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About Tonbridge A.C.

About . . . the History

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.

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
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. There are separate Open Meetings after school in the Summer term to provide an opportunity for under 11s to compete. See listings beforehand. 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 Pete Mason 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, with able assistance from Andy Wood, so again keep them 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. Kay Saker and Richard Owen are Joint Team Managers. The Southern Men's League is for Senior Men and Under 20s only. Mark Hookway 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
About . . . the Winter Season
Training
. . . is every Tuesday and Thursday evening between 5th October 2010 and 22nd March 2011 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 WinterThursday training sessions are based at the track, whilst Tuesday training is split between Tonbridge School Sports Centre and Judd School Sportshall, Brook Street, Tonbridge. The distance running squads and the introductory group for 9 to 11 year olds train at Judd, whilst the sprint squads and other training groups remain at the track.
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, and Senior Men'. 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
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.