FAQS

HOLD OLD DO ATHLETES NEED TO BE TO JOIN THE NTC?

The club welcomes athletes who are at least in the 4th grade, but will consider those in the 3rd grade. High school track and field athletes are welcome to join after their school season finishes.

HOW DO I REGISTER WITH NTC?

After the try-out date, athletes will be invited to register with the club and will receive further instructions.

WHAT ABOUT UNIFORMS?

All athletes are required to wear Napa Track Club issued uniforms USATF meets including any award, opening and closing ceremonies, and as directed by your coach.
Anything worn under the uniform - compression shorts, Underarmor, etc. - must be black.
Shoe color and style are up to the athlete.

MEDICAL RELEASES

The Napa Track Club recommends that any athlete participating in track and field be examined and cleared by a physician.
It is up to the parent, athlete, and physician to determine if the athlete can participate, by signing the Consent for Treatment form.
This is very important and we must have this form on file before an athlete may begin practice.

COACHING STAFF

The Napa Track Club's coaching staff is 100% VOLUNTEER, mostly made up of parents of athletes.
Most of our coaches are USATF certified Level 1 with many years of youth coaching experience.
All coaches are required to be registered as coaches with the USATF. This includes submitting a coaching resume and completing a criminal background check.
We require all coaches to teach the athletes with positive reinforcement and respect.
The end product is an athlete that respects and supports his/her coach, teammates and fellow competitors.

WHAT ABOUT PRACTICES?

The Napa Track Club practice usually begins in April and goes through the end of July.
Practices will be held at Napa High School's track & field.
Athletes are required to attend all practices.
Practice schedule will be announced this week.
The practice ending team meeting is mandatory for all athletes and we encourage parents to attend as well.
This meeting will foster strong communication across the entire club.
The coaches will share important club news, such as information on upcoming meets and practices and to recognize athlete’s accomplishments. This is also a great opportunity for parents and athletes to ask questions and give feedback regarding club activities.
The Napa Track Club’s basic philosophy on practices is “you get out what you put in.” Put another way, the harder you work, the greater the accomplishments.
Our practice sessions are very demanding. If you are not coming to work hard, then please don’t come.

WHAT IS THE PARENT'S ROLE IN THE NAPA TRACK CLUB?

First and foremost, supporting our athletes with positive encouragement and reinforcing the concept that winning is not everything, but by trying your best and continuously improving your efforts, you will become a winner.
Parents are strongly encouraged to be involved with supporting the Napa Track Club. The club embarks on on-going fund-raising projects throughout the year and the parent’s involvement in this is very important and vital for the club to run successfully.
We also encourage parents to attend as many practices as possible. This gives you the opportunity to meet the parents of the other athletes and by being at practice, you will get the same information on upcoming meets as we give athletes during the team meetings following practices.

WHAT IS USA TRACK AND FIELD?

USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world's oldest organized sports, the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the #1 high school and junior high school participatory sport and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States.
Before any athlete can register for and compete in a USATF-sanctioned meet, whether a member of the Napa Track Club or not, he or she must first become a member of USATF.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUTH ATHLETIC AND JUNIOR OLYMPIC MEETS?

Both Youth Athletic and Junior Olympic meets are sanctioned by USA Track and Field.
Youth Athletic (also known as “age group”) meets are open to all USATF-member athletes.
The entry procedure for each meet will be explained at practices, usually within two weeks of the meet.
Any USATF-member athlete may register for and compete at any youth meet with a few exceptions. An example is the Youth National meet where the athlete must meet or exceed the performance standards, (i.e. run a certain time or jump or throw a certain distance).
All meets on the competition schedule are Youth meets except those whose name includes the phrase “Junior Olympic.” Junior Olympic (JO) meets are based on a stair stepping program of qualifying meets, leading to the National Junior Olympic meet.
The advancement procedure looks like this: The Pacific Association Junior Olympics Track & Field Championships (not to be confused with PAC which is just Pacific Association Championships) advances the top eight in each individual and relay event to the Region 14 (in 2010, this meet will not be held) JO Championship.
At the Region 14 (in 2010, this will be called Region 16) JO meet, the top three in each individual event and the top three in each relay event qualify for the JO National Championship meet.

WHAT TYPE OF MEETS MIGHT THE CLUB ATTEND?

Mini/All comers

These meets are held early in the season to familiarize athletes with how a track meet is conducted.
They are a good opportunity to establish baseline times and distances for improving personal records during the season.

Association and Championship Meets

These meets are held in the greater Bay Area, Sacramento and Modesto.
There are usually hundreds of athletes participating in these meets, creating an atmosphere of excitement for our athletes, as well as an organizational challenge for the coaches and parents.
Athletes must register in advance with our meet coordinator.
Coaches will erect an EZ-Up canopy first thing in the morning, obtain the official registration packet and monitor our athletes' performances.
Parents are responsible for transportation to and from meets, food and supplies for the day and sending athletes to events at the meet. (Our coaches will provide as much guidance as possible, but they cannot be responsible for getting each and every athlete to the right place at the right time).

HOW MANY AND WHAT EVENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO CLUB MEMBERS?

HOW IS TRAVEL HANDLED?

The athletes and his/her parents are responsible for securing their own transportation to and from all meets.