What are our aims for coach development and education?
To ensure that clubs have sufficient coaches with increased levels of skill, knowledge and experience through a network wide programme of coach education.
Current Workshop Education Sessions can be seen below, full information can be found on our News page.
Saturday 27th March 2021
11.00am – 1.00pm
Sprints & Hurdles
(Coaching Young Athletes Within Club Settings)
Tony Benton will host this workshop, and will cover various coaching techniques and session planning;
Planning the training year
- Pattern of training sessions
- Typical sprint training sessions
- Developing hurdles speed
Tony Benton has over 50 years’ athletics experience starting as a jumper and hurdler within the successful Essex Beagles (now N&EB) teams in the 1970s.
He has been coaching with Havering AC for almost 30 years, and has been a Level 3 Performance coach since 2000, during which time he has coached a series of Under 15, Under 17 and Under 20 athletes to national medals in sprint hurdles, 300/400m hurdles and now sprints.
From 2002 onwards he organised and led regular hurdles coach & athlete workshops for England Athletics and was the Essex Athletics Network Activator from 2010 to 2016.
These sessions are a fantastic opportunity for coaches from all event groups to learn from one of the very best tutors in the sport who will be providing a huge amount of value.
FREE to Essex Athletics Club members, £10 to Non-EAN Club members.
(one athlete can be booked via Coach booking)
Signup online;
https://ean-hurdles.eventbrite.com
and health in challenging times.
FREE to Essex Athletics Club members, £10 to Non-EAN Club members.
(one athlete can be booked via Coach booking)
Rob graduated from Brunel University in 1998 with an honours degree in Sports Science where he focused on biomechanics and exercise physiology. He is an experienced strength and conditioning coach and has worked in elite and grassroots sport for 19 years. He provides performance solutions to international athletes, professional rugby players, professional squash players, elite cyclists and academy footballers. Rob is a former England Athletics Physical Preparation lead where he delivered a world class programme of coach and athlete development across all events. He personally coached and supported athletes who competed at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. Rob is also a UK Athletics level 3 performance coach in jumps and a former elite level pole vaulter.
January 2021 update
Happy New Year !
Not too much cause for celebration as our planned Essex Athletic Network Sportshall events will now not be planned until April at the earliest (Tiers permitting)
But, we have exciting plans for a few online training session workshops, covering Sprints, Hurdles, Endurance, Physical Conditioning, Nutrition and Injury Prevention. (to name a few ideas we have!)
More information available soon.
Stay safe, train when you can and within your regulations and we’ll be in touch real soon!
Endurance Running Athlete and Coach Workshop
with Steve Reynolds.
Shot Put Athlete and Coach Workshop
with Robert Earle
Sunday 19th January 2020
Chelmsford Sports and Athletics Centre, Salerno Way, Chelmsford CM1 2EH
9.30am-12pm
These sessions are a fantastic opportunity for coaches from all event groups to learn from two of the very best tutors in the sport who will be providing a huge amount of value.
FREE to Essex Athletics Club members, £10 to Non-EAN Club members.
Athletes £ 7.50 each
Signup online only:
https://workshop_jan_2020.eventbrite.com
Great Hurdles workshop, thanks everyone.
Coaches Steve Mitchell (Chelmsford AC) and Tony Benton (Havering AC) put 12 young athletes through their paces at the first hurdles workshop offered by the Essex Network for some years at the Chelmsford.
After a warm-up which emphasised drills useful to hurdlers, the experienced coaches put the young athletes of a range of abilities in the Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 age groups, through a range of walk-over hurdles drills, before progressing to running over low and closely spaced hurdles for rhythm and speed. The main hurdles session had the athletes running over three hurdles, progressing from standing to sprint starts concentrating on take-off position and speed and attack to the first hurdle. The session was rounded off by a series of hurdles drills focussing on strength and mobility.
Most of the athletes who attended had done very little hurdling since the summer season and all showed improved hurdles skills and confidence during the two hour session and the lead coaches look forward to seeing some of them compete during the indoor season.
SIGN UP HERE
Excellent part two session of our two workshops centred on planning principles and physical preparation with practical work examining running, jumping and throwing movements and how these observations can link in with clear goals for the development throughout the winter/season.
Rob Earle and Rob Thickpenny will be delivering two workshops centred on planning principles and physical preparation with practical work examining running, jumping and throwing movements and how these observations can link in with clear goals for the development throughout the winter/season.
FREE to Essex Athletics Club members, £10 to Non-EAN Club members.
Signup online;
Session 1 https://workshop_oct_2019.eventbrite.com
Session 2 https://workshop_nov_2019.eventbrite.com
We have offered the vacant Coaching Coordinator role to David Fewell, who I am glad to say has accepted.
David brings a vast experience of coaching, and sports participation to the role.
Essex Athletics Network have lined up Dr Amanda Wilding Pinckney MSc, BA (Hons), FHEA, Senior Lecturer, Sport Psychology & Coaching Sciences, Bournemouth University for a talk on
“Mental preparation for long distance running”
at Chelmsford Sports Centre on Friday 15th March 7pm-9pm, for up to 25 people.
SIGN UP HERE email karlcadman@aol.com
A series of movement skills workshops have been planned to support coach development and below are details of up and coming courses.
All workshops below cost £20.
Workshops:
Chelmsford Essex
Movement Skills 1 – 12th October . Further info can be found on this link:
https://www.ulearnathletics.com/moduleEvent/87877
Movement Skills 2- 25th November . Further info can be found on this link:
https://www.ulearnathletics.com/moduleEvent/87879
Tottenham Court Road, London.
Movement Skills 1 7TH October
https://www.ulearnathletics.com/moduleEvent/87709
Movement Skills 2 9th December
https://www.ulearnathletics.com/moduleEvent/87711
Ashford, Kent
Movement Skills 1 4TH November
https://www.ulearnathletics.com/moduleEvent/87710
Movement Skills 2 26TH Jan 2019
https://www.ulearnathletics.com/moduleEvent/87712
Apologies, the Endurance workshop has been postponed for this evening 16th May 2018.
Coach Workshop – Throws
25th February 2018 – 10am to 11.30am
Chelmsford Sport & Athletic Centre, Salerno Way, Chelmsford, Essex.
Coach Workshop – Transition from Cross Country to Track
Wednesday 31st January 2018 6.30pm
Basildon Athletics Track, Gloucester Park, Cranes Farm Road, Essex, SS14 3GR.
This workshop session is the first of the “Throws” series of seminars provided by coaches within the Essex Athletics Network.
Shirley Quinn (Chelmsford AC) is a Throws Coach who has experience in coaching all abilities and ages.
Shirley will discuss how to develop an athlete in discus and hammer, she will provide an insight into the process of planning to enable the athlete to improve in this skill.
A practical session will allow coaches to see how you can develop throws by providing the athletes with a dynamic warm up and drills.
All coaches will have the opportunity to ask any questions about the transition during the workshop.
Coaches can bring up to two athletes each to the session.
To sign up or for more information please contact
Hayley Pegg on hayleypegg@hotmail.com or call 07763 839863
Or enter online https://doodle.com/poll/yn94k9qbarrfmi7g
This session is FREE to coaches from clubs within the Essex Athletics Network & members of the Essex Athletics Association.
(£5 to coaches from outside Essex.)
This workshop session is the first of 2018; this “Endurance” workshop is for coach and athlete.
Steve Reynolds (Basildon AC) is a Level 4 Endurance Coach who has experience in coaching all abilities and ages.
Steve will discuss the transition from cross country to track.
He will explain how the transition works and what coaches and athletes should be considering in allowing for a smooth transition.
A practical session will allow coaches and athletes to see these endurance sessions in action, and will have opportunities to ask questions during the evening.
Coaches can bring up to two athletes each to the session
This session is FREE to coaches from clubs within the Essex Athletics Network & members of the Essex Athletics Association.
£5 to coaches from outside Essex.
To sign up or for more information please contact
Hayley Pegg on hayleypegg@hotmail.com or call 07763 839863
Or enter online https://doodle.com/poll/yn94k9qbarrfmi7g
We hope to see you there!
There are some vacancies on the Field judges course Havering AC are hosting on Sunday 10th December. Details are here:
Health & safety (10 am-12 noon) LO0134HS:
https://www.englandathletics.org/…/officials—health-and-s…
Field Judges Level 1 (12.30pm to 4.30pm) LO0134FJ:
https://www.englandathletics.org/…/officials—level-1-fiel…
COACH WORKSHOP – LONG JUMP
Thursday 30th November 2017
6pm to 7.45pm
Thurrock Harriers, Springfield Road, Grays, RM16 2QT
This workshop session is the first of the “Jumps” series of seminars provided by coaches within the Essex Athletics Network. Gerry Heapy (Thurrock AC) is a Jumps Coach who has experience in coaching all abilities and ages.
Gerry will discuss how to develop an athlete in long jump; she will provide an insight into the proce
ss of planning to enable the athlete to improve in this skill.
A practical session will allow coaches to see how you can develop long jump by providing the athletes with a dynamic warm up and drills.
All coaches will have the opportunity to ask any questions about the transition during the workshop. Coaches can bring up to two athletes each to the session.
This session is FREE to coaches from clubs within the Essex.
To sign up or for more information please contact
Hayley Pegg on hayleypegg@hotmail.com or call 07763 839863
Or enter online https://doodle.com/poll/6a586yv62sz65ygx
COACH WORKSHOP – THROWS
Sunday 10th December 2017 10am to 11.30am
Braintree Sport & Health Club, Panfield Lane, Braintree, Essex, CM17 1FF
This workshop session is the first of the “Throws” series of seminars provided by coaches within the Essex Athl
etics Network. Shirley Quinn (Chelmsford AC) is a Throws Coach who has experience in coaching all abilities and ages.
Shirley will discuss how to develop an athlete in discus and hammer; she will provide an insight into the process of planning to enable the athlete to improve in this skill.
A practical session will allow coaches to see how you can develop throws by providing the athletes with a dynamic warm up and drills.
All coaches will have the opportunity to ask any questions about the transition during the workshop.
Coaches can bring up to two athletes each to the session.
This session is FREE to coaches from clubs within the Essex.
To sign up or for more information please contact
Hayley Pegg on hayleypegg@hotmail.com or call 07763 839863
Or enter online https://doodle.com/poll/r74zcbrk95ifhucv
Thank you to Essex County Athletics Association for supporting coach development within Essex.
Our Coach Workshop – Endurance, Transition from Track to Cross Country
was held on 23rd September 2017 at Waterside Farm Leisure Centre, and 14 Coaches and Athletes were taken through their paces by Ian Pike (Benfleet AC).
Ian is an Endurance Coach who has experience in coaching all abilities and ages, and discussed the transition from track to the cross country season.
FULL REPORT
Following on from discussions with the Essex County Athletics Association, we are proud to announce the first new Coach Development Courses.
Please spread the word among your Club Coaches.
Coach Workshop – Endurance
Transition from Track to Cross Country
23rd September 2017, 9am-10.30 and Waterside Farm Leisure Centre, Somnes Avenue, Canvey Island, SS8 9RA.
This workshop session is the fourth of the “Endurance” series of seminars provided by coaches within the Essex Athletics Network.
Ian Pike (Benfleet AC) is an Endurance Coach who has experience in coaching all abilities and ages.
Ian will discuss the transition from track to the cross country season.
The session will allow coaches and athletes to see a typical effort session.
Ian will be on hand to take questions and discuss training ideas with coaches from across Essex.
Coaches can bring up to two athletes each to the session.
This session is FREE to coaches from clubs within the Essex.
To sign up or for more information please contact
Hayley Pegg on hayleypegg@hotmail.com
or call 07763 839863
Or signup online https://doodle.com/poll/cuawrwds5zcguwtp
Coach Workshop – Sprints
17th October 2017 7pm-8.30pm
Braintree Sport & Health Club, Panfield Lane, Braintree, Essex, CM17 1FF
This workshop session is the first of the “Sprints” series of seminars provided by coaches within the Essex Athletics Network.
Tony Gordon (Braintree AC) is a Sprints Coach and part of the England National Coach Development Programme who has experience in coaching all abilities and ages.
Tony will discuss how to develop an athlete’s speed; he will provide an insight into the process of planning to enable the athlete to improve in this skill.
A practical session will allow coaches to see how you can develop speed by providing the athletes with a dynamic warm up and drills focusing on speed. Tony will then discuss generic speed sessions that coaches can use in their own coaching. All coaches will have the opportunity to ask any questions about the transition during the workshop.
Coaches can bring up to two athletes each to the session.
This session is FREE to coaches from clubs within the Essex.
To sign up or for more information please contact
Hayley Pegg on hayleypegg@hotmail.com or call 07763 839863
Or enter online https://doodle.com/poll/cfdgwrq2t6havyae
Twenty two Coaches attended the recent Drills for Endurance Runners Workshop, held at Chelmsford Athletics Centre on 19th May 2017. Simon Mennell discussed drills, what they are and what they are used for. He also explored the key coaching points for a variety of drills.
Full Report
Simon started the workshop by asking the group to discuss the benefits of drills and also to list any drills they already use or know. The twenty two coaches from different backgrounds and different coaching experiences produced a vast list of both benefits and drills. With both running clubs and athletics clubs present it was enlightening to hear the differences among each setting.
Simon discussed the points and asked the coaches to think about how they could make the drills included into their club session. The focus point was on looking at what you already do and making the warmup training varied, fun and progressive.
The group then went onto the track to look at some fun interactive drills that would benefit all runners while training at the track.
The coaches were able to take part practically but also have a go at teaching the drills.
This workshop session was the third of the “Endurance” series of seminars provided by coaches from the Essex Athletics Network.
NEW WORKSHOP ANNOUCED
Drills for Endurance Runners
19th May 2017
7pm to 8.30pm
Chelmsford Athletics Centre, Salerno Way, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 2EH
This workshop session is the third of the “Endurance” series of seminars provided by coaches within the Essex Athletics Network.
Simon Mennell (Braintree AC) is an Endurance Coach who and England Athletics Tutor who has experience in coaching all abilities and ages.
Simon will discuss drills, what they are and what they are used for. He will explore the key coaching points for a variety of drills.
A practical session will allow coaches and athletes to see these drills in action and will have the opportunity
to ask any questions during the evening.
This session is FREE to coaches from clubs within the Essex Athletics Network.
£10 to coaches from clubs not within the Essex Athletics Network.
Early booking is recommended.
Refreshments will be provided.
To sign up or for more information please contact
Hayley Pegg on hayleypegg@hotmail.com
or call 07763 839863
We hope to see you there!
David Dixon a British Athletics tutor and university lecturer on Sports Nutrition shared his expertise about the facts on Nutrition, the best recovery drinks and what an athlete should have within their diet for training and competing.
David started the workshop by asking the coaches what they wanted to get out of the workshop. With 10 coaches present the list was vast, ranging from what an athlete should eat before, during and after a competition to what the differences should be in nutrition for a jumper to a marathon runner.
DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT
The group discussed the three types of food plates
David suggested that coaches work on the baseline nutrition and every day nutrition for athletes in training before they look at nutrition in competition.
Coaches should check www.Informsport.com for a list of banned substances and to check any supplements for ingredients that have been tested.
The coaches feedback from the workshop:
“Good Advice”
“Very informative and engaging speaker. Very knowledgeable and interactive seminar”
“Really useful and informative. Thank you “
“Just left me wanting to know more, very interesting”
This workshop session was the first of the “Nutrition” series of seminars provided by coaches from the Essex Athletics Network. Our next workshop will be on Drills in May at Braintree AC.
Simon Mennell an Endurance Coach from Braintree AC and England Athletics Tutor shared his expertise about the benefits of track training and discussed if it is just running in circles.
Simon started the workshop by asking the group to discuss the pros and cons of track training. The six coaches from different backgrounds and different coaching experiences produced a vast list of both cons and pros.
DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT
Report from Workshop on Mental Preparation for Controlling Nerves & getting in the Zone for Performance Workshop held at Basildon Sporting Village Saturday 14th January…MORE
Sprinting – Developing Speed
new date 28th January 2017
Coach Workshop – Sprinting, Developing Speed
26th November 2016 10am to 12pm Braintree Sport & Health Club
Panfield Lane, Braintree, Essex, CM17 1FF
To sign up, click here: http://tinyurl.com/EAN-November
A packed attendance enjoyed the 2nd Network Endurance Workshop on Friday 21st October. Martin Branfoot gave an excellent talk on the transition from 10k to Marathon, and it was good to hear that some attendees took the information and used some of the points raised successfully at the Chelmsford Marathon at the weekend.
Download the Workshop report here: 
Whilst the Essex Athletic Network can no longer offer coach bursaries, there are still opportunities to secure funding via our partner Active Essex.
http://www.activeessex.org/Coaching/active-essex-coaching-bursary/
Endurance – Transition from 10k to the Marathon
21st October 2016
To sign up, click here: http://tinyurl.com/EAN-October
Contact Hayley Pegg on or call 07763 839863
To sign up, click here: http://tinyurl.com/EAN-October
Contact Hayley Pegg on
or call 07763 839863
Movement Skills Workshops
Basildon – http://www.ulearnathletics.com/moduleEvent/84068
update 12/08/16 South Coaching Courses
NOTE: Please ensure application forms for Athletics Coach and CiRF are fully completed and returned with photograph and payment (payable to England Athletics) at least 2 weeks prior to the course start date. LiRF and Coaching Assistant courses need to be booked online through www.ulearnathletics.com
update 20th June 2016 – Running Club Forums announced
The workshops have been organised for Leaders and coaches who would like to gain more support to deliver more effective sessions or promote running sessions to the community.
Planning for complete beginners/intermediate and runners’ goals
Friday 9th September 2016
@ Chelmsford Sport and Athletics Centre
Simon Mennell
7pm to 9pm (Free Workshop)
Speed Endurance and Interval Training
Friday 25th November 2016 @ Chelmsford Sport and Athletics Centre
Simon Mennell
7pm to 9pm (Free Workshop)
How to observe, analyse and improve individuals running technique
Saturday 25th March 2017 @ Lee Valley Athletics Centre, Meridan Way
Simon Mennell
9.30am – 11.30am (£10 to attend the workshop)
To book onto the workshops please contact Karen Stephanou, Club and Coach Support Officer on kstephanou@englandathletics.org or 07718394335
21st June 2016 – Flying Coach visits planned.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Karen Stephanou.
Club and Coach Support Officer for Essex and Herts, England Athletics
07718394335 Karen Stephanou
- Tuesday 12th July
Speed open session with Tony Gordon at Braintree and District AC - Thursday 14th July
Javelin flying coach visit at Harlow AC with Alison O’Riordan - Monday 1st August
Long Jump/Triple Jump flying coach visit at CATS with Eddie Hawkins - Wednesday 3rd August
Long Jump / Triple Jump flying coach visit at Braintree Sport and Health Leisure Centre with Eddie Hawkins - Tuesday 30th August
Speed open session with Tony Gordon at Braintree and District AC
Coach Education Workshop – 29th July 2016 – Lower limb – anatomy & injuries.
Another excellent workshop, held by Cedar Hall Clinic.
Download the Workshop report here:
This workshop session is the first of the “Body Works” series of seminars provided by our external partners Cedar Hall Clinic which will look at various parts of the body and the injuries that athletes may typically experience – how they occur, how they can be treated and – most important of all – what can be done to try to avoid them.
The session, led by Cedar Hall’s James Di Cicco & Kimberley Hughes, will include both theoretical & practical – hands-on – elements and will be suitable for coaches at all levels.
The areas covered include: mechanics of the lower limbs
common lower limb injuries; chronic tendon injury (tendinosus); knee injuries; anterior cruciate injuries, hamstring tears; muscular imbalances and how to spot potential injuries before they occur. Rehab will include K-taping techniques.
This session is FREE to clubs within the Essex Athletics Network.
Reminders of the up-coming Sight Loss Awareness workshop, and the local
NCDP Open Speed Session workshop.
What are we doing?
Promoting national coaching course opportunities and encouraging new & existing coaches & assistant coaches in Network clubs to attend & support these through the award of coaching bursaries
- Arranging & delivering a programme of generic coach education sessions (e.g. sports nutrition, video analysis, sports psychology, biomechanics) through our academic partners Writtle & SEEVIC Colleges.
- Arranging & delivering a programme of event specific coach education sessions (e.g. hurdles, long jump, high jump), as informed by the baseline audit, using a team of NCDP and other experienced coaches within Network clubs.
- Facilitating arrangements for coaches & selected athletes to join training sessions with other more experienced coaches/athletes
- Promoting England Athletic and CCSO ‘Flying Coach’ visits and support coaches and clubs to access the programme.
Essex Athletic Network 