Message from the President

On 6 May 2017 the Satellite City BMX Club opened Spanlift Stadium; a great venue for existing and new members and their families. With regard to new members, I am pleased to acknowledge that there are a number of new members. To that end, it is timely that, on behalf of the Satellite City BMX Club Management Committee, I provide guidance about track and venue etiquette.

Ø Training nights: Information about training nights will be promulgated on our internet and FaceBook page. We are in the final stages of securing coaches whom will deliver to our riders, excellent coaching that will aid in rider development. Please bare with us whilst we finalise coaching arrangements; the training nights will soon be more structured.

Ø Entering the race arena / track area: Unless you are a volunteer (see below), parents are not to enter or remain on the race arena / track area (as defined by the 1.2m black coloured fencing around the track) unless to assist Mini Wheelers at training or race events or with the permission of a Management Committee member. As hard as it is, even on club race meets (Friday nights) we ask that you do not enter for your own safety if your child has a crash; make your way to the staging area or Saint John Ambulance tent to meet your child. The request to not enter is for safety reasons and track preservation. With regard to safety, congregating about the track whilst riders are on the track increases the risk of being injured. With regard to track preservation, walking on the edges of the track damages the track and takes volunteers considerable time to repair; further, if the side is damaged consequence of walking on it, the track proper can also sustain damage which may result in races not proceeding.

Ø Volunteering: The Satellite City BMX Club welcomes volunteers. All Management Committee members are volunteers; at race meets, there is only limited numbers of us, so from the committee perspective, we encourage volunteers to assist with duties such as ‘flagging’, ‘staging’ and ‘commentating’. All volunteers must possess a current Ochre Card which will need to viewed and detail recorded by the Secretary. Ochre Cards can be obtained from https://forms.pfes.nt.gov.au/safent/ Also, volunteers are required to hold a Volunteer BMXA licence; this can be acquired from http://www.bmxaustralia.com.au/en-au/membership/onlinemembership.aspx volunteer membership is free. To assist with officiating duties, you must complete the Level 1 Club officiating course at http://www.bmxaustralia.com.au/en-au/development/officiating.aspx (it doesn’t take long J ). It is also recommended that you complete the ‘Play by the Rules’ training at http://www.playbytherules.net.au/interactive-scenarios/free-online-training this training is all about protecting our children.

Ø Coaching: From time to time, opportunities arise to participate in coaching courses; these will be advertised on our internet site and Facebook page as opportunities arise.

Ø Rules for riders: For sanctioned events, there are rules riders must abide by. It is recommended that these rules be read and understood, especially as we will soon be hosting a sanctioned event. The rules can be found at http://www.bmxaustralia.com.au/Portals/39/BMXA%20Rule%20Book%201-1-17.pdf?ver=2016-12-21-232207-833 Whilst club meets (Friday night racing) are generally a little more relaxed, we still like to adhere to the rule book for good governance and sportsmanship. To that end, I recommend parents read the rule book as well so that you have an understanding of what is happening (for example, there are specific rules for when a rider falls – as hard as it is, no one is to enter the track to render assistance except St John first aiders and officials).

Ø Child minding: Information about child minding services is detailed in the member information booklet. In essence, the Satellite City BMX Club is not a child minding service. I have become aware that children are riding to training nights in the absence of an adult and making their way on to the track (without signing in). Please ensure that you sign your children in for training and racing and, if you need to leave the venue, either take your child with you or advise us of whom will be taking parental responsibility for your child in your absence.

Ø Smoking: For the comfort of our children / youth, and riders, smoking is prohibited on all grassed areas. If you wish to smoke, please do so in the public car park; and, in an area of the public car park that is not next to staging (given this is where children / youth congregate in readiness for racing).


Complaints: if you are aggrieved by the actions of a rider, please raise this with a Management Committee team member whom will deal with the issue as necessary. There are rules about complaint management of riders and parents / guardians of riders aren't to directly take this up with other riders. Similarly, if there is an issue with another adult or person, let the Management Committee deal with it so as to reduce the likelihood of conflict

The Management Committee of the Satellite City BMX Club strives to provide you a venue that riders, parents / guardians, family and friends can enjoy. To help us in this plight, I ask that you accept the information provided above and adhere to requests that are made to improve your safety and rider safety. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask any of the Management Committee; we are always pleased to assist so as to ensure riders, visitors and your comfort and enjoyment at Spanlift Stadium, home of the Satellite City BMX Club.


Regards


Daniel Shean
President
Satellite City BMX Club