Welcome to Athletics!

If athletics is completely new to your family, welcome! You don't need to know anything about the sport before your child starts. We want children and parents to feel comfortable from their very first evening.

Athletics is a wonderfully simple sport – running, jumping and throwing – with lots of different events for children to discover as they get older.

The most important thing at the beginning is that your child has fun, gets active, makes friends and enjoys coming back each week.

What happens at training?

Training varies depending on the age group and time of year. Children will get the opportunity to try lots of different activities, which may include:

• Running and fun games

• Sprints

• Endurance and cross-country running

• Relays

• Hurdles

• Long jump and high jump

• Turbo javelin and javelin

• Shot put

• Other throwing, jumping and movement activities

You don't need to decide what event your child is "good at". Part of the fun is giving them the chance to try everything.

As children get older, they may naturally discover events they particularly enjoy.

Club Policies & Code of Conduct

To ensure a safe, positive, and enjoyable environment for everyone, all members and families are asked to follow our club policies.

These include:

• Respect for coaches, officials, volunteers, and fellow athletes

• Positive behaviour on and off the track

• Parental support from the sidelines

• Commitment to fair play and inclusion

Full details of our Child Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct, and Membership Policies are available on the registration page and should be reviewed by all families.

Training & Seasons

Athletics runs across two main seasons:

🏖️ Outdoor Season

• Typically runs from spring through summer

• Events include running, jumping, and throwing

• Training takes place on the track and outdoor facilities

❄️ Indoor / Winter Season

• Runs during autumn and winter

• Focus on skill development, fitness, and fun

• Indoor competitions depending on age group - January to April

• Cross Country - September to December for Primary and Athletics Ireland.  Secondary January - March

Training Times

For children born in 2019 (aged 7), 2018 & 2017:
🕕 Mondays, 6:00–7:00 PM

For children born in 2016 and older:
🕕 Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:00–7:15 PM

What should my child wear?

There is no need for expensive athletics gear when starting out.

Comfortable sports clothes, runners and a drink are all that's needed for normal training. Please dress appropriately for the weather – athletics is an outdoor sport and we train in a variety of conditions.

Club singlets are generally only needed when representing the club at competitions.

What Equipment Will My Child Need?

👟 Spikes

• Spikes are not required for beginners

• Children usually move to spikes when they are confident and competing

• Coaches will advise when it’s the right time

• Correct spikes are important for safety and performance

• 5mm for track and 9/12mm for Cross Country (younger kids will do fine in football boots)

• Can be bought in Elvery's and Greene's Claremorris (094) 9362899 (ring ahead for sizes)

👕 Clothing

• Comfortable sportswear for training

• Club gear is optional (and available once registered)

• Weather-appropriate layers for outdoor sessions

• Please see our Girls in Sport page for information about Sports Bras

More Than Just Athletics 💚

We’re not just a sports club—we’re a community! Throughout the year, we host plenty of social events for athletes, parents, and siblings to enjoy.

Some of our favourite events include:

• 🎉 St Patrick’s Day Parade

• 🕺 Kiddies Disco

• 🎱 Bingo Afternoons

• 🎄 Seasonal celebrations and family fun days such as Jingle Bell run

These events are a big part of club life and a brilliant way to meet other families and get involved.

Do children have to compete?

Competition is part of athletics, but children can develop at different speeds and have different goals.

For some, competing is one of the most exciting parts of the sport. For others, their achievement might be running further than they did last month, learning to jump properly, improving a throw or simply enjoying being active with their friends.

We encourage children to challenge themselves and celebrate their own progress.

How do competitions work?

Don't worry if your first athletics competition seems a little confusing – everyone has a first one!

Throughout the year there are different types of competitions including cross country, indoor athletics, track & field and team events.

Coaches will let parents know about suitable upcoming competitions and provide information on entering.

You don't need to understand every age category, event or rule straight away. You'll pick it up surprisingly quickly!

Cross Country

Cross country generally takes place during autumn and winter and involves running outdoors over grass and natural terrain.

Distances are appropriate to the children's age groups and gradually increase as athletes get older.

It is a fantastic way for children to build fitness, confidence and resilience.

Indoor Athletics

Indoor competitions usually take place during the winter months.

Depending on age, events can include sprints, middle-distance running, hurdles, jumps, throws and relays.

Outdoor Track & Field

Spring and summer bring the outdoor track & field season.

This is where children get the opportunity to experience the huge variety that athletics has to offer – running, jumping and throwing.

There really is something for everyone.

What if my child isn't very fast?

They absolutely still belong in athletics.

Being the fastest child is not a requirement for joining an athletics club.

Athletics includes endurance running, sprinting, jumping and throwing, and children develop at very different ages and stages.

One of the great things about athletics is that progress can be very personal. Improving your own time, distance, technique or confidence is an achievement worth celebrating.

What can parents do to help?

The best support is usually very simple:

Encourage effort rather than results.

Ask "Did you enjoy it?" or "What did you try tonight?" rather than focusing on where they finished.

Children will have good days and bad days. Sometimes they'll surprise themselves; sometimes things won't go their way. That's all part of sport.

Helping them enjoy the experience is far more important than analysing every result.

Keeping up to date

Please keep an eye on club messages for information about:

• Training

• Changes or cancellations

• Competition entries

• Competition timetables

• Club events

• Membership

• Volunteering and other club activities

With a large number of athletes, keeping up with club communications really helps everything run smoothly.

Please ask us!

There are no silly questions.

Athletics has lots of different events, age groups, competition structures and rules, and nobody expects a new parent to understand them all.

If you're unsure about training, competitions, entries, what your child should be doing or anything else, please ask one of the Head Coaches.

We would much rather you ask than feel unsure.

Getting Involved

Our club is run by dedicated volunteers, and we always welcome help—big or small! Whether it’s assisting at events, helping on competition days, or supporting social activities, there’s a role for everyone.  Please contact [email protected]

And finally…

Your child doesn't need to arrive at athletics already fit, fast, strong or experienced.

That's what athletics is for.

They just need to arrive willing to have a go.

Our aim is to help children run, jump, throw, make friends, build confidence, get fitter and, most importantly, enjoy being active.

Welcome to athletics – we're delighted to have you with us!

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch—we’re always happy to help 😊