After all the work put in by everyone, I think that we can say that last season was quite successful in many ways. The club nights went to plan, there was only one cancellation, we had good turnouts to Ribbon Days, 11 places at the Relay championships, a fun time at the Colgate Games at New Plymouth, and certainly an increase in membership of the older age groups.
The 2001/02-year is about to commence. Club nights begin at 5.30 p.m. on 8 October (first Monday of school term), and run through to 17 December, re-commence on 28 January (Auckland Anniversary) and finish on 18 March.
Ribbon Days commence earlier this year, with the Cambridge day being on 27 October. There are the usual exotic trips to Kawerau and Taupo as well to Tauranga and other local clubs. Our own Ribbon Day is on the 2 February next year. The full timetable will be provided at the beginning of the season.
As you may already know, the North Island Colgate Games will be at Cooks Gardens, Wanganui, in January 2001. We have put a deposit on a motel but we know that some other people will have contacts and family in the area. It is an extra 100 kilometres than to Taranaki last season so we will be taking a bus this time.
The club nights will be very similar to last year. We will commence record taking on the fourth night (third night is Labour Day) as most will have had their two nights of free attendance by then. The peak of attendance always seems to be the middle of November. The general split into separate boys and girls age groups on club nights has worked well in the last three seasons and will be continued again this season unless major changes are required because of the numbers. Of course, the assistance of experienced parents as age-group managers is necessary and much appreciated.
Frank Holcroft and Steve Woolley are the new Club Captains for this season. They have expressed an interest in having a programme that gives more time for field events and this is being seriously examined The coaching for the younger children at 5.30pm by Craig Walker worked well last year and this will be continued.
The Tiny Tots will have a new group of parents to help out this season as both of Margaret Holcroft's children are in older age groups. Mike McGrath will also supply, on request, coaching material to all interested parents of older children. Relay training will also be carried out on some club nights, as this is an exciting part of Ribbon Days and the Colgate Games.
Last year, our club had a strong grouping of 12-year olds and 13-year-olds, with seven being in the interprovincial team that went to Invercargill. This season, the 12-13 year inter-provincial competition is being held at Auckland at Easter 2002. There are 44 places (i.e. eleven 12-year old girls, eleven-12 year old boys, eleven 13-year old girls, eleven-13 year old boys) from the Waikato / Bay of Plenty. The places are decided from the Ribbon Days and each person competes in four events. The interprovincial for the 14-year-olds will be in Inglewood in late January (the same weekend as Auckland Anniversary Weekend) - every 14-year old that wants to go will be included in the team
As usual, uniforms will be on sale this year, and if you want to exchange uniforms because your child has grown then let us know. The cost of the shirts is $18.00 but the pants are still $15.00. If you are not re-joining the club but wish to donate/sell your uniform to the club, then please contact Dianne Larsen, our uniform co-ordinator. I should also mention that all age flashes have to be sown (not pinned or otherwise affixed) on uniforms. This is proof that the child belongs to a club and is competing in the correct age group. Note that uniforms are not compulsory at Club Nights but certainly at Ribbon Days and other competition meetings, especially for the 7-14 year olds.
The City Council has re-confirmed the increase in rental from $1000 to $2000 for the coming season. Therefore, our fees have been increased from last season, being $20.00 for the 3-4 year olds, $25.00 for the 5-6 year olds, $30.00 for the 7-9 year olds, and $35.00 for the 10-14 year olds. There is a reduction of 20% for two family members, 30% for three family members, and so on. If you know of any other families who might be interested in joining, please invite them along. Remind them that the Club allows two nights of free attendance prior asking them to make a firm commitment, but that proof of their children's ages will be required.
In the past two seasons, we have had a pre-enrolment night on the Sunday prior to the first club night. This has only been of limited success and therefore it is being discontinued. Attached is a copy of the enrolment form for the new season. If it is filled in, and the money ready, this makes the enrolling much faster.
Finally, thank you for last year's support and we hope to see you again this season.
Cliff Thomas
Club President
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