CROSS COUNTRY HANDBOOK

Transcription

1 CROSS COUNTRY HANDBOOK SEPTEMBER 2014 If it is to be It s up to me

2 CROSS COUNTRY Cross country running is a viable sport in the Durham Region. Coaches who enter teams in the area championship and regional finals will find that the training effect received from the running and conditioning will enhance and carry over to other sports chosen by those athletes participating. Significant time (approximately 6 weeks) should be given for athletes to train for the area and final meets. General Information 1. Age Groups There are 6 age groups for both boys and girls. The age is taken as of December 31 st of that school year. For example: Whatever age the student is on December 31st of that school year, then he/she will run in that age group. Coaches would be wise to keep a record of these ages as this will be the same age that will be used for track and field in May/June of that school year. NOTE: Runners may compete in one age group only. Runners may compete in an older age group but must stay in that group for the regional finals if his/her team qualified. If a runner does not qualify at the area meet he/she may not run at the final meet. Only one team of runners is allowed per age group, with the exception of the 13 and over category where two teams may be entered. BIRTH DATES FOR 2014 COMPETITION DATES Distances(approximate) 8 and under Born in m 9 Born in m 10 Born in m 11 Born in m 12 Born in m 13 and over Born in m

3 2. Team Composition A team in each age group must consist of 4 runners to qualify for team standings. At area meets your team for each age group may consist of unlimited numbers. However, for Durham Finals each team must be no larger than 6 runners in each age group. Schools entering with more than 6 runners as a team will be disqualified. Schools entering with less than 4 runners, run as individuals. Scoring: The first 4 runners placing will count for your team total. For Example:- if a team with 8 runners placed: 3 rd 21 st 4 th 30 th 14 th 49 th 17 th 63 rd Then their team total would be 38 points. i.e = 38 The team with the lowest total for their first four runners would place 1st, second lowest would be 2nd, etc. *Tie Breaker Procedure If there is a tie for team points, then the tie breaker would go to 4 th place runner on the team. The position of the 4 th place runner splits the tie. At the area meet the first 2 teams placing in each age group will qualify for the Durham Final meet; and the first 8 finishers in each age group also qualify. * For scoring purposes all runners must wear a barcoded wristband provided by DEAA. Wristbands must be on the right wrist of the corresponding athlete. A package with wristbands and list of which student wears what serial number will be sent in the courier prior to the Area Meet. Very important responsibility of coaches to ensure the proper athlete is wearing the correct wristband. 3. Awards Ribbons to first 8 finishers per race at Area meet. T-Shirts to first 6 finishers per race at Regional Final meet. Ribbons for the first 10 finishers at the Regional Final meet. *New this year Medals for the Top 3 Individual Runners per race at the Regional Meet. Ribbons to top 3 teams at Area and Regional Final meet. Pennants for 1st place team and Runners- up at the Regional Final meet only. 4. Walking the Course We will not have a walk through as the course is well marked and marshallers are there to direct runners. Coaches should make students aware that no one except the marshallers are allowed on the course when the races are being run (including parents and coaches).

4 5. Area Meets Area Meet Times: Morning races start at 10:00 a.m. Afternoon races at 1:00 p.m. It is recommended that your team arrive between 9:00 and 9:30 for the morning meets and between 12:00 and 12:30 for the afternoon meets. We will try to have the races completed by 2:30 for the afternoon bus pick-up but often the buses will come back to pick up your team after their school routes are completed. ORDER OF AREA MEET RACES: Youngest Boys run first followed by the girls until we are finished all races ie: 2006/7Boys, 2006/7 Girls, 2005 Boys etc. 6. Race Times for FINAL REGIONAL MEET (*Note - check with your area convenor for your area race times ) 10:00-10: /2007 boys 10:15-10: /2007 girls 10:30-10: boys 10:45-11: girls 11:00-11: boys 11:15-11: girls 11:30-11: boys 11:45-12: girls 12:00-12:50 - Lunch Break & Teacher/Parent Run 12:50-1: boys 1:10-1: girls 1:30-1: boys 1:50-2: girls Awards are given out as results become known. These will be posted and announced. Ribbons should be picked up by the coach of the team. 7. General Teams are encouraged to "camp" in one area and coaches are to see that their area is cleaned up prior to leaving. Coaches are encouraged to help patrol the washrooms as the number of runners is quite significant. Assistance is generally needed at the finish line for keeping runners in order through the chute. Coaches are asked to help when they can. Coaches are to make sure all runners are recorded at the finish line. 8. Computer Discs and entering students to compete in Area Championships This year (2014) we are trying to have everything done via the internet again. Coaches will receive an from the Athletic Co-ordinator/Convenor with the information needed to enter their students into the meet. They will then reply to the Athletic Co-ordinator also cc: the Area Convenor. NOTE: Coaches should not enter runners unless they have done significant training prior to the area meet.

5 9. AREA CROSS COUNTRY CONVENORS We thought we would give you an update of your responsibilities for the upcoming meets. Thanks for signing up to convene and giving up of your time. (1) Schools will send an to the athletic co-ordinator with their school information. The Athletic Co-ordinator will contact you with a list of schools that did not make the deadline. It is your responsibility to track down the data. Barcoded wristbands will be produced and packaged for each school and sent via courier prior to the meet. The wristbands will indicate blue/pink in colour for boy/girl and a barcode with serial number. Coaches will be responsible to putting the correct wristband (serial number) on the correct athlete by referring to the list provided to them in their package. Wristbands must be put on the athletes right arm. ** Contact the overall Regional Convenor if you have questions. If you have not heard from a school you should give them a call. (2) Send an invitation to the trustees and superintendents in your area for the meet date and have them RSVP to you. Durham schools are providing excellent opportunities for young athletes to participate in quality athletic events. It is imperative that we have representatives from the DDSB see what kind of fantastic events D.E.A.A. organizes. (3) Distribute a copy of the Teacher/Parent run flyer to each school in your area. We have continued to increase our numbers in this event. This event is held at lunch during the Final Meet. (4) Buses will unload at a designated area. You should have someone direct where you want the schools to camp. (5) A P.A. system will be used to talk to everyone. In YOUR talk please remind everyone about: respect of the property and the buildings garbage - each school should have a garbage bag to clean up their area before leaving washrooms in the chalet stay out of the upper chalet and any roped off areas awards - 1st through 8th runners receive them in the tent - 1st, 2nd, 3rd place teams must go pick up their ribbons after checking the scoreboards. -top 2 teams return to the finals (6 runners only) remind coaches to gather the clothes at the start and bring them to the finish line or their camp area. (6) As soon as you arrive acquaint your student helpers to their position and responsibilities: 4 students in the tent assisting with the barcodes, handing out individual ribbons and taking the printed lists up to post on the boards. 2 tabulators for team ribbons and posting results in the calculation area. **You do not need marshallers. - You do not need to bring boards for labels. (new 2009)

6 (7) Get some coaches / teachers / parents ( 4-6 people) to assist at the finish line in ordering up the runners in the chute. (8) We have limited time between the area meets and the final. Inform your schools that their team results should be confirmed with you prior to leaving the meet that day ie: Was their school one of the top two teams moving to the finals or was any student in the top 8 individuals to qualify. (9) REGIONAL FINAL MEET Packages for each school with barcoded wristbands will be ready for the coaches on the final day. These should be picked up by the coaches as soon as they arrive for the finals. The school packages will be available from the announcers table and once the meet has begun they will be available at the start line. IMPORTANT 1) Tell the coaches from each school in their area that parents cannot take their runners to Lakeridge Resort on their own. Runners who are found on this private property jeopardize DEAA s chances of continuing to run at this facility. Any student who breaks this rule will be disqualified from competing in the area or regional competitions for that year. 2) Please see that each coach/school receives a cross country handbook in your area. Direct them to the DEAA website on the Durham District School Board intranet at 3) T-shirts will be on sale again. Please make coaches and parents aware of this. ITEMS OF INTEREST 1. This year's event will be run at Lakeridge Resort. 2. Invitational meets are being held at numerous schools again this year, please see the DEAA calendar for more information. 3. There will be 8 areas for cross country again this year. Please refer to your D.E.A.A. guidelines to see which area you are in. 4. The Convenors for each area will be decided at your area meeting. 5. Area and Final MEETS: Do not bring your own labels to the meet. Barcoded wristbands will be sent out to each school prior to the meet via courier. 6. Don't forget your garbage bags in order to clean up your area on race day. 7. Please discuss with the coaches, runners and parents how you are going to handle bringing warm up clothes from the starting line back to your camping area. The amount of lost and found items that are not claimed is enormous! 8. The final meet should end by 2:20 and buses can be ordered accordingly, in order to beat the bus runs. If you have any questions call Rob Dyment at , dyment_rob@durham.edu.on.ca.