What a GREAT turn out last Saturday for our first session. Did you know we already have nearly 300 members who have registered for this season? Wowsers! This week we have the first of our trial athletes attending – lease keep supporting and encouraging any trialists that attend (it’s always a bit daunting for the little ones at the start).
Have you signed up to Stack Team App yet? It has lots of current info and easy to access materials, including the Wednesday coaching sign up, season calendar and weekly news! It’s an easy way to find materials. Search for “Sandringham Little Athletics”.
This week’s email covers:
- Saturday 14th of October
- Parent help
- Wednesday Coaching
- Relays – they are coming soon and training starts next week!!
- A note from our new President Shane!
- FAQs
1. This Saturday 14 October
- Start times: 8:15AM for U6 – U9 & 9:45AM for U10-U17.
- Set up help, pack up help and BBQ: U9 GIRLS are on Set Up Help (please arrive at 7:15). U7 Girls and U12 Boys are on BBQ. And U11 Boys are on Pack Up Duties.
- Where to go: come in to the track and head towards your age group sign. (If you haven’t picked up your bib yet, you will need to pick that up from the registration tent at the front)
- What to bring: water bottle, hat & sunscreen (if sunny)
- What to wear: Competition Patch/Bib – this contains your membership number which is scanned for track results. It needs to be worn across the lower chest/stomach each session. Under 6’s are free to wear comfortable exercise clothes. U7-U17 must wear a competition singlet or Tshirt with black shorts/bikepants/legging. Coles patch will also need to be sawn on to your Tshirt (grab this from the registration tent also).
- Is there food and coffee? Yes, we have a BBQ which is staffed by parents. Most weeks we also have a coffee van on site for that caffeine and a sweet kick for the parents. AND we have FREE bananas every week from Coles.
- Wet weather: Check out the wet weather button on our website (in the top left hand corner), which we will update at 7.30am on Saturday mornings if the weather is concerning – and again at 9.15am for the second session.
- Program: here is the program for this week. Please note, if you would like to participate in the 200m hurdles or 300m hurdles you will need to be ready at 9:45am.
2. Parent Help
We are a volunteer-based program; as such, we rely on parents to actively participate in the weekly events. (Note – No one on the Committee is paid!). It’s a great community and it is both rewarding and fun to watch our kids jump higher, throw further, run faster, and most importantly become more confident and make new friends. We are still looking for volunteers for the following age groups to act as Age Group Managers: U6 Girls & Boys, U7 Girls & Boys, U8 Boys, U11 Boys, U12 Boys & Girls. If you can help, please text Caroline Service on 0491669405 with your name and age group.
Here is the Parent duty roster for the season for Set Up/Pack Up/BBQ – Please take note of your dates.
3. Wednesday coaching
Coaching is held at the track every Wednesday 4:30 – 6pm (it is free for members). A fortnightly rotation of activities is offered with special Masterclass sessions in High Jump, Discus Spin and Javelin on various dates. Spots are limited so please sign up through the below link (or access “Sandringham calendar” on the Stack Team App which also has the Sign Up link). If you can no longer make it, please update the link.
https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/221704548056/false?popup=true#/invitation
4. Relays
This is where we get to race as a team against other clubs and it is so much FUN! Who can participate? U8-U17s. U8’s can join the relay program but can compete at Mentone only (they’re too young for the broader state competitions yet – next year!).
U9-U17 can compete at Mentone and Regionals. Teams are selected through a process which involves recorded times, coaches input and the selection committee. Please see the attached flyer. If you would like to join – please ensure you can commit to the training sessions, which start next Wednesday!
5. A note from our new President Shane
On behalf of the Sandringham Little Athletics Committee, I would like to welcome all new and returning members to the 2024 season. Our committee, who each week I will introduce, have done an outstanding job behind the scenes to get this season ready.We have an exciting season ahead of us and we wish all our aspiring young athletes, success, to have lots of fun and build some lifelong friendships.
We welcome back our coaches for the 2024 season, with many returning faces and many new ones. I know many have commented on how inspiring and energetic our coaches are. Many of them are still competing and its great to see them give back to a community that played some part in nurturing their talent. To continue with coaching, please remember our Wednesday night coaching from 4.30 to 5.30, but please book online. Last year, this was a huge success with the track awash full of little athletes training.
Thank you to all the volunteers who have helped us. We still need your help, now matter how long / short the task is. If you can, please find one of the committee members on Saturday morning and offer your services. It will help tremendously.
Please ensure you visit the website and like our Facebook page for the latest and up to date information on what is happening at your club on a weekly basis.
On a personal note, it has been a wonderful experience taking over the presidency of the club. The work Nicole George did over the last few years has been amazing and we are incredibly lucky to have Nicole, as well as other former presidents, Mike Cahill and Craig Furber back each Saturday morning to help us and our athletes.
We are a great community and thank you for being part of it. Wishing you and your children a wonderful season. It’s about fun, getting fit and making some great friends, for both parents and children. Please come and say hello!
Go Sandy
Shane Bilsborough
Sandringham Little Athletics President.
6. FAQs
Do you have any questions? There must be many! Check out some of our handy FAQs on StackTeam App