Information for Parents
We hope this is some useful information for parents.
Who are juniors
Juniors are boys and girls from school year 5 to school year 13.
Where are we based
We are based at the Thames Valley Athletic Centre in Eton, one of the best facilities in England, where club members have access to a high quality 8 lane all-weather track, excellent field event facilities and a quality indoor facility, recently fully refurbished, with a 5 lane 60m sprint straight and provision for long jump, triple jump, high jump, shot put, discus and pole vault, plus a weights room.
When is training?
Our main training nights are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from 6pm. Some training groups start later and some have additional sessions on other days, either at Thames Valley Athletic Centre or at other locations across the area.
Who are the coaches?
They are experienced, knowledgeable and fully qualified, having completed the necessary courses provided by England Athletics. The sessions are also supported by assistants and parent volunteers, to ensure that athletes receive enough individual attention during training.
What does my child need?
Trainers suitable for running. Spiked athletic shoes are optional, but they are recommended. Ask for guidance, because there are different types for general use/specific events.
Comfortable sports/athletic clothing, including extra layers for warm ups/cool downs.
Warm sports clothing, for when it is cold.
Waterproof sports clothing, for when it rains!
Water bottle, with tap/still water. Sparkling water and fizzy drinks are not suitable.
Does my child need to have a trial?
Yes, however the purpose of a trial is two-fold:
1. For the club to assess ability and potential.
2. For you and your child to get a feel for the club, the environment, the training, etc, to see if you like it.
How often will my child be expected to attend training?
The value of being a member is the opportunity to be able to train and compete.
We believe an athlete’s development will be enhanced by them training regularly, which for most athletes will mean twice a week at club training nights (Tuesday and Thursday), all year round, including school holidays. Some coaches have additional sessions on other days, which athletes will be expected to attend as well.
Training regularly ensures athletes will develop and improve. They will also have positive interactions with other athletes and make new friends. We have also found that they enjoy the confidence and focus resulting from training and competing.
Does my child have to compete?
We are a competitive athletic club. Because there is an investment in time by our coaches to develop athletes, we believe that competing for the club, alongside the opportunity to train, is the return on that investment.
By both training and competing on a regular basis, athletes will fully develop their potential. By doing this, athletes will give themselves the opportunity to compete in a wider range of competitions such as school, county, regional and national championships.
How much does it cost?
Current Annual Membership Fee and England Athletics affiliation are:
Annual Membership Fee – £180, or £150 if paid within 30 days of registering for membership.
England Athletics Affiliation Fee – £23
There is also a joining fee of £70, which includes the cost of a club top, as all athletes will need to wear one when competing.
Like many other athletics tracks, there are also track fees to pay, which is separate to the Athletic Club (i.e. charged by Thames Valley Athletic Centre). There is a discounted track card, which will also give you free parking on club training nights (Tuesdays and Thursdays). The cost is £87 and it lasts for a year.
What do I need to do?
Please send an email to membership-enquiries@wseh.co.uk and someone from the club will contact you. We monitor this email inbox every day. Please include your name, mobile number and email address. Please also include the name of the athlete and their date of birth. Please also include some background information, e.g. what athletics experience they have, any events they are interested in and if known, any performance data.