Greymouth Athletic Club – Newsletter Nov 2017

Welcome to the season. Not the greatest start with first 2 weekends rained out. However, week 3 was picture perfect and we’re underway and we look forward to a successful season

Here’s some relevant information and dates for the season

Saturday meets:

  • Juniors 9.30 - start 6-14 yr olds
  • seniors 1pm start for 13yrs +

Cancellations:

If the meets are cancelled for weather  conditions and email is sent out asap to the database & Coast FM carry a  cancellation notice.

Subscriptions:

  • Seniors (students $50 / Adults $60)Can be paid into ANZ Bank 06 0845 0005356 00

** Note: Should you have difficulty with this fee please talk to Jack or Margaret to work around this. Total discretion is guaranteed.

Equipment:

The club provides all the equipment required to compete with starting blocks, shot putts, javelin, discuss, hammer, high jumps equipment available to club members for training & competition)

Successes:

  • Already this season we’ve seen Lisa Ryan collect 8 gold medals at the South Island Masters Games in Nelson and Sue Donaldson was successful in her 800m age group
  • Holly Robinson (former club member) took out the West Coast Sport Person of the year for her silver medal at the London Paralympics, in the Javelin.
  • Jack O’Connor won the Achievement in Sport (Male) for his World Masters Bronze medal & various other work he does in local sports at the same awards.

Important Dates:

  • Club Champs 2nd Dec  start 12.30pm (postponement date16th Dec)
  • Mahar Cup (Nelson) 17th Feb - inter district event
  • West Coast Champs 17th March
  • Masters South Island T&F Champs   Day 1 10th  -12th November  at Timaru  
  • Canterbury Masters Champs 10th & 17th February  
  • Canterbury Champs 24 – 25th February at Timaru 
  • NZ Masters T&F Champs 3rd – 5th March at Whangarei 

Health & Safety:

We care about the health and well-being our members and spectators. We take all practical pre-cautions to ensure the safe procedures are carried out at all times. However, due the complex nature of our events and the geographical nature of the grounds, everyone must also take personal responsibility for their actions and advise the meet manager asap if you have any concerns.

Things to note:

  • Carparking: This is a public road/space and precautions need to be taken at all time
  • Former Dump Site: Any cuts or abrasions should be treated and close monitoring to ensure no infections occur.
  • Train Tracks: The Western border is an active train track. This should be avoided, at all times.
  • River: Sawyers Creek borders the Eastern side of the grounds. This is not fenced and extra care should be taken to avoid this area. It is tidal and susceptible to flooding in heavy rains.
  • Implements: Various throwing implements are used across events throughout the meets & in trainings. Please be alert to these dangers at all times and follow the instruction of officials. Footwear is recommended for all throwing events.
  • Rabbit holes: We are currently battling rabbit invasion of the vicinity. Rabbit holes are randomly present across the grounds so please take care when running or walking.
  • Poison: Periodically Pindone rabbit pellets are dispensed in authorised Bait Stations. Please avoid these or wash hands thoroughly if you come into contact with the pellets.
  • Weather: Being a summer sport, appropriate action should be taken to avoid sunburn and dehydration. This is a personal responsibility of the athlete.
  • Prevention: Should you identify any risks please raise this with a club official immediately so action can to taken to eliminate, isolate or minimise that risk.

Athletics is a sport which caters for all ages and stages of ability with various events from running, jumping and throwing. Everyone is most welcome at any stage so grab a friend and pop on down.

Regards

Jack O’Connor     &           Margaret Swinburn

President                            Secretary