Centre Handbook 2019-2020 Season Welcome Contents

Welcome to the University of the About USCLAC 2 Sunshine Coast Little Athletics Centre USCLAC Leadership Group 2 (USCLAC). Registering with USCLAC 3 Little Athletics is a uniquely Australian Centre Policy on Fees 3 activity for children from 3 to 16 years. As the name suggests, it is based on the Age Groupings 4 (track & field) and the Competition Nights 5 events are specifically modified to suit the ages and abilities of children. A wide Wet Weather 5 range of running, jumping, throwing and Weekly Program 5 walking events are conducted. Uniforms & Footwear 6-7 Trophies & Awards 8 Little A’s is all about “being your best”, and in doing so having fun, making Coaching 9 friends and encouraging families to be Centre Captains 10 involved in healthy activities. The emphasis is on participation and Senior Athlete Leadership Group 10 personal improvement. For over 40 years Parents & Volunteers 11 now across Australia the Little A’s motto has been Family, Fun & Fitness. Code of Conduct 11-13 Policies 14 Feedback 14

University of the Sunshine Coast Little Athletics Centre Inc. University of the Sunshine Coast Athletics Facility, University Way, Sippy Downs Qld P.O Box 7149 |SIPPY DOWNS QLD 4556 Tel: 0414 310 861 Email: [email protected] Website: www.usclac.com.au Or follow us on Facebook & Instragram

USCLAC Handbook – 2019/20 Season www.usclac.com.au | 1 Centre Handbook 2019 - 2020 Season About USCLAC USCLAC Leadership Group

USCLAC was formed in September 2007 Our USCLAC Leadership Group is elected as the vision of Trevor Dryden & John at the Annual General Meeting held in in Dighton and we commenced th May each year from the members of competition on Friday 26 October 2007. USCLAC. Your Leadership Group for Our first season saw 187 registered 19/20 are: athletes. With the generous support of our foundation sponsors Bellflower, Centre Manager Melissa Hepworth-Smith Aussie World, Australia Zoo, Big Kart Assistant Centre Manager Andrew Henningsen Track and Hot 91.1 we were able to Secretary Merrilee Gill purchase most of our equipment. Treasurer Ross Hepworth Program Manager Andrew Henningsen Our first season saw a team of 16 Timing Systems Manager Theo Shemansky USCLAC athletes compete at the State Registrar Kim Hepworth Championships and Jack Mariott took Results Manager Piotr Leracz home a silver medal in the 1500m to win Results & Recording Officer Kath Leishman our Centre’s first ever State Marketing & Communications Cathy Swan Championships medal. Officer Our centre has continued to grow in Competitions Officer Melissa Hepworth-Smith strength from these great beginnings and Officials Officer Damien Swan is now among the largest Little Athletics Equipment Officer Jason Stoker centres in Qld with more than 420 Uniforms Elisha Hondroudakis athletes registered in the 18/19 season. Coaches Nick Bennett USCLAC is a centre that is truly Damien Swan committed to the Little Athletics mantra Canteen Officer Kerry Strijdom of Family, Fun and Fitness. Little Medical & First Aid Officer Athletics can be the “foundation for all Presentation Co-ordinator Merrilee Gill sports.” Lots of sports use the skills Various Roles Adam McGill developed at Little Athletics and every Tracy McGill year around 95,000 boys and girls enjoy being part of the Little A’s family. We aim to be a Centre which caters to all levels of athletes, with our great facilities Your Leadership Group meets on the 2nd at the University, a committed group of Tuesday of each month. volunteers, a strong financial position and the support of our local community. In 2014/15 we also introduced our Senior We look forward to welcoming you and Athlete Mentor & Leadership Program (refer your family to our family at USCLAC. page 10), which will continue this year.

USCLAC Handbook – 2019/20 Season www.usclac.com.au | 2 Centre Handbook 2019-2020 Season Registering with USCLAC Centre Policy on Fees

To become a member of USCLAC, please All fees must be paid in full at the time of complete our Online Registration which registration. is accessed through our website. There is no facility for part payment of Registration Fees for the 2018/19 season fees. are: Fees are not refundable except in Registration Fees (per athlete) exceptional circumstances. LAQ has increased their fees this year, necessitating a small increase. Parent Levy: The Parent Levy is charged on a per family basis to encourage parent help and is refundable if a family meets the following criteria: • Working with us at Friday Night competitions or LAQ Championships (both relays & individual events); AND Levies (per family) • The number of times in the season that you do this is at least 12 (prefer 6 before & 6 after Xmas); AND • You complete the parent helper card each time you assist us; AND USCLAC’s family based Registration Fee • Families & their athletes attend the system includes as “family cap”. This end of season Presentation Day (which means that the maximum Registration may also include the Centre’s AGM). Fees payable will be $295.00 per family. The Lighting & Track fee is used to pay NB: Proof of age (Birth Certificate or extract) the University of the Sunshine Coast for must be shown when registering all members. the use of the track and lights and is non- refundable. Trial Nights: Athletes may compete for two weeks as USCLAC are proud to be a Get Started trials prior to registration at a cost of Club. For more information visit: $10.00 per athlete, per trial. Should the athlete then register as a member of USCLAC the trial fees paid will be http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/funding/getint credited against registration fees. hegame/getstarted.html

USCLAC Handbook – 2019/20 Season www.usclac.com.au | 3 Centre Handbook 2019-2020 Season Age Groupings

An athlete’s age group is determined by their age as of the 31st December. The age group table for the 19/20 year is:

NOTE: Athletes that are born after 31/12/2014 are ineligible to compete in formal Little Athletics competition in the 2019/2020 season. However, USCLAC are proud to be able to offer a Tiny Tots program for athletes aged 3 and 4 years. Tiny Tots compete in a range of activities to introduce them to the sport of Little Athletics including track running, and lots of other fun activities.

USCLAC Handbook – 2019/20 Season www.usclac.com.au | 4 Centre Handbook 2019-2020 Season Competition Nights Weekly Program USCLAC competition is held on Friday nights At USCLAC, we run a 6-week rotational from September through until March at the program to give all athletes the chance to University of the Sunshine Coast Athletics compete in all available events for their age facility at Sippy Downs. groups a number of times throughout the season. Each age group will compete in 4 to Athletes should be at the track by 5.45pm 5 events on each competition night. for: Please note: Programs are allocated to Friday night • Walk events (voluntary) meet dates. In the event that a Friday night competition is cancelled due to weather, Programs • Tiny Tots 50m sprints will not be re-allocated. (e.g. if a Week 2 Program meet is rained out, the following weeks’ • Warm ups for all other athletes competition will be run as Program 3). Competition for all athletes will begin at The weekly programs are available on the 6pm. We aim to have competition Program and calendar pages of the website. concluded by 8.30pm.

Our Tiny Tots compete in their own program 19/20 Season Dates each Friday night which is designed to give them a taste of what Little A’s is all about. This includes racing on the track, Long Jumps, mini hurdles and specifically tailored fun versions of , and Discus.

Parental supervision Please note that it is club policy that all athletes must have at least one parent/guardian at the track for the duration of Friday night competition. Wet Weather Canteen In the event of wet weather, extreme heat or other weather warnings the decision may be made to At USCLAC we operate a canteen on each of cancel competition to ensure the safety of all our Friday competition nights serving a athletes and families. range of hot food and cold drinks and we Decision to cancel competition will be made by the pride ourselves on having one of the best Leadership group by 5pm on competition nights. sausage sizzles on the Sunshine Coast! Notification of cancellation due to weather will be via Facebook message, website update, voicemail Come along on a Friday night and support message on our wet weather line 0414 496 444. your club while enjoying some great food.

USCLAC Handbook – 2019/20 Season www.usclac.com.au | 5 Centre Handbook 2019-2020 Season Uniforms

Uniforms are compulsory for all athletes at all centre competitions and SHORTS: Black shorts or bike pants away competitions (except for Tiny with or without USCLAC on the leg. No Tots – uniforms are optional). stripes or logos are permitted. SHIRT (all ages); SINGLET/CROP TOP • Skins may be worn at centre level (available for U13 and above): Teal and must be black; blue with black flashes. • Black shorts must be worn over • Age labels are to be sewn onto the skins. left sleeve of the shirt, or on left side of shorts/pants for those wearing a singlet or crop top. Please note: Athletes must wear the correct uniform at Centre & all other • Registration numbers are to be sewn competitions. Non-compliance may onto the front of the shirt (velcro is an lead to ineligibility for competition option for athletes who may have both a points at Centre meets, & being shirt and singlet/crop top) prevented from competing at LAQ • Coles sponsor patches should be competitions. attached to the right side of the chest

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USCLAC Handbook – 2019/20 Season www.usclac.com.au | 6 Centre Handbook 2019-2020 Season Footwear

Shoes are compulsory for all athletes competing in all events at all venues to ensure athletes can compete safely and with less risk of injury. Our Centre supports & implements the LAQ policy on footwear. Spikes may be worn at Centre level competition in the U11 to U17 age groups. Spikes MUST be carried to each event and removed after each event. Spikes must be no longer than: • 7mm (synthetic track); • 9mm (synthetic field); • 12mm (grass – track or field).

Use of spikes for U11 to U17

• SwS: spike shoes with spikes • --: spike shoes not permitted for this event

USCLAC Handbook – 2019/20 Season www.usclac.com.au | 7 Centre Handbook 2019-2020 Season

• The athletes’ results are provided to the Trophies & Awards Competitions Officer by the calculation cut off which is the close of the second last meet of the USCLAC season; USCLAC strongly supports the philosophy of participation & improvement, and encouraging • The results are in an official results athletes to be the best they can be. Our annual statement of the club running the carnival; awards are based on these criteria. We have a • It is the responsibility of the competing number of awards for our Little Athletes. athlete and his/her family to provide these results to the Competitions Officer by the cut off date. Every athlete who attends our presentation day will receive a participation medal. Age Group Champion Athlete. Two types of trophy are awarded in each age At the end of the season an athlete’s best group (from U6 up). performance in each event is converted to points using a modified IAAF point score model similar to those used in the LAQ pentathlon and NSW LA multi event carnivals. Age Group Points Score Champion: An athlete’s best performance in each event Throughout the season athletes earn points will be drawn from our Friday night toward this trophy as follows: competition up to and including the second • Attendance at a meet 2 pts Friday night in February and LAQ official events (excluding relays) up to and including • Participation in each event 2 pts the individual regional championships in February • Equalling a Personal Best 2 pts The athlete with the highest number of points • Creating a new Personal Best 3 pts will be declared the Age Group Champion Points are calculated from the second meet of Athlete provided they have competed at our the USCLAC season until and including the Friday night competition at least once from second last meet of the season (with the when competition resumes after our exception of the Christmas break-up). Christmas break. Attendance, participation and PB points will Junior and Senior Champion Athletes also accrue at the following events: In addition the centre will award trophies to the eligible senior and junior athletes with the • Regional Relays most points at the end of the season. • State Relays The Centre Managers’ Award • Regional Championships The Centre Manager will award the “Centre NB: State individual championships cannot be Managers Award” on the basis of athletic part of our points calculation as the event takes ability, improvement, work ethic and place after the conclusion of our season. engagement within our centre. The winner of the Centre Managers’ Award will wear We will also calculate points for USCLAC competition #1 in the following season. athletes competing in outside carnivals where ALL of the following are satisfied: • The carnival is run by an LAQ registered club located within the LAQ Sunshine Coast region; • The carnival is run during the current USCLAC season;

USCLAC Handbook – 2019/20 Season www.usclac.com.au | 8 Centre Handbook 2019-2020 Season Coaching Policy PERFORMANCE DEVELOPMENT As part of embracing the Little Athletics mantra of It is the policy of USCLAC that further specific Family, Fun and Fitness, our coaching objective is performance development is not recommended for to develop in our athletes a love of physical activity younger athletes (Under 6 to Under 11 Age that will encourage them to play for life. Groups). We base this on several factors including: • The focus of Little Athletics in these age groups The environment we are working to create allows should be on participation to have fun and learn. It for a fun, safe, inclusive and challenging is our observation that athletes who push their environment where children can achieve success development too early often 'burn out', due to loss while developing their skills and an understanding of enjoyment. This is in line with the policy of many of sports particularly athletics. local coaches, who specify a minimum age for athletes to participate in their sessions. After plenty of consideration, we have formulated the following coaching policy from 2017/18 It is the policy of USCLAC that further specific onwards. performance development is recommended for older athletes (Under 12 to Under 17 Age groups) Our policy covers 2 different levels of coaching: should they have the desire to do so • Skills Development which involves teaching • USCLAC does not provide this level of performance athletes the basic concepts of an event. This is a development coaching, however athletes who wish mix of activities to improve their movement skills as to do so can be provided with a list of local qualified well as learning how to perform attempts at the coaches on request. event and minimising fouls or disqualifications and also to minimise their risk of injury. This level The centre does not conduct training sessions applies mostly to Field Events where this is during the week except for Relay practice as below. considered most necessary. • Performance Development which involves higher level coaching of athletes in each discipline to continue to develop their technique, strength and skills and to maximise performance. RELAY TRAINING SKILLS DEVELOPMENT Relay running requires the development of specific skills and teamwork, and requires training and Basic Resources practice. Athletes participating in track events at Regional Relays in November and those qualifying Our website (usclac.com.au) has some useful for State Relays in December will be strongly resources demonstrating the basic rules and encouraged and expected to attend training techniques and this is particularly useful for sessions for Relay Practice offered by the club. beginners and younger athletes. Event specifications and basic rules/instructions can be found under the 'Events and Competition' tab and Instructional videos can be found under the 'Resources' tab Skills Instruction It is our intention that a level of skill instruction will be conducted during Friday night competition and Introduction to Coaching this will be provided in 2 phases: • During the first 6 weeks of competition, one field We are working towards developing our own event each night will be designated as 'training' in centre coaches. To facilitate this, we offer the LAQ basic movement & techniques, to be conducted by Introduction to Coaching course free to parents. senior mentor athletes and club coaches. All Any parents wanting to complete this course and athletes (especially those new to athletics) are encouraged to ensure they come to as many of the develop as a coach including gaining their first 6 competition nights as possible. accredited coaching levels should please talk to one • After this initial phase, senior mentor athletes of the leadership group for further details. should be available at field event locations on Friday nights for further skills development. • Starting and running skill instruction will be provided by our coaching team and senior mentor athletes as time permits. Our capability to do this to the standard required will always be underpinned by the level of parental and athlete assistance that is provided on Friday nights.

USCLAC Handbook – 2019/20 Season www.usclac.com.au | 9 Centre Handbook 2019-2020 Season Centre Captains Senior Athlete Leadership Group This season will once again see the This season we will also continue to have a appointment of Centre Captains. Senior Athlete Leadership/Mentor Group. This is a voluntary role open for nomination The Centre Captains will be selected by the for athletes in the U13 to U17 age groups. Centre Manager from our Senior Athletes (U13-U17). Centre Captains will be selected based on the same criteria with which we Members of the Senior Athlete Leadership award the Centre Manager’s Award – Group will act as role models and mentors athletic ability, commitment to personal for our athletes by setting high standards of improvement, work ethic & engagement behaviour & sportsmanship. within our Centre community. Centre Captains will have the following responsibilities: Members of the Senior Athlete Leadership Group will have a specific responsibility to • To act as an ambassador for our Centre; assist with coaching the Junior Athletes • To be a role model and mentor for our within the Centre on a rotational basis on athletes by setting high standards of Friday Competition nights. behaviour & sportsmanship; • To assist with coaching of the Junior USCLAC will provide all members of the Athletes within the Centre. Senior Athlete Leadership Group with fully subsidised attendance at an Introduction to Coaching (ITC) workshop. USCLAC will provide Centre Captains with fully subsidised attendance at an Introduction to Coaching (ITC) workshop to Nominations for the Senior Athlete assist them develop their skills in coaching Leadership Group are now open and can be Junior Athletes. sent to our Centre Manager at The Centre Captains for the 19/20 season [email protected] are: To be confirmed

USCLAC Handbook – 2019/20 Season www.usclac.com.au | 10 Centre Handbook 2019-2020 Season Parents & Volunteers Code of Conduct For athletes At USCLAC we are privileged to have a • Be a good sport. Respect all good passionate and dedicated group of performances whether from your Centre volunteers who are responsible for co- or the opponents and shake hands with ordinating our Friday night competitions. and thank the opposing athletes and But we need your help! officials after the event – win, lose or draw. Friday night competitions are completely dependent on the assistance of parents and • Participate for your own enjoyment and carers. There are many ways that you can benefit. help us out including: • Always respect the official’s decision. • Equipment set-up and pack-up; • Never become involved in acts of foul • Being an age marshal; play. • Assisting age marshals with recording • Honour both the spirit and intention of results and measuring; the competition rules and live up to the highest ideals of ethics and • Helping in the canteen; sportsmanship. Avoid gamesmanship and • Becoming a part of our Leadership Group. respect the traditions of the sport. The athletes love having their parents or • Never engage in disrespectful conduct of carers out there with them or working on any sort including profanity, sledging, the events. And, if you help us the required obscene gestures, offensive remarks, number of times during the season you can trash-talking, taunting or other actions receive a refund of your parent levy. that are demeaning to other athletes, officials or supporters. If you have any questions about how you can help out, come and see us on Friday • Care for and respect the facilities and nights. Further information is also available equipment made available to you during on the website – click on ‘Parents and training and competition. Volunteers’ under the ‘Centre Information’ • Safeguard your health. Don’t use any drop down menu. illegal or unhealthy substances. • Recognise that officials and coaches are “Alone we can do so little; together we can volunteers who give up their time to do so much” – Helen Keller provide their services. Treat them with the utmost respect. • Do not bet or otherwise financially “Unless someone like you cares a whole speculate, directly or indirectly, on the awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s outcome or any other aspect of a Little not.” – Dr Seuss (The Lorax) Athletics event or competition in which you are involved.

USCLAC Handbook – 2019/20 Season www.usclac.com.au | 11 Centre Handbook 2019-2020 Season Code of Conduct Code of Conduct For coaches For officials • Actively discourage foul play and/or • Be impartial! Also, be consistent, unsportsmanlike behaviour by athletes. objective and courteous. • Seek to maximise the participation and • Place the safety and welfare of the enjoyment of all athletes regardless of athletes above all else. Be alert to ability; avoid the tendency to over-use a minimise dangerous physical play, fair or talented athlete; treat all athletes as foul, especially competition days. equals, regardless of their talent. • Accept responsibility for all actions taken. • Show concern and caution towards all sick and injured athletes. Follow the • Avoid any form of verbal contact with advice of a physician and/or sports coaches, team officials, parents and trainer to the letter when determining spectators during competition. when an injured athlete is ready to • Avoid any situation which may lead to a recommence training or competition. conflict of interest, both on and off the • Teach athletes that an honest effort and field. competing to the best of their ability is as • Condemn all and every instance of important as victory. unsportsmanlike, foul or unfair play. • Maintain a thorough knowledge of the • Set a good example by the way you dress, rules of competition and keep abreast of speak and act towards athletes, coaches, current coaching methods. Maintain or officials, parents and spectators. improve your current accreditation level. • Show concern and caution towards sick • Always consider the health, safety and and injured athletes. welfare of the athletes. • Officiate to the age and/or experience of • Teach young athletes to realise that there the athletes. is a big gap between their ability and the professional athlete. Do not coach them as if they are professionals. • Ensure that your coaching reflects the level of the competition being involved with and don’t be a ‘win at all costs’ coach. • As coach, conduct yourself at all times, and in all situations, in a manner that shows leadership, respect for the sport of Little Athletics and respect for all those that are involved in the sport – athletes, officials, spectators, parents and the media.

USCLAC Handbook – 2019/20 Season www.usclac.com.au | 12 Centre Handbook 2019-2020 Season Code of Conduct Code of Conduct For parents & spectators Alcohol and Smoking • Condemn all violent or illegal acts, • Smoking is not permitted in any whether they are by athletes, coaches, competition or spectator areas during officials, parents or spectators. any Little Athletics competition. • Respect the official’s decisions. Don’t • Little Athletics understands the harmful complain or argue about actions or affects of smoking on health, fitness and decisions during or after an event. performance in sport, and as a result has adopted the following Policy. • Unsportsmanlike language, harassment or aggressive behaviour will not be • Premises and competition areas are tolerated. declared smoke free zones – smoking permitted only where a special smoking • Encourage athletes to play by the rules area is designated. and to respect opposing athletes and officials. • Athletes / Participants are reminded that smoking adversely affects performances • Never ridicule or scorn an athlete for and are prohibited from smoking at all making a mistake, respect their efforts. whilst engaged in Little Athletics • Understand that sport is part of a total activities. life experience, and the benefits of • Coaches and Officials are reminded of involvement go far beyond the final their responsibilities as role models placing of an event. particularly with juniors and are asked to • Participate in positive cheering that refrain from smoking whilst coaching or encourages the athletes in the Centre you officiating in our sport. are supporting. Don’t engage in any • Spectators are reminded smoking is cheering that taunts or intimidates inappropriate behaviour in a sporting opponents, their fans or officials. environment and are asked to respect our • Remember that children participate in Smoking Policy. Little Athletics for their own enjoyment, • Visiting Athletes, Coaches, Officials and not yours! Administrators are also asked to respect • At all times follow the directions of the our Codes of Conduct and Non Smoking Arena Manager and/or other competition Policy day officials. • Please note that there is a zero tolerance • Never arrive at a Little Athletics for alcohol as per QLAA regulations. competition under the influence of • Anyone that is found to be in the alcohol. Never bring alcohol to a Little possession of alcohol will be removed Athletics competition or training. immediately. Anyone under the influence of alcohol will not be permitted to gain access to the facilities and will be asked to leave at once.

USCLAC Handbook – 2019/20 Season www.usclac.com.au | 13 Centre Handbook 2019-2020 Season Policies Feedback Our centre recognises the importance of Our centre is committed to providing all of providing a safe and enjoyable environment our members and their families with a for all those who participate in Little fantastic experience in all that we do. To Athletics, as an athlete, parent or volunteer. enable us to pursue a path of continuous We have adopted the LAQ “Zero Tolerance improvement, we actively seek and value Approach” and the code of conduct sets out your feedback. the expectations that you are entitled to have of our centre. If you wish to provide us with feedback, you LAQ behaviour & conduct policies that have can do so via the following means: been adopted by USCLAC are: • Talk to any one of your Leadership Group; • Zero Tolerance Policy • Complete a contact form on our website; • Codes of Conduct • Email us at [email protected] or • Uniform policy [email protected] • Privacy • Footwear and spikes • Exercise & hydration in extreme heat temperatures • Drug policy • Complaint handling.

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