EDINBURGH ATHLETIC CLUB
www.edinburghac.org.uk
WELCOME PACK
May 2015
MEADOWBANK STADIUM
OVERVIEW
Edinburgh Athletic Club (EAC) was founded from the merger of City of Edinburgh Athletic Club and Edinburgh Southern Harriers in April 2007 and is currently one of the leading athletic clubs in Scotland. The club currently boasts 600+ members, a number of whom compete at National and International level. The transition to the present club was exceedingly smooth with an immediate good relationship between officials and athletes. This was not surprising as several shared coaches and many trained at the same facilities. The Club has since been awarded Scottish Athletics Track and Field Club of the year every year since amalgamation.
The club caters for track and field, cross country, hill & road running. To find out more about the club history please go to the website www.edinburghac.org.uk.
The Club has been accredited with Scottish Athletics Podium Award which recognises clubs who meet the national standards of good practice and provide a safe and effective structure for members.
The club is run by a committee of unpaid volunteers see below:
Office Bearers
President: Moira Maguire
Honorary President: Barry Craighead
Vice President: Yvonne Jones
Club Secretary: Lynn Allan
Minute Secretary: Moira Nisbet
Treasurer: Graeme Dunn
Welfare officer: Marjory Cook/Lindy McGinty (Female) Brian Nisbet (Male)
Plus other elected members. All committee members are elected at the AGM which is usually held in November.
Conveners
Coaching: Bill Walker ()
Track & Field: Moira Maguire & Bill Walker
Young Athletes: Enid Johnstone (Female )
Yvonne Jones (Males ) & Keith Ridley
(waiting list and induction co-ordinator)
Endurance: Enid Johnstone (Female) U11 – Masters
Eric Fisher (Male) (U11 – U17) Alex McEwen (Male) (U20 – Masters)
Parents Group: Yvonne Jones & Gail Wilson
Website & Communications: Martin Little, Graeme Brown, Garry Robertson, Derek Cogle & Keith Ridley
All can be contacted via the club website edinburghac.org.uk.
TRAINING NIGHTS
Our home athletic track and main training facility is Meadowbank Stadium. In addition to club nights, we have “hubs” operating at various venues throughout the city and some event specific groups. Athletes attending these sessions will receive relevant information from the coaches, working with these groups.
Monday, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are the main track and field nights for athletes U11 – U15 (aged 9 – 14) and where possible, all events are catered for. All are expected to compete in track & field events during the summer and cross-country and/or indoor during the winter. Please do not move from coach to coach without prior discussion with your current coach. When coming to any training session remember to wear suitable clothing and footwear and also to bring plenty of non fizzy drinks. A register of athletes U11 – U15 is kept by coaches.
Induction Sessions:
Induction sessions are held so that athletes get taster sessions trying the various events. The Trial sessions are led by Bill Walker our senior coach. The welcome pack and fixture list is emailed to athletes after they are invited to join the club. EAC competes in a number of leagues & competitions throughout the year. EAC expects athletes to attend regularly for training, to compete when selected to do so and to enter competitions available to them. Parents will also be asked to sign up to this and help at least 6 hours a year if requested to do so. A place on the induction does not guarantee a place with the club.
Due to the success of the Club we now operate a waiting list policy within the club for new club members in the younger age groups, wishing to join our Meadowbank groups.
Contact Yvonne Jones () – Induction Co-ordinator
SENIOR COACH: Bill Walker (Chair – Coaches Committee)(H) 0131 – 556 5514 / (M) 07944191179 ; EMAIL-
EVENT / LEAD COACHES
SPRINTS (100m – 400m) / Bill Walker (as above)
HURDLES (& Hubs) / ??
MIDDLE DISTANCE (800m/1500m/3Km) / John Lees
ENDURANCE (3Km/5Km, Cross-Country, / Alex McEwan: U20 to Masters
Road Running, S/Chase) / Enid Johnstone: U11 –U20 Girls Cross- Country
Eric Fisher : U11 to U17 Boys Cross-Country
0131 552 8982
JUMPS (Verticle Jumps) / Moira Maguire
JUMPS (Horizontal) / John Scott
MULTI EVENTS / Mike Forrest
COACH EDUCATION
All our club coaches are unpaid volunteers who have attended UK: Athletics Coaching Courses to obtain a UKA coach licence which is a statutory requirement of all athletics coaches. All qualified coaches have all been disclosed by the CRB (Central Registered Body in Scotland). The club has a child protection policy and aims to make the development of an interest and talent in athletics both safe and enjoyable. All coaches and volunteers are required to sign a code of conduct and have a disclosure. The club fully supports coaches who wish to progress through the coaching qualifications. Coaches/helpers are actively encouraged to attend courses, workshops, development days and Regional and National Squad training sessions as appropriate.
CLUB MEMBERSHIP
To join EAC, there are several categories of membership based on age, club use and personal circumstances (see club website for details or email:
Membership Secretary
Brian Nisbet, 2 Baberton Mains Way, Edinburgh. EH14 3HF
Tel No: 0131 442 1109
E-Mail:
WINTER COMPETITIONS
The winter season kicks off in October and lasts until April. We offer traditional cross country competitions . These can be classed as target events or open races including the thriving and low key Borders League as well as the well established East League. Local open events would be at Lasswade, Braids and Meadowmill. There are also some road races including EAC Queens Drive, the Edinburgh to North Berwick 20 mile road race, Lasswade 10 mile and the well supported Grangemouth 10k.Club members also tackle some of the winter hill races such as Broughton, Tinto and Carnethy. There are a two club handicaps, namely the Robertson and the McDonald Trophies and some paarlauf events including the Bert Farmer memorial event. Many are free or have a small entry fee. Many target races are “ pre-entry” ie team managers have to enter you in advance and there is no entry on the day. The club tries to support competition as there is no point in training if you do not compete.
Members must also be affiliated to Scottish athletics and let the team managers know their number.
The 2015/2016 competitive age groups for cross country are calculated on the following dates:
U11 9 or 10 on 31/8/2015
U13 11 or 12 on 31/8/2015
U15 13 or 14 on 31/8/2015
U17 15 or 16 on 31/8/2015
U20 17 18 or 19 on 31/12/2015 Seniors 17 or over on 31/8/2015
In the winter there is cross-country competition available in the East District League and Championship events as well as a series of club handicap and club championship races which include some road races.
Cross-Country Team Managers:
Enid Johnstone (Female)
Eric Fisher (Male) (U11 – U20)Alex McEwen (Male) U20 – Masters)
(see Endurance Newsletter for more information via club website)
SCOTTISH ATHLETICS EAST DISTRICT CROSS COUNTRY RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Cross country relays which are held early October at a different venue each year. Young Female and Young Male teams consist of one U13 1st leg, one U15 2nd leg & one U17 3rd leg. The three winning teams are presented with medals and there are trophies for the club. Senior team consists of either U20/seniors or vets team of three. Male teams are teams of four - medals are the same as young teams. An exciting format although no batons.
EAST DISTRICT CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE
East District League – there are three meetings held at different venues each year. We would encourage all members to take part. Hosted by local clubs they are grass roots events. At the last meeting there is a presentation for the winning teams in each age group and also winning overall female and male trophy. The Club won the overall female’s trophy in 2014/15.
SCOTTISH ATHLETICS NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Held usually at Cumbernauld each year in November. The teams consist of one U13, one U15 & one U17 and adult races. Senior team consists of either U20 or seniors in teams of three. There are vet Female teams as well but a vet can also count in the senior teams. U20’s Male teams are teams of four. Medals are the same as East District relays - first three teams in all categories. At the National Champs there is masters (over 40) competition. Selection from this is used to pick the Scottish teams for the Home Countries International by SVHC.
EAST DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS
Athletes based on age groups compete against all other athletes (regardless of club) in the East District Championships in their chosen event(s). This event is by pre-entry and Championship medals are awarded to teams as well as 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed athletes. This West District Championships are also held on the same day but run separately.
EAST DISTRICT INTER DISTRICT TEAM
Selection is made by the East District Committee and is based on results from the East District Championships and East League matches (more details via Enid Johnstone).
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Open to all club members. Senior men compete over 12k. Often the finale to the winter it is a great experience with club runners competing for medals, team counters and just being part of over 100 years of harrier tradition. About the same time in February/March is the masters (over 40) cross country championships. Masters can of course compete at the National Championships and often count. Pre-entry to both.
ROAD RUNNING COMPETITIONS – ALL YEAR
Road and fell take place all year round and there are excellent fixture lists available.
ROAD RUNNING
Club members regularly compete in a variety of road races including fun runs, 5 K’s 10K’s, half marathons and marathons in Scotland and the North of England. All abilities of athletes are catered for. Entries to these events are generally via individual entry. More details can be found on the Scottish Athletics website, the Club Website or by asking a coach. Alex MacEwen usually sets up a summer series including Scottish Championships and in several cases entry is on line and in advance by the club member . Again you have to have a valid Scottish athletics affiliation number.
There are many other open races throughout Scotland and its Islands of varying standard and unusual distances. Some will offer good competition, some pot hunting opportunities others are a low key run. Open races are mainly on the day by members. The club usually gets three London marathon guarantee places. There are conditions attached to these. In April there is a National Championship Road Relay. Six legs for men and four for the women over 17. It is 5 and 10k legs.
HILL OR FELL RUNNING
The SHR organise a Championship series based on the ABC SML classification. There is a good mainly three season (SHR )fixture list. Again entry is by individual member. There is an excellent fixture list and certain members can offer guidance and coaching in this discipline.
INDOOR TRACK AGE GROUPS
The 2015/2016 competitive age groups for indoors and outdoors are calculated on the following dates:
U11 on 31 August 2016 – 9 or 10 on the 31 August 2016
U13 on 31 August 2016 – 11 or 12 on the 31 August 2016
U15 on 31 August 2016 – 13 or 14 on the 31 August 2016
U17 on 31 August 2016 – 15 or 16 on the 31 August 2016
U20 on 31 December 2015 - 17, 18 or 19 on the 31 December 2015
Senior Events - 17 or over on 31 August 2016
SCOTTISH ATHLETICS INDOOR LEAGUE
The League is held in the Emirates Arena, Glasgow and caters for athletes in the U11 – U20 age groups both male and female. The league is structured into a morning and afternoon session to accommodate the number of Clubs taking part. Edinburgh AC compete in the afternoon. The first 3 clubs from the morning and afternoon sessions in each age group automatically qualify for the final match. In conjunction with the final match there is a 4 x 200m relay competition for each age group. If clubs do not qualify they can still enter a relay team at the final.
Team Managers: Yvonne Jones/Keith Ridley ()
SCOTTISH ATHLETICS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Athletes can enter themselves in the Indoor championships which caters for U13, 15, 17, 20 and Senior both male and female athletes. Again these are usually held in February. This event is by pre-entry and Championship medals are awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed athletes. See Scottish Athletics website for more information.
Scottish Championship events use age groups Under 13, 15, 17 and 20 as shown above.
SCOTTISH ATHLETICS INDOOR RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Indoor relays cater for U13, 15, 17 and Senior/U20 male and female. These are held at the Emirates Stadium in Glasgow and athletes are invited to participate. These are usually held in February.
SUMMER COMPETITIONS
AGE GROUPS - For details of age groups (which vary between championships/leagues see the appendix at the end of the Welcome Pack.
Athletes are expected to be available for and compete when selected for all club league matches below. Selections are made by our team managers in conjunction with club coaches. Athletes can also compete in a variety of competitions as an individual. The club also expects athletes to compete at the Club Championships/Lothian Trials: which include other clubs in the Lothians. Usually held early April at Meadowbank.
FORTH VALLEY LEAGUE
The JSB Plumbing Forth Valley League provides healthy competition for U11 – U15 athletes in clubs from East Lothian, West Lothian, Edinburgh, Fife and Central Scotland. EAC has the benefit of having teams in both Divisions 1 & 2. It is intended to provide competition for those who might not be picked for the SYAL team. Both Division 1 & 2 compete on a Saturday - Division 1 first match am/Division 2 pm; changing for Match 2 and then both Divisions coming to a final for Match 3. We won Division 1 in 2014 and were 4th in Division 2.