Further to the Prime Minister’s address last night, 4th January 2021, ALL Club activity is suspended until further notice.

Please continue to follow Government Guidance regarding exercising safely during this time. As of 5th January, the Government recommend one form of exercise daily , which can be taken outside in a public space with one other individual outside of your household, at a 2m social distance.

Please see our Corona Fitness page for training support, including plans you can follow, tips and tricks for effective training, and ‘How To’ videos for common exercises to ensure you carry them out effectively. Alternatively, we are happy to help you with your training, contact us at contact@nsac org.uk for further support.

We will update our guidance regarding a safe return to training at the appropriate time.

Its been a tough year for all, and its time to spend some quality Christmas time with family. For the first time ever we are unable to hand out sweets (nervous about ‘touch points’) or have our traditional ‘Christmas games day’ (dressing up, Christmas music, dodgeball, grabball, crab football etc). Once we start to return to normal, we will make up for this with ‘Christmas fun sessions’ with extra sweets etc! 

Our Christmas training as follows (Updated 5th January 2021)

CLEVEDON
Final session of 2020 will be Saturday December 19th 2020
Return to Training 2021 -further to government guidance, all training is suspended. Please see our Coronavirus update for further information.

NAILSEA
No training at Nailsea for the remainder of 2020, but welcome at Clevedon on Monday December 14th if able
Return to Training 2021 -further to government guidance, all training is suspended. Please see our Coronavirus update for further information.

PRIORY
Final session of 2020 was Wednesday December 9th 
Return to Training 2021 – Further to government guidance, all training is suspended, please see our Coronavirus update for further information

JULIAN ENDURANCE
Final session of 2020 will be Tuesday December 22nd
Return to Training 2021 – further to government guidance, all training is suspended, please see our Coronavirus update for further information

Emails will be sent out reminding you of the above, with any changes to 2020 scheduling that may happen. Please contact us at contact@nsac.org.uk if you have not received an email communication from us regarding the return to training.

We apologise for the ongoing confusion, and we hope everyone realises we are operating in unprecedented times, having to juggle (very often contrasting and constantly changing) guidelines from schools, National Governing Bodies and Government. We will continue to provide updates as and when they are available.

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Further to the Prime Minister’s address on Saturday 31st October, and subsequent guidance provided to us by our National Governing Body, England Athletics (which can be found here), there will be no club training during second National Lockdown, taking place from 5th November 2020 until 2nd December 2020.

How we return to club training after this date is dependent upon further guidance from England Athletics. We will keep you updated via this webpage/twitter/email regarding the return to training.

We are absolutely gutted that the Club must stop again, after what has been a fantastic few months with our Athletes. You have listened well, and followed the guidance to keep yourselves and your coaches safe following the return, and we know you will do the same again when we are able to open our doors once again.

In the meantime, please keep safe and well, and try to stay busy. We have a large number of resources to keep you busy during this lockdown, which can be found here , or alternatively, you can email us if you would like any more help regarding training programmes.

We hope to see you again in a few weeks!

Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) is due to be held on 10th November 2020 (either at Clevedon Sailing Club or, more likely, online, depending on the restrictions in place).

Now, more than ever, it is important that you get involved with some of the decisions that are going to impact your child’s experiences in our club.  With all of the events of the past 12 months, we need you to come along, listen and share your thoughts.

The AGM is an opportunity for the committee to share their reflections on the last 12 months, for nominations for individuals to fill any vacant committee positions, and for general discussion between parents, helpers and committee members on key issues and observations.

Even if you are unable to commit to attending, we welcome your thoughts on any key topics. Please email contact@nsac.org.uk if you wish to invite a discussion topic.

Further clarity on ‘where’ this meeting will take place will follow in due course.

The minutes from last year’s AGM can be found here. 

A strange year has seen very few athletics events. September saw the soft return to competitions with some of our athletes getting stuck in, and many being rewarded with personal bests (PB).

Swindon

Steph B         400m                               60.86 PB

High Jump                     1.48m

Tom C            800m                              2;20 mins PB

High Jump                     1.60m PB

Long Jump                   5.06m PB

George I     Triple Jump                 11.60m

Yate

George I         High Jump               1.58m PB

Long Jump                 4.93m PB

Yeovil

Steph B          200m                          26.68 secs

300m Hurdles      47.76 secs

Sam H             800m                          2;05.29 mins PB

Keira D           800m                        2;19.15mins PB

Yate

George I       100m                          12.60secs PB

80m Hurdles             12.7secs PB

Triple Jump                11.71m PB

Steph B        100m                           13.16 secs

80m Hurdles           13.1 secs

Whitehall

Nyree P        100m                        14.1 secs PB

Yate – Throws

George L       Shot                           12.19m PB

Maisie J         Shot                            10.99m

Chrissie B     Hammer                   30.15m PB

Don’t forget to let us know if you are competing, we are only too happy to add your results to our listings!

We hope you have had a nice summer and are looking forward to some sort of normality!  Please read this email carefully as it has important information relating to return to training.

Our aim is to return to training at Priory school on Wednesday 9^thSeptember, we are waiting for final confirmation from Priory School.  If we are unable to start on this date we will let you know.

Please ensure you arrive at least 10 minutes before the  propsed session start time and parents must bring the athletes to the Red gra – if you park in the gravel car park and use the wooden gate towards the Red gra and hockey pitch we will be there for registration.  Each athlete will need to sign in and use the hand sanitiser before starting their session.  We would like to give a quick talk to both athletes and parents so please don’t just drop your athlete in the car park.  For the senior session – please keep away from the junior athletes, the sessions must be kept separate.  Please remember there are no toilet facilities available on site for us to use.

As we do not have any access to the buildings please ensure that your athlete is wearing clothing appropriate for the weather and that they have a drink container – with a drink in it.  If they have a yoga mat, or similar, please bring this along, when we do cool down it will be far nicer if they have something to lie on rather than just the grass (wet) or Red gra.  Ideally drinks etc should be brought in a bag so athletes are not picking up each other’s belongings.  If your athlete has a fluorescent running bib please could this be brought along as well?  We are waiting for our order to arrive and in the present situation we cannot let more than one athlete use a bib.  For the first session we will be remaining on site for the whole time – this will give us chance to see how everyone is getting on and for the athletes who wish to train on endurance the chance for us to see which groups that they would need to be in for the forthcoming weeks.

Please can you log into your Club Buzz record and check that your address and contact details are correct – these must be accurate in case we need to update track and trace.  By attending training you are giving us permission to provide the details to the relevant parties, should it become necessary.  This is the link to the log on screen: https://nsac.clubbuzz.co.uk/login/

These are the details for our current practises for return to training, should guidance be updated we will review the practises and let you know of any changes:

1) Do not attend if you/household member has (including within the past 14 days) any of the symptoms of coronavirus, as set out on the NHS Websitehttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/, from time to time,  including without limitation a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste.  If anyone in your household is self-isolating please do not attend any sessions within North Somerset Athletic Club.

2) Athletes to report to ‘registration team’ on arrival, where they will be checked in. Athletes must sanitise their hands prior to entering training area. Please aim to arrive 5-10 minutes before session start time so we can get this organised efficiently.
3) Anyone not on the session register (not received ‘request’ from parents) will not be allowed to train. We need to have ‘perfect’ admin around training ‘just in case’.
4) Social distancing whenever possible (2m). Coaches will oversee this, but athletes also need to be aware/independently supporting.
5) We will have wipes, sanitiser and sprays available for use whenever we/athletes feel it is needed during the session.
6) We will not be using equipment that may be shared/passed (throws, batons, etc).
7) We will not be carrying out ‘tag-like’ games.
8) Athletes not to touch anything that does not belong to them (eg drinks bottles).
9) Athletes not to touch equipment (hurdles, cones, fence, walls etc), and if they do then spray and wipe area/sanitise hands before continuing.
10) Maximum numbers at each session to be 20/40. We CANNOT accept any more than this at a single session due to current restrictions.
11) Athletes to sign out with ‘registration team’ where they will once again be given a squirt of sanitiser.
12) Anyone not adhering to these guidelines will be removed from training, if it continues we will have to review training for the athlete/s concerned.

It has also been brought to our attention that dogs are not allowed to be brought onto the school site, this does include the Red gra and field area, please could you ensure that this does not happen.

We want everyone to be able to enjoy the return to training, things will be different and we ask you to bear with us as we adapt our usual training sessions to accommodate the current situation.

We hope you have had a nice summer and are looking forward to some sort of normality!  Please read carefully as this contains important information relating to return to training.

We will return to training at Clevedon school on Saturday 5th September. 

Please aim to arrive minimum 10 minutes before each session.  Parents will need to bring athletes to the track area. Each athlete will need to sign in and use the hand sanitiser before starting their session.

As we do not have any access to the buildings (except one-way toilet area), so please ensure that your athlete is wearing clothing appropriate for the weather and that they bring a drink.  If they have a yoga mat, or similar, please bring this along, when we do cool down it will be far nicer if they have something to lie on rather than just the grass (wet) or track. Ideally drinks etc should be brought in a bag so athletes are not picking up each other’s belongings.

We are always looking for parental support, and hope to have additional Coach/Ambassador support. Contact us if you are able to offer any help. We need as much support as possible in the current challenging environment.

Please can you log into your Club Buzz record and check that your address and contact details are correct – these must be accurate in case we need to update track and trace.  By attending training you are giving us permission to provide the details to the relevant parties, should it become necessary.  This is the link to the log on screen: https://nsac.clubbuzz.co.uk/login/

These are the details for our current practises for return to training. Should guidance be updated we will review the practises and let you know of any changes:

1) Do not attend if you/household member has (including within the past 14 days) any of the symptoms of coronavirus, as set out on the NHS Website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/, from time to time,  including without limitation a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste.  If anyone in your household is self-isolating please do not attend any sessions within North Somerset Athletic Club.

2) Athletes to report to ‘registration team’ on arrival, where they will be checked in. Athletes must sanitise their hands prior to entering training area. Please aim to arrive 10 minutes before session start time so we can get this organised efficiently.

3) Anyone not on the session register (not received ‘request’ from parents) will not be allowed to train. We need to have ‘perfect’ admin around training ‘just in case’.

4) Social distancing whenever possible (2m). Coaches will oversee this, but athletes also need to be aware/independently supporting. We will try to keep this as relaxed as possible

5) We will have wipes, sanitiser and sprays available for use whenever we/athletes feel it is needed during the session.

6) We will not be using equipment that may be shared/passed (throws, batons, etc).

7) We will not be carrying out ‘tag-like’ games.

8) Athletes not to touch anything that does not belong to them (eg drinks bottles).

9) Athletes not to touch equipment (hurdles, cones, fence, walls etc), and if they do then spray and wipe area/sanitise hands before continuing.

10) Maximum numbers at each session. We CANNOT accept any more than this at a single session due to current restrictions.

11) Athletes to sign out with ‘registration team’ where they will once again be given a squirt of sanitiser.

12) Anyone not adhering to these guidelines will be removed from training, if it continues we will have to review training for the athlete/s concerned.

We want everyone to be able to enjoy the return to training, things will be different and we ask you to bear with us as we adapt our usual training sessions to accommodate the current situation.

We have bought a large tub of sanitiser and each athlete must use this before and after the session – and during if necessary.  Please can we ask the coaches and ambassadors to set the example so it all the athletes get into good habits.

Please let us know if you have any concerns or queries and look forward to seeing you in the next few days.

We are launching our next challenge for you, and we are hopeful that this is one the whole family can get involved with!

As a Club, we want to cover the distance from Clevedon, to the venue of 2021 Olympics … Tokyo.

We challenge you and your family to join us as we attempt to cover the 6,004 miles between these two locations.

Want to join in?

More details of this endeavour, including recommended distances for age and details of how to keep us in the loop on the mileage you’ve covered can be found  here.

Go for a walk as a family? Amazing, if four of you go for a two mile walk, that’s eight miles covered! Take photos, walk/run interesting routes, draw pictures with the paths you take, share with us everything you’re getting up to.

We want to cover the distance as quickly as possible , can you help?

Message from our CEO Chris Jones

19 March 2020

In these uncertain times I wanted to reach out to you personally as a member of the England Athletics family to ensure you that we will be doing all we can to support you during the coming days and weeks.

As deflating and disruptive as the decision to suspend all activity until the end of April will have been, I have no doubt that it was the right decision to make as we play our own part as an athletics and running family in helping to prevent the spread of this awful virus. We do however know this is a hugely difficult time for our members, clubs and organisations and we’re continuing to talk to as many of you as possible to get a fuller picture about the impact coronavirus (COVID-19) is having.

Athletics and Running play a vitally important role in our society and positively impacts the lives of many people. We know that it brings people together, forging lifelong friendships and companionships and in providing a place of belonging and learning for many thousands of participants, whatever their background, ability, age, gender or aspiration.

I know how important my local club was for me as I grew up and developed into adulthood and I know those same personal experiences will harbour in the soul of many club members across the land. It is a feeling that compels you to want to inspire and create experiences for others to feel the same and it is why our great sport continues to offer so much to so many. I have witnessed this spirit in hundreds of athletics and running clubs and groups across England during the last decade. Our network of great clubs and running groups has continued to grow in recent times because of the inspirational work of so many selfless volunteers who give so much for others and whose great energy has fostered an unbreakable spirit of togetherness. It is this same spirit that will see us through these troubling times.

Inevitably we will all need to adapt and change our approach to ensure that we maintain all that is good about our sport. Despite the suddenness of change, I am already aware that a number of forward thinking clubs and groups are already adapting and are thinking creatively about how they maintain connectivity with their members during this fallow period, utilising digital tools and systems such as webinars and other forms to coordinate and convey information, advice and guidance to best support the physical and mental health and wellbeing of their members. As an organisation we will be doing the same and will be working to do all we can to provide support to our member clubs and organisations in this respect. We will all need to think differently about how we operate as we work together through this period.

Over the coming weeks we are committed to:

• Supporting the Athletics & Running family in England to ensure that we come through this period together in as strong a position as possible.
• Working with you, our members, to understand what specific support is required across our clubs to sustain our sport in the short and the long term.
• Changing the way in which we communicate and provide our services so that we are doing everything we can to encourage people to stay active, wherever possible, which we think is now more important than ever.
• Rescheduling specific activities and programmes for our members and participants.

Please continue to visit our website and social media channels for information and advice: www.englandathletics.org/coronavirus.

Owing to the unprecedented and uncertain times we find ourselves in as a sport and wider community, we do understand that clubs and other Athletics & Running bodies will be experiencing some unforeseen pressures in the immediate term. We are aware that many of our member clubs will be struggling to coordinate themselves as they would normally do during this period of suspension and with this in mind we are reviewing a number of areas as an organisation as we approach what is traditionally the outdoor spring and summer season and for many the beginning of another membership year.

We will need some time to do this robustly and with the right information at our disposal. We will do all we can to listen, and to be flexible in our actions during this period.

Over the next 24 hours some our systems including the MyAthletics portal, licence checkers and Athletics Hub will be temporarily unavailable. This is to conduct critical maintenance to our IT infrastructure so that over the coming weeks and months our digital systems, that help clubs communicate and provide access to helpful resources, are not disrupted. Please note that this will not affect our website, where we will continue to provide regular updates, or your ability to contact our Membership Services Team. We are acting immediately before any further restrictions impact our staff and partners required to undertake the work. Please bear with us.

If you haven’t already been in touch, please complete the feedback form on our website. We do want to hear from you so let us know:

• How coronavirus is impacting you or your club or organisation?
• The type of help you think would be most beneficial.

Above all else we hope you; your family and your friends remain safe and healthy. Take care and give care to each other. We will get through this.

Best wishes,
Chris Jones

The below statement is an excerpt from the England Athletics website. We are checking this advice regularly and will be in contact if the advice changes:

“The UK government has advised that everyone in the UK should now avoid ‘non-essential’ travel and contact with others to fight coronavirus. Whilst it has not issued any ban on public gatherings of any size either indoors or outdoors at this stage, the advice is to avoid non-essential contact with others, including going to sporting events, pubs, clubs, theatres and social venues.

As a result, England Athletics advises that all face-to-face activity such as club training sessions, events, competitions, club committee and face-to-face meetings, athlete camps, running groups and social events should be suspended until at least the end of April.

Therefore, there will be NO training for the club, for ANY group at ANY training venue as per these guidelines for the time being. You are encouraged to keep fit by yourselves (we can help you with session plans if you like, email us!) until these guidelines change. 

https://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-and-running/news/coronavirus-statement/

North Somerset AC’s young athletes put themselves in a fantastic position  for Gwent League Cross Country honours after the penultimate fixture at Chepstow.

The under 11 girls were the first race on an undulating and open Chepstow Racecourse. With over 100 finishers in this race Phoebe C led the team home in style finishing 23rd with Sophie C close behind in 40th. The girls then packed well, Olive L (52), Isobel J (59), Gabriella S (56), Lois P (61), Mia D (79) and Eva C (109) all gaining valuable race experience.

The under 11 boys had their best performance of the season with the team finishing 2nd on the day. Led home by the talented duo of Felix A (12) and Joseph F ( 14 ) they were backed up well with debutante James B ( 27) and Euan M ( 32 ). The boys showed good strength in depth with Alfie F (39), Elijah LH (41), Gene R (69), Luke C (73), Zach Y (76), Finn MS (83), Jacob T (84).

The Under 13 girls were led home by the ever consistent Lyla B in 25th, then there was a close battle for the next few places, Millie R improving with every race finished 32nd, Mia D (36), Eva G (38), Jasmine W (41) and Harriet B (50).

The Under 13 Boys again ran well as a team and take a 2 point lead into the final match. Thriving on the tough terrain Herbie C came home an excellent 5th place, Elliot J battled hard for 12th with Patrick H and Jude W both having their best runs of the season in 15th and 21st. Jacob F was 29th while James T in only his second appearance moved through well for 34th. The team were completed with fine runs from Joseph S (51), Will L (52), Krisham TP (53), Stan B (59), Zeki H (61).

In the under 15 boys team all ran amazingly.  Louie B nearly back to full fitness put in a strong performance coming in 13th just in front of Charles B with his best performance in the Gwent League coming in 14th.  Ollie C had to pull out injured during the race but a solid run as always from Will S who is getting better with every race came through in 18th.  The 4th scorer was Ollie A (30th) and deserves a special mention after not long coming back from a skiing trip.

Also top performances from Alexander B (35th), Ben M (39th) and Kyle B(51st) completed what was great runs by all.   The team are now holding a top 3 finish with one race to go.

The U17 boys team were hugely depleted due to 5 of the boys selection for Avon at the South West Schools Cross Country Champs in Bournemouth on the same weekend. However the remaining team members all ran their hearts out with all 4 scoring athletes having their best races of the season to keep the team in pole position before the final fixture at Swansea next weekend.

Max D found himself in unfamiliar territory up with the leaders from the off, and despite dropping a couple of places mid race he finished our lead runner for a brilliant 13th. Harry S was another to excel for a seasons best 19th with Callum D and Alistair S ensuring all four finished inside the top 30 in 21st and 23rd respectively.  Flyn P, Theo E and Max S completed the team in 30th, 32nd and 34th respectively.

Sole U20 Alex C was another to secure valuable points In 10th place going into the final fixture with Sam G, Will C and Matt H also absent due to South West Schools selection.

Olivia M was another sole club runner in the U15 girls race and ran strongly for a creditable 28th place.  Ever present Victòria P finished the tough course in style finishing 21st in the girls U17 race.

NIAC once again held host to the South West Indoor Championships, this time for the U20 and Senior Athletes. Results from the day as follows;

Charlie B      U20 Men                60m        4th in heat      7.52secs
James G        U20 Men                60m        7th in heat      7.66 secs
James G        U20 Men               200m      3rd in heat      25.89 secs
Steph B         U20 Women        200m      1st in heat      27.15secs  Bronze
Steph B         U20 Women        400m       2nd in heat     63.56 secs
Steph B         U20 Women        800m                                   2;31.17 minutes
Laura S          Senior Women   Long Jump                         4.62m  Silver