No matter how well an athlete trials and how fast or far they are jumping you will often find they succumb to nerves on the big day and unfortunately do not reach their potential achieving a less than expected result. Naturally this affects their confidence and self esteem and in some cases leads athletes to quit the sport

From experience I have found the best way to overcome nerves is to attend lot s of meets so that the athletes become familiarr with the routines and practices of competitions.  In these less critical meets the coach can help athletes to learn how to master pre competition nerves, disappointments and how to conduct themselves when the win or have to give media interviews or meet with senior Athletic Officials or supply samples to the officers conducing random drug sampling..

A company called 'Sporting Credentials' manages the  Griffith University track on the Gold Coast and conducts a series of open meets called the 'Personal Best' series. However to attend these meets you must be a registered member of Queensland Athletics and a track club

These meets are perfect in that they are informal but provide an opportunity for athletes to find a class or group that suits their level of performance and expectation.  If the athlete is ready for the next level of competition then they simply enter into the category that will best meet their needs.

LOCATION OF GC

The Gold Coast Athletics Centre is situated in the Griffith University campus and is situated at the end of University Drive which is reach from Parklands Drive, Parklands, Southport.

From Brisbane drive down the M1 towards the Gold Coast. Turn off at Smith Street (Motorway 10) and drive down it for about 2km.  Turn left into Olsen Drive (It has a sign to Griffith University) and get in the right lane immediately to turn right into Parklands Drive.  Drive about 100 meters and turn right into University Drive. Drive to the end of it and on your right is the athletics centre.

NOMINATION PROCEDURE

On arrival athletes should pay their competition fee and nominate for the events they wish to compete in at the 'Meeting Room' (male athletes complete blue cards, female athletes complete pink cards)

Nominations for each event close thirty minutes (30) before the start of that particular event. Start lists will be generated from the event nominations. In laned track events late entries will be allocated lanes where available. For field events, officials will decide how many trials to allow based on the number of competitors and time programmed for the event.

WARM UP

The coach is not able to attend all of these meets however all athletes should allow at least 30 minutes warm up prior to any event. To avoid unexpected problems with transport (delays due road works, accidents, break downs) athletes should plan to arrive 1 hour before the event to allow a leisurely nomination and warm up. If it is a state or national meet then allow 2 hours. The coach will nominate where he will meet you to assist in warm up etc.

CALENDARS, PROGRAMS & RESULTS

For all competition colanders, programs or results  please visit the Queensland Athletics website http://www.qldathletics.org.au/ and look up the ' Calendar page'.