Introductory letter to parents and carers

Introductory letter to parents and carers (Copy for website)

On behalf of Doncaster Athletic Club (DAC) I would like to welcome you to one of the fastest growing, and most successful sports clubs in Yorkshire, and the whole of the North East of England. We pride ourselves upon providing some of the best training, coaching and competition facilities, in all disciplines of athletics, for people who are 8 years old or older. All coaching is given by qualified coaches, who are trained, and screened for their suitability to work with young people.

Since moving to our new stadium in Jan’07, our membership numbers have soared, helping our teams to become more competitive, and, consequently, one of the rising forces in UK athletics. Increasing numbers of our athletes are reaching national schools finals, being picked for their counties, with some now starting to be selected to represent their country. DAC is, indeed, a club whose athletes are moving forward at a fantastic pace, and we hope to do everything within our power to maximise the potential of all our members in achieving their personal goals, whilst, primarily, ensuring that they enjoy all aspects of their involvement with the club.

This pack outlines all the main details relating to training times, membership, kit, etcetera. However, if there is anything that is not answered in here, or on our club website (www.doncasterathleticclub.com), please speak to our Reception personnel (who staff the desk at the Athletics Arena on training nights), contact myself, or speak to any other club official, to discuss your query.

It is worth pointing out that everyone involved with the club is a volunteer. Collectively, they give up hundreds of hours each week to coach the athletes, administer the club, and to maintain its forward development. As DACs’ membership grows, its need for more coaches and helpers also increases. As such, we encourage parents and carers to become actively involved, in any way they can (much more fun than sitting in the stand), in helping with the running of the club. The club invests in both its athletes and its army of helpers, as each is reliant upon the other.

We hope that you will help us in taking this club forward, be it as an athlete, or as a parent / carer who joins our happy band. Together, we can make Doncaster as renowned in the sporting world, for athletics, as it is for football and horseracing. We hope that your association with Doncaster A.C. is long and enjoyable, and enables you to achieve all the goals that you set for yourself.

Dave Lilley

Club Chairman (and proud of it!!!)

Information for new members

Statement of purpose:

Doncaster Athletic Club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its members. The club believes it is important that members, coaches, administrators and parents associated with the club should at all times show respect and be open to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with any Club Director.

Coaching

Athletes are assigned to coach teams according to age initially and later by ability. Our coach structure is enclosed in this pack.The coaching groups are as follows:

Fundamental group for age 8 years old to under 11 years old
Intermediate group for ages 11years old to under 13years old
Intermediate group for ages 13yrs to 15yrs.
Senior/elite groups for ages 15 years old and over.

We offer fully trained coaches in all athletic disciplines, which are divided, into four specific areas

Jumps 2. Throws 3. Sprints 4. Middle Distance

Athletes are encouraged from an early age to try all aspects of training before deciding which discipline they would like to focus on. This decision is made with the guidance and encouragement of our coaching team and will consider the ability and development of the athlete.

Training

This takes place at the Keepmoat Stadium on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evening. Monday is for invited athletes and long throws only and participants would, generally, be over the age of 12 years old. This is mainly due to the health and safety implications associated with large numbers of athletes using the facilities. Training normally commences on a Tuesday and Thursday evening at 6pm with the under 11’s having the main use of the track. They are followed by other age groups at 6 30pm.

During the winter period, between October and March most athletes undertake strength and conditioning training indoors. Our fundamental group and intermediate groups train at the Deaf College, on Tuesday evenings, our senior and elite groups train at various sites. Your coach will confirm venues and times as winter approaches.

Registration desk

Open on a Tuesday and Thursday evening only from 6pm until 8pm. Our volunteers on the desk can answer most queries. There is a mobile phone situated at registration which is for emergency use or if you anticipate being late to collect your child, The number of the phone is:

Our registration desk is the focus for all athletes to sign in or for non members to register. Our volunteers on the desk often hold information about Club events or can direct you to someone who may know the answer to any query you have. Please treat our volunteers with respect, they have a difficult and busy role and respond much better to reasonable discussion.

Induction

This takes place when an athlete attends the club and is an opportunity for us to show them and their parents (if they are a child) around the facilities and answer questions.

All new members will receive a welcome pack.

Health and Safety

We try to enable our athletes to enjoy their training but we do have strict rules to minimise possible injury. Please familiarise yourself with our rules in this pack. A first aid trained volunteer and child protection officer is available at all training sessions. Their names are displayed at strategic places around the Keepmoat Stadium.

Clothing

Please ensure that you or your child has adequate and correct clothing and footwear for all weathers and conditions. This is particularly relevant during hot or cold weather when too much or too little clothing can lead to distress.

Our coaching team will offer advise should you require it. Fluids are also important so please ensure you or your child is well equipped with enough drinks.

Tuck Shop

The club has a very well stocked tuck shop situated at the venue. Here you are able to purchase light refreshments, hot and cold drinks and confectionery. We would encourage you to use this facility as it provides a good source of income for the club and helps to reduce membership fees.

Equity policy statement:

The club is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across aspects of its development. In doing so it acknowledges and adopts the following Sport England definition of sports equity.

Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure it becomes equally accessible to everyone in society

The club respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of their sport, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious beliefs sexuality or social/economic status. We welcome members with disabilities and have a specially trained coaching team to assist.

The club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of intimidation, harassment or abuse.

All club members have a responsibility to oppose discrimination, oppression and promote equality of opportunity.

The club will deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously, according to club disciplinary procedures.

Our child protection officers are always available on training nights and they can be contacted if you have any issues that you wish to discuss

Club Rules:

As a member of Doncaster Athletic Club you are expected to abide by the following rules:

Respect the rules, officials and their decisions
Respect opponents
Thank officials for their time at competitions
Keep to agreed timings for training and competitions
Wear club vests for training and team kit for competitions
Pay fees for training or events promptly

Code of conduct for parents and carers

Encourage your child to learn the rules and play within them

Discourage unfair play and arguing with officials

Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results

Never force your child to take part in sport. Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding the performances of all

Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes

Publicly accept official’s judgements

Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy their sport

Use proper and correct language at all times

Be the role model your child aspires too

Club events

Throughout the year there are club social events, presentations and seminars. Members and their families are cordially invited to these and are asked to consider assisting with their development and management if they so wish. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated. You are advised to consult our Club website, which is updated daily at www.doncasterathleticclub.com.

Annual General Meeting

The club AGM is held in December of every year and ALL members are encouraged to attend. It an athlete is a child their parents or carers are more than welcome to attend. However, voting is limited to members only.

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Competition for young athletes

Track and Field

There are two league competitions in the summer for our young athletes. These are:

UK Athletics North of England Young Athletes League

South Yorkshire AA Track and Field League

National Junior League.

A club vest must be worn when competing in these events

UKA Young Athletes League (UKA YAL)

This is a team competition for young athletes under 13’s, under 15’s and under 17’s. There are usually four fixtures between the beginning of May and the end of July each year. Under 11 athletes are not able to compete in this competition. There is a limit of two athletes per club, per event. Due to this limit, inclusion in the team is by team selection, by the team manager.

South Yorkshire AA Track and Field League

This is a team competition for members of all ages, including the under 11 age group. There is no restriction on the number of athletes who can compete; therefore all young athlete members are invited to compete for the club at these fixtures. We encourage all of our athletes to take part in these competitions. Top performers in the under 13 and under 15 age groups may be invited to represent South Yorkshire at inter-county track and field competition

See the Club website for details of all fixtures www.doncasterathleticclub.com

Other Track and Field competition

Throughout the year there are a number of indoor and outdoor ‘open’ competitions in the region. These vary in events and age groups and are open to all members. We also now host our very own open meeting on each Bank Holiday Monday in September.

Cross Country and Road Running

Cross-country competitions primarily take place in the autumn and winter period and includes the South Yorkshire Cross-Country Championships. All young athletes are able to participate in these events.

There are also ‘open’ cross-country and road running competitions throughout the year and these are displayed on the club website and at the registration point.

The Club has its own Road and Cross Country sub-committee which is responsible for organising a number of road and cross country races. Watch out for details of the following three races 1. Sandall Beat off road 10K 2. Town Centre 5k 3. Cusworth 10K.

The club has an active senior road running section, runners of all abilities are welcome, including novice runners, details of which can be obtained from the club website or on a Tuesday or Thursday evening, 6 30pm at the registration point. The club promotes a number of road races locally throughout the year and members, of all age groups, are invite to assist in the organisation and delivery of these

All athletes, irrespective of whether they consider themselves ‘road runners’ are encouraged to make use of the track and the expertise available from our bank of coaches

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Track Etiquette

Often there are athletes of varying abilities doing a variety of workouts on the track. It is advisable to understand the basic courtesies and customs of running on a track so that we can all enjoy workouts without injury
Always look both ways and check for runners before stepping on to the track. The track is very similar to the freeway with the fastest lanes on the inside – lane 1 is the innermost lane and lane 6 is on the outside
Lane 1 is for running intervals. Lane 1 is NOT to be used for warm-up, cool down or standing/idling. For those activities use lanes 5 or 6 if they are empty or go to the infield
Runners going in a reverse direction (clockwise) around the track should always yield to others and never run in lanes 1, 2 or 3.
Faster runners should always be permitted to pass ‘on the left’ or ‘to the inside’. If you check for other runners as you enter the track you can get an idea of the lane in which you should run
Faster runners approaching slower runners should signal their approach by calling ‘TRACK’ loudly. This signal is also used to warn people who are standing in lane 1 and need to move. If you hear ‘TRACK’ called check quickly for oncoming runners and move out of their path
Be aware of others proximity and respect they’re running space.
Do not stop in the middle of the track for any reason – move to an outer lane after checking over your shoulder for oncoming runners
When your interval/repeat is complete, move to the outside of the track and get out of the way of others who are also training. Stopping in the lane in which you ran your last interval will only get you knocked over and injured
Always review and know the workout before arrival and ask for clarification as needed. Please follow your coach instructions