Club News

Guidelines for using the Newtown Park track, equipment and facilities 15 Oct 2013.

The Newtown Park Athletics Track has very high occupancy and usage, particularly when college squads are training. If we work together and practise some basic track courtesy we shouldn�t need to have to roster training times, which always seem to cause difficulty for someone. Please observe these guidelines so that everyone can use the track and its facilities safely and successfully.
Please report any damage to the buildings to the City Council by phone to 499 4444

The Wellington City Council has declared the track and its surroundings smoke free.
No dogs
No rugby/soccer or any other balls can be used on site while the ground is under the control of Athletics Wellington.
On weekdays, there is �key access� subject to bookings by other users. There are a lot of school and college bookings. If you are contemplating a lunchtime or daytime session, check with WCC Parks and Gardens first. We try to put known bookings in our season programme, but can�t guarantee that it is complete
Always LOOK before you step out to cross the track.

Equipment and security

All equipment belonging to Athletics Wellington must stay on the site unless specifically authorised by the Track and Field Committee or its officers.
Security keys to the gear shed, the high jump, the long jumps and the pole vault have been issued to coaches from Clubs and Colleges in the bulk fee system.
When equipment is taken out of the gear shed it must be returned to its proper place unless agreement is reached with others to put it back.
Equipment for general use is housed in the first area of the gear shed. Use of equipment in the rest of the shed is usually for competition only.
When the gear shed is open it is the responsibility of the person who opened it to close it again, or arrange for another key holder to ensure that it is locked and secure before leaving the track. Other users must put their gear away when the key holder leaves.

Track training

The track and field is reserved for training in the afternoons and evenings from Monday to Thursday and all day on Sunday.
There can be no training during any competition (including �Black� and �Gold� programmes)
On Saturdays there is an AWD group from 10.00 am. There are not many athletes, but they may be inclined to wander and will certainly not understand or even hear cries of �track�! While we don�t want to restrict track use for this small group, its members MUST be given priority at this time.
From 11.30 am on Saturdays, the track is booked for children�s athletics until 1.00 pm. On Club days, there will be 200+ children and at Inter-Clubs as many as 500 or more. There is no room for seniors to train at those times on Saturdays or when a children�s �interclub� is scheduled on a Sunday. (They usually finish mid-afternoon).
Warm-ups are best practised on the grass. The top field is usually available on Saturday afternoons. Warm-ups certainly shouldn�t occupy multiple lanes!
Lanes 1, 2 & 3 should generally be used for walks, distance and multi-lap running, so please leave them clear (of both athletes and starting blocks!)
Sprint groups must share the lanes 4, 5, 6 and 7: and don�t forget that while you�re working in the straight, there may be others starting from the 200m or 300m points.
Hurdles practice in lanes 8 and 9.
For sprint and start training in the 100m start area: use the blue painted line. This is to preserve the track surface around the 100 and 110m start lines for competition.
The 80, 100 & 110m start lines may be used for hurdles training in lanes 8 & 9, or for timed full length reps.
All athletes must keep clear of the lanes when not actually running. Return to your staring points over the Astroturf on the outside of the track.
If you are running round the field on the grass, keep well clear of the throwing areas. You can run around the back of the cages and the javelin runways.
When returning from the finish to the 200m start point, go around the outside of the track. You might otherwise be in danger from the throwers!

Throwing and jumping

Shot put training is available at the circle at the Russell Terrace end. You can also use the circle at the Zoo end, putting across the Pole Vault runway only. Under no circumstances is shot training from the Zoo circle to impact on the Soccer pitch. This is reserved for competition only. If you use the zoo end, you must ensure that you don�t use light-weight implements which might go onto the track.
Hammer should be practiced at the new Sinclair Park training pad. Please remember to take up a fork and lift your �impact holes�!
Javelin and discus throwers are entitled to train on the runways or cages, but must watch for errant athletes crossing the throwing zone. Ask an official for warning signs if you see any risk!
The 2 long/triple jump its must be shared. There are only 2 and there are often several groups wanting to use them.
Key holders can open the high jump and pole vault �hangars� but must ensure that they are closed again after use. There are practice cross bars as well as bungees. Please don�t use new competition bars for training!