Regional Squads 2007/08

Squad Standards

Please see below the invitational standards required for each event to receive invites to attend regional squads

Please note that some athletes who do not achieve these standards may be invited at the discretion of the event coordinator. NB Some squad activity for the jumps will use a higher list of standards for reason of space and facilities. 

Please note that some athletes who do not achieve these standards may be invited at the discretion of the event coordinator. NB Some squad activity for the jumps will use a higher list of standards for reason of space and facilities. 

Please see below the list of invited athletes for 2007/08

Regional Squad Dates

The East Regional Talent Squads, aimed at primarily U17 and U20 age group athletes across the event groups, have been confirmed for 2007/08 

The squads are looking to develop athletes that are competent in all five areas of athlete development required to be a World Class athlete.  We are, as appropriate, mirroring the athlete development programme followed by the UK Athletics performance staff with their athletes and aim to ensure that athletes are competent in the following areas:

1.      Technical and Tactical areas of their event

2.      Fundamental movement skills

3.      Strength and conditioning

4.      Lifestyle Management

5.      Psycho-behavioural skills

Both the athlete and coach are invited to attend these sessions and we hope it signifies the start of a continual relationship between athletes and coaches within that event group as they strive to improve performance levels.

Our Event Coordination team pulls together each day and sets out the framework for each session and recruits suitably skilled coaches to work alongside athletes and their coaches.

The regional squad programmes, we believe provides a key link between the county, national and international talent development pathway.

SQUAD REPORTS

SPEED SQUAD ENJOYED BY TALENTED ATHLETES AND THEIR COACHES - 24TH MARCH

By Mike Leonard - REC Sprints (East)

"The first England Athletics East Region Sprints Squad Day was held at King's Lynn on Saturday 24th March 2007. The 14 athletes and 5 coaches who attended enjoyed sessions on starting, speed and technical work along with a speed endurance session which concluded the day. Several of the regional coaches helped to deliver this programme which also included dynamic warm ups and SAQ work.

Regional Sprints and Hurdles Co-coordinator, Mike Leonard also gave a talk on competition preparation and there was a chance for athletes and coaches to discuss ideas about he future content of these days. These ideas included talks on sports psychology, nutrition and the attendance by elite athletes to talk and demonstrate to the squad".

Case Studies

Spotlight On Regional Spar Sprints Hurdles Talent Development Programme

Cowan passes on his hurdling knowledge - November 2006.

A selection of the best hurdlers from across the East Region recently took part in the first Spar Sprints Initiative Hurdles session at Chelmsford Sport & Athletics Centre.

This region boasts some of the best hurdlers in the country and amongst those taking part were several medallists from this summer’s English Schools Final and AAA’s Championships.

Spar Sprints is a nationwide initiative coordinated and supported by the sport’s governing body, UK Athletics and England Athletics East.

The sessions aim to support talented performers by bringing them into an environment where they can share ideas, gain further experience and benefit from working with some of the best coaches in the country.

The athletes at Sunday’s session were fortunate to benefit from the guidance of Lloyd Cowan, who is on the UK Athletics Developing Elite Coach System.

He coaches a group of international athletes including 2006 European Championships bronze medallist Andy Turner and Chelmsford based Commonwealth Games finalist Julie Pratt, who was in attendance to pass on her knowledge and experience.

The session covered a wide range of aspects including technical drills, conditioning practices and fitness tests and it was not only the athletes who benefited as many coaches attended the session with their athletes to further their own knowledge and development.

The session was a huge success and all the athletes benefited enormously. At the end of the session head coach Lloyd Cowan said: "these athletes are the stars of the future – they are a very talented group and initiatives like this can really help them improve their performance and reach their potential".

The session is a joint venture between Chelmsford Borough Council and the UK Hurdles Club and is made possible through support from the Spar Sprints Initiative and the East Region of England Athletics.

There are three further sessions as part of the programme which will concentrate on preparing the athletes for winter indoor competition before looking ahead to next year’s track and field season.

REGIONAL ENDURANCE SQUAD MEETS AT CAMBRIDGE - 32 ATHLETES IN ATTENDANCE

"The first East endurance squad at under 17 and 20 age level was held at Cambridge University track on 14th April. The session, led by Liam Cain (REC Endurance East Region) and supported by Assistant National Endurance Coach Steve Benson, Adrian Newman (Herts Phoenix) and Martin Brown (Basildon) attracted athletes from across the region at varied distances. The session combined both a practical and theory based approach deploying both the track, field and classroom to get across coaching points. A talk was held in the afternoon session on preparation for English Schools Championships as well as a talk illustrating how Regional Squads are linked to the overarching UKA talent strategy. Further events are planned for Autumn when it is hoped all invited athletes will attend, free from other commitments" 

East Endurance Squad April 07 - [512 KB] Take a look at some of the East region stars for the future. These were taken at our recent Endurance Squad session at Cambridge.

East Endurance Squad April 2007 - [780 KB]