Western Province Athletics www.wpa.org.za May 2012 Newsletter Editorial Exciting stories start with extra ordinary things and highlights normally. The second quarter of WPA has started on a very high note. With two prime events such as the Old Mutual Two Oceans Series of events and the SPAR Ladies event, no Extreme Wet or Terrible Weather could stop the enthusiasm of more than 40 000 participants over two consecutive weekends! I believe that the participation in these events show the healthy state of athletics in Western Province. If we can get more of these novice runners into the club system then we will be in a position as one of the strongest participating provinces in the country. WPA already has the best administrative office and we must thank the office members for their huge contribution. WPA also participated at the national Championships in both the Junior & Senior Track and Field events in Germiston and Port Elizabeth. Both teams brought back numerous medals with excellent performances. The Junior team consisted of 41 members with a medal count of 20 of which 12 were gold and the Senior team of 31 members won 11 medals. This result meant that every second athlete brought back a medal and numerous athletes participated in the finals of their individual events. The Student Championships were also held at the end of April of which small teams from the various institutions participated. We are proud of the members and the performances of the individuals. Congratulations to the athlete s coaches and the administrators. The Race Walking commission is also competing in different events throughout the season. WPA had two members who qualified to participate at the SA Senior Championships in Port Elizabeth. The main event on the calendar is the SA Race Walking Championships scheduled to take place in the last term of the year. This could be the event where we could benefit the most from in the Province if we get the temporary licenced athlete to become more active within the club structure. Cross Country had a kick start to the season with 130 teams participating in the Relay event. This is the second highest in history. We had 134 teams during the 1994 season. This clearly shows that we must be prepared for a very good and healthy league competition for the season starting in May. We trust that the clubs will participate in numbers during the winter season in preparation for Spring which is only five months away. In Road Running we have had a few events that were cancelled which if not good for the sport. Clubs need to plan their events in advance. The new temporary license structure for the clubs is a good incentive and should encourage clubs to work harder and promote their events well. The Kids Development Program is another success from the WPA office and Michael Schouw. The entire team driving the program must be congratulated. We currently have 12 clubs with 150 kids on the program. The youth and development is the backbone of all sport in the country. WPA has invested quite a bit into this program and will benefit from it in the years to come. Clubs are encouraged to support and join the program. To all the clubs members athletes and administrators please continue with the hard work and the dedication as shown during the first quarter of 2012. This is an Olympic year and we trust that we will benefit with the participation and growth that we gain at all events at this moment.
Running Regards, Jakes Jacobs Commission News RACE WALKING In 2008 Lindela Madikizela, one of our WP long-distance race-walkers, identified a need within disadvantaged communities to get children off the streets and away from the temptation of alcohol and drug use. The one thing Lindela could offer the children of Masiphumelele was his talent and experience in race-walking and so he went to the schools and thereafter from door to door introducing himself. From these humble beginnings of one individual, the Adopt-an-Athlete fund-raiser was started by the WPA race-walking commission in order to assist Lindela and his young budding athletes to purchase training shoes. Asiphiwe Jafta is a product of this Adopt-an-Athlete program and has now been taken under the wings of Spartan Harriers. He has been described by Lindela as a dedicated, respectful and humble personality which has seen him grow into a great achiever, successfully completing a 10km racewalk in under 60 minutes. Asiphiwe tells us more about his own achievements: 1. Where do you go to school? I am a learner at Masiphumelele High School in site 5 at Fish Hoek. 2. Where and with whom do you live? I live with my family; my father and my mother and I have 6 brothers. 3. How long have you been race-walking? Since 2008. 4. How did you start? I started at primary school (Ukhany Primary School) under Mr Lindela. 5. What has been your greatest race-walking achievement so far? My first achievement was when I was selected and came second in Oudtshoorn in 2009 in the Interprovincial youth championships. In 2011 at the WP champs I came second. My third achievement I was when I won SA champs. 6. What is your next goal? I would love to represent SA at the Olympics in this year in London. 7. What is your favourite race, and why? The Big Walk because they have lots of people and you have lots of challenges. 8. What is your favourite type of training session? Walking nice and easy and also a 5km fast. 9. Do you have any other sporting interests? I love playing rugby and soccer and cricket. (Asiphiwe 3 rd from the left taken with a group of Development Athletes) 10. What do you do to relax? I love to watch DSTV and I love to sleep. 11. Tell us something about yourself that we'd be surprised to know? In 2011 I was the captain of the development team. I trained two young stars, Ayabonga and Lunga. Now they are walking for the Western Cape Sport School in Kuilsriver. I watch 7de laan.
ROAD RUNNING Race Organisers, Referees and Runners often make and receive comment on the requirement for certain rules to exist and be applied. Two, of the several, rules come up regularly, namely: Littering As inhabitants of what is known as the Fairest Cape it should follow that all participants understand why the anti-littering rules exist, bins required and announcements made. Maybe we have been spoilt by the Cape Doctor. Unfortunately all that the Doctor does is blows the sachets and cups into sometimes inaccessible areas, out of sight and out of mind until the verges are cut or a North Wester blows. In some environmentally areas such litter could result in fines or clean up charges that have to be passed on to the participants. In the worst case organisers could find that they and their event is no longer welcome. It is for this reason that organisers are required to place refuse bins and anti-littering signage out to at least 200 metres beyond the last table at refreshment stations. The organisers are also expected to check and clean up along the entire route, this is best done on foot on both sides of the road. Another good idea to help with the route clean-up, is to place a litter bin at each km marker board. Athletes are equally obliged to do their bit by using the bins at the station at which they received the refreshments or, if they carry full sachets for use between stations, at the next refreshment station. If one can carry the full sachets for a distance after the station it should be easy enough to carry the empty one to the next table. The same rule applies to participants carrying and using gels and supplements, ditch the sachet or container at the next bin, even a Municipal one will do. To those participants who do comply, thank you. Age Category Tags With the exception of some really talented runners, most of us slow down as we get older. In order to allow for fair competition as age creeps in athletes are grouped into 10 and even 5 year age categories. We are expected to display age category tags so that other athletes know who they are competing against; in some cases it makes one feel better when your tag reveals to all in sundry why you are slower than the younger set, until a 60 or 70 screams past! While most athletes know and understand this rule there are quite a few that do not display their tags visibly and prominently. The objective of the rule is lost if the tags are not attached and located in a manner in which they are visible at all times to other competitors and the officials. A single safety pin, or even two, does not constitute effective attachment; the tag simply folds over. At least 3 safety pins, one in each top corner and one at the bottom, will ensure visibility. Better still use four pins or sew the tag to your vest. Unfortunately it does not matter how well the tags are attached if they are hidden beneath an armpit or race number. Do not be ashamed of your age; place the tags in a prominent central position. Dead centre above the licence works for the writer, who has the front one sewn on to form a pocket into which goes the bank bag and entry card before being closed with the provided safety pin, the card cannot get lost.. Remember that tags may be worn by non-club members, as long as they wear the relevant ones. Many Juniors miss out on podium prizes because their mentors do not get them tags. Tags are available from the WPA office at R2 a set of two and should be carried by your club, ideally the Licensing Official. Again, thank you to all athletes who prominently display their age category tags.
TECHNICAL OFFICIALS TECHNICAL OFFICIAL COURSES: 2012-2013 COURSE DATE TIME FACILITATOR/S Level 1 Track Events Field Events 16 July 2012 17 July 2012 18 July 2012 19 July 2012 N. Abels N. Abels / C. Piedt C. Piedt G. Burgess Time Keeping (Road Clocks) 25 July 2012 19h00-21h00 K. Harlock Level 1 Road Running Cross Country 14 August 2012 15 August 2012 16 August 2012 C. Goldschmidt C. Goldschmidt B. Oliver Level 1 Track Events Field Events Starting Theory Practical (In season) Level 1 Road Running Cross Country 20 August 2012 21 August 2012 22 August 2012 23 August 2012 4 September 2012 V. Desai 11 September 2012 12 September 2012 13 September 2012 N. Abels N. Abels / C. Piedt C. Piedt G. Burgess C. Goldschmidt C. Goldschmidt B. Oliver Level 2 Track Events Field Events 17 September 2012 18 September 2012 19 September 2012 20 September 2012 J. Arendse J. Arendse G. Burgess C. Le Roux Check and Mark (Assizing) 10 / 11 October 2012 C. Le Roux / G. Burgess Electronic Timing Theory Practical 19 October 2012 20 October 2012 12h00 14h00 J. Evans J. Evans Refresher Course Road Running 5 January 2013 14h00-17h00 C. Goldschmidt Refresher Course Track & Field 12 January 2013 14h00-17h00 G. Burgess / J. Arendse REFRESHER COURSE New Rules Discussion / Technical Officials Affiliation / Registration for 2013. ALL COURSES R100.00 DATES FOR EXAMS WILL BE CONFIRMED AT THE COURSES VENUE TBC
WPA Development WP KIDS ATHLETICS REPORT The 2012 Kids Athletics Programme has kicked off with a bang, participating clubs are full of energy and rearing to go. Kids participated in an event on 3 March in Bellville Veledrome. The event was held in conjunction with the Yellow Pages Interprovincial 2. This was our first event indoors and it proved to be a huge success with the kids enjoying every minute. WPA is in a fortunate position where we are proud to announce that the programme has received positive exposure and is continuously growing. Everyone involved in the programme is so dedicated to making sure that we reach our targeted goals. We welcome the new clubs, Ravensmead AC, RSC Gugs AC, Nedbank Running Club and Itheko AC, they joined the programme at the beginning of 2012, their clubs were presented with Kids Athletics equipment as well as apparel for their participating kids. The kids participated in the CAA African Cross Country Championship 4km Fun Run which took place on 18 March; the kids enjoyed the experience of being able to witness the top athletes in the African continent participating as well as being given the opportunity to run the official Championship course. WPA tries to get the kids active as often as possible and the kids always look forward in anticipation to next event. The facilitators and the club members are doing a brilliant job in making sure that the kids receive enough training and are fit enough to participate in each event. On the 24 March the kids were taken to the Muizenberg Beach where they received a lesson in water safety and CPR. This event was thoroughly enjoyed by kids and facilitators alike.
On the 6 April, the kids participated in the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon Fun Runs. They enjoyed the event so much and most of them performed well. The kids loved the environment and the fact that they were now competing against a large number of people, to them this was a real challenge and chance to really push themselves. When the race was finished, they enjoyed their meals and later they enjoyed all the activities that were provided on the field. Should you wish to share your club or event news please send the information to sue@wpathletics.co.za JJOIN US ON FACEBOOK
May Event Diary DATE DAY EVENT DIST TIME VENUE CLUB Contact Person Contact No. E-Mail 4-May-12 Fri SA Open Championships T/F Pretoria ASA ASA Office 4-May-12 Fri Southern Region Junior Championships T/F Windhoek, NAM ASA 5-May-12 Sat SA Open Championships T/F Pretoria ASA ASA Office 5-May-12 Sat Southern Region Junior Championships T/F Windhoek, NAM ASA ASA Office 5-May-12 Sat Cross Country League 1 CC UWC UWC WPA Office 021 699 0615 events@wpathletics.co.za 6-May-12 Sun UCT Memorial 10 km Road Race 10 7:00 Middle Campus, UCT UCT Sports Administration 021 650 3564 jtevans@mweb.co.za 6-May-12 Sun Jonkershoek Mountain Challenge Trail 6:30 Jonkershoek Wildrunner Event Manager 072 438 3242 info@wildrunner.co.za 12-May-12 Sat Brackenfell Pick 'n Pay Family Store 21km 21,1 7:00 RCS Brackenfell Primary School Brackenfell AC Gielie Ellis 074 802 1563 rochelle.mccarthy@parmalat.co.za 12-May-12 Sat Brackenfell Pick 'n Pay Family Store Fun Run 5 7:15 Brackenfell Primary School Brackenfell AC Denise Marais 084 250 1026 rochelle.mccarthy@parmalat.co.za 12-May-12 Sat World Race Walking Cup T/F Saransk, RUS ASA ASA Office 13-May-12 Sun World Race Walking Cup T/F Saransk, RUS ASA ASA Office 13-May-12 Sun Cross Country League 2 CC UCT Tennis Club UCT WPA Office 021 699 0615 events@wpathletics.co.za 19-May-12 Sat WPA Race Walking Grand Prix 2 Champs 30W 7:00 Youngsfield WPA Race Walking Pieter Vorster 084 922 9002 pieter-vorster@yahoo.com Sat WPA Race Walking Grand Prix 2 20W 7:30 Youngsfield WPA Race Walking Pieter Vorster 084 922 9002 pieter-vorster@yahoo.com Sat WPA Race Walking Grand Prix 2 10W 9:00 Youngsfield WPA Race Walking Pieter Vorster 084 922 9002 pieter-vorster@yahoo.com Sat WPA Race Walking Junior 10 km Champs 10W 9:00 Youngsfield WPA Race Walking Pieter Vorster 084 922 9002 pieter-vorster@yahoo.com Sat WPA Race Walking Boys & Girls u16 5 W 10:00 Youngsfield WPA Race Walking Pieter Vorster 084 922 9002 pieter-vorster@yahoo.com Sat WPA Race Walking Boys & Girls u14 3 W 10:00 Youngsfield WPA Race Walking Pieter Vorster 084 922 9002 pieter-vorster@yahoo.com 20-May-12 Sun Cross Country League 3 CC Elfindale Top Form AC WPA Office 021 699 0615 events@wpathletics.co.za 20-May-12 Sun Helderberg Mountain Challenge Trail 7:00 Helderberg Nature Reserve Wildrunner Event Manager 072 438 3242 info@wildrunner.co.za 20-May-12 Sun ASA 10 km Championships 10 TBA Kimberley ASA ASA Office 25-May-12 Fri Southern Region Youth Championships T/F Zimbabwe ASA ASA Office 26-May-12 Sat Southern Region Youth Championships T/F Zimbabwe ASA ASA Office 26-May-12 Sat Cross Country League 4 CC Khayelitsha Khayelitsha AC WPA Office 021 699 0615 events@wpathletics.co.za 27-May-12 Sun Southern Region Youth Championships T/F Zimbabwe ASA ASA Office