Rural Athletics Club
THE RURAL RUNNER
RURAL ATHLETIC CENTRE NEWS
______________________________________________________________________________
VOL 2 NO: 3 PO BOX 1484
PALMERSTON NT 0831. MAY
2003.
Inside the Presidentıs Desk.
The Clubıs AGM was held on 26 April at Fredıs Pass and with that we have seen
a new Committee elected to continue the good work of the 02/03 Committee. I
thank the parents present at the meeting for showing their confidence in me by
electing me as the President of the Rural Athletics Centre and I wish to
congratulate the outgoing members for their selfless and dedicated
contributions.
My name is Darren Murch and I have been involved in Little Athletics for the
passed three years and have taken great pleasure watching and participating in
the development of my two children through the athletics program. I hope that
you, too, get the same thrill.
Over the coming weeks, our clubıs coach will be conducting short 10 minute
presentations on the different events your children participate in. As you have
already seen this year, without the help from the parents we cannot conduct the
Saturday Meets. All events require officials; so on each Saturday morning while
the athletes are warming up, Mitch will talk through and demonstrate one event
for any interested parents. This will allow us to provide our children with
correct and fair athletics advice on and off the track.
2003 has brought to the Club a promising influx of athletes to the junior age
groups. Our ranks are strong within the U6s and U7s and to allow our club to
grow I offer a challenge for each family to ³bring-a-friend² to the next few
meets. While the season is young there is still plenty of competition and other
activities left to do.
The Committee has many projects for the development of the club and its
facilities, some include: improved shade structures for the field events, fund
raising ventures, improvements and repair of the shade awning attached to the
shed and jump pit covers. Ideas, sponsorship or donations are welcome for these
or any other ideas you may have.
The Fred's Pass Show is rapidly approaching, which provides us an opportunity to
show case our Club and raise funds. A call for volunteers will be placed on the
notice board soon to fill positions as Officials for the Junior Litchfield Gift
and Stall Attendants. Many hands makes light work.
I look forward to meeting you and your children around the track throughout the
season.
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.
Interclub Shield No.1. Saturday 10 May 2003. Arafura
Athletics Stadium, Marrara.
Fredıs Pass Show Cake Stall. Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May 2003.
Fredıs Pass Show Junior Litchfield Gift. Sunday 25 May 2003.
Interclub Shield No.2. Saturday 31 May 2003. Katherine
Athletics Centre. Katherine.
Training sessions will be weekly at the Reserve on a Monday and Wednesday from
5.30pm to 6.30pm.
Thank yous.
Thank you Caitlin Walker for hard selling the 100 club.
Thank you to Sandy and Brian Thetford for coordinating the
canteen.
Thank you to Daria Mitchener and Rose Gerlach for coordinating and
operating the Officials Table and Athlete Registration Desk.
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. Award
winners receive a Canteen Voucher.
Positions Vacant.
Assistant Statistician. Rose Gerlach needs an assistant on
Saturday mornings to collate data.
Announcer. Saturday mornings, 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.
Fund raising.
There is a 100 Club Raffle on offer. First prize is a $100. Tickets $2
per number.
Housekeeping.
The 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 unless assisting
with equipment removal or storage.
RAC meet results will be posted on the notice board during Saturday morning
meets.
Place Ribbons from the Rural Championships 2002 that were not distributed at
last years Presentation Day will be available for collection at the Officials
table. Please see Daria Mitchener.
RAC Management Committee.
President: Darren Murch. 89322569. 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. floralconcepts@bigpond.com
Treasurer/Public Officer: Leanne Ladlow. 89832426.
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.
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
On the scrounge.
Can anyone assist with the
following........................................
Permanent covers are required for both long jump pits. Any ideas?
Shade structures for field events. Anyone got something? Can get a business to
sponsor one? Got any ideas how to provide shade at Shot Put/Discus/Jumps areas.
A lap bell for the long distance track events and race walks. Make one or donate
one?
Officials Flags! Red; White and Yellow. Can you make them? 6 sets are needed.
Sign writer needed to produce an all weather Events Board. Got a friend or
relative?
If you can help please talk to a Committee member today!!!
Rusty Rurals.
Stop Press......Stop Press......Stop Press.......Stop Press.......Stop
Press......Stop Press.....
Jude Sherley sprints faster than Nova Peris. Did you see the Rural Flash in
action last week? Probably not as she ran so quickly. 11.0 seconds exactly. Novaıs
pb for the 100m dash is 11.2 secs. Come on Rustyıs Jude has laid down the
challenge!
Magic Moments.
It is just so fantastic to see so many kids turning up for practice each
week. The last two sessions have seen over 30 athletes on the track keen and
cooperative.
In a recent newspaper report on the Clubıs official opening meet McKenzie
Scarff, 6, was listed as coming second in the 300m dash. McKenzie promptly
and quite correctly advised RACıs Publicity Guru Paul Harris that in fact she
had crossed the line first.
Like wise a young Daria Mitchener also contested the Rusty Rurals Results
published in the NT News in that she was placed in the wrong age group for the
Womenıs 400m dash/walk/²slow down Rose you said weıd walk² event.
Eleven year old girls Jamila Harris-Evans and Chrissie Sherley
shaking hands and exchanging warm smiles after a fantastic close race in Heat 2
of the 400m dash.
Team mates of Phillipa Wilson and McKenzie Scarff singing Happy
Birthday to them.
Corey Greaves, 6, at the start of the 300m dash. ³Mister have I got to run
all the way round there?² And his face at the affirmative answer.
Ellie Braam, Dailene and Michaela Doyle sisters and Annie
Fox confusing the Start Marshall insisting ³that we are all sisters you
know.²
Kristy Blewitt on fire in the sprint races. That girl can run. Check her
out.
Abby Jo Thetford showing that style and fashion and comfort is very
important in a running shoe. Check them out. And they make her run faster too.
Arthur Wilson, 6, punching the air after another successful long jump
effort.
Darren Murch showing the Rusty Rurals how to throw the Javelin. Likewise Chris
Braam with a mighty Discus throw and Michael Lake easily tossing the
Shot Put.
The senior girls comparing notes at training checking out the Aussie Rules
footballers.
The senior athlete who, accidentally of course, went through the high jump bar
instead of over it at training recently. No names here to incur further
embarrassment. But if you are reading this please donıt panic accidents do
happen in athletics, your safety is paramount and high jump bars are easily
replaced and not too expensive.
Retiring from the Presidentıs desk: the final word.....
Congratulations to Darren Murch on successful election as Club President and his
new Management Committee. I wish the new team well and guarantee my full
support.
I would like to thank you all, parents and athletes alike, for your support
during my term. You are all a great group of people who have made the RAC a
strong, stable, well respected Club in the athletics community. Well done and
thank you.
An entry form is attached to this edition for the Junior Litchfield Gift. I
strongly urge all Junior runners to have a go at this event. It is a fun
afternoon at the Show. The entry fees are very reasonable and think what you
could do with the great prize money that is up for grabs for all the six place
finalists. Go for it kids!!!!
The Senior Litchfield Gift on again. I had a quiet word in a journoıs ear at
the NT News who published a great story seeking sponsorship assistance and
voila! the Senior Gift is back on. Nothing like the power of the press. Many
thanks must go to Tattersallıs for their sponsorship money which ensures this
great event will be staged for the next three years. Follow the link for the
latest information on the Tattersall's Litchfield Gift. http://www.ntathletics.org.au/LitchGift/Gifthome.htm
Rusty Rurals Shirts in medium, large and XL are $20 will be available soon. The
suppliers Arnhem Printing informed me that they are waiting on a few more shirts
as they were on backorder. As soon as they come in Arnhem Printing will let me
know when ready for pick up. Thank you for your patience.
The winner of the $500 Department of Sport and Recreation Survey was the Top End
Athletics Centre. Thank you to those members who completed survey forms.
Finally a local Government organisation has kindly donated a number of concrete
seats to the Club. They are heavy, they are in Palmerston and I need some strong
volunteers to assist in their relocation to Fredıs Pass. This is my last call
for help.
Athletics: donıt just sit on the sideline, be a part of it. Over to you
Darren.......
Cheers
PH.
The Junior Litchfield Gift.
The RAC with the assistance of the Fredıs Pass Show Management will be
conducting the Junior Litchfield Gift at this yearıs Rural Show. RAC needs
volunteers from club members and parents to assist in the running of this great
event. RAC will also be operating a food stall as a major Club Fund raiser. So
please volunteer your help as a track official, stall worker, cake maker,
canteen server or chief bottle washer. It is our major fund raising event and
all we need is a little effort from everyone. Many hands make light work and the
rewards will be a stronger, better equipped Club. This needs to be a full Club
effort. This a fantastic chance to promote athletics and assistance will be
required from all club members to make this event a success. The eyes of the
local Athletics world will be on us and RAC will need to rise to the occasion to
ensure this is a successful operation.
Interclub.
All clubs are invited to compete in Round One of the Interclub Series at
Arafura
Stadium on Saturday the 10th of May from 4.00pm. The Interclub meets are run in
May and August as Little Athletics teams from Alice Springs, Tennant Creek,
Katherine, Darwin and Top End compete for the Interclub shield. RAC won the
shield for the first time in 2001.
Eight rural athletes broke 10 RAC track and field records at the Interclub 2002
Series. RAC athletes Jack Murch, Hannah Mitchener, Kaylee Festing, Sarah
Bowyer, Micaela Gerlach, Emma Mitchener and Eliza Wilson all recorded
pbıs and in doing so broke long standing Club records. The RAC team (and
numerous parents, grand-parents and siblings) cheered the loudest, were the best
behaved and the quickest to climb the photo finish tower. Yes who could forget 3
year old Lincoln Wilsonıs desire for a better view. At Interclub 3 2002
the RAC team of 45 athletes entered in 16 different disciplines competing in 71
events of which RAC athletes placed first, second or third 66 times.
The winner of the Interclub shield is determined by a points system and is
announced during the NT Championships. The results of the Interclub 2002 series
were Alice Springs Juniors (488 points), Darwin Athletic Centre (373), Moil
Athletic Centre (242), Rural Athletic Centre (196), Central Australia Athletic
Centre (85) and East Arnhem Athletic Centre (0).
At the Arafura Stadium the RAC has the opportunity to compete against athletes
from the Darwin Athletic Centre and the Top End Athletic Centre. It is a fun
evening so be part of a team and come along. Experience the atmosphere of
running at the Arafura Stadium. Build confidence and team spirit. Meet other
athletes, parents and officials. Competition is available to athletes from 6
years to Rusty Rurals. All entrants must be registered. Athletes are required to
wear Club uniform. If you donıt have a uniform then wear a blue shirt. Donıt
forget your age patch and your registration number on your shirts. The Interclub
program is attached. Enter by advising Daria Mitchener at the Officials Table.
So come on everybody letıs show those city slickers what Rural athletes can do.
We are the kids from Rural,
We run and jump and throw.
We know youıre cheering for us,
Itıs Rural Go! Go! Go!
Oh we all love athletics,
And we train with all our might.
The windmill is our emblem,
Our colours blue and white.
NT Athletics News.
Insurance.
NTA has received advice on March 18 that our National Insurance Scheme has
had changes to the policy effective January 1 2003. The key change is general
members are no longer cover by the Personal Accident and Injury Policy. NTA has
not yet received the full policy document. This is the summary of the renewal as
per the memo from Athletics Australia. It is a concern that the removal of
Personal Accident and Injury Policy became effective at renewal on January 1
2003 and notification did not occur until March 18 2003.
The National Insurance Scheme is still an extensive package and we are fortunate
that Athletics Australia provides our organisation with this cover. Please note
all volunteers, officials and coaches are still covered by the Personal Accident
and Injury Policy.
The complete package covers, Travel, General Property, Industrial Special Risks,
Crime, Association Liability and Public & Products Liability at 20 million.
Certificate of currency for the 2003 period is available to all affiliates.
Keep in mind that the Personal Accident and Injury Policy as it was in 2002 for
all members and now in 2003 for other than normal members is non-Medicare
insurance, i.e. if the expense is covered by Medicare then the insurance would
not/ will not pay.
Please contact me for clarification.
Northern Territory Athletics Board of Management.
President: Ian Fullarton. ian@ntathletics.org.au
Vice President: Elaine Holmes. eholmes48@hotmail.com
Finance Director: Bronwyn Rossingh. rossingh@bigpond.com
Technical Director: Steve Darling. santasteve@bigpond.com
Development Director: Tracey Brand. tracey.brand@tangentyere.org.au
Competition Director: Cherry Harvey. Cherry.Harvey@ntu.edu.au
Country Services Director: Lisa O'Donoghue. lisa@mplnt.com.au
General Manager: Phillip Stoneman. phillip@ntathletics.org.au
Clubs Page.
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
NT Athletics News.
Arafura Games.
The NTA Board is pleased to announce an athletics event will be conducted in
place of the cancelled Arafura Games. We need a name for the event, a prize for
the best suggestion. The competition program will take place exactly as the
planned Arafura
Games. The event program is available on the NTA website. The Territory's only
professional footrace, The Litchfield Gift will take place a few days later on
May 25. The Gift information is available on the NTA website. No half
marathon will be conducted. The qualifying time for the 10,000m has been changed
to allow more entrants and a veterans (ie 40 plus) medal will also be contested
in the 10,000m.
Teams confirmed are, New Zealand U23 national team, New Caledonia, ADF (almost)
and athletes from North Queensland and Brisbane. Teams will be requested to
provide information on athletes shortly to confirm information previously
provided.
We are currently seeking support from the NT Government with ground transport.
There will be a greater requirement for volunteers without government support.
The government has offered a $200 voucher for accommodation and meals to all
visitors to Darwin in May. More information on this voucher process will be
released on Friday.
Regards,
Phillip Stoneman, General Manager, NT Athletics.
PO Box 40375 Casuarina NT 0811. Phone: 89451979. Mobile: 0438604608
www.ntathletics.org.au
Officials.
Please note that the use of red t-shirts for starters has been stopped
Australia wide and we have been asked to follow suit with starters wearing the
same colour as all other officials except yellow for referees Whilst I realise
that most clubs don't use these at a club level please let any of your starters
know.
Also please ensure that the correct us of warning for false starts are being
used as this will make it easier for athletes attending Championships. After the
first false start in a race the offending athlete is warned and then the whole
field is to be warned, the normal wording would be "Lane 4 false start, all
athletes final warning" a yellow disk would also be shown to the offending
athlete then to the whole field.
If any one would like more details on these or other matters please email me
at santasteve@bigpond.com
Steve Darling, Technical Director, NT Athletics.
RURAL ATHLETICS CENTRE
NEEDS YOUR HELP AT THE
FREDıS PASS RURAL SHOW.
ON THE
RURAL ATHLETICS CENTRE STALL
SATURDAY 24 AND SUNDAY 25 MAY
DURING SHOW HOURS.
AND DURING THE RUNNING
OF THE LITCHFIELD GIFT
ON SUNDAY 25 MAY
FROM 10.00AM TO 3.00PM.