of the USA Track and Field
PACIFIC ASSOCIATION YOUTH COMMITTEE
PREAMBLE
This committee known as the Pacific Association Youth Committee (PAYC) is a standing sports committee of the Pacific Association of USA Track and Field. This committee shall be governed by the following operating procedures and are subject to and subservient to the Bylaws and Operating Rules and Regulations of the Pacific Association of USA Track and Field.
Mission statement
Democratically governed by elected youth club representatives to promote competitive opportunities for track and field, race walk and cross country youth athletes who seek to maximize their skills in the association, regional, national and international arena. Foster the latest youth-focused training opportunities within our Association’s geographical boundaries for athletes, coaches and officials to ensure youth clubs can sustain continued development and growth.
Item 1. Membership of the PAYC
A. Clubs
Primary constituency of the PAYC shall be registered youth clubs in good standing within the PACIFIC ASSOCIATION USATF with a minimum of three (3) registered youth athletes plus a minimum of one certified Live Scan coach. Each club shall receive one vote at all PAYC meetings.
B. Active Athletes
A minimum of two (2) members and maximum of twenty percent (20%) membership of the PAYC shall consist of registered youth athletes in good standing with the PACIFIC ASSOCIATION USATF. The Chairperson of the Athletes Advisory Committee (AAC) shall appoint the athlete members. No more than one athlete from any one club at a time shall be so appointed. Each athlete shall have one vote on the PAYC.
C. Parents of registered unattached athletes
Unattached athletes in good standing with the PACIFIC ASSOCIATION USATF can be represented by their parents. For every 50 unattached athletes, there will be one vote on the PAYC. The parents shall select their representative through an election prior to the start of each PAYC meeting.
Item 2. Youth Board of Athletics
A. The Youth Board of Athletics (BOA) shall consist of the following elected members:
- Chairperson
- 2Vice Chairperson
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Officials Chairperson
- Track Chairperson
- Field Chairperson
- Race Walk Chairperson
- Cross Country Chairperson
- Records Chairperson
- Communications Chairperson
- Multi Events Chairperson
- High School Chairperson
- Athlete Representative (pull from Intermediate & Young age groups)
- Athlete Representative (pull from Intermediate & Young age groups)
- Membership Chairperson (appointed by the Executive Membership Chair)
B. The Youth BOA shall conduct the business of the PAYC between meetings of the PAYC. A quorum for these interim meetings shall consist of a minimum of five (5) Youth BOA members.
C. The Youth BOA shall meet at least once a year during the Track & Field season and once during the Cross Country season. These meetings can take place in person, via email, conference call or chat.
D. The Youth BOA shall act as the games committee responsible for any meets sponsored by this PAYC.
E. The Youth BOA shall insure that a list of currently registered youth clubs and athletes be available at all championship meets.
Item 3. Youth Coach’s Alliance
A. The Youth Coaches Alliance (YCA) is made up of 1-3 coaches from each regional area that drive educational opportunities and training for youth club coaches. YCA will report into the Youth BOA. The Chair of the YCA will report into the PA/USATF Coaches Committee. Their charter and mission to be defined and added into this document after the January 2009 PAYC meeting.
B. YCA membership by appointment of the Youth Chair with the advice of the coaches
C. YCA Chair would be an integral member of the PA Coaches Committee.
Item 4: Coaches and Parent Volunteer Background Screening
A. All registered youth clubs must ensure that ALL coaches and parent volunteers who have direct involvement with youth athletes complete the USATF approved Live Scan background check and fingerprinting process. This must be completed before engaging as a coach or parent volunteer.
B. All approved Live Scan coaches and parent volunteers are required to wear their PA picture ID badge at all competitions and make available at all practices.
Item 5: Drug Testing
A. Drug testing will be implemented in 2009 for the Intermediate and Young age groups in the three major championship competitions. Testing will be conducted by random sampling of the athletes and managed by USADA.
Item 6: Coach’s Certification
A. All sanctioned youth clubs should have a minimum of one youth club coach that is USATF Level 1 Coach certified within two (2) years after the club is formed. After the first two years a club should continue to ensure at least one coach carries this certification.
Item 7: Youth Membership
A. It is highly recommended that any youth athlete competing in a sanctioned youth Track & Field or Cross Country competition secure their annual USATF membership before their first practice or competition. Membership ensures the athlete has insurance to/from/during practice and competitions.
B. Any athlete that competes in a championship PA Track & Field or Cross Country race must be a USATF member in good standing and competing in their correct age group. A youth athlete cannot compete in an older or younger age group. Exception: Sub-Bantam can compete as a Bantam; however, if they move up to Bantam in a Track & Field meet … then all events contested by the youth athlete in that competition must be as a Bantam.
C. Beginning January 1, 2009, any new PA/USATF youth athlete or returning youth athlete that did not compete for a year must submit an original birth certificate or other proof of birth set by the USATF rule for verification before competing in a sanctioned PA event. Validation of membership is outlined at www.pausatf.org.
Item 8. Meetings
A. The PAYC shall meet at least twice a year. The first meeting will be held between January 1 February 28 and the second will be scheduled between August 1 October 31. Other meetings may be scheduled as required. A quorum will consist of those voting members present.
- The cross country schedule for the upcoming season will be submitted and approved at the PAYC meeting that occurs between January 1 February 28.
- The track and field schedule for the upcoming season will be submitted and approved at the PAYC meeting that occurs between August 1 October 31.
- Bids shall be open to all registered clubs of the Pacific Association USATF.
- Only one club per weekend will win a bid to host a youth sanctioned competition
- To bid for a meet a club must submit in advance of the meeting to the Youth Chair the following information:
- Provide a club representative that can do a brief 1-2 minute presentation on the benefits of attending their meet
- Date(s) of competition
- Location of competition
- Include following information:
- Hand time or FAT time
- Snack bar available (yes or no)
- Bathrooms (port-a-potty, standard, both)
- Proposed schedule
4. Until sanction paperwork and fees is approved by the PA office, no meet information or schedule will be posted on the PA website. Failure to obtain a sanction will result in the cancellation of the meet. Proof of insurance from another entity must be provided if waiving USATF insurance.
B. Notice of the meeting along with the agenda shall be either mailed or e-mailed to each eligible voting member of this committee, and/or posted on the PA/USATF youth website no later than 10 days prior to the meeting.
Item 9. Elections
A. Election of the Youth BOA officers shall be held before September 30 in odd number years; conducted via mail in ballot and/or e-mail. The term of office shall be for two years and start on October 15th. Persons interested in a YBOD office may contact the PA YBOD Chair to have their name placed on the ballot. Provisions shall be made on the ballot for write-in candidates for each office. The election shall be conducted as per the Pacific Association Bylaws Rules and Regulations.
B. A vacancy occurring during the term of office shall be filled by appointment by the Youth Chairperson with approval of the Youth BOA. Should a vacancy occur in the Youth Chairperson office, the Youth BOA from within its membership shall fill such vacancy.
C. Those eligible to vote are as follows:
- Each club as defined in Item 1.A shall have one vote.
- Each active athlete as defined in Item 1.B shall have one vote.
- Each elected member of the Youth BOA shall have one vote, except the Youth Chairperson who shall only be eligible to vote in case of a tie.
- For every 50 unattached athletes, there is one vote for the joint group of parents in attendance at the meeting.
- No one person shall have more than one vote.
Item 10. Competitions
A. The PAYC may award two types (1-day or 2-day) of Track and Field meets and one type of Cross Country meet. All comer competitions will not be approved as part of the regular meet schedule.
B. Regular season (1- or 2-day) meets
- All participants in a sanctioned competition are desired to be a USATF member.
- Only a Live Scan approved club coach can pick up club competition information at a PA sanctioned competition.
- Youth clubs hosting a sanctioned meet must ensure all contested events are available to all eligible youth age groups.
- Clubs entering more than five athletes shall, when requested by meet management, help by providing volunteers to work at the meet. Club must be notified prior to day of meet if they are required to provide volunteers.
- Registration Fee:
- 1-day meet: Maximum entry fee = $6 per athlete
- 2-day meet: Maximum entry fee = $4 per event
6. Awards
- 1-day meet: Ribbons to 1st-6th place for each heat or flight; awarding of ribbons should be done at the finish line immediately following the heat or flight; clubs have the ability to augment with ribbons to lower place levels or to provide medals.
- 2-day meet: Medals to 1st-3rd place overall / Ribbons to 4th-6th place overall; clubs have the ability to augment with ribbons to lower place levels or to award ribbons for each heat or flight contested.
C. Championship meets:
- The PAYC shall conduct all championship meets and ensure proceeds received from a championship competition are democratically disbursed equitably based upon agreed upon PAYC decisions.
- Track & Field - Pacific Association Championship (PAC) to be conducted over two days
- Track & Field - Pacific Association Junior Olympic (PA/JO) Championship to be conducted over 3-days with the option to add two additional days to contest the multi-events
- Track & Field - Region 14 Junior Olympic Championship shall be conducted by the PAYC on even numbered years. On odd number years the Central Association of USATF shall conduct this meet. The meet can be held over four (4) days. The first two days for multi-events and the second two days for Track and Field. During any year, we have the option of contesting this event on separate weekends two days for the multi-events and two days for track and field
- Cross Country - Pacific Association Junior Olympic (PA/JO) Championship conducted in a single day
- Cross Country Region 14 Junior Olympic Championship shall be conducted by the PAYC on even numbered years. On odd number years the Central Association of USATF shall conduct this meet
2. Clubs entering more than five athletes are requested to provide adult volunteers to oversee at least one area (i.e., award distribution, triple jump, finish line)
3. Only a Live Scan approved club coach can pick up club competition information at a PA sanctioned competition.
4. All registration fees collected for the Pacific Association and Region 14 Championships hosted by the PAYC (both Track & Field and Cross Country) belong to the PAYC. These funds will be disbursed as determined by the Youth BOAs. Proceeds from these meets will be used to pay entry fees for PA youth athletes to compete in the USATF National Junior Olympic competition.
- a. Maximum entry fee for Track and Field (determined by USATF):
- $6 per event for Pacific Association Championship
- $6 per event for Pacific Association Junior Olympic (PA/JO) Championship
- $7 per event for Region 14 Junior Olympic Championship
- $8 per event for National USATF Junior Olympics
- $8 per athlete for Sub-Bantam Championship
- b. Maximum entry fee for Cross Country (determined by USATF):
- $10 for Pacific Association Championships
- $15 for Region 14 Junior Olympic Championship
- $20 for National USATF Junior Olympics
5. Awards (minimum award levels required for a championship meet)
- Track & Field Meets
- PAC / PA/JO: Medals (1-3); ribbons (4-6)
- Region 14 Junior Olympics: Medals (1-3)
- Cross Country Meets
- PA/JO: Medals (1-10)
- Region 14 Junior Olympics: Medals (1-20)
1-day Track and Field Schedule (suggested)
- 4x200 meter relay held at the discretion of the Meet Director. This is an exhibition event only
- Open = Intermediate & Young age groups combined together for the purpose of competition and award placement; it does not include adults; this age group is only valid during the regular season and not during the championship season
TRACK EVENTS
5000 meter run |
Young Men |
3000 meter run |
Midget, Youth, Open (no Young Men) |
4x800 meter relay |
Midget, Youth, Open |
4x200 meter relay* |
Sub-Bantam, Bantam, Midget, Youth, Open |
400 meter hurdles |
Open Girls 30” Boys 36” |
200 meter hurdles |
Youth Girls and Boys 30” |
1500 meter Race Walk |
Bantam, Midget |
3000 meter Race Walk |
Youth, Open |
4x100 meter relay |
Sub-Bantam, Bantam, Midget, Youth, Open |
100 meter dash |
Sub-Bantam, Bantam, Midget, Youth, Open |
800 meter run |
Bantam through Open |
200 meter dash |
Sub-Bantam, Bantam, Midget, Youth, Open |
80 meter hurdles |
Midget Girls and Boys 30” |
100 meter hurdles |
Youth Girls 30” Boys 36” Open Girls 33” |
110 meter hurdles |
Open Boys 39” |
1500 meter run |
Bantam, Midget, Youth, Open |
400 meter dash |
Sub-Bantam, Bantam, Midget, Youth, Open |
4x400 meter relay |
Bantam, Midget, Youth, Open |
FIELD EVENTS
Long Jump |
Sub-Bantam, Bantam, Midget, Youth, Open |
High Jump |
Open, Bantam, Midget, Youth |
Triple Jump |
Youth, Open After Long Jump |
Shot Put |
Bantam, Midget, Youth, Open |
Discus |
Open, Midget Youth |
Mini Javelin |
Sub-Bantam, Bantam, Midget |
Javelin |
Youth, Open |
Pole Vault |
Open, Youth |
2- or 3-day Track and Field Schedule (suggested)
- When a three-day schedule is required the Intermediate Girls and Boys and the Young Women and Young Men will compete on Friday in the long jump, hammer throw and steeplechase. Other events can be contested on Friday as deemed necessary by Meet Director
- No Sub-Bantam division at Junior Olympic Championship meets; Sub-Bantams must compete at Bantam level at all Junior Olympic competitions. Also, triple jump to start after completion of the long jump. Discus to start after completion of the javelin
- 4x200 is an exhibition event only. It is held at the discretion of the Meet Director. The 4x200 will not be contested at the PAC Championship, JO Championship or Region 14 JO Championship meets
FIRST DAY
TRACK EVENTS
5000 meter run finals |
YM |
3000 meter run finals |
MG, MB, YG, YB, IG, YW |
4x800 relay finals |
MG, MB, YG, YB, IG, IB, YW, YM |
200 meter trials |
All age groups starting with SBG |
1500 meter Race Walk finals |
BG, BB, MG, MB |
3000 meter Race Walk finals |
YG, YB, IG, IB, YW, YM |
800 meter run finals |
BG, BB, MG, MB, YG, YB, IG, IB, YW, YM |
200 meter finals |
All age groups starting with SBG |
110 meter hurdle trials |
IB, YM |
100 meter hurdle trials |
IG, YW, YB, YG |
80 meter hurdle trials |
MG, MB |
400 meter run finals |
All age groups starting with SBG |
FIELD EVENTS
Long Jump |
SBG, SBB, BG, BB, MG, MB, YG, YB |
High Jump |
YG, YB, IG, IB, YW, YM |
Shot Put |
YW, YM, IG, IB, YG, YB, MG, MB, BG, BB |
Javelin |
YG, YB, IG, IB, YW, YM |
Pole Vault |
YB, IB, YM |
Mini Javelin |
MG, MB, BG, BB, SBG, SBB |