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The Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association Limited is the national governing body for Track and Field Athletics and is a member federation of the International Association of Athletic Federation (hereinafter referred to as IAAF).

In an effort to provide information to national selectees of what is expected of members of a National team, the Association has prepared this handbook.

All team members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner, which will bring credit, not only to themselves, but also to the Team and to Jamaica.

PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Where the National Championships held by the Association is used for selection to national teams, all athletes who wish to be considered for selection must participate in the trials.

Athletes should familiarize themselves with the selection policy of the Association as well as the policy of maintaining fitness and condition after selection. These may be found in the document, Conditions for Selection to National Teams that is to be signed by each team member.

DATA RECORDING

All athletes who wish to be considered for selection should complete and send to the Association’s office, any data sheet provided by the Association. These will assist the Association in ordering and providing uniforms and equipment, as well as enabling the medical committee to deal with any specific medical conditions.

Athletes who participate in the National Championships should ensure that they complete and send in the data sheet provided with the entry forms.

SIGNING OF CONDITIONS FOR SELECTION

All athletes are required to sign the Conditions for Selection agreement provided by the Association as a condition for selection to a national team. Copies of this document may be obtained from the Association’s office at: Room 20, National Arena w Independence Park, Kingston 6 w Jamaica, WI. Tel. (876)929-6623/6891 w Fax (876)920-4801 E-mail athleticsja@jamweb.net, jam@mf.iaaf.org TRAVEL All athletes seeking selection on National teams should ensure that they have valid travel documents which will enable them to leave and return to their country of residence.

All selectees will be provided with return economy class airline tickets by the most direct route from their usual place of residence and/or ground transportation to the site of the competition. These are costed at the best affordable economy fare available to the Association.

Where selectees elect to purchase their own tickets, refunds will be made on the basis of the cost of a ticket which could have been purchased by the Association as set out above. Where selectees elect to purchase their own tickets, they should therefore seek to book within adequate time and seek to obtain the best fares available.

All selectees should provide the details necessary to the Association’s office for ticketing to be done immediately upon notification of selection. If any changes are requested, the cost of such changes will be borne by the athlete.

The Association will assist all selectees with applications for any necessary visas to enter the country where the competition is to take place. While the Association may give some assistance with applications for Jamaican passports, it is the athletes’ responsibility to apply for and obtain passports.

Where vaccinations are required, the medical committee of the Association will advise selectees on these requirements.

INJURIES

Where athletes are selected for national teams, they are under an obligation to disclose to the Association and the team management details of any injury suffered, subsequent to selection and/or which is still affecting the athlete. Athletes should ensure that this report is made prior to traveling to the meet for which he or she is selected.

Athletes who arrive at the competition site or team village in a condition, which in the opinion of the team management and medical staff does not render them fit to compete, will not be allowed to remain with the team.

DRESS CODE

Competition gear is normally provided for all national teams by the Association’s sponsor. Where these are provided they must be worn during competition. For award ceremonies, if award suits are provided, they must be worn. If award suits are not provided, then tracksuits supplied should be worn.

Where training gear is provided by the Association, this must be used during training sessions.

Casual Wear All team members should be properly attired at all times, and where casual wear has been provided, this should be worn for all team activities.

Team members should not wear clothing which advertises a manufacturer that competes with the Association’s sponsor while taking team photographs, participating in team activities or representing the team.

AWARD CEREMONIES

Athletes who are being awarded medals must attend award ceremonies. Athletes participating in award ceremonies must be properly attired in award suits which are provided.

DRUG TESTING The IAAF publishes a list of banned substances and procedures. Athletes should familiarize themselves with the contents of the list and seek any clarification from the Association’s medical committee where necessary.

On selection, each athlete must provide the Association with details of all medication and/or supplements being taken. Drug testing is carried out both in and out of competition. Athletes should advise the Association of any change of address, and where an athlete will be away from his oi her place of residence for a prolonged period, he/she should advise the Association and provide an address where he/she can be contacted.

Where an athlete has been suspended for a drug offence and mandatory tests are to be carried out on the athlete, the cost of carrying out such tests is to be borne by the athlete.

Where the IAAF requires athletes to undergo any medical procedures to provide evidence of the existence of a medical condition, which the athlete has claimed, exists, it is the athlete’s duty to comply with these requirements, the cost of which is to be borne by the athlete.

DISCIPLINARY MATTERS

 A Disciplinary Committee is appointed by the Association, which hears and determines disciplinary cases (including alleged drug offences), which are referred to it by the Executive Committee of the Association. All disciplinary matters should be put in writing and addressed to the General Secretary. Where cases are referred to the Disciplinary Committee, the athlete who is alleged to have committed an offence will be entitled to attend the hearing and be heard by the Committee.

Athletes who are selected to national teams are expected to conduct themselves in a manner, which will bring credit to themselves, the team and the country. The team management has the right to remove an athlete from the team where the conduct of the athlete is such that it would be in the interest of the team to do so.

COMPLAINTS

Complaints by athletes on any issues whether arising from incidents which take place on tours or otherwise should be sent to the offices of the Association for the attention of the General Secretary.

PERSONAL COACHES

Where an athlete wishes to have his or her personal coach accredited for any competition, an application should be made directly to the Association upon the athlete’s selection. The number of coaches who can be accredited is limited and the selection of coaches will be entirely at the discretion of the Association.

The training schedule/programme of the National Coaching Staff will take priority over that of personal coaches and/or agents. The schedule of personal coaches and/or agents should therefore be structured around that of the National Coaching Staff.

AGENTS

Athletes may obtain information on the procedure for the appointment of agents from the Association. The IAAF has published a booklet on the appointment of agents, and this booklet contains forms of specimen contracts, which can be used. The IAAF requires all agents to be approved by the Association.

END OF COMPETITION

When an athlete has completed his or her participation in competition, it is possible that he or she may not be allowed to remain with the team, and arrangements will be made for return home at a date prior to the end of the competition.