Since its formation SASP has worked closely with the Somerset Schools Athletics Association and Somerset County Athletics Association. The dedicated volunteers from these groups working together with SASP have enabled athletics to really prosper in the county.
The signs are there in the increasing number of young people joining recreational sportshall athletics programmes and junior clubs and also in the increasing number of athletes eager to attend trials for the County Development Squads, no matter what the weather!
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The Development Squads have been one of SASP athletics’ biggest successes and have brought both athletes and coaches together from across the county to join in what have been some fun, hectic and challenging sessions throughout the winter and spring months. The highlight for many of last year’s squad was a residential three day camp at the Bath High Performance Centre where the athletes got to meet the West Country’s most successful athlete, Jason Gardener. Plans are currently being made for another residential camp in April 2005.
There are currently 11 sportshall athletics centres in the county. Glastonbury started out as just a 10 week programme of coaching, but with the drive of the Head Coach, Graham Norris quickly developed into a fully fledged club (Mendip AC). Club based sessions regularly attracting large numbers of athletes are also run throughout the year at Wells and Taunton. Amongst SASP’s recreational centres Head Coach Jenny Slade at Stanchester and also Yeovil has ensured that young athletes are in good hands in South Somerset, whilst in Bridgwater Zoe Cummins has ensured that athletics is a popular option at East Bridgwater Sports Centre and Haygrove School and the experience and expertise of Roger Lee has motivated some talented youngsters in Frome. |
The Sportshall League now in its third year continues to draw together a large contingent of young athletes from across the county in four fixtures at central venues throughout the winter months. A greater number of athletes participate in the U11, U13 and U15 sportshall championships then ever before and the teams have been increasingly more successful at the Regional Athletics Festivals. Dedicated Minehead coach Nick Parson’s is currently developing the competitive opportunities for rural schools in the county with a new Virtual Sportshall Athletics League, which SASP hope’s to launch in the new year.
The Somerset track and field clubs have made great advances in the structure and organization of their junior sections with Taunton Athletic Club receiving the Sport England Club Mark status in July, Yeovil Olympiads awaiting final confirmation of their award and Wells City Harriers currently working towards Club Mark. Club Mark recognizes clubs as safe, effective and child friendly sports clubs.
Perhaps the most exciting development for athletes in Taunton, West Somerset and Bridgwater is the new all weather six lane track with full throwing and jumping areas, currently being built at the Castle School in Taunton. With tracks already situated in Street and Yeovil the county will have three strategically positioned facilities enabling athletes to access regular coaching through any of the four the clubs based at these venues.
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P.E & Sport in School 
