Colchester parents start athletics classes for next generation

Samantha Hart and Michael Smith, of Old Heath, Colchester, have long been involved in track and field athletics.

Miss Hart has trained at Colchester Harriers Athletics Club since she was a youngster in the mid-2000s, while Mr Smith joined the club in 2016.

The two still play an active role at the club and, unsurprisingly, two of their three children, eight-year-old Finley and five-year-old Caitlin, are similarly keen – one senses two-year-old Oakley will soon share their enthusiasm, too.

Now, Miss Hart, 28, and Mr Smith, 30, are determined to see more children – not just their own offspring – get involved in the sport.

The duo are now trying to make that a reality by opening a mini athletics franchise in Colchester.

Active – the classes are designed to get youngsters ready for any sport they go onto play (Image: Mini Athletics)

Mr Smith said: “We both have a massive interest in sport, and children are a massive part of our lives as well.

“It’s something we can build up together and it’s something that can bring people together, because sport is something we have a massive passion about.”

Miss Hart currently works as a swimming teacher whilst Mr Smith works for the NHS, but now that the two run the franchise for Colchester and Chelmsford, they are now hoping to build up the athletics sessions from one Saturday each week into a full-time project.

Colchester classes currently take place in 45-minute sessions at Shrub End social centre on Saturdays from 8.45am until 11.45am.

They added: “We have to do everything that’s involved with owning your own business – it’s about building it up and getting more and more classes, so hopefully it will be full-time further down the line.”

Fit – Miss Hart and Mr Smith's son Finley is an eager participant of the junior parkrun (Image: Samantha Hart)

The admin, paperwork, emails, spreadsheets, and tax returns take up huge amounts of time as one might expect, but the most satisfying part is running the sessions for the youngsters.

“It’s the actual classes we enjoy,” Mr Smith said.

“Everything else is a big challenge for us, but once we are in a class, it’s so rewarding – having the kids come back and seeing them all improve is what it’s all about."

Classes, which cost £8.50 per session, can be booked via tinyurl.com/bd72e3na.