Competitions
Ashford Athletic Club is actively involved in county and national athletics competitions from the age of 11 years upwards.
We offer competitions in four disciplines,namely, Track and Field, Cross Country, Road Running and Race Walking, within the following age groups:
Click here to see a full list of fixtures for all competitions, including Club League fixtures, and Individual Athlete entered Championships and Competitions.
Ashford Athletic Club is affiliated to and enter teams with the following leagues :
KCAA--Kent County Athletic Association for Sportshall, Cross Country and Kent Young Athletics League, Track and Field. U13 and U15.
YDL --Youth Developement League (Upper U17, U20) for Track and Field.
SAL-- Southern Athletics League for Track and Field. U17,U20,Senior and Masters
SCVAC--Track and Field, Cross Country and Road Races.
SEAA --South of England Athletics Association Cross Country ,Track and Field and Race Walking.
The competitions in which we compete are listed below with contact details for the current Team Manager.Each athlete must wear their Club vest to identify them. These can be purchased during a training night at The Julie Rose Stadium. Each athlete also wears bib numbers or letters which identify the Club. These are issued by the Team Managers, either before the meeting or on arrival at the meeting and are affixed to the athlete’s club vest using safety pins. Although the Team Managers have a supply of safety pins, some parents prefer to supply their own. The Club has a gazeebo and an AAC banner where the Team Managers will be based for the meetings. Please make sure that you check in with them when you arrive at the meetings if you have not travelled there on a coach provided by the club. Please also advise a team manager before you depart.
UK Youth Development League (YDL)
This league is an amalgamation of the National Junior League and the National Young Athletes League, and its fist matches were in 2013. This league operates over a weekend with the Under 13 & under 15s on Saturday and the under 17s & under 20s on Sunday. There are usually four matches and a final annually. This does vary.
Currently we take part in the Upper YDL only within a Composite Team of Ashford, Invicta East Kent, Paddock Wood and Swale athletics clubs.
Free coach transport may be provided, dependant upon the numer of athletes taking part. Please check with your Team Manager.
Website: https://www.ukydl.org.uk/
Emily Griffiths
Tel: 07775 911126
Email: emily641@hotmail.com
Kent Young Athletes League (KYAL)
This is very much a local (Kent) competition for Under 13 and 15 boys and girls. This league is set up to introduce children to competitive athletics, and is regarded as a development area of competition. Nevertheless it does present some strong competition, which helps all our young athletes work towards their personal goals. Although this is a team competition, there are opportunities for athletes to take part in non-scoring events. We do not prioritise the best athletes in all events to get maximum points. The Club encourages athletes to have a go at a variety of events. We endeavour to offer training and advice when new events are being tackled for the first time. Arrangements for training sessions are displayed on our website as well as via the coaches themselves.
We have a Free coach booked for each match and we ask that you make full use of this facility.
Website: http://www.kcaa.org.uk/KYAL.htm
Peter Tomsett
Tel: 07305 758776
Email: peter.l.tomsett@gmail.com
Sportshall Athletics
Sportshall is perfect for young athletes starting their athletics journey. It helps to develop crucial skills for the next summer’s season. More experienced athletes also benefit, with opportunities to be selected for your county and compete at a regional and national level. The events are varied with running jumping and throwing. These differ depending on the age of the athlete.
There are events for U11’s U13’s and U15’s and Ashford Athletic Club athletes compete in all three age groups.
Our Kent Sportshall competitions are currently held at The Stour Centre, Station Approach, Ashford, Kent, TN23 1ET.
Last season “2023” Ashford AC athletes entered teams within each age group and produced fantastic results culminating in athletes being selected to compete for Kent in the Regional Finals at Burgess Hill in Sussex.
The Under 13 Kent Boys team (which included several Ashford athletes) were then invited to take part in the UK Finals in Stoke and came a well-deserved 6th out of nine teams from across the whole of England.
For more information, please talk to your coach.
Website: https://www.sportshall.org/
Jacqi Snare
Tel: 07796 953305
Email: trackattackathletics@live.co.uk
Southern Athletics League (SAL)
This is a summer outdoor Track and Field league, and is for all athletes in the U17/U20/Senior and Masters age groups.The competitions are held at various venues accross the South of England.
Ashford is in Division 2 South and West.
A coach is provided free of charge for these matches, so please do make full use of it.
Website: https://www.southernathletics.org.uk/
Emily Griffiths
Tel: 07775 911126
Email: emily641@hotmail.com
Kent Vets League (Southern Counties Veterans Athletic Club) (SCVAC)
Ashford Athletic Club has a Masters section (aged over 35) for both men and women. We compete as members of the "Southern Counties Veterans Athletic Club" on the road, track/field and cross-country and have athletes competing at both county, national and international level.
Club Training is held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Julie Rose Stadium Ashford with two training sessions dependant upon space from 5.30pm-7pm,and 7pm -8.30pm . Vets athletes will be training in their relevant event with senior and U20 category athletes which provides a good level of competition. If you are interested in Vets competition and training then please contact Donna Parrott in the first instance for training.
This Seasons SCVAC matches all start at 6.45pm As these matches are an evening meeting athletes should make their own way ther.Help towards costs can be applied for ,but please car share where possible.
Website: http://www.scvac.org.uk
Peter Davey
Tel: 07961433611
Email: davey.p1@sky.com
Kent Cross Country League
If you would like to have a go and take part in this years Cross Country events then please talk to your coach or email Lisa Druggan-Cherry, Cross Country Team Manager
Cross Country can seem daunting at first, but if you just love to run then these are the events for you. The distances do increase with each age group, but all you are asked, is to run at Cross Country pace and do your best within your ability. Most of all it can be tremendous fun.
It may be wet and windy, but there again it could be one of those beautiful, sunny autumn mornings, usually running through stunning countryside. Parents and supporters are always welcome to encourage, especially if they are there at the finish to greet with warm clothing and a nice hot drink when required.
The deadline for entries is usually about 30th September please email Lisa at AACCrossCountry@gmail.com to register or with any questions. For more information, please go the the KCAA website.
A copy of the latest rules can be downloaded here.
Website: http://www.kcaa.org.uk
East Kent Road Relays
The 2023 Summer Relay Series has been cancelled. The series will return in 2024.
Race Walking
AAC race walks coach Chris Hobbs recommends these web sites as good sources of information:
Click here for a Race Walking Advice guide created by Chris Hobbs which gives guidance on Technique/rules, Judging, Training, Race distances, Race tactics and Shoes.
www.racewalkuk.com contains very comprehensive information on race walk training, racing and technique.
This is is web site of the Race Walk Association is the governing body for race walking in England and has details of races and the rules of race walking.