ATHLETE CODE OF CONDUCT

I WILL show respect to fellow athletes, parents, coaches, and officials at all times.
I WILL NOT ridicule, put down, or gossip about other athletes, coaches, officials, or parents.
I WILL adhere to the rules and judgments of the coaches/officials.
I WILL NOT use language that is improper or indecent.
I WILL stay current with all school assignments to ensure my eligibility to participate in track and field events.
I WILL attend practice and meets prepared and having the appropriate equipment necessary to train and compete (shoes, spikes, implements, warm-ups, etc.)
THE COACHES WILL use their discretion when determining the events that I will compete in and I will not complain. I will remember that they are human and are using their best judgment.
I WILL inform the team of my absence from practice or track meets.
I WILL NOT instruct from the sidelines unless asked to by the coach.
I WILL respect all facilities made available so that I may participate in all track meets.
I WILL respect the officials and their authority during events.
I WILL adhere to all parking requirements at meets and practice facility.

*****I WILL ALWAYS HAVE FUN*****

WHEN DOES THE TRACK SEASON BEGIN?

WHAT IS USA TRACK & FIELD?

USA Track & Field (USATF) is the national governing body of track & field. Before any athlete can compete in a USAF-sanctioned meet, whether as a member of ARS or not, he/she must first become a member of USATF. USATF membership is required for all athletes. USATF membership can be obtained by filling out an on-line application. The Arizona Rising Suns Club # 48-0233. Your membership number must be submitted by using the on-line application process. USATF membership cost is $20.00, which is not included in our club membership fee. The USATF Group Accident Insurance Program will begin as soon as the USA Association receives your card. The program covers all track-related accidents at practice sites and meets
WHAT ARE YOUTH ATHLETIC AND JUNIOR OLYMPIC MEETS?

Youth and Junior Olympic meets are sanctioned by USA Track & Field, and the same events are offered in both. Athletes compete in USATFAZ Regulation meets throughout the season. Athletes then move on to compete in the Championship meets such as the Arizona State Championships, the Arizona Junior Olympics, the Region 10 Championships and finally the USATF Youth National Junior Olympic Championships. Athletes must qualify at the Arizona Junior Olympic Championships (top 8 qualifiers) to be eligible to compete in the Region 10 Championships. The Regional Championships will qualify an athlete to compete in the National Championships if they are in the top 5 of their event(s). Athletes must be 7 years old to compete at the National Championship level.
WHO CAN JOIN?

The Arizona Rising Suns Track and Field Club is open to girls and boys ages 5 to 18. No prior experience with running competitively is required to participate. Our track and field program is designed, for all athletic abilities, to introduce kids to competitive sprint and distance running, and field events such as long jump, triple jump, javelin and discus. We provide an opportunity for athletes, regardless of current skill level to challenge their selves to achieve skills, courage and determination that will encourage a lifelong love of athletics and health fitness.
AGE VERIFICATION

Age verification is required for all new athletes. You must provide a copy of the athlete’s birth certificate to the team secretary for the verification process. Athletes who are not age verified will not be able to compete in any competition meets.
CLUB MEMBERSHIP FEES

The membership fee is $300 per athlete (If a family has more than two children registering for the club, the fee will be reduced to $235 for the third child and each consecutive child in that family for that year). High school athletes participating before and/or after the high school track will be charged $130.00. There is a $120 training fee for non-competing athletes. A $50.00 fee is required to participate in the pre-conditioning session that starts the first Monday in November. The fee will be subtracted from the membership fee if the athlete elects to continue with the regular season. Fees are not prorated or adjusted to the numbers of meets and there are absolutely no refunds *ATHLETES WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO COMPETE UNTIL THEIR MEMBERSHIP FEE IS PAID IN FULL*
UNIFORMS & EQUIPMENT

Athletes must compete in Arizona Rising Suns uniform or uniform approved by Arizona Rising Suns coaching staff. Athletes will not alter or add additional clothing over or under the official uniform (such as leggings or shirts that extend beyond the uniform). The price of uniforms/warm-up varies depending on the quantity ordered. Cost for a complete uniform which includes the mandatory team uniform and warm-up attire is $170.00. If an athlete needs to replace only a portion of the uniform a price breakdown is as follows: Estimated cost of uniform (uniform shirt and shorts) is $80.00 Estimated cost for the warm-up (long sleeve jacket and pants) is $90. Uniforms and Warm-Ups are sold in complete sets only. We also have T-shirts, hoodies and hats available if you would like to purchase these optional items.
FOOTWEAR

Running shoes and running spikes are the responsibility of the athlete. A good running shoe is needed as well as a pair of spikes. Athletes must compete in running spikes. These are available on-line or at local merchant locations such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, Sole Sports and Big 5.
CAN YOU PARTICIPATE IN ARS TRACK AND HIGH SCHOOL TRACK AT THE SAME TIME?

High school athletes may participate in our pre-conditioning and practices and still compete in USATF meets before and after their school track season. High School athletes not participating in a school track program may participate during the entire USATF season. Elementary and middle school and junior high athletes may participate in our practices and compete in our meet during the entire track season.
WILL ARS HELP ME GET TO THE TRACK MEETS?

The athlete and their parents are responsible for securing their own transportation to practice locations and any out of city meets. Occasionally, depending on fund availability, the team may charter a bus to Regional or National meets for athletes. Parents and siblings may be offered a reduced rate to ride the bus with the athlete if space permits.
FUNDRAISING

We attempt to keep fundraising to a minimum however we do have at least one major fundraiser during the season and host at least one concession stand at a meet to raise funds to support our team. Each family is required to fully participate in the fundraising activities. We also accept donations from sponsors big or small. If you know of an organization that would support our team please see the team secretary for the appropriate forms for accepting/requesting donations. Membership fees are absorbed by related business expenses including payments to USATF for club membership, insurance, practice field location fee’s, track equipment and meet entry fees. The Arizona Rising Suns Track and Field Club is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization.
ARE PARENTS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN MEET EVENTS?

The Arizona Rising Suns are responsible for various meet activities during the track season. Our normally assigned task involves clerking of the meet events. This is a vital function of each meet to ensure that athletes are at the required start location for each event of the meet. Clerks will gather all athletes for the event they are assigned to clerk at the check-in location, ensures they are in the proper heat and lane position and then escorts them to the event start location. Parents of each athlete are required to participate in this function of each meet. Coaches and staff volunteers are required to have a background screening conducted. The process is confidential and only the USATF association chair will know if an applicant was approved or rejected.
WHAT AGE GROUP WILL MY ATHLETE COMPETE IN?

Athletes will compete in age groups broken down by year of birth. Sometimes this may be confusing because your athlete may be in an age group that appears to be higher than their age. The age group designations for the 2017 season is as follows: Note: Youth divisions are determined by birth year while adult divisions are determined by birth date. Youth and Adult divisions will be separate for most meets. The age divisions will be designated: Y - Youth, HS - High School, O - Open, M - Masters, S - Seniors. Sub-Masters are included in the Masters category.