JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Designed for athletes turning 9 to 13 years old in the calendar year, the JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT (JD) program introduces young athletes to all the elements of track and field. In a scheduled rotation, and with the help of specialty and group coaches, all athletes participate in:

  • Middle distance running

  • Cross country running (fall)

  • Sprinting

  • Hurdles

  • Long Jump

  • High Jump

  • Throws (Shot Put, Discus, Javelin, Hammer)

Training three days per week (SCHEDULE), athletes develop healthy training techniques and learn about general fitness for life. Although competing in organized and sanctioned meets is not required, it’s encouraged. Ocean Athletics is a competitive club and we believe in the value athletes receive when they train hard and compete. Not only does competing reward their effort, but it’s a great opportunity to meet new people that share their interest in track & field.

We recognize that not all athletes are interested in all aspects of track & field. And we know that some, even at a young age, already know their area of interest. However, in our experience, a little exposure goes a long way. Many athletes have changed direction or added an area of interest when given the opportunity to try it. With this perspective, our programs are balanced and are aligned with the ATHLETICS CANADA LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT model.

SPECIAL PROGRAMMING

JD athletes are grouped by their birth year (JD 2015, JD 2014, JD 2013, JD 2012, JD 2011). Groups are limited to 50 athletes each. On Mondays and Thursdays, athletes train in their birth year groups with dedicated group coaches. Being with their peers allows them to train with others that are at similar physical, social and emotional development levels.

Although the JD program is well established and is very successful, we are committed to continuous programming improvements to meet our athletes’ needs. Since the fall of 2022, we have launched four new special programming initiatives that have shown to be very popular, including: SUPER SATURDAYS, MEASUREMENT MONDAY, THURSDAY THROWS and HIGH JUMP FOCUS. Please read below.

SUPER SATURDAYS

SUPER SATURDAYS is based on the idea that the best workout should be the one you choose. This is the one training session per week where athletes are grouped by their area of competitive focus rather than birth year. This allows younger athletes to be pushed by older ones, and older ones to act as mentors all while pursuing their competitive goals.

COMPETITIVE GROUPS:

  • Sprints

  • Hurdles

  • High Jump

  • Long Jump

  • Throws (Starting in March)

  • Middle Distance

  • Olympic*

AGE GROUP COACHES HELP PLACE ATHLETES. JD coaches will place athletes in training groups based on their competitive interest and their ability to participate. Athletes will train in the same group for 4 Saturdays. Athletes will not change groups each Saturday. The purpose is to develop competitive skills. Athletes will continue to receive training in all track & field events in their birth year groups on Mondays and Thursdays. All new athletes, including JD 2016s, and athletes that do not have a competitive interest, will train in the OLYMPIC group.

PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO DISCUS THE OPTIONS WITH THEIR ATHLETE. The main criteria is competitive interest. The question to ask is, "What event do you want to compete in?". In addition, your athlete must have a reasonable ability to participate in the activity. For example, to select the "Middle Distance" group, your athlete must be able to run at a reasonable pace for at least 1.5km. Or, to train with the High Jump group, your athlete must be committed to competing in high jump and be able to jump at least 12 inches off the ground.

CHANGING GROUPS. Every 4 weeks (February 15, March 15, April 12, May 10, June 7 and July 5), athletes may request to train in a different competitive area of interest. However, they are not required to change and may continue with their current group if the coach feels that it is the best group for the athlete.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP. If an athlete is uncertain about a suitable option, group coaches are available to help. It’s important that all athletes choose an option based on their competitive focus and ability, and not based on what their friends have selected. Ultimately, group coaches have the final say in placing athletes.

*OLYMPIC GROUP. The focus of this group is to expose athletes to all the elements of track & field while building strength, coordination, and fitness. Athletes in the Olympic group run, jump, hurdle, and throw. They have a general but not a competitive interest in the many events of track and field.

MEASUREMENT MONDAY

MEASUREMENT MONDAY IS ABOUT MEASURING PROGRESS. Although it's our mission to make fitness fun, it's not always just fun and games. Track & field is a competitive sport and our focus is to help our athletes get faster and stronger. Our programs are age group appropriate and are designed to gradually improve fitness, strength, flexibility and coordination. Athletes that consistently attend training and participate will see significant improvement through the year. To measure this improvement, we have developed a monthly performance test for all JD athletes (2015-2011). On the last Monday each month, all JD groups will complete the exercises.

EXERCISES:

  • 100m Sprint

  • Standing Long Jump

  • Timed Plank (3 minutes)

  • Standing Box Jump

  • 600m Run   

EXERCISES ARE MEASURED AND RECORDED. Although most of our athletes are competitive, this is not meant to be a competition. The purpose is to track improvement and provide positive feedback to our athletes. The results are posted HERE.

THURSDAY THROWS

THROWS FOR THOSE THAT CAN'T GET ENOUGH! Thursday Throws with Coach Dave is available to select JD athletes during regular JD training on Thursdays. The purpose is to give athletes that want to compete in throws the opportunity to develop their skills within the regular JD training schedule.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

  • Early March until the end of July. 

  • Eligibility: JDs born in 2014 to 2011 (2015s may be added later).

  • For athletes wanting to compete in throws.

  • Group is limited to 16 athletes that attend each week.

  • Instead of training in their birth year group on Thursdays, they train in the Thursday Throws group with Coach Dave.

  • Thursday Throws is not a drop in program. Athletes must commit to attend each week.

  • Focus is on developing throwing skills in addition to fitness, strength and agility.

WHY SHOULD ATHLETES COMPETE IN THROWS? Because throws are exciting. They are a true test of strength and technical skill. Training in throws helps athletes develop SPEED, STRENGTH and AGILITY.  As a competitive sport, track & field is much more than just running. It is about developing fine technical skills to also jump and throw.

REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE:

  • Must register and be approved by Coach Dave. REGISTER HERE (Ocean Athletes).

  • Must attend training regularly with very few absences.

  • Must be interested to compete in throws.

QUESTIONS? This is an exciting opportunity for JDs wanting to compete in throws. Please do not hesitate to EMAIL your questions to Coach Dave.

HIGH JUMP FOCUS

THE SKY'S THE LIMIT FOR JD HIGH JUMP ATHLETES! And to help them reach their potential, we offer a JD High Jump Focus group on Thursdays during regular training from 6:00-6:45pm. This small group of dedicated JD athletes focuses on developing the skills and experience needed to be successful in high jump.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

  • Participants are are selected based on skill, interest and potential.

  • Participants must request to participate and be approved by Coach Cathy. REGISTER HERE (Ocean Athletes).

  • Participants must be interested in competing in high jump.

  • Program starts in March and continues every Thursday into July.

  • Training sessions are 45 minutes from 6:00-6:45pm during regular JD training.

  • Athletes return to their birth year age groups for the remainder of the session.

  • Regular attendance (few absences) is expected.

  • Although not required, it's recommended that participants also select high jump on Super Saturdays.

All JD athletes receive high jump training through our regular rotation system. The purpose of the JD High Jump Focus group is to develop competitive high jumpers. High jump is an exciting event that requires commitment, focus and attention to detail. Please do not hesitate to EMAIL your questions.

RESOURCES

BC Athletics, the governing organization for athletics (track & field, cross country) in BC, is an excellent resource for technical information, statistics and upcoming events. Please access the BC Athletics website HERE.

BC Athletics has produced these two manuals specific to Junior Development athletes: