Rotherham Harriers and Athletics Club

    Athlete Welcome Pack

From Beginners      …………………. To Champions

Welcome to Rotherham Harriers & Athletics Club.

This pack contains information about the club. It gives details of training and competition, and explains how to become a member.

  For young athletes, there is also a letter for Parents/Carers, which explains how we will look after your child, our Child Protection and Welfare policies, the values of the club, and those expected of members

The club

 The club welcomes new members of all abilities. (Young athletes must be at least 8 years old). Our aim is to enable all to enjoy their athletics, and improve their performance. Our club provides a safe and enjoyable environment for all members to improve their health and fitness and to get the opportunity to compete at all levels.

 Safe because we have achieved Clubmark status, which means we have a Child Protection Policy and Child Protection Officers on hand. Enjoyable because our focus is on welcoming new young members, and letting them progress at a pace and to a level that suits their ability and ambition.

 At present we have about 400 members, ranging in age from 8 years upwards to 80+. Of those about 220 are young athletes (between 8 & 16 years of age).

 The club nights are Monday and Wednesday each week from 6.00pm to 8.00pm  (7:30 for younger athletes) The sessions end later in summer. We meet at the Herringthorpe Stadium, Rotherham .

  Training usually takes place outdoors but in the winter months indoor facilities are available, i.e. sportshall athletics. 

Qualified coaches are present on all club nights to instruct and guide athletes and the club has a number of qualified Graded Officials  The Executive Committee is responsible for the organisation and control of the Club.

  The club has a Constitution and holds an AGM. Our organisation and procedures  earned the prestigious Clubmark accreditation award in 2005.

   Competition is available in all disciplines of track & field in the summer and, road and cross country running during the rest of the year. Members are expected to represent the club in competitions.

 The Track & Field section competes in South Yorkshire and Northern leagues, in National Junior and National Young Athletes leagues and various Open and Graded meetings.

 The meetings are enjoyable events. Parents, friends and relatives are actively encouraged to come along to support the athletes.

 The outdoor track & field season runs from the 1st April to the end of September.

Winter warm-up meetings take place in March. The indoor season runs from October to the end of February.

 Members can compete in both Young Athletes Road relay races and Cross country running. We enter teams in the South Yorkshire, Yorkshire , North of England and National events.

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Becoming a member

 We are happy for all potential new members to come along and make sure they enjoy the training nights and club atmosphere. All potential members have to become temporary members, so that we have the necessary details to take effective care of them.

  A temporary membership form is enclosed in this pack. You must complete this and hand to the coach or official before joining a training session. Temporary membership is free, and lasts for 4 weeks or 6 training sessions. We then ask you to join as a full member. For young athletes under 17, the form must be completed & signed by a parent or carer.

Membership runs from 1^st January – 31^st December, and new membership costs £30. For this you get the first year (or part year) membership, the England Athletics competition licence fee and a club vest.

 Subscription renewals (2008) are £25 for adults and £15 for U18s & those in full time education.

 There is a wealth of information on the club website; www.rotherhamharriers.org.

 If you would like to talk to someone at the club, about any of the above, or any other issue, please contact  the Club Chairman Jim Brogan on 01709 370486, the Club Secretary Steve Gaines on 01302 538408, or any of the coaches or officials.

Yours sincerely

Jim Brogan 

Club Chairman

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Introductory Letter to Parents/Carers.

 From Gayle Lebond, Child Protection Officer, and new member contact.

   On behalf of Rotherham Harriers & Athletics Club, I would like to welcome your child, and provide some further information about the young athletes section and our activities.

 The club provides the opportunity to receive coaching and participate in competitions. The club caters for all. We will treat everyone equally and fairly, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/economic status.

We want to ensure that all athletes and members are protected and kept safe from harm while they are with managers, coaches and officials in our club. We do this by :-

• Ensuring that all coaching is by qualified coaches who are trained and have been screened for their suitability for working with young people. Also that the ratio of group size to coach is maintained at manageable levels (This may mean having to restrict the number of places available)
•  Ensuring that details of any athletes illnesses and medication are available whenever club events or activities take place.
•  Giving parents and athletes information about what our clubs aims and ambitions are and what they can expect from us.
•  Advising parents of what the club expects from them.
•  Letting parents and athletes know how to voice their concerns or complain if there is anything they are not happy about.

§          Appointing  Child Protection and Welfare officers within the club.

The club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment  free from threat, intimidation, harassment and abuse.

 All club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory or unacceptable behaviour. Any such behaviour will not be tolerated by the club, and will be handled in accordance with our discipline procedures.

  The club believes that it is important that members, coaches, officials and parents/guardians should, at all times, show respect to others.

As a member of the club, we ask that you:-

§         Listen to the coaches and officials, and follow their instructions at all times.

§         Pay fees promptly

§         Wear club vests for competitions, and correct clothing and footwear for training.

  Club vests and clothing can be bought from the club shop, We will be happy to help with advice on clothing, footwear and any other athletics related issue.

 The club has prepared a detailed information pack of good practice procedure, regarding child protection, and welfare, that this club will adopt whilst children are in our care.

 
This pack is available to anyone on request.

Please contact me if you need to discuss anything,

Gayle Lebond

 Tel No. 07981 596469

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Temporary Membership Form

 This form allows an athlete to join training sessions for 4 weeks or for 6 sessions. After that time athletes are asked to become full members.

• Name of  Temporary member_________________________________________

• Age_____________

Please detail any important medical, or disabillity information that our coaches should be aware of,

 Emergency Contact Details

• Name of person to be contacted, in case of an incident /accident

              _______________________________________________________________

• Contact Number ____________________________________________

NB For young people under 17 years old, a parent /carer must complete the section below

By completing and returning this form, I agree to my child taking part in the activities of the club.

I understand that in the event of any illness or injury all reasonable steps will be taken to contact me, and to deal with that injury/illness appropriately.

Name of parent /carer : ______________________________________

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Signature:

Date: