Established in 1973, we are a small club with a good reputation and members competing at all levels including County, National, International and Olympics. Some of our officials are also engaged in international competition judging.

WHO CAN JOIN?

Anyone who is 10 years old or over can become a member. There are no qualifying standards, exams or tests. Our only condition is that having joined, you train regularly and compete for the Club. Many team competitions are won by sheer numbers of athletes.

WHAT DO MEMBERS GET?

Our aim is to help people enjoy track and field athletics through healthy competition.
There is plenty of competition available, but we are careful not to overload youngsters with too much competition or heavy training – we want you to enjoy the sport for life.
Team Managers choose the teams for league meetings and together with other officials ensure that youngsters are fully supervised at away meetings.
The club provides competition, training, coaching and equipment to enable athletes to achieve their full potential.

AGE GROUPING

Competition is arranged in age groups. Ages are calculated as at midnight on 31 August / 01 September in the year of competition.

Male Female

Under 13 Boys Under 13 Girls Over 11 and under 13 years
Under 15 Boys Under 15 Girls Over 13 and under 15 years
Under 17 Men Under 17 Women Over 15 and under 17 years
Junior Men Junior Ladies Over 17 and under 20 years
[at midnight 31 December]
Senior Men Senior Ladies Over 20 years

Athletes may sometimes be allowed to compete in an older age group.

TRANSPORT

Coaches are hired for all East Anglian League and Eastern Young Athletics League Meetings.
Members are collected at Bury St Edmunds from the council car park opposite the Track.
For the Southern Men's League, we normally use private cars, with sharing of costs. Usually a minibus is provided for the Southern Women's League. Transport for Open Track events is the responsibility of the individual member, as these meetings are entered on a individual basis.

SPORTS EQUIPMENT

You do not need to have any special to kit to start with, a pair of trainers, T-shirt and shorts are adequate. The sports shops in Bury St Edmunds & Haverhill will usually give a discount to club members, on production of the Club Membership Card.

CLUB VESTS

Competition rules demand that a club vest shall be worn. A club vest is included in your registration fee. See a committee member if you would also like to place an order for the Club track suit.

TRAINING

The club has the use the West Suffolk Arena Track and Field facility at Bury St Edmunds.
During the summer training sessions are:-
Tuesday & Thursday 6.30pm – 8.30pm.
Winter training sessions are:
Tuesday & Thursday 6.30pm – 8.00pm.
COACHING

Coaching is carried out in groups. In order to accommodate the range in age and interest at Bury St Edmunds an attempt is made to allocate each athlete to a coach to oversee their training. However, if an athlete is willing to dedicate more effort and time to training, then individual coaching and advice will be made available.

COMPETITION

The club belongs to the following leagues:-
Southern Men's League - MEN ONLY over 17 years [although Youths may compete].
Southern Women's League - WOMEN ONLY over 11 years.
Eastern Veteran's League - Male over 40 and Female over 35.
East Anglian League - Male & Female in all age groups [sometimes including under 11 years].
Eastern Young Athletics - Male & Female from 11 to 17 years.
Essex League - Cross Country for all age groups.
Suffolk League - Cross Country for all age groups.
Ryston Grand Prix - Cross Country for all age groups, including U11’s
Sportshall - Indoor event for 9 to 15 years.
Open Competitions – It is up to the individual to enter.

STARTRACK

There is a Saturday Club held at West Suffolk Arena & indoors at the Sports Centre which caters for those 7yrs to 13yrs, and as an introduction to athletics this would more appropriate for the younger athletes.

WHAT DOES IT COST?

We have an initial registration fee followed by monthly installments by Standing Order. The membership fees include access to all Club Training Sessions, a Club Vest or T-Shirt as well as free transport, when provided, to club competitions.
The costs are as follows:
Registration Fees of £TBA for an individual or for a family
Monthly Fees:
Individual £TBA Family £TBA
2nd claim £TBA
Associate Members £5.00 / Year [Non active with voting rights]
Age for the purpose of subscription, as at the 1st September in the year due.
Subscriptions are due on 1st March each year.
You have to be a fully paid up member before you can compete for the club.