1 2016 SPARTAN SPEEDSTERS REGISTRATION PACKET
ABOUT TRACK & FIELD: Youth track and field in the USA has two primary supporting organizations, USA Track & Field (USATF) and the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). Athletes are required to be a member of the related organization in order to compete in sanctioned competitions. In Arizona, the predominant organization is USATF and all events are organized by the state level chapter of USATF of Arizona. Youth Clubs must be members of the state USATF to compete, youth athletes must be members of USATF ($20/yr), and club coaches must be certified with a background check along with passing required courses set by USATF. Both USATF and AAU recognize athlete s age for competition based on the calendar year only, for example all athletes born between Jan 1 st and Dec 31 st of a given year will be treated as the same age for competition. The main difference in competitions between AAU and USATF is that AAU sets divisions in single year increments, so athletes compete only against athletes born in the same year, whereas USATF uses two year increments starting at 7-8 and going to 17-18. The only exception is that athletes who will turn 19 during the year may compete that season as 18 ONLY if their 19 th birthday falls AFTER the completion of that year s National Championships. The Spartan Speedsters only compete in USATF events. THE SPARTAN SPEEDSTERS: The Spartan Speedsters were founded by former Michigan State All American 100m and 200m sprinter, Coach Brad Fields. Coach Fields is a personal athletic trainer by day who also coaches High School Track & Field at Liberty High School in Peoria. The Speedsters also have a number of other volunteer coaches who support Coach Fields and specialize in different events. The Spartan Speedsters are a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which also means that donations to the Spartan Speedsters are eligible for tax deductions. All coaching positions are voluntary and none of the coaches are compensated for their work with the Spartan Speedsters. COACHING PHILOSOPHY: The Spartan Speedsters are a competitive track and field club. We accept athletes of all ages and skill level, but we emphasize the competitive aspects of track and field. The focus is for each athlete to compete against their previous marks and continually improve throughout the course of the season. Although we like to have fun and want all the athletes to enjoy their experience, we do emphasize hard work, effort, focus, and consistency through every practice as well as competition. This season we will be recognizing PR (Personal Record) performances from each competition with a customized team PR ribbon. Athletes must have posted a qualifying mark during the current season to be eligible for PR recognition. We will also be recognizing team records throughout the season for each athlete that breaks into a top 10 category for the team. You can see current team records on athletic.net with the specific link http://www.athletic.net/trackandfield/schoolrecords.aspx?schoolid=37578&records=10 2 2016 SPARTAN SPEEDSTERS REGISTRATION PACKET
THE TRAINING PROGRAM: The Spartan Speedsters utilize a comprehensive training program with all athletes. We believe activity should be purpose driven and everything we do is for a specific reason or benefit to the athlete. All practices include proper warm-ups, stretching (static and dynamic), form drills, and core building. We emphasize technique as well as fitness to achieve maximum performance. Practice schedule is as follows: PRE-SEASON PRACTICE SESSIONS: January 5 th February 29 th TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS 6:30 pm 8:30 pm at Asante Park in Surprise SATURDAYS 10:30-12:00am Sunny Slope Park Peoria (Olive Ave & 71 st Ave) (locations subject to change) IN-SEASON PRACTICE SESSIONS: March 1 st - June 2 nd (JO Qualifiers may go into July) TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS 6:30 pm 8:30 pm at Liberty High School in Peoria (location subject to change) ***IMPORTANT*** For athlete safety and insurance purposes, Parents/Guardians may NOT leave minor children at practice without notification and approval from the coaching staff. If it becomes necessary for a parent to leave a child for any length of time, along with approval from the coaching staff, the parent/guardian MUST also leave written approval with the staff for guidance of care in the event of a medical emergency. Children with known medical conditions such as Asthma or severe Allergy, must have inhalers, EpiPens, or other emergency medical items as required on site to be eligible to participate in practice or competition. Nothing is more important than the health and safety of the athletes. USA TRACK & FIELD MEMBERSHIP: USATF Youth Membership is $20/year and is REQUIRED prior to the first practice. NO EXCEPTIONS. Your athlete will not be able to practice without a current membership number. Our insurance does not extend to any athlete who is not a current member of USA Track & Field. Please see the below link to order or renew your membership card and the information needed. https://www.usatf.org/membership/application/ Spartan Speedsters Track Club # 48-388 3 2016 SPARTAN SPEEDSTERS REGISTRATION PACKET
Once your athlete is registered with USATF, you are required to send a copy of their birth certificate to the Arizona Association by one of the following methods at least two weeks prior to competition. Include a copy of the athlete s USATF membership number. - Email: Bob Flint at usatfaz@cox.net - Mail: AZ USATF STATE OFFICE PO Box 10771 Scottsdale AZ 85257-0771 - Fax: 480-994-1748 CLUB FEES AND COSTS: Club Membership for the full season is $300 per athlete. Additional athletes in the same family will receive a $20 discount per athlete. Fees paid in-full prior to Jan 31 st, 2016 will also receive a $20 discount per athlete. Memberships may be paid via Visa or MasterCard in $75/month automatic payments starting in January or in the month that the athlete joins the team until the fees are paid in-full. Memberships are not prorated or adjusted based on the number of meets attended and refunds will not be available. High School athletes who will be competing with their high school team can join the Spartan Speedsters prior to the beginning of the high school track season for a reduced fee of $150 or $75/month for 2 months. That includes rejoining the Spartan Speedsters after the completion of the high school season for remainder of the club season. High school athletes who wish to join the Spartan Speedsters after completion of the high school season, but who did not participate prior to the season, can join at that time for $100. Youth fees include entry into all meets listed on the attached meet schedule, with the exception of the Hershey National Championship meet. The annual Spartan Speedsters Club dues are used to offset annual USATF club registration, insurance, equipment, facilities, awards, meet entries, and club administrative costs. Coaches and administrators are not paid. ***NSF Checks and declined credit cards may result in a $25 processing fee*** Membership fees DO NOT include uniforms, training shoes, or racing shoes. UNIFORMS AND SWEATS: Our team colors are Dark Green, Black & White. We will be ordering all new, redesigned uniforms for the 2016 season (special thanks to Katrina Alberty for coordinating the changes), and the cost will be approximately $65.00. This includes fitted racing jersey and shorts with the Spartan Speedsters Logo. Uniform payments need to be paid in full prior to ordering. Each uniform is custom made and has a 6-8 week processing time. No uniforms or other team items will be ordered until payment is received. There will be no refunds. Warm-up top and sweats, t-shirts, hats, and other team gear are available on the TEAM STORE from the team website. 4 2016 SPARTAN SPEEDSTERS REGISTRATION PACKET
2016 Youth Track & Field Schedule USATF AZ Date Time Event Location Jan 23 Jan 30 Feb 14 9:00 AM 9:00 AM Sun 8:00 AM Developmental (Running Events Only) Regulation (Indoor Events Only) 25th Annual Arizona Indoor Classic & Youth West Zone TBD TBD Feb 27 8:00 AM Regulation TBD Mar 5 8:00 AM Regulation TBD Mar 12 8:00 AM Bob Cat Relays TBD Apr 2-3 Sat-Sun 8:00 AM Phoenix Invitational Apr 16 8:00 AM Regulation TBD Apr 30 7:00 AM Regulation TBD May 21-22 Jun 4-5 Jun 28 - Jul 3 Jul 7-10 Jul 25-31 Sat-Sun 7 AM/6 PM Sat-Sun 7 AM/6 PM Tue-Sun Thu-Sun Mon-Sun Arizona State Championships (Youth, Open, & Masters) Junior Olympic AZ State Championship (Youth Only) USATF Hershey Youth Outdoors Championships Open Sign-ups / No Qualification Required Junior Olympics Region 10 Championship (Must Qualify) Top 4 per event from AZ State Championship are eligible Junior Olympic National Championship (Must Qualify) Top 5 per event from Region 10 Championship are eligible NAU Skydome, Flagstaff (73 on map) Get Map Mesa CC Get Map Mesa CC Get Map Mesa CC Get Map Cal Univ of Pennsylvania California, PA Albuquerque, NM Sacramento, CA Schedule is subject to change. Please save the link for the AZ USATF Schedule Page for updates: http://www.usatf.org/assoc/az/schedule.html#schedule1 5 2016 SPARTAN SPEEDSTERS REGISTRATION PACKET
PLEASE RETURN THIS COMPLETED PAGE TO THE COACHING STAFF ATHLETE S INFORMATION Athlete s Name: Date of Birth: Gender: Male Female USATF Membership #: School: Grade: Known Medical Conditions: Track / Running Experience: Primary Event Interests (Circle all the apply or none if you re not sure): Sprints (100m-200m) Mid-Distance (400m-800m) Distance (1500m-3000m) Specialties (Hurdles-Steeplechase) Field Events (Throws-Jumps-Vaults) (Some event options may be limited subject to facility & avail coaching) Mid & Distance athletes may require additional conditioning on off-days to achieve maximum levels of performance. Coaches will provide guidance in additional activities as needed. GUARDIAN INFORMATION Mother s Name: Address: Home Phone: Cell Phone: E-mail #1: E-mail #2: Father s Name: Address (if different): Home Phone: Cell Phone: E-mail #1: E-mail #2: 6 2016 SPARTAN SPEEDSTERS REGISTRATION PACKET
PLEASE RETURN THIS COMPLETED PAGE TO THE COACHING STAFF ADDITIONAL EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION Name: Phone: Relationship to Athlete: Please indicate any specific concerns that our coaching staff should be aware of for your child, i.e. academic, medical, etc. ***Consult your physician before training and competition. Athletes train and compete at their own risk. ***** By signing below, you agree that the above information is true to best of your knowledge. Signature of Athlete Date Signature of Guardian Date SPONSORSHIPS & FUNDRAISERS: Club fees cover approximately ½ of our operating expenses each year. We will have to make up the deficit with Sponsorships and Fundraisers. We need help finding corporate sponsors to donate funds to the Spartan Speedsters. We will provide a 501(c)(3) Sponsorship Letter for all donors. Additional funds will be added via 3 fundraisers during the season. All athletes and parents will be asked to help in these activities. Parents who do not wish to participate in fund raising activities may elect to opt-out by making a direct donation of $100 to the club. REQUIRED PARENT PARTICIPATION: Each member club of the USATF AZ are assigned a responsibility to perform at each track meet. Regardless of our assigned task for 2016, Parents will be required to assist in shifts with working duties assigned to the Club at the track meets, which may mean each family staying until all races are finished for at least one track meet. Parents can elect to opt-out of the volunteer duty by making a direct donation of $100 to the club. MY SIGNATURE BELOW STATES THAT I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE ABOVE. GUARDIAN SIGNATURE DATE 7 2016 SPARTAN SPEEDSTERS REGISTRATION PACKET
PLEASE RETURN THIS COMPLETED PAGE TO THE COACHING STAFF SPARTAN SPEEDSTERS CLUB RULES All athletes will show respect to fellow athletes, parents, coaches and officials at all times. No club member (including parents) will ridicule, gossip, or put down any athlete, coach or official. All members will adhere to the rules and judgments of the coaches/officials. No club member will use foul language. All club members will stay current with all school assignments to ensure eligibility to participate in track and field events. All club members will attend practices and track meets on time and prepared. All club members will inform the coaches of any foreseen absence from practice or track meets. All club members will respect all facilities made available so that we may continue the use of the facilities in the future. THE COACHES WILL USE THEIR DISCRETION WHEN DETERMINING WHICH EVENTS AN ATHLETE WILL COMPETE. However, we do welcome feedback and discussion with parents if there are any concerns. THE ULTIMATE RULE HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!!!!!!!! I,, agree to all items listed above. (Athlete) I,, agree to all items listed above. (Guardian) 8 2016 SPARTAN SPEEDSTERS REGISTRATION PACKET