TIPS AND ADVICE FOR THE UPCOMING TRACK SEASON

Its hard to believe that the first track meet of the 2004 season is a few days away. We've all been practicing in the evenings for the past 3 weeks. Everyone has been working hard in getting ready to compete. So lets not forget some key the things that can make the track meets ahead and the year safer, shorter and a much more pleasant experience for us all.

Sunscreen Is A Must

In looking at the weather forcast, it looks like its going to be in the mid 70's this coming Saturday. Its Spring now, the Sun in higher on the horizon and more of its rays are hitting the ground. We've been practicing in the evenings and its a easy thing to overlook at this first Meet so lets not go away from a winning day with a nasty sunburn by forgetting the sunscreen. PF 20 or greater is recommended and don't forget hats and jackets. It may be a high of 70 but the wind chill early in the day can make it uncomfortable when your out in the open.

Fruits, Veggies and Water

Lets all make sure that we pack up some Fruits, Veggies and Water for our Student Athletes to snack on throughout the day. Track meets make for a 4 to 6 hour day including travel time and with many of the sites at remote locations, the typical concession fare at an SYS Track Meet is not going to meet the nutritional needs of our participants. Yes, we want to support our member Areas that are hosting the meets by frequenting their concessions but the kids will between event running fuel. Grapes, bannanas, apples, carrots, strawberrys as well as oranges and string cheese make for great inbetween race snacks and don't forget the water. Water may or may not be available at the finish line so make sure to bring your own.

Guns Up at 9 A.M. Lets Pitch In and Help

SYS is an all volunteer affair. Yeah you paid your money for your child to participate but without your support, the meets can make for a long drawn out day. At the begining of each Meet, you will hear a call go out for parent volunteers to man everything from the stop watches to the longjump pit. By volunteering, you can make your day pass faster. You will also get a birdseye view of the competition you would otherwise miss by being in the stands. So help make for a great day by pitching in. For 39 years, Elmore Park has had an active tradition of volunterism so lets do our part in keeping this great tradition alive at Elmore Park. Remember, first guns up is at 9 a.m.. That means the meet is scheuduled to begin. 8:30 is when the first calls goes out for the first events, so you need to be at the Track Site no later than 8:30 unless instructed otherwise by your Coach. If you see things moving slowly at the begining of meet , its ususally because of a lack of volunteer support. If the call goes out for volunteers, do your part this season and pitch in and help.

Sportsmanship

Sportmanship is key to a winning season and even winning at life. Yes we are out to compete and yes we are out to win but instilling in our children a sense of sportsmanship and fair play make us all winners at the game of life. There will be controversy, bad judgement calls that are just part of the game.

That said, never approach a parent or a child on yours or the opposing team in an aggressive manner. Same goes for game officials which you will see in white or black hats administering the days events.

If you have a problem address it too your coach. If you are not satisfied move up the chain of command to your Area Director. Lets cheer our hearts out and be there at the finish line to support out kids win or lose. Also remember that parents are not allowed on the track unless they are working the meet.

REMEMBERING WE ARE GUESTS

Each week of Track season Shelby Youth Sports is the guest of Shelby County or Memphis City School Systems. This means that we can end up in situations where we might not be invited back to a school or even be allowed to participate if we don't do our part to take care of the facilities in our charge. Its important to remember as guests to leave the venues in as good a shape or better than we found them. Lets all do our part to take care of our track sites.

Treating All Children As We Would Our Own

There are going to upwards to several hundred kids at each track meet. Some may not be as well supervised as others and well.....as we know even with our own, its hard to keep up with them on Meet Day. So lets keep a close eye on our youngsters," treat them as you would your own" tell them to quit running in the bleachers, or quit hanging out in the bathrooms and stay out from under the bleachers and oh yeah....no throwing food from the top of the stands.

Most of what you will run into you should be able to handle yourself, if you ever run into a situation where you feel unconfortable feel free to find an "SYS Game Official" head coach or your Area Director. and let them know your concerns.

ELMORE PARK PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT: PLEASE READ AND TAKE TO HEART

Below is the Elmore Park Youth Sports Parent's Code of Conduct. We ask that you do your best in support of the Code througtout the upcoming 2005 Track & Field and Cheer & Dance Seasons. Elmore Park has always enjoyed a tradition of great sportmanship within our ranks and amongst the member Areas we compete against.

If we all do our part to make sportsmanship one of our top goals for the year all else tends to fall in place.

I hereby pledge to provide positive support, care, and encouragement for my child participating in youth sports by following this Parents' Code of Sports Ethics Pledge.

I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, and officials at every game, practice, or other youth sports event.

I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my child ahead of a personal desire to win.

I will insist that my child play in a safe and healthy environment.

I will support coaches and officials working with my child, in order to encourage a positive and enjoyable experience for all.

I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, and will refrain from their use at all youth sports events.

I will remember that the game is for youth ‘«not for adults.

I will do my very best to make youth sports fun for my child.

I will ask my child to treat other players, coaches, fans and officials with respect regardless of race, sex, creed, or ability.

I promise to help my child enjoy the youth sports experience by doing whatever I can, such as being a respectable fan, assisting with coaching, or providing transportation.

I will ask my child to treat other teammates, coaches, volunteers, fans, and officials with respect regardless of race, sex, creed or ability.

I will have my child at practice, meets, and/or other club functions and events on time.

I will support the 10:00 p.m. curfew for my child during all track meets, football games, and cheer competitions and there will be no sleepovers prior to game nights.

PARTICIPANTS TIPS AND ADVICE FOR UPCOMING 05 TRACK SEASON: POST ON THE REFRIGERATOR

1.Rest well before each track meet. NO SLEEPOVERS

2. Use the Buddy System. Example- If you go to the bathroom, take a friend and tell one of the coaches where you are going.

3. No horseplay. No running on or playing under the bleachers, don't hang out in the bathrooms.

4. Mark your clothing. If you leave something then someone can find you to return it.

5. Be a good sportsman and assertive.

6.Do not wear jewelry of any kind. Examples- watches, earrings or necklaces.ect.

7. Remain in uniform during the meet.

8.Wear your nametag so that your name is visible to officials.

9. Make sure to bring a water bottle and plenty of fruits

. 10. Tie your shoelaces twice if you have shoelaces.

11. Do not wear spiked track shoes.

12. Remember your times and distance for each track and field event.

13. Relax between races and stretch.

14. Eat something for breakfast. Examples- a bowl of oatmeal, two eggs, toast with jelly.

15. Warm-up once as a group.

16. Visualize winning the race before running the race.

17. If you have any problems with anyone, tell one of the coaches. He or she will resolve your problem.

WEBSITE RESOURCES: WEBSITE HAS BEEN UPDATED WITH UPCOMING TRACK & FIELD SCHEDULE

The upcoming 2005 Track & Field schedule has been loaded to the website under Meet Schedule under track. Directions for the Collierville Meet as well as all future Meet locations that we will be traveling too can be found under the Meet Locations link also under Track at the Elmore Park homepage at www.elmoreparkpackers.com

SHOW YOUR ELMORE PARK PRIDE

T-shirts both long and short sleeve as well as sweatshirts, hooded sweatshirts, car decals and yard signs are available for purchase through the Booster Club at practice. For more information see Andrea Miller.

ITS SYS SCHOLARSHIP TIME AGAIN

Do you know a former SYS participant who is set to graduate in 2005. If so, they are eligible to apply for SYS Scholarship moneys.

Last year 3 former Elmore Park participants, Kevin Sequin, Jamie Nabokowski and Josh Cooper won $3000 in scholarship moneys from SYS.

What are the qualifications....well its easy. If you are a graudating Senior and participated with SYS in at least one season you are eligible to apply.

For more information on how to apply, visit our scholarship link on the Elmore Park homepage. We also have some helpful scholarship links on our links page as well.