WELCOME TO ALL
The 2001/2002 season has begun. Much of the following information is 'old hat' to returning club members and their families but is necessary for new families to the club. We try to provide a newsletter every night for the club to keep up to date with club news.
INFORMATION
We have more than 150 copies of basic information to give out about the athletic competitions available for the children, the fees by age group, and the cost of uniforms. As there are five pages in this handout, please take only one copy per family.
ENROLLMENT
For the information of newcomers, enrolment takes place in the office building next to the grandstand. Those enrolling over the next two weeks will mainly be children returning from last season. It is not necessary for new children to enrol tonight as they have two weeks to try out the club before committing themselves. However, enrollment forms are available to take home tonight, but remember that proof of children's ages(such as Plunket Book) will be required. Please note the advice about uniforms in the information handout - also, we do not intend to or make any profit from the uniforms.
CLUB PROGRAMME
Over the last two years, we have been running a four-week programme of two track events and two field events (for the 7-14 year olds) every Monday night. This has ensured that the club nights start on time at 5.30pm and finish at 7.00pm. Later this year we will be looking at a programme that has more time at the field events - this may cause a later finish time of about 7.15 pm for some but certainly no later as we are just as keen as everyone else to stick to a regular programme and timings over the season. The other possibility is that there may be two field events and one track event on some nights.
The 3-6 year olds start at 5.30 and finish at 6.30pm. There are also four different sets of activities (throwing, jumping, running, and 'obstacles') and they finish with two running events on the track. Further information will be given out tonight. The tots can then buy a sausage, watch an older sibling, or take their parents home.
There will be a club night on Labour Day (Monday 22 October).
At this stage, we will be having the same age groups as last season - these are 7-8 girls, 7 boys, 8 boys, 9 girls/boys, 10-11 girls, 10-11 boys, and 12-14 combined. There may be changes but this stage we do not have any idea of the final numbers of children that will be in the club. We rely on parents to act as age group managers and take children around from events to event each night. Parents from last season will now have the experience and background knowledge to perform this function. If there is not any such parent(s) then the children have to stay put. A copy of the night's programme is available for each group each night.
There will not be recording of times/distances until after Labour Weekend. By then, everyone will have had their two free nights of attendance. This also gives us time to set up permanent sheets with names on them and columns to record their times/distances, the pressure of enrollment in the office will be much reduced, and more committee members will then be available to assist in timing and recording.
SAFETY
The programme we have each night helps to maximise safety - for example, the tots are not in the middle of the field when the 10's and over are throwing the discus. However, there are some other matters to watch out for - do not let the children swing on the discus cages and keep the non-throwers out of the way while someone else in that age group is throwing, do not let the children cross the track during other races on the track, do not let the tots run across the middle of the track without supervision. Also, treat all club equipment and facilities with appropriate care.
TRAINING
Last season, there was 5.30pm training for 7-9 year olds with Craig Walker on Thursday nights, with the usual variety of long jump, discus, and shot put. There was also 6.30pm Thursday night training for older children. The type of training for this season has yet to be worked out but will not commence until after Labour Weekend.
SAUSAGES
There are sausages and drinks for sale on Monday nights. Any profit from this service goes to the travel account to support children to the Colgate Games and to the inter-provincial competitions.
INFORMATION SINCE LAST SEASON
There are two significant matters to report since last season - first, the seven-year olds will be able to run the 200 metres at Ribbon Days; second, we record our appreciation for $1200 from Athletic Waikato towards the purchase of a new club tent. The old tent is getting a bit worn and a replacement is getting necessary.
FOOTWEAR
As noted overleaf, Smiths Sports Shoes have a Free Foot Health Weekend for children who might want to use their service.
Cliff Thomas
Club President
THE BARBECUE IS KINDLY SPONSORED BY THE 'MAD BUTCHER', CHARTWELL SQUARE. FRIENDLY STAFF, A WIDE SELECTION OF GOODS, AND THEY PROVIDE EXCELLENT SAUSAGES TOO