THE RURAL RUNNER
      RURAL ATHLETIC CENTRE NEWS
_________________________________________________
 VOL 2 NO: 5        PO BOX 1484 PALMERSTON NT 0831.          JULY 2003.

An email from the President¹s Desk.

Welcome back from holidays everyone, it was nice having Saturday mornings back for a short time; but now we are into the business end of the athletics season with many major events soon to be upon us.

Interclub 3 will be conducted on 2nd August at Arafura Stadium. Our current position on the interclub scoreboard has RAC in first position by about 488 points. The Club¹s extremely high attendance and performance record at the previous two competitions is testament to our current ranking. In order to secure the Interclub Trophy this year, maximum participation at the final competition is required to hold out the rest of the local clubs.

Other events soon to follow are: the Jogathon, RAC Championships, NT Championships and for the lucky few the NQ Championships. The club will still be conducting normal training sessions and Saturday meets and although focus is on the championships, we will always foster a friendly and family atmosphere to develop our athletes.
Ian Leeson has some entertaining fund raiser activities coming up in the near future, including an outing to the Palmerston Cinemas. Keep a look out on the notice board for details.

The Committee will be endeavouring to develop the shade and shed area over the next couple of months to make it a safer and more comfortable facility. We will be calling for volunteers as part of a working bee to make quick work of the structure.

I would also like to thank the volunteers who supported the City to Surf on 14th June. We had people providing water for the Junior fun run and a group displaying their culinary skills at the BBQ which raised funds for the club.

The first half of the season has been very rewarding for RAC with our membership growing at a rapid rate, our support to the local community and the performance of our athletes. I look forward to our continued efforts.

See you around the track.  

Darren Murch

Fees.
Membership Fees for the 2003 athletic season are $70 for one athlete; $135 for two athletes $195 for three and then $35 for each additional athlete. Rusty Rurals fees are $40 each. Registration is essential to compete so membership fees are due now.

Important Dates to note.
Competition will recommence on Saturday 19 July 2003.
Nominations for Interclub 3 are required no later than Monday 28 July 2003.
Jogathon on Wednesday 30 July from 5.30pm.
Interclub Series 2003 Round 3: Saturday 2 August 4.00pm Arafura Stadium, Marrara.
RAC members Dinner and raffle fund raiser at The Hub on Friday 8 August 2003.
RAC members Dinner and raffle fund raiser at The Hub on Friday 15 August 2003.
NT Championships applications due back no later than Friday 22 August 2003.
Training sessions will be weekly at the Reserve on a Monday and Wednesday from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.

Thank yous.
Thank you to Linda Wilson who volunteered to clean the toilets.
Thank you to those people involved in collecting the hurdles and then assembling them.
Thank you to the volunteers who worked on the City to Surf Food Stall: Jude and Jeff Sherley, Rose Gerlach, the Brannellys, Paul and Daria Mitchener and Pickering family.
Thank you to Ian Leeson for organising the white ant control for the shed during the school hols from Amalgamated Pest Control.
Thank you to Jenny Duffield for the special hurdles training session.
Thank you to Paul Mitchener and Paul Harris for line marking during the school hols.
Thank you to Darren Murch for donating the relay batons.

Jogathon.
The annual Jogathon will be held on Wednesday 30 July from 5.30pm at Fred¹s Pass Reserve. For that week all rural athletes that attend the designated Monday and Wednesday training sessions will combine for the Jogathon. The Jogathon event promotes fitness and endurance while running for fun. Each athlete runs in three 10 minute sessions with five minute breaks for water and stretches. Every participant will receive a Certificate of Achievement. Prizes will be awarded for the most laps completed by a Junior athlete (6-9) and a Senior athlete (10-16) as well as for the most funds raised. Last year Robert Gerlach, 8, won the Junior class with a staggering 42 laps each while Jessica Bowyer, 11, claimed the title for the Senior class with 17 laps. Sam McKay, 7, raised the most money. Funds raised will go towards the end of season Presentation Day. Woolworths Coolalinga will kindly donate two boxes of Top End bananas for afternoon tea. Athletes should now be collecting a Jogathon Sponsorship/Entry Form from the Officials table to gather sponsors. All monies due in by Saturday 16 August please. For further information contact the Secretary, Daria Mitchener, on 89327020 or Communications Officer, Paul Harris, on 89882252.

NT Championships.
All athletes 9 years of age and over should be getting their Handbooks in order with correct results for track and field events in preparation for qualification to attend the NT Championships in September. Athletes wishing to participate at the NT Champs should be determining what track and field events they would like to enter and then working out what results they need to achieve to qualify. Athletes need to check the noticeboard for results or come and chat to Daria Mitchener at the Officials table.

Athlete of the Month Awards.
This award encompasses all aspects of an athlete¹s attitude to the sport and is not solely performance based. The Coaches looks at an athlete¹s behaviour on and off the track, attendance at training sessions, uniform appearance, participation at meets, care of equipment and Club fellowship. Athletes of the Month for June are Men: Ian Leeson; Women: Gwen Lowther; Boy: Chris Gergis; Girl: Nicole Paterson. Congratulations. Award winners receive a Canteen Voucher.

Volunteer of the Month Award.
Volunteer of the Month Award goes to Darren Pickering. Darren has offered a lot as a volunteer over the last couple of months (JR Lighting Sausage Sizzles, always time keeping, attending the committee meeting and providing sound advice about the reconstruction of the pergola). Congratulations and thank you Darren.

Housekeeping.
Don¹t forget every athlete is to ³sign on² in the Sign On book every Saturday morning at the Officials table. Put a tick next to your name to register your attendance.
RAC meet results will be posted on the notice board during Saturday morning meets.

Fund raising.
There is a 100 Club Raffle on offer. First prize is a $100. Tickets $2 per number.
JR Lighting Sausage Sizzle Sale Saturday 31 May. $87.
Fred¹s Pass Show Stall raised $624.56.
Fred¹s Pass Show Guess the Weight competition and Thong Throwing raised $165.
City to Surf Food Stall raised $300.
Ian Leeson is organising another CMAX Movie Fund raiser. Watch this space.

On the scrounge.
Can anyone assist with the following........................................
Permanent covers are required for both long jump pits. Any ideas?
Sign writer needed to produce an all weather Events Board. Got a friend or relative?
Large Trolley for transporting hurdles from shed to track. Try the dump shop perhaps?
Got something in the back yard that can adapted?
If you can help please talk to a Committee member today!!!


Clubs Council Meeting, July 2003.
Interclub 3
6 yr old discus. The Clubs Council have put a motion together to recommend to the Board of Management (BOM) that 6 yr olds participate in a discus event using a 350 kg discus. The Clubs Council acknowledged they can't approve non-sanctioned events without the BOM approval. Due to all clubs being in favour of the inclusion, it is expected to go ahead for Interclub 3. Nominations for Interclub 3 are required no later than 28 July 2003. This will allow for the events list to be prepared.
 
NT Championships
The info packs will be distributed to the clubs on 4 August 2003 with all applications due back no later than 22 August 2003. The NT Athletics AGM will also be held at lunch time on Saturday 6 September 2003. Competition will cease for a few hours at that time.
 
North Queensland Championships
A reasonable amount of work has commenced into NQ Champs participation already. We entered into a lengthy discussion about last year, in short, everyone thought the trip (with the bus ride) was good but many would not like to use the bus again.
The following details are available for this year:
Cost of trip per person - bus and accommodation about $500 or
Cost of trip per person - airfare and accommodation about $1200.
Accommodation will be at Seagulls Resort.
The team will arrive 1 day prior the competition.
Questions were asked about team size. Do we stay with about 42 persons (a coach worth of people) or go for a larger group of about 60. The group acknowledged that more chaperones will be required. In order to determine team size the Clubs Council require a return within the next 2 weeks from each club identifying possible competitors and adults who would be available/eligible to go to Townsville and how they would prefer to travel. Phillip Stoneman will be sending an email in the next few days with an expression of interest form to allow RAC to provide him with names. This will then allow planning to continue to determine the optimum form of transport and make provisions for more accom. Deposits are required once the expressions of interest have been submitted and names finalised.

Shade Structure Working Bee.
Brian Thetford ably assisted by Ross Brown and Bob the Builder have braced the shade structure to stop the lean. They have done a great job. The materials were purchased from Mitre 10 Howard Springs and funded by Club Paton, Gerry Wood, MLA. Brian Thetford has offered to work on repairing the chicken wire and shade cloth and now needs a number of TA¹s to help finish the job. No experience necessary. Many hands make light work. Please declare your availability to Brian Thetford. And many thanks to Ross Brown, Bob the Builder and Brian Thetford for your efforts so far.

Rusty Rurals.
Paul Mitchener throws the Discus a good country mile. Can¹t seem to keep Ian Leeson off the field as he produces big throws in both Discus and Shot Put. Great first up effort by the Rusty hurdlers Kelly Taylor, Gwen Lowther, Jude Sherley, Tracey Shepherd, Cameron Burrows, Paul Harris and Peter Dunstan who can take pride in the fact that they can hurdle the same height as a 6 year old. Gwen Lowther's excellent run in the 800m. The flowing hips of Peter Smith in his sensational effort in the 1100m race walk. Ruth Munro was out there burning up the track and Jane Turner¹s had a go too. Paul Mitchener¹s bumping ³get out of my way kids² run in the 1500m distance event. Geoff Smith¹s getting serious as he now wants a shirt. And all those Rusties who were out throwing the Javelin recently well done. Rusty Rurals shirts are available for purchase for $20 in medium, large and XL. Rusty Rurals....give it a go.

RAC Management Committee.
President: Darren Murch. 89312569. dtmurch@bigpond.com
Vice President: Jude Sherley. 89831997. milkwoodj@octa4.net.au
Secretary: Daria Mitchener.  89327020. mitchmob5@optusnet.com.au
Assistant Secretary: Kelly Taylor. 89831040. kellyjo@TPG.com.au
Treasurer/Public Officer: Leanne Ladlow. 89832426. tropicalfish@optusnet.com.au
Registrar/Statistician: Rose Gerlach.  89832314. entropak@bigpond.com.au
Arena Manager: Paul Mitchener. 89327020. Paul.Mitchener@nt.gov.au
Communications Officer: Paul Harris.  89882252. harrisevans@octa4.net.au
Clubs Council Delegate: Paul Harris.  89882252. harrisevans@octa4.net.au
Canteen Coordinator: Sandy Thetford. 89883040. fishy6@bigpond.com
Fundraising Coordinator: Ian Leeson. 89323281.
Coaching Coordinator: Paul Mitchener. 89327020. Paul.Mitchener@nt.gov.au
Coaches Assistant: Darren Murch, Paul Harris, Simon Saunders, Geoff Smith, Fred Munro, Mick Taylor and Cameron Brannelly.
Club Patron: Gerry Wood. 89831302. electorate.nelson@nt.gov.au

Canteen Capers.
The Canteen will operate between 8.30am and 10.30am. Last cooked orders 10.15am.
At least four volunteers are required each week but many hands make light work. Please recycle your cans and pop tops in the recycling bins at the Canteen.
Please don¹t help yourself to canteen items from the bench or the fridge. Just ask one of the friendly staff for help. Children should not be helping themselves to the fridge.
Can anyone assist the canteen with a donation of eggs or can you sell us your eggs?

Interclub Series 2003.
The RAC is in first position on the leaderboard. Yahooo! Go Rural. Lets keep the momentum going. This is the big one. Major Clubs like Darwin and Alice Springs don¹t like be beaten by Rural athletes. If RAC are going to win the Shield this year then everyone of you is required to participate at Interclub Round 3. All athletes gain the

Club valuable points just by participating in the events. So here are the details........
Interclub 2003 Series Round 3. Saturday 2 August 2003.
Venue: Arafura Stadium, Marrara. Assemble: 4.00pm. Starting Time: 5.00pm.
The RAC Team: if your name is here the Club needs you to attend the final Round 3.
Boys 6 years. Jack Byrnes, Thomas Fox, Chris Gergis, Corey Greaves,
Murray Harris-Evans, James Hilder-Achurch, Ned McCrallis, Michael Nan,
Jordan Samy, Narrayan Verma, Arthur Wilson.
Boys 7 years. Mitchell Armstrong, Nathan Cappelluti, Jayden Paterson,
Samson Walker, Jerone Wills.
Boys 8 years. Damon Howard, Ben Pearson, Jackson Smith.
Boys 9 years. James Blewitt, BJ Byrnes, Mathew Collins, Robert Gerlach,
Jacob Howden, Jack Murch, Daniel Neilsen-Titus, Nicholas Sheers.
Boys 10 years. Michael Collins, Joshua Paterson, Stephen Perry.
Boys 11 years. David Arnold, Jason Holtham, Raymond Lees, Joshua Mitchener, Nathanial Scoggins.
Boys 12 years. Cody Barry, Jessie Cannell, Buddy Robinson, Brody Smith.
Men 17 years. Cameron Brannelly.                                     
Girls 6 years. Louise Collins, Alexandra Habets, Danielle Leeson, Annaka Neilsen-Titus, Shiann Paterson, Bronte Pearson, Meg Reeves, McKenzie Scarff, Helena Smith, Lillian Taylor.        
Girls 7 years. Ellie Braam, Dailene Doyle, Michaela Doyle, Annie Fox, Louise Gergis,  
Ricki Lake, Nicole Paterson, Jessica Perry, Abbey Sidel.
Girls 8 years. Chantel Braam, Ryleigh Hunt, Tasman Murch, Chontayn Pickering,
Alexandra Verma, Sheridan Wilson.
Girls 9 years. Rebecca Burrows, Jamie-Lee Ede, Kaylee Festing, Julie Gretton,
Kelly Leeson, Hanna Mitchener, Emma Murphy, Michaela Pickering, Coreena Reeves, Ellen Robinson, Ashlee Scarff, Rhiana Smith, Mikaela Steel, Jaimi Turner, Layola Wills        
Girls 10 years. Kia Best, Zoe Dunstan, Sarah Gretton, Michaela Hilder-Achurch,
Laura Scoggins, Katelyn Tandy, Abby-Jo Thetford.      
Girls 11 years. Andrea Brown, Claire Duncan, Jamila Harris-Evans, Latoia Howes, Rochelle Hunt, Naomi Ladlow, Jessica Leeson, Emma Saunders, Chrissie Sherley, Toni Sherley, Stevie Smith, Jenna Steel, Stevie Taylor, Claudia Verma, Amee Willmett, Phillipa Wilson.      
Girls 12 years. Kristy Blewitt, Colleen Brannelly, Danielle Brown, Nakita Dendle, Micaela Gerlach, Siobhan Munro.       
Girls 14 years. Tiegan Holtham, Linda Kitchen, Penny Robinson,
Samara Smith, Matilda Wilson, Jamaica .....      
Women 16-17 years. Emma Mitchener, Eliza Wilson.

 We are the kids from Rural,   Oh we all love athletics,
 We run and jump and throw.   And we train with all our might.
 We know you¹re cheering for us,  The windmill is our emblem,
 It¹s Rural Go! Go! Go!    Our colours blue and white.

NT Athletics News.
The Monday Program has resumed for the second half of the season. The program will build up as we near championships and assistance from event officials would be welcomed. Please help. Check the website for times and events.

Clubs and Centres are requested to considered the travel options for the NT Team to compete at the NQ Championships from September 26-28. The event starts on Friday night this year and concludes at 4pm on Sunday. Please see attached Cost summary.
Coach Travel or Air Travel? The NTA Board will make a decision on this matter on July 22nd and your input is sought before this time. In the case that NTA chooses coach travel, athletes will only be permitted to fly (at own expense) if special circumstances exist. Team Staff applications and athlete nomination forms are also attached for distribution.

Check out the Clubs Home page. This is where we can store information about your club, ie results, history, records, calendar, newsletter. The idea would be click on the club Icon to go to that club. RAC is an example. We will publish whatever info you provide. Then either from the office, or at club level, send out an email to members informing them as new info is posted.
http://www.ntathletics.org.au/Clubsmain.htm

Regards,
Phillip Stoneman, General Manager, NT Athletics.
PO Box 40375 Casuarina NT 0811. Phone: 89451979. Mobile: 0438604608
www.ntathletics.org.au

The Board of Athletics Australia today approved the reinstigation of personal injury insurance for all registered members of affiliated clubs under the authority of Member Associations. Please note that this will come into effect from 15 July and, under the terms of AA's policy, covers insured persons for non-Medicare medical expenses (such as private hospital, dental, ambulance, physiotherapy, chiropractice, tape, prescribed drugs, crutches). A $250 excess will apply to each injury.

The Board has taken this decision in response to the feedback from the Member Associations that the removal of this cover was of concern to the Associations and their members, as it was seen as an important benefit of membership and may impact on perticipation. We thank the MA's for that feedback. Please feel free to circulate this advice to your Members.

Kind regards,
Simon Allatson, CEO, Athletics Australia.
T: 61 3 9869 5002. F: 61 3 9869 5053. M: 0438 604 582.E: sallatson@athletics.org.au


Office of Sport and Recreation News.
I spoke to Steve Allen, Facilities Manager, who advised that there was no runway
surface left over from the resurface of the hockey fields at Traeger Park Alice
Springs or the athletic track at Marrara. So, no luck there.

On a brighter note, I spoke to Heidi Trobbiani, Grants Advisor, regarding the possibility of getting portable shade structures and portable spectator seating for Freds Pass when you are training and competing.

Heidi's advice was that the shade could be considered a health and safety issue and would most likely receive favourable consideration. The seating was a bit harder because she could not see how it could be viewed as new and innovative and was unsure how it could increase participation. It might be worth lodging an application anyway and prioritise the items just in case.

Having said this, there is no guarantee of funding because we do not know what
applications we will receive and they are recommended based on their merits. The booklets are due out 1 July 2003 so I will make sure I send you a copy out in the mail.  

MICHELLE MAY
Club Development Coordinator, Office of Sport and Recreation.
Ph: (08) 8982 2348 Fx: (08) 8982 2320 Email: michelle.may@nt.gov.au