Background & History

Event
Hosting

* New Haven Youth Track Classic

* New Haven Youth Developmental Meet

* AAU-CT District Championship

* Race Walking Clinic

*Turbo Javelin Clinic

*Middle School Intro. Clinics

Fundraising Activities

Shake The Can

Car Wash

Mixed Bag Sale

Coco Key Party

Skating Party

Bowling Party

Introduction

The New Haven Age Group Track Club focuses on and enhances the health and fitness of children ages 7-18 by providing after-school activities in which they can develop their athletic abilities. Children have opportunities to explore their innate potential in all aspects of track and field, which includes sprinting, hurdling, middle and distance running, and jumping. Coaches tailor team members' training according to age, ability, and aptitude.

There are no barriers in the program. The gender, ethnicity, race, background, or hometown of team members does not matter to the coaches. Many other programs offer health and fitness activities, but with restrictions based on criteria such as time of year and funding availability. The New Haven Age Group Track Club program is offered all year long. We provide outdoor as well as indoor events for our youth so they can continue their health and fitness regimen, as well as their quest for excellence, year-round.

Since our inception well over 30 years ago, the club has successfully touched the lives of over 5,000 children. These youth have had many triumphs in track and field. As adults, they have established themselves as successful doctors, lawyers, law enforcement officials, coaches, teachers, entrepreneurs and more.

The New Haven Age Athletic Club is a 501(c)3 organization. We rely heavily on our own fundraising and on donations to support the team’s activities. We are always in search of 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.

History

1975 - Southern Connecticut State University Track and Field Coach James Barber and two 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 Greater New Haven as well as the Shoreline towns of Branford, Guilford and West Haven 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 achieved by having parents assist in the coaching as well as the fundraising activities that supported the club. The NHAGTC focused on building confidence, self esteem and respect for self, family, team, and the community These principles are the foundation of the club's success and these same principles still guide us today.

1976 - The accomplishments of the children were quite notable and were quickly acknowledged both locally and nationally. NHAGTC 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 National Track and Field Youth Program. In the latter competition, they won 13 of 45 divisional medals, of which 8 were first place awards. The thrill of being part of a team, coupled with positive experiences 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 competition at Wayne State University in Detroit.

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

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

2008 – The New Haven Age Group Track Club breaks multiple meet and Youth National Records.

Danae Rivers breaks a 22-year-old 800m national record in the bantam (age 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.

2008 AAU Junior Olympic Outdoor National Champions:

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

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

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

2009 - Seven NHAGTC athletes showcased elite performances and earned 2009 All American status by finishing in the top 8 of their event within their respective age divisions. These athletes tallied a total of 12 medals for the club: Danae Rivers (1st in 1500m, 3rd in 3000m); Precious Holmes (3rd in 100m, 4th in 200m, 3rd in 400m, 2nd in 4x800 relay); Kellie Davis (3rd in 1500m, 6th in 3000m); Leah Rivers (8th in 1500m); and Nia Ruth, Sydney Curtis, and Whitney Curtis (2nd in 4x800 relay).

And the story continues ...