Membership

Update from December 2024 – The training groups for those born in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 are mostly full with a waiting list. To be added to the waiting list, please email us on juvenile@dunboyneathleticclub.com, sending the child’s name and year of birth. We will then notify you when places become available.

New 2017 group: the new Little Athletics U9s/2017 group will start in January 2025. There has been a lot of demand for this already and we have reached the number that we can start with. Please email us if you would like your child to be added to the waiting list for this group.

The Juvenile section caters for children from 8 years of age upwards. The club coaches strive to focus on participation, enjoyment of athletics whilst achieving each individual athlete’s potential. You can register and pay online via the link below.

Dunboyne AC welcomes all children who have an interest in Athletics. The child’s ability is not a factor as all children will be encouraged to fulfil their own potential and to participate in competition, which includes both individual and team events.

Please note all Juvenile members are expected to compete in the Meath Cross Country Championships and the Meath Track and Field Championships. These are entry level competitions and cover running, jumping, and throwing events so there will be something to suit every child.

Children are welcome to attend for 3 training sessions to try athletics without registering.  However, after that, they must register as a juvenile member of the club to ensure they are covered by the club’s insurance.

Fees are payable for a 12-month period which runs from January each year. The membership fee covers insurance of the club member and registration with the national body (Athletics Ireland) and contributes to facilities up keep, rental and or purchase of equipment and competition entry fees.

Juvenile Competitions

The athletics season is split into 3 seasons:

• Indoors track and field competition from January to April.
• Outdoors track and field competition from May to July.
• Cross-country competition from October to early December.

Each season comprises County, Provincial and National championships. Typically, these championships are roughly 4 weeks apart in each of the 3 seasons.

Please note all Juvenile members are expected to compete in the Meath Cross Country Championships and the Meath Track and Field Championships. These are entry level competitions and cover running, jumping, and throwing events so there will be something to suit everyone.

Selected athletes will be entered for the Provincial Championships, from which qualification must be obtained in order to compete in the National championships.

Your child’s coach is available to answer any questions you may have with regards competitions.

Training

There are four main groups, each of which train on Monday and Wednesday:

The club also offers additional training sessions to help those children competing at county and provincial level further develop. You can speak with your child’s coach should they be interested in joining some of these sessions.

Coaching

Training sessions focus on preparation for competition, on fitness and on technique for various events. Events in which club members participate include:

• Sprints
• Relays
• Middle distance running
• Jumps – hurdles, long jump, and high jump
• Throws – Turbo Javelin, shot putt and ball throw.

We welcome any additional assistance that parents may be able to provide at our training sessions. Please talk to any of our coaches or email: juvenile@dunboyneathleticclub.com if you are able to help.

Athletics Clothing

You can purchase various gear for your child via the O’Neill’s Club shop: http://dunboyneathleticclub.com/club-kit

Juvenile members should bring the following to training:

• Track suit bottoms and shorts
• Suitable running shoes
• T-shirt and tracksuit top or light top
• Hat (if cold or wet weather)
• Light raincoat (if wet weather)
• Bottle of water (for light drinking during training session)

Club Vests: Athletes should where possible wear the Club’s running vest when entering competitions. It is advisable for younger athletes to wear a plain white or blue t-shirt beneath the running vest.

Please contact Ger McSweeney on 086 8289006 to purchase the club vest.

Running Spikes: For cross country running, the ground can be quite slippy, so normal runners really are not suitable. The kids could wear football boots as a last resort, but ideally they should wear running spikes. Once they have a heel, a pair of running spikes will usually do for both track events and cross country. They usually come with 2mm or 5mm spikes – those sizes are suitable for the track. For cross country, you’d need to get a set of 9mm spikes, or if the ground is very wet, 12mm can be useful.

When buying spikes, try them on if possible as they tend to be very small fitting, so you would normally go up a size. Although, don’t go up too many sizes are they are intended to be snug to give the runner good control over their foot.

Running spikes are not typically needed for the training sessions. For training, a good pair of runners is perfect. The spikes can be kept for races and events, although the athletes should try them out beforehand to see how they feel.

Dunboyne Sports & Leisure usually have a selection of Junior running spikes, such as the Adidas AllRounder.
Decathlon and www.sportsshoes.com will also have some good options.

Lost Property: Often at club training sessions, items of clothing are left behind. If your child leaves something behind, please contact one of the coaches – chances are they have been collected by a coach.