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 ‘Contact’ section 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 time: Mondays 5.30-6.30pm or Thursdays 5-6pm.
This group caters for athletes who have progressed through from the U13 group or who are just starting athletics. Athletes are taught the techniques involved in hurdling, HJ, LJ, Shot, Discus, Javelin and relay running. An athlete who displays a particular competence will move from this group to an event specific squad.
Athletes in this group have the opportunity to compete in the Eastern Young Athletes League, Club pentathlon and Club Champs.
Coach: Seb Wadlow & Trevor Crichton
Training times: Tuesdays and Thursdays 7.15-8.30pm, Sundays 10.30-11.40am.
Both coaches work on developing the athletes’ strength, speed and technical performance.
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.
Godwin Mutandwa is in this squad. He won the National Championships and was ranked 1st in the UK for the U15B Discus 2022.
Coaches:
Training times: Mondays 5.30-6.45pm, Tuesdays 6-7.15pm & 7.15- 8.30pm, Thursdays 6-7.15pm.
Rob coaches two groups of high jumpers. The Tuesday group is for those athletes who have cleared more than 1.40m and the Thursday group consists of those who have a pb in the range of 1.20-1.39m. This allows for coaching to be directed to the level of ability of the athletes. Sessions involve technical work on run-ups, take-off and flight.
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.
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 times: Tuesdays 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 times: Tuesdays 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).
Coaches: Mike Dunphy, assisted by Marcello Bustamante & Rob Potton.
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).
Training times: Tuesdays 6-7pm and Thursdays 6-7pm.
Sessions involve work on run-ups and technique over the bar.
Andy has coached numerous vaulters to county, regional, national and international success, including Natasha Brunning (V35 World, European and British champion), James Weller (3rd UK Champs), Michael Fryer (bronze medallist English Schools). Andy is presently coaching Isabella Turner (English Schools Champion).
Andy was named Community Coach of the Year at the 2015 Dacorum Sports Awards.
Athletes in this group compete in the Eastern Young Athletes’ League, the Youth Development League, the Southern Athletics League, Club, County, Regional and National ChampionshipsNational Championships.
Training times: Tuesdays & Thursdays 7- 8.15pm.
Shaun (National Masters Champion for Shot and Javelin) works on the various techniques of shot putting: this incorporates standing throws, shifts and rotations. He has built his group up and is presently coaching Ellie Bostock (4th at English Schools) and Godwin Mutandwa (ranked 6th in UK 2022).
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.
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 times: Mondays 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 times: Tuesdays 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.
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, Mia McIntosh, Barry McKeich, Georgina North, Isaac North
Contact: petra.carroll@hotmail.co.uk.
Training time: Yr 5 Tuesdays 7-8pm.
These sessions focus on the England Athletic programmes of 365 and ABC (Agility, Balance and Co-ordination). We try to deliver sessions that are fun and teach the basics of all movements needed for the athletic events.
A number of these youngsters annually take the opportunity to participate in the Minithon (3 events) held at Lee Valley over the winter.
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.
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.
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
The Eastern Young Athletes League (EYAL) provides a good level of competion for 11-16 year old athletes. We came 4th in the 2023 Final.
There are currently about 25 clubs that are competing in the EYAL. Clubs play in a round-robin system at 5 different fixtures throughout the summer with a Cup and Plate final for the top clubs (finishing 1-6 and 7-12). Scoring is points based rather than medal based. Athletes score points for each event (1st=6, 2nd=5, 3rd=4, 4th=3, 5th=2, 6th=1, no athlete entered=0) and scores are added up to decide the winner of the match. So it is a combination of athletes doing well and ensuring we enter every single event. For each event and age group (u13, u15, and u17 Boys and Girls) there is an A and a B competition and we can enter 1 athlete for each. There are also non-scoring competitions where athletes compete but do not score points for the club (a great way to get experience!).
If you would like to take part and haven’t already spoken with the team manager do get in touch with them (details on contact page).
We have teamed up with Harrow AC to compete in the UK Youth Development League. We won promotion last season to the Southern Premier League Upper Age Group (under 17 and under 20). Heights and weights will be appropriate to the age group.
Clubs compete at three different matches through the summer. Scoring is points based rather than medal based. Athletes score points for each event according to their position (even coming last wins a point) and scores are added up to decide the winner of the match. So it is a combination of athletes doing well and ensuring we enter every single event. For each event and age group (u17, and u20 Men and Women) there is an A and a B competition and we can enter 1 athlete for each. There are also non-scoring competitions where athletes compete but do not score points for the club (a great way to get experience!).
If you would like to take part and haven’t already spoken with the team manager do get in touch with them (details on contact page).
The Southern Athletics League (SAL) provides a good level competition for Senior, U20, and U17 Men and Ladies. Only senior weight (throws) and heights (hurdles) are used. We came 3rd in Division 2 North and East in 2023
There are currently over 100 teams that are competing in SAL. The league is split into three tiers. We are currently in Division 2 West, 16 clubs meet each other once in a round-robin system at 5 different fixtures throughout the summer. In Division 2W there are 4 teams (men and women) competing in each match. Scoring is points based rather than medal based. Athletes score points for each event (1st=4, 2nd=3, 3rd=2, 4th=1, no athlete entered=0) and scores are added up to decide the winner of the match. So it is a combination of athletes doing well and ensuring we enter every single event. For each event, there is an A and a B competition and we can enter 1 athlete for each. There are also non-scoring competitions where athletes compete but do not score points for the club (a great way to get experience!).
If you would like to take part and haven’t already spoken with the team manager do get in touch with them (details on contact page).
Our Vets / Masters athletes can compete in appropriate age bands (35-40 and then 10 year groups from 40+)
Open meetings are a great way to gain race experience and improve your performance. As the name implies, they are open to any athletes and are usually set up so you compete with people of a vary similar level (often mixed age and gender) so you’ll have good competition. The following isn’t a complete list, but should help you find something suitable:
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.
The dates for our league matches are below:
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 | Name |
|---|---|
| U13 Girls & Boys team manager | Jo Winfield |
| U15 Girls team manager | Ruth Upjohn |
| U15 Boys team manager | Alex Pritchard |
| U17 (EYAL) Women's team manager | Stuart Johnson |
| U17 (EYAL) Men's team manager | Colin London |
| YDL team manager (all) | Deb Keenleyside |
| Senior Men team manager | Rhys Rowlands |
| Senior Women team manager | Alison Parker |
| Veteran Men team manager | Celia Findlay |
| Junior Cross Country team manager | Angus Saunders |
| Senior Cross Country Team Manager | Jim Mason Rob Davies |
| Team | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Women | Katy Warren | Katy Warren | Remi Jessop and Mia O'Connell | Remi Jessop and Mia O'Connell |
| Senior Men | Rhys Rowlands | Rhys Rowlands | Trevor Ratcliffe | Trevor Ratcliffe |
| Under 20 Women | Milly Gall | Milly Gall | n/a | n/a |
| Under 20 Men | Freddie Truman-Williams | Destiny Ogali | n/a | n/a |
| Under 17 Women | Lily Norwood | Megan Maddison | Milly Soanes | Libby Mallord |
| Under 17 Men | Edward Foy | Sam Burnell | Marcus Stansbury | Destiny Ogali |
| Under 15 Girls | Olivia Edwards | Jasmine Hardy | Abbie Parker | Zoe Carroll |
| Under 15 Boys | George Hawkins | Oscar North | Alex Mancey | Louis Jackson |
| Under 13 Girls | Amelia Kelly | Phoebe Miller | Krystal Powley | |
| Under 13 Boys | Isaac North | Theo Potton | Oscar North |
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:
Information for entry i
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:
| Club | Match Points | League Points |
|---|---|---|
| Havering | 35 | 4,255 |
| Dacorum and Tring | 33 | 3,955.5 |
| Shaftesbury Barnet | 33 | 3,855 |
| Norwich | 32 | 4,023.5 |
| Chelmsford | 32 | 3,854.5 |
| Thurrock | 30 | 3,686.5 |
| Basildon | 28 | 3,620 |
| Ipswich | 28 | 3,381.5 |
| Bedford | 26 | 3,028.5 |
| Colchester Harriers | 26 | 2,965 |
| Cambridge and Coleridge | 25 | |
| Watford | 23 | |
| St Albans | 23 | |
| Stevenage | 22 | |
| Nene Valley | 21 | |
| Bedfordshire Lions | 18 | |
| Herts Phoenix | 18 | |
| Peterborough | 14 | |
| Harlow | 13 | |
| Colchester and Tendring | 13 | |
| Team Norfolk | 12 | |
| Braintree | 12 | |
| North Suffolk | 11 | |
| HAWCS / Enfield and Haringey | 9 | |
| West Suffolk | 8 |
| Club | League Points | Match Points |
|---|---|---|
| City of Salisbury | 18 | 1,119.5 |
| Marshall Milton Keynes | 18 | 1,092.5 |
| Basingstoke and Mid Hants | 17 | 1,094.5 |
| Dacorum and Tring | 15 | 996.5 |
| Radley | 13 | 981 |
| Epsom and Ewell | 13 | 965 |
| Newbury | 13 | 949.5 |
| Croydon Harriers | 13 | 921 |
| Aldershot, Farnham and District | 12 | 931 |
| South London Harriers | 12 | 917.5 |
| Hillingdon | 11 | 877 |
| Kingston AC and Polytechnic | 11 | 858 |
| Yeovil Olympiad | 11 | 822.5 |
| Bedford and County | 9 | 854 |
| Walton | 7 | 815.5 |
| St Albans | 7 | 799 |
tbc
We have an active Facebook site, scroll through the recent activity below or click on the header to visit Facebook.
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: