The youth track & field program is a program offered by the Nashua Police Athletic League (PAL) and Gate City Striders (GCS) for boys and girls ages 7 through 14, who are interested in competing in track and field events. Middle school and High school athletes under 18 are invited to participate at the conclusion of their school track & field season. Athletes without a school program can join at the beginning of the program. It includes twice-weekly coached workouts. Athletes can also choose to participate in the USATF Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships in June (optional).  Middle and High schoolers, if you intend to join the program, please register by May 15th so that we can anticipate how many will be joining the program.

Program Philosophy

This is a developmental program designed to teach kids proper form in running, jumping and throwing in preparation for competing in track and field meets.  Emphasis is on the development of the skills necessary to become more efficient runners, jumpers and throwers. Kids are encouraged to try events of different distances and the various field events.  All practices will have a running component before field event practice.  Meets are seen as an extension of our practices.  Program instruction will cover what to expect at track meets and the logistics of a track meet.

2025 Info:

Practice Schedule

First Practice: Thursday, April 24th

Monday & Thursday, practices are from 6 to 7:30pm.

Please try to arrive 10 minutes before practice.  We begin our warm-up routine promptly at 6:00pm.

No Practice: May 22 (Middle School Meet) and May 26  (Memorial Day)

Practices will cover running events from sprinting to distance on a track. Field events include shot put, javelin, long jump, and discus.

Practice Locations

• April & May: Pennichuck Middle School

• June: Nashua High School South

Meets 

• Sunday, Early June TBD: USATF-NE Youth Championship (Wenham, MA)
• Saturday, June 13-14 or 20-21: USATF-NE Junior Olympic Championship (Fitchburg, MA)
• Weekend July 11-13: USATF Region 1 Championships (Fitchburg, MA) - Athletes need to qualify at the previous meet.

We will need age verification done for all athletes competing in meets due to USATF rules. Without age verification, athletes will not be allowed to compete.  They are still welcome to practice.

Registration is $100, with discounts for additional family members registered at the same time. 

**All youth under age 18 MUST be signed up by a parent/guardian**