Sunday 26th APRIL, 2015 WA ATHLETICS STADIUM
PERTH
STATE TEAM INFORMATION BOOKLET TO ALL UNDER 13 & 15 ATHLETES
AUSTRALIAN LITTLE ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS PERTH 2015
CONTENTS
1. CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2. WELCOME 3. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 4. GENERAL INFORMATION 5. SELECTION PROCESS APPENDIX 1 – GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION U13 ATHLETES APPENDIX 2 – GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION U15 ATHLETES 6. ALAC PROGRAM
CALENDAR OF EVENTS McDonald’s Multi-Event Champ
22nd February 2015
SA Athletics Stadium
Be Active State Individual Champ
21st - 22nd March 2015
SA Athletics Stadium
Australian Little Athletics Champ
26th April 2015
Perth
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WELCOME Little Athletics SA Welcome Little Athletics SA and the Board of Directors welcomes you to the 2015 South Australian State program. This season the Australian Little Athletics Championships will be held in Perth on Sunday 26th April 2015. The purpose of this document is to provide eligible members with a reference guide to gain greater understanding and clarify questions relating to the State team process. It is hoped that you will all become familiar with the contents of this document and keep it for reference. If a particular issue is not addressed in this publication, please contact the State Association Office.
BACKGROUND Each year, South Australia sends 26 athletes to compete in the Australian Little Athletics Championships. The first Little Athletics Interstate Teams Championship (as it was first known) was held in Melbourne in 1970 and in the subsequent years has grown into an event attracting teams from all Australian States and Territories and receiving national recognition as a significant event on the sporting calendar. The event is run on behalf of Little Athletics Australia (LAA) by each of the States in turn, with the roster for the next few years being: 2015 2016 2017
Western Australia South Australia New South Wales
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ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
LITTLE ATHLETICS SA ROLES Prior to the commencement of State Selection, Little Athletics SA will:
Advertise and announce the appointment of all coaches and team manager positions Secure advanced bookings for travel, accommodation and activities as required Underwrite booking fees until final selections are announced Book facilities for all trainings and functions
During the selection process, and until the competition of the Australian Little Athletics Championships, Little Athletics SA will:
Support all coaches and managers through the provision of administrative services Lodge relevant paperwork with Little Athletics Australia, as well as specific Championship organisers Pay the travel expenses, including air, travel and accommodation of team personnel
After the conclusion of the Australian Little Athletics Championships, Little Athletics SA will conduct a debrief with all Coaches and Team managers and have them produce a report for the Annual Report.
COACHES AND TEAM MANAGERS Two State Coaches and two Team Managers are appointed by Little Athletics SA and are responsible for a myriad of duties, but generally the health and well-being of the players. All Team Personnel are totally accountable to the SALAA Board for their actions. Team Personnel are responsible for all training, team social involvement, travel and all other relevant matters associated with the Team, following selection until their return from the Australian Little Athletic Championships.
ATHLETES Little Athletics SA Staff, Team Managers and Coaches will all demonstrate the upmost respect to every athlete. In return, it is expected that all athletes respect the code of conduct, as well as rules that are specific to their program. Athletes are to abide by Coaches and managers directions as these people have the best interests of not only the individual, but the team in mind. Athletes selected must be prepared to:
Be a part of a team and follow any instructions given by Team Management Be punctual at all times Attend each day listed in the itinerary Adhere to athletes code of conduct
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PARENTS We understand parents want to do everything they can to ensure their children enjoy a positive Little Athletics experience. Little Athletics SA requires assistance to ensure this can be achieved. Parents of selected athletes must be prepared to:
Make sure athletes attend commitments on time
Entrust the care and responsibility of your child to the team management at all team activities and especially at the Australian Little Athletic Championships
Prompt payment of fees in accordance with invoice Adhere to parents code of conduct Ensure athletes are available to attend trainings/activities/functions as listed in the itinerary, unless prior approval by the State Team Coach
Parenting and coaching are both challenging responsibilities. Understanding the role of each, and following the proper channels of communication, will enable parents and coaches to work effectively together. In most circumstances, the Team Manager can address the concerns of a parent. However, on occasion issues or concerns may arise that need to be discussed with the coach. These may include:
Notification well in advance of schedule conflicts Health issues concerning an athlete Any distractions that may be affecting your daughters/sons athletic performance
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GENERAL INFORMATION 1
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT
The State Team will be announced on the Wednesday following the completion of the State Individual Championships. The team will be released via The Advertiser, SALAA Website and Social Media once all members have been notified. Once selected, athletes will receive a confirmation letter from the Board of Directors and State Team Administrator congratulating them on their achievement. They will also be provided with an information pack that will include all relevant details regarding travel, accommodation and all appropriate forms that must be read, completed and signed and returned to the Association office by the nominated date.
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TEAM TRAININGS
After selection has been made, athletes must attend all compulsory training and coaching sessions and other functions arranged for the team prior to competing at the Australian Little Athletic Championships so their progress and fitness can be fully monitored. Training normally commences the Sunday following State continues to the weekend prior to departure of the State Team.
Individual Championships
and
PERSONAL COACHES Personal Coaches may not be used at state team training sessions. The State Coach may request assistance from some of the personal Coaches to help in the training of all members of the State Team.
3 INJURIES Any athlete after being selected, and who subsequently suffers or is considered to be suffering from an injury, sickness or accident must advise the Team Manager or Manageress immediately. If the Injury/Illness is considered to be significant it will be necessary for the Athlete to undertake and pass a fitness test, to the satisfaction of the selectors. Failure to advise or undertake the test will result in that athlete being excluded as a competitor from the Team. The selectors will decide if any injured athlete should be replaced. In such cases, the athletes would be given the opportunity to join in and be a non-participating member of the Team at their own complete expense.
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TRAVEL PRINCIPLES
All children are expected to become an integral part of the team once they have accepted selection. Athletes are obliged to: Accommodation
Stay at accommodation arranged by State Team Personnel Little Athletics SA respectively request that parents do not book the same accommodation as the team. This is to promote team cohesion and to assist in focusing each athlete solely on the team and the competition Each athlete will have their own bed – No sharing Athletes and Coaches in separate rooms 6
Transport
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All athletes are expected to travel together as a team Air travel will be booked for the teams prior to travel Athletes will be transported throughout trip by private bus
COSTS
Little Athletics prides itself on being a low cost sport and this carries over to children selected in our State Team. The total participation cost to each athlete is expected to be approximately $1250.00, $70.00 of which will be returned as pocket money to the athlete.
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UNIFORMS
All Team Members will be required to wear the official uniforms provided by the Association on the day of competition and for any function prior to the day, as determined by the Managers and Association Officials. Final details on the uniform fitting will be advised to selected athletes.
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TEAM CONTROL
All team members will be under the control of the Team Managers from the time of departure at the airport until the conclusion of the Championships. If an athlete’s behaviour is unacceptable, Team Personnel have been authorized by the Board of Directors to remove such athlete/s from the selected team prior to, or even after departure. Parents will be notified of such action and the athlete/s will also be returned home to their parents on the first available transportation, at the parents’ expense. Such items that may require a Team member replacement or expulsion include:
Injury Athletes behaviour Parental interference Failure to attend training sessions Failure to compete in designated events.
The welfare of the State Team as a unit is the prime concern in any decisions made.
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SELECTION PROCESS
GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION OF THE TEAM An independent panel is appointed to carry out South Australia’s selection philosophies which adhere strongly to the Team concept in the selection and handling of its representative team. This means that the collective ability of the team to score points is rated more highly than the winning of individual medals. It is encouraged all Under 13 and Under 15 athlete’s to make themselves available for selection however, athletes who do not wish to be considered should make it clear to the State Team Selectors. Reserves will be selected but names will not be released. Any athlete who does not fulfil their obligations as a State Team Member (i.e. attend functions and/or activities as deemed necessary by the Team Personnel) may be replaced by a reserve athlete. Once the selectors have named the athletes and their events the decision is final, there will be no change to athletes or events unless necessitated by physical injury. If injury occurs on the actual day of competition, the person withdrawn can take no further part in the competition (this includes relays if the injury relates to a track event) unless in events unaffected by the injury (i.e. a person withdraws from the discus because of a hand injury could subsequently compete in a track event).
APPENDIX 1 – GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION
UNDER 13 STATE TEAM The Australian Little Athletics Championships (ALAC) Teams event is a one-day team’s competition for Under 13 age group athletes in which each athlete gains points for events towards a total team points score. 1.
Team Composition:
Each Association is entitled to send an Under 13 Team of up to 22 athletes. Ideally this is made up of 11 boys and 11 girls, however this is not compulsory. An Association may take less than 22 athletes. 2.
Events:
a)
There are 13 individual events contested by both boys and girls, being, 100m 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 1500m walk, 80m hurdles, long jump, triple jump, high jump, shot put, discus and javelin. A 4x100m boys and girls team relay concludes the competition.
b)
Each Association may enter up to two athletes in each individual event and one team in each relay event.
c)
Each athlete may compete in a maximum of four individual events or a maximum of three individual events plus one relay.
d)
All athletes competing in the 100m, 200m, 400m, and 80m hurdles will compete in a heat and final or consolation final. The heat and final or consolation final is deemed to be one event.
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3.
Selection Criteria:
a)
Athletes performances recorded at the following Association Events will provide scope for the Selectors in selecting the State Team, however the Team will be finalised based on performances at the State Individual Championships:
Any of the 8 Regional Games Personal Best Day State Multi-Event Championships State Individual Championships Results submitted by Centre Recorders will be used as a guide.
b) Athletes must be registered with a Centre or Club affiliated with the South Australian Little Athletics Association Inc. on or before the 30th November 2014. c) The athlete must have competed with their Centre/Club, for a minimum of 50% of available meets from the day of registration to the end of the qualifying period for the State Individual Championships. The term “competed with their Centre/Club’ means have taken part in at least half of the available events with their Centre at a programmed home meet or at a programmed visit to another Centre/Club that is affiliated with South Australian Little Athletics Association Inc. or at a programmed Association Event. Verification of the above eligibility will be made by the State Team Personnel for each of the selected Athletes. Selectors will confirm eligibility with the Association Registrar. d) The Selection Panel has the sole right in determining the required standard for selection. Athletes will not be selected merely to make the numbers, even if their performances are the best in the State, but are considered a low standard in comparison with performances by other Associations athletes. e) The Selectors will take the athlete’s attitude, behaviour and ability to co-operate with others into account when selecting the Team. 4.
Implications for Selection: The Selection Panel must attempt to fill sixty available event spots with the combination of twentytwo athletes that potentially has the greatest chance of gaining maximum team points for South Australia, therefore:
a) There is no guarantee of being selected. b) Winning an event at LASA Championship Events does not necessarily ensure selection. c) A good second or third place with a back-up event may be more attractive to Selectors with reference to ALAC Program of Events. d) Athletes need not necessarily win a medal at the LASA Championship Events to be selected. E.g. two or more top eight placing may attract Selectors with reference to the ALAC Program of Events. e) Athletes generally will need to perform well at more than one event. Single specialists who appear to have no obvious ‘back-up’ events may be selected, but only when it is the best team option. A better-performed athlete in a particular event at the LASA Championship Events may potentially not score any better for that event at the ALAC than a lower performed athlete in the same event at the LASA State Championships. The lower-performed athlete may offer better selection options in other events and therefore be selected in front of the ‘better-performed’ athlete in that event. f)
In an endeavor to fill all event vacancies, athletes may be selected to compete in events at the ALAC in which they did not compete in at the LASA State Championship Events. 9
5.
Scoring at the Australian Teams Championships:
a) Points are equated to place, not performance. The points table for the individual events is 17 for first place, 15 for second, and then decreases by one point for each lower place down to one point for 16th place. This means that although a performance may be considerably better than the next place-getter, the better performance may score at least two, but generally only one point more for that event. b) Relay events are awarded double the corresponding points scored in individual events. c) All competitors are awarded points for their placing therefore; it is the quality of both athletes entered into that event that is important. In this context, a fourth and fifth placing (total 25 points) at the ALAC, is better than first and twelfth placing (total 22 points) for a team. 6.
Other selection considerations: As the ALAC is a one-day Championship, certain selection rules and guidelines apply. Athlete workload and recovery time must be taken into account. Therefore:
a) In the selection process, selectors must pay attention to the ALAC Timetable of events to note potential clashes. It should be noted that the ALAC event clashes would obviously be different to those at the LASA State Championships. Due to the nature of the ALAC timetable of events, however, it is inevitable that some athletes will be selected to compete in events that do clash or are in close proximity to each other on the ALAC Program. b) Where possible no athlete will be selected in more than two endurance events. In this case, endurance events will be defined as 400m, 800m, 1500m and 1500m walk.
APPENDIX 2 - GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION
U/15 MULTI-EVENT STATE TEAM The Australian Little Athletics Championships (ALAC) Multi-Event is an individual competition for Under 15 Athletes. Each athlete competes in five events. Points are based on the best performance in each event totaled to determine the overall placing The ALAC Multi-Event is conducted in conjunction with, and on the same day and at the same venue, as the Australian Little Athletics Championships Under 13 Teams Event. 1. Team Composition: Each Association shall be entitled to enter up to two boys and two girls who are registered with ALA affiliated Association in the Under 15 age group in the current season of the ALAC. 2. Events: Events for competition are the 200m, 800m, 90m hurdles, Shot put and Long Jump for girls and 100m, 800m, 100m Hurdles, Long jump and Discus for boys. 3. Selection Criteria: a)
Two Boys and Two Girls will be selected based on their performances at the LASA Multi-Event Championships.
b)
Selection will be determined on the events contested at the ALAC Multi-Event Championships. 10
c)
The point score system used to determine selections would be that of Australian Little Athletics, not the point scoring system used by South Australia for their Multi-Event Championships.
Each competitor will be allocated points for their performance in each of the 5 events, such points to be based on Australian Little Athletics standard Multi-Event point scoring.
The aggregate of points shall determine the competitor’s placing in the Multi-Event Championships.
d)
To be eligible for selection, athletes must be registered with South Australian Little Athletics Association, be in the Under 15 age group for the 2014/2015 Season and have registered with the Centre/Club on or before the 30th November 2014.
e)
The athlete must have competed with their Centre for a minimum of 50% of available meets from the day of their registration to the end of the qualifying period for the State Individual Championships. The term ‘Competed with their Centre/Club’ means have taken part in at least half of the available events with their Centre/Club at a programmed home meet or at a programmed visit to another Centre/Club that is affiliated with LASA or at a programmed Association Event. Verification of the above eligibility will be made by State Team Personnel for each of these selected athletes and Selectors will confirm eligibility with the Association Registrar.
4.
Track Events:
a)
Starting blocks may be used in any track event at the ALC excluding 800 metres.
b)
Lanes shall be used for the 100 metres and the 90/100m hurdles.
c)
The start for the 800 metres shall be conducted in lanes as far as the break line that is just prior to the end of the first bend with up to two competitors occupying each lane.
5.
Specifications:
a)
Long Jump
The take-off will be from a board in accordance with IAAF rules.
b)
Triple Jump
7 and 9 metre boards will be used.
c)
Shot Put
3kg shot put will be used for the girls.
d)
Discus
1kg discus will be used for boys and girls; the specification of the discus is to conform to IAAF regulations.
e)
Hurdles: i. The 90m hurdle event for girls shall have 9 flights of hurdles spaced as follows: Distance from start to first hurdle Distance between hurdles Distance from last hurdle to finish
13 metres 8 metres 13 metres
ii. The 100 metres hurdle event for boys shall have 10 flights of hurdles spaced as follows: Distance from start to first hurdle Distance between hurdles Distance from last hurdle to finish
13 metres 8.5 metres 10.5 metres
iii. The height of the hurdles shall be 76 centimeters minimum.
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2015 AUSTRALIAN LITTLE ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS PROGRAM OF EVENTS Give consideration to the Timetable when selecting events to compete in at Association Events. All track events up to 400m have a heat and final. Start Time 10:00am 10:00am 10:00am 10:10am 10:10am 10:10am 10:20am 10:30am 10:40am 10:40am 10:50am 11:00am 11:10am 11:10am 11:40am 11:50am 12:00pm 12:10pm 12:10pm 12:20pm 12:20pm 12:20pm 12:30pm 12:50pm 1:00pm 1:10pm 1:10pm 1:30pm 1:30pm 1:40pm 1:50pm 2:10pm 2:20pm 2:30pm 2:30pm 2:40pm 2:40pm 2:40pm 3:00pm 3:10pm 3:20pm 3:30pm 3:40pm 3:50pm 4:20pm 4:30pm 4:40pm
Gender Boys Girls Girls Boys Boys Girls Girls Boys Boys Girls Girls Boys Girls Boys Boys Girls Boys Boys Girls Girls Boys Girls Girls Boys Boys Girls Girls Boys Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Boys Girls Girls Girls Boys Boys Girls Girls Boys Boys Girls Mixed Boys Girls
Age U13 U13 U15 U13 U13 U13 U13 U15 U13 U15 U13 U13 U13 U15 U13 U13 U13 U13 U13 U13 U13 U13 U15 U15 U13 U13 U15 U13 U15 U13 U13 U13 U13 U13 U13 U13 U13 U13 U13 U13 U15 U15 U13 U13 U15 U13 U13
Event Triple Jump High Jump 200m 100m Javelin Discus 100m 100m 1500m Shot Put 1500m 100m 100m Long Jump 400m 400m High Jump 80m Hurdles Triple Jump 80m Hurdles Shot Put Javelin 90m Hurdles 100m Hurdles 80m Hurdles 80m Hurdles Long Jump 400m Discus 400m 1500m Walk 1500m Walk Long Jump 200m Long Jump 200m Shot Put Discus 800m 800m 800m 800m 200m 200m 4x100m 4x100m 4x100m
Heat/Final Final Final Multi-Event Heats Final Final Heats Multi-Event Final Multi-Event Final Final & Consolation Final Final & Consolation Final Multi-Event Heats Heats Final Heats Final Heats Final Final Multi-Event Multi-Event Final & Consolation Final Final & Consolation Final Multi-Event Final & Consolation Final Multi-Event Final & Consolation Final Final Final Final Heats Final Heats Final Final Final Final Multi-Event Multi-Event Final & Consolation Final Final & Consolation Final Multi-Event Final Final 12
