Introduction The following booklet has been produced to provide guidance for local organisers who will prepare teams to participate in the National Inter County Festival of PORTHALL Athletics for primary schools in 2014. Now entering its fourth year it is anticipated that up to 15 counties and over 600 children will participate in this national festival to be held in the AIT International Arena on March 26 th 2014. AIT International Arena Venue for the 2014 Inter County Festival of PORTHALL Athletics for Primary chools Entries and Local election Entries are open to all counties in the Republic of Ireland. For the purpose of definition a county shall be the geographic area covered by a Local ports Partnership. Thus up to 30 counties can enter teams. Appendix 1 lists the 30 Local ports Partnerships in Ireland. County teams must be submitted through one or more of the following a Local ports Partnership a Regional Development Officer from the Athletic Association of Ireland a person designated by the County Board for Athletics affiliated to the AAI The selection process may vary from one county to another. Thus any school interested in taking part in the national event should contact its Local ports Partnership, Regional Development Officer for Athletics or its County Board for athletics to determine if its county will be participating and the local process of selection. To be eligible to participate in the 2014 national championships a county will declare its intention before the end of February. Thereafter county entries shall be submitted by Friday 15 th March. All entries for the national event will be made by email to the event coordinator Eamonn Henry (Coordinator Offaly ports Partnership ehenry@offalycoco.ie). A sample entry form is shown in Appendix 2. An entry fee of 3.50 per child shall apply. c:\users\perri\downloads\sportshall primary manual for use in ireland 2014 (1).docx Page 1
Overarching Rules The competitions shall be run in line with the universal rules for PORTHALL Athletics (Primary) competitions except where amended by the organising committee as detailed in this booklet. The universal rules for PORTHALL Primary can be viewed and downloaded from www.sportshall.org. As the event is to be held in the AIT International Arena reversaboards will not be in use this year. It is anticipated that in future years that the reversaboards can be reintroduced. This booklet sets out amendments to PORTHALL rules for 2014 in the absence of reversaboards. Team Categories Participating counties can enter teams in up to 4 different categories as follows 3 rd & 4 th class girls 3 rd & 4 th class boys 5 th & 6 th class girls 5 th & 6 th class boys Children from lower classes may be entered on a school team if the school so desires (e.g. a child enrolled in 2 nd class may participate on the 3 rd /4 th class team a child in 4 th class may be entered on the 5 th /6 th class team) In each category, a county shall be represented by children who are enrolled in the same school. An exception to this rule shall be made for schools with very small populations as follows A school with a population of less than 60 pupils from 3 rd to 6 th class may enter a combined team with a second school from within a 10 mile radius Where two schools with an amalgamated team have a population of less than 120 pupils from 3 rd to 6 th class they may join with a third school within their vicinity Number per team The minimum size team in each category shall be nine children and the maximum shall be fifteen. Each child may participate in up to two track events and two field events. An exception to this rule can be made for small schools that do not have adequate numbers of children enrolled in a given category and have not entered an amalgamated team with another school. The exceptions for such schools shall be as follows A team of less than nine may be entered provided that all children enrolled are entered and all participate in at least 2 track and 2 field events, or The shortfall on the team may be made up from children enrolled in lower classes NB Adherence to Participation Rule and to the Principles of Fair Play. The National Festival of PORTHALL Athletics will be held on one day and a large number of students from the Athlone Institute of Technology will assist in its running. While we shall endeavour to ensure that rules are adhered to we will not be in a position to facilitate objections and appeals made against schools not adhering to the participation rule on the day. We are therefore appealing to every county and to each participating school to adhere to the rules set down and to the principles of fair play in the presence of children by not seeking advantage through breach of rules established for all Timeframe Closing Date to declare intention to participate end of February 2014 Closing Date for Entries March 14 th 2014 National PORTHALL Festival March 26 th 2014 at the AIT International Arena c:\users\perri\downloads\sportshall primary manual for use in ireland 2014 (1).docx Page 2
The Events PORTHALL Athletics (Primary) is a team event and all track and field events are team based. Teams accumulate points based on performances in each of twelve events - six track relays and six field events. Adapted to be ran on the indoor track rather than on a basketball size sportshall the six track events shall be Track Events 4 x 80m Obstacle Relay (4 per team) 4 x 80m Over / Under Relay (4 per team) 2 x 50m Relay (2 per team) - previously 1 + 1 Lap Relay 2 x 120m Relay (2 per team) - previously 2 + 2 Lap Relay 480m (6 lap) Paarlauf shared relay (2 per team) 4 x 50m Relay (4 per team) - previously 4 x 1 Lap Relay In line with the universal rules for PORTHALL Athletics the six field events shall be Field Events tanding Long Jump (3 per team) tanding Triple Jump (3 per team) tanding High Jump / Vertical Jump (3 per team) peed Bounce 20 seconds (3 per team) Chest Push (Medicine Ball Push 1KG) (3 per team) Foam Javelin Throw (3 per team) Running Order All relay race with obstacles (i.e. 4 x 80m Obstacle Relay and 4 x 80m Over / Under Relay) to be ran first On completion of obstacle races, girls to participate in field events and boys to participate in 4 remaining track events Thereafter girls to participate in remaining track events and boys in the field events Team coring Children score points for their team based on their finishing position in each of the relay races and in field events. In field events the combined score of the team s three competitors determines the team s placing, not the score of individual members. Points are awarded in multiples of 2 (e.g., if 15 teams are competing, 1 st place = 30 points, 2 nd = 28 points, 3 rd = 26 points..., 13 th = 6 points, 14 th = 4 points, 15 th = 2 points). Where events are tied points are shared (e.g. if 15 teams are participating and two team finish joint 3 rd in a given event then the points for 3 rd place (26 points) and 4 th place (24 points) are equally distributed across the two team (25 points each) ummary Rules (Track Events) The track events comprise of two relays with obstacles and four relay races without obstacles. These events have been adapted in order to be run on the indoor track: All races will be held on the sprint straight in the inner section of the arena Four teams to run at a time with 2 sprint lanes being assigned to each team (Team 1 lanes 1 & 2, Team 2 Lanes 3 & 4, Team 3 Lanes 5 & 6, Team 4 Lanes 7 & 8). tart and finish line for all races except the 480m paarlauf is the sprint finish line All teams will be timed. A run off of the 4 fastest teams in each non obstacle race will be held. All other places determined by team times Finishing positions for relays with obstacles to be determined by team times (including time faults) The tart c:\users\perri\downloads\sportshall primary manual for use in ireland 2014 (1).docx Page 3
Only standing starts are permitted There is no set command The starter calls On your marks the children place the toe of their lead foot up to and behind the starting line. When all are settled the starter blows a whistle to start the race No child or team shall be disqualified for false starts. hould a child false start s/he shall be penalised by 5m for each subsequent false start The Non Obstacle Relays Four such races will be held in each category. The table below sets out the procedure for the running of each of these races 2 x 50m 2 x 120m 480m Paarlauf 4 x 50m Runner 1 starts from the A 20m line and a 40m line start/finish line in assigned will be marked from the odd number lane (1, 3, 5 or normal finish line. The 20m 7). Runner 2 stands on a half way line will be the holding mat positioned at start/finish line. Holding least 5m behind the mats shall be placed on this start/finish line in assigned line in the even number odd number lane lanes (2, 4, 6 & 8) lane (1, 3, 5 or 7) Runner 1 starts from the start/finish line in assigned even number lane (2, 4, 6 or 8). Runner 2 stands between lines marked 50m and 60m from start/finish line in assigned odd number lane (1, 3, 5 or 7) On the start whistle Runner 1 sprints the first 50m carrying the baton. As Runner 1 approaches the 50m line Runner 2 may start to run, receive the baton and sprint back to cross the start/finish line to complete the race All teams are timed and times recorded. A time penalty of 2 seconds shall be applied if Runner 2 had either crossed or made contact with the 50m line before taking the baton in his/her hand On completion of all runs, the 4 teams with fastest times shall run in a head to head final for the maximum points. All other teams will be allocated points based on their finishing times On the start whistle Runner 1 sprints 60m down the track in assigned odd number lane. On reaching the 60m line s/he extends her/his foot to touch or reach beyond the line before turning and sprinting up the track in assigned even number lane. As Runner 1 approaches the start/finish line Runner 2 may start to run, receive the baton and repeat the same procedure (run down the track in assigned odd number lane and back up track in even number lane to cross the start/finish line to complete the race. All teams are timed and times recorded. A time penalty of 2 seconds shall be applied if Runner 2 had either crossed or made contact with the start/finish line before taking the baton in his/her hand On completion of all runs, the 4 teams with fastest times shall run in a head to head final for the maximum points. All other teams will be allocated points based on their finishing times Runner 1 takes up a start position in assigned odd number lane while runner 2 stays on holding mat in assigned even number lane. From the start whistle the two runners share the running of 6 laps (or 480m). The baton can be exchanged at any point in the centre of the track. The team indicates its intention to change baton when runner on holding mats steps off and onto odd number lane. Once the baton is changed the outgoing runner must step into even number lane and onto the holding mat until ready to run again All teams are timed and times recorded. A time penalty of 2 seconds shall be applied if runners fail to pass the baton before outgoing runner reaches the end of the track or for failure to extend foot to or beyond designed line On completion of all runs, the 4 teams with fastest times shall run in a head to head final for the maximum points. All other teams will be allocated points based on their finishing times Runners 1 & 3 start from the start/finish line in assigned even number lane (2, 4, 6 or 8). Runner 2 & 4 stand between lines marked 50m and 60m from start/finish line in assigned odd number On the start whistle Runner 1 sprints the first 50m carrying the baton. As Runner 1 approaches the 50m line Runner 2 may start to run, receive the baton and sprint back to the start/finish line. As Runner 2 approaches the start/finish line Runner 3 can start to run, receive the baton and sprint to the 50m line to pass to Runner 4 who completes the race by sprinting home over the start/finish line. All teams are timed and times recorded. A time penalty of 2 seconds shall be applied each time an outgoing runner touches or passes the designed line on the track before first having received the baton in his/her hand On completion of all runs, the 4 teams with fastest times shall run in a head to head final for the maximum points. All other teams will be allocated points based on their finishing times The Obstacle Relays c:\users\perri\downloads\sportshall primary manual for use in ireland 2014 (1).docx Page 4
There are two relay race involving obstacles as follows The 4 x 80m Obstacle Relay The 4 x 80m Over/Under relay Each race involves 4 runners per team and each team is timed. Penalty time faults are added at the end of the race to give each team s final time and its finishing position. Due to space requirements 4 teams shall ran at one time. Running order is determined by an open draw in advance of the national festival. Finishing positions of teams in each category will be determined by team times including any penalty time faults incurred. Finishing positions to be announced at the end of each race. More detailed explanations of the races with obstacles are outlined below. 4 x 80m Obstacle Relay: The Race will be held on the sprint straight in the inner section of the arena Four teams to run at a time with 2 sprint lanes being assigned to each team (Team 1 lanes 1 & 2, Team 2 Lanes 3 & 4, Team 3 Lanes 5 & 6, Team 4 Lanes 7 & 8) tart and finish line for all races is the sprint finish line Obstacles to be set out in the odd number lanes (1, 3, 5 & 7) at the following distances from the start/finish line - Centre of High tepper @ 8m - Centre of peed Bounce Mat @ 16m - First Primary Folding Hurdles (40cm high) @ 24m - econd Primary Folding Hurdle (40cm high) @ 32m A line 40m from the start/finish line shall be marked on the track Four team runners to line up in their running order behind the start/finish line in the assigned odd number lane First runner to start on the whistle /he runs to the high stepper which has to be negotiated without standing on any of the foam wedges or missing a step Runner proceeds to complete 10 clearances/bounces on the speed bounce c:\users\perri\downloads\sportshall primary manual for use in ireland 2014 (1).docx Page 5
Runner then clears two indoor PORTHALL folding hurdles, runs to the 40m line before making a pivot and running back down the length of the hall in assigned even number lane avoiding all obstacles First runner to make hand to hand contact with 2 nd team runner who may not cross the start/finish line until this contact has been made Next 3 runners repeat the same procedure The time keepers stop the watch when the fourth and final runner crosses the start/finish line at the end of his/her run Half second time penalties are incurred for the following c:\users\perri\downloads\sportshall primary manual for use in ireland 2014 (1).docx Page 6
- Missing a segment in the high stepper (maximum 2 faults per runner) - Omits a bounce on the speed bounce (half second for each bounce, e.g. if a child only completes 7 bounces s/he incurs 1.5 seconds penalty) - Fails to attempt to jump a hurdle (there are no penalties for knocking a hurdle) As with all other races a 2 second time penalty will be incurred for failure to make foot contact with or beyond the end of lane line or for crossing the start/finish line before being tagged 4 x 80m Over/Under Relay Team lines up in running order behind the start/finish line as per the over under relay Obstacles to be placed between the assigned odd and even number lanes as follows - First Primary Folding Hurdles (40cm high) @ 10m - Centre of Tunnel Mat @ 20m - econd Primary Folding Hurdle (40cm high) @ 30m First runner to start on the whistle Proceeds to clear a folding hurdle at 10m, pass under a tunnel at 20m, clear a second folding hurdle at 30m, runs to the end line at 40m, makes a pivot and negotiates the obstacles again running back down the hall Makes hand contact with second runner who may cross the start/finish line after being tagged ame process is completed by the next 3 runners Last runner to finish the race by crossing the start/finish line when timekeepers stop watch Half second time penalties are incurred for failing to negotiate obstacles 2 second penalties for failing to cross end line correctly or take offs before being tagged c:\users\perri\downloads\sportshall primary manual for use in ireland 2014 (1).docx Page 7
ummary Rules (Field Events) Field events consist of 3 jumps, 2 throws and a timed speed bounce. Three team members participate in each of the field events. In each event (except the speed bounce) each team member is afforded 3 attempts which are taken one after another. In each event the best performance/score of each of the three children is added to obtain a team score. tanding Long Jump A two footed take-off from a standing position with both feet behind the take off line on the standing long jump mat Measurement is from the take off line to the back of the closest heel to the take-off line upon landing The child may step forward after the jump. However any step back or touching of the mat or floor behind the feet is a no jump A valid jump is recorded if both feet land on any part of the mat Tip Participants should bend the knees and swing their arms for lift and momentum tanding Triple Jump c:\users\perri\downloads\sportshall primary manual for use in ireland 2014 (1).docx Page 8
A one footed take-off starts a hop, step and jump sequence that must be correctly performed Measurement is from the chosen take-off line to the back of closest heel to the take off line upon landing (note: a choice of take-off lines at 1m intervals are available. A line, which will allow the child land on the measuring area of the triple jump mat, but not over jump it should be chosen) The child may step forward after the jump. However any step back or touching of the mat or floor behind the feet is a no jump A valid jump is recorded if both feet land on any part of the mat c:\users\perri\downloads\sportshall primary manual for use in ireland 2014 (1).docx Page 9
Vertical Jump / tanding High Jump The participant stands with his/her back, head and heels touching the wall Both arms are stretched upwards to push the sliding scale up with the fingertips Elbows and fingers must be straight, arms must touch the side of the head and both feet must be flat on the floor The participant dips his/her fingertips in chalk, stands to the side of the scale and jumps from a standing position The participant touches the scale at the highest point that s/he can reach Measurement is taken to the nearest centimetre below the top of the chalk mark on the scale Tip: Bend knees and swing arms upwards for lift on take-off c:\users\perri\downloads\sportshall primary manual for use in ireland 2014 (1).docx Page 10
peed Bounce A test of speed, rhythm and coordination, participants attempt to cross a foam wedge with both feet as many times as possible within a 20 second time limit Each participant is allowed one trial of 20 seconds The participant begins on the mat with both feet together to one side of the wedge and commences bouncing on the command of the competition official who blows a whistle Both feet must touch each side of the mat at the same time for each bounce to count A bounce is considered void if the participant lands on the wedge If the wedge is touched when crossing, but both the participant s feet cross to the other side, the bounce is counted The trial finishes on the whistle after 20 seconds c:\users\perri\downloads\sportshall primary manual for use in ireland 2014 (1).docx Page 11
Chest Push A standing throw where the participant pushes a 1KG Medicine ball from the chest into a pre-measured throwing area The ball is held against the chest and must be pushed with both hands Both feet must remain on the floor at all times (one foot may be in front of the other however no run ups or steps are permitted) The participant must not pass the throwing line during the throw The chest must face forward and trunk rotation techniques are not permitted Measurement is to the point the ball touches the floor reading down to the nearest 25cm band Tips Participants should bend their knees and straighten up whilst throwing the ball in order to maximise power. For optimum performance, the ball should be released at 45⁰ c:\users\perri\downloads\sportshall primary manual for use in ireland 2014 (1).docx Page 12
Foam Javelin Throw A standing throw using a foam javelin being thrown with one hand into a pre-marked throwing area c:\users\perri\downloads\sportshall primary manual for use in ireland 2014 (1).docx Page 13
Acknowledgements PORTHALL Athletics Programmes were created by George Bunner, MBE. The PORTHALL brand is owned by Eveque Leisure Equipment Ltd. All illustrations in this booklet were reproduced from PORTHALL Athletics by George Bunner MBE, published by Eveque or from the PORTHALL website www.sportshall.org Much of the text setting out rules for various events was reproduced from Mr. Bunner s work Action pictures used are from a host of different PORTHALL events We wish to acknowledge and thank Mr. Bunner for his advice and support as we endeavour to grow PORTHALL Athletics in Ireland We also wish to thank Eveque Leisure Equipment Ltd for allowing us to use the PORTHALL brand Thanks also to AIT for allowing us to pilot this adapted event within its international arena c:\users\perri\downloads\sportshall primary manual for use in ireland 2014 (1).docx Page 14
Appendix 1 Location of 30 Local ports Partnerships in Ireland 1 Carlow 2 Cavan 3 Clare 4 Cork 5 Donegal 6 Dublin City 7 Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown 8 Fingal 9 Galway (County & City) 10 Kerry 11 Kildare 12 Kilkenny 13 Laois 14 Leitrim 15 Limerick (County & City) 16 Longford 17 Louth 18 Mayo 19 Meath 20 Monaghan 21 North Tipperary 22 Offaly 23 Roscommon 24 ligo 25 outh County Dublin 26 outh Tipperary 27 Waterford 28 Westmeath 29 Wexford 30 Wicklow c:\users\perri\downloads\sportshall primary manual for use in ireland 2014 (1).docx Page 15
Appendix 2 ample Entry Form National Inter chools PORTHALL Athletics Festival 2014 ENTRY FORM County / City: chool: chool 2 (if entering an amalgamated team) Category (please circle) Girls Boys Classes (please circle) 3 rd / 4 th Class 5 th / 6 th Class Track Events Event Order Name Class 2 x 50m relay 2 x 120m relay 6 lap (480m) paarlauf 4 x 50m relay 4 x 80m Obstacle relay 4 x 80m Over / Under relay Runner 1 Runner 2 Runner 1 Runner 2 Runner 1 Runner 2 Runner 1 Runner 2 Runner 3 Runner 4 Runner 1 Runner 2 Runner 3 Runner 4 Runner 1 Runner 2 Runner 3 Runner 4 c:\users\perri\downloads\sportshall primary manual for use in ireland 2014 (1).docx Page 16
Field Events Event Order Name Class tanding long jump tanding triple jump Vertical jump peed bounce Chest push (1kg) oft javelin Athlete 1 Athlete 2 Athlete 3 Athlete 1 Athlete 2 Athlete 3 Athlete 1 Athlete 2 Athlete 3 Athlete 1 Athlete 2 Athlete 3 Athlete 1 Athlete 2 Athlete 3 Athlete 1 Athlete 2 Athlete 3 igned: (Local Organiser for LP / AAI / County Board) (Principal / Head Teacher) Notes: Each county to submit one entry form per category (i.e. 3 rd /4 th class girls, 3 rd /4 th class boys, 5 th /6 th class girls & 5 th /6 th class boys) All entries in each category should be enrolled at the same school and from the classes stated; the only exception to this rule shall be for any small school with a population of less than 60 pupils from 3 rd to 6 th class. uch a school may enter a combined team with another school in its vicinity The minimum number on a team shall be nine and the maximum shall be fifteen; the only exception to this rule being a single school entry that does not have at least nine children of the same sex in the two classes specified. Where such an entry is received, all children from the two classes must be entered and each afforded the opportunity to participate in at least two track and two field events. Alternatively children from lower classes can be moved up to fill a school team An individual child may be entered in no more than 2 track events and 2 field events; an exception to this rule will be made for small schools that do not have a minimum 9 children of the same sex in the 2 classes specified, are not entering a combined team with another small school nor are not moving younger children from lower classes up to fill the team Entries to be submitted no later than Friday 14 th March 2014 to the events coordinator, Eamonn Henry by email to ehenry@offalycoco.ie c:\users\perri\downloads\sportshall primary manual for use in ireland 2014 (1).docx Page 17