Mildura Little Athletics Policies

It is not appropriate for parents to drop young athletes at the centre and then leave. We encourage parents to assist the Age Group Leaders as they follow their own children around – this alleviates discrepancies with results and ensures that the athletes are looked after in the best possible way.

Wet Weather Policy
If significant rain has fallen overnight or in the lead up to competition, the track/course will be inspected on the morning of competition in respect to safety by the Competition Co-ordinator and/or another designated committee member. If considered unsafe competition will be cancelled and an announcement will be available on mobile phone 0427767448 at 8:15 am during the Track & Field Season and 11:00am during the Cross-country season.

Hot Weather Policy
If the weather is forecast on Saturday to be 39ºC or above for Sunday - competition will automatically be cancelled. No notification to members will occur.
If the weather is forecast on Wednesday to be 36 ºC or above for Thursday – training will be automatically cancelled. No notification to members will occur.

Injury Policy
All competitors who sustain an injury during competition are to complete an incident report available from the First Aid Officer. Injuries requiring medical attention, must on return to competition, present to the First Aid Official an original certificate from a Medical Practitioner, certifying that the child is fit to resume full competition. The certificate will be retained by the Centre and be treated confidentially. Failure to meet these requirements will result in the child being denied access to competition until such time as they are met.

Late Arrival During Competition
Athletes arriving late for competition must ensure they have completed a warm-up/stretching routine before commencing competition. This is the individual’s responsibility. Athletes MUST report to the Registrars desk and MUST enter competition in their Age Group in the event (i.e. long jump) being undertaken by their group at that time.

Sun Protection Policy
The Mildura & District Little Athletics Centre is aware that children are especially susceptible to the sun’s rays and that skin cancer can be prevented.

The following strategies have been adopted:
 Where possible, competition and training shall be scheduled outside the hours of 11:00 am and 3:00 pm (daylight saving time).
 The Centre will maximise the use of natural shade provided by trees, buildings and portable shades.
Individuals will be encouraged to bring their own shade structures to Centre and Region activities.
Where possible, portable shade will be provided at all field event venues and track marshalling areas.
 Officials shall promote the wearing of sun protective clothing; shirts with long sleeves and a collar, wide brimmed or legionnaire hats and sunglasses
 Athletes will be advised to take umbrellas, drink bottles and sunscreen to events. Hats and sunglasses may be worn during competition.
 SPF 15+ or higher sunscreen will be promoted and made available by the Centre.
 Event programs, newsletters and public announcements will be used to maintain awareness of and promote sun protection.
 Centre officials and coaches will act as sun protection role models.

This sun protection policy will be endorsed annually to ensure that it remains relevant to the needs of the Centre.

Smoke Free Policy

The Mildura and District Little Athletics Centre is aware that smoking endangers health and believes that all Little Athletics venues and functions should be smoke free. In an open park the venue is defined as ‘the area inside an imaginary boundary 50 metres from the outside perimeter of the circular track.’
The following strategies have been adopted to promote a SmokeFree environment;Cigarettes shall not be sold at any venue used by the Centre.Executive members, coaches and officials shall not smoke in view of the public or athletes during the lead up to and conduct of Little Athletics events.All Centre meetings and functions shall be smoke free.All areas within the Centre will be SmokeFree, including clubrooms, canteen, changing rooms, toilet blocks, spectator areas, and competing areas.The Centre will place no smoking signs in prominent positions and remove ashtrays from all non smoking areas.The Centre will ensure that smokers have a place outside the venue or out of public view, where they can smoke, and provide them with ashtrays/bins.Reference will be made to the smoke free policy in Centre publications.Regular announcements will be made to ensure that members and visitors are aware of the Centre’s SmokeFree policy. Signs provided by the Association will be placed in the venue.All visitors will be required to observe this policy.

Non-compliance with the policy will be handled by an explanation of the Centres SmokeFree policy to the person, including the identification of areas in which smoking is allowed. In the case of continued non-compliance with the policy, Centre officials will use their discretion as to the steps to be taken, which may include asking the person to leave the premises or function.
This policy will be endorsed annually to ensure that it remains relevant to the needs of the Centre.

Responsible Alcohol Management Policy

The Mildura and District Little Athletics Centre is aware that alcohol, when misused can cause harm to the drinker and others. A responsible drinking policy has been adopted so as to reduce risks and avoid problems.
The following strategies have been adopted:
 There will be no sale or consumption of alcohol during the conduct of any Little Athletics events.
 Where alcohol is consumed at a Centre function, the following measures will be taken;
(i) Alcohol will not be served to minors.
(ii) Alcohol will not be served to any person who is intoxicated.
(iii) Low alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks will be available and promoted.
(iv) Water will be available at no cost.
(v) Healthy food options will be available when alcohol is served.
(vi) Members who have been drinking will be encouraged to use safe transport options.
 There will be no alcohol advertising at any venue used by the Centre.

This policy will be endorsed annually to ensure that it remains relevant to the needs of the Centre.

Healthy Food Choices Policy
The Mildura and District Little Athletics Centre is aware that healthy eating is a vital part of good health. We recognise that lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, non-insulin dependent diabetes and obesity are all associated with the food we eat.
We acknowledge that healthy eating can have an impact on the lives of our members, and that the provision of healthy foods will contribute to better health for all. Enjoying a variety of foods from different food groups is the key to healthy eating.
The Centre will ensure that a variety of healthy food choices are available for all Club activities. This applies to all meetings, competitions, functions and events and to all members, officials, players, volunteers, spectators, visitors and any others taking part in Club activities.
The following strategies have been adopted to ensure that a variety of healthy food choices are available at all Centre activities.The Centre canteen (where applicable) will provide a variety of healthy food choices.Healthy food choices will be available at all Centre events and functions.The enjoyment of healthy eating and the role of food in relation to health will be promoted at Centre activities and in Centre publications.Healthy food choices will be displayed more prominently than other foods.Healthy food choices will be priced competitively.The variety of confectionery, potato chips, soft drinks and ice creams will be limited.The centre will attempt to make fresh fruit, vegetable options and water available to all members where a canteen is in operation. This policy will be endorsed annually to ensure that it remains relevant to the needs of the Centre.