THE RURAL RUNNER
      RURAL ATHLETIC CENTRE NEWS
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 VOL 2 NO: 6        PO BOX 1484 PALMERSTON NT 0831.      AUGUST 2003.
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A word from the President.

The season is flashing passed us and many fine performances are happening each Saturday when we get together. Only last month it seemed as though we wouldnıt get to the end with so many major events about to occur but commitment and effort are wonderful attributes that allow humans to push through demanding times.
We presented quite a few certificates to record breakers two weeks ago and as a testament to the sense of motivation our children have, some of those new records were broken again that same day. Not everyone is going to break a record, so each one of us should take pride in achieving our personal best (PB) or even take pride in our level of participation.
The Jogathon provided our children (and some parents) with the opportunity to exercise while raising funds for the Centre. An outstanding effort for all involved, both on and off the track.
The Interclub Series is complete for 2003, and RAC has proven itself to be the most dedicated and competitive Centre in the NT. Constant praise from other Centres and NTA Officials about our level of participation and results at each meet confirm in my mind that we are truly an organization based on fun, fitness and family. Congratulations to all athletes and parents who provided their time as officials during the Interclub Series this year.  
Ian Leeson has organised some entertaining fund raiser activities this month. A couple of dinners at the Hub in Palmerston where proceeds from raffle takings on the night go to RAC. The movie fundraiser at CMAX to see ³Finding Nemo² on 31 August is another great opportunity for us to socialize together and invite our friends to a club event. Watch the noticeboard and read deeper into this newsletter for details. You can also talk to Ian or Daria for details.
I am departing on Friday for about seven weeks and will return just before the presentation day. Please continue supporting your Committee and feel free to approach Jude Sherley as my stand-in.

³If it is meant to be, it is up to me.²

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.

Important Dates to note.
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.
Jogathon money due Saturday 16 August 2003.
Rural Championships Friday 22 August 2003 from 4.30pm to 8.30pm.
Rural Championships Saturday 23 August 2003 from 8.15am to finish.
RAC Movie Fundraiser Sunday 31 August 2003 12.15pm CMAX Palmerston.
NT Championships applications due back no later than Friday 22 August 2003.
NT Championships Friday 5th, Saturday 6th, Sunday 7th September 2003 at Arafura Stadium, Marrara.
Training sessions will be weekly at the Reserve on a Monday and Wednesday from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.

Thank yous.
Thank you to Darren and Megan Pickering for making the sets the officials flags.
Thank you to Ian Leeson and family for donating the engraved lap bell.
Thank you to Mick Taylor for making the two news sets of relay batons.
Thank you to Woolworths Coolalinga for providing the bananas during the Jogathon.
Thank you to Woolworths Humpty Doo for providing the bananas during the Jogathon.
Thank you to Ian Leeson, Darren Murch, Paul Mitchener and Paul Harris for officiating at the Jogathon.

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.

Positions Vacant.
Announcer for Rural Championships, announce track and field events over a pa system. Chair and shade provided. Great job for someone who likes to sit on the sideline in the shade.

Athlete of the Month Awards.
This award encompasses all aspects of an athleteıs attitude to the sport and is not solely performance based. The Coaches looks at an athleteıs 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 July are Men: Paul Mitchener; Women: Kelly Taylor; Boy Cody Barry; Girl Zoe Dunstan. Congratulations. Award winners receive a Canteen Voucher.

Volunteer of the Month Award
.
Volunteer of the Month Award goes to Ruth Munro. Ruth has offered a lot as a volunteer during track and field events as a timekeeper and recorder. The smooth running of the meet relies on parents like Ruth to take on the role of an official. Congratulations and thank you Ruth.

Housekeeping.
Donıt 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.
Please put all rubbish in the bins. The RAC prides itself on keeping its area clean and tidy. Recycle the cans and pop tops at the canteen. Everything else in the bin please. The Reserve groundsmen can and do identify what rubbish comes from which user group.
New junior uniforms are available for sale from the officials table on Saturday morning meets. Junior athletes all sizes $25.
Children (especially little ones) are not permitted in the shed.
RAC meet results will be posted on the notice board during Saturday morning meets.

Fund raising.
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.
Jogathon money due Saturday 16 August 2003.
RAC Movie Fundraiser Sunday 31 August 2003 12.15pm CMAX Palmerston.
³Finding Nemo². Tickets $10 each. Running time 1 hour 45 mins. Bookings: Ian Lesson.

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!!!
 
Rusty Rurals.
Paul Mitchener outclassed a large field of race walkers which included Fred Munro, Paul Harris, Ruth Munro, Louise Evans and Jude Sherley during which there was much discussion over the undulating track and how well our young athletes do on such an uneven surface. Ian Leeson produced another big throw in Shot Put. Brendan Howden can run like a greyhound. Kelly Taylor made a dynamic return. Greg Dunstan took a tumble in the 100m and has conceded he wasnıt pushed. Geoff Smith impressed with the Shot Put. Gwen Lowther is becoming a regular feature on the track. Good on you Gwen. Great to see Simon Saunders return to the track in the 100m sprint. Jude Sherley showed some real grunt in the Shot Put. Rusty Rurals shirts are available for purchase for $20 in medium, large and XL. Rusty Rurals....give it a go.

Jogathon.
The annual Jogathon was held on Wednesday 30 July from 5.30pm at Fredıs Pass Reserve. Damon Howard, 8, won the Junior class with a staggering 47 laps each while Cameron Brannelly, 17, claimed the title for the Senior class with 17 laps. Every participant will receive a Certificate of Achievement. Funds raised will go towards the end of season Presentation Day. Athletes should now be collecting sponsorship money as all monies are due in by Saturday 16 August please. Jogathon results were....

RAC Jogathon Junior Class (5-8 years) Results:

6 years.
Murray Harris-Evans 39 laps.    
Arthur Wilson 32 laps.
Danielle Leeson 15 laps.
Lillian Taylor 15 laps.
Alexandra Habets 15 laps.

8 years.
Damon Howard 47 laps.
Jackson Smith 42 laps.
Rhiannon Tilbrook 37 laps.
Ryleigh Hunt 36 laps.

RAC Jogathon Senior Class (9-17 years) Results:

9 years.
Jack Murch 16 laps.     
Kaylee Festing 15 laps.     
Hannah Mitchener 12 laps.      
Coreena Reeves 12 laps.     
Jaime Lee Ede 12 laps.     
Daniel Neilsen-Titus 11 laps.    
Kelly Leeson 11 laps.
Robert Gerlach 10 laps.

10 years.
Michael Collins 15 laps.
Stephen Perry 13 laps.
Abby Thetford 12 laps.
Laura Scoggins 11 laps.
Kaitlyn Tandy 9 laps.
Michaela Hilder-Achurch 8 laps.

11 years.
Stevie Smith 15 laps.         
Joshua Mitchener 15 laps.     
Claire Duncan 14 laps.        
Jamila Harris-Evans 13 laps.      
Aimee Willmett 13 laps.
Emma Saunders 13 laps.          
Chrissie Sherley 12 laps.        
Stevie Taylor 12 laps.
Toni Sherley 12 laps.      
Claudia Verma 12 laps.                                                  
Phillipa Wilson 12 laps.           
Rochelle Hunt 12 laps.     
Jessica Leeson 12 laps.

12 years.
Cody Barry 15 laps.
Siohban Munro 15 laps.
Brody Smith 12 laps.
Micaela Gerlach 9 laps.

13 years.
Colleen Brannelly 9 laps.        
     
14 years.       
Linda Kitchen 15 laps.     
Matilda Wilson 14 laps.        
Penny Robinson 13 laps.
Samara Smith 12 laps.     
Penny Robinsonıs fan club 4 laps.    

16 years.
Paul Davies 15 laps.
Eliza Wilson 14 laps.

17 years.
Cameron Brannelly 17 laps.

Rusty Rurals.
Linda Wilson 13 laps.
Marilyn Reeves 8 laps.
Fred and Ruth Munro went round together quite a few times.

Rural Championships 2003.


Fred's Pass Reserve Athletics Arena,

Friday 22 August 4.30pm to 8.30pm.

Please bring a sauce to add to pasta to share.

Or Garlic Bread or Parmesan Cheese.

Pasta cooking volunteers needed now!!!!  

Saturday 23 August 8.15am to finish.

Breakfast Canteen open.

Breakfast Canteen volunteers needed now!!!!

Full track and field program.

Entry fee: $5.00.

No limit on event entries per individual per age group.

All registered club members welcome.

All athletes entered must be accompanied
by a parent helper.

Nomination forms: Daria Mitchener 89327020.

Rural Athletics Centre.
presents....
CMAX Cinemas Palmerston.


Movie Fund raiser.
Finding Nemo.
Sunday 31 August 2003.
12.15pm.
Prizes, fun, family entertainment.
Tickets: $10.00 each.
Only 200 tickets to be sold.
Book your seats now.
Prepaid tickets available.
Further information: Ian Leeson 89323281
or Daria Mitchener 89327020.

NT Athletics News.

There is a public notice in a recent NT News that is a notice of intention to apply for incorporation of an association, to be known as Northern Territory Little Athletics.  The applicant is Greg Monaghan of Camp Hill Queensland and his address is care of Australian Little Athletics. NTA will make inquiries to obtain more information on this notice and inform affiliates promptly. I would be grateful for any information you are able to provide me in respect of this matter. NTA Athletics did take steps to register this name in January 2003 however we could not in good faith complete the registration process. To the best of my knowledge the name is available. The following advice has been received from Business Affairs. Please note these additional points.
The application made by Greg Monaghan of Queensland was supported by legal counsel, arguing the rights of the applicant even though not an NT Resident.
The application yet been approved, that process doesn't commence until 1 month after the advertisement of intention.
The application does need to satisfy the stated aims of providing activity in the NT.
The public officer must be an NT Resident.

To:    malcolm.bryant@nt.gov.au  Subject:    NTLA Incorporation

Hello Malcolm,

I am interested in the notice of intention to apply for incorporation of an association that was advertised in the NT News 23/7/03. On 3/12/02 I commenced application to incorporate an association of the same name. I would be grateful for information in respect of the procedure to challenge the application.

Phillip Stoneman, General Manager. NT Athletics.

NT Athletics News.

From: Malcolm.Bryant@nt.gov.au   Sent: Thursday, 24 July 2003 10:53 AM
To: Phillip Stoneman          Subject: Re: NTLA Incorporation

Mr Stoneman,

I have located the Notice of Intention under your hand and dated 3 December 2001
and approved by myself on 7 December 2001. I note however no publication (evidence thereof) of that Notice, neither am I, or have ever been, in receipt of any application resultant from that Notice which given the passage of time must now be considered stale. In respect ot the recently published Notice of Intention I invite your attention to Section 6 of the Associations Incorporation Act which states

6. Restraint on incorporation

(1) Any person may, within 3 weeks after the publication of a notice under section 5 of intention to apply for the incorporation of an association, apply to the Supreme Court for an injunction to restrain the person who gave the notice, or any other person, from applying, or proceeding with an application, for the incorporation of the association.

(2) The Supreme Court may grant an injunction for which application is made under subsection (1) ?
(a) on the ground that ?
(i) the association is not an association for the purposes of this Act;
(ii) the association was formed or is carried on, or is proposed to be incorporated, for an immoral, disloyal or illegal purpose; or
(iii) the incorporation of the association is against the public interest; or
(b) on any other ground which the Supreme Court considers just.

(3) The Supreme Court may determine an application under this section notwithstanding that all the parties interested are not parties to the proceedings.

Accordingly I commend your reference to legal counsel as to the means or avenues to further address your concerns.

Malcolm Bryant.
Deputy Registrar (Business Names & Associations), Consumer & Business Affairs
Department of Justice, Northern Territory Government
tel:  (08) 8946 9535. fax:  (08) 8999 7657. email: malcolm.bryant@nt.gov.au


NT Athletics News.

From: Phillip Stoneman. Sent: Tuesday, 8 July 2003 12:40 PM
To: Lyn Miles  Subject: Walks

Hello Lyn,

NTA is concerned of the effects on walk events for junior athletes. We would be grateful for your help in making an informed decision in respect of what should be the youngest age group that walk events are available to. It is our understanding that a attempting a correct walk technique can have harmful events on growing bodies.

Our clubs in the NT will be influenced by the recommendation made by NTA in this matter. Currently clubs hold a 300m walk for 8 year olds, 700m for 9 year olds and 1100m for 10 year olds.

Phillip Stoneman, General Manager. NT Athletics.

Dear Phillip,

Please accept my apologies for not replying to your concerns earlier. I have attempted (please refer below) to address all the issues you raised in your email. Please let me know if you need further information or seek clarification of any matter.

AGE GROUPS AND DISTANCES FOR WALK EVENTS

These are the age groups and distances that are currently used within Queensland for junior walkers. I have been reliably informed that consultation with sports medicine practitioners took place before the relevant bodies decided upon these distances.

(1) TRACK EVENTS
(At Qld Little Athletics competitions - Queensland titles, Junior & Senior Carnivals)

Under 9 yrs boys and girls - 700 m  Under 10 yrs boys and girls - 1100 m
Under 11 yrs boys and girls - 1100 m  Under 12 yrs boys and girls - 1500 m
Under 13 yrs boys and girls - 1500 m  Under 14 yrs boys and girls - 1500 m
Under 15 yrs boys and girls - 1500 m

(At Queensland Athletics competitions - Queensland All Schools' titles and Qld Athletics titles)

Under 14 yrs men and women - 1500 m  Under 16 yrs men and women - 3000 m
Under 18 yrs men and women - 3000 m  Under 20 yrs men and women - 5000 m

NT Athletics News.

(2) ROAD EVENTS
(At Queensland titles run by Queensland Athletics)

Under 10 yrs men and women - 1000 m  Under 12 yrs men and women - 2000 m
Under 14 yrs men and women - 3000 m  Under 16 yrs men and women - 5000 m
Under 18 yrs men and women - 8000 m

I am aware that some Little Athletics clubs do hold distances that are shorter than the distances I have listed above. It is my understanding that this is to encourage greater participation. For example, at Aspley Little Athletics Club they give the athletes the option of walking 400m shorter than the above listed distances - eg Under 9 yrs could walk either 300 m or 700 m.

EFFECTS OF RACE WALKING
I have consulted my daughter, Sue Miles, regarding this issue. Sue is an ATFCA Level Two Coach for Walks and has been coaching junior walkers for the past 18 years. She is happy for you to contact her should you wish to obtain further information. Her email address is: - smmmiles@hotmail.com.

One of the most common myths surrounding race walking is that it is bad for you. Any of the track and field events, indeed any sport, can potentially be bad for you if you perform it with incorrect technique. Proper race walking technique is, to oversimplify, normal walking sped up. Maintaining correct posture and doing the proper warming up and cooling down are crucial for this event as they are for any event and/or sport/s.

The long-term effects of race walking were recently investigated in an article published by the IAAF. It was proven to be beneficial in the prevention of arthritis in athletes who had competed in race walking over many years. My daughter Sue has the details of this article (and others) if you would like to read further on this subject.

I hope this is of some assistance to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any other queries.

Kind Regards,
Lyn Miles.