Here in California you have the best of weather for many options in life. Many of the kids around here play and participate in many of those options such as surfing, soccer, skiing, and many others. You have always heard the stories of mountains in the morning and surfing in the evening. Why not take advantage of such activities if you can?
Now let us talk about pole vaulting and the lack there of in the state of California. If you talk to coaches and parents alike, they state that there are no opportunities for pole vaulting in the state like other sports. Well, that changed last year with the Vaulter Magazine – Vaulter Club Travel Circuit.
How did we come up with the idea? Kids asked and we listened to what they had to say. We listened and talked to many kids from all over the United States this summer, as well as the those from the surrounding areas. What they wanted was more options like other sports, with opportunities to jump and travel to meets. Practicing all fall and winter is fun for only so long, and then it becomes the same old situation. Many have heard of our plan and our signing up for our club already.
The Plan
Have multiple clubs and schools come together with teams and set up a circuit for the athletes to pole vault all fall and winter. Right now, we have right around six active participating clubs that would like to join our effort with dates from October 29, 2016 through January 17, 2017. All they have to do is commit to one meet (home meet) and have between 10-15 athletes ready to jump. Once they put on their meet with concessions, booths or whatever, then they have the right to participate in the other meets that are set up. (Away meets) The last meet will be at the pole vault summit (www.polevaultsummit.com ) where the athletes’ mark will count for future reference.
Commitment is the name of the game with a situation such as this. When you have an All-comers meet, anyone can come and almost anyone can show up at the last minute. No dedication to their coach and no commitment to team or club, not to mention the meet. Some people like that setup, but is it working in Southern California? What if you have 10 teams with 10-15 jumpers per team and the doors were closed to anyone else but the clubs? Of course, anyone can spectate, but joining at the last minute would not be possible. Can you just show up to a soccer or football game the day of and participate?
The clubs can recruit and train the same way that they do today, none of that will change. Saturdays will have pole vault competitions and dedication to the club by participating in the meet. This is a commitment for both coaches and athletes alike. It is time to get YEAR NUMBER TWO started here in California and throughout the United States.
Last year the boys state champion participated in our events along with countless other state finalists in the boys and girls section. Many personal records were made and broken throughout this season.
http://vaulter.club/events/2016-fall-winter-travel-team/