|
GENERAL INFORMATION
ST PAUL'S HARRIERS & ATHLETICS MEMBERSHIP runs from April to March each year and entitles you to train with St Paul's and compete as a club member both locally and throughout New Zealand. Competing as a registered club member is the best way to become a skilful runner (running is very much a skill to be learnt) and also provides benefit by way of cheaper race entry fees (locally) and shared transport both locally and outside Southland province. Funds permitting, and at our discretion, we subsidise members to attend national and international competition (you must apply for this – it is not automatic). Remember that it's the club-trained athletes who do well in school competitions!
THERE ARE THREE COMPETITIVE SEASONS that we organise and cater for: winter harriers and summer athletics (track and field); and a spring road race season that transitions the two. Members can choose to participate in one or two or all three of these seasonal competition calendars. Spectators and non-club competitors are of course welcome and this can be exciting - especially if you know the athletes!
YOUR COMMITTEE works tirelessly behind the scenes to co-ordinate between clubs for skills coaching and event running. All of Southland’s running and athletics clubs work closely together and with schools to provide assistance at the coaching and competition levels. Of note is St Pauls twin special roles in providing electronic race timing to Southland and maintenance of our clubrooms. Clubrooms are used during competitions and are available for hire – see next paragraph.
ST PAUL'S CLUB ROOMS ARE LOCATED opposite the finish line of the Surrey Park athletics track (near Stadium Southland on Isabella Street). These include a modern spacious carpeted room with a superb view; also kitchen, toilets/changing rooms and shower facilities. These are available for hire – contact a committee member stating your needs, and we’ll take it from there!
ATHLETICS SOUTHLAND is our local governing body. Athletics Southland has a very useful website - Click here . Athletics Southland is an effective organization that gets results and is the envy of other provincial athletics organisations. St Pauls members are well represented on the board of Athletics Southland. There is a valuable resource of coaching articles at the Athletics Southland website.
THE COMMITTEE INVITES YOU to read the following sections. Thank you for considering club running and club athletics with St Pauls. We look forward to seeing you soon.
CLUB CONTACTS:
President: Lilian Tudor Mob 021 0233 0588 Secretary: Stephnie de Ruyter Mob 027 442 4434 Juniors Convener: Scott Cole Mob 027 393 5639 |
CHILDREN'S WINTER HARRIERS PROGRAMME
ST PAUL'S HELPS TO RUN THE CHILDREN’S HARRIER PROGRAMME alongside the Southland seniors and masters programme: when a senior Saturday competition is on there is generally a shorter distance (or two) especially for the children. Club colours are to be worn (it’s a colourful event – you’ll love it as a spectator). The same uniform and warm clothing comments and advice on cancellations that apply to our summer athletics programme also apply to winter harriers (see next section for details).
SATURDAY CLUB RUNS ARE WELL ATTENDED BY JUNIORS. Parents are welcome to join the runners - you don’t have to be fast! Or, most club days, you can stay warm and dry and share an afternoon cup of tea at the clubrooms.
HARRIERS IS ESPECIALLY WORTHWHILE IF:
THE TWO SEASONS BARGAIN.......the same incredibly inexpensive club membership fee that buys you a place in winter harriers lasts A FULL 12 MONTHS and means NO EXTRA COST for summer athletics. This applies to both juniors and seniors.
CHILDREN'S (JUNIORS) SUMMER ATHLETICS PROGRAMME
AGE GRADES: Each year's athletics season runs from October to March and all subs should be in by 31st October at the latest. Children’s age grades are the age of the child on 31st December of the current competitive season.
CLUB NIGHT: Every Tuesday evening from 5.45 pm to 7.00 pm (approx) Track & Field Season. We aim to teach the children the basic techniques of all events, encourage every effort, and endeavour to make these sessions enjoyable for all.
UNIFORM & AGE PATCHES: Gold T-shirt/Singlet worn with black shorts. Age patches are issued when subscriptions are paid, they must be attached to the front of T Shirt/Singlet.
FOOTWEAR: Spikes may be worn by athletes 10 years and older. Spike length is 6 mm. Spikes must be removed once events have been completed.
STARTING BLOCKS: These may be used by athletes in Grade 10 and 11, but must be used by athletes in Grades, 12,13, & 14 for races up to and including 400m. If wearing spikes, blocks must be used. All athletes 7 and up must use a crouch start.
CANCELLATIONS: Practices are rarely cancelled. Check our Facebook page for updates.
PARENT HELP: Please remember that we all started out as new parents. Parent help is absolutely essential, and it’s great fun. To be able to run an efficient programme for your children, we need your help for coaching and behind the scenes organising. So don't be shy! Any parent who may have been an athlete, please share your knowledge. Even if you have no sporting or coaching experience, we still appreciate your help. You will not be thrown in the deep end: on the job training is given.
SOUTHLAND TEAMS: Children who’d like to try for selection for Southland teams must compete at two inter-club meetings and championship meets to be eligible for selection.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: Each athletics season runs from October to March and all subs should be in by 31st October at the latest. Children’s age grades are the age of the child on 31st December of the current competitive season. Subs must be paid before children can compete at inter club meetings.
CHILDREN'S SECTION CONTACTS: Lilian Tudor Mob 021 0233 0588 or Scott Cole Mob 027 393 5639
AGE GRADE JUNIORS, SENIORS, AND MASTERS
ST PAUL'S CATERS FOR AGE GRADE GROUPS which are: age grade 20 & under; age grade 17 & under; seniors (age 21-34); and masters (35 and over). So everyone has a peer group in the club. On the local scene you get to take part in mixed age competition which works really well - ask us about the summer “GRAND PRIX” AGE GRADED HANDICAP SERIES and the winter STAGGERED STARTS HANDICAP SERIES – these races run in addition to standard races. So everyone has the potential to win a race series or age graded event.
THOSE WHO WANT TO COMPETE AGAINST THEIR PEERS can compete at interprovincial, South Island, and national levels. The local running clubs and Athletics Southland liaise closely with schools to maintain the very powerful interschool harriers and athletics tradition. Also New Zealand has a strong tradition in masters athletics – you can compete at South Island, national, and international level and your club can assist you in this.
AGE GRADE JUNIORS & SENIORS HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF REPRESENTING NEW ZEALAND. Initially they benefit from their clubs with financial and other help, and learn from their peers, coaches, and club seniors. There is also the possiblity of nomination to the Southland athletic develoment squad. Athletes in the development squad quickly learn skills of planning, organisation and above all goal setting and objective achievement. Young well-performed athletes always go on to become well rounded and well performed adults. The great thing about athletics is that a mediocre distance runner might make a great sprinter, shot putter, or triple jumper. So you have lots of scope for fun and personal sense of achievement. Those in the Southland development squad have a good chance to go on to “carded” athlete status - when Athletics New Zealand provides financial and other assistance. And the next step is to progress to international competition. Athletics is the sport that gives you the best chance to represent New Zealand!
RUNNING AND ATHLETICS HAVE BENEFITS FOR SENIORS AND MASTERS because they motivate older people to maintain their fitness levels. A feature of both harriers and athletics is that you don’t have to take a long trip to an exotic location just to compete. This saves time, both to train and to be with your family. Our sport is non-contact, but you do need to strengthen and stretch to minimize injury risk. Harriers and athletics are inexpensive fun for the whole family.
NO MATTER HOW OLD YOU ARE there is a place for you. Older members offer great help and expertise keeping events, buildings, equipment, and committees running. It’s a great form of community involvement but don’t wait until you’re “old” – get involved now!