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Mercury San Diego Track Club is a Private Non-Profit Organization and is not a Recreational track team.

The athletes are trained in 3 Cycles starting with Conditioning in winter,

which prepares our athletes to compete in the Post Season.

 

The goal through our training is to equip these youth athletes with the fundamentals to continue their efforts with Track and Field in High School and hopefully to later receive Athletic Scholarships to College. 

 

The Mercury Coaching staff is committed and dedicated to the development of each athlete while also encouraging the importance of Education and Family being first. Please read the FAQʼs thoroughly to assure Mercury San Diego Track Club is the right fit for your child.

1. When are sign-ups?

Practices usually begin in January, the Tuesday after Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday.

2. How do I sign my child up?

After your child attends a practice and you decide Mercury is a good fit for your child, you will need to Complete a New Team Member Packet, pay the Mercury San Diego Track Club Registration Fee, and provide a copy of your child’s Birth Certificate to place your child in the proper age division.

3. What are the Age Requirements?

Mercury San Diego Track Club starts at age 6. We also encourage that before signing your child up for Mercury San Diego Track Club he or she needs to be able to tie his or her own shoe.

4. What is the Mercury San Diego Registration Fee?

Our Registration Fee is approximately $205.00, which includes the U.S.A.T.F. Membership Fee of $20.00.

5. What is included in the Mercury San Diego Registration Fee?

  • Athlete’s Warm-up Uniform

  • Athlete’s Competition Uniform

  • (1) Pair of Black Socks

  • Mercury San Diego Track Club Bag

  • (1) Team Photo

  • USATF membership and T-shirt

6. Will there be other Fees throughout the season? 

Yes! Each Parent/ Guardian is responsible for paying each child’s Entry Fees to compete in the scheduled track meet. The Entry Fees range from $3.50 per event depending on the level track meet, and are due the Wednesday before each scheduled Saturday/ Sunday meet.

7. How long is the Track Season?

Track Conditioning starts in January, with Developmental Track Meets beginning in February through early-April. However, Invitational Track Meets, and National Championship Meets start towards the end of April and go through July.

(A Track Meet Schedule will be posted on the Team Website and handed out in January.)

8. Is it an issue if my child is involved with other sports during track season?

It's not an issue for your child to participate in other sports during track season, however keep in mind that Track and Field can be a very time consuming and a physically demanding sport, and there can be schedule conflicts.

9. How important is practice attendance? Is it mandatory to attend each practice/ Track Meet?

Mercury Coaches are dedicated to the development of each athlete. A consistent effort from all coaches, parents and athletes is required in order for each athlete to have the best opportunity at success. Therefore, we highly recommend attendance to all practice sessions. This is also highly important for athletes who may be participants on relays. Unless there is a family emergency, illness/ injury, or academic challenge, it is expected that each athlete attend all scheduled practices and track meets. In the event that one of the aforementioned instances occur you will need to notify your child’s respective Coach before the practice or track meet. Athletes who miss more than (3) practices or (3) track meets will be asked to return the following season in hopes they will have more time to dedicate.

10. When/ How long is Track Practice?

Depending on what Training Phase we are in, practices will be held 3-4 times a week and are typically no more than 2 hours long.

11. When/ How long are Track Meets?

Track Meets can vary in length depending on your child’s events. All track meets take place on most Saturdays and some Sunday’s. Be prepared for possible long days starting as early as 7:30am-4:00pm. (Competition Schedules will be posted on the Team Website and copies will be handed out to ALL Parents at the beginning of the season in order to plan your Weekends, Holidays, and Vacations accordingly. This will only be a Tentative Schedule and Dates and Times are subject to change with ample time notification).

12. What should my child bring to practice?

Water/ low sugar sport drinks, comfortable workout attire (weather appropriate), and appropriate training shoes. Sweats and a sweatshirt should be worn over a shirt and shorts. The sweats and sweatshirt are to be worn during warm-ups and taken off right before actual interval training. Spikes will only be needed during practice when the season begins and for track meets. Please be sure NOT to send your child to practice with basketball high tops, or shoes that are not designed for running purposes. A comfortable running shoe with arch and heal support is needed. Wearing the appropriate shoe will prevent from injuries.

13. What should my child bring to Track Meets?

  • Water/ Low Calorie Sports Drink

  • Mercury San Diego Track Club Competition Uniform and Warm-ups

  • Proper Warm-up Shoes and Running Spikes

  • Sunblock

  • Tent or Umbrella to stay cool

  • Snacks such as Fruit, Granola Bars, and Sliced Veggies
    (We recommend writing your child’s name on ALL personal belongings to assure they are not mixed up with other athlete’s).

14. Is it okay for my child to practice with parents or Non-Mercury coaches?

NO! If your child cannot practice with Mercury Coaches at the scheduled Practice times, Mercury is NOT the team for you. Please respect the efforts by the Coaches and knowledge they offer. Mercury aims to create a healthy, safe, challenging, and competitive training environment so that your child can excel in whatever events he or she participates in.

15. How do I know what Events my child should be running?

Mercury Coaches will evaluate each athlete on their ability and enter them in events that they are the strongest and have the best opportunity of being successful.

16. Can I choose my child's events?

NO! Coaches determine what events your child will run each week. If parents are not okay with this Mercury is NOT the team for you.

17. Do Parents/ Guardians have to Participate in Fundraising?

Yes! The family of each participating Mercury Team Member is encouraged to participate in ALL fundraising efforts. As mentioned, Mercury San Diego Track Club is a Non-Profit Organization that raises funds to host their Annual Track Banquet, Annual Track Meet Invitational, and pay for qualifying athletes to attend National and Championship Track Meets. These funds also pay for equipment (spikes, mini javelins, etc...)

18. Do Parents/ Guardians need to volunteer at the Mercury San Diego Annual Track and Field All Comer’s B Meet and Invitational?

Yes! In order for our team meets to run smoothly and efficiently we need a family member from each Mercury Participant to Volunteer to work a station at the track meet. If a Parent/ Guardian cannot participate we strongly encourage you to appoint someone from your family to cover you.

19. How will I know if my Child Qualifies for a Championship Meet?

Coaches will notify parents if your child qualifies for a Championship Meet.

 

PLEASE NOTE: ALL athletes who qualify for such Championship meets and whose parents participated in the fundraising efforts:

Traveling ticket will be sponsored by Mercury San Diego Track Club. Parents who wish to participate will have to cover their own traveling expenses.

20. Awards?

For those Athlete’s that win medals, ribbons, or trophies at scheduled track meetsCoaches will collect these awards at the end of the Track Meet and will hand them out at practices throughout the season or at the End of the Season Banquet.

21. What if my Child Breaks a Rule?

Mercury San Diego Track Club is committed to the community, safety, and development of each team member. We are asking for the support of each Parent/ Guardian in enforcing Team Rules and Expectations. Please respect the Coaches by picking up/ dropping of your children at the scheduled times and making sure your child conducts themselves appropriately. Please make sure that your children fully understand the Team Rules and Expectations. Depending on the severity of a rule broken appropriate action/ consequences will take place. However, Mercury San Diego DOES NOT and WILL NOT tolerate Fighting, and Bullying of any kind, and any team member that does so will be IMMEDIATELY dismissed from the team. We thank you in advance for your support!

(Please Refer to Team Rules and Regulations.)

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