Introduction:    A call went out in April on the Internet asking for reactions to five questions for each of five age groups or stages of development (Appendix I) relating to racewalking in America.  Over the past few months, I have met with a number of athletes, coaches, and parents to consider the key questions and concerns around the sport of race walking. Meetings were held with walkers, coaches, parents, and officials at the Penn Relays and the Junior National Championship.  I wish to thank all that provided their thoughts.  Collectively, their comments, and those recieved on the internet, have provided insight as to what activities can and should be implemented, by the National or Association level race walk committees or other groups, that can have a positive impact on the sport now and in the future. I hope their throughts have been accurately reflected in this document. Summarized below is the initial summary of the information collected and suggested plans of action. This initial report focuses only upon the youth and junior level walkers: Stages I and II. Your comments and suggestions on the materials presented are welcomed.  They will be forwarded to Alan James, the National Committee's Planning Chairperson. It is expected that Alan will continue the work on the later stages. Send your comments and suggestions to me. My email address is corrallo@.... You can also mail your suggestions to Sal Corrallo, 72 Creek Drive, Millsboro, DE 19966-9679. Thank you.

Background: There has been a lot of discussion over the years on what is wrong with American Racewalking and what needs to be done to make it better. If there is one major problem, it not that the sport does not have good coaching or competitive opportunities at the international level. Nor is it that is that walking is not a popular fitness activity in general. The major concern is the lack of opportunity for all Americans to learn how to race walk and then participate in race walk competitions. It is an Olympic event which most people know little about. However there is rather significant evidence that when offered the opportunity a great number of athletes will learn how to race walk, not just for fitness but to become competitors. Interestingly, it has happened at each end of the age scale. First there are a great number of race walkers at the masters level. Most are recent converts to the sport. In fact the race walk is often the most contested event in masters meets. At the other end of the age scale, we have had similar experiences in New York and Maine high schools. Both had or have high school programs with high participation levels. Each has produced national and Olympic class athletes. In sum our major problem is that, in terms fielding competitive international competition teams, is that we do not have a very large pool of athletes from which to draw. We have also had difficulty in retaining the athletes we do attract. Of course for those we manage to keep, we need to provide the world class coaching, training and competitive opportunities and related support systems to ready them for international competitions. As we look out to the larger community we need to find answers on how to enlarge the field. We also need keep the athletes longer and help them maximize their skills.

Overview: The initial activity of this planning exercise has been to identify issues and concerns as basis for discussion, and then using them to identify goals, actions steps, potential problems or barriers, and methods to overcome these problems. For simplification the discussions are centered around the stages of development an athlete go through, beginning with youth track ending with a berth on an Olympic Team. The stages are generally related to the age and schooling of the athlete. They include Stage I, Youth or Elementary School; Stage II, Junior or High School; Stage III, Intermediate or College; Stage IV, Open or Post College; and Stage V, National/Olympic Team. A summary of the major concerns or issues for each stage is summarized. Each will be considered in depth below.

Under Stage I, the elementary school years or youth section, key concerns identified include providing opportunities for youth athletes to learn proper race walking technique, train under a knowledgeable and encouraging coach, have a club and other athletes to train and compete with, have reasonable competitive opportunities, have adequate judging in races and understand what is available to them in the sport in the future.

Under Stage II, the High School or junior years, concerns relate to the limited exposure of the sport to athletes in high schools, limited competitive opportunities, lack of knowledgeable coaching and support, limited peer support, lack of knowledge on future racewalking opportunities at the college level, and athlete transition and retention concerns.

Under Stage III, the intermediate or college years, concerns include having some level of college support, knowledgeable coaching and available training facilities, high level collegiate and non-collegiate competitive opportunities, recognition of achievements, travel resources, as well as the concern of the need of moving up to higher levels competition and longer distances beyond college.

Under Stage IV, the post college national level, There is the question of longer distance to content with, getting high level coaching, having adequate training partners and opportunities, having the time and resources to attend meets, getting the recognition of opportunities and having an awareness of what needs to be done to move up to the next stage. Competitions available need to be conducted under world competitive conditions in terms of race management and officiating.

Under Stage V, the Olympic and World Cup Team Level. Athletes must have the highest level of coaching available, proper training facilities and comparable ability teammates to train with, some level of financial support, national level recognition and publicity. They must also have a confidence that they when they enter an international competition, they need not worry about disqualification because they have been judged under similar standards in the US.

The concerns listed under each stage are not the only ones that can be identified, but rather those that come to mind most often. However identification, in these most general terms, has very limited value. True one can identify current activities that address one or more of these concerns in one or more of the stages, but they are limited and not necessarily part of a clearly defined strategy. It is just too little, in too few places, and with little hope for long term improvement in sport on an international level.

The Planning Exercise. As noted a specific set of questions was developed and is considered under each stage. The questions were selected to identify the needs of the athlete directly and for the enhancement of supporting services such as coaching aids, training and quantity of officials, high level competitions, athlete support and incentives, and other supporting activities. Clearly USATF and/or RWI will not able to address all the needs, however they can provide leadership and coordination and encourage others to help. The expectation is that ultimately most involved in the sport of race-walking should be moving in the same direction.

This paper will cover the suggestions that came forth for the first two stages. Comments and additions are welcomed as well comments and suggestions around the set of questions posed, for each of the final three stages.

1. What should be the national goal for this age group?

   The goals for this group are modest. It is try to expose as many young track and field athletes and youth coaches to the sport of race walking, by helping them learn proper race walking technique, implementing proper coaching methods, and identifying the long term competitive opportunities for walkers. There should be limited emphasis on national competitions and more on participation at the local and regional levels. (It should be noted that there are special cases in which a young talented race walker comes forth who have the support of his/her parent. Too many of these young walkers get dishearten after a while when they realize they have limited opportunities in the sport. They essentially have to train alone, compete alone, and then have no peers to socialize with in the sport. These athletes are usually very gifted and might one day be Olympians. However, given the opportunities currently available for the very young race walkers many move to other sports and for some that stay, most never seem to develop to their full potential. Mental burnout is sometimes thought to be the cause, but this has been difficult to document at the youth level. Every opportunity needs to be given to athletes in these special cases, however they are just that a special case and the focus of the program in general should be the more on instruction and beginning competition.

2. What programs or activities are currently available to athletes in this age group?

   The youth athletics and junior Olympic programs can provide unlimited opportunities for young race walkers at local and regional competitions. Unfortuna1etly all youth teams do not offer race walking. And on the other hand, many meet directors do not have qualified race walk judges on hand. Thus the walk is not always offered at youth meets, and if it is, not properly judged.

3. What needs to be added to the current set of programs or activities?

   Often, a youth club does not offer the walk since that do not have anyone on staff who knows the event. It should be kept in mind that the coaches are the ones who can and do encourage youth level athletes to participate in specific events. If they do not know the event they will not motivate a young athlete to try it. There is also the problem with having race walk officials to conduct the event in youth meets. Thus the key need is helping youth coaches learn how to teach the technique and how to coach the race walk.

    

4. What are the barriers to making existing youth race walkers better and/or adding the programs or activities?

   Most youth coaches have limited experience with race walking and given the number of events in a meet are hard pressed to coach all events. Unless there are active race walkers in a region it is unlikely that a youth club in the area will have race walkers. (It is noted that some parents have in encouraged some youth clubs to add race walkers to this team, but few receive proper coaching in these cases)

5. What can be done and what resources are needed, both human and material?

   There needs to be an active effort to encourage youth teams to include race walking in their programs. While local race walkers may help on occasion, the key component is having a race walk coach on the youth club’s staff. Few exist, so the will have to be trained. However coaching aids are limited as are coaching clinics for youth coaches. In addition to coaches, officials will also need to be trained. A judges training packet needs to be created. (It is not hard to judge youth level walkers, so it should not be too difficult to train judges. Each youth club should be asked to supply a trained judge at each meet at which their athletes compete.)

   Encourage all youth meet directors to include a race walk in their programs. This is particularly true of larger youth meets with exposure. However, it is particularly important if is also supported by the local USATF race walk committee to help race directors, new to the event, to organize and conduct the first few times it is conducted. To assure continuity of the event in the larger meets, local committees may also have to help judge the event over the years.

6. Action Plan.

A number of the action items to be presented over the five stages will be unique to the particular stage. While in other cases the action item may general to all stages or while similar in the overall thrust will have unique tasks associated within each stage. This will be noted at the end of each action item.

Development of Coaching Kits. These are for use by coaches of beginning walkers. Helping youth level walker learn the proper technique is an important first step in the development of the sport of race walking. It will help the young athlete avoid the unpleasant and disheartening experience of being disqualified and help the youth train properly and compete to the best of their ability. Equally important it will help the coaches to appreciate the finer points of the sport and build their confidence in coaching. Further when successful, it will give coaches the credit due to any good coach. It should be kept in mind that the youth coaches are the ones who introduce and then place athletes in events. Proper coaching and training of the athlete will make it a positive experience for both coach and athlete. (Applicable to youth and junior level coaches)

Training of Officials for Race Walk Competitions. The availability of certified race walk is often a problem at youth meets. Poor or ill informed judging can make an event look bad and discouraged the young walkers for various reasons. Each youth club should have one or two adults that are trained to be race walk judges. They would help youth understand what the judges are looking for, work with them at practices, and be judges at youth meets. They need not be fully certified officials, although it would be encouraged. (Applicable for youth and junior level competitions)

Creation of a Brochure for Youth. It might include sections on how to walk, how to train, how to compete, understanding what the judges do and how they do it, what competitive opportunities await the young walker now and in the future, and where and how to get information on clubs, coaches, and competitions. (A youth level application)

Development of a Web Based Information Source on Race Walking. The site would essentially be available for all those interested in USA Race Walking. In addition to general information on the sport as a whole it would have five sections unique to each stage noted above. Each stage section would be monitored by a stage counselor who would be the authority on what is available for walkers in each stage. This might include club and coaching opportunities across the nation, special clinics, college opportunities, a listing of peer level walkers, support, training, and financial opportunities such as the USOC jobs program. (A five stage activity)

1. What should be the national goal for this age group?

Over the past few years it has been shown in New York State and more recently in Maine, that if a race walk opportunity is available to high school students they will come out and work hard at being the best they can be, even though the attention and rewards are limited. Clearly a primary national goal is to expand the sport of race walking into as many state high school athletic programs as there are states. Further, in each state there needs to be better information on the opportunities in the sport of race walking and enhanced aids for the training of coaches and qualified judges. There also needs to be willingness of meet directors to conduct high level junior level competitions for walkers of all ability levels.

2. What programs or activities are currently available to athletes in this age group?

Junior level race walkers unless they live in Maine or selected parts of New York State, will be fortunate to have a nearby supporting USATF Track & Field or Race Walk Club. Many can still participate in the USATF Junior Olympic and Youth Programs, as well as USATF Junior level competitions. However club and high school coaches have limited knowledge on teaching technique and/or on training programs for race walkers. Even if interested in learning how to coach race walkers, there are very limited opportunities for them to gain the coaching knowledge they need both because of l availability of knowledgeable instructors, and having time to learn, given their other coaching responsibilities. As for serious competition, the availability and high levels of competition, especially over the summer months, is probably limited to those athletes who qualify for the national youth and JO meets. This means that, unless they travel, many competitive and gifted race walkers have few real competitive opportunities. The can be an expensive activity for the serious junior level walker and their families, as they often have to travel great distances to compete. A related issue for serious competitors, is the need of being judged properly by qualified race walk officials, no matter the level of youth and JO meets. The training and number of race walk officials differs widely by USATF Association. In general, there are not enough officials to meet current needs, even in Associations with a training program. If the programs were to expand, the need would even be greater.

3. What needs to be added to the current set of programs or activities?

While the single most important need is for race walking to be added to high school programs across states, there is also a need for improvements in many of the current programs or activities. First, some comments on current race walking activities inside and outside the high school environment. Many of the problems and solutions identified in the youth section are not dissimilar to those identified under the junior section. This includes the enhancement of coaching education, expansion of the number of officials qualified to judge the race walk, and distribution of information on race walking opportunities for the athlete now and in the future. In addition, athletes indicated that, they seldom have the luxury of having peers to work with, and many felt they would like to be in touch with other junior level walkers around the nation. Thus an information system, such as junior level listserv would keep these walkers in touch with each other and provide relevant information on the sport in general and when necessary for the junior level walker. Also, in making the transition from the junior level to the college or senior level, many athletes will need specific and unique assistance on a personal level. It might be just basic information on what to expect, it might be information on the colleges that offer the race walk, which offer financial aid, either directly or indirectly, or just plain verbal support, especially when none is available elsewhere. In effect there needs to be youth level counselor who has the time to keep aware of what is available for youth level walkers, has contacts with school and college officials, and is respected by walkers, families, and coaches.

However the key desire of these athletes is having competitive opportunities through their high school athletic programs. It might be an addition to the existing track and field programs, it also might be included as part of the cross-country program in the fall or as a separate event in the spring. Or at the very least, it might be included as part of the school's physical education program and/or intra-mural program. Past experience with the sport in Maine and New York suggest that there are a good number of potential race walkers that do not compete in either track and field or cross-country. Given the need for lifelong fitness activities, the experience of master’s level race walking suggests that the sport should be a part of every high school athletic program. To help make this happen, it would be desirable that a started kit be developed that would have information the sport in general, how to recruit and train race walkers, how to conduct a race walk along with basic instructions on training judges. Included in the packet would be a listing of human and non-human resources available in various regions around the nation. Initially, the program should focus upon high population areas/states, which have USATF level race walkers, and officials that can be called upon for assistance.

4. What are the barriers to making existing youth race walkers better and/or adding the programs or activities?

In thinking of how to expand the sport of race walking into the high schools, it is clear that USA race walking leaders, can not do the job alone. They can help supply some resources and take a leadership position in terms of coordination and support. To this end they can provide the information needed and assist in the training coaches and officials. They can also help develop, administer, and keep up to date an information and assistance center. However, they cannot do the missionary, political, or fund raising work necessary to implement high school ace walk programs. In the end the leadership and support for this activity has to come primarily from leaders outside the race walk community in each area/state.

5. What can be done and what resources are needed, both human and material?

Again, much of the coaching, officials training, and conducting a race walk materials developed under the youth section can be used and/or expanded for use at the high school level. In fact it would be desirable to have a single action item for these two areas. The packet or booklet that would be developed should use a hands on approach (i.e. a cookbook approach. Assume the readers know nothing about the sport and have limited time to learn.)

However the equally important, is the development of a strategy to expand the availability of the race walk to all students at the high school level. As noted above there are a number of ways to introduce the sport within a high school. It might be desirable to develop strategies and support systems for more that one approach. It might be easier to get outside support if the program were to start modestly, so that it can be phased over a fixed period of time.

Action Plan.

First, each of the action items noted under the youth section should have their charges expanded to cover the junior level programs. Unique products for each group may result, but it is clear that the action items identified are very consistent for both groups.

Second. A Special Task Group should be set up. A non-race walk person should chair the Task Group. It should include the chairs of the USATF Race Walk Committee and Race Walk International, the Executive Director of USATF a representative from both the USATF Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Committees, USA High School and College Track Coaches Associations, A Race Walk Athlete, and A member of Athletes Advisory, and any others though to be helpful to he cause. (This might include a NAIA Representative, a NCAA Representative, and a High School Federation Representative).

The initial task of this group is to consider how to introduce the sport into the high schools with a later task of getting it into the colleges.

Appendix I

My email address is corrallo@... or you can mail your suggestions to Sal Corrallo, 72 Creek Drive, Millsboro, DE 19966-9679.

Introduction:    A call went out in April on the Internet asking for reactions to five questions for each of five age groups or stages of development (Appendix I) relating to racewalking in America.  Over the past few months, I have met with a number of athletes, coaches, and parents to consider the key questions and concerns around the sport of race walking. Meetings were held with walkers, coaches, parents, and officials at the Penn Relays and the Junior National Championship.  I wish to thank all that provided their thoughts.  Collectively, their comments, and those recieved on the internet, have provided insight as to what activities can and should be implemented, by the National or Association level race walk committees or other groups, that can have a positive impact on the sport now and in the future. I hope their throughts have been accurately reflected in this document. Summarized below is the initial summary of the information collected and suggested plans of action. This initial report focuses only upon the youth and junior level walkers: Stages I and II. Your comments and suggestions on the materials presented are welcomed.  They will be forwarded to Alan James, the National Committee's Planning Chairperson. It is expected that Alan will continue the work on the later stages. Send your comments and suggestions to me. My email address is corrallo@.... You can also mail your suggestions to Sal Corrallo, 72 Creek Drive, Millsboro, DE 19966-9679. Thank you.

Background: There has been a lot of discussion over the years on what is wrong with American Racewalking and what needs to be done to make it better. If there is one major problem, it not that the sport does not have good coaching or competitive opportunities at the international level. Nor is it that is that walking is not a popular fitness activity in general. The major concern is the lack of opportunity for all Americans to learn how to race walk and then participate in race walk competitions. It is an Olympic event which most people know little about. However there is rather significant evidence that when offered the opportunity a great number of athletes will learn how to race walk, not just for fitness but to become competitors. Interestingly, it has happened at each end of the age scale. First there are a great number of race walkers at the masters level. Most are recent converts to the sport. In fact the race walk is often the most contested event in masters meets. At the other end of the age scale, we have had similar experiences in New York and Maine high schools. Both had or have high school programs with high participation levels. Each has produced national and Olympic class athletes. In sum our major problem is that, in terms fielding competitive international competition teams, is that we do not have a very large pool of athletes from which to draw. We have also had difficulty in retaining the athletes we do attract. Of course for those we manage to keep, we need to provide the world class coaching, training and competitive opportunities and related support systems to ready them for international competitions. As we look out to the larger community we need to find answers on how to enlarge the field. We also need keep the athletes longer and help them maximize their skills.

Overview: The initial activity of this planning exercise has been to identify issues and concerns as basis for discussion, and then using them to identify goals, actions steps, potential problems or barriers, and methods to overcome these problems. For simplification the discussions are centered around the stages of development an athlete go through, beginning with youth track ending with a berth on an Olympic Team. The stages are generally related to the age and schooling of the athlete. They include Stage I, Youth or Elementary School; Stage II, Junior or High School; Stage III, Intermediate or College; Stage IV, Open or Post College; and Stage V, National/Olympic Team. A summary of the major concerns or issues for each stage is summarized. Each will be considered in depth below.

Under Stage I, the elementary school years or youth section, key concerns identified include providing opportunities for youth athletes to learn proper race walking technique, train under a knowledgeable and encouraging coach, have a club and other athletes to train and compete with, have reasonable competitive opportunities, have adequate judging in races and understand what is available to them in the sport in the future.

Under Stage II, the High School or junior years, concerns relate to the limited exposure of the sport to athletes in high schools, limited competitive opportunities, lack of knowledgeable coaching and support, limited peer support, lack of knowledge on future racewalking opportunities at the college level, and athlete transition and retention concerns.

Under Stage III, the intermediate or college years, concerns include having some level of college support, knowledgeable coaching and available training facilities, high level collegiate and non-collegiate competitive opportunities, recognition of achievements, travel resources, as well as the concern of the need of moving up to higher levels competition and longer distances beyond college.

Under Stage IV, the post college national level, There is the question of longer distance to content with, getting high level coaching, having adequate training partners and opportunities, having the time and resources to attend meets, getting the recognition of opportunities and having an awareness of what needs to be done to move up to the next stage. Competitions available need to be conducted under world competitive conditions in terms of race management and officiating.

Under Stage V, the Olympic and World Cup Team Level. Athletes must have the highest level of coaching available, proper training facilities and comparable ability teammates to train with, some level of financial support, national level recognition and publicity. They must also have a confidence that they when they enter an international competition, they need not worry about disqualification because they have been judged under similar standards in the US.

The concerns listed under each stage are not the only ones that can be identified, but rather those that come to mind most often. However identification, in these most general terms, has very limited value. True one can identify current activities that address one or more of these concerns in one or more of the stages, but they are limited and not necessarily part of a clearly defined strategy. It is just too little, in too few places, and with little hope for long term improvement in sport on an international level.

The Planning Exercise. As noted a specific set of questions was developed and is considered under each stage. The questions were selected to identify the needs of the athlete directly and for the enhancement of supporting services such as coaching aids, training and quantity of officials, high level competitions, athlete support and incentives, and other supporting activities. Clearly USATF and/or RWI will not able to address all the needs, however they can provide leadership and coordination and encourage others to help. The expectation is that ultimately most involved in the sport of race-walking should be moving in the same direction.

This paper will cover the suggestions that came forth for the first two stages. Comments and additions are welcomed as well comments and suggestions around the set of questions posed, for each of the final three stages.

1. What should be the national goal for this age group?

   The goals for this group are modest. It is try to expose as many young track and field athletes and youth coaches to the sport of race walking, by helping them learn proper race walking technique, implementing proper coaching methods, and identifying the long term competitive opportunities for walkers. There should be limited emphasis on national competitions and more on participation at the local and regional levels. (It should be noted that there are special cases in which a young talented race walker comes forth who have the support of his/her parent. Too many of these young walkers get dishearten after a while when they realize they have limited opportunities in the sport. They essentially have to train alone, compete alone, and then have no peers to socialize with in the sport. These athletes are usually very gifted and might one day be Olympians. However, given the opportunities currently available for the very young race walkers many move to other sports and for some that stay, most never seem to develop to their full potential. Mental burnout is sometimes thought to be the cause, but this has been difficult to document at the youth level. Every opportunity needs to be given to athletes in these special cases, however they are just that a special case and the focus of the program in general should be the more on instruction and beginning competition.

2. What programs or activities are currently available to athletes in this age group?

   The youth athletics and junior Olympic programs can provide unlimited opportunities for young race walkers at local and regional competitions. Unfortuna1etly all youth teams do not offer race walking. And on the other hand, many meet directors do not have qualified race walk judges on hand. Thus the walk is not always offered at youth meets, and if it is, not properly judged.

3. What needs to be added to the current set of programs or activities?

   Often, a youth club does not offer the walk since that do not have anyone on staff who knows the event. It should be kept in mind that the coaches are the ones who can and do encourage youth level athletes to participate in specific events. If they do not know the event they will not motivate a young athlete to try it. There is also the problem with having race walk officials to conduct the event in youth meets. Thus the key need is helping youth coaches learn how to teach the technique and how to coach the race walk.

    

4. What are the barriers to making existing youth race walkers better and/or adding the programs or activities?

   Most youth coaches have limited experience with race walking and given the number of events in a meet are hard pressed to coach all events. Unless there are active race walkers in a region it is unlikely that a youth club in the area will have race walkers. (It is noted that some parents have in encouraged some youth clubs to add race walkers to this team, but few receive proper coaching in these cases)

5. What can be done and what resources are needed, both human and material?

   There needs to be an active effort to encourage youth teams to include race walking in their programs. While local race walkers may help on occasion, the key component is having a race walk coach on the youth club’s staff. Few exist, so the will have to be trained. However coaching aids are limited as are coaching clinics for youth coaches. In addition to coaches, officials will also need to be trained. A judges training packet needs to be created. (It is not hard to judge youth level walkers, so it should not be too difficult to train judges. Each youth club should be asked to supply a trained judge at each meet at which their athletes compete.)

   Encourage all youth meet directors to include a race walk in their programs. This is particularly true of larger youth meets with exposure. However, it is particularly important if is also supported by the local USATF race walk committee to help race directors, new to the event, to organize and conduct the first few times it is conducted. To assure continuity of the event in the larger meets, local committees may also have to help judge the event over the years.

6. Action Plan.

A number of the action items to be presented over the five stages will be unique to the particular stage. While in other cases the action item may general to all stages or while similar in the overall thrust will have unique tasks associated within each stage. This will be noted at the end of each action item.

Development of Coaching Kits. These are for use by coaches of beginning walkers. Helping youth level walker learn the proper technique is an important first step in the development of the sport of race walking. It will help the young athlete avoid the unpleasant and disheartening experience of being disqualified and help the youth train properly and compete to the best of their ability. Equally important it will help the coaches to appreciate the finer points of the sport and build their confidence in coaching. Further when successful, it will give coaches the credit due to any good coach. It should be kept in mind that the youth coaches are the ones who introduce and then place athletes in events. Proper coaching and training of the athlete will make it a positive experience for both coach and athlete. (Applicable to youth and junior level coaches)

Training of Officials for Race Walk Competitions. The availability of certified race walk is often a problem at youth meets. Poor or ill informed judging can make an event look bad and discouraged the young walkers for various reasons. Each youth club should have one or two adults that are trained to be race walk judges. They would help youth understand what the judges are looking for, work with them at practices, and be judges at youth meets. They need not be fully certified officials, although it would be encouraged. (Applicable for youth and junior level competitions)

Creation of a Brochure for Youth. It might include sections on how to walk, how to train, how to compete, understanding what the judges do and how they do it, what competitive opportunities await the young walker now and in the future, and where and how to get information on clubs, coaches, and competitions. (A youth level application)

Development of a Web Based Information Source on Race Walking. The site would essentially be available for all those interested in USA Race Walking. In addition to general information on the sport as a whole it would have five sections unique to each stage noted above. Each stage section would be monitored by a stage counselor who would be the authority on what is available for walkers in each stage. This might include club and coaching opportunities across the nation, special clinics, college opportunities, a listing of peer level walkers, support, training, and financial opportunities such as the USOC jobs program. (A five stage activity)

1. What should be the national goal for this age group?

Over the past few years it has been shown in New York State and more recently in Maine, that if a race walk opportunity is available to high school students they will come out and work hard at being the best they can be, even though the attention and rewards are limited. Clearly a primary national goal is to expand the sport of race walking into as many state high school athletic programs as there are states. Further, in each state there needs to be better information on the opportunities in the sport of race walking and enhanced aids for the training of coaches and qualified judges. There also needs to be willingness of meet directors to conduct high level junior level competitions for walkers of all ability levels.

2. What programs or activities are currently available to athletes in this age group?

Junior level race walkers unless they live in Maine or selected parts of New York State, will be fortunate to have a nearby supporting USATF Track & Field or Race Walk Club. Many can still participate in the USATF Junior Olympic and Youth Programs, as well as USATF Junior level competitions. However club and high school coaches have limited knowledge on teaching technique and/or on training programs for race walkers. Even if interested in learning how to coach race walkers, there are very limited opportunities for them to gain the coaching knowledge they need both because of l availability of knowledgeable instructors, and having time to learn, given their other coaching responsibilities. As for serious competition, the availability and high levels of competition, especially over the summer months, is probably limited to those athletes who qualify for the national youth and JO meets. This means that, unless they travel, many competitive and gifted race walkers have few real competitive opportunities. The can be an expensive activity for the serious junior level walker and their families, as they often have to travel great distances to compete. A related issue for serious competitors, is the need of being judged properly by qualified race walk officials, no matter the level of youth and JO meets. The training and number of race walk officials differs widely by USATF Association. In general, there are not enough officials to meet current needs, even in Associations with a training program. If the programs were to expand, the need would even be greater.

3. What needs to be added to the current set of programs or activities?

While the single most important need is for race walking to be added to high school programs across states, there is also a need for improvements in many of the current programs or activities. First, some comments on current race walking activities inside and outside the high school environment. Many of the problems and solutions identified in the youth section are not dissimilar to those identified under the junior section. This includes the enhancement of coaching education, expansion of the number of officials qualified to judge the race walk, and distribution of information on race walking opportunities for the athlete now and in the future. In addition, athletes indicated that, they seldom have the luxury of having peers to work with, and many felt they would like to be in touch with other junior level walkers around the nation. Thus an information system, such as junior level listserv would keep these walkers in touch with each other and provide relevant information on the sport in general and when necessary for the junior level walker. Also, in making the transition from the junior level to the college or senior level, many athletes will need specific and unique assistance on a personal level. It might be just basic information on what to expect, it might be information on the colleges that offer the race walk, which offer financial aid, either directly or indirectly, or just plain verbal support, especially when none is available elsewhere. In effect there needs to be youth level counselor who has the time to keep aware of what is available for youth level walkers, has contacts with school and college officials, and is respected by walkers, families, and coaches.

However the key desire of these athletes is having competitive opportunities through their high school athletic programs. It might be an addition to the existing track and field programs, it also might be included as part of the cross-country program in the fall or as a separate event in the spring. Or at the very least, it might be included as part of the school's physical education program and/or intra-mural program. Past experience with the sport in Maine and New York suggest that there are a good number of potential race walkers that do not compete in either track and field or cross-country. Given the need for lifelong fitness activities, the experience of master’s level race walking suggests that the sport should be a part of every high school athletic program. To help make this happen, it would be desirable that a started kit be developed that would have information the sport in general, how to recruit and train race walkers, how to conduct a race walk along with basic instructions on training judges. Included in the packet would be a listing of human and non-human resources available in various regions around the nation. Initially, the program should focus upon high population areas/states, which have USATF level race walkers, and officials that can be called upon for assistance.

4. What are the barriers to making existing youth race walkers better and/or adding the programs or activities?

In thinking of how to expand the sport of race walking into the high schools, it is clear that USA race walking leaders, can not do the job alone. They can help supply some resources and take a leadership position in terms of coordination and support. To this end they can provide the information needed and assist in the training coaches and officials. They can also help develop, administer, and keep up to date an information and assistance center. However, they cannot do the missionary, political, or fund raising work necessary to implement high school ace walk programs. In the end the leadership and support for this activity has to come primarily from leaders outside the race walk community in each area/state.

5. What can be done and what resources are needed, both human and material?

Again, much of the coaching, officials training, and conducting a race walk materials developed under the youth section can be used and/or expanded for use at the high school level. In fact it would be desirable to have a single action item for these two areas. The packet or booklet that would be developed should use a hands on approach (i.e. a cookbook approach. Assume the readers know nothing about the sport and have limited time to learn.)

However the equally important, is the development of a strategy to expand the availability of the race walk to all students at the high school level. As noted above there are a number of ways to introduce the sport within a high school. It might be desirable to develop strategies and support systems for more that one approach. It might be easier to get outside support if the program were to start modestly, so that it can be phased over a fixed period of time.

Action Plan.

First, each of the action items noted under the youth section should have their charges expanded to cover the junior level programs. Unique products for each group may result, but it is clear that the action items identified are very consistent for both groups.

Second. A Special Task Group should be set up. A non-race walk person should chair the Task Group. It should include the chairs of the USATF Race Walk Committee and Race Walk International, the Executive Director of USATF a representative from both the USATF Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Committees, USA High School and College Track Coaches Associations, A Race Walk Athlete, and A member of Athletes Advisory, and any others though to be helpful to he cause. (This might include a NAIA Representative, a NCAA Representative, and a High School Federation Representative).

The initial task of this group is to consider how to introduce the sport into the high schools with a later task of getting it into the colleges.

Appendix I

My email address is corrallo@... or you can mail your suggestions to Sal Corrallo, 72 Creek Drive, Millsboro, DE 19966-9679.