Abingdon Athletics Club reorganises training to manage growing demand

Abingdon Athletics Club described a coordinated training system developed to meet growing demand at Tilsley Park. The club has thirty-six coaches and around a dozen parent helpers, but a waiting list of more than two hundred children has required careful use of facilities.

Coaching coordinator Colin Mitchell collects plans two months ahead and assembles ten-week schedules across the track, infield and throws area. These arrangements appear in the club’s Spond application, where coaches and families can also register for sessions before attending.

Younger groups normally attend once weekly and experience several disciplines, while older athletes can specialise and train twice. Priority for regular participation and parental volunteering supports capacity, with the federation presenting the approach as a practical example of how volunteer coordination can improve access without new facilities.