Sequoyah Youth Track and Field Club | Freduently Asked Questions


What ages can participate in the Sequoyah Youth Track & Field?
Sequoyah Youth Track Club is available to athletes from 6 -18 years old.


What are the different age groups and what is the birth date cutoff?
The athlete will participate in the age group determined by the athlete’s age as of 12/31 of the current year.

The age groups are:
• Sub-Bantam: 8 and under
• Bantam: 10 and under
• Midget: 11 and 12
• Youth: 13 and 14
• Intermediate: 15 and 16
• Young: 17 and 18


What are the track and field events?
Races:
• 100 Meter
• 200 Meter
• 400 Meter
• 1500 Meter
• 3000 Meter (Bantam and up)
• *Hurdles (Midget and up)
• 4X100 Relay
• 4x400 Relay

Field Events:
• Long Jump
• Triple Jump (Youth and up)
• Mini- Javelin (Midget and below)
• Javelin (Youth and up)
• Shot Put
• High Jump (Bantam and up)

Note: Age groups are typically allowed to participate in 3 races, two field events, and two relays at most meets.

*Hurdles may not be contested at most of the developmental meets.


What does the registration fee include?
 The registration fee is $100 for all athletes. The fee covers uniform (shirt and shorts), track equipment, ribbons and awards, team liability insurance, developmental meet fees, Junior Olympic meet fees, USATF annual membership, and end of season party.

All fees must be paid prior to participating in practice. Fees are refundable within the first two weeks of practice if the athlete should decide to withdraw.

Sequoyah Youth Track Club is non-profit. All funds will be used to the benefit of the club.


Is parent attendance required at practices and meets?
Yes. A parent or designated adult is required to be in attendance during all practices and meets. The coaches will be responsible for the athlete while on the track, however should a child need to leave the track for any reason, a parent or designated adult will need to take responsibility of the athlete.


Who are the coaches?
 All of the coaches are parent volunteers. They are required to have a background check completed through USATF and some have completed coaches training through USATF.


What are my volunteer obligations?
 If a meet is hosted at Sequoyah, we will need parent volunteers to take shifts to support events on the track and field, and support the snack bar. Each school that hosts a meet is required to staff the meet so volunteers will be required. The more volunteers available will ensure that the meet remains on time and runs smoothly.

In cooperating with other teams who are hosting meets, if they are short on volunteers, we may ask for a short shift to be covered to ensure the meet remains timely.

Coaching volunteers are always needed. All coaches for the club are parent volunteers and can usually use help with managing the kids at events around the track, supervising them in the stands, ensuring they are ready when an event is called, taking them for refreshments and restroom breaks, or relieving the coach to take a break. This is especially useful for the younger age groups.

Managing a team of 100 plus kids ranging from 6-18 requires a lot of support and help from the parents and all levels of assistance is appreciated.


What form of communication is used by the club to reach parents/athletes?
 All communication is handled via e-mail via sequoyahtrack@yahoogroups.com and the website, www.sytrackclub.com.com. You must register with yahoo groups to receive the emails. Go to www.yahoo.com, click on groups, and enter sequoyahtrack, join the group.

If a practice will be canceled, Marlee will typically send an email by 3pm so it will be important to use and email that you can monitor during the day.


Are there additional expenses required by the athlete?
• The athletes/parents are responsible for transportation to all meets.
• There are shirts and sweatshirts for sale, however purchase is optional.
• A good pair of running shoes should be purchased for the athlete. Spikes are optional, however most athletes above Sub-Bantam purchase them.


What running gear does my child need?
 Your child will need to have a pair of athletic running shoes for practice and meets. Appropriate running attire should include warm ups/sweats (earlier in the season), running shorts, long, short sleeved, and sleeveless shirts. Running spikes are an option, they are not required.

It is required that all athletes bring water and/or sports drinks to practices and meets.

Recommendation: Put your child's name on everything they bring to the track, including drinks.


What are the practice times and where?
 Practices will be 2 days a week, Tuesdays and Thursday unless reschedule is necessary due to weather or track availability.

Due to sports taking place at the high school track, the first few weeks of practice will take place at Arnold Mill Elementary, and then we will transition to Sequoyah. The high school events have priority so there may be occasions where we will have to relocate practice.

There may be an additional practice set up on Sunday’s for throwing and distance events. Details about the schedule will be communicated in email, and posted on the website.


What can I expect at practices?
Practices will be broken into two sessions once we are at Sequoyah. The first session from 5:30-6:30 will be Sub-Bantam, Bantam, and Midget boys. The second session 6:30-7:30 will be Midget girls, Youth, Intermediate, and Young. Coaches may ask that you arrive 15 minutes earlier (5:15 or 6:15 depending on group) to complete a warm up in order to maximize the time on the track.

Note: Please do not have the athletes eat heavily or consume dairy products before practices. Ensure they are properly hydrated and have had a healthy snack before arriving.


What can I expect at meets?
 Track meets are run at local high school tracks on Saturday’s starting the end of April. Typical arrival for the athletes is between 8:00 - 8:30am. The meets typically end around 4 p.m. in the afternoon.

If your child participates in another sport, i.e. baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, you can typically participate in some portion of the meet and leave for your other sport. We have many parents that bring their kids for as much of the meet as possible and head to the other sport and return later. The coaches are accustomed to that and will work with you. Just let them know in advance when the child will be arriving and leaving so we know when to expect them and whether we can get them signed in for an event.

There is not a set time schedule for the events, however, there is an order of events for the races/field events so you will be able to get a general sense of the time of day for an event.

The developmental season ends in May. Most of the children continue to the USATF (USA Track and Field) Junior Olympics meets in the summer. The first meet is the Area meet which is usually the first or second week in June. In order to advance further, the athlete HAS to participate in that meet. These meets are qualifying meets so the athlete has to qualify to advance to the next meet. If qualified, there is a state meet (mid-June), regional meet (early-mid July), and nationals (late July). For details on the USATF schedule, visit www.usatfga.org.

Bring ample fluids, sunscreen, and healthy snacks to the meets. Bring enough for a full day. Recommendation is to have umbrellas for shade or rain, blankets for cool mornings, towels, for dew on the bleachers in the morning, chairs, and stadium seats. Depending on the weather forecast, you can be prepared to bring what you need and what will make you comfortable. The club has a tent that is set up for the team, and some parents opt to bring their own as well. There are usually enough tents available between the club, coaches, and parents.

Note: Please ensure the athletes are properly rested, have had a healthy breakfast, and are properly hydrated before arriving to the meet. Avoid dairy products before and during meets.


Where can I buy running shoes/spikes?
 You can buy running shoes at any of the sports stores. However, the following stores have a knowledgeable staff, and a wide selection:

• Fleet Feet located at 224 Johnson Ferry Road, Sandy Springs
• Phidippides, 220 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs (also Ansley mall, Atlanta)
• Big Peach Running Company in Marietta, Atlanta and Kennesaw.
• www.eastbay.com
• www.vsathletics.com
• www.dickpondathletics.com

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