About Us Dorchester Athletic Club was formed in 1975 Our aims are to encourage all aspects of athletics for all age groups, from aged eight upwards, and to provide all members with opportunities for competition. Qualified coaching is offered in all athletic disciplines and the club competes in track and field, cross-country and sportshall events  How to Join Joining us could be simpler just pop along to the appropriate training session or contact the membership secretary, Mike Furse, by email (mtfurse@madasafish.com) or telephone ( 01305 269482 ). Where membership of a group is by invitation only, new athletes will discuss their needs and ability with the appropriate group coach who will advise whether or not they should first join the induction or development group. Where and When we Training Our training base is at The Thomas Hardye School.  Most training is outdoors, on the school  playing fields, between April and August and indoors, in the school’s new sportshall, between September and March.  However some training groups vary from this pattern and specific details for each group are given below. If the weather is bad during a summer training evening then the training groups move indoors Induction group (Age: 8 – 13)   The Thomas Hardye School’s Playing Fields or Sportshall Wednesdays 1830h – 1930h All new members under the age of 14 should first join the Induction Group.  The group is designed for young athletes who have not yet joined our competition squad.  The emphasis is on enjoyment of athletics and the opportunity to sample a wide range of the different components of athletics activities.  Athletes in this group do not yet specialise in specific disciplines such as sprints, middle distance, throws or jumps. Between April and August training is outdoors when dry or when the rain is light but indoors when the rain is heavy.  Between September and March training is indoors. There is currently a moratorium operating on this development group and we are not accepting new members at present.   Anyone wishing to join this group as soon as the moratorium is over should contact Mike Furse by email (mtfurse@madasafish.com) or by telephone ( 01305 269482 ) and they will be put on a waiting list Development Group (Age: Rising-11 upwards) The Thomas Hardye School’s Playing Fields or Sportshall - Wednesdays 1930h – 2030h This group comprises the majority of our competition squad in the Under-13 and Under-15 age groups. Training is provided in almost all athletic events except high jump (see below), which is less commonly offered. This group separates into a series of sub-groups for specific event training.  However, although most athletes in this group are developing specific events, they are still encouraged to participate in other event specific squads on an occasional basis. Membership of this group is by invitation only and athletes in this group are expected to compete for the club when available. Jumps (Age:  Predominantly 14 upwards) Summer:   The Thomas Hardye School’s Playing Fields  Mondays and/or Wednesdays 1900h – 2030h (Long/Triple Jump) or The Thomas Hardye School’s Sportshall  Mondays and/or Wednesdays 1900h – 2030h (High Jump)   Winter   The Thomas Hardye School’s Sportshall - Mondays 1900h – 2030h often in conjunction with the sprint group  This group is available for specialist jumpers and, in summer, usually offers alternate weeks of vertical (high jump) and horizontal (long or triple jump) training.  Occasionally, specialist pole vault training days can be organised using external coaches.  Most athletes in this group are at least 13 but specialist high jumpers of 11, 12 or 13, who otherwise train with Development Group, join this group for high jump sessions only.  However, membership of this group is by invitation only.  In winter, the group is offered a variety of activities, often in conjunction with the sprint group. Details of the specific training sessions offered to this group in specific months are to be found by clicking the hyperlink below: June and July 2009 Throws (Age 14 upwards)   The Thomas Hardye School’s Playing Fields or Sportshall  -Mondays 1900h – 2000h   This group operates throughout the year and offers specialist throws coaching in all events.  However, hammer throwing coaching is limited by lack of facilities and the emphasis in the group is on shot, discus and javelin.  The training provided by the club’s own coach is often supplemented by an external expert.  Membership of the group is by invitation only. Please contact Guy Smith ( 01305 260601 ) for further information  Sprints (Age 14 upwards) 6pt The Thomas Hardye School’s Playing Fields or Sportshall  Mondays 1900h – 2000h Winter training often in conjunction with the jumps group    This group is primarily for athletes of 14 years and upwards and trains twice a week in summer.  Occasionally this group will combine with the Induction Group sprints squad on Wednesdays only. In winter the sprints group occasionally joins forces with the jumps group and winter training sessions may be found by clicking the hyperlink in the Jumps section above.  Membership of the group is by invitation only.   Details of the specific training sessions offered to this group in specific months are to be found by clicking the hyperlink below:   June and July 2009 ENDURANCE (12 YEARS UPWARDS) Throughout the year :- various venues, Mondays and Wednesdays 7 - 8 pm A regular training group of about 10 - 20 athletes with a mixed ability and age (mainly teenage athletes) meet each week. The type of training we do changes throughout the year, in the Autumn and early spring we concentrate on cross country training and then gradually work towards the track season. MONDAYS We meet at Thomas Hardye School Sports hall throughout the year. We do a mixture of steady runs and in the summer combine that with some track work on the school sports field. WEDNESDAY From April to the end of September we meet at Thomas Hardye School Sports Hall and from the end of September to the end of March we train at Yeovil Athletics Arena doing track specific training. Details of the specific training sessions offered to this group in specific months are to be found by clicking the hyperlink below: Oct/Nov/Dec 2008   Coaching Staff    For details of the club’s coaches click here Where we Compete    We participate in track and field, cross-country and sportshall leagues.  Sometimes we compete as Dorchester AC alone and sometimes we combine with other local clubs to form a composite team. We also encourage our athletes to compete in championship events and open meetings at the highest level that is commensurate with their abilities.  Club transport is normally provided for league matches but athletes must usually find their own way to championships and open meetings.   Leagues   Track and Field   South West Athletics League Division 1 and League Cup Dorchester AC compete as an independent unit in this league   Young Athletes League Southern Premier Division Dorchester AC combines with Wimborne AC, Poole AC and Weymouth St Paul's Harriers & AC to form Team Dorset   Southern Women’s League Division 2 West Dorchester AC combines with Wimborne AC, Poole AC and Weymouth St Paul's Harriers & AC to form Team Dorset   Southern Men’s League Division 3 West Dorchester AC combines with Wimborne AC, Poole AC and Weymouth St Paul's Harriers & AC to form Team Dorset   Cross-country   Wessex League Dorchester AC joins with Weymouth St. Paul’s Harriers & AC to form a combined team   Sportshall   Dorset Sportshall League Dorchester AC compete as an independent unit for some teams in this league For our other teams in this league we join with Weymouth St. Paul’s Harriers & AC to form a combined teams    Team Managers   South West Athletics League Dean Exton (Girls and Women) Guy Smith (Boys and Men)   Team Dorset Leagues Various members of the three clubs   Wessex League Janet Letherby and Austin Slade (Dorchester AC)   Dorset Sportshall League Dean Exton (Girls and Women) Guy Smith (Boys and Men)    Team Colours and Clothing   Dorchester AC club colours are: Vests: Green with yellow vertical sidebars Shorts: Preferably black   Team Dorset colours are all sky blue   Dorchester AC athletes wear club colours in the Wessex Cross-country league, the Sporthall league and in championship events  Dorchester AC and Team Dorset kit is available on training nights or by prior arrangement with Jenny Nicholson. The club also sells other items of clothing.  For further details of items and prices click here Loan vests, for first time competitors, are usually available at club matches  Club Officials and Contacts For details of club officials and contacts click here