KATOOMBA DISTRICT LITTLE ATHLETICS CENTRE WELCOME TO THE NEW SEASON 2012/2013 There are some aspects of Little Athletics that you need to be aware of before you register your child. These rules are established by Little Athletics for your safety and enjoyment. You need to be aware of these rules and abide by them throughout the season. What is Little Athletics? Little Athletics is for children from Tiny Tots to 17 years of age to develop running, jumping and throwing skills. Emphasis is placed on having fun, learning new skills, personal improvement and competing rather than winning. The centre’s rewards to athletes reflect this philosophy. Parent Involvement Parents are expected to be involved as voluntary helpers and officials in a family orientated supportive environment. Little Athletics is different to other children’s sports in that parents or caregivers are expected to be involved on competition days. This could be as simple as raking the sand in the long jump pit or retrieving a discus. Each age group will also need parents to help with more general activities like time keeping and place judging. If we do not have enough parents to help out either events will not be run or results will not be recorded. There are lots of people to show you how you can help, so don’t worry if you have not done this sort of thing before. It is a requirement of enrolment with this Centre that you remain on site with your child during competition days to provide support and encouragement, help the Centre and deal with any issues that may arise with your child. You cannot drop them off and leave. Age groups will be rostered on to specifically help with setting up and putting away equipment and you could be called for canteen assistance which includes our weekly sausage sizzle. Centre Information The Centre provides information to members in a number of ways: General information, field status. programs and event calendars are all available on our website at www.kdlac.org . You can also follow us on Facebook. We will also communicate to you from time to time via the email address that you provide us at registration. Wet weather or field information The information phone number for our Centre is 9294 3680. The voice messaging service will give information on doubtful weather days and other administrative matters. Do not leave messages on this service. Wet weather information or field closures will also be available on our website and Facebook pages at 7:30 am on competition days. President Costa Zakis 0414 606 538 Vice President Malcolm Clines 0414 316 962 Secretary Jo Lucas 0424 532 028 KDLAC PO BOX 414 KATOOMBA NSW 2780 www.kdlac.org Competitor Results Each week you child will compete in set events which follow a three week rotating program. Each time your child competes in an event they will be awarded points both for where they place in their age group, and how much their results improve. The points are awarded automatically as results are entered into the computer, and discretionary points are not possible. Clearly, athletes need to come to as many centre days as possible to maximise their points. Each week your child will receive a slip which shows their result (time / distance and place) for the previous week’s events. Information on other competitors is not available, and parents and athletes are not allowed to request another athlete's results from either the timekeepers or age managers. The centre’s Presentation Day is at the end of the season and will reflect these ideals. To be eligible for trophies and awards athletes must attend 60% (rounded up) active competition days at Pitt Park throughout the season. Eg 60% of 17 comp days = 10.2 (rounded to 11 days for eligibility). Trophies and awards are based both on personal improvement and overall results. Our Competition Program Events will begin after morning announcements. General competition will start promptly at 8:30am. If an athlete misses an event because they arrive late they cannot make it up. Please make sure that you arrive in sufficient time to read / hear notices and prepare properly for the competition day ahead. We aim to have competition finished by about 11:00 am, though this will depend on the size of the age group and the level of parental assistance. Any information provided at morning announcements will also be on our website. Events are organised on a cyclical basis appropriate to an athlete’s age. Athletes must compete in their own age group. You cannot compete ‘up’ an age group to either access a different event, be with friends etc. We will be trialling a new program for 2012/13 that will involve a 3 week rotating program. Each week there will be 2 track and 2 field events per age group. Some weeks may also offer other track activities that are restricted to specific age groups e.g. 3000m These additional activities will be offered either prior to the commencement of or after the conclusion of the normal Saturday program on any given week. This program, including these additional events, will be made available on our website once we have finalised the season registration and know our numbers and age groups for the season. Dress Code Once registered, athletes are expected to wear full approved Centre attire. You will need to purchase uniform at registration if you do not already have it from previous years, and this uniform must be worn every competition day. Please ensure all clothing is labelled as per the LANSW standards. You will receive three patches at registration – a registration number (large patch) an age group number (small patch) and an IGA patch. These patches must be sewn on as follows: Registration number – middle chest, note the red square around the number must be visible (Don’t hide or trim the red square). Age patch – left chest (above the registration number) or left front of shorts, near the bottom) IGA patch - right side of the chest. If you compete at zone, and additional centre number will be issued – this must be sewn on the back of the singlet or crop top. These patches must be sewn on. They are NOT iron on transfers. We will not be exchanging or refunding uniforms that are damaged if you try to iron on the patches. Our centre is affiliated with Little Athletics Association of NSW and our uniform needs to be approved annually. This means that you cannot vary the way uniform in any way. You are not able to vary colours, styles or location of patches. A T-shirt for sun protection or on cold mornings may be worn under the regulation singlet but must be plain white. This will be strictly enforced at Zone and Regional competition meets and competitors may be not be allowed to participate in competition if their uniform is not correct, so it’s best to get into the standard from day 1. U16 & 17 and dual athletes should wear their LA’s uniform and not Athletics NSW Blue Mountains uniform. Please ensure that your child is adequately protected against the sun with hat, water and sunblock. Refunds Registration refunds will only be available up to and including the trial day on September 29th, 2012. Fundraising Fundraising is an important part of the centre’s activities to purchase and maintain the centre’s equipment. Guessing competitions, canteen and BBQ money will feature prominently. Special Events Our Athletes get involved with a number of additional competition meets outside of the Centre. All registered members from U7s and up will have an opportunity to compete at the Western Ranges Zone carnival which will be held at Tom Hunter Park on 8th & 9th December. Zone is a great chance to compete with athletes from other centres, and should not be seen just for those who wish to qualify for Region (in Dubbo) or State. Also watch out for other special events such as Gala Days in Country/Metropolitan areas that come up from time to time. Coaches Certificated coaches will offer their services again this year. We hope to offer track and running technique, as well as other activities depending on when our coaches are available. Watch our website for details. Officials Courses Age Managers and any interested parents have the opportunity and are encouraged to attend basic or more advanced coaching or official’s courses. Check the website for details. Questions and Feedback Your Age Manager will be your first point of contact for most matters. Please contact executive committee members if you have any questions, ideas or minor concerns. Matters of major concern or complaints should be made in writing and addressed to the Secretary at the address below. Your concerns will be discussed at the next committee meeting. There will also be a feedback box in the canteen for any ideas or general feedback