History

QTC was founded in 1979 to give a meaningful experience in the sport of athletics to boys and girls beginning at age seven. Our emphasis has always been on the student -athlete, underscoring the basic fact that without academic achievement the athlete does not have an arena in which to perform. We are nationally recognized as one of the outstanding track and field clubs in the United States. Our facility is located at 2605 Fairburn Rd. SW, Atlanta, GA 30331. The phone number is (404) 346-2177.

Quicksilver Track Club Goals and Objectives:

• To teach sound track & field techniques
• To allow youngsters to participate regardless of their abilities
• To strengthen young people's self-image through competition
• To have a meaningful impact in the process of training future leaders through the development of disciplined minds and bodies
• TO HAVE FUN !!!

The Track Season

Fall/Winter Season

Our season begins around Mid-October each year. We begin with basic conditioning, strength and technique as our initial emphasis. All of our older (high school age) athletes are encouraged to participate in this training, as to have a good fitness level entering their high school seasons. This training period also provides an opportunity for our athletes to participate in Indoor Track and Field.

Spring/Summer Season

Our competition season begins in late May and ends the first week in late July. Quicksilver competes in the USATF youth series as well as several other invitationals. New athletes may join at any time during the season, however many of our meet are run on a qualify and advance format. Performance level may be determined by the length of time athletes have been training and quality of such training. It is urged that athletes come out as early as they can.

Practices

From November to March, practices are held Tuesday & Thursday @ 6pm and Saturday @ 10am. April marks the beginning of four days a week practices, Monday thru Thursday. May begins five days a week practice and continues until the end of the season in late July. Practices are Monday though Friday at 6:30 P.M. - rain, sleet, snow, and mild hurricanes - Practice is mandatory .

All athletes MUST attend your school practices as they are scheduled. If you are missing your high school practices without the permission of your school coach you will not be allowed to practice with us.

Coaches

QTC has a volunteer staff of no less than twelve coaches. Many have been competitors themselves that have come up through the program, and are required to be USA Track & Field certified. They are all experienced and are dedicated to teaching correct fundamentals of the sport, and provide positive motivation for our young people both on the field and in the classroom.

Cost

The registration fee for the 2006 season is $225. This fee covers the registration fee with USA Track & Field, all entry fees for a minimum of five track meets during the season, two T-shirts, and cleaning the uniform each week. The cost associated with travel is determined by the amount of money raised by the club in the off season. Travel fees include transportation, hotel, and food cost. From past experience the average weekend cost about $250 (after applying funds raised). However, other fundraising options are available to further reduce costs.

Insurance

QTC participants are insured under the USA Track & Field Group Insurance Policy for registered athletes.

Description of Coverage:
Coverage against accidents in the course of participating in sanctioned events and organized practices scheduled by the Policyholder, under the supervision and direct sponsorship of Coaches or Managers of the Policy holder, or while traveling directly to and from such sanctioned events and organized practices. Coverage is also provided while competing as a member of USA Track & Field National Team in international competition. "Accident", for the purposes of this policy shall mean a sudden and unforseen occurence, resulting in significantly diminished physical abilities.

What is USA Track & Field?
USA Track & Field is the national governing body for our sport in the United States. The Athletics Congress (TAC) replaced the AAU as the national governing body for athletics in 1979 by mandate of the AMATEUR SPORTS ACT OF 1978 passed by the U.S. Congress. The Athletics Congress (TAC) changed its name to USA Track & Field in 1992. USA Track & Field is responsible for governing and coordinating all athletics (track & field, long distance running, cross country, road racing, race walking, and any other sport discipline recognized by the International Ameteur Athletic Federation) at all levels, from Youth Athletics to our U.S. National Teams representing the U.S. in international competitions such as the World Championships and the Olympic Games.

Why Track & Field?
Have you ever stopped and asked yourself where do all of our athletes begin their careers? Especially those that compete in the Olympics, the Pan American Games, the World Championships, and the professional sports leagues. The answer for the most part is the Youth Athletic Programs and Track Clubs like ours. Of all the youth programs in these United States, we think that track & field programs are the best for young people.

"Surveys done by the youth Sports Institute at Michigan State University, and the Office of Youth Sports at the University of Illinois show that children have the following reasons, in order of importance, for sports participation: to have fun, to learn skills to play the game, to get physically fit, and to make new friends. Winning is very low on the list, to the point that most children would rather play on a losing team than sit on the bench of winning team...." Quicksilver's program emphasizes these same values. Quicksilver Track Program provides an opportunity for our young people to compete regardless of their ability...and, the more they compete, the better they become. They meet other young people from all over the country, and from all around the world. Quicksilver Track Club is committed to teaching the correct basic skills of running and conditioning which are the foundations for all sports. We stress scholarship, and insist that our young people look at athletics as a means of obtaining an higher education. But more than anything, most of our young people have a fun filled summer.

CLUB LEVELS

COMPETITION Club:
Composed of boys and girls of all ages who are serious about track & Field. Athletes must have a positive attitude about the sport, excellent attendance, parental support, commitment to travel to all meets, ability to learn the skills taught in the program, and have an above average academic standing in school. These athletes are chosen by the coaching staff in consultation with athlete and parents.

FUN/DEVELOPMENTAL Club:
Composed of boys and girls of all ages who want to run track for the fun of the sport, or who have not quite developed the skills or maturity to compete at the level of the Competition Club. These athletes will particpate in the local meets and can move up when they are ready. To move up to the Competition Club, an athlete must display the commitment and skills over a reasonable period of time, and must have the consent of the parents because of the increased financial commitment of the Competition Club.