CHAMPIONSHIP RULES

 

It should be noted that the IAAF Handbook 2002-2003 will be adhered to at all Athletics North Queensland championship events together with any modifications approved by athletics Australia or Ahtletics North Queensland

 

 

1.0          Event Entries

1.1    Event Requirements:
Competitors in an event must be the prescribed age on the day of the scheduled final.

1.2    Standard Entries:

Standard Entries will be accepted from registered athletes only upon receipt of a completed entry form accompanied by payment of the prescribed entry fee, provided the entry form is received not later than 5:00pm on the nomination closing date.

1.3    Late Entries:

Late Entries will be accepted from registered athletes only upon receipt of a completed entry form accompanied by $10.00 and prescribed nomination fee, provided the entry form is received not later than 5:00pm on the 5th working day prior to the start of the competition meet.  Late Entries may not be listed on the competition program.

1.4    Emergency Entries:

Late Entries will be accepted from registered athletes between the close of the Late Entries and the close of Check-in upon the receipt of a completed entry form accompanied by payment of $20.00 and prescribed nomination fee, Emergency Entries will be under the following conditions.

Track Events:

An Emergency Entrant will be allowed to fill a vacant lane in a programmed heat.  Should an emergency entry cause an extra heat to be needed, the emergency entry will not be accepted.

Field Events:

An Emergency Entrant will be allowed to compete only if the athlete’s inclusion will not result in an extra qualifying round being required.

General:
Emergency Entries accepted after the start of the Competition meet, who confirmed their availability at the Check-in but where not selected to compete, will be eligible for a refund of their entry fee.

 

2.0          Check in Procedures

Athletes in all events must report to the “Athletes’ Control Centre” or designated area not less than 15 minutes before the scheduled starting time of their event to advise their intention to compete. Failure to comply with this Rule may result in the athlete being scratched from that event. Athletes may be permitted to compete under the following conditions:

·          A $5 fee be paid for late check-in;

·          for laned events (heats) if there is a lane available for them in which to compete, on the proviso that no extra heats will be created to accommodate the athlete;

·          For events which have been declared straight finals, if there is a lane available in which the athlete can compete.

Note:  It is desirable that athletes who wish to check-in for the first event of the day should have priority over any others checking in for later events.

 

3.0       Heat Allocation/lane Draw

Thirty (30) minutes before the scheduled starting time for an event, heat allocation and lane draws will be conducted for track events.  These will be available at the Marshalling Area.

 

4.0       Marshalling for Events

·          Athletes in track events must report to the Marshalling Area no later than fifteen (15) minutes before the scheduled starting time for that event.

·          Athletes competing in field events should report to the event site. Athletes in field events may be permitted to complete their warm-ups in the area of competition at an earlier time than fifteen (15) minutes before the scheduled starting time for an event, provided the area is not being used for another event and an official is in attendance.  In such cases, athletes are to report to the Marshalling Area for further instructions before proceeding into the main arena.  No warm-up will be allowed in the Competition area unless an official is present at that area.

 

5.0          Scratchings

In accordance with Rule 142.4 – If an athlete fails to scratch from an event after confirmation or does not compete in all rounds of an event in which he/she has qualified, he/she shall be excluded from all other events in the Championships including relays.  Note:  The provision of a medical certificate endorsed by a medical officer approved by the Organising Committee, may be accepted as sufficient reason to accept that the athlete became unable to participate after confirmation closed or after competing in a previous round but will be able to compete in further events on a subsequent day of competition.

 

6.0       Uniforms

·          Any athlete not wearing the approved uniform of his/her club, including current registration numbers correctly displayed, one on the back and one on the front, with the exception of high jump and pole vault competitors who may wear one number with full sponsorship endorsement visible will not be allowed to compete.   Athletes who are competing as ‘Independent’ will need to have completed the relevant Day Registration form and will be allocated with a set of competition numbers which must be worn in accordance with the aforementioned rule.  Please note:  Northern Territory Athletes ONLY will be permitted to compete with one competition number for all events. 

·          If an exceptional circumstance arises which precludes and athlete from being correctly attired then it is that athlete’s responsibility to obtain written permission from the Competition Director or Meeting Manager, allowing him/her to compete.

·          No event will be delayed whilst an athlete is seeking the above permission, and no athlete will be permitted to compete in a substitute event if he/she misses the nominated event.

·          In all events, competitors must wear clothing that is clean, designed and worn so as not to be objectionable. The clothing must be made of a material that is non-transparent, even when wet.  The competitors must not wear clothing that could impede the view of the judges, eg. Below the knees shorts in walk events.

·          Athletes must wear their correct club costume to medal presentations, unless weather conditions are such that other attire is appropriate.

 

7.0            Private Implements

Athletes who wish to include their own throwing implements in the Championship equipment pool MUST lodge them with the Equipment Manager at the Equipment Manager at the equipment room (at the rear of the grandstand) by 9.00am on the day of the competition or the previous day (Friday by 5.30pm).  The implements will be impounded until after the competition when athletes may collect them from the equipment room on production of the appropriate receipt.

 

8.0            Relays

Competitive Relays will comprise of 4 competitors from one (1) club where one (1) competitor must be of the specific age group.  Up to six (6) names are to be submitted to the chief recorder two (hours) prior to the start of any relay event –either heats or straight finals.  Only 4 of those 6 athletes whose names were originally submitted for relay heats are permitted to take part in the final of the event.  Where lanes are available non-competitive relay teams may participate.  Mixed/non competitive teams shall comprise of athletes eligible by age, male or female and may come from composite clubs. No records will be recognized for non-competitive teams.

 

9.0            Final Times
        All finals will be conducted at the times advertised for the event final in the program.

 

10.0       Progression

In events where heats are conducted, at least 8 competitors will advance to semi-finals or the final. Where semi-finals are held at least 8 competitors will advance to the final.  In the case of 1500 metre events, a maximum of fifteen (15) competitors will advance to the final.

No Heats:              A straight final will accommodate the maximum numbers allowed on the track.

2 Heats:                 1st, 2nd and 3rd places from each heat, plus the next two fastest competitors will progress to the final.

3 Heats:                 1st and 2nd places from each heat, plus the next 2 fastest competitors will progress to the final.

4 Heats:                 1st, 2nd and 3rd places from each heat plus the next four fastest will advance to the semi-finals.

1500m & Up:        1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and, depending on the number of heats, the fastest others to bring the next round to fifteen (15).

Note:     In the event that more than 2 competitors have equal times, and photofinish is being used Rule 167 (Ties) will be applied.  If placings are equal, a random draw will determine advancement. In all cases, the number of finalists may vary according to the number of lanes on the track.

 

11.0Age Limitations

80m

All Ages

60m Hurdles

7 years

100m

All Ages

80m Hurdles

12 Year Women

145m

7 Years

90m Hurdles

12 Year Men

200m

7 Years

 

14 Year Women

400m

10 Years

100m Hurdles

14 Year Men

16 Year Women

800m

8 Years

110m Hurdles

16 Year Men

1500m

10 Years

200m Hurdles

14 Years

(76.2cm)

3000m

14 Years

 

 

5000m

16 Years

400m Hurdles

16 Years

(91.4cm M)

(76.2cm W)

10000m

18 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

2000m Steeplechase

U16 Men U18/U20 Wmn

(76.2cm)

U18 Men (91.4cm)

 

Track Walks

 

3000m Steeplechase

Open Women

(76.2cm)

U20/Open Men

(91.4cm)

800m Walk

10 Years

 

 

1500m Walk

11 Years

Long Jump

All Ages

3000m Walk

16 Years

High Jump (Scissors)

8 Years

5000m Walk

18 Years

                   (Flop)

11 Years

10000m Walk

18 Years

Triple Jump

10 Years

Road Walks

 

Pole Vault

14 Years

2km

11 Years

Shot Put

All Ages

3km

14 Years

Discus

All Ages

5km

16 Years

Javelin

10 Years

 

 

Hammer

14 Years

 

Starting Heights and Increments in Vertical Jumps

 

High Jump

 

Pole Vault            

 

 

12.0      Age Group Limitations

Competitors may only compete in their own age group (or in the next higher age group if an event is not offered in their age group) and Open (subject to age limitations).

No athlete may enter two or more age groups, other than open, in a walk event (different distances), a hurdles event (different distances and heights) or a throwing event (different weights).

 

13.0        Selection Trials

Athletes who wish to try out in a particular event in an older age group other than their own (not including Open) must apply for permission to do so prior to the close of nominations.  If approval is given, then that athlete will not be required to pay an entry fee for that event, nor will he/she be awarded places or medals.  The event will be regarded only as a trial for selection for that athlete. 

 

14.0        Crouch Starts and the use of Starting Blocks

Competitors up to and including 11 years will not be required to use starting blocks, they may use either a crouch or standing start. Competitors 12 years and over must use a crouch start (medical certificates may be accepted). Competitors 12 years and older should use starting blocks for events up to and including 400 metres.  Competitors competing in a higher age group must abide by the rules of that age group - where an athlete 12 years or younger is the first runner in a relay they will be required to crouch.

 

15.0     Protests

·          Protests concerning the eligibility of an athlete to compete in a competition must be made prior to the commencement of such competition to the Competition Director or Meeting Manager.  If the protest is unable to be resulved prior to the commencement of competition the athlete shall be allowed to compete “under protest” pending resolution of the matter.

·          Protests and Appeals concerning the result of an event shall be made in accordance with IAAF Rules.  Appeals to the Jury shall be accompanied by a fee of $20.00 (twenty dollars) which shall be forfeited if the appeal is lost.

 

16.0       Variations to Rules

Any variations to the above rules, with the exception of Rules 11 and 12  (age limitations) and Rule 13 shall be at the discretion of the Competition Director or Meeting Manager.

 

17.0       Shoes

In accordance with the IAAF rules athletes are permitted to compete with or without footwear, although it is a recommendation of Athletics North Queensland that appropriate footwear be worn in all events, particularly by juniors.  Spike lengths must be in accordance with the IAAF rules expect where venue managers have decreed that shorter spike lengths only are permitted in which cases the venue approved length shall apply.  Spiked shoes are not permitted in the discus, shot put or hammer events or for track walking events.

 

                Spike lengths at the Townsville Sports Reserve are: 

Track Events:  Maximum 7mm

High Jump and Javelin:  Maximum 9mm

Maximum diameter:  4mm

Recommended style of spike:  either Pyramid or Xmas Tree

 

18.0       Field of Play

Safety is of primary importance particularly on the Field of Play.  The only persons permitted on the Field of Play during competitions are Technical Officials, athletes competing in current events, accredited medical personnel and other persons specifically approved by the Competition Director or the Meeting Manger, including but not restricted to media, venue personnel and the like.

 

Coaches, non-competing athletes, spectators and non-accredited personnel are not permitted to enter the Field of Play at any time during competition or warm-up periods without express approval of the Competition Director or the Meeting Manager.  Should any such unauthorised incursions occur the Competition Director or Meeting Manager shall immediately cause all competition to cease until such a time as all persons have vacated the Field of Play.