CLUB ETIQUETTE

We welcome everyone to our facilities and encourage everyone to try something new.
However, in order to keep everyone safe and the facilities in tip top condition, the club politely request that everybody adheres to some simple “Track Etiquette” points:

General

  • The athletics facility is available for use by members and authorised group bookings.
  • All athletes and Coaches wishing to use the facility must sign-in at the entrance.
  • All athletes wishing to use the facility must pay at the same time as signing in.
  • Athletes under the age of 18 are only allowed to use the facility when supervised by a coach or adult (aged 18 or over).
  • No food or hot drinks to be consumed on the running track – please use sports bottles.
  • All bags and clothing should be kept on the terrace or inside the clubhouse.
  • Please dispose of all litter in the appropriate bins provided.
  • Spectators must stay outside the running track at all times. Coaches will be pleased to chat to you when the session is over and they are outside the track.
  • Out of courtesy to the coaches and for safety reasons, mobile phones should be placed on silent mode and not used by athletes during sessions except emergencies.
  • Coaches may use phones/cameras for filming, only to aid technical review.
  • Any purposeful mistreatment of any equipment will lead to immediate dismissal.
  • Any bad sportsmanship and aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated.
  • Yate & District AC reserve the right to ask you to leave the track if you are in breach of the terms and conditions or if you behave in a way that in the view of Yate & District AC is offensive to customers and/or staff, or could potentially compromise Health & Safety policies.

Training Equipment

  • Coaches and Assistants must be present when equipment is taken from the store at the start of a training session.
  • Return all equipment back to its designated spot.
  • Athletes must report any broken equipment to their Coach, who then needs to inform the Club Chairman.

Track

  • Only 6mm needle spikes to be used on running track surfaces.
  • Never go onto the track without stopping and looking in both directions!
  • Never cut across the central grass area.
  • Do not use headphones or mobile phones on the track.
  • All sprints, strides and drills to be done in an anti-clockwise direction, except shuttle runs, turnabouts and wind-affected hurdles sessions, under the supervision of a coach.
  • Only warm up as directed by your coach and avoid the inside three lanes. Stay off the track until this time.
  • Never start a rep or stride around the track if you can see a faster group or athlete coming towards you. Wait until they have passed!
  • When you finish a rep or stride don’t just stop on the track as you may be blocking other groups coming up quickly behind you.
  • Make yourself aware of what other groups are doing in their session before you start your own.
  • Be aware of faster athletes who might approach you from behind. Be prepared to step aside when it is safe to do so.
  • Never stand on the track when you are not training, especially near the finish line.
  • Return training hurdles to the trolley if you have used them.

Throws

CAGES
  • Coaches must ensure that when using the throws cage for Discus and Hammer Throwing, the netting is safe and secure.
  • Gates must be set appropriately for the Hammer Throw
  • Only the throwing athlete is permitted within the enclosed area of the throw.
  • Anybody in the area not throwing must be aware of what is happening in the circle when it is in use.
  • At the end of each session, damage to the infield should be made good, as far as possible.
JAVELIN
  • Coaches must ensure that javelins are not thrown except on explicit instructions.
  • Javelins must not be retrieved until instructed by the coach.
  • when retrieving, javelins should be carried back in a vertical position.

Horizontal Jumps

  • Check long jump pit for debris before jumping.
  • Rake/dig over the sand at the end of each session.
  • Brush sand from runway and surrounding areas.
  • Ensure rakes are not left lying horizontally on the ground.
  • Make sure the pit is covered and equipment returned to the store after the session.

Pole Vault

  • no vaulting without a qualified coach
  • poles NOT to be left unattended on the floor

High Jump

  • Two people to remove doors and push cover.
  • Never jump or stand on the rain cover especially spiked shoes.
  • Never walk over the rain cover when on the ground especially with spiked shoes.
  • Do not over tighten the post height adjuster, they only need to be finger tight.
  • Advise a coach if the bar/lath is damaged/fibre glass is visible/exposed.
  • Do not jump in trainers if conditions are wet or slippery.
  • Never train alone.