Sports Policy and the sports environment
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Rules of sports and activities
The whole of Australian athletics adhere's to an international standard of rules and regulations ( IAAF)
Modified rules for children
In Associations such as little athletics, a suitable place where kids and young athletes can compete, there are modified distances to the sprints, for the very young there are 50 and 60m races. This progresses to 70m races, and then to full length races (100m). There are also rules preventing children to use blocks to avoid injury, this is also why spikes are not aloud to be used until a certain age (e.g. U12). There are also rules that allowing junior athletes to have false start, where as senior athletes get a straight DQ.
Matching of opponents
Athletes are matched by age in athletics as a whole. Sprinting has ages all the way through till opens which is 18+. There are also sometimes U21 races that take place. This helps to keep levels of competition fair.
Safe grounds, equipment and facilities
Grounds are generally inspected not only before training by coaches but before events by officials, having a minimum criteria they must meet, ensuring maximum prevention of injury for athletes. Some equipment that Children of young age do not use, in order to prevent injury are blocks and spikes. Associations such as little athletics have removed time gates for longer events to ensure there are no collisions. Facilities at grounds are generally made to have shaded areas so that in severe heat or cold there is shelter. There is also generally sunscreen available for athletes.
The whole of Australian athletics adhere's to an international standard of rules and regulations ( IAAF)
Modified rules for children
In Associations such as little athletics, a suitable place where kids and young athletes can compete, there are modified distances to the sprints, for the very young there are 50 and 60m races. This progresses to 70m races, and then to full length races (100m). There are also rules preventing children to use blocks to avoid injury, this is also why spikes are not aloud to be used until a certain age (e.g. U12). There are also rules that allowing junior athletes to have false start, where as senior athletes get a straight DQ.
Matching of opponents
Athletes are matched by age in athletics as a whole. Sprinting has ages all the way through till opens which is 18+. There are also sometimes U21 races that take place. This helps to keep levels of competition fair.
Safe grounds, equipment and facilities
Grounds are generally inspected not only before training by coaches but before events by officials, having a minimum criteria they must meet, ensuring maximum prevention of injury for athletes. Some equipment that Children of young age do not use, in order to prevent injury are blocks and spikes. Associations such as little athletics have removed time gates for longer events to ensure there are no collisions. Facilities at grounds are generally made to have shaded areas so that in severe heat or cold there is shelter. There is also generally sunscreen available for athletes.