The track and field season is set to get off the starting blocks next month.
The Oceanside Track & Field Club (OTFC) has scheduled training to begin April 4. And for those budding athletes wanting to join, registration is now open.
The club is also inviting athletes, parents and interested volunteers to attend an information evening on Thursday, March 23 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.
The OTFC, established in the late 1980s, offers a junior development program for athletes aged nine to 13 and Athlete Development for 14 to 18-year-olds. Training is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Ballenas Secondary School in Parksville.
Within junior development, athletes are encouraged to try different events to gain a wide range of athletic skills and also discover which they most enjoy. Events include sprints, middle distance, race walking, hurdles, long jump, high jump, discus, shot put, hammer and javelin.
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“The club had an amazing season last year with record numbers of athletes after COVID,” said Jane Waite, president of OTFC. “The club thrives on a wonderful spirit of fun and inclusion and this year, track competitions are in Nanaimo, Duncan, Port Alberni and Victoria with the season ‘ice-breaker’ in Comox on April 15. These are memorable and enjoyable weekends as athletes attempt to beat their personal best in their favourite disciplines.”
Track weekends are sanctioned by Vancouver Island Athletic Association (V.I.A.A.). Athletes can track their official results over the season and view their provincial and even Canadian rankings on the Athletics Canada website.
Last year several club athletes topped the rankings in B.C. for their age group and won gold at the provincial championships.
The club is also keen to hear from new volunteers to help with the many roles that make the club thrive. To register for the information evening, please visit oceansidetrackfield.ca
— NEWS Staff, submitted
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