Welcome to The Academy of Combined Events. ACE has been set up to provide potential
combined events athletes with the opportunity to develop a range of basic fundamental
and progressive technical event skills in an enjoyable and creative environment.
Above all, as part of our philosophy (click here) we believe that the next Katarina
Johnson-Thompson, Jess Ennis-Hill or Dean Macey could be living in Somerset, and
that deserves the very best start to their athletics career as a multi–eventer. Academy
athletes train at Millfield School Athletics Track, Street, Somerset or a nearby
indoor venue. 6 - 8pm on Wednesdays during term time. More > > **SUSPENDED - see
below**
Many thanks to all our 2020 sponsors. Click on logo for more information:
LATEST NEWS/INFORMATION:
06 January 2022 - many apologies for the complete lack of updates. As with so many
people and businesses the last year and a half has been pretty challenging to say
the least!
HEADLINES:-
1. 2021/2022 Sportshall Athletics - after a great deal of consideration
it is with regret that Peter and Simon have decided not to take Somerset Teams to
the Regional Final scheduled for March 2022. They had been watching the infection
rate in Somerset very carefully for a number of months, and in November 2021 with
one of the highest rates in the country neither of them felt at all comfortable at
the prospect of being in a confined indoor space for long periods of time with large
numbers of people. In addition to this they felt that there was too much uncertainty
around the whole selection and training process, and things that were outside their
control that could substantially impact on their ability to deliver to the high
standards that have become a hallmark of sportshall athletics in Somerset. It is
hoped that things will improve next year and Somerset will be able to take part once
again.
2. ACE - Combined Events Training - this time last year we were very hopeful
that we’d be able to return to the track at Millfield in the New Year. However, as
you know the Government imposed yet another lock down and outside users were not
allowed to use the track. Following the lifting of restrictions ACE along with other
track users opened a dialogue with Millfield in order to try and agree on a return
to the track. It wasn’t until the end of May 2021 that they finally agreed that outside
use could resume at the beginning of June, but there were two “stings in the tail”,
the first was that use would be restricted to one and a half hours only from 7.15
to 8.45pm during term time, and the other was a substantial increase in hire charges.
The pandemic had resulted in the loss of athletes, some had moved on to other things
and the later start meant that ACE would lose yet more athletes. The net result of
this was that it simply wasn’t viable to continue and reluctantly we were unable
to resume combined events training. The issue of the later training time imposed
by Millfield turned out to be around Safeguarding and Child Protection but they were
completely unwilling to discuss this despite many requests from ACE and other track
users. In the Autumn 2021, Mendip Athletics Club (MAC) approached Millfield again
and unbelievably they reversed their decision and allowed users to return to their
original training times! Of course this was great news but it came too late for ACE.
In the mean time Millfield had offered ACE’s Wednesday evening training slot to another
club without approaching them in case anything had changed. This brings the news
up to date other than to add that in addition to these and other challenges Graham
Norris, with whom Peter had founded ACE, decided to drop all his athletics coaching
and he also resigned from his post at a local school. This was a huge blow to athletics
in the County as Graham had been such an inspiration to many athletes over the years.
He was also responsible for promoting athletics in the County as a founder member
of MAC and also running Sportshall Athletics in the county for many years. Graham
was also responsible for encouraging Peter to become a coach and for mentoring him
for many years. Peter would like to say a massive thank you to Graham for all that
he has done for him and for athletics in Somerset and to wish him much success with
his new ventures. Peter continues to look for ways that some Combined Events coaching
could resume but with the loss of so much of his coaching and other athletics related
activities, along with anxiety over working with young people during the ongoing
pandemic, it is extremely challenging. Peter has resumed his coaching for South Somerset
District Council at the track in Yeovil, along with coaching for MAC.
10 November 2020 Covid-19 Update - apologies for the lack of regular updates. We
are pleased to report that work on the track at Millfield has been completed and
the flood lights are now operational. Just prior to the latest lock down Millfield
were considering allowing us back on the track. However, all grass roots sports are
banned until at least 3 December 2020. See England Athletics guidance here>>
Accordingly, the track is closed to outside users and our return will be considered
again after
3 December assuming nothing else changes. In reality we think it’s likely
that we could be looking at a return in the New Year, assuming no further restrictions.
Watch this space for further updates.
Sportshall Athletics - sadly as expected, we have received confirmation that there
will be no Regional Championships in Keynsham in January 2021. All sportshall selection,
training and competition is suspended until the Covid-19 situation improves.
Autumn
2020 - Millfield track is still unavailable. We have considered a return to Brookside
but feel that under the Covid circumstances this venue and restrictions mean that
it’s unsuitable at this time. We believe that a return to Millfield and outside coaching
is the safest option, whilst acknowledging that the Winter weather will make training
a challenging alternative!
13 July 2020 Covid-19 Update - the athletics track at Millfield still isn’t available.
Current guidelines for returning to athletics can be found on the England Athletics
website - click here>> The guidance changes frequently but 1 coach and 5 athletes
seems to be the safest option, with social distancing and sanitising a vital part
of any coaching session. Larger groups are possible under certain circumstances!
Jumps are complicated because of the need for sanitising equipment between athletes.
There is hope that the situation will have improved by the start of next term. Watch
this space for further updates.
23/7/2020 Competition page updated. More >>
URGENT: As of Tuesday 17th March 2020, all ACE training sessions are suspended until
at least the end of April due to the Coronavirus epidemic. We very much regret this
decision but for the safety of all concerned we must comply with Government and England
Athletics guidelines. Take care, stay safe, look after your family. Best wishes from
Peter & Graham.
Somerset boys are the 2020 Regional Sportshall Athletics Champions for the second
year!! More>>
ACE Spring Term 2020 training sessions. Details>>
Somerset Octathlon Team second at 2019 CE Nationals, well done Will from ACE!!
Toby & Will to Represent Somerset at the 2019 ESAA CE Championships, Exeter 21/22
September 2019.
ACE TRAINING KIT AVAILABLE TO ORDER NOW FROM OUR SHOP ON THE KUKRI WEBSITE. CLICK
HERE>>
Data Protection. More>> Email opt in/out. Click here>>
Track & Field Athletics Clubs in Somerset: Flyer>>
