Program Description
Toronto Track's Junior Development Programme has two components -
Tracktivities, and instructional
programme designed as an introduction to the sport for children aged 8 to 12,
and Trackniques, a club program for
youth aged 13 to 18. Both programs are part of Junior Blues, the University of
Toronto youth athletics program.
Tracktivities is a once per week class in which
children learn the fundamentals of the full range of track and field events
including jumps, hurdles, throws and pole vault, The emphasis is on learning,
having fun, and developing skills in a safe and structured environment,
Instructors are experienced track and field athletes and coaches with experience
working with children. Children are grouped according to age, skill and level of
development. Parents are always welcome to observe their child's class.
Trackniques is the Toronto Track youth club
program for 13 to 18 year olds. At this stage, athletes register for an event
group area: throws, jumps, middle distance or sprints and hurdles. However, once
in the program athletes can move between events, and will be guided by coaches
to events appropriate to their long term athletic development.
Youth registered in Trackniques
practice a minimum of twice per week, and share practice times and facilities
with the U of T Varsity team and the adult club program. When the Varsity Centre
track opens in the summer of 2007, we will be using this new world-class
training facility. Our highly qualified coaches provide individualized
programming so that each athlete develops at a rate appropriate to his or her
background, fitness level and stage of development. In addition to their school
competitions, athletes have the opportunity to compete for Toronto Track in
cross country, indoor and outdoor track meets appropriate to their stage of
development, up to and including qualifying for provincial, national and world
youth and junior championships. Junior development athletes compete in up to 6
indoor and 10 outdoor meets each year.
All athletes are encouraged to
compete for their schools in the OFSAA program in cross country and track and
field. As part of our outreach activities, we also work with high school coaches
to assist with their program development.
Registration for the Junior Development is through the Athletic Centre at U of
T. Visit the Junior
Blues website for more information, or see the
FPHE website to register.
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- Junior
Development