Ventura Tigres Participant Handbook for 2024
“Tigres vision is to provide high-quality track and field programs that enhance children’s lives”
Welcome to the Ventura Tigres Track Club. We look forward to working with you to make this season an enjoyable and rewarding experience for everyone.
2024 Board Members
Public Relations – Kelly Nicely, President
Volunteer Coordinator – Jeremy Patelzick – Vice President
Registration Coordinator – Susan Henson
Jorge DeLeon, Treasurer
Staging Coordinator – Jared Kuebler
Coaches Coordinator/ Head Coach – Kristin Daw
Coaches Liaison – Sean Feeney
Apparel Coordinator – Lisa Baier, Secretary
Facilities/Operations Coordinator –OPEN POSITION
Non-Board Member Position
Timing/Finish Line – Erin Sap
Tigres mission is to
Develop and deliver youth track and field programs that foster a positive, secure, and fun environment.
The five Tigres philosophies:
- Everyone Participates
- Everyone Can Improve – Athletically and Personally
- Open Registration
- Positive Coaching
- Good Sportsmanship
Registration and Cancelations
We understand that conflicts arise that prevent athletes from participating in Tigres after registration. If your athlete is unable to participate you have the following options:
- Full refunds of registration fees (minus a processing fee) are available until the Parent Meeting on Monday, February 5 at 6:30 pm in Buena High cafeteria.
- Partial refunds (50%) of fees (minus a processing fee) are available from Tuesday, February 6 until Friday, February 23.
- After Friday, February 23, Tigres is unable to provide refunds.
We have a very long waiting list for participation in Tigres. Please inform us as soon as possible if you must cancel so that we can offer a place on the team to one of the many athletes eagerly awaiting a spot.
Registration Procedure for 2024 Season
Any family completing their volunteer requirements for the season will be eligible to enroll their athlete(s) during the Priority Registration session for the following season. Priority Registration will precede Open Registration. Families eligible for Priority Registration will receive an email at the email address used when they registered prior to the Priority Registration period notifying them of the dates that Priority Registration will take place. Any Priority family that fails to register at the designated time will forfeit their Priority Status and must enroll during Open Registration starting Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 8 am.
A waiting list will be started for each age group as it fills and we will take athletes from those lists in order as spaces become available until February 23. There will be no new athletes added after February 23.
Refunds will be made in full for any athletes that give notice before practices begin. We offer a 50% refund (minus a processing fee) for any drops occurring after the first day of practice. A processing fee will also be deducted from all refunds.
There will be NO REFUNDS for any reason after Friday, February 23.
Age Group Classifications for 2024
The Age Groups for the 2024 season are as follows:
8U (Gremlins) — 2016 – 2017
10U (Bantams) — 2014 – 2015
12U (Midgets) — 2012 – 2013
Youth & Intermediate — 2006 – 2011
Tigres Coaches
See Tigres Coaches page for a list of coaches for the current season.
www.venturatigres.org/tigres-coaches
Practices
We are fortunate that most of our practices and all of our home meets are on the beautiful Buena High School track. Please follow all the rules so we can continue using this great facility. This is a 100% volunteer organization. Your participation is crucial!
The first day of practice for the 8U (Gremlin) age group will be Tuesday, February 6 at 4:30 pm at the Buena High School Track. 10U (Bantams), 12U (Midgets) and the Youth/Intermediate teams will begin on Wednesday, February 7 at 4:30 pm at the Buena High School Track.
All age groups will have two regular team practice days each week. There will also be opportunities to work on specific events and skills on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
A tentative practice schedule has been posted https://www.venturatigres.org/practice/ but coaches will be emailing you all to let you know as well.
Important Rules for practices and meets
The Buena High School track and field has artificial turf and an all-weather track. These materials are very sensitive. Damage created by negligence or even “accidents” could result in the loss of our privilege to use the facilities. Therefore, very strict rules will be in place during meets and practices.
• The turf field will be strictly “off-limits” at all times to non-athletes.
• Only water bottles with water will be allowed on the track or in the jumping areas. Absolutely no chewing gum or food are allowed on the track or turf area.
• Spiked shoes should rarely be used in practice. Coaches will determine when this is acceptable. On race day, track spikes must be approved by the Clerk of the Course – 3/16” needles or less.
• Removable tape can be used for relay and jumping marks. Beyond that, absolutely nothing should be stuck to or pushed into the track or turf (e.g. sticks or stakes).
• Extreme caution should be used when using or transporting tools and shot puts around the track and turf.
• No dogs (of any size) are allowed in the stadium area.
Safety
(Please observe these safety rules)
• Wear shoes at all times
• Do not throw objects on the track, field or in the stands
• No “horse-play” in the stands
• Do not climb on (or under) the bleachers
• Stay off the turf portion of the stadium
• Be careful with spiked shoes
• Respect the track and the athletes running on it
Clothing and Uniforms
Official Tigres jerseys and black shorts are required for meets. It is the responsibility of each athlete to provide his or her own running shoes.
Running shoes are available in local sporting goods stores, and range in price from $75 to more than $100. 10U (Bantams), 12U (Midgets) and Youth & Intermediate age groups are allowed to wear spiked track shoes. Spikes must be “needles” and cannot exceed 3/16” in length when used on the all-weather tracks in the county. We recommend that runners check with coaches before buying spiked shoes. Spikes are rarely worn at practices.
The Ventura Tigres dress code is as follows:
• All athletes will arrive dressed for practice (no dressing at practice.)
• No visible undergarments, low riding shorts, or non-running shorts/shoes.
Please observe the athlete dress code – it will be enforced. Sweatsuits or long pants and a jacket are recommended for practices and meets. Please label all clothing and shoes with a name and phone number.
Parents = Participation
The club is a 100% volunteer organization. In order for our meets to run smoothly, we must have everyone committed to participating. When we host a meet we need about 100 people handling various duties concurrently throughout the meet. The more volunteers, the faster the meet will proceed and it will be more enjoyable for everyone.
If there is a reason you cannot make a scheduled volunteer shift, you must contact the volunteer coordinator to adjust the schedule and make up that shift. It is your obligation so our meets can run efficiently. Your 2024 Volunteer Coordinator is Jeremy Patelzick. You can contact him by email at tigres.ventura@gmail.com Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
All age groups have a parent meeting, usually during the first few days of practice. The purpose of the meeting is to communicate general information as well as outline what is expected of athletes and their parents.
Our coaches are all parent volunteers. If you are able to stay at practice and help out, please let the coach(es) know. Some coaches may have all the help they need, but more likely they would appreciate your help on a number of activities, no experience required! Of course, a key point is to get your athlete to and from practice on time.
At meets, there is constant activity at several venues throughout the day. Please control your movement and those of younger siblings so as not to interfere with any of the competitions. Unless you are a designated volunteer with a specific task requiring access to the track you will not be allowed in the track or field areas.
Meet Schedule
(Meets begin promptly at 8:30 AM)
Meets for 2024 will be posted on venturatigres.org under the tab “Practices, Meets & Results”
Order of Events
Track events are usually run in the following order.
3200m Run: Midget, Youth/Intermediate
Hurdles: Midget, Youth/Intermediate
4x100m Relay: All Age Groups
1600m Run: All Age Groups
400m Run: All Age Groups
100m Sprint: All Age Groups
800m Run: All Age Groups
200m Sprint: All Age Groups
4x400m Relay: Bantam, Midget, Youth/Intermediate
Field Events (occur throughout the day)
Long Jump: All Age Groups
High Jump: Bantam, Midget, Youth/Intermediate
Shot Put: Bantam, Midget, Youth/Intermediate
Directions to meets
see Meet Schedule for the addresses of all away meets
GOVERNING PRINCIPLES:
• Every athlete is important.
• We will work as a team.
• We will make decisions in the best interest of our athletes especially where safety is concerned.
• We will value and celebrate diversity, and treat all people with dignity and respect.
• We will operate in a fiscally responsible manner.
• We will maintain a working environment that promotes the positive growth of our track club.
• We will embrace families and the community as partners in fulfilling our mission and vision.