Men and Under 20s only. Simon Fraser is the Team Manager of the Senior Men's
team.
The club also competes in the National Junior League, for under
20 men and women, although under 17s can compete. Mark Hookway is also the Team
Manager for this. Tonbridge are in the Medway Division and up against 8 other
clubs from the Kent area.
It is important that parents realise that the
league teams are selected on merit and when there are many wanting to compete
it can be difficult to fit everyone into their chosen event.
Some other
key events are the Kent Championships, in May for under 15s upwards and in
September for under 13s. |
| Achievements |
- Kent Young Athletes
League Division 1: Runners-Up 2005
- National Young Athletes
League - 11th in Southern Premier Division 2005
- European Junior 800
metres final 2005: Steve Fennell 3rd
- English Schools Boys
1500m final 2005 : Kurt Wolfe 3rd
- South Of England under
15 1500m : Kurt Wolfe 3rd
- South of England under
17 High Jump : Nick Lowe 2nd
- South of England under
17 Shot Putt : Liam Presnell 2nd
- Men compete in Southern
League Division 1 & 4S
- Ladies compete in Southern League Division 4E
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About . . . the Winter Season
|
| Training |
. . . is at the Tonbridge School Track every Tuesday and
Thursday evening between April and September inclusive. It starts at 6.15pm and
finishes at about 7.45pm. There are a number of coaches and helpers available,
but we could always do with one or two more.
In the Winter some groups
remain at the track, whilst an introductory group for younger members and also
the distance running squads meet at Judd School Sportshall, Brook Street,
Tonbridge, on Tuesdays between October and March inclusive. |
| Age Groups |
The key date is midnight on the 31st August. Anyone in
school years 7 and 8 compete in the under 13 age group, years 9 and 10 at under
15 and years 11and 12 at under 17, during the Winter. In other words you
compete in the same age group that you were in during the previous Summer.
To compete at under 13 level in the Winter you must be 11 years old at
least on the day of the race.
For acceptance into the club for training
an athlete must be a minimum of 9 years old. |
| Competition |
Once a month from October to March the club promotes
under 11 boys and girls races over 1 mile cross country. There are medals for
all finishers. See fixture list for details.
Cross Country: Mark
Hookway is the Team Manager for Young Athletes and Senior Ladies, whilst Julian
Rendall is the Senior Men's manager. There are races in the Kent League for
boys and girls of all age groups, from under 13 upwards.
The Kent
County Championships are held in January, again for all age groups, but contact
the Team Manager for entry in early December. The South of England
Championships are held in late January, with entries in by late December. The
National Cross Country Championships are held in March. |
| Achievements |
- Under 17 Men Kent Cross
Country Championships 2006: 2nd
- Under 17 Men Kent Cross
Country League 2006: 1st
- Under 15 Boys English
National Cross Country Championships 2006: 1st
- Under 15 Boys South of
England Cross Country Championships 2006: 1st
- Under 15 Boys Kent Cross
Country Championships 2006: 1st
- Under 15 Boys Kent Cross
Country League 2006: 1st
- Under 13 Boys Kent Cross
Country Championships 2006: 1st
- Under 13 Boys Kent Cross
Country League 2006: 1st
- Under 13 Boys South Of
England Cross Country Championships 2006: 2nd
- Under 13 Boys English
National Cross Country Championships 2006: 3rd
- Under 13 Girls Kent
Cross Country Championships 2006: 1st
- Under 13 Girls Kent
Cross Country League 2006: 3rd
- Under 15 Girls Kent
Cross Country Championships 2006: 3rd
- Under 15 Girls Kent
Cross Country League 2006: 3rd
- Under 17 Women Kent
Cross Country Championships 2006: 2nd
- Under 17 Women Kent
Cross Country League 2006: 1st
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About . . . Us - General
Information
|
| Coaching |
The club has a number of
qualified and experienced coaches across most disciplines who can provide
support, development and encouragement. We cater for athletes of all ages -
from youngsters aged 11 to veteran athletes. The club has a friendly atmosphere
where everyone wants each other to do well. Why not come down to a training
evening and meet us?
Alternatively,
you can find a list of club contacts here. |
| Safety & Security |
Whilst Tonbridge AC
endeavour at all times to ensure the safety of all Junior members whilst
training and/or competing for the club, it remains the responsibility of
parents/guardians to ensure the safe collection or make suitable arrangements
for collection at the designated times. Tonbridge AC cannot be held responsible
for Juniors outside of these times.
We operate a
code of conduct to ensure all athletes are able to
take part in a safe environment.
We take the safety and security of our
members very seriously and every helper and volunteer is subject to
Criminal Records Bureau
checking.
Special Notice:
Inhalers Any athlete that needs to use an inhaler for health purposes
needs to complete a form and send it
back to UK Athletics. Only when UKA have your form, would you be exempt from
the rules which ban the use of a range of drugs, including those used in
certain inhalers. |
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