What is USATF and AAU?

USA Track & Field (USATF) is the United States national governing body for the sports of track and field and cross country running.

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.

How Will Coaches Communicate with Me?

We primarily communicate through the GroupMe app, which is our go-to platform for sharing important updates. It's a free app that ensures you're always in the loop. If you haven't downloaded GroupMe yet, please do in order to keep up with all our communications. Should you have any questions regarding uniform orders, payments, or meet specifics, don't hesitate to reach out to Coach Wanikka via text at 708-414-6183.

GROUPME GROUPS: (MEMBERSHIP MUST BE APPROVED)

Q & A GROUP https://groupme.com/join_group/99882272/aBRrxLTB

ANNOUNCEMENT GROUP https://groupme.com/join_group/95139094/QdyLNTb2

SCHOLARSHIP PORTAL https://groupme.com/join_group/98328242/ana8T76e

Running Shoes and Clothing

We strongly suggest visiting a specialty running footwear store when searching for track spikes and running shoes. Such stores often employ knowledgeable runners as staff members who can assist in selecting the perfect shoes that fit your athlete well. If you require recommendations for where to find these types of stores, feel free to reach out to any of our coaches. There's no need to buy specific running gear for practice; loose t-shirts and shorts work just fine for daily training. Your athlete will receive a team shirt, jersey, and shorts for competition days.

What Events Can my Child Participate In?

There are serval events in track and field to choose from:

Field events: Long Jump, High jump, ,Triple Jump, Shot Put, Disc, Javelin, and Turbo Javelin

Running Events: 100m, 200m , 400m, 800m, mile run, 1500/3000m Race Walk, 100/110m Hurdles, 200m/400m Hurdles, 4x100m Relay, 4x400m Relay

How Can You help as a parent?

Practice Days and Times

The Illinois Flames holds training sessions from Monday to Friday. We stand by the principle that an athlete's performance during competitions mirrors their effort in practice. We also believe that dedication and hard work can outshine natural talent when that talent isn't put to use. That's why we encourage every athlete to come to as many training sessions as possible. If for any reason an athlete can't make it to a practice, we ask that they inform their specific event coach ahead of time.

Nutrition

It's really important for young athletes to eat healthy, balanced meals every day. This is especially true on days they have races. Foods that are greasy, fried, or very fatty, as well as sodas or drinks that are very acidic, aren't good choices. Instead, it's best for them to eat small, light meals that are easy to digest about 3 hours before they compete. However, they should always drink plenty of water—there's no need to cut back on that. Often, athletes perform their best when they don't feel too full, so a slight feeling of hunger can be a good thing. You might notice your young runners start to eat more foods that are rich in carbohydrates, which is a good thing for their energy levels. After practice, snacks like bananas, kiwi, and grapefruit can help avoid muscle cramps.

Preparing to Watch Your First Track Meet

As parents, you're in charge of getting your kids to and from the competitions. Sometimes, there might be an extra fee to get in. Once you're there, find our team's spot, sign your runner in, and double-check the events they're signed up for.

Each race will have a specific coach helping with warm-ups and making sure everyone gets to the starting line on time. Since our coaches are juggling a lot, your help in tracking your runner's race time and connecting them with their coach is invaluable.

Races are organized by age and have several rounds. It's crucial for the smooth running of the event that our athletes are ready in the staging area for their race and stay there until it's their turn.

At the competition, your child will be focused on preparing with their team and listening to their coach, showing a level of dedication and seriousness that might surprise you. This is all part of them embracing the competitive spirit.

While watching the race, feel free to cheer from different spots around the track but remember to keep off the track and away from the competitors. It's also against the rules to run alongside a racer to cheer them on. After the race, athletes need to stay put until their time is recorded and they're told they can leave.

It's normal for some kids to feel disappointed if they don't win or meet their personal goals. They might need a little space immediately after the race, but they will appreciate your support and encouragement once they're ready to talk.

Please don't rush off after your child's race unless you have to. We often have updates to share post-race, and it's great for team spirit to stick around and cheer on the rest of our athletes.

Parent Involvement

The success of the Illinois Flames each season relies heavily on the involvement of our parents. Your support and participation are crucial elements in helping us achieve our goals and provide the best experience for our athletes!