Training sessions  

Normal training sessions are every Tuesday & Thursday from 6.15 to 7.30; all athletes should meet their coach in the reception area of the Riverside Sports Complex unless instructed otherwise.  

Most sessions will be on the athletics track at the Riverside , the Riverside facility charge Chester-le-Street & district Athletics club members a reduced rate during the above planned session times. At other times you will have to pay the Riverside the normal facility charges.

In the summer some sessions will be organised on the playing fields / park area at the back of the Riverside facility. Your coach will inform you in advance when this is planned, you will still start & finish at the riverside reception area and your coach will inform you if you still need to pay session costs to the riverside.  

In winter some training sessions will be organised in the indoor training hall at the riverside. Your coach will inform you in advance when this is planned, you will still start & finish at the riverside reception area. The club pay’s for the hire of the indoor training hall and your coach will collect the session fees directly; NOTE the cost will never be more than the normal riverside session costs (any shortfall will be subsidised by the club).  

If you can’t attend a training session for any reason please inform your coach in advance where ever possible.

Junior athletes who continually fail to attend sessions without informing their coach may lose their place in the group if there is a waiting list in operation and would themselves be placed on the waiting list instead.  

Be prepared…..

All junior athletes should bring the following to each training session…

-         Good quality running / training shoes

-         Comfortable shorts & T-shirts (for summer)

-         Suitable tracksuit bottoms / leggings & long sleeve T shirts (for winter)

-         Warm clothing / jacket etc for wearing before / after sessions (including in summer).

-         A drink of water or other non fizzy soft drink.

-         Money to pay the riverside

-         A positive attitude and a smile.  

Optionally (not essential)…

-         Running spikes, your coach may allow you to wear track spikes for some parts of the session but these are not essential and not normally worn / not recommended for normal training. Spikes are really designed for competition and can damage young bones / muscles if over used in training due to there lack of cushioning / support.

-         Money for snacks / sweets (there is usually a tuck shop organised by the running club on Thursday evenings, in addition the riverside has a number of snack / drink machines).

-         Friends, please do your bit to encourage your friends / family to try athletics as the club is always looking for new members. (However you should check with your coach first just in case the group is full and has a waiting list).

If you have any questions or worries about the training sessions then please feel free to discuss them with your coach as it is their aim to ensure that training sessions are fun & suitable for everyone’s individual needs. Alternatively you can discuss any worries or problems directly with the clubs welfare officer.