Run with Purpose.
Formed in Virtue.
A competitive youth track & field club serving Ave Maria and Southwest Florida. High-level technical training across running, jumping, and throwing—operated 100% at-cost with zero coaching markups.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.”
— 1 Cor 9:24Athletics as a Pathway to Virtuous Living
Ave Maria is blessed with an energetic, growing generation of talented young people. Our club was formed to give local youth access to sanctioned, competitive AAU track and field right in our backyard—without burdensome travel or inflated club expenses.
We integrate the theology of sports articulated by Pope St. John Paul II. Physical training is an arena to train the will, foster temperance, and honor the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Fortitude & Perseverance
Learning to push through the final 100m builds the grit needed for spiritual resilience.
Temperance & Self-Mastery
Cultivating sound habits in rest, hydration, nutrition, and respectful discipline.
Humility & Brotherhood
Recognizing that athletic giftings come from God, treating teammates and opponents with charity.
What Sets AMTC Apart?
- All Core Disciplines: Sprints, distance, hurdles, jumps, and full throws.
- Pure At-Cost: $0 coach retainers, $0 administrative markup.
- Sanctioned AAU League: Real competitive pathway to the AAU Junior Olympic Games.
- Every Practice Grounded in Prayer: Opening and closing sessions in faith.
- Direct Contact: Reach a coordinator at (239) 600-1300.
Our Pure “At-Cost” Model
Many youth track programs charge $300 to $800+ in seasonal club dues. As a family-focused volunteer sports ministry, we believe athletics should be accessible. We pass through only real, receipt-backed expenses.
AAU Youth Membership
Mandatory annual card providing national athlete liability & sport accident insurance.
Official Team Singlet
Custom AMTC competition racing top. Athletes wear standard black shorts they already own.
Meet Entry Fees
Per meet entered. You only pay for the individual weekend invitationals your family decides to attend.
Team Gear Fund
One-time per-family contribution to purchase shot puts, aero-javelins, batons, and tape measures.
Adding it up: a first-season athlete is typically ~$65 – $87 out of pocket before any optional weekend meet entries.
Events Coached & AAU Age Divisions
In AAU Track & Field, an athlete’s division is determined strictly by their age as of December 31, 2027.
2027 Division & Event Calculator
Choose your athlete’s birth year to see their official AAU division, event limit, and implement weights.
The full division reference table appears below. Relays do not count against the individual event limit.
Sprints & Hurdles
100m, 200m, 400m, 80m/100m/110m hurdles. Starts, drive phases, acceleration, and hurdle clearance.
Distance & Relays
800m, 1500m/1600m, 3000m, 4x100m, 4x400m. Aerobic engine building, pacing strategies, and baton work.
Jumping Events
Long Jump, Triple Jump, High Jump. Runway cadence, penultimate step conversion, and lift mechanics.
Throwing Events
Shot Put, Discus, Turbo-Jav, and High School Javelin. Rotational power, release angles, and balance.
| Division | Birth Year (2027) | Max Events | Eligible Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 & Under (Primary) | 2019 & later | 3 | 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 4x100m, Long Jump, Shot Put (4 lb), Turbo-Javelin (300g) |
| 9–10 (Bantam) | 2017 – 2018 | 3 | 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 4x100m, 4x400m, High Jump, Long Jump, Shot Put (6 lb), Turbo-Jav (300g) |
| 11–12 (Midget) | 2015 – 2016 | 3 | 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 80m Hurdles, High Jump, Long Jump, Shot Put (6 lb), Discus (1kg), Aero-Jav (450g) |
| 13–14 (Youth) | 2013 – 2014 | 4 | 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 100m/200m Hurdles, High/Long/Triple Jump, Shot Put (4kg), Discus (1kg), Javelin (600g) |
| 15–16 (Intermediate) | 2011 – 2012 | 4 | Full high school event slate (110/400H, Triple Jump, Full implements: Shot, Discus, Javelin) |
| 17–18 (Young Men/Women) | 2009 – 2010* | 4 | Full championship slate (*Eligible if 18 on meet date or turns 19 post-Junior Olympics) |
2027 Practice & Meet Calendar
Our season operates from late February through mid-summer. Weekend competition attendance is always voluntary based on family schedules.
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1
Developmental Meets
March – April 2027
Low-pressure local invitationals in Southwest Florida (Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral) and Miami. Focus is on establishing baseline PRs, practicing starting block setups, and learning meet routines.
Regional SWFL / Miami -
2
AAU District & Regionals
May – June 2027
Sanctioned qualifying events (AAU South Florida District & Region 9 Qualifier). Athletes compete against top talent across the state to qualify for Nationals.
Miramar / Tampa / Orlando -
3
AAU Junior Olympic Games
Late July – Early August 2027
The national championship meet for athletes who qualify through the Regional round. A pinnacle athletic experience against the nation’s best.
National AAU Host City
Weekly Training Cadence
Tuesday & Thursday: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM • Saturday Morning: 8:30 AM (Optional Clinic)
Athlete Registration Checklist
Follow these 3 simple steps to register your child for the upcoming 2027 season. Questions? Call or text (239) 600-1300.
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1
Obtain Your Athlete’s AAU Membership
Visit aausports.org, choose Join AAU → Youth Athlete Membership (~$20), select Track & Field, and affiliate with AMTC using our official club code:
U8UJVWCGC (Ave Maria Track & Field Club) -
2
Fill Out the AMTC Athlete Intake Form
Submit your athlete’s DOB, emergency contacts, medical history, and preferred event disciplines below.
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3
Singlet Order & Equipment Sinking Fund
Pay exact direct pass-through for the team uniform top (~$30–$40) and submit the family gear fund fee (~$15–$25).
2027 Season Athlete Intake
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my child need prior competitive track experience?
Not at all. We teach fundamentals from the ground up. Whether your six-year-old simply wants to run and jump, or your high schooler is cross-training for another sport, our volunteer coaches meet athletes at their current developmental level.
What shoes and equipment does my child need on day one?
A good pair of athletic running shoes and a labeled water bottle. Event-specific track spikes are optional for older sprinters and distance runners at competitions, but standard running shoes are perfectly fine for practices.
Are we required to attend every weekend track meet?
No. Attendance at weekend invitationals is completely voluntary. Because meet entry fees are paid directly on a per-meet basis, your family chooses which competitions fit your calendar and travel preferences.
How does Catholic faith formation fit into training?
Every session begins and ends with prayer. We share brief reflections on Christian virtues—perseverance through fatigue, sportsmanship in defeat, humility in victory—reminding athletes that their gifts are entrusted to them by God to be developed with joy and excellence.
How do I reach a coach or coordinator?
Call or text (239) 600-1300, or email avemariatrackclub@gmail.com. A real parent volunteer answers—there is no call center.