Our youth track and field program is designed to provide children with the opportunity to learn the proper running and field event techniques, speed development, and an overall appreciation for the sport. Running Events include Hurdles (80M, 100M, 110M, 200M, 300M), Relays (400M, 1600M), Runs (800M, 1600M), and Dash/Sprints (50M, 100M, 200M, 400M) and field events are high jump and long jump. The AMA YMCA participates as a team in the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation (T.A.A.F) Track & Field program, Region 4.
Practices & Meets
Practices: Date, time, and location TBD.
Meet Location(s): Region-wide (all meet locations are TBD in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro Area)
Circuit Meets:
- Every Saturday in June
Regional Meet:
- TBD
Additional Costs
Circuit Meet Registration: There is a $5.00-7.00 entry fee for athletes at circuit meets.
What’s Provided (supply fee): All track and field equipment and track jersey (shirt and shorts)
Equipment Needed: Water bottle & sneakers. Participants should bring a water bottle and wear comfortable clothing ideal for track (t-shirt, shorts, track shoes/running shoes).
Meet Coach Vanessa Bogenholm
Coach Vanessa Bogenholm is a USATF Certified Track and Field Coach Level I and Official, NASM Certified Personal Trainer, PTR Certified Tennis Coach and Sports Nutritionist. She has been a personal trainer and coach for 14 years coaching and training young children through adults for fitness, weight loss, and running and the Varsity Track and Field Coach for Harvest Christian Academy in Keller, TX. She has written an Amazon Best Seller, “It’s Your Body, Move it, Love it…Live” and has a YouTube channel about running, shoes and exercise.
To date, she has helped 15 athletes get D1 and D2 Scholarships.
Coach Vanessa also is an avid competitor in Track and Field competing in local races and at the Masters National USATF meets in distances from the 1 mile through the marathon with the 5k being her best distance. She throws shot put and javelin at meets and pole vaults. She completed her first marathon at 15 and won her first marathon at 16 so has been running for over 40 years. She takes pride the most in showing kids that running can be fun and done without pain and for a lifetime.
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Track & Field Benefits
Youth Track & Field encourages and promotes healthy kids, families and communities by placing a priority on family involvement, healthy competition rather than rivalry, the value of participation over winning, team-building as well as individual development, a positive self-image and a sense of fair play and mutual respect for others. Parents are encouraged to be more than mere spectators, by contributing their time as volunteer coaches – as well as being their kid’s greatest fan.
Training Benefits
Daily activity is very important to any aspiring athlete. Small children can train through daily chores and activities that stretch muscles and develop coordination as well as muscular strength to stay fit and ready for play. Older children can add more structured training to their daily activities to help develop specialized skills, which will enable them to become a better runner and jumper.
Coaching Tips
Coaches of kids should set a simple goal of a season enjoyable enough that everyone returns for next season. Welcome each player by name at every practice and game to help them feel welcome and positive from the start. Plan practices that keep kids active and be clear on your goals for their development by sharing them with your players and their parents.
