Rules and Policy

Definition of Race Walking

from I.A.A.F. Handbook 2001-2002 - rule 230.1

General and Handicap Rules

1. All competitors must be registered with Racewalking Queensland (not necessary to be a member of a Queensland Athletics Club).

2. Any member who is not a member of a Queensland Athletics ordinary, or associate club will not be allowed to compete in a Queensland Athletics Championship event and will not be eligible for state team selection, but will be eligible for selection in Federation events.

3. Competitors must wear their Queensland Athletics numbers and Queensland Athletics Club uniform in Queensland Athletics Championships and must wear their Racewalking Queensland number in Racewalking Queensland championships and competitions and are encouraged to wear the Racewalking Queensland uniform in Racewalking Queensland championships and competitions. Competitors must wear the Racewalking Queensland uniform in Federation competitions.

4. Entries for Racewalking Queensland championships close one week prior to the event. Entries for Queensland Athletics championships close on the date specified in the Queensland Athletics handbook (usually two weeks prior to the event). Queensland Athletics championship rules allow competitors to compete in their own age group or open only and no intermediate age group.

5. Composition of teams for relays are to be submitted one week prior to the event. Team compositions may be altered, with approval, on the day of the event.

6. No unauthorised assistance is to be given to competitors during the course of an event. Coaching from outside the course proper is allowed by I.A.A.F. rules.

7. Members are restricted to certain grades depending on their current age. The following table sets out the age restrictions for each grade and the nominal grade for that age group.

   Age	Nominal Group	Other Grades
   18 yrs +	A	B, C or D
   16/17 yrs	B	A, C or D
   14/15 yrs	C	A, B or D
   12/13 yrs	D	C or E
   10/11 yrs	E	D or F
   9 yrs and  under	F	E

8. Members 13 years and under should only on the odd occasion compete in grades outside their nominated grade, unless their date of birth falls prior to the date of the last winter season road walking championship and such a birthday would put them in a higher grade for that championship. In which case these members may compete in the higher grade during the season.

9. Members may compete on any day of the above grade for their age, and must nominate the event to be undertaken prior to the start of the event.

10. The member's first handicap grade during the current winter road walking season will be determined by the member's grade in the first handicap event in which the member competes during the season.

11. A member may choose to compete in a higher grade, in which case, the member may have two choices of either:
    (a) Accepting all the handicap points available for the higher grade. In which case, the points already awarded to that member are carried to that higher grade and as such, the member for handicap trophy purposes, will remain in the higher grade throughout the season or
    (b) by nomination prior to the start of the event that he/she does not wish to be put in the higher grade for the remainder of the season and therefore will accept only starting and completed points for the higher grade and thus forfeit the points for the best season performance and the actual handicap that may have been awarded for the higher grade on the day.

12. A member may also walk in a lower grade in which case the points awarded for that walk will be significantly less.

13. When Racewalking Queensland members are competing interstate in Australia including All Schools Championships or Queensland Athletics championships points will be awarded for three of the four categories. Viz; starting, competing and season best performance. No points will be awarded for the fourth handicap category in any grade. For the Racewalking Queensland competition, the three categories of points will be allocated according to the grade in which the member competed on that day and will follow the rules defined on that section on the handicap rules and the next season on handicap points. For Racewalking Queensland members competing interstate or in Queensland Athletics championships as defined above, the value of three categories of points allocated will be based on the values of the higher grade in which the member has competed during the season thus far, however, the start, completed and season best performance determination will be based on the non Racewalking Queensland event undertaken. If the member has not competed in a Racewalking Queensland handicap event during the season thus far the points will be awarded in the grade in which the member first competes. If the Athlete is not registered with Racewalking Queensland at the time, no points will be awarded.

14. No prior entry is required for handicap events. Competitors with no previous road walking recorded performances will be handicapped on scratch.

15. To be awarded handicap points for the best season performance, the member must have competed in a prior Racewalking Queensland or Queensland Athletics road walking event over the same distance during the current winter season.

16. To be eligible for Handicap Trophies a member must participate in a minimum of 50% of designated Handicap Races during the season.

Handicap Points

For each grade the following table indicates the points to be allocated for each week's handicap races for males and females.

The Management Committee of Racewalking Queensland adopted the AA/QA Member Protection Policy in 2007 and we would like each and every member , parent , volunteer and coach to take the time to familiarise themselves with this policy and to understand their rights and obligations under this policy. To view the policy go to the QA website at  www.qldathletics.org.au.

Every person involved in the sport has a right to be treated with respect, dignity and fairness and be able to compete in a safe and enjoyable environment.

We have a moral and legal responsibility to protect children who have a fundamental right to be safe from any form of abuse or harm while involved in the sport. We must all ensure that our young athletes are protected at all times from discrimination, harassment and bullying.

The AA/QA Member Protection Policy explains how a Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO) is the first point of call in the club for any enquiries, concerns or complaints about harassment and abuse. The MPIO provides confidential information and moral support to the person with the concern or who is alleging harassment. The MPIO does not give advice but provides information and options .The Australian Sports Commission accredited MPIO of Racewalking Queensland is Peter Bennett. 

All members are asked to report any incidents of harassment, abuse or discrimination.

Other Useful contacts :

Australian Sports Commission: Sports Ethics Unit (02) 6214 1960

www.ausport.gov.au/supporting/ethics

Queensland Police Service

Child Abuse 1800 811 810 or 3224 8045

Crime stoppers 1800 333 000 www.police.qld.gov.au

Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission

Complaints info 1300656 419 www.humanrights.gov.au

Child Protection & Harassment Free Sport:

Department of Sport & Recreation 32370098 www.sportrec.qld.gov.au

Anti- Discrimination Commission Queensland 1300 130 670

Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian

3247 5518

www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au

Conflict Management

Dispute Resolution Branch Queensland 1800 017 288 www.justice.qld.gov.au/mediation

Legal Advice

Legal Aid Queensland 1300 651 188

The Department of Child Safety

1800 811 810 or 32248045 www.childsafety.qld.gov.au