The backbone of Dacorum AC is its track and field section, which boasts approximately 300 active members, from year 5 through to veteran athletes in the 60+ category. There are 22 track and field coaches, of whom 4 are ex-international athletes. Children progress through the U11 and U13 groups into the development squad or into the event specific squads. However, new members can be placed accordingly and are welcome to join at any time of the year

Please use the Contactsection of our website, if you have an enquiry about joining us. Alternatively, for older athletes, please contact Deborah Keenleyside: djkeenleyside@gmail.com

All athletes joining the club are expected to attend training regularly and compete for the club on at least 2 occasions during the year; this can include doing the Club Championships or the Club Pentathlon. 

Training Squads

Training timeMondays 5.30-6.30pm or Thursdays 5-6pm.

Training timesMondays 5.30-6.45pm, Tuesdays 6-7.15pm & 7.15- 8.30pm, Thursdays 6-7.15pm.

Coaches: Deborah Keenleyside, assisted by Haydn and Ralph Williams

Training times: Tuesdays and Thursdays 7.30-8.45pm, Sundays 10.15-1pm.

The sprint hurdlers (75m, 80m, 100m, 110m) do sprint work on Mondays/Tuesdays and Thursdays but do specialist hurdling sessions on Sunday mornings. They engage in hurdling drills, block work and technical sessions over the hurdles, developing both speed and efficiency. The 300m and 400m hurdlers train with the 300/400m squad on Tuesdays and Thursdays and work on their competition event on Sundays.

Athletes in this group compete in the Eastern Young Athletes’ League, the Youth Development League, the Southern Athletics League, Club, County, Regional and National Championships.

Deb presently coaches Harry Bridge & Haydan London who have both competed at the English Schools Champs.

Deb previously coached Mia McIntosh (3 x English Schools Champion), Milly Gall (bronze medallist at English Schools), Amelia Woodnick (English Schools semi-finalist).

Deb previously coached Amelia Woodnick (English Schools semi-finalist).

Coaches: Trevor Ratcliffe and Charlie Rowland. 

Training timesTuesdays 6.30-8pm and Thursdays 6-7.45pm.

Trevor (World Masters Indoor Champion) and Charlie coach the young aspiring javelin throwers. Sessions involve the youngsters in the technical aspects of the event and develop their ability to throw from short/full run-ups. 

Athletes in these groups compete in the Eastern Young Athletes’ League, the Youth Development League, the Southern Athletics League, Club, County, Regional and National Championships. 

Trevor presently coaches Poppy Radford (4th at English Schools) and Charlie coaches Megan Saywell (14that English Schools).

Coach: Rob Wright.

Training timesTuesdays 6-7.15pm, Thursdays 7.30-8.45pm, Sundays 10.15-11.30am.

Rob coaches two groups of horizontal jumpers. The Tuesday group is mainly for U15s who are learning the basic technical aspects of the event. The older athletes work with Rob on Thursdays; concentrating on the finer details of the run-up, take-off, flight and landing.

Rob is supported by Ian Roberts, a National coach, who comes to Jarman .Park to do sessions with the jumpers from time to time.

Athletes in this group compete in the Eastern Young Athletes’ League, the Youth Development League, the Southern Athletics League, Club, County, Regional and National Championships.

Rob previously coached Lierre Henry (9th at English Schools).

Training timesTuesdays and Thursdays from 6.15-7.30pm. Also Saturday mornings for selected athletes.

Training sessions are aimed at developing 800m, 1500m, 3000m and cross-country runners to a high standard, and a strong commitment to training and competing is required.

Athletes from this age group compete in the Chiltern Cross- Country League, the North West London Cross-Country League, the Eastern Young Athletes’ League, the Youth Development League, the Southern Athletics League, Club, County, Regional and National Championships.

Mike presently coaches several athletes who have competed at the English Schools X-C and/or Track & Field Champs: Stella Whitlum, Grace Milnes, Indie Frost, Thea Gray, Beth Moody, Emma Cresswell, Ed Clement, and James O’Connor.

Athletes formerly coached by Mike include Hannah Walker (South of England Champion, ran for GB in World XC Championships), Kristian Imroth (National XC Champion), Tom Gaunce (English Schools 800m), Sam Burnell (South of England Champion), Joseph Chamberlain (English Schools 1500m) and Freddie Truman-Williams (English Schools steeplechase).

Coach: Winston Thomas

Training Times: Mondays & Wednesdays 6-8pm. Saturday am.

Winston prepares members of this group for regional, national, and international level competition.

He is presently coaching Destiny Ogali (Gold medallist at English Schools, GB Junior for 4 x 100m, finalist at British Champs) and Lily Norwood (6th at English Schools 100m and 200m & 5th at U17W National indoor 60m). Winston previously coached Jacob Haynes (English Schools 100m).

Training timesMondays 5.30-6.45pm, Thursdays 6-7.30pm, Sundays 10.15-11.45am.

Sue’s squad is made up of our best performing sprinters who compete in the Eastern Young Athletes’ League, the Youth Development League, the Southern Athletics League, Club, County, Regional and National Championships.

Training sessions are designed to develop technique, speed and speed endurance, effective use of blocks, acceleration and maximum velocity running. Conditioning work, resistance training and plyometrics are also included.                                                                                                                 

This squad includes Sullivan McAlinden (Bronze medallist at National Indoor Champs & English Schools 200m finalist) and Nathan Hedges (English Schools 100m).

Coach: Selwyn Weekes 

Training timesTuesdays 7.15-8.45pm, Thursdays 7.15-8.45pm, Sundays 10.30-12.30pm.

This group is for U17 and older athletes. Training sessions are designed to develop technique, speed and speed endurance, effective use of blocks, acceleration and maximum velocity running. Conditioning work, resistance training and plyometrics are also included.

Athletes in this group compete in the Eastern Young Athletes’ League, the Youth Development League, the Southern Athletics League, Club and County Champs.

Coaches: Selwyn Weekes and Peter Stansbury

Training times: Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-7.15pm.

These groups are made up of developing sprinters (100m & 200m). Sprint group 2 are U17s and sprint group 3 is for U15 athletes. They follow similar sessions to that of Group 1 but with a little less intensity. Conditioning work, resistance training, plyometrics, speed work, sprint starts and speed endurance work are all covered.

Athletes in this group compete in the Eastern Young Athletes’ League, the Youth Development League, the Southern Athletics League, Club and County Championships.

Coach: Tim Marshall

Training times: Sundays 10:15-11:30 am

Athletes of all abilities are welcome. Sessions are aimed at being fun whilst developing the athlete’s confidence over the barriers and water jump.

Athletes from this age group compete in the Eastern Young Athletes’ League, the Youth Development League, the Southern Athletics League, Club, County, Regional and National Championships.

Tim presently coaches athletes who have competed at the National X-C/English Schools X-C.  Beth Moody is the current U17 club and schools steeplechase champion. Nancie Bateson and Florence Crowley are 2022 Hertfordshire Schools silver and bronze medallists respectively.

 

Coaches: Deborah Keenleyside, assisted by Peter Stansbury. 

Training times: Tuesdays and Thursdays 7.15-8.45pm, Sundays 11.20-1pm

This group is made up of athletes preparing to compete in 300m or 400m races. Training includes some endurance running, conditioning, track sessions, block work, hills, plyometrics, core work and resistance work.

Athletes in this group compete in the Eastern Young Athletes’ League, the Youth Development League, the Southern Athletics League, Club, County, Regional and National Championships.

Deb presently coaches Oscar North (4th at National indoor 400m), Matthew Marven (4th at English Schools 400m) and Abbie Parker (Eastern Counties U15G Indoor 300m Champion and 8th at English Schools).

Deb previously coached Phillipa Lowe (GB international/Silver medallist in European Indoor 4 x 400m Champs) and Olive Coles (4tht at British U20 Indoor Champs).

 

Coaches: Petra Carroll assisted by Zoe Carroll

Contact: petra.carroll@hotmail.co.uk

Training times: Sundays 10.15-11.15am or 11.30-12.30pm. (Athletes attend one or the other per week).

NB This group has a waiting list.

Athletes of all abilities participate in a variety of sessions aimed at introducing them to all aspects of track and field athletics. Our structured programme is based on the England Athletics scheme ‘365’, and develops both skills and fitness. It incorporates many competitive opportunities in which the children strive to reach their potential.

Athletes from this age group compete in the Chiltern Cross- Country League, the Eastern Young Athletes’ League, Club and County (Cross-country and Track and Field) Championships. A significant number are selected every year to represent Hertfordshire at the Annual U13 Inter-Counties match.

We have a range of event-specific training squads which are detailed below.  In addition to specialist coaching, athletes are encouraged to compete in league matches and other appropriate events and competitions.

Competitions

At Dacorum AC we currently compete in 4 Track and Field leagues in the summer season.  We also encourage people to take part in various open meetings that are held throughout the year.  Click on the tabs below to find out more.

Officials play a key part in making these competitions happen and as we grow as a club we might be able to enter other competitions but cannot do this without enough officials. If you are interested in becoming an official please get in contact.

  • EYAL
  • SAL
  • Vets League
  • YDL

In 2021 competition was slightly changed but our YDL and SAL  teams were unbeaten and the EYAL team had three close tussles with Shaftesbury Barnet – winning one, coming second comfortably then coming a very close second in the decider 589.5 points to Shaftesbury’s 590

 

Officials play a key part in making these competitions happen and as we grow as a club we might be able to enter other competitions but cannot do this without enough officials. If you are interested in becoming an official please get in contact. 

Fixtures - 2024

The dates for our league matches are below:

EYAL

  • 14th April – Stevenage – SG2 9PB
  • 5th May – Braintree – CM7 1FF
  • 2nd June – St Albans – AL1 2DJ
  • 21st July – Jarman Park – HP2 4JS
  • 8th September – Final tbc

SAL

  • 18th May – Finsbury Park – N4 2DE
  • 15th June – Peterborough – PE15 5BW
  • 14th July – St Albans – AL1 2DJ
  • 17th August – Jarman Park – HP2 4JS

YDL

  • 28 April (Sun) – Thames Valley Athletics Centre – SL4 6HN
  • 26 May (Sun) – Jarman Park
  • 30 June (Sun) – Stone-X Stadium – NW4 1R
  • 01 September – National Final tbc

Vets

  • 13th May (Mon) – Lee Valley – N9 0AR
  • 10th June (Mon) – Stevenage – SG2 9PB
  •  1st July (Mon) – Harrow or Lee Valley tbc
  • 2nd September (Mon) – Lee Valley – N9 0AR
 
 

Team Managers and Captains

Each year we appoint a manager and a captain for each of our teams. Their names are shown below and you can contact the Team Managers from our Contact page (selecting the appropriate team from the list)

Team Managers

Team ManagersName
U13 Girls & Boys team managerJo Winfield
U15 Girls team managerRuth Upjohn
U15 Boys team managerAlex Pritchard
U17 (EYAL) Women's team managerStuart Johnson
U17 (EYAL) Men's team managerColin London
YDL team manager (all)Deb Keenleyside
Senior Men team managerRhys Rowlands
Senior Women team managerAlison Parker
Veteran Men team managerCelia Findlay
Junior Cross Country team manager Angus Saunders
Senior Cross Country Team ManagerJim Mason
Rob Davies

Team Captains

Team2021202020192018
Senior WomenKaty WarrenKaty WarrenRemi Jessop and Mia O'ConnellRemi Jessop and Mia O'Connell
Senior MenRhys RowlandsRhys RowlandsTrevor RatcliffeTrevor Ratcliffe
Under 20 WomenMilly GallMilly Galln/an/a
Under 20 MenFreddie Truman-WilliamsDestiny Ogalin/an/a
Under 17 WomenLily NorwoodMegan MaddisonMilly SoanesLibby Mallord
Under 17 MenEdward FoySam BurnellMarcus StansburyDestiny Ogali
Under 15 GirlsOlivia EdwardsJasmine HardyAbbie ParkerZoe Carroll
Under 15 BoysGeorge HawkinsOscar NorthAlex ManceyLouis Jackson
Under 13 GirlsAmelia KellyPhoebe MillerKrystal Powley
Under 13 BoysIsaac NorthTheo PottonOscar North

Open Meetings

In addition to the competitions, many clubs hold meetings that anyone can join, chase that PB, build the match experience, try a different event and so on. Whilst theses all stopped for a while owing to Covid restrictions some are beginning to open up.  You can look at our calendar and  a few places you can look include:

Club Rankings

Our club rankings can be found on the Powerof10 website – we have embedded this below – if you click on one the links you will be taken to their website:

EYAL

[table “” not found /]

YDL

[table “” not found /]

SAL

[table “” not found /]

Vets

[table “” not found /]

Results

EYAL League Table - 2019

ClubMatch PointsLeague Points
Havering354,255
Dacorum and Tring333,955.5
Shaftesbury Barnet333,855
Norwich324,023.5
Chelmsford323,854.5
Thurrock303,686.5
Basildon283,620
Ipswich283,381.5
Bedford263,028.5
Colchester Harriers262,965
Cambridge and Coleridge25
Watford23
St Albans23
Stevenage22
Nene Valley21
Bedfordshire Lions18
Herts Phoenix18
Peterborough14
Harlow13
Colchester and Tendring13
Team Norfolk12
Braintree12
North Suffolk11
HAWCS / Enfield and Haringey9
West Suffolk8

SAL League Table - 2019

ClubLeague PointsMatch Points
City of Salisbury181,119.5
Marshall Milton Keynes181,092.5
Basingstoke and Mid Hants171,094.5
Dacorum and Tring15996.5
Radley13981
Epsom and Ewell13965
Newbury13949.5
Croydon Harriers13921
Aldershot, Farnham and District12931
South London Harriers12917.5
Hillingdon11877
Kingston AC and Polytechnic11858
Yeovil Olympiad11822.5
Bedford and County9854
Walton7815.5
St Albans7799

Vets League Table - 2019

tbc

Facebook Feed

We have an active Facebook site, scroll through the recent activity below or click on the header to visit Facebook.

Competing for us

Dacorum AC places a strong emphasis on competition for all. 

We compete in several team competitions and ask all athletes (and parents and carers) to make a concerted effort to be available for their relevant club matches.  Competing to the best of your ability is doing a great service to the club. Failing to attend without good reason is putting extra pressure on your team-mates, manager, captain and coaches.  Even non-scoring athletes have a role to play, not just in the building of competitive skills, but also as a back-up team in case of injury, illness, etc.

In summary we expect the following of athletes:

  • Work with your coach to get yourself in the best shape for a competition (they will advise on and adjust training accordingly and help you balance other demands such as school competitions and exams).
  • Know when your competitions are. Use the club fixture list and put relevant competition dates in a diary/calendar/on phone etc.
  • Make yourself available for as many club matches as possible.
  • When at club matches, be willing to do another event: in many competitions just completing an event (crossing the line, making a legal jump or throw) earns valuable points for the club and could make all the difference at promotion/demotion time.
  • Speak to your coach about entering yourself for other competitions e.g. County Champs, Regional Champs, Open meetings, Parkruns.
  • Wear your club vest at competitions and be a good ambassador for the club.
  • If you feel concerned or daunted in any way about competing, discuss this with your coach: they will be very happy to help you with anything from nerves to understanding the rules and procedures. This is particularly important if you are going to compete in a higher level competition where there are ‘call-up’ procedures.
  • U13s should aim to represent the club in AT LEAST two competitions per year. One of these should be a ‘representative’ experience i.e. a club league match. All U13s are encouraged to take part in Club Champs.
 

 

Athlete, Coach, Official, Supporter or Helper....

Why not join us today?

small_c_popup.png

Let's have a chat

Contact Us