Junior Athlete Development pathway.     February 2007

Level one - Run Jump and Throw Clubs

All new athletes aged under 12 years must enter the club through the Run Jump and Throw clubs organised by Active Stirling and the other local authorities.

Athletes in RJT clubs will undergo continuous assessment by the coaches and when it is considered that they have attained an appropriate standard, taking into account such things as ability, attitude to the sport and level of commitment they will be allowed to move to the Induction section of Central Athletic Club.

It is recognised that some athletes may attain the appropriate standard in the course of one block of RJT but that it may be preferable for others to remain in the RJT for two or more blocks before progressing to the club.

Level two – Induction Group

This group will meet at Stirling University on Thursday nights between 7.00pm and 8.30pm and will be coached by Charlie Senior and John McDonald, with the assistance of Stuart Anderson and Martin Devine and/or other helpers.

Level three – Development Group

Athletes in the Junior Induction group will continue to be monitored by the above coaches and when it is again considered appropriate, taking into account the considerations referred to above, they will then be allowed to progress to the club proper and to become part of the Development group training on each of Tuesday and Thursday nights. This group will be coached by the same coaches as above.

New athletes aged 12 and over may only enter the club at the Development group stage.

Athletes will remain within the Development group until it is considered that they have attained a standard which will enable them to cope with the demands of the Junior endurance and sprint groups coached by Tony Quin, Mandy Gillespie and John Dawson, with assistance from parent helpers. The decision as to which of the specialist groups the athletes should move through to will be taken in consultation with the athletes, their parents and the relevant coaches.

It is recognised that some athletes may move through to the Specialist groups more quickly than others. It is also recognised and accepted that some athletes may be content to remain within the Development group indefinitely.

 Level Four – Specialist Groups

At present this is the highest level for junior athletes within the club. This level may be sub- divided in future depending on the relative progression of athletes within each of the groups and the availability of coaches.