What does a track and field season look like?
Track and field has three main seasons indoor, outdoor and cross-country. The indoor season starts January to March then transitions to the outdoor season in April, finishing first week in August. The crosscountry season starts in May and runs until November. Athletes can sign up for the full season or the outdoor season to meet their goals.
In Ontario Track and field has three governing bodies Minor Track Association (MTA), Athletics Ontario (AO) and Athletics Canada (AC). Although not a governing body, the Royal Canadian Legion continues to plays a role supporting competitive athletes. Generally athletes follow the Long Term Athlete Development model starting to compete in MTA competitions. As their skill grows they compete in Legion and AO meets then finally with AC
Although secondary school OFSAA track and field meet and qualifiers are not part of the club system, athletes are encouraged to participate in school track and field programs and competitions. Quinte Legion Lynx provide coach volunteers and equipment to support Bay of Quinte, COSSA and East Regional competitions.
Foundation membership provides athletes an introductory structure to train to compete through MTA meets. The Minor Track Association of Ontario, better known as the MTA, is the organizing body for youth track and field and cross country running in Ontario.
Competitive membership athletes work with their assigned coach and choose Athletics Ontario (AO) and Royal Canadian Legion sanctioned competitions that best suit their level of skill. National ranking with Athletic Canada starts by attending sanctioned events which are used for varsity athletic acceptance. Entry into provincial and national meets require athletes to achieve standards at this point requiring a focused approach.
Royal Canadian Legion
The Legion’s National Youth Track and Field competition is the only one of its kind in Canada and has come to be regarded as one of the best in the country. Annually, it helps hundreds of athletes aged 12 to 17 years to develop their potential and strive to become Canada’s future Olympians. In fact, many of our former participants have gone on to international and Olympic success.
Open to Foundation and Competitive athletes based on age. Legion District F starts as a regional qualifier where first place finishers advance to Legion Provincials. Legion Provincial placings determine which athletes will represent Ontario at the Royal Canadian Legion Championships. This process begins mid June and finishes first week in August. Lynx coaches and parent volunteers partner with other clubs to run District F. In 2026 District F is an Ontario Summer Games (OSG) qualifier.
Pole Vaulting Program
Pole Vault is the most technical event in track and field and requires years of training to be proficient. Ideally athletes start learning how to pole vault the summer before grade nine. There are always exceptions but taking athletes younger is not easily done due to resources, mental and physical abilities. Athletes participating in other sports such as gymnastics, hockey and basketball promote functional body movement transfer to pole vault.
The club has the capacity to carry a limited number of competitive athletes through the indoor and outdoor season's due to resource shortages. The most difficult resource to overcome is operating without an indoor training space. During the indoor season athletes must travel to Toronto to train until able to move outdoors. Pole Vault team carries eight athletes in the outdoor season and top six athletes in the winter season.
For local athletes interested in Pole Vault Coach Lee has a suggested route for to get into the event.
1. Participate in a "Learn to Pole Vault Camp" in the August / September timeframe prior starting grade nine. This will be advertised on social media and on the club website. Athletes can be a little younger to participate at this camp (going into grade eight). This four day exposure introduces new athletes to the sport without a major commitment.
2. Participate at High School Track and Field (Grades 9-10)- Coach Lee provides one hour of Pole Vault instruction to all local High Schools at MAS 3-4pm Monday-Thursday April to June (finishing at OFSAA). This is no cost to athletes and is a good selection period for the competitive team.
