The ‘ CROAKER ‘

Newsletter for the MAD FROGS

 

January to April 2003

 

WELCOME one and all. 2003 is now well under way and June is fast approaching.

 

Monday Night Meets are about to change to a new format being in three week blocks.

 

Our AGM was well attended and some extracts are set out below.

Club President: Nola BROCKIE

Secretary: John WILLIAMS

Treasurer: Lyn GUELFI

Editor: John WILLIAMS

 

Membership Fees and Forms:

There has been a way in which NT Athletics now process your membership data. A new Form has been introduced for members to complete. Please complete the new form if you have not yet done so.

 

Registration – Insurance matters:

We too, have been caught by the HIH debacle and fees have risen as a result.

Adult Membership to MAD Frogs is $50.00

See Lyn for other membership costs.

 

Helen SEARLE: Has been and gone. Her clinics were greatly appreciated by those who were able to attend and gain tips and tricks she was able to pass on.

As a former Darwin resident, Commonwealth Games and Olympic medallist; her clinics have been put to good use by many of our members in attaining PB’s in their Throw and Jump events.

 

I hear that Elaine is bringing back to Darwin a Bronze Medal from her Perth competitions.

Well done and 3 Croaks – Elaine

 

Club Uniform Sales: SEE Nola

Polo Shirts $ 30.00

Crop Tops $ 25.50

Singlets $ 22.00 & Caps $ 12.50

 

The “CROAKER” Page 2

 

 

 

Athletic Officials Training:

A course of instruction was held recently at the NT Athletics Stadium. Congratulations to those from MAD Frogs who were able to attend.

 

Raffle:

A special Thank You to those businesses who were able to contribute to our fundraising efforts to bring Helen to Darwin. We fell a long way short of the required funds.

 

Athletes Foot Voucher: Ozzie

Tracy Village Meal Vouchers: John and Patrick

Cazaly”s Palmerston: Gerry

Pillow Cleaner: Ruth

 

Unfortunately the Spotlight prize, Sheet set arrived after the draw. I am sure that Spotlight will allow us to hold over this set till our next draw.

I know that many of our members shop at Spotlight.

 

PLEASE support those who have contributed to the prize list. Without their support our Raffle would not have been possible.

 

MAD Frogs end-of-year Competition:

YES – MAD Frogs will be hosting our very own and special end-of-year competition.

It will be age weighted on your best Three event times or distances. Come one and Come all.

Keep up your training schedule and your Sunday afternoon sessions. Monday night meets should not be forgotten either.

 

Telephone Contacts:

 

Nola BROCKIE: 8927 3891

John WILLIAMS: 8927 1479 ( Editor )

-          johnrw@octa4.net.au

Arafura Games 2003:

Unfortunately the events for this year have been abandoned due to the SARS epidemic. However, keep an ear open. Word is that there is to be a competition at Arafura Stadium from Australian participants. As such Volunteers will still be required.

No doubt further information will be published by NT Athletics.

So keep up your training schedules.

 

NT Athletics Board: 2003

President: Ian FULLARTON

Vice-President: Elaine HOLMES

Finance Director: Bronwyn ROSSINGH

Technical Director: Steve DARLING

Development Director: Tracey BRAND

Competition Director: Cherry HARVEY

Country Services Director: Lisa O’DONOGHUE

General Manager: Phillip STONEMAN

 

Grapevine Mutterings:

We hear that there is a certain Butcher Character around town that one needs to be extra careful of about the Leg of Lamb being bought. Or is it Mutton.

Onya – Gerry… 3 Croaks to you too.

 

Trackside Working Bee:

Not sure if there are any other tasks to be completed. However, give Phillip a call if you have some time to contribute at NT Athletics business hours. 8945 1979

 

“ Lest we Forget “, Walk – 2003

An 8km walk from the Esplanade on Sunday27th. Mostly walk and run club members. Nola and John BROCKIE flew the flag for MAD Frogs.

Well done and our best 3 Coaks to you both.

 

Club Coaching:

Ruth GARDEN has been appointed for this year. Congratulations and thanks Ruth.

 

S T O P   P R E S S

 

NT Athletics Competition:

Give a name to the replacement Arafura Games competition. Contact Phillip direct. There will be a small prize for the best name selected.

YES: There will be athletics events being conducted during the period set aside for Arafura Games. SO - Keep training. AND, the Litchfield Gift will be run on May 25th

Volunteers will still be required to help at the complex. Unfortunately without any Government assistance… Again, please contact Phillip direct.

 

Amendment to NT Board list: Add to -

Development Director: Vacant

Marketing Director: Vacant

 

A letter from Helen SEARLE

Hi Everyone

As you can see I have jumped in the deep end and got internet connected, so no more excuses about not replying or contacting anyone all I have to do is type.

How did Elaine go at the Nationals, I believe she did some Officiating on the events. Joyce seemed

to think that she received a Medal, if so congratulations, if not ROLL ON THE ARAFURA GAMES

Tell Mat to relax and enjoy his throwing and cricket, tighten up and the distances will come back, relax and anything is possible.

Helen R Searle

 

Page 3: Mail from AA - RE: Insurance cover.

 

 

 

The ‘ CROAKER ‘ Page 3

 

 

PHOTOS:

 

Theory sessions conducted by Helen during her visit to Darwin. Bottom right on Page 2.

Top Photo: L to R – Elaine, Lyn and Matt

Bottom Photo: L to R – Veronica, Ruth, Nola and Elaine.

Top of this page: Helen demonstrating correct leg stretch on Veronica.

 

Have you got a photo of interest to share on these pages? If so, give it to Nola so our editor can place it into our Newsletter.

 

Insurance matters – From NT Athletics:

 

Colleagues,

Athletics Australia's advice earlier this year concerning the changes made to the national insurance program has understandably generated a deal of interest amongst the athletics community. We are aware that some concern has
been expressed at the removal of the personal injury provisions and this email is in response to that.

You should be aware that the Board and management of AA consudered this matter at length, taking into account the advice of Horsell, before determining to remove this cover from the policy.

 

The rationale was simply to protect the sport from the significant premium increase that would follow a continuation of this level of cover (as it is, AA's premium has increased from approx $93,000 when AA embarked on the national program two years ago to a projected $270,000 in the coming 2003-04 year).

Insurance matters – From NT Athletics:


It is AA's understanding that, even with the removal of the personal injury component, athletes of all descriptions remain covered for accidents during competition (eg if an athlete trips on the inside running rail during a race; if an official is hit by a wayward implement; or an athlete head down out of the starting blocks runs into an obstacle crossing his path (it has happened!)) but are not covered for normal sporting injuries and associated costs.

I have sought (11 April) confirmation from Horsell that AA's understanding of this distinction is, in fact, correct. I have also sought Horsell's confirmation that officials are covered enroute to and from competitions.


Max Binnington (AV President) has pointed out to me that this cover is particularly important for metropolitan officials travelling to country locations to administer to meets.

 

Finally, I have sought a further indication from Horsell as to what the impact on AA's overall premium would
be if we maintain the personal injury cover but with a significant excess (say $500) to protect our position against the plethora of low-level claims that were starting to eventuate (and which have impacted so significantly on
Little Athletics insurance program), thereby updating the information we had available when the decision to remove this cover was made

I understand that some MA's have approached Horsell direct to obtain a quotation on the provision of this type of cover. As with the creation of the national scheme, there are advantages in co-ordinating a program such as
this centrally (ie cheaper premiums) and so I will be in contact with the MA's once I have had a response from Horsell, which I understand is seeking further information from the respective underwriters.

 

Vote of Thanks at AGM:

A special vote of thanks has been recorded for our immediate past coach Jenny DUFIELD. We wish you well in your future activities.

 

MAD Frogs Training:

A gentle reminder that Sunday afternoon training continues from 4.00pm @ $1.00 and then of a Thursday afternoon from 5.00pm

We welcome some new faces and extend to former members your consideration of coming back in 2003.

 

Fee Structure Reminder:

Fees for Registration and Insurance are set by the Australian body to meet the Insurers cost structure.

Personal and Family fees are available through MAD Frog Membership for On Track and Off Track activities.

You will need one or the other to participate.

Page 4, The ‘CROAKER’

 

Some last minute additions. An overflow page.

 

 

Rusty Rurals:

 

Word is that the Rusty Rurals are full steam ahead at Monday Night Competitions.

Frogs will need to meet the challenge, web-feet and all.

 

Arafura Alternative 2003:

 

Phillip is working at full pace to organise the coming alternative competitions to be held at the Arafura Stadium. Teams from New Zealand and New Caledonia will be attending.

Members wishing to participate or be a volunteer official should contact him direct at the office.

Phone: 8945 1979       Fax: 8945 2172

E-mail: info@ntathletics.org.au

Website: www.ntathletics.org.au

 

Frog Facts:

 

There have been identified some 470 species of Frogs and Toads worldwide.

 

Australia is known to have 216 native frogs.

 

The largest known species is the African Goliath Frog.

 

The smallest frog is the Eleutherodactlus Limbatus from Cuba.

 

In the Northern Territory apart from our most common around the home, the Green Tree Frog; we have the Ratchet Frog which is described as being Bilingual.

 

The NT is also home to the Golfball Frog; the Northern Spadefoot Toad.

 

As we know, the Cane Toad is on its way into Darwin.

Road kills and golf club drivers seem to have very minor effects on the Cane Toad population explosion.

Too late for a Cane Toad Fence…

 

 

 

ABOVE: Dahl’s Aquatic Frog

Located in the NT. Mostly in or near Savannah woodlands, Lagoons and Swamplands.

 

( Reproduced from NT News Classmate 2003 series. Tuesday 04 March 2003 )