Regina Athletics Track

	Introduction
	Training Season
	Events
	Coaching

Introduction

Regina Athletics Track (RAT) is consistently ranked as a Top 15 track club in Canada, with a number of nationally and internationally ranked athletes as part of its history. RAT athletes have represented Canada at the World Championships, Olympics, Pan Am Games, Commonwealth Games, World Junior, World Youth, World Student, and Francophone Games.

RAT was originally a Masters (40+) club for athletes who wanted to continue their competitive careers past the Senior level. Eventually, Senior (18+), then age-class athletes (12-17 years) joined--many who were children or brothers/sisters of the older athletes. Due to the maturity required by athletes, only those who are 12 years of age will be accepted.

Philosophy: RAT maintains high achievement combined with a family-based atmosphere, owing primarily to the coaches who are parents of current or former athletes. Many athletes have been with the club for ten years or more, and this continuity is something that the Club is very proud of. Many of our senior athletes are nationally or world ranked, and we feel that it is a privilege for younger athletes to be able to train with and learn from them.

Athletes are expected to train and compete in a manner that promotes the Club's philosophy.

Training Season

For some Senior athletes and cross-country runners, training and competitions may continue year-round. Age-class athletes usually train from October to June, although some of these athletes may also compete into July and August on a national or international basis.

Each training season starts in the fall, with conditioning workouts. Senior and university athletes start in September. Age-class athletes will begin the first week in October.

Outdoor training will consist of general conditioning, including warm-up routines, endurance runs, hill climbs, medicine ball drills, general strength and stretching. Specific events will not be covered during this time. Athletes must be physically able to learn the events, and this is where the indoor sessions start.

Events

RAT provides training in all track and field events with the current exception of pole vault. Pole vault training is currently shared with Wheat City Club (www.rwck.ca). Track event categories include: short sprints (60-100m), long sprints (200-400m), middle distance (600-1500m), long distance (3-5km), horizontal jumps (long, triple), vertical jumps (high, pole vault), hurdles (80-400m), throws (shot, discus, javelin) and multi-events (pentathlon, heptathlon, decathlon).

Most athletes will be encouraged not to specialize before at least the Midget age category (13-14 years). Coaches will suggest appropriate events for athletes after they have been training with the Club for a period of time.

Coaching

RAT's lead coaching group include Bob Polischuk (Head Coach, Senior Jumps Coach); Alger Seon (Senior Sprints/Hurdles) and Rick Gelsinger (Junior Development). Other coaches come from the parent ranks or are former athletes. RAT's coaches are provincially or nationally recognized for their knowledge and contributions to track. Many have coached for 15 years or more. Even though some coaches contribute anywhere from 3-6 practice days per week (and up to 11 months per year) to the Club, it is the policy of RAT that all coaches are volunteers. No wages or payments are given. This is an important philosophy of the Club. Because coaches are not paid, Club fees can remain as low as possible, and access to the sport is maximized. Volunteer coaches expect a high degree of co-operation and respect, and athletes who are unable to train in this environment are asked not to join the Club.

Many coaches began as parents getting involved with their children. Others have volunteered to help out the Club or to get involved in the sport. Volunteers are always in demand in order to maintain programs—particularly at the age-class level. If sufficient coaches or volunteers are not in place, some age groups will not be able to train with the Club, or the number of athletes may be reduced, as those existing coaches will be utilized for the older or more competitive athletes.

The Club will provide opportunities for parents to become involved in coaching. No previous experience or knowledge is necessary. Sometimes all that is needed is someone to help set up a high jump pit, or a set of workout stations. Other times it is someone who can time the athletes or monitor a group who are given a workout to complete. These are the kinds of things that improve the training experience immensely.

Please note that the Registration Form has an option to check off in order to identify your willingness to become involved.

For a listing of coaches, see the CONTACTS page.

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