Our Youth Development Program is aimed at athletes between grades 5-8 and competing in the U12 and U14 divisions. Athletes in this program begin to learn and understand more specific event training and skill development. Here, they typically start finding what events they prefer to run whether that be cross country, shorter middle distance events such as 400, 800, 1200, or longer middle events like 1500, 2000, and 3000 meters. Some of our grade 7 and 8's get introduced to the 5km here too.
Competitive opportunities present themselves for these athletes at the school, MTA and AO level. They will also start competing at Provincial Championships should they choose. Bridging the gap between elementary school and high school is important for this group as it allows for a seamless transition to the high school level.
A N N U A L
Cost: $850
The Annual Membership for our Youth Development Program is full year for grades 5-8 or athletes that compete in the U12 and U14 age divisions. Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor track are included. Included with Annual Program Fee is the athletes' Athletics Ontario/Athletics Canada Membership, practice permits, and their race entry for the AO XC Championships. Relay entries are also covered. These expenses are paid for by the club and included in the fees paid.
The indoor track season typically runs from December to mid April. We train at the Oshawa Civic Indoor Track facility. Outdoor Track for these athletes runs from May to the middle of August with practices at the Civic, Pineridge SS, and St. Mary's CSS.
Between each season, our athletes get off time in order to get the required time off and rest they need to enjoy a break away from running. This keeps them engaged and aids in preventing burnout.
c r o s s C o u n t r y
Cost: $250
Durham Dragons Athletics Fall Cross Country program is one of the best in Ontario. The Youth program is open to kids 10-13 (grades 5-8) that compete in the U12 and U14 divisions. Practices start in Late August and run through the end of November. The Athletics Ontario Championships are usually held in the middle of November. In 2020 our U12 Girls won the team title placing 6 in the top 15. Our U14 Boys were runner-up placing 3 in the top 6.
As part of this program, athletes are provided with structed practices two to three times a week with racing opportunities throughout the season with the Minor Track Association and Athletics Ontario. This program provides a great opportunity for kids to get introduced into the sport of cross country and is open to athletes of all levels.
We offer a free two-week trial membership for any new kids that want to try out cross country before committing to the season.
I n d o o r / o u t d o o r t r a c k
Cost: $450 per season
Locations: Oshawa Civic, Pineridge SS, St. Mary's CSS.
Durham Dragons Athletics Indoor/Outdoor Track program is one of the best in Ontario. The Youth Development Program is for kids aged 10-13 (grades 5-8) that compete in the U12, U14 and first year U16 divisions.
Indoor track training begins early/mid December and goes until late April. We have two indoor practices at the Oshawa Civic Monday/Wednesday and a third outdoor practice on Saturday mornings.
Outdoor track begins in mid April and runs until August. Similar to the indoor season we have three practices a week.
As part of this program, athletes are provided with structed practices two to three times a week with racing opportunities throughout the season with the Minor Track Association and Athletics Ontario. This program provides a great opportunity for kids to get introduced into the sport of track and field and is open to athletes of all levels.
We offer a free two-week trial membership for new athletes interested in track.