Track and Field Athletics

Lots of people do track and field athletics at school, but then don't do it later on in life. There is no particular reason why that should be so - track and field is for everyone! Ealing Eagles is primarily an offtrack (road running, cross country and trail) club, but we have started taking part in track competitions. If you are on Facebook and interested in finding out more, there is a dedicated Eagles at Track Facebook group.

Track Competitions (Leagues):

Ealing Eagles (Seniors) take part in two Track & Field Leagues:

Southern Athletics League (SAL)

– Joint team with ESM (Nils-Kristian Liborg is the Eagles team manager)

•Saturday/Sunday afternoons (12-4.30pm)

•Dates for 2023:

  • 20 May – Walton,

  • 18 June – Aldershot,

  • 9 July – Carshalton,

  • 19 August – Perivale

•All age groups (U17+) compete together

•Full range of events

Southern Counties Vets League

(Mid London Division)

- James de Vivenot is the team manager

•Monday/Wednesday evenings (6.00-9.00pm)

•Dates for 2023:

  • 15 May – Battersea,

  • 5 June – Hillingdon,

  • 19 June – Battersea,

  • 12 July - Perivale

•Over 35s (Age groups compete in separate categories 35-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+)

•Range of events but no hurdles, pole vault

Open Meetings:

Apart from the Eagles track mile at Perivale in April 2023, there are lots of Open Track Meetings including:

•Thames Valley Harriers Opens @ Wormwood Scrubs

•Watford Open Graded Meetings

•Lee Valley (Outdoor & Indoor)

•Highgate Harriers Opens @ Parliament Hill

•Finsbury Park 5000s

•Hercules Wimbledon 5000s

•Soar/Tracksmith Track Mile

•Many can be entered online:

Details of these meetings will be posted on the Eagles at Track Facebook group.

Championships

•Middlesex County Championship (Indoor & Outdoor) - Usually held at Lee Valley

•Outdoor Champs 13th-14th May 2023

•South of England (Indoor & Outdoor)

•Outdoor Champs 3rd-4th June @ Chelmsford

•Masters Championships (BMAF & Inter-Regional)

•Enter via second claim membership of Vets AC or Southern Counties Vets AC (£12 annual membership - also includes entry to road races in Battersea Park)

Equipment

What equipment will I need?

Footwear

•Sprints – athletes can wear sprint spikes (though you don’t have to)

•Sprints – athletes can use starting blocks (but you don’t have to)

•Endurance – athletes can wear endurance spikes or road shoes (ensure sole stack height doesn’t exceed limit (40mm). List of permitted shoes online.

•All spike pins for track events should be 6mm (High Jump & Javelin are longer)

•Throws or Jumps shoes are helpful for field events (though not 100% necessary for beginners)

Throws Events implements

Competitions will provide implements for the appropriate specifications for each age group, though it is possible to buy & bring your own, it will need to be checked in with officials before the competition starts

Training

•Stuart Pugh and James de Vivenot will arrange a joint training session with ESM @ Perivale Track (Date TBC) which will cover the basics of throws & jumps (also Officiating experience)

•Further technical coaching can be arranged on request if people want to progress more in particular events

Officiating

•Athletics is dependent on volunteers – particularly track & field which relies on officials. A lot of Athletics Officials are aged 60+ and will be retiring from the sport over the next few years so new volunteers need to be trained up.

•Ealing Eagles is not a traditional T&F club but now have a few qualified officials (originally to support the Juniors). Stuart Pugh is now a Level 3 (out of 4) Track Judge (amongst other roles) Middlesex County Official Secetary (COfSec) and we have a few other Level 1 and 2 officials, so the club is more than pulling its weight in terms of officials, but we always appreciate more volunteers!

•Roles include: Track Judge, Timekeeper, Field Judge, Photo-finish and Starter/Starter’s Assistant

•Teams must provide Officials to take part in Leagues (and officials score points for the team)

•It is possible to officiate and compete at the same match (particularly Vets League)

•Details about courses can be found on this link.

Further information:

•There is an Eagles at Track Facebook group

•Nils-Kristian Liborg is Team Manager for SAL

•James de Vivenot is the Team Manager for Vets League

•Stuart Pugh is the person to talk to about officiating

The main thing to emphasise is that track competition is lots of fun as those who have taken part over the past couple of years can confirm and it is definitely for everyone, not just the speedy Eagles!