London Hammer School | Hammer Throwing Club in London

London Hammer School's vision

LHS has multi-layered vision for its long-term impact on throwers, hammer coaches, athletics clubs, long-throws competitions and for the wider community. We aim to work with other world class coaches to deliver not just the development of the hammer but other rotational throws and athletes' further education and competition preparation.

For more details click on any of headings below to read about our vision in that discipline.

Coach development

The London Hammer School is committed to supporting coach development across the London area by offering mentoring, advice and the sharing of coaching knowledge, ideas and skills. We deliver club-based training sessions from the grass roots level through to organising and delivering masterclasses with some of the best coaches both locally and from around the world.

Being part of our community and the Coach Development Pathway, creates the best opportunities for volunteers and coaches to develop in the best environment possible. This can happen at "their own club" and at their chosen club's training times supported with the correct equipment.

Athlete development

The London Hammer School's main objective is to help create a long-term athlete development pathway in a safe, effective and friendly environment that young athletes will want to be part of and belong to. Every athlete will feel a warm welcome no matter for which club they compete and regardless of the standard they have reached, whether it be grass roots or performance-to-podium. Everyone has a part to play within our community to attain long-term athlete development.

Here is an aide-memoire to help remember what we are looking for in ATHLETE development:

Athlete first

Our main focus is putting the athlete first by setting up a welcome and friendly environment that is safe for all.

Train

Commitment to support athletes and coaches in their own training environment.

Hub

Operating from the main hub to host annual open meetings and coach education within its community with the support of local partners.

Loyal

All athletes, coaches and clubs to remain loyal to the main vision of the London Hammer School by helping everyone involved.

Event

Whether events are held at the main hub or elsewhere, we will strive to support London-based events and competitions where possible.

Trust

To be part of any network or organisation, there must be a major element of trust from within its own foundation and everyone involved.

Encourage

To encourage every athlete to be the best they can be.

Club development

The idea of creating a club support network is to help facilitate and create the wider opportunities for ALL athletes and throwers.

We aim to deliver the best athletics experience possible, by helping support and organise winter throws open competitions (such as Throwsfest) and to help local clubs attain (or gain) national governing body 'club mark' or equivalent by operating in a safe and effective way.

We also want to encourage coach education through regional training squad days, or alternatively in-house club education can be supported. The London Hammer School will not know everything needed for the development of your club, but by creating a participation network for clubs this can only enhance our chances of developing our sport.

Competition development

We encourage all of our throwers to compete regularly in competitions either at school, in local championships or in the many 'open' competitions around the country. Competition is very different from training and this is where you get to put into practice all that you have learned at the London Hammer School sessions. Coaches aim to attend competitions wherever possible to provide live feedback on your throwing during the competition.

We already organise a couple of hammer and other throwing competitions and are aiming to run a larger number starting this year. Our competitions are open to all ages & all levels of experience and are a great way to further your throwing skills.

We hope in future to promote upcoming competitions on this site and continue to do so through our members' WhatsApp group, where we highlight competitions that could be of interest.

Community development

The London Hammer School likes to be involved in the development of the sport in the London area by going into the community and delivering fun participation sessions. These include roadshows and holiday camps to give young children a great experience of athletics as a whole (not just throwing events).

This is our strength. By going into the community, we have helped develop some of its best athletes and role models for encouraging others to try sport and aspire to become coaches. We are also able to develop experience and confidence in this delivery along with developing awareness of all such activities that can be delivered in the local community.