About
About Telford Athletic Club
Telford Athletic Club is a friendly club catering for members of all ages and abilities formed in 1976.
We host a number of popular races and events such as The Telford 10K, Sexarathon Series, Telford Games Track and Field Meeting, Wrekin Fell Race, Cardington Cracker Fell Race, Caradoc Classic Fell Race and the Stretton Skyline Fell Race. To see all events details, entry forms and past results then go to the Races & Events pages.
During the Winter months the club takes part in five popular cross country leagues details of which can be found on the Cross Country pages. The cross country league that the club take part in are the Midland Women's League for Under 20's and Seniors, the Birmingham and District League for under 20 and Senior Men, the North Staffs League for male and female age groups Under 11's, Under 13's, Under 15's, Under 17's and senior, the North Wales League for under 17's and senior men and women and the Shropshire Young Athletes League for Under 11's, Under 13's, Under 15's and Under 17's.
The club also take part in the Shropshire Sports Hall League, for Under 17's, Under 15's, Under 13's and Under 11's in the winter and several members take part in other indoor competitions.
In the summer the club takes part in several track and field leagues and championships including the Midland Track and Field League for seniors, under 20's and under 17's, the National Youth Development League ( upper age groups ) for under 20's and Under 17's, the National Youth Development League ( lower age groups ) for Under 15's and Under 13's, the Heart of England League for Under 17's, Under 15's Under 13's and Under 11's, The Shropshire Young Athletes League for Under 17's, Under 15's, Under 13's and Under 11's and The Midland Masters League for men and women over 35.
The club also enter teams in various relay events including Midland and National Championships.
About This Web Site
This site is a repository for information about the club, our events, entry forms, results and contact details. Real time news can be found on our Blog which is kept up to date by a selection of our members who have computers...
Joining TAC
If you are interested in joining the club, to compete or just to stay fit, then feel free to come and have a chat with one of the coaches at the track side 6pm Tuesday or Thursday.
Coaches and club officials can be found in the hut.
The track is at the Telford Stadium at Oakengates Leisure Centre, New Road, Wrockwardine Wood, TF2 7AB.
FAQ For Parents of children interested in joining TAC
How old does my child have to be to join Telford AC?
9 years is the minimum age.
Who should I contact to discuss my child joining the Athletic club?
Alison Preece for juniors or for seniors via the club e mail account or send a social media message.
Does my child have to be good at athletics?
No, ability is not a requirement but enthusiasm is.
Will my child have to specialise in one aspect of athletics e.g sprints,middle distance,throwing?
No, in the beginning all the range of athletics are covered and your child will have the opportunity to try them all.
Does the club enter teams in league competition?
Yes, the Club has teams in various leagues in the Midlands which caters for Under 11,Under 13, Under 15, Under 17, Under 20, seniors and masters ( over 35's ).
Lots more information about training sessions can be found on the Training page.
FAQs For New Members
How good do I have to be to join the athletics club?
The club accepts members of any age or ability, anyone is welcome. Members must be 9 years of age or older. There can be a waiting list for some of the younger age groups.
I am looking for someone I have been told to see, like a coach or a selector. How do I find them?
Ask someone nearby if they know where the person is. If they don't, go to the hut (the green hut at the top of the hill) and ask the person in there where the person you are looking for is.
Who is Verone Wilkinson, and where is the hut?
When you enter the athletics track, there will be a path going up a small grass mound on your left. At the top of the short path is the hut. Verone deals with club membership, collects training fees and sells club kit. The hut usually opens from 6.45pm to 8.00 each Tuesday and Thursday.
TRAINING
When does the club train?
The track is open Tuesday and Thursday, 6pm - 8pm. Most training sessions last one hour, and most begin at 6pm. For a list of training times for individual groups, see Coach Details. The track's address is Telford Athletics Stadium, Oakengates Leisure Centre, New Road, Wrockwardine Wood, Telford, TF2 7AB. The track is beyond the rear car park of the Leisure Centre.
Coaches
Under 11s Branka Sukara Fielding / Ann Rowley / John Reade / Rob Moses Winter- indoors sportshall 6.30 pm, Summer- track 6pm
Seniors distance Jane Clarke, Claire Martin, Malcolm Dawes Seniors (16+) The Stand 6:30pm
Juniors distance Sarah Benson / Rob Moses / Paul Watkinson 6:00pm
Pole Vault John Bradley Any Age (12+) The Stand 6:00pm
Throws Kim Carter / Pat Higgins Any Age (9+) Throws Cage 6:00pm
Sprints(100m-400m) Tino Dummett / Ben Riekstins 6:00pm
In addition Stuart Benson organises sprints, hurdles, long and triple jump sessions for TAC athletes on Monday, Wednesday at 6 pm and on a Saturday morning at 10 am at the Telford Stadium.
What do the locations on the Coach Details page mean?
During the winter, some groups train indoors. This 'indoors' is often the Oakengates Leisure Centre, ask at the reception where the athletics club is training. The 'stand' for groups such as pole vault means the stand on the home straight, about 50m before the finish line. Many coaches' groups are based in there before they move to the track or field to train.
How often do I have to train?
Most groups train twice a week. Training is not compulsory, but the more you go the more familiar the coach gets with you, the more you learn and improve, and the higher your chances of being selected for competitions. When selections are considered, commitment to training can be a factor and someone who trains regularly is more likely to get picked than someone who trains once a fortnight.
What do I need for training?
For kit, see KIT section. You should also bring a drink, preferably not fizzy. If you are doing a throws event, you should bring a small towel that you don't mind getting muddy. Don't drink much in one go but take sips as your body absorbs the water better, and your drink lasts much longer.
How difficult is training for...
under 14?
It is bad for youngster's bodies to do much training, so their sessions are kept relatively easy, as the club doesn't want to put them off the sport. They will have adequate breaks, and will not be pushed beyond what they are comfortable with.
14-18?
As an athlete gets older, in the junior groups of secondary school age, they will have more difficult sessions but can sit out whenever they like, and have enough breaks.
over 18?
If you are new and looking to join a seniors group, our experienced coaches take the individual into account and won't make you train too hard, easing you into fitness and training. There is often a period when a senior first joins where he trains to be fit to train, before he joins in with the others in the group, athletes are free to stop any time.
KIT
What kit do I need?
You should always wear a t-shirt and shorts, with tracksuit top and bottoms over the top, regardless of the weather. If it is very cold you should bring warmer clothes such as a coat to go over the top as well. In the hottest summer days you can get away with no tracksuit over the top. Younger athletes can just bring trainers, but track athletes, from about 14 and above, should think about buying the relevant pair of spikes after a few training sessions. DO NOT buy spikes for a different event, as the spikes are all very different. If you don't know whether you want to do athletics or not, train for a few weeks in trainers and decide if you want to buy spikes.
Where do I buy kit?
http://www.upandrunning.co.uk/shrewsbury
17, Mardol
Shrewsbury
SY1 1PU
The Shrewsbury shop is handily located right in the centre of Shrewsbury. Call in for friendly and expert advice on running and fitness shoes, clothing, and accessories; video gait analysis and shoe fitting, information on local races and training. 10% discount for Telford AC members which is also available at Seaton Sports in Wellington.
COMPETING
How do I get picked for competitions ?
There are two types of competitions- individual and club competitions. For the club competitions, you have to be selected by the athletics club to be on the team. In individual competitions, you enter on your own. In most individual competitions, anyone can enter as long as they belong to an athletics club, but some have qualifying standards you need to get in.
How do I get selected for the club ?
Each type of competition will have a team manager. For track and field leagues and sportshall you will be notified if you are selected. A list of team managers is included in the track and field section.
In cross country leagues anyone who is a club member is able to run. In cross country championships and relays athletes need to pre enter. See the team manager or cross country secretary for details of the venue and race times.
How do I enter individual competitions ?
Look on the athletics club Calendar for competitions, go to the website of the competition and print a selection form. There may be entrance forms in the club hut, but not for all competitions. You will have to provide your name and club, and sometimes your PB's, SB's or England Athletics number.
What if I don't have an England Athletics number ?
Every member of the club has an England Athletics number. If you don't know what yours is, contact your coach , team manager or the club memberships secretary.
I'm new, what do I have to do before my race on the day of a competition for track and field events ?
Turn up in plenty of time to register for your event (there may be big queues and you usually have to register an hour before your event) at the registration desk. The registrars will tick your name off the list and give you your number. You must pin a number on the front and back of your vest (with the exception of high jump and pole vault, where you only need a number on one side) and you must use four pins for each number. It is a good habit to turn up with your own safety pins and re use them for other events.
When do I need to warm up ?
Take plenty of time before your race to warm up, the better your muscles are warmed up, the better you will perform, even in distance races. Even if it is a hot day, your muscles aren't warmed up. Many athletes take over an hour to warm up, and you should start your warm up at least 20 minutes before your race.
What do I do and not do in my warm up ?
Stretching weakens your muscles in the short term, so don't stretch too much or you won't be as strong and they will be more likely to snap. Start off with a jog to warm up your whole body, then once you're loose start on your drills (movements specific to your event, which targets the muscles you will use the most and channels your brain into those movement patterns). After your drills, go through the motion of your event- if you are a discus thrower, pretend to throw a discus, if you are a runner, do some runs.
After you finish your warm up....
There is a second registration, just before your race at the start line or before you jump or throw at the site. All the athletes that registered for their numbers earlier will be ticked off the race list. If it doesn't say in your program or entry form when this registration is, it is usually about ten minutes before a race, so try to be ready to race before the second registration.
The second registration and competing
Listen out for your age group's competition. For track events go to where you race will start ten minutes before the start time and listen for the marksman to call your event. If the marksman calls out under 15 boys 800m and this is your age and event, go to the marksman and wait for them to call out your number. They will tick your number off a list and give you your lane or throw or jump order. If you are a runner, you may now go to your lane and practise starts until the whistle goes. When the whistle goes, you must stay still behind the line. For field events go to where you field event will take place 15 minutes before the start, officials will be there and will be supervising your practice and check your name against their list of competitors.
The race
You must stand two metres behind the line and the starter will shout "on your marks!". Your must get into your starting position here. If you are doing a standing start, stand relaxed at the line.
When everyone is settled in their marks, the starter will shout "get set!". Get into your set position here and stay in the set position until the gun goes. If you waver in the position, you could be called on a false start. If you are doing a standing start, put one foot forward and the opposite arm forward, for example left foot and right arm. If you are doing a crouch start, don't have your back leg straight as you can't produce power, keep it at 110-120 degrees, and keep your face looking at the ground, not up.
When the gun goes, react as quickly as possible but pace yourself for the race, don't start off sprinting if you are in a 800m or 1500m race. If you are in 400m or any distance shorter, you must stay in the lane you start in throughout the race.
I don't know any drills, and I don't know how to do starts
Your coach will teach you the drills you need to know for your event, teach you how to do the start you need for your event, and teach you the necessary techniques for your event. Telford athletics club has a coach for every discipline except for (at the moment) long jump, and this coach will teach you everything you need to compete.
Age groups
Cross Country - competitions for clubs are in the following age groups Under 11's ( primary School ), Under 13's ( Year 7 and 8 at school ), Under 15's ( Year 9 and 10 at school ), Under 17's ( Year 11 and 12 at school ), Under 20's ( Year 13 and the year above.) Seniors in most competitions Under 20's can run with seniors, in some events there are also categories for masters over 35's and above.
In schools cross country events at county level and above the age groups are Year 7's, juniors ( Year 8 and 9 ) intermediate ( Year 10 and 11 ) and seniors ( Year 12 and 13 ).
Track and Field - competitions for clubs are in the following age groups Under 11's ( primary school and not 11 at the time of the competition ), Under 13's ( Year 6 who are 11 at the time of the competition and Year 7's ), Under 15's ( Year 8 and Year 9 ), Under 17's ( Year 10 and 11 ), Under 20 ( Year 12 and 13 ).
For schools events at county level and above the age groups are juniors ( Year 8 and 9 ), Intermediates ( Year 10 and 11 ) and Seniors ( Year 12 and 13 ). There are also events for Year 7's and Year 8's at County level.
I don't understand the age groups classification.
The year officially ends on August 31. If you are 15 on August 27, you are considered to be 15 throughout the season. If you are 15 a week later on September 1, you are considered to be 14 for the season. The age groups are called 'under something', but unlike in football you can't be that age for that age group, you must be under the age. So if you are 15, you can't compete in the under 15 age group, you are in the under 17 age group. So if you are the athlete who is 15 on August 27 you are in the under 17 age group for the entire season, from May to September. If you are the athlete born a week later you are in the under 15 age group for the entire season. A competition held in September is still in the season of that summer, so the athlete born in September can still compete in September being 15 in the under 15 age group.
For under 20, the upper age limit is done from December 31, so you might have two years in the age group (if you are Sep-Dec) or three years (if you are Jan-Aug).
What are the standards all about ?
The standards for young athletes are English School's Standard and National Standard. The English School's standard is the qualifying standard for the English School's Championships, if you reach this standard you can be selected for the competition by your county. The English School's standard is very high. The National Standard is even higher and it means you are a national level athlete if you hit this standard.
There is also a Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3 standard. Grade 3 is a good club standard, Grade 2 is county standard and Grade 1 is regional standard (ie the Midlands).