Register online for Children’s athletics
Information for the 2021-2022 children’s athletics season:
Welcome
To the largest, most successful and friendliest, family orientated athletics club for children in Dunedin. Our over-riding passion and purpose is to share our passion for athletics to the next generation.
Ultimately, our vision is to foster our club members to be the best that they can be. We have structured our training to support both having fun and participation whilst learning essential skills that are the foundation for so many other sports and we have balanced this a competitive element. To this end we hold no Club Championships, rather we base our recognition on attendance, participation and achievement across the athletics season, across all disciplines.
We provide you with access to weekly progress and improvement across all athletic disciplines, based on your child’s results from Saturday competition. You can see an example of this from last season here https://hillcity.liquidflameit.co.nz/. We celebrate the values of loyalty, team work, sportsmanship and tenacity.
Athletics is a sport that develops a sense of competition, resilience, to get up and try again as well, it builds confidence within a team environment.
Our club is run by volunteers and our coaches are all current athletes, typically who have been athletes from a young age at our club and have commonly and successfully competed at a National level.
So, if you want your children to have fun, make new friends, learn how to run faster, jump and throw further, then come and join our family orientated children’s athletic club.
Registration is Tuesday 7th and 14th September, 6pm to 7pm, at our Club rooms, Logan Park Drive, Opposite the Caledonian.
Joining Up
To find out about Hill City-University summer children’s athletics, come to our training evenings on Tuesdays from 6:00-7:15pm.
You can join in the fun, register online, or at one of our registration days, and get your club uniform (if you’d like to take part in interclub competition).
Registration is Tuesday 7th and 14th September, 6pm to 7pm, at our Club rooms, Logan Park Drive, Opposite the Caledonian.
Coaching and Training
Training and coaching is held for children aged 14 and under every Tuesday evening for those aged between 4 – 9’s 6pm to 7:15pm and for the 10 -14’s 7pm to 815pm at Hill City–University clubrooms, Logan Park. Apart from the 5 and under’s all training is at the Caledonian Athletic Stadium.
Our aim to make training fun for both athletes and the parents. For Health and Safety we require that all parents or an assigned caregiver remain present whilst their children train or compete. We also encourage parents to get involved to help our coaches allow the children to learn as much as they can. On a club night we typically start with a warm-up, jogging around the field outside the clubrooms and doing stretching exercises. For 4-9’s this starts at 6pm sharp and 10-14s, 7pm After the warm-up the children will be taken across the road to practise and have fun. Training is typically no longer than an hour. For the 5 and unders it is typically around 30 – 45 minutes. Each week, each age grade spends 20 minutes practicing each of 3 different disciplines according to a weekly roster.
There is training for relays, sprints, middle distance, high jump, long jump, discus, shot and hurdles.
For older children that want to develop their athletic skills, typically 10 and above there are a variety of Hill City-University junior squads available that specialise in sprints (12-14), middle distance (10 – 14), throwing (10 – 14) and jumping (12 – 14). These squads are managed separately by experienced adult coaches, numbers are limited and if you think you maybe interested in these please talk to our Convenor, Simon Rhodes or John Hollows.
We try, if enough volunteers are available to run a BBQ every training evening. Kids tend to be hungry after training and we use this to help fundraise for the club. Please support it if you can.
If the weather is bad, cancellations will also be sent out by email, or alternatively you can check our Facebook page.
Competitions
Interclub track and field competition is held on most Saturdays (9:00am-midday) at the Caledonian over the summer season. Attendance at interclub competitions is encourages but entirely voluntary. At the interclub competitions children continue to be coached to help reinforce technique and confidence. At the regional championships this trackside coaching is not allowed.
Competition times and dates are published in the Otago Daily Times Sports Draw Section under Athletics in Thursday’s paper. Look for Hill City-University Children’s Section or Otago Children’s. we have provided the draft schedule below
The club provides singlet on loan to all athletes involved in interclub competition; athletes are required to wear their own black shorts to complete the club uniform. If your child wants to wear anything that shows under their singlet it must be either plain black, or plain white (this is strictly enforced at the Colgate Games).
The age for the season is set at the age on 31 December 2021. Age on this day determines athlete’s grade for the whole season.
Competitions through the season include:
- Children Ribbon Day – Have a Go, no registration required, Saturday 17 October 2021
- Paape Cup: A one-day event on Sunday 21 November 2021 10:00am to 4:00pm, this has been recently changes to a non-selection event to encourage all to participate 7 – 70!
- SBS Mini Multis (mini pentathlon): Over two one day competitions: 6 November and 11 December 2021. Individual athletes can enter up to 4 events and we will enter as many teams as possible in club relay teams.
- Colgate Games: South Island Colgate Games will take place in Invercargill from 14-16 January 2022. As in years past we expect to take a large team to participate and compete in this well-established and great festival of sport.
- Otago Championships: This is a weekend competition held at the Caledonian Ground 10:00am-4:00pm, 26 – 27th March 2022. We expect all our competition athletes to participate in this event.
- 7-11 Team Meeting: the only selection event for this age grade, This year we will be competing in Invercargill 9 April 2022.
- Inter-provincials: A national event where provincial teams from across NZ age grade 12-13. Athletes will be selected to represent Otago. This year Otago are hosting this event at the Caledonian over Easter, 15-17th April 2022. This is simply an awesome experience for young athletes and all Club members in these age grades will be encouraged to make themselves available for selection.
All interclub competitions at the weekend during the season are included in the registration fee.
There are entry fees for the Colgate Games and attendance to Inter-provincials. If you would like more information about any of these please talk to a member of the committee.
Contacts
Email hillcitychildrens@gmail.com
The fees include club and controlling organization memberships (Athletics Otago and Athletics New Zealand) for all athletes. For competing athletes, there is free loan of a club singlet, eligibility to compete at interclub competitions and the Colgate Games, as well as the opportunity to be selected in Otago representative teams.
All fees are paid by when registering online at:
Online payment for Children’s Athletics
| Competitive Athlete – 6yrs to 14yrs (Tuesday club nights and eligible for all competitions) | $88.00 |
| Non Competitive Club Athlete – 6 to 14yrs (Tuesday club nights only) | $72.00 |
| Non Competitive Club Athlete – under 6 years (Tuesday club nights only) | $40.00 |
The same race numbers are assigned to athletes each season. It is intended that the ‘pin–on’ number is to be re-used each season. Official replacement numbers can be printed for a $5.00 fee. Please contact a committee member to arrange this. Payment by cash, please.
No refunds will be given after the third week of the season to any members.
Trial period
If you are unsure about joining, the first Saturday meeting is a non-competition ‘Ribbon Day’ and generally the next Saturday morning competition can be tried on a 1-day registration at no charge. This year this is October 17th 9am to 12pm.
Also, we will allow you to come to the first 2 training nights free before having to decide.
Parent Help
We are an organisation run by volunteers, without parent help, we cannot function. Hill City-University is duty club at the shot put each Saturday and competition day and several helpers are required. A roster is drawn up every season and you are expected to be available or to have organised a replacement.
Help is also expected of all parents on Tuesday evening training nights. An outline of some of the roles is set out below for further information.
Tuesday night
Parent supervisors for all age groups (at least 2 for each age supervisors will assist coaches, coordinator plus 6 parent helpers for run jump throw for 6’s and under).
We are always happy for parents to get involved with coaching. Perhaps you are an ex-athlete, perhaps you just want to be part of the child’s learning. We provide training for those that want it, otherwise we ask that if you are available you help the coaches on training nights by supervising the children and keeping disruptive behavior to a minimum.
Coaches for blocks, sprints, middle distance, relays, hurdles, walk, long jump, high jump, discus, shot put, and administration are always welcome.
Saturday mornings
Shot put judges (plus rostered assistants) finish line assistants, help with hurdles (as required).
Other positions
Organising committee (the more the merrier), team managers (Colgate Games), age group managers for 7-11 teams and the Inter provincials team
If you are keen to be involved, we would love to hear from you! It does not matter if you don’t have experience in coaching, there are many different ways that you can help the club while supporting your own children and others. We can help fit you into a role and support you as you become more familiar with the club and activities.
Otago Representative Teams
Grades 12 and 13 have an interprovincial team that is selected for the Colgate Inter-provincials in Dunedin 15-17 April 2022.
Grades 7–11 are selected to compete in a meeting with neighbouring provinces. This year this Invercargill, 9 April 2022
To enable the club to acquit itself effectively, it is important that as many as possible of our registered athletes compete in the Saturday competitions at the Caledonian Ground and make themselves available for regional selection. This enables the club to field relay teams and improves club spirit.
Courses for Parents
We encourage all parents to get involved in the smooth running of their children’s athletic programme. To improve your skills when assisting at various disciplines, courses are held through the year and are extremely worthwhile. To register or make enquiries, contact:
Karen Palmer
Athletics Otago
Tel 027 649 5657
Email athleticsotago@xtra.co.nz
Website athleticsotago.co.nz
The Run, Jump, Throw course is an ideal introduction for parents who would like to know more about what their children are doing. No previous skills or experience necessary to participate in these courses. Contact Karen for details on the next available course.
Discipline
The purpose of Tuesday evening is to provide a friendly and fun environment for coaching and training. It can be very difficult for the parents who are coaching and helping, to deal with the misbehaviour of children who are not their own.
If children mis-behave they will be warned. If bad behaviour persists after a warning, the parents/caregiver will be advised, and will be expected to help – usually by assisting with the activities involving their child until the problem is resolved.
The disciplinary steps are:
- Warning
- Parents/caregiver advised
- Suspension from training for one week
- Asked to leave the club – no refunds
Health and Wellbeing of Your Children
Please also note that at no time on Tuesday evenings and competition days that we are actively babysitting / supervising your children. You are required to be present or always have an assigned caregiver present. This is particularly important from a Health and Safety perspective as accidents do occur (although rarely) and occasionally training is abandoned due to bad weather.
The health and wellbeing of your children while at athletics is your responsibility. If you are unable to supervise your children, you must arrange adequate supervision.
Childrens Athletics Programme 2021-2022
We split our training times to accommodate the ages of our club members
Under 6 – Get Set Go 6pm to 6:30-6:45pm
Age grade 6-9 6pm to 7:15pm
Age grade 10 -14 7pm to 8:15pm
| September | 7 | Tuesday | Registration Night | Club Rooms | 6:00pm -7:00pm |
| 14 | Tuesday | Registration Night | Club Rooms | 6:00pm -7:00pm | |
| 21 | Tuesday | Preseason Club Night | Club Rooms | 6:00pm – 8:15pm | |
| 28 | Tuesday | Preseason Club Night | Club Rooms | 6:00pm – 8:15pm | |
| School Holidays | |||||
| October | 19 | Tuesday | Club Night | Club Rooms | 6:00pm – 8:15pm |
| 26 | Tuesday | Club Night | Club Rooms | 6:00pm – 8:15pm | |
| November | 2 | Tuesday | Club Night | Club Rooms | 6:00pm – 8:15pm |
| 9 | Tuesday | Club Night | Club Rooms | 6:00pm – 8:15pm | |
| 16 | Tuesday | Club Night | Club Rooms | 6:00pm – 8:15pm | |
| 23 | Tuesday | Club Night | Club Rooms | 6:00pm – 8:15pm | |
| 30 | Tuesday | 6:00pm – 8:15pm | |||
| December | 7 | Tuesday | Club Night | Club Rooms | 6:00pm – 8:15pm |
| 14 | Tuesday | Club Night | Club Rooms | 6:00pm – 8:15pm | |
| January | 14-16 | Friday – Saturday | Colgate Games | Invercargill | All day |
| February | 1 | Tuesday | Club Night | Club Rooms | 6:00pm – 8:15pm |
| 8 | Tuesday | Club Night | Club Rooms | 6:00pm – 8:15pm | |
| 15 | Tuesday | Club Night | Club Rooms | 6:00pm – 8:15pm | |
| 22 | Tuesday | Club Night | Club Rooms | 6:00pm – 8:15pm | |
| March | 1 | Tuesday | Club Night | Club Rooms | 6:00pm – 8:15pm |
| 8 | Tuesday | Club Night | Club Rooms | 6:00pm – 8:15pm | |
| 15 | Tuesday | Club Night | Club Rooms | 6:00pm – 8:15pm | |
| 22 | Tuesday | Club Night | Club Rooms | 6:00pm – 8:15pm | |
| 26-27 | Saturday – Sunday | Otago Athletics Champs | Caledonian | All day | |
| May | TBC | Tuesday | Prize Giving | Club Rooms | 6:00-8:00pm |
Otago Childrens Athletics Programme 2022-2022
| October | Saturday | 17 | Ribbon Day (School Holidays) | Caledonian | 9:00-12:00 |
| Saturday | 30 | Hurring Relays | Caledonian | 9:00-12:00 | |
| November | Saturday | 6 | SBS Mini-Multi’s (Day 1) | Caledonian | 9:00-12:00 |
| Saturday | 13 | Interclub Track A Field A | Caledonian | 9:00-12:00 | |
| Sunday | 20 | Paape Cup | Caledonian | 9:00-12:00 | |
| Saturday | 27 | Country Meet | Alexandra (TBC) | TBC | |
| Saturday | 30 | Interclub Track B Field B | Caledonian | 9:00-12:00 | |
| December | Saturday | 4 | Interclub Track C Field A | Caledonian | 9:00-12:00 |
| Saturday | 11 | SBS Mini-Multi’s (Day 2) | Caledonian | 9:00-12:00 | |
| January | Fri/Sat/Sun | 7/9/10 | N.I. Colgate Games | Wellington | All day |
| Fri/Sat/Sun | 14/15/16 | S. I. Colgate Games | Invercargill | All day | |
| Saturday | 15 | Lovelock Classic | Timaru | All day | |
| Saturday | 29 | Interclub Track A Field B | Caledonian | All day | |
| February | Sunday | 6 | Interclub Track B Field A including Otago Medley Relay Champs | Caledonian | 9:00-12:00 |
| Sunday | 13 | Interclub Track C Field B | Caledonian | 9:00-12:00 | |
| Saturday | 19 | Interclub Track A Field A | Caledonian | 9:00-12:00 | |
| Saturday | 26 | Interclub Track B Field B | Caledonian | 9:00-12:00 | |
| March | Saturday | 5 | Interclub Track C Field A | Taieri – Memorial Park | 9:00-12:00 |
| Saturday | 13 | Interclub Track A Field B | Caledonian | All day | |
| Thursday | 18 | Twilight Meet | Caledonian | 6:00 – 8:00 | |
| Sat/Sun | 19/20 | Otago Secondary School champs | Caledonian | All day | |
| Sat/Sun | 26/27 | Otago Children’s Championships | Caledonian | All day | |
| April | Sunday | 10 | 7-11 Team Meet | Invercargill | 10:00-4:00 |
| April | Sat/Sun | 11/12 | Inter-provincials Grade 12 and 13 National Meet | Dunedin | All day |
| TBC | TBC | South Island Secondary School Championships | Invercargill | All day |
Otago Children’s Athletics Season Programme 2021-2022
(Guide only – subject to change)
| Field Programme A | Field Programme B | |||||
| Grade | Event | Event | Grade | Event | Event | |
| 7 | Kit/Vortex | Shot Put | 7 | Long Jump | Discus | |
| 8 | Long Jump | Discus | 8 | Kit/Vortex | Shot Put | |
| 9 | Shot Put | HJ/Vortex | 9 | Discus | Long Jump | |
| 10 | Long Jump | Discus | 10 | High Jump | Shot Put | |
| 11 | High Jump | Discus | 11 | Long Jump | Shot Put | |
| 12 | Shot Put | Long Jump | 12 | Discus | High Jump | |
| 13 | Discus | High Jump | 13 | Shot Put | Long Jump | |
| 14 | Long Jump | Shot Put | 14 | Discus | High Jump | |
| Track A | Track B | Track C | ||||
| 7,8,9 | 60m & 80m | 100m & Track Relay | 200m & Kit Relay | |||
| 10-14 | 100m/1500m/Relay | 200m/800m/Relay | Hurdles/400m/Relay | |||
| 10-14 | Race Walk on Alternate Interclub weeks | |||||
