Twenty-two athletes from Dame Kelly’s ‘On Camp with Kelly’ and ‘Future Stars with Kelly’ initiatives and some of their coaches met up in Kelly’s home town of Tonbridge on the weekend of 21-22 January for the first Aviva-sponsored Get-Together of 2012.  With the theme of ‘Get Set for 2012’, Kelly used the Get-Together to inspire participants and help set them up for a successful year.

On Saturday the athletes took part in some intensive training sessions including aqua-jogging led by Kelly, demonstrating how it can be a valuable addition to their training programme whether they are injured or not, and a Pilates session with Sandrine Walker, owner of Sandrine’s Pilates studio in Tunbridge Wells.  They were also set the task of devising and taking part in their own circuit training session.

However the weekend wasn’t all physical, on Saturday afternoon the athletes and coaches took part in a goal setting workshop with OCWK Sport Psychologist Dr Anna Waters. After reflecting on their successes and lessons learnt from 2011, they worked on their goal plans for 2012 using a wall planner developed by ‘On Camp with Kelly’.

Sunday morning started with a tough hill and tempo training session in the beautiful setting of Knole Park in Sevenoaks where Kelly herself used to train during her career. The athletes and coaches then returned to the excellent facilities at Tonbridge School Centre for lunch followed by a UK Anti-Doping 100% me workshop to refresh their knowledge on anti-doping regulations and procedures.

Dame Kelly said: “2012 is a big year for all athletes, for those who are aiming to compete at the London Olympic Games as well as younger athletes for whom it will act as a massive inspiration as they move forward with their sporting careers.  I was pleased to meet up with athletes from my ‘On Camp with Kelly’ and ‘Future Stars with Kelly’ initiatives in Tonbridge this weekend to set the scene for the year.  It was a valuable opportunity for the athletes to train together, set goals for 2012 and inspire each other to achieve their aims.”

One of the OCWK athletes who attended the Get-Together was European Junior 3000m bronze medallist Louise Small who said: “I love coming to the ‘On Camp with Kelly’ get-togethers and seeing everyone. It is so great to catch up. I particularly enjoyed the aqua-jogging session as it’s always good fun doing it with other people.”

FSWK athlete Melissa Courtney added: “I really enjoyed training as a group with the other girls this weekend as the majority of the time I train alone or with boys. The aqua jogging session was particularly beneficial, it is painful but worth it. Kelly works you really hard!”