BC Athletics Bulletin

Your weekly source of up-to-date Athletics news in BC. If you came to this page via email link, click here to get to main BCA site.

ISSUE #39-2006
Friday, October 6, 2006

Highlights from this issue:

JD Banquet - Reminders for Club Coaches and Presidents
The AC Gold Standard - October edition is now available
The JD Committee AGM details announced
Haney-Harrison Relay Registration is now open
Rising Stars in Athletics - This week's spotlight is on Ruky Abdulai

FROM THE BCA OFFICE

2007 Individual Membership Application Process - NEW

BC Athletics began full implementation of the AC Direct national online database effective October 1, 2006. Club Registrars sign up their members with BC Athletics through AC Direct. All members of BC Athletics affiliated clubs must now submit their BC Athletics membership applications directly to their club Registrar for processing. The on-line BC Athletics Membership application form on the BC Athletics website is still available for "Unattached" members to use.

ATTENTION CLUB REGISTRARS:

I am in the process of organizing the transition over to the new national Database - AC Direct. Club Registrars will be contacted within the next few weeks and will be given access to the site. At the present time only the 2006 membership year is available. The 2007 membership year will be available shortly. In the meantime, please send an email to me with the Name, YOB and membership type applied for any athlete memberships you are holding onto for processing as 2007 members. I will keep a supplemental membership list going so these athletes names are on the BC Athletics membership list that goes out to sanctioned events. Your patience is much appreciated through this process.

Rising Stars in Athletics - This week's spotlight is on Ruky Abdulai

Ruky Abdulai

Born: 1985
Hometown: Accra, Ghana (now Coquitlam, BC)
School: SFU
Club Affiliation: Valley Royals
Coach: Tom Dickson / Jerold Jones
Event(s): 100mH, 200m, 400m, 400mH, LJ, HJ

2006 Best Outdoor Performances & Rankings:

200m - 24.39, 2nd in BC, 15th in Canada
400m - 54.45, 2nd in BC, 7th in Canada
100mh - 13.93, 1st in BC, 8th in Canada
400mh - 59.13, 1st in BC, 2nd in Canada
Long Jump - 6.36m, 1st in BC, 3rd in Canada
High Jump - 1.85m, 1st in BC, 3rd in Canada

Achievements:

2006 Canadian Senior Championships Long Jump, 3rd - 6.23m
2006 Canadian Senior Championships High Jump, 3rd - 1.82m
2006 BC Senior Championships Long Jump, 1st - 6.04m
2006 BC Senior Championships 200m, 1st - 24.29
2006 NAIA Outdoor Championships Long Jump, 1st - 6.79m w
2006 NAIA Outdoor Championships High Jump, 1st - 1.79m
2006 NAIA Indoor Championships High Jump, 1st - 1.80m
2006 NAIA Indoor Championships Long Jump, 2nd - 6.34m
2005 NAIA Outdoor Championships 100m H, 1st - 13.96
2005 NAIA Outdoor Championships Long Jump, 1st - 6.28m
2005 NAIA Outdoor Championships Triple Jump, 1st - 12.70m
2005 NAIA Outdoor Championships High Jump, 3rd - 1.65m

Records:

Team Selections:

Favourite Experience in Track:

My favourite experience is getting the chance to compete against US athletes who are like me and also being around great athletes at SFU. Another great experience is when I jumped 6.79 in Fresno. After the jump I knew my goals and dreams will come through in Track and Field.

Goals for the future:

My goal is to train hard in the 400m and LJ before the season starts, for I have a feeling that I will jump over 7m in the Long jump and under 54sec in the 400m. My biggest goal for the future is to be the first great athlete in the world to compete in 400m and LJ.

2006 Junior Development Award Recipients

BC Athletics is proud to announce the 2006 Junior Development Award Recipients. Please click on this link for a complete list of Recipients: www.bcathletics.org/main/awards/06jd.htm

2006 Junior Development Awards Banquet Luncheon

Date: Sunday October 15, 2006
Time: Special Hour - 11:15am
Banquet Luncheon - 12:00pm
Location: Croatian Cultural Centre
3250 Commercial Drive (close to Victoria and Commercial intersection), Vancouver

REMINDERS:

Club coaches and Presidents could you please check:

2006 Junior Development Committee Annual General Meeting

Date: Saturday, October 14, 2006
Time: 2pm
Location: Brighouse Pavilion, Richmond BC (Granville Avenue - between #3 Rd. & Minoru Blvd.)
Agenda and details will be posted on the website as they become available.

FOR ALL 2007 EVENT MANAGERS & DIRECTORS:

Here at BC Athletics we're starting to put together the 2007 Calendar of Events. It has been requested numerous times that the calendar be produced and distributed before the following calendar year begins. In an effort to accomplish this we are asking for your cooperation and participation. In order to have the calendars out in December, 2006 we are setting the submission deadline as October 15, 2006.

In order to assist your planning we have put together a preliminary list of 2007 Track & Field events, including many major championships. It can be found here:
www.bcathletics.org/main/pdf/tfcal07prelim.pdf

Please assist us by replying in a timely manner. Additions & Corrections receivable until Oct. 15.

ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES:

Did you know that if you were on a Track and Field/Cross Country regional, provincial, or national team, you can receive high school credits?

If you have been on a BCA team between grades 8 and 12, there are 4 credits or 8 credits that you are eligible for. The course codes are UXSA 10 and UXSA 12. These credits can't be substituted for any required courses, but they do enhance your transcript. Please contact your high school counselor to find out how to receive the credits you've earned. For further information on what qualifies for the credits, visit the BCEd Course Information on Graduation, Chapter 3, page 94: www.bced.gov.bc.ca/graduation/courseinfo/cid.pdf

Petro-Canada Sport Leadership sportif 2006 - Vision 2020: Building a Sustainable System

OTTAWA July 28, 2006 - Mark your calendars! Petro-Canada Sport Leadership sportif 2006 is November 3-5 at the Vancouver Sheraton Wall Centre. This year's conference is expected to build on the success of last year's with a wide variety of workshops and stimulating speakers.

The theme for this year's conference is 2020 Vision: Building a Sustainable System

SCHEDULE

REGISTRATION

CAC is in the process of developing the online registration form as well as workshop descriptions and the conference website. Delegates will be able to register for Petro-Canada Sport Leadership sportif 2006 in September. Registration deadline is October 20.

SPEAKERS

More than 30 leading experts in sport science, coach education, business management, volunteerism, and other key topics will be presenting at this year's conference.

Coaching Association of Canada
141 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 300
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5J3
Telephone: 613-235-5000
Fax: 613-235-9500
coach@coach.ca

Re-Subscribe to Receive the BC Athletics Bulletin by Email

Unfortunately, when the BC Athletics Office changed computer systems at the end of May the BC Athletics Bulletin Subscriber list did not transfer to the new system. To receive the Bulletin by email, please re-subscribe by entering your name and email at www.bcathletics.org/main/bcabulletin.htm. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Officials

BC Officials Committee Nominations

Nominations are now open for any officials interested in being part of the BC Officials Committee. The group meets about five time a year, and is responsible for developing programs to support competitions. Meetings are informative and good company….and include lunch! Consider nominating yourself or another official.

We are particularly interested in recruiting committee members from Vancouver Island, to support our efforts to recruit and train new officials in that region.

Read our minutes for an overview of activities this year. Elections take place at the Officials AGM.

Starting Block Rules

There has been some recent confusion about the use of starting blocks for sprint events. The following describes the age rules for blocks:

Ages 9-13 Blocks NOT allowed
Ages 14-15 Blocks MAY be used, by athlete discretion
Ages 16-35 Blocks MUST be used.
Ages 35+ Blocks MAY be used, by athlete discretion

BCA Officials Incentive Program 2006

Don't miss out!! Check out the BCA website Officials section for a link to the officials incentive program application. Great award items are designated for each year of service, so be sure you are recognized for your contribution to our sport. Remember, events would not happen without our BCA officials!
www.bcathletics.org/main/officials.htm#incentive

BC Athletics Officials who are members in good standing, and have worked a minimum of 6 days (48 hours) in 2006 are eligible for awards in the officials incentive program. Incentive awards (classy uniform items and useful equipment) will be distributed at the Officials AGM, November 19. For a list of items, and the claim form, click on the link above. Deadline for 2006 claims is October 31.

Please note that any official, level 2 or above, can order additional BCA golf style Nike dri-fit shirts for 32.00. The price may drop if we get a large enough order, so be sure to get your request in before October 31. And remember to include your size, as Shirley is a not a mind reader! She can be reached at chedro@telus.net.

BC Branch Official Committee Annual General Meeting

This popular event for officials (or anyone interested in becoming an official) will be held November 19 at Madison's Restaurant in Abbotsford.

Clubs are asked to donate draw prize items to thank the hard working officials group, all those volunteers wearing blue and white who support your organizations and athletes during the year. (Thank you in advance to those groups who donate to the officials meeting each year).

And a hearty thank you to the Achilles International Track Society for sponsoring the official's lunch at the annual event.

Cross Country

Athletics Canada to send team to 2007 World X-Country Championships

After further consideration Chief High Performance Officer, Martin Goulet, announced today that Athletics Canada will participate to the 2007 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Mombassa, Kenya. The decision was re-visited, taking into account a number of factors, including the upcoming appointment of the Cross-Country Running Coordinator. With the input and direction of the new Coordinator, Athletics Canada will conduct a thorough analysis of the discipline and how it fits into the overall sustainable International Podium Bound success plan.

Athletes interested in competing in Mombassa should be aware of the following facts:

A full medical advisory will be published in the coming weeks; as well Athletics Canada will ensure that a physician travels with the team. Canada will also be participating in the 2007 NACAC Cross-Country Championships on March 10th in Clermont, Florida. The focus will be on the NACAC event, given the Long Term Athlete Development model and that the championships offer a suitable alternative for the vast majority of our athletes.

Following are the selection pools from which athletes could be selected to teams for the IAAF World Cross-Country Championships and NACAC Cross-Country Championships:

World Cross-Country Selection Pool

Junior Women & Junior Men: Top 12 eligible at 2006 Cross-Country Nationals
Senior Women: Top 12 eligible at 2006 Cross-Country Nationals
Senior Men: Top 16 eligible at 2006 Cross-Country Nationals

NACAC Cross-Country Selection Pool

Junior Women & Junior Men: Top 16 eligible at 2006 Cross-Country Nationals
Senior Women: Top 24 eligible at 2006 Cross-Country Nationals
Senior Men: Top 24 eligible at 2006 Cross-Country Nationals

Full selection criteria will be published and distributed, for more information please contact:

Scott MacDonald
National Teams Director
Athletics Canada
smacdonald@athletics.ca
613-260-5580 ext. 3306

Track & Field

Point Grey Community Track Fundraising

In the past year, we have received a great new addition to our community - a beautiful new turf field and the initial groundwork laid for a first rate track facility at Point Grey Secondary. Unfortunately, due to budgetary constraints, the track surrounding the new turf has not been completed to its full potential.

We are excited to unveil our plans to finally finish the new facility by building a lit, eight lane rubberized track. This will provide our community access to first class athletic facilities which will significantly enhance the surrounding neighborhoods and will boost business in the area. With the only comparable facility located in Richmond, we are thrilled about the prospect of completing this much-needed addition to our community.

We urgently seek your help in making this proposed track facility a reality.
Here are the ways in which you can help:

Road Running

Haney - Harrison Relay Registration is now open

The Haney - Harrison Road Relay and 100km Ultra will begin November 4. Please click on the following link for online registration.

BCA Winter Road Running Performance "Interval Training" Clinic (Long Program 2) starts October 18th at Brockton Oval in Stanley Park

The Clinic is coached by John Hill, a past Vancouver Marathon winner, BC Athletics Hall of Fame member and Certified Level 2 Coach. It is 24 Wednesday nights from Oct 18 to May 2, 2007 (with 4 weeks off in Dec). The cost is $140 plus BC Athletics membership (minimum $10) or a drop-in of $12.

For more information call John Hill at 604-688-8648 or email johnhill@telus.net.

BC TEAM SELECTED

2006 Trans Canada Canadian 10k Road Running Championships
October 7, 2006
Ottawa

Timex series final event will take place alongside the picturesque Ottawa River. The race starts and finishes at the new Canadian War Museum.

Congratulations to the following athletes who have been selected for the BC Team.

TIMEX National Road Race Series Final - October 7th Ottawa

October 5th 2006, OTTAWA - The TransCanada 10K Championships, taking place this Saturday October 7th in Ottawa, will also play host to the TIMEX National Road Race Series Final. Developed in 1989 in conjunction with the provincial branch associations of Athletics Canada, the Timex Road Race Series holds over 110 races with in excess of 140,000 participants per year. It is a Canadian National Road Race Series, encompassing nine series in all provinces.

The TransCanada 10K Championships and Run with the Champions 10K, including the Timex Road Race Series final takes place this Saturday October 7th. The race will start at 3:30 p.m. in front of the new Canadian War Museum. A special ceremony will precede the race, honouring Olympian Émilie Mondor who died tragically on September 9th. Émilie was registered to race this weekend, continuing her comeback from career-threatening injuries.

The event will be unique as elite athletes will be competing for a Canadian title while running in the same race as the mass participants in the Run with the Champions 10K. As well as crowning a male and female Canadian Champion, 11 Age Category champions will be recognized.

The Run with the Champions 10K is still accepting mass participation registrations, to register please visit www.transcanada10km.ca. Walk-up registrations will be welcome on Saturday. All participants will receive a number of freebies, including a TIMEX pedometer.

25th Anniversary running of the Richmond Flatlands 10k

NEW start/finish location at the Keg at Steveston and 5 Road.
NEW certified course through south Richmond - rural, flat and scenic
NEW finishers medallions to celebrate the 25th Anniversary

OPTIONAL: Keg Lunch for $20 with 30% going to Wheelchair Racing
OPTIONAL: Souvenir long sleeve t-shirt
OPTIONAL: Buy a pair of Mizuno shoes at R&R while registering and get $20 off your entry fee!

Road Race Management - Race Directors Meeting & Trade Show

CAMPS, Courses and Clinics

Winter Training Camp

The Vancouver Thunderbirds Track and Field Club is a partner in the organization of this year's winter (warm-weather) training camp in Orlando, Florida. The camp will take place December 28 - January 5. For details on the camp, guest coaches, and high performance athletes that will be in attendance, please visit the Thunderbirds website: www.thunderbirdstrack.org

NCCP Coaching Theory Courses

Under the new NCCP Coaching Certification system, Maple Ridge Leisure Centre is offering the non-sport specific Coaching Theory Course Part A Sept. 30, Oct. 1 and Part B Nov. 25, 26.
For details visit: www.mapleridge.org/parks/schedules/Fall%20Brochure%202006.pdf

Harassment Advisor Training course offered

Gymnastics BC is conducting a harassment advisor training session on Friday, November 3rd, 2006 from 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. at the Coast Tsawwassen Inn. The cost for this course is $50.00. To register contact: Nicola Humphreys, Gymnastics BC, at 604-737-3113 or by email to nhumphreys@gymnastics.bc.ca.

NCCP Level 1 Track & Field Coaching Workshops

This course is ideal for the school educator/coach, club parent & community volunteer. The presentation will provide you with the material, knowledge and confidence to help you with your track & field coaching and start you on your way to becoming a certified track & field coach.

VICTORIA - POSTPONED This Level 1 coaching course has now been postponed until spring of '07. Details will be posted as they become available.

NCCP Level 2 Track & Field Coaching Symposium

Upcoming: a Track and Field Level 2 Certification Symposium for ALL event areas to be held October 28-29 at Rick Hansen Secondary School, Abbotsford. It will begin at 9:00am Saturday and Sunday. Bill McGregor will be the attending keynote speaker. Top coaches from around the province will also be in attendance.

The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon 2006 World Congress

Science and Medicine of the Marathon

Presented by American Road Race Medical Society (ARRMS) and the American
College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
Oct 18-21, 2006

Conference Topics

Demographics of Modern Marathon Running
Physiology
Energy Metabolism
Muscle Damage
Doping Issues
Psychology
Immunology and Hematolgy
Race Day Medical Care
Cardiovascular Medical Issues
Hyponatremia

Run Jump Throw!

RunJumpThrow coming to the NorthWest as part of the Power of Sport Tour!

RunJumpThrow will be offering a variety of courses/workshops to the schools and communities in the Hazelton, Kitimat, Terrace, and Prince Rupert areas as part of the Power of Sport Tour October 16-22.

In addition, there will be introductory workshops for the communities on officiating and coaching Track and Field.

If you are in the area, and are interested in hosting or taking part in any of our offered programs, please fill out the registration request form, and fax/send it back to BC Athletics.

Upcoming RunJumpThrow Events

For information on upcoming RunJumpThrow Events taking place across the province, please visit our RJT web page at www.bcathletics.org/main/rjt.htm.

RunJumpThrow Instructor Workshops Available

Now Online:

Job / Volunteer opportunities

For job opportunities with specific BC Athletics member clubs, please see the BC Athletics home page under "What's Happening."

REMINDERS and Quick Links

The Gold Standard October 06

The October 2006 edition of Athletics Canada's newsletter is now available. You can read the latest edition of our official newsletter by following this link: www.athletics.ca/cmslib/general/TGSOctober06.pdf

In this month's edition:

Aboriginal Sports & Recreation News

Managing Risk - Keeping our Sport Safe

In the continuing effort to provide information and tools to assist member clubs in managing risk and providing a safe environment for children, youth and adults to train, participate and compete in Athletics (Road Running, Track & Field, Race Walking, Cross Country Running, Marathons, Ultras, Trail and Mtn Running), please find below the link to the Sport BC website and information on:

BC Athletics Sanctioned Events Applications

All Events are requested to get their BC Athletics Sanction Forms in to the BC Athletics office as early as possible. The BC Athletics office should receive them no later than 3 months prior to the event taking place. If you have questions or need information please contact as follows:
Track & Field events: Ron Bunting - ronbunting@bcathletics.org
Road Running & Cross Country Events: Jerry Tighe - jerrytighe@bcathletics.org