Academy
The club’s Academy is for young and beginner athletes in school year’s 6-11 who are establishing themselves in the sport and for whom ability in particular events is yet to emerge.
The Academy trains young and beginner athletes across all aspects of athletics, running (sprints, hurdles and some middle distance), jumps (long jump and high jump) and throws (javelin, discus, shot).
UK Athletics define this as the ‘Foundation Stage’ of the Athlete Development Pathway. We believe athletes in the Academy develop their confidence and all round athletics skills.
Our aim is for their potential for events to emerge, with a view to progressing them onto any specialist training groups when they are ready.
UK Athletics state “we define athletics as a Late Specialisation sport. Athletes should only focus on one group of events after they have had the chance to develop their skills in the whole sport. This needs to be done whilst recognising the inevitable changes that will occur to a young person’s body and mind as they grow”.
All academy athletes will train in a range of events. The aim is to develop them technically and to give them experience of all areas of athletics, i.e. running, jumping, throwing. Finding out what they are good at and what they like, (normally the same thing), is a key aspect of an athlete’s time in the Academy.
They will all participate in sprint and/or middle distance running every week. This is for general fitness and the assessment of running capabilities. No matter what event they progress to in the future (e.g. long jump, high jump, hurdles, javelin etc.) a lot of running and general fitness is needed to support the technical training.
The Academy coaches will be constantly assessing the athletes to monitor their development. When they reach potential for joining a specialist event training group, they will be invited to trial with that group, with a view to progressing from the Academy.
Academy training is held on Club training nights, which are Tuesday and Thursday evenings, at Thames Valley Athletic Centre in Eton, from 6pm to 7.30pm.
Training continues throughout the year including half term breaks and school holidays. We only have a break over Christmas and New Year.
Academy athletes also have the opportunity to compete. We are a competitive athletic club and expect all our athletes to compete. We view athletic competitions as a priority for our athletes to both enjoy competing for the club in team-based events and to be a key part of their own development. For information on competitions, please see here.
If your child would like to come along for a trial session, please send an email to membership-enquiries@wseh.co.uk and someone from the club will contact you. Please see here.
That’s fantastic news. Many thanks for all your hard work and the training that she received from the team. Much appreciated (has progressed onto a specialist sprint group)
A parent
Thank you, really appreciate all the encouragement from his coaches, he has come a long way under your guidance (has progressed onto a specialist middle distance group)
A parent
I know she has really enjoyed the Academy. Great coaching and support and encouragement from the coaches (has progressed onto a specialist sprint group)
A parent
She has loved being part of the Academy – thank you for all of the support (has progressed onto a specialist sprint group, plus advanced long jump training)
A parent
Many thanks to Academy coaches, it’s thanks to all Academy training and your support (has progressed onto a specialist long jump group)
A parent
Thank you Ian for all the wonderful coaching and support (has progressed onto a specialist middle distance group)
A parent
Thank you Ian for all your coaching, help and advice in her first year (has progressed onto a specialist sprint group, plus advanced long jump and specialist high jump training)
A parent
Thanks Ian and thank you so much for being very supportive with her progression. She has really enjoyed her time in the Academy and it has given her the motivation to want to progress in athletics (has progressed onto a specialist sprint group specialist hurdles training)
A parent
Thank you Ian for everything you have done for her, she has enjoyed her time in the Academy (has progressed onto a specialist sprint group)
A parent
Thank you so much Ian for all your support, she has really enjoyed being in the Academy (has progressed onto a specialist sprint group)
A parent
Thanks so much for all your support Ian, she’s really enjoyed being in your group (has progressed onto a specialist sprint group)
A parent
Thanks so much for all of your support and encouragement – it goes a long way! She loved the Academy for her short time with you and is delighted to now be focusing on sprinting (has progressed onto a specialist sprint group, plus advanced long jump and specialist hurdles training)
A parent
Thanks for all your help over the last year / Thanks Ian….It’s great news, she’s really looking forward to working with specialist coaches and may the girls thrive in their athletics development (two athletes progressing onto a specialist sprint group plus advanced long jump and specialist hurdles training)
Parents
Once again thank you Ian for everything. She would not have achieved this without you….she is super excited (has progressed onto a specialist sprint group)
A parent
Thanks Ian, she’s looking forward to focussing on these events. thanks for all your help (has progressed onto a specialist high jump group and a specialist long jump group)
A parent
Thank you Ian for all your work with her. She loved the Academy so much, as shown by how long she wanted to stay with you….she is very much looking forward to the sprint sessions. Thank you (has progressed onto a specialist sprint group, plus specialist hurdles training)
A parent
Thank you so much Ian, the Academy has been amazing for her…. she is super excited to step up her training and is loving working with new coaches (has progressed onto a specialist sprint group, plus advanced long jump and specialist hurdles training)
A parent
Thank you, Ian, for your invaluable advice, guidance, honest discussions, and encouragement for her from the very beginning. She thoroughly enjoyed her time with you at the Academy and is excited to continue developing her skills in the sprint group. We are deeply appreciative of all your support (has progressed onto a specialist sprint group)
A parent
Thank you so much Ian for all the time, knowledge, patience and support that you’ve invested in her progress, it’s very much appreciated and I know she’ll miss the academy but so good to you’ll still have contact and see her race (has progressed onto a specialist sprint group)
A parent
Thanks Ian, the academy has been brilliant for her. We really appreciate your dedication, enthusiasm and time spent helping her progress (has progressed onto a specialist sprint group)
A parent
A big thank you from us. She has loved her time in the Academy. You made her feel welcome from day 1 (has progressed onto a specialist sprint group)
A parent
Thanks so much Ian. He has really enjoyed trying out all the events and is very excited to progress with his throwing. Thank you for all the coaching, guidance and support (has progressed to specialist training groups for discus/shot and javelin)
A parent
Thanks Ian for all the support and coaching you’ve given him this last year! (has progressed to a specialist long sprint/middle distance group)
A parent
Thanks Ian for all your support to enable her progression and thank you for all your support throughout her time in the Academy (has progressed onto a specialist sprint group)
A parent
Thank you Ian for all your help and support over the last year and thank you for helping her get there (has progressed onto a specialist sprint group)
A parent
Thank you Ian for the coaching and support you gave him over the past year (has progressed onto a specialist sprint group)
A parent
Under 15s racing:
Under 13s racing:
