Athletics

Blaenau Gwent will soon have a brand new athletics club – based at the all-weather Brynmawr Athletics Track.

The new club will be under starter’s orders in April 2009. But now is the time for everyone – seasoned athletes and local people who want to give track and field athletics a try – to get in touch.

Blaenau Gwent Council’s Active Communities Team is asking anyone interested – people of any age and level of experience – to come forward.

BG Athletics Club will offer a wide range of track and field events including sprinting, hurdling and shot-put. There will be sections for 8 to 10 year-olds; 11 to 16 year-olds, 17 to 20 year-olds, adults, experienced people and people with disabilities. Qualified coaching will be available.

Cllr Jason Owen, Blaenau Gwent Council’s Executive Member for Leisure, said:
”This is a great opportunity to get active, keep fit, improve your athletic ability, have fun and, if you fancy, compete against other local athletics clubs.

“We want everyone in Blaenau Gwent to be healthy and taking part in a physical activity can contribute to this, which is why we are doing all we can to provide fitness opportunities for local people.

“Blaenau Gwent Council has had very positive input from experienced and qualified coaches, I’m confident the new club can succeed - I wish them all the best.

“We are grateful to Campus First and the University of Wales Newport for recognising this and agreeing to sponsor the club and enable us to purchase first class equipment and provide top class coaching.”

Campus First and the University of Wales Newport are sponsoring the club, helping to pay for brand new kit and coaching assistance.

BG Athletics Club will hold its first session on Thursday, 23 April 2009. Fun Athletics is available for young people aged 8 – 10 from 5pm to 6pm, and everyone aged 11 and upwards from 6pm to 8pm on the athletics track at Brynmawr Foundation School.

One of the club’s first big events will be a special athletics camp for young people this Easter holidays. The first Aviva Startrack Athletics Camp – supported by Welsh Athletics – will take place over four days from April 14 to April 17 for young people from the ages of eight to 15.

The Aviva Startrack programme provides fun and exciting athletics opportunities for young people all year round - more than 23,000 children now take part every year at over 600 venues across the UK.

Head Coach, Nicky Haines, said:

“Youngsters taking part in the camp will be encouraged to achieve their personal goals and learn the principles of athletics such as running, jumping and throwing in a friendly and exciting environment. This is a great place for beginner athletes to get an introduction to the club – come and have a go.”

The cost of the camp is £6 per day or £20 for the full camp. You will receive sports T-shirts, caps, water bottles and bags. You will be required to bring a packed lunch every day and are advised to bring plenty of fluids.

Olympic athlete Jamie Baulch did officially launch the BG Athletics on May 14 2009.

For further information please contact

If you would like to know more about the club and register your interest please contact
Gareth Gunter,
Active Communities Coordinator,
Tel.: 01495 355324
e-mail :gareth.gunter@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

To book a place on the camp call 01495 355606.