JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN SAMA EVENTS

We are primarily a Masters Club and our primary focus must be the interests of members. To protect ourselves from allegations of not affording sufficient protection to minors we have introduced supervision requirements and limitations on distances juniors may compete over.

Juniors may compete in SAMA events but are not eligible for medals, trophies or prizes. Children or grandchildren of members may compete without cost. For others, a $3 fee applies during the winter competition.

No one under 16 may compete without a parent or guardian supervising them and being responsible for the child at all times on the day of competition. This particularly applies in winter as our courses use public spaces and we have no specific monitoring on these courses.

Race distance restrictions:

· For 16 and 17 year olds the maximum distance is 10km.

· For 13 to 15 year olds – 8km in winter and 5km in summer.

· For 10 to 12 year olds – 5km in winter and 3km in summer.

· For 7 to 9 year olds – up to 200 metres in summer only

· Children under 7 years of age are not allowed to compete.

These distances may be reduced by SAMA officials if weather conditions suggest its necessity. This is particularly important during the summer track competition season where the officials may decide that young competitors may only compete in sprints.

The waiver that the parent or guardian signs on behalf of the junior has been

amended to include the additional requirement: “I agree to supervise the junior and retain responsibility for his/her safety at all times.”

We hope that this will give some certainty to parents/grandparents in terms of what juniors may compete in, and also give more protection to SAMA and its officials.