POLE VAULT AT leamington c&ac
Learning To Fly
Leamington Cycling & Athletics Club is one of the few clubs in Warwickshire with a dedicated pole vault facility and a specialist coaching group. Our group welcomes athletes from Year 6 upwards — including senior and masters athletes — with no previous experience required.
Training takes place at Edmondscote Athletics Track on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, with additional indoor sessions available by arrangement at weekends during the winter months.
Pole vault is one of the most technically demanding events in athletics — and one of the most rewarding to master. Our coaching approach takes every athlete through the event progressively and safely, whatever their starting point.
Note for junior athletes: All U14 athletes joining Leamington C&AC are expected to begin in the U14 Run Jump Throw group before progressing to specialist event groups. [Find out more about the junior pathway →]
your coach
Specialist Coaching for Every Stage
Our pole vault group is coached by a specialist with UKA qualifications in both pole vault and jumps — one of the few coaches in Warwickshire with dedicated expertise across the full range of jumping events.
Katherine Stein
Pole Vault & Jumps Coach · UKA Event Group
Katharine coaches the Leamington C&AC pole vault group with a philosophy built around supporting every athlete on their own individual journey — from complete beginners taking their first steps with a pole through to experienced vaulters targeting competitive heights.
Sessions vary significantly through the year and adapt to weather conditions. During the outdoor season training focuses on technical drills, short approach and full approach vaulting. Through the winter months the emphasis shifts to gym work and sprint-based conditioning, with the majority of gym work pole vault specific. Additional indoor vaulting sessions are available by arrangement at weekends.
Katharine also holds UKA Event Group qualifications in jumps and is supporting the development of Leamington C&AC’s new jumps group covering long jump, triple jump and high jump.
“Pole vault is an incredible event. Our group is aimed at supporting and developing every athlete on their own individual journey when learning to fly.”
Training:
- Tuesday: 18:00–19:00 at Edmondscote Athletics Track
- Thursday: 17:30–18:30 junior session and 18:30–19:30 at Edmondscote Athletics Track
- Additional weekend indoor sessions by arrangement
the pole vault group
What to expect from endurance training
No Experience Needed Pole vault looks daunting from the outside but our coaching approach means complete beginners are genuinely welcome. Katharine will take you through every stage — from approach run to takeoff and beyond — safely, progressively and at your own pace.
Year Round Training Training continues through the winter with a shift toward gym work and sprint conditioning. This builds the physical foundations — strength, speed and body awareness — that make outdoor vaulting more effective when the season returns.
All Ages Welcome The group caters for athletes from Year 6 upwards through to senior and masters level. Pole vault is one of the few athletics events where athletes can continue competing and improving well into their masters years — and our group reflects that range.
Specialist Facility Edmondscote Athletics Track has a dedicated pole vault facility — one of the few available to a community athletics club in Warwickshire. Having consistent access to proper equipment and a permanent runway makes a significant difference to athlete development.
competition
Where our athletes compete
Welcome Group athletes typically compete in:
- Youth Development League — Lower and Upper
- Warwickshire Schools Championships
- West Midlands Schools Championships
- Mason Trophy Inter-Counties
- English Schools Track & Field Finals
- Warwickshire Championships
Faster Group athletes typically compete in:
- Midlands Senior League
- Veterans League for masters athletes
- Warwickshire Championships
- Midland Championships
- British Masters Championships
- Open competitions including Vault Manchester and Air Loughborough
Junior Pathway
Junior athletes please note: All U14 athletes joining Leamington C&AC are expected to begin in the U14 Run Jump Throw group coached by Tom Gould before progressing to specialist event groups. This ensures every young athlete develops a strong all-round athletic base before specialising in endurance.
Interested in Pole Vault?
Whether you’ve never held a pole or you’re an experienced vaulter looking for a new club, we’d love to hear from you. Come along to a Tuesday or Thursday session and introduce yourself to Katharine, or get in touch in advance.
Or contact us using our general enquiries form. [Get in touch →]