Parent Information
WESTSIDE TRACK CLUB 2023
Westside Track Club would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone to the team. We expect to have a fun and exciting upcoming season! Below is some very important information, as well as some changes that have been implemented for this year. So please read carefully. Registration is now open. Please be advised that you runner is not registered until payment is received.
The registration fee is $250.00 for each child. There will not be a discount rate for multiple children/siblings. There is limited space so please register early. All payments are due prior to your child being being allowed to practice with the team. Please make your payment online when registering. The registration fee is non-refundable. You cannot fund raise for your registration fee.
Registration fee includes:
- AAU District Meet
- AAU Regional Meet
- AAU National Meet
- Banquet for Athlete
Westside practice will officially begin on March 7th. Practices will be held on Monday - Thursday's at 6pm. The practice schedule will be updated as we move closer to the competition season. All athletes are expected to arrive for practice on time and ready to begin practice at 6pm.
All athletes are required to participate in every phase of practice including conditioning, exercises and drills. Lacking and/or avoiding participation will result in failure to participate in a track meet.
Please make sure that your runner has a good pair of running shoes and spikes. You can get these shoes at any running store, however Westside suggests you try:
Swags Sports/ Shoes
7415 3rd Street Road
Louisville, KY 40214
Fleet Feet Sports
2239 Taylorsville Rd.
Louisville, KY 40205
Firsttothefinish.com
Each athlete is responsible for providing his/her own drinking cup or water container for all practices and track meets (due to health issues sharing drinking cups is not recommended). Personal drinking coolers may be purchased at Wal-Mart and K-Mart for $5.99, $9.99, or $19.99, depending on your needs.
Swearing, fighting, talking disrespectfully to coaches, parents, volunteers, team members or any program personnel by anyone will result in immediate dismissal from the team.
Parental involvement is a must. For any organization to thrive, parents have to be involved. If everyone does a little, no one will have to do a lot. With that being said, we will have three (3) fundraisers this year and each child will have to participate in at least one of them. More information regarding fundraising will be discussed at a later date.
Parents are responsible for all the traveling expenses for themselves as well as the athletes. This will include hotel stay, transportation, and meals. If your child travels with the team, you are still responsible for the child’s expenses, and these must be paid prior to travel. Due to circumstances, we are unable to bucket shake to raise funds for runners traveling.
Parents please do not drop your athletes off at practice or events and leave without letting someone know that you are leaving and/or how to reach you. By law, any child under the age of 12 must be attended to by a consenting adult, and we must consent to watch your child. Also, if your child requires an inhaler, please make sure that your child brings the inhaler with him/her daily.
Each athlete is responsible for safeguarding and maintenance of his/her equipment: (spikes, running shoes, shot put, uniform, and any personal items) at practice and meets.
Please make sure that we have two correct phone numbers on file. In the event there is a change in scheduling such as practice being canceled, etc. we need to be able to notify you. At least one should be a number you can be reached at during the daytime hours. We would prefer to have a home number and a cell number.
Please make sure your child doesn’t leave their water bottles or any debris on the track or in the stands. We would like to keep the area as clean as possible. The Louisville Urban League is allowing us to use their facilities, so we need to make sure we keep the area as clean as possible. Every athlete is responsible for gathering their empty water bottles, and/or any trash prior to leaving the Norton Healthcare SLC.
Spirit wear will be available for purchase throughout the year.
If you have any questions regarding the information in this packet, any financial concerns, or any other track questions, please see Charna Gaither or Toya Duncan.
Financial Assistance may be available for your athlete if all of the qualifications are met. Please see Charna or LaToya for details regarding this. Forms available upon request.
TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL TRACK MEET
The Night Before: Make sure your athlete gets plenty of carbohydrates. This may be eating pasta for dinner. Carbohydrates are an important source of energy.
CARBS = ENERGY.
Also make sure that your athlete gets plenty of rest, for the long day ahead.
Race Day: Avoid big meals 2-3 hours before an event. Breakfast can range from fruit and toast, to a bagel. The plan is to Keep it Simple!
The athletes should not have anything heavy to eat while participating in the days events which may cause stomach cramps. Any type of fruit is the best thing to have throughout the day. So remember Fruit…Fruit…and more Fruit!!
Each athlete is encouraged to bring plenty of water to the meets, as well as Gatorade to stay hydrated. Adequate fluid intake is essential. Drink water leading up to the race and Gatorade immediately after to rehydrate.
No athlete should have any artificial sugar intake while participating in races. Granola bars and fruit are highly recommended.
Please be prepared to stay for several hours during any of the major track meets. You are advised to bring coolers (stocked with cold water, Gatorade, and fruit on ice, and/or light snacks). Stadium chairs/arm chairs are suggested and can be purchased at any sporting goods store, Wal-Mart, or K-Mart for as little as $10. Sun block is also advised, and anything that would make you comfortable during the meet. Please remember it gets very hot during these meets.
Westside has two (4) team tents. These are for the athletes only to stay cool during meets! Parents are encouraged to purchase their own tents, as they usually run about $60 and are also available at Wal-Mart or Academy Sports.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
Coach William “Chico” Underwood
502-855-2367
Coach Edward Newton
502-930-6435
Coach Shonna Johnson
502-439-0447
Charna Gaither
502-500-4963
***Please note that additional competition opportunities may be added throughout the season. ***