President's
report
Welcome to the 2009/2010 season
of Casey Little Aths. It seems like only yesterday we were winding up the
08/09 Summer Season. And for those that have been competing in the Cross
Country season it probably is only yesterday.
Since its inception Casey
LAC has been a part of the Southern Metro Region of the VLAA. Due to the
massive
size of this region the VLAA has done some
restructuring of regions and as such Casey along with Pakenham and Cranbourne
now belong to the Gippsland Region. This does not impact on us in any major
way. The main difference will be that Region Relays and Region Track & Field
days will now be held at Newborough.
Much has been going on behind the scenes over the winter period by a very
hard working committee. A dedicated team has seen a very successful Winter
Cross Country Season take place. We have also decided to start Relay Training
earlier this year, and as you are reading this many athletes have been training
for relays since early September. Also Casey Council has been fortunate in
receiving a grant to extend our pavilion. This will give us a dedicated office
space, additional storage as well as change rooms with showers and additional
toilets. As I write this report we don’t as yet have a commencement date
for this. Whilst talking about Council, many of you will be aware that there
is a new Athletics Facility being built at Casey Fields. This is an all weather
track with excellent facilities. We here at Casey continue to work with council
in upgrading our facilities here also.
There will be a number of Major Events at Casey LAC this year. We are in
our second year of hosting the Southern Metro U6-U8 Carnival. Last year’s
event was a big success with many other athletes from outside the SMR also
attending, and letting us know they will be back again this year. Also on
our calendar is the “Change for Kids” day. This is a day were we raise money
for the Royal Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Last
year Casey raised the most money for this event for the whole of the VLAA.
As a result some of our kids were asked to present the cheque at the Good
Friday Appeal and some of you hopefully saw them on TV. Of course other events
will include our Xmas Twilight Meeting and Centre Championships. Check out
the calendar elsewhere in this handbook.
Those of you who have been with us for a while know that we require a lot
of helpers to run each week (approx 110). Many people opt to do the same
duty every week. This year duties will be allocated per age group. By participating
you will find that it is a great way of being right in the action. If you
are not signed on as a helper you are not permitted onto the arena. We are
also looking for people to become Officials, Starters, Coaches and Judges.
On competition days, committee members will be again wearing orange vests.
If you need any help, or wish to find out more, these are the people to look
for.
To the athletes, Remember
Little Aths is all about Family Fun & Fitness.
There is only one person that you need to beat and that is yourself. If,
over a season, you have learned to run a little faster, jump a little further
or higher, on throw better, you have had a great season.
I look forward to seeing you all during the season. Remember, if you have
any problems or ideas, please see either myself or any of your wonderful
committee, after all we are all there for the kids.
Happy Running,
Shane Triffitt