• Leics Schools’ County Championships (June 2010)

Athletics is a thriving summer sport at Welbeck. Expert coaching is provided in most disciplines, with group sessions provided in throwing and jumping field events as well as there being a sprint group and an endurance group.

Coaching is generally on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, although other sessions are sometimes fitted in elsewhere in the week depending on the needs of the athletes. The coaching sessions are held both in the college grounds and at the highly regarded Paula Radcliffe international track at Loughborough University. A programme of strength and conditioning using med balls, power bags and Pilates supplements the coaching for the individual disciplines.

Students have the opportunity to compete in several track meets throughout the summer term. There are competitions against other local independent schools, the college inter house sports day, the Leicestershire Schools Championship. In addition to this a handful of students are good enough and enthusiastic enough to compete in local open meets hosted by Charnwood AC again at the Loughborough University track.

Whilst participation in athletics is important to encourage, there are always athletes who are more serious about their sport – in recent years there have been several students who have represented their county at the English Schools meet in July, and some who have represented their country at their discipline. Several students have in the past taken the opportunity to join Charnwood AC and have represented the club in various meets around the country. It is possible to provide all year round coaching for the most serious athletes.