WHAT IS THE KITSAP FLIERS TRACK & FIELD CLUB?
The Kitsap FliersTrack & Field Club (Kitsap Fliers)is a nonprofit youth organization and official USA Track & Field (USATF) Clubbased in Kitsap County. USATF is the national governing body for track and field, road running, cross country running, racewalking, and mountain/ultra/trail running. Kitsap Fliers club membership benefits include sports accident insurance during USATF meets and sanctioned practices, USATF competition eligibility, subscription to the USATF Fast Forward magazine, opportunities to train with other athletes, and learn from the experience and expertise of our coaching team. We offer training in track & field events to boys and girls ages 6 - 18.Exceptional athletic ability is not a prerequisite of membership, and there are no entry or tryout requirements. Opportunity for competition is provided, but the emphasis is on setting and reaching personal goals. Athletes who desire to be competing members must register withthe USA Track & Field, whichis a requirementto compete inthe Association, Regional, and National Junior Olympic meets and the State and National Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championship meets.
The club’s goals are to encourage and help young people to develop physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually through their involvement in track & field.Our athletes will improve their physical conditioning and learn skills related to track and field. Our athletes will build a positive self-image as they recognize individual achievements. Our athletes will be part of a team that encourages and promotes the development of friendships, support and encouragement of fellow athletes, good sportsmanship and having a good time.
HOW DOES THE CLUB OPERATE?
The Board of Directors (Directors) administers the Kitsap Fliers’ organization. The Director of Coaching establishes the athletic programs that the coaches will administer.
The course of the year is three seasons:
Summer Season/Outdoorsession (May-Aug)
Fall Season/Cross-Country session (Sep-Dec)
Winter Season/Indoorsession (December-February)
Athletes can compete in one or all three sessions. Each program has its own registration and fees, but follows a common three-stage format:
- Early season skills development and conditioning
- A series of developmental meets hosted by local teams including the Kitsap Fliers
- The Junior Olympics series of qualifying meets leading to the national championships
Athletes train and compete within their age group. An athlete’s age group is designated by what age the athlete will attain during the current calendar year (i.e. by year end). Although official USATF divisions begin at age 9, divisions are typically available during the local developmental meets for younger athletes.
Ages17-18
Ages16-15
Ages13-14
Ages11-12
Ages9-10
Ages7-8
Ages6 & Under
Our club operates under the supervision of USATF certified coaches. All coaches and their assistants are required to be members of the USATF and maintain good standing through an annual background screening.
The club's practice sessions will be posted to the website at kitsapfliers.com. However, the track & field summer season will have two (2) practice sessions.
Practices will be held at schools in Silverdale and Poulsbo. Visit the website for practice locations and times.
If an athlete wishes to compete in USATF sanctioned meets(such as USATF Junior Olympics), it is up to the athlete to become a member of USATF online at USATF.org. Club dueswillcover the cost of athlete’sclub membershipfees, uniform package, facility rentals, training, and entry fees to all scheduled meets through to the USATF Junior Olympics Nationals in July.
Athletes who meet the USATF qualifying standard and desire to compete on the USATF circuit will be a part of the club’s Elite programs that are focused on training and preparing the athlete for the USATF Nationals and Junior Olympics Nationals held in the summer.
Travel and lodging is not covered and parents are responsible for arranging athletes to and from track meets; i.e. Regional’s and Nationals.
The club and families must work together to provide a positive experience for each athlete. We need families to share with us about their child’s experience, good and bad, and we need each family to take an active part in knowing what is going on in the club. The club will try to have someone at practice each day that can field questions and take your feedback.
We need parent involvement in several ways. In addition to encouraging and supporting your athlete, every parent must be willing to participate in club-supported activities:
- As in all non-profits, an increased percentage of income must come from donations and sponsorships.
If you know of any company or individual who might be willing to sponsor your child’s club, be sure to speak with a Director.
- The club has a few standing fund-raisers but we are always looking for more, so let us know your ideas.
If you have ideas about fundraisers or would like to organize or help facilitate a fundraiser, feel free to contact our fundraising committee.
- Volunteer as a coach if you have experience in an event and enjoy sharing your knowledge.
How to Join:
Club membership requires the following:
ATHLETE
- Team Registration:Each season/session will have its own registration period and fees. Open registration announcements will be posted on this site and athletes must be registered by the designated deadline in order to establish the team roster and allow athletes to participate in practices.
- USATF membership: Our club liability insurance requires participating athletes to be members of the USATF. Therefore, a current USATF number is required in order to complete registration. Applications are available online in the membership section of the USATF website.
- Uniforms: Athletes are required to wear the team uniform (Navy Blue tops and shorts with neon green logo) for competitions.
- Conduct: - Be at practice and meets on time - Arrive ready to listen, work hard, and learn - Be supportive of your teammates - Show respect for all coaches, officials, and opponents - Represent your club with appropriate language and behavior - Learn the rules and always compete by them - Have Fun!
PARENTS
- Home Meet Participation: All families are obligated to assist in this event. It takes the entire membership to make this meet a success each year and is the club’s only fund-raiser.
- Attendance at Practice:All parents/guardians of children age 9 and under are required to stay at practice for the safety of these younger athletes. Please make sure your contact information (particularly cell phone) is up to date in case of emergencies.
- Active Communication: Ensure that you are receiving club email communications and attend the periodic parent meetings. Inform coaches of any absences, injuries, illnesses, or other concerns as soon as they arise.
- Conduct: -Be a model for your child’s conduct (see above) - Place the overall well-being of your child above the competition - Actively support team coaches and other volunteers (even become a volunteer yourself) - Refrain from drug, alcohol, or tobacco use at all youth sporting events - Have Fun!
Mission
The mission of the Kitsap Fliersis to encourage and assist youth (ages 6-18) to develop physically, mentally, socially and spiritually through a competitive track program.The track club provides specific and individualized attention to the whole athlete while stimulating interest in, and encouraging the pursuit of, collegiate and advanced studies.
Goals
The goals of the track club for each athlete are:
- To improve physical conditioning as they learn skills related to competitive track.
- To build a positive self-image as they recognize their individual achievements while gaining exposure to college coaches and scouts.
- To be part of a team that encourages and promotesexcellence in academics and athletics.
- To engage in community service activities and publicize the benefits of physical activity.
Vision
We insist that our athletes have Fun, strive for Academic excellence, model Sportsmanship on and off the field, and run with Tenacity at practices and during meets.
Motto
Philippians 4:13“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Slogan: “Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement”
Expectations of the Athlete
Attitude:Come with a positive attitude and good sportsmanship.Be ready to work hard, listen, and support fellow team members.Accept and understand the seriousness of your responsibility in representing your club and community.
Respect:Disrespect and inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.All athletes are expected to treat their fellow teammates with respect and positive reinforcement.Respect the integrity and judgment of coaches and officials.They are doing their best to help promote you and your sport.Even if you disagree with theirjudgment, treating them with respect will only leave a positive impression of you and your team.
Readiness:Seasonal and weather appropriate running gear and water bottles are required.Athletes are expected to initiate their warm-up and stretching session upon arrival on the track.Make a commitment to training at least four times per week in order to get a real benefit out of running.Training is not recommended the day before a track meet, technique practice, though, is okay upon coach’s recommendation.
Uniform:New Members; a uniformis included in your registration fee. If you are a returning athlete and you need a new uniform,addthe current uniform cost to the registration fee. Each athlete must have a uniform prior to competing at a meet. Athletes should wear a club t-shirt (or club gear) over his/her uniform and bring spikes. It is recommended that All Athleteswear aClub T-shirt to track meets. Club T-shirts can be purchased through the club. *This is a club rule and is emphasized to promote structure and organization among our club and our athletes and to help ourcoach’s and parents distinguish who all our athletes are during track meets.
Athletes need to be at training on time so they can participate in the warm-up and stretching period at the beginning of each training Athletes remember, if your early you’re on time, if you’re on time you’re late, and if your late you’re real late. Parents should be punctual so athletes are picked up promptly at the conclusion of training. It is expected that athletes will come to training ready to work and learn. The coaches are experienced in their particular events and enjoy working with athletes. The coaches will try to make training fun as they direct the athletes in safe appropriate training and conditioning. Baby sitters they are not!
WHAT TO EXPECT AT TRACK MEETS?
Recreational track meets can move slowly due to the number of events being offered and the large number of participates. Parents should expect to spend the good part of the day, up to 4-7 hours, in the stands. Due to that reason we strongly recommend you come prepared.
Bring lunches and snacks, a cooler with ice and plenty of water. Remember that meets are held no matter the weather conditions and some meets do not have covered seating, so it also a good idea to have on hand some of the following items depending on the weather conditions:
Extra warm and dry clothing, umbrellas, seat pads, blankets, collapsible chairs, sunglasses, sunscreen, stop watches, binoculars, still and video cameras, and any other items you deem necessary.
Normally there is a concession stand to purchase food and snacks at the meet sites.
At meets, the club likes to sit together. As the announcer calls out the event, the athlete must report as instructed, so you must listen closely. Athletes are eligible in the recreational meets simply by showing up. In the state, regional, and national meets, there are qualifying standards and pre-registrationis done through the club.
The recreational meets in the beginning of the season are to provide the athlete with an opportunity to try a large variety of events and meet qualifying standards for larger meets. Performance at High School meets can also be used as qualifiers. The State meet typically only has qualifying marks in the high jump and long jump and all other events are open. The Kitsap Fliers encourages all of our athletes to take part in all recreational, State, Association, Regional and National meets. Eligibility for the Regional and National meets are based on performance at a USATF track and field sanctioned meet.
Association, State and Regional track meets can move faster and are typically more organized. All athletes need to be aware of what events they are running and what age division they are in. The announcer will call out the age and running event it is the athlete’s responsibility to be paying attention and getting ready to run. These track meets are all qualifying meets; meaning, the athletes must place 1st-3rd to qualify in order to move on to the next level. It is always important for the athlete and parents to stay motivated and to remember the club’s motto is Philippians 4:13.
Sportsmanship Guidelines for Parents, Coaches & Spectators
Coaches and parents are a tremendous asset to our youth athletes in track and field and the Kitsap Fliers are extremely grateful for your cooperation, support, and loyalty. We expect athletes to hold themselves to high standards of sportsmanship and hope that all parents, coaches and spectators themselves will serve as role models for our youth athletes by exhibiting high standards of sportsmanship as well. We must never lose sight of the fact that the participants in youth athletics are only "youngsters."
Officials and event management personnel are there to help make this a positive and rewarding experience for everyone, especially the athletes. Please treat them accordingly. The following guidelines should be adhered to at all times:
- Knowing and understanding the rules of track and field.
- Showing respect for the officials and their decisions.
- Showing respect for opponents at all times.
- Recognizing and appreciating the varying skill levels of all athletes participating.
- Maintaining self-control at all times.
- Showing a positive manner when cheering.
BASIC RULES AT TRACK MEETS
Always look in both directions when crossing the track. Never cross the track when any raceisinprogress.
Avoid any area between the finish line and start line, as officials and timers need a clear view of the starter located near the start of each race.
Never walk through the javelin, discus or shot put area when competition is in progress.
This is dangerous.
Be quiet when you are at starting line; make sure you stay in your lane, as instructed by the head starter, duringyour race.
If you are scheduled to compete in a field event and track event at the same time, you must first check-in with the head official of your field event in order for you to be able to compete in that field event when you have completed your track event.
When leaving a field event to take part in a track event, you must first inform (check-out with) the head official of your field event, or the judge in charge of your field event, or they have the right to disqualify you from your field event.
If you are scheduled to compete and you need to leave, even temporarily, you must advise thecoach.
If you have completed your competition and need to leave, you must advise the coach.
Always stay at least 10 feet back from the edge of the track so you and our club can never be accused of affecting the outcome of a race.
I have read and understand the Kitsap Fliers charter. I agree with all policies and standards indicated in this charter and intend to adhere to them at all times. I understand by not following these policies and standards could impact athlete participation eligibility.
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Student-athlete Name Printed Student-athlete Signature Date
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Parent/Legal Guardian Printed Parent/Legal Guardian Signature Date
FALL SEASON (XC SESSION)
KITSAP FLIERS CROSS-COUNTRY ATHLETE
BENEFITS: Membership benefits include training and preparation for cross-countrysession, sports accident insurance, and opportunities to train with other athletes. Athlete will learn from the experience and expertise of our Certified USATF coaching team.Athlete is trained weekly to be competitive for the cross-country session.
WINTER SEASON (INDOOR SESSION)
KITSAP FLIERS ATHLETE
BENEFITS: Membership benefits include strength and conditioning training, sports accident insurance, mechanics training and preparation for indoor season, opportunities to train with other athletes, and administration cost. Athlete will learn from the experience and expertise of our Certified USATF coaching team.Athlete is trained weekly to be competitive for the indoor session.