After Club Rush on Tuesday we now have 19 new athletes on our mailing list, for a total of 33.  This is a big number!  Our equipment resources are going to be stretched very thin if everyone who is on the lists sticks with us.  We normally have some attrition as people discover everything that is involved, but I suspect we will end up with a bigger than normal team this year.

To allow us the opportunity to chase down any equipment shortages we need to know boot size, weight, height information ASAP.  In the longer run we also need contact information etc.  The best way to submit this is to fill out the on-line google form.  So far no newcomers have done this (though a few gave me sizes at the lunch meeting a couple of weeks ago).  Please deal with this (if there are any shortages that we cannot resolve, then people who have submitted information earlier will get priority). Returning athletes who have changed dimensions since last season should also get me updates quickly (just a short email with your new sizes will do).

In the preseason, sorting out equipment is a major task.  All athletes get a least two pair of skis, three pair of poles, one or two pair of boots, roller skis and a race uniform.  This doesn’t happen by magic.

Till the official beginning of the season on November 9 we will be runningBeginner Roller Ski Clinics.  Many of our beginners are committed to Fall Sports so we have scheduled 5 sessions over the Fall Break that should not conflict with your other sport.  For those that are not doing a Fall Sport there are 6 after school sessions on a Monday and Wednesday.  Note the after school sessions are at various times to match the school release time.  Please sign up for any sessions that you plan to attend (for morning sessions by 10 pm the night before and afternoon sessions by 9 am of that day) – if no-one signs up by the deadline the coach will not be there!!  You must bring your own safety helmet (a correctly fitting bike helmet works well).  We also recommend you wear gloves such as a fingerless cycling glove. The team has an assortment of knee and elbow pads for those that need them.

Before you can participate you must be cleared for sports and have given aConsent to Treat to the coach.  From the official list I received (date Thu Sept 24)  six of our returning athletes and four of the newcomers still need to get clearance.

There will be a meeting next week for all parents of team members (athletes also welcome to attend).  There has been a Doodle Poll available to choose the best night for the meeting.  So far only 4 parents have expressed a preference.  I will close the Poll at 9 pm Wednesday evening as I have to get an announcement submitted to the Daily Bulletin tomorrow.

It looks like the Tuesday date will not work because of a conflict with College and Career Night so I have removed it from the choices.  Because of other conflict Thursday is the preferred evening, but if there are significant numbers of people can only attend on Wednesday I will consider also having a meeting that evening.  I will announce the location after I have a confirmed room booking at NU.