WELCOME TO HELENSBURGH
AMATEUR ATHLETICS CLUB
A warm welcome to Helensburgh Amateur Athletics Club and thank you for deciding to take out a membership with us. The aim of this pack is to provide new and existing members, as well as parents, with information about the club, what we do and what you can expect from
becoming a part of HAAC.
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HELENSBURGH AMATEUR ATHLETICS CLUB
Helensburgh Amateur Athletics Club (HAAC) provides opportunities for children, young people and adults of all ages and abilities to become involved in the sport of athletics – from training and participation in races right through to becoming a coach or helping to organise and run events. The club encourages fun, participation, sportsmanship and the social aspects of sport to anyone interested in participating. We ask in return that you respect the other members of the club, other teams and officials who support athletics. The club is affiliated to Scottish Athletics.
There is an annual membership fee, payable on April 1:
Senior: £45
Family: £90
Student: £25
Junior: £25
Associate: £10
Second claim: £10
You will be required to complete a membership form which also includes a consent form for use of photographs for publicity purposes. It also requires contact numbers, for in case of emergency. Please ensure it is completed as soon as possible and returned to our Membership Secretary John Turnbull or one of the club coaches.
HAAC has a number of qualified first aiders and a medical kit is always available in the clubhouse.
The club also recommends members wear appropriate running apparel and footwear. Many of the senior training sessions take place either on or near public roads in Helensburgh – for sessions during the winter which take place in the dark the club recommends runners wear reflective clothing. Hi- viz bibs can be borrowed from the club if required. Club membership also entitles you to a 10% discount at a number of Scotland’s leading running retailers.
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CLUB TRAINING SESSIONS (JUNIORS)
Training for junior members is held at the following times and venues.
Age group: 9 to 16
Day: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday
Venue: Juniors train at a number of venues throughout Helensburgh. These training locations vary depending on time of year and weather conditions.
Contact: Chris Colmer (Head Coach)
Email:
All sessions are led by UKA qualified coaches:
Chris Baillie, Chris Colmer, Wilson Hamilton, Darren Murphy, Laura Johnstone, Beverly Murphy, Elaine Hamilton and Campbell Cromar
The club enters the following regional and national competitions:
County/District/National Cross Country
National Road Relay Championship
Scottish Athletics Indoor League (SAIL)
Central and Southern Scottish Athletics League (CSSAL)
Track and Field District Championships
National Outdoor Championships
Transport to these events can be made available.
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CLUB TRAINING SESSIONS (SENIORS)
Training sessions for senior members take place on Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30pm, starting from the HAAC clubhouse in the grounds of the old Hermitage Academy – there is a pre-run warm-up from 7.20pm. All abilities are catered for, from the absolute beginner through to the more serious athlete and runners are split into squads appropriate to their athletic ability.
Sessions take the form of interval work or steady running on a designated public route through Helensburgh. The training is varied and can also include off-road or hill running. In addition to the structured club sessions, many members organise other training runs at weekends – details of these are posted on the clubhouse noticeboard, website and facebook group page.
Many HAAC seniors take part in a wide variety of events, at home and abroad, throughout the year. We regularly have squads taking part in cross country races, 5ks, 10ks, hill races, half marathons, full marathons all over the world and events which cover ultra marathon distances.
There are also regular team events which offer the opportunity to run in a more relaxed and social environment. Examples of these events would include the Round Arran Relay and Devil’s Burden Relays.
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ORGANISATION
As with the majority of sport clubs, HAAC is run by volunteers. These people are athletes, parents and other supporters who give their time to ensure athletes are able to train, progress and enjoy the sport. They administer the club, conduct the coaching sessions, transport children to events and organise club races and social events.
Committee
The club is run by the following people:
Co- President Laura Johnstone and Euan Crumley
Vice President Damien Theaker
Secretary Kenneth White ()
Treasurer Joanna Heath
Coaches Rep Darren Murphy
Welfare officer Laura Johnstone
PR & Publicity
and website Euan Crumley ()
Committee members Kevin Johnson
Julia Henderson
Becky Beale
Jan Fellowes
Junior reps Charlotte Jennings-Maune
Mhairi Cromar
Jake Sutherland
These people work had for the club but any assistance is always gratefully received and very much appreciated. If you would like to find out more about how you can help or if you would like to join the committee then make yourself known to a committee member.
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HAAC endeavours to promote the health and safety of members by asking them to adhere to the club’s code of conduct (see below). In addition to this, the committee will investigate and respond to any allegations of misconduct and behaviour ill-befitting of an HAAC member.
Appropriate action will be taken in line with the relevant club policies and procedures.
Helensburgh Amateur Athletics Club
Code of Conduct
As a responsible athlete you will:
· Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every athlete, coach, technical official and others involved in athletics and treat everyone equally.
· Uphold the same values of sportsmanship off the field as you do when engaged in athletics
· Cooperate fully with others involved in the sport such as coaches, technical officials, team managers, doctors, physiotherapists, sport scientists and representatives of the governing body in the best interests of the yourself and other athletes
· Consistently promote positive aspects of the sport such as fair play and never condone rule violations or the use of prohibited or age-inappropriate substances
· Anticipate and be responsible for your own needs including being organised, having the appropriate equipment and being on time
· Inform your coach of any other coaching that you are seeking or receiving
· Always thank the coaches and officials who enable you to participate in athletics
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN HAAC
The club is run by a number of dedicated volunteers but there is always a requirement for additional help in a number of areas. The time commitment for these roles varies and there is always a way for members to support the club, regardless of how much or how little spare time available to you.
Below are just some of the ways members can help the club. Many of these can count towards CPD opportunities. The club has funded a number of development opportunities, including coaching awards and qualifications. Please speak to a committee member for further details.
You can volunteer and assist by:
· Becoming a committee member
· Marshalling a club event (eg Helensburgh 10k or half marathon)
· Helping with race admin
· Coaching
· Clubhouse maintenance
· Planning and supporting social events
· Fundraising
· Development of club training
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