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 familiar 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..
In Brisbane the University of Queensland Athletics Centre conducts a
number of meets designed for this very purpose. They are called
the 'All Comer' meets and as the name suggests any athlete or trailing
athlete can attend these meets to compete against others of a similar
mind.
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 UQ
The UQ Athletics Centre is situated in the University of Queensland
and is situated at the intersection of Sir Fred Schonell Drive and Sir
William Macgregor Drive St Lucia. On the UQ maps you will find the
centre marked as Field 5. There is ample parking and detailed
directions including bus, ferry timetables can be found from the UQ
website at
http://www.uq.edu.au/maps/directions.html?menu=1
A detailed map of the university and track
can be downloaded from the following link
http://www.uq.edu.au/maps/pdf/StLuciaMap.pdf
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' r
Or
otherwise visit the UQ website at
http://www.uqsport.com.au/index.html?page=106354
