The backbone of Dacorum AC is its track and field section, which boasts approximately 300 active members, from year 5 through to veteran athletes in the 60+ category. There are 22 track and field coaches, of whom 4 are ex-international athletes. Children progress through the U11 and U13 groups into the development squad or into the event specific squads. However, new members can be placed accordingly and are welcome to join at any time of the year
Please use the ‘Contact’ section of our website, if you have an enquiry about joining us. Alternatively, for older athletes, please contact Deborah Keenleyside: djkeenleyside@gmail.com
All athletes joining the club are expected to attend training regularly and compete for the club on at least 2 occasions during the year; this can include doing the Club Championships or the Club Pentathlon.
Training time: Mondays 5.30-6.30pm or Thursdays 5-6pm.
This group caters for athletes who have progressed through from the U13 group or who are just starting athletics. Athletes are taught the techniques involved in hurdling, HJ, LJ, Shot, Discus, Javelin and relay running. An athlete who displays a particular competence will move from this group to an event specific squad.
Athletes in this group have the opportunity to compete in the Youth Development League, Club Pentathlon and Club Champs.
Coach: Seb Wadlow & Trevor Crichton
Training times: Tuesdays and Thursdays 7.15-8.30pm, Sundays 10.30-11.40am.
Both coaches work on developing the athletes’ strength, speed and technical performance.
Athletes in this group compete in the Eastern Young Athletes’ League, the Youth Development League, the Southern Athletics League, Club, County, Regional and National Championships.
Godwin Mutandwa is in this squad. He won the National Championships and was ranked 1st in the UK for the U15B Discus 2022.
Coaches:
Training times: Mondays 5.30-6.45pm, Tuesdays 6-7.15pm & 7.15- 8.30pm, Thursdays 6-7.15pm.
Rob coaches two groups of high jumpers. The Tuesday group is for those athletes who have cleared more than 1.40m and the Thursday group consists of those who have a pb in the range of 1.20-1.39m. This allows for coaching to be directed to the level of ability of the athletes. Sessions involve technical work on run-ups, take-off and flight.
Athletes in these groups compete in the Eastern Young Athletes’ League, the Youth Development League, the Southern Athletics League, Club, County, Regional and National Championships.
Coaches: Deborah Keenleyside, assisted by Haydn and Ralph Williams.
Training times: Tuesdays and Thursdays 7.30-8.45pm, Sundays 10.15-1pm.
The sprint hurdlers (75m, 80m, 100m, 110m) do sprint work on Mondays/Tuesdays and Thursdays but do specialist hurdling sessions on Sunday mornings. They engage in hurdling drills, block work and technical sessions over the hurdles, developing both speed and efficiency. The 300m and 400m hurdlers train with the 300/400m squad on Tuesdays and Thursdays and work on their competition event on Sundays.
Athletes in this group compete in the Eastern Young Athletes’ League, the Youth Development League, the Southern Athletics League, Club, County, Regional and National Championships.
Deb presently coaches Harry Bridge & Haydan London who have both competed at the English Schools Champs.
Deb previously coached Mia McIntosh (3 x English Schools Champion), Milly Gall (bronze medallist at English Schools), Amelia Woodnick (English Schools semi-finalist).
Deb previously coached Amelia Woodnick (English Schools semi-finalist).
Coaches: Trevor Ratcliffe.
Training times: Thursdays 6-7.45pm and Sundays (advanced throwers only) 11:10-13:00
Trevor (World Masters Indoor Champion) and Charlie coach the young aspiring javelin throwers. Sessions involve the youngsters in the technical aspects of the event and develop their ability to throw from short/full run-ups.
Athletes in these groups compete in the Eastern Young Athletes’ League, the Youth Development League, the Southern Athletics League, Club, County, Regional and National Championships.
Trevor presently coaches Poppy Radford (4th at English Schools) and Charlie coaches Megan Saywell (14that English Schools).
Coach: Rob Wright.
Training times: Tuesdays 6-7.15pm, Thursdays 7.30-8.45pm, Sundays 10.15-11.30am.
Rob coaches two groups of horizontal jumpers. The Tuesday group is mainly for U15s who are learning the basic technical aspects of the event. The older athletes work with Rob on Thursdays; concentrating on the finer details of the run-up, take-off, flight and landing.
Rob is supported by Ian Roberts, a National coach, who comes to Jarman .Park to do sessions with the jumpers from time to time.
Athletes in this group compete in the Eastern Young Athletes’ League, the Youth Development League, the Southern Athletics League, Club, County, Regional and National Championships.
Rob previously coached Lierre Henry (9th at English Schools).
Coaches: Mike Dunphy, assisted by Marcello Bustamante & Rob Potton.
Training sessions are aimed at developing 800m, 1500m, 3000m and cross-country runners to a high standard, and a strong commitment to training and competing is required.
Athletes from this age group compete in the Chiltern Cross- Country League, the North West London Cross-Country League, the Eastern Young Athletes’ League, the Youth Development League, the Southern Athletics League, Club, County, Regional and National Championships.
Mike presently coaches several athletes who have competed at the English Schools X-C and/or Track & Field Champs: Stella Whitlum, Grace Milnes, Indie Frost, Thea Gray, Beth Moody, Emma Cresswell, Ed Clement, and James O’Connor.
Athletes formerly coached by Mike include Hannah Walker (South of England Champion, ran for GB in World XC Championships), Kristian Imroth (National XC Champion), Tom Gaunce (English Schools 800m), Sam Burnell (South of England Champion), Joseph Chamberlain (English Schools 1500m) and Freddie Truman-Williams (English Schools steeplechase).
Training times: Tuesdays 6-7pm and Thursdays 6-7pm.
Sessions involve work on run-ups and technique over the bar.
Andy has coached numerous vaulters to county, regional, national and international success, including Natasha Brunning (V35 World, European and British champion), James Weller (3rd UK Champs), Michael Fryer (bronze medallist English Schools). Andy is presently coaching Isabella Turner (English Schools Champion).
Andy was named Community Coach of the Year at the 2015 Dacorum Sports Awards.
Athletes in this group compete in the Eastern Young Athletes’ League, the Youth Development League, the Southern Athletics League, Club, County, Regional and National ChampionshipsNational Championships.
Training times: Tuesdays & Thursdays 7- 8.15pm.
Shaun (National Masters Champion for Shot and Javelin) works on the various techniques of shot putting: this incorporates standing throws, shifts and rotations. He has built his group up and is presently coaching Ellie Bostock (4th at English Schools) and Godwin Mutandwa (ranked 6th in UK 2022).
Athletes in this group compete in the Eastern Young Athletes’ League, the Youth Development League, the Southern Athletics League, Club, County, Regional and National Championships.
Training times: Mondays 5.30-6.45pm, Thursdays 6-7.30pm, Sundays 10.15-11.45am.
Sue’s squad is made up of our best performing sprinters who compete in the Eastern Young Athletes’ League, the Youth Development League, the Southern Athletics League, Club, County, Regional and National Championships.
Training sessions are designed to develop technique, speed and speed endurance, effective use of blocks, acceleration and maximum velocity running. Conditioning work, resistance training and plyometrics are also included.
This squad includes Sullivan McAlinden (Bronze medallist at National Indoor Champs & English Schools 200m finalist) and Nathan Hedges (English Schools 100m).
Coach: Selwyn Weekes
Training times: Tuesdays 6:00-7.15pm, Thursdays 6:00-7.15pm, Sundays 10.30-12.30pm.
This group is for U17 and older athletes. Training sessions are designed to develop technique, speed and speed endurance, effective use of blocks, acceleration and maximum velocity running. Conditioning work, resistance training and plyometrics are also included.
Athletes in this group compete in the Youth Development League, the Southern Athletics League, Club and County Champs.
Coach: Peter Stansbury
Training times: Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:00-7:00 pm.
This is our entry-level squad for under 15 athletes, developing speed and technique, and working on conditioning.
Athletes in this group compete in the Youth Development League, Club and County Championships.
Coaches: Deborah Keenleyside, assisted by Peter Stansbury.
This group is made up of athletes preparing to compete in 300m or 400m races. Training includes some endurance running, conditioning, track sessions, block work, hills, plyometrics, core work and resistance work.
Athletes in this group compete in the Youth Development League, the Southern Athletics League, Club, County, Regional and National Championships.
Deb presently coaches Oscar North (4th at National indoor 400m), Matthew Marven (4th at English Schools 400m) and Abbie Parker (Eastern Counties U15G Indoor 300m Champion and 8th at English Schools).
Deb previously coached Phillipa Lowe (GB international/Silver medallist in European Indoor 4 x 400m Champs) and Olive Coles (4tht at British U20 Indoor Champs).
Coaches: Rhys Rowlands
Contact: Deb Keenleyside
Training times: Tuesdays 7-8
NB This group has a waiting list.
Athletes of all abilities participate in a variety of sessions aimed at introducing them to all aspects of track and field athletics. Our structured programme is based on the England Athletics scheme ‘365’, and develops both skills and fitness. It incorporates many competitive opportunities in which the children strive to reach their potential.
Athletes from this age group compete in the Chiltern Cross- Country League, the Eastern Young Athletes’ League, Club and County (Cross-country and Track and Field) Championships. A significant number are selected every year to represent Hertfordshire at the Annual U13 Inter-Counties match.
Coaches: Cathie Woolfrey
Contact: Deb Keenleyside
Training times: Mondays 5:30-6:30
NB This group has a waiting list.
Athletes of all abilities participate in a variety of sessions aimed at introducing them to all aspects of track and field athletics. Our structured programme is based on the England Athletics scheme ‘365’, and develops both skills and fitness. It incorporates many competitive opportunities in which the children strive to reach their potential.
Athletes from this age group compete in the Chiltern Cross- Country League, the Eastern Young Athletes’ League, Club and County (Cross-country and Track and Field) Championships. A significant number are selected every year to represent Hertfordshire at the Annual U13 Inter-Counties match.
We have a range of event-specific training squads which are detailed below. In addition to specialist coaching, athletes are encouraged to compete in league matches and other appropriate events and competitions.
At Dacorum AC we currently compete in 4 Track and Field leagues in the summer season. We also encourage people to take part in various open meetings that are held throughout the year. Click on the tabs below to find out more.
Officials play a key part in making these competitions happen and as we grow as a club we might be able to enter other competitions but cannot do this without enough officials. If you are interested in becoming an official please get in contact.
We are now competing in the Youth Development League (YDL) Lower Age Group (LAG) instead of the Eastern Young Athletes League (EYAL).
More information to follow.
If you would like to take part and haven’t already spoken with the team manager do get in touch with them (details on contact page).
We have teamed up with Harrow AC to compete in the UK Youth Development League. We won promotion last season to the Southern Premier League Upper Age Group (under 17 and under 20). Heights and weights will be appropriate to the age group.
Clubs compete at three different matches through the summer. Scoring is points based rather than medal based. Athletes score points for each event according to their position (even coming last wins a point) and scores are added up to decide the winner of the match. So it is a combination of athletes doing well and ensuring we enter every single event. For each event and age group (u17, and u20 Men and Women) there is an A and a B competition and we can enter 1 athlete for each. There are also non-scoring competitions where athletes compete but do not score points for the club (a great way to get experience!).
If you would like to take part and haven’t already spoken with the team manager do get in touch with them (details on contact page).
The Southern Athletics League (SAL) provides a good level competition for Senior, U20, and U17 Men and Ladies. Only senior weight (throws) and heights (hurdles) are used. We came 3rd in Division 2 North and East in 2023
There are currently over 100 teams that are competing in SAL. The league is split into three tiers. We are currently in Division 2 West, 16 clubs meet each other once in a round-robin system at 5 different fixtures throughout the summer. In Division 2W there are 4 teams (men and women) competing in each match. Scoring is points based rather than medal based. Athletes score points for each event (1st=4, 2nd=3, 3rd=2, 4th=1, no athlete entered=0) and scores are added up to decide the winner of the match. So it is a combination of athletes doing well and ensuring we enter every single event. For each event, there is an A and a B competition and we can enter 1 athlete for each. There are also non-scoring competitions where athletes compete but do not score points for the club (a great way to get experience!).
If you would like to take part and haven’t already spoken with the team manager do get in touch with them (details on contact page).
Our Vets / Masters athletes can compete in appropriate age bands (35-40 and then 10 year groups from 40+)
Open meetings are a great way to gain race experience and improve your performance. As the name implies, they are open to any athletes and are usually set up so you compete with people of a vary similar level (often mixed age and gender) so you’ll have good competition. The following isn’t a complete list, but should help you find something suitable:
Officials play a key part in making these competitions happen and as we grow as a club we might be able to enter other competitions but cannot do this without enough officials. If you are interested in becoming an official please get in contact.
The dates for our league matches are below:
| Sunday 3rdMay 2026 | Little Marlow (SL7 3RQ) |
| Sunday 31stMay 2026 | Jarman Park |
| Saturday 18thJuly 2026 | tbc |
| Saturday 1stAugust 2026 | Horspath (OX4 2RR) – tbc |
| Saturday 16thMay 2026 | Perivale (UB6 8TJ) |
| Sunday 21stJune 2026 | Watford (WD25 7HH) |
| Sunday 19thJuly 2026 | St Albans (AL1 2DJ) |
| Saturday 8thAugust 2026 | Jarman Park |
| Sunday 19thApril 2026 | Reading (RG6 1LF) |
| Sunday 24thMay 2026 | Eton (SL4 6HN) |
| Sunday 12thJuly 2026 | Bromley (BR2 9EJ) |
| Sunday 6thSeptember 2026 | tbc |
| Monday 11thMay 2026 | Lee Valley (N9 0AR) |
| Monday 8thJune 2026 | Stevenage (SG2 9PG) |
| Monday 29thJune 2026 | Lee Valley (N9 0AR) |
| Monday 27thJuly 2026 | Harrow (HA3 6SW) – |
Each year we appoint a manager and a captain for each of our teams. Their names are shown below and you can contact the Team Managers from our Contact page (selecting the appropriate team from the list)
| Team Managers | Name |
|---|---|
| U14 Girls & Boys | Jo Winfield |
| U16 Girls | Ruth Upjohn |
| U16 Boys | Noelle Hudson |
| U18 & U20 Men | Colin London |
| U18 & U20 Women | Deb Keenleyside |
| Senior Men | Rhys Rowlands |
| Senior Women | Alison Parker |
| Masters Men & Women | Celia Findlay |
| Junior Cross Country | Angus Saunders |
| Senior Cross Country | Jim Mason Rob Davies |
| Year | U13G | U13B | U15G | U15B | U17W | U17M | U20W | U20M | SW | SM |
| 2018 | Krystal Powley | Oscar North | Zoe Carroll | Louis Jackson | Libby Mallord | Destiny Ogali | N/A | N/A | Remi Jessop & Mia O’Connell | Trevor Ratcliffe |
| 2019 | Phoebe Miller | Theo Potton | Abbie Parker | Alex Mancey | Milly Soanes | Marcus Stansbury | NA | N/A | Remi Jessop & Mia O’Connell | Trevor Ratcliffe |
| 2020 | Amelia Kelly | Isaac North | Jasmine Hardy | Oscar North | Megan Maddison | Sam Burnell | Milly Gall | Destiny Ogali | Katy Warren | Rhys Rowlands |
| 2021 | Seren Majed | Ethan Ogilvie | Olivia Wilson | George Hawkins | Lily Norwood | Edward Foy | Milly Gall | Freddie Truman- Williams | Katy Warren | Rhys Rowlands |
| 2022 | Violet Ripper | Zach Abbott | Isabella Turner | Godwin Mutanda | Y-Grace Milnes E-Krystal Powely | Y- Alex Jackson E-Joe McKeich | Lily Norwood | Jack Raine | Katy Warren | Rhys Rowlands |
| 2023 | Heidi King | Max McGuinn | Poppy Odom-Haslett | Finn Kenny | Poppy Radford | Godwin Mutandwa | Helena van Hullen | Jack Raine | Katy Hamilton | Matt Hamilton |
| 2024 | Imogen Smith | Daragh Noble | Emma Wright | Zach Abbott | Y- Elise Beardsworth E- Giusy Caprarelli | Y- Quinn Edwards E- Ethan Ogilvie | Jemima Byers | Oscar North | Helena van Hullen | Peter Stansbury |
| 2025 | Lily Weijs | Kye McKeich | Clara Upjohn | Oliver McDonald | Lily Johnson | Jack Guppy | Zara Simon | Haydan London | Lauren Collis | Peter Stansbury |
In addition to the competitions, many clubs hold meetings that anyone can join, chase that PB, build the match experience, try a different event and so on. Whilst theses all stopped for a while owing to Covid restrictions some are beginning to open up. You can look at our calendar and a few places you can look include:
Information for entry i
Our club rankings can be found on the Powerof10 website – we have embedded this below – if you click on one the links you will be taken to their website:
| Club | Match Points | League Points |
|---|---|---|
| Havering | 35 | 4,255 |
| Dacorum and Tring | 33 | 3,955.5 |
| Shaftesbury Barnet | 33 | 3,855 |
| Norwich | 32 | 4,023.5 |
| Chelmsford | 32 | 3,854.5 |
| Thurrock | 30 | 3,686.5 |
| Basildon | 28 | 3,620 |
| Ipswich | 28 | 3,381.5 |
| Bedford | 26 | 3,028.5 |
| Colchester Harriers | 26 | 2,965 |
| Cambridge and Coleridge | 25 | |
| Watford | 23 | |
| St Albans | 23 | |
| Stevenage | 22 | |
| Nene Valley | 21 | |
| Bedfordshire Lions | 18 | |
| Herts Phoenix | 18 | |
| Peterborough | 14 | |
| Harlow | 13 | |
| Colchester and Tendring | 13 | |
| Team Norfolk | 12 | |
| Braintree | 12 | |
| North Suffolk | 11 | |
| HAWCS / Enfield and Haringey | 9 | |
| West Suffolk | 8 |
| Club | League Points | Match Points |
|---|---|---|
| City of Salisbury | 18 | 1,119.5 |
| Marshall Milton Keynes | 18 | 1,092.5 |
| Basingstoke and Mid Hants | 17 | 1,094.5 |
| Dacorum and Tring | 15 | 996.5 |
| Radley | 13 | 981 |
| Epsom and Ewell | 13 | 965 |
| Newbury | 13 | 949.5 |
| Croydon Harriers | 13 | 921 |
| Aldershot, Farnham and District | 12 | 931 |
| South London Harriers | 12 | 917.5 |
| Hillingdon | 11 | 877 |
| Kingston AC and Polytechnic | 11 | 858 |
| Yeovil Olympiad | 11 | 822.5 |
| Bedford and County | 9 | 854 |
| Walton | 7 | 815.5 |
| St Albans | 7 | 799 |
tbc
We have an active Facebook site, scroll through the recent activity below or click on the header to visit Facebook.
Dacorum AC places a strong emphasis on competition for all.
We compete in several team competitions and ask all athletes (and parents and carers) to make a concerted effort to be available for their relevant club matches. Competing to the best of your ability is doing a great service to the club. Failing to attend without good reason is putting extra pressure on your team-mates, manager, captain and coaches. Even non-scoring athletes have a role to play, not just in the building of competitive skills, but also as a back-up team in case of injury, illness, etc.
In summary we expect the following of athletes: