Background/History

NEW HAVEN AGE GROUP TRACK CLUB

Background/History

Event
Hosting

* New Haven Youth Track Classic

* New Haven Youth Developmental

* AAU-CT District Championship

*North East Zone Championship

* Race Walking Clinic

*Turbo Javelin Clinic

*Middle School Intro. Clinics

Fundraising Activities

Skating Party

Bowling Party

Shake The Can

Car Wash

Introduction

New Haven Age Athletic Club focuses on the health and fitness of children of all ages, by providing after school activities were children can develop their athletic skills. Children are given opportunities to run and explore their innate potential in all aspects of track and field, which includes field events of hurdling and running. Their training is based on age and ability which range from short sprints through middle and long distances. The participants’ ages range from 7 to 18. There are no barriers in the program. Gender, ethnicity, race, geographical proximity is not considered when promoting the health and fitness of children. Many other programs offer health and fitness, but certain criteria may limit access to these programs. These activities are held at certain times of the year and its all based on funding availability. Our program is offered all year long. We provide outdoor, as well as indoor events for our youths so they can continue their health and fitness regiment.

Since our conception, (over 30 years ago) the club has successfully touched the lives of over 5000 children. These youths have later gone on to be successful in their on right. They have established themselves as successful doctors, lawyers, law enforcement officials, coaches, teachers, entrepreneurs and etc.

The New Haven Age Athletic Club is a 501(c) 3 organization. We rely heavily on fundraising and donations to support the team’s activities. We are always in search for sponsors and supporters. If interested in making a donation or becoming a sponsor, please contact us. All donations are tax deductible. We’ll provide 501(c) 3 information upon request.All donations are tax deductible.We’ll provide 501(c) 3 information upon request.

History

In 1975, the Southern Connecticut State University, Track and Field Coach (James Barber) and to of his athletes (Dianne Wright and Rachel Hamlet) recognized a need for a fitness organization in New Haven. The focus was health and fitness for children and parents. These individuals organized and started what is now known as the New Haven Age Group Track Club. They advertised with local media to invite children and parents to participate in health and fitness through track and field. By the end of second week, over forty children from the Greater New Haven area as well as the Shoreline cities(Branford, Guilford and West Haven) towns were showing up for practices. The primary objective for the club was to give children of all ages an opportunity to improve their athletic skills through track and field. The club also believed parents should be actively involved in the health and fitness of their children. This was done by having parents assist in the coaching as well as the fundraising. Club focused on building confidence, self esteem and respect for self, family, team and the community which today remains as its guiding principle.

1976 - The accomplishments of the children were quite notable and were quickly acknowledged both locally and nationally. The young athletes placed at or near the top in all of the regional and most of the national competitions, beginning with the United States Youth Games and the Hershey’s National Track and Field Youth Program in. In the latter competition, they won 13 of 45 divisional medals, of which 8 were first places. The thrill of being a part of a team, coupled with positive experience through travel, competition and meeting others around the country became an integral part of the program. A legacy was established and instant tradition became the motivating factor for parents and young athletes.

1978 - At age of 12, Venessa Thompson, set a new national age group record in the competition at Wayne State University in Detroit.

1983 - At the U.S. Youth Games, which was held at the University of Massachusetts, 9 medals were garnered and Venessa Thompson won the 880 yard run (14-15 age groups) in 2:16 seconds. This was the fourth fastest time ever for a high school athlete in the State of Connecticut. During that same summer 2 relays teams of boys and girls set new state records in the youth competition hosted by Duke University.

2006 – The New Haven Age Group participated in their first national cross country championship. Multiple runners placed competitively in the top 50 in their respective age divisions.

2008 – By far the most successful year yet for the New Haven Age Group Track Club. Various runners broke multiple meet records including records at the prestigious Blunt Invitational at Duke University, N.C.

Danae Rivers breaks a 22 year old 800m National Record in the Bantam (9-10)

Girls division. She ran a time of 2:23.86.

Bantam girls placed 3^rd in team scoring at the USATF Cross Country National Championship.

AAU Junior Olympic Outdoor National Champions:

o Danae Rivers - Bantam (9-10) – 1500 Meters and 800 Meters

o Kellie Davis – Youth (13-14) – 3000 Meters

o Kellie Davis, Nia Ruth, Paris Taft and Medinah Nabadduka Youth - (13-14) – 4x800 Meter Relay