Hi All

This year’s District Sports is fast approaching so please make sure it is in your Group diaries for 11 July.

The format will be similar to last year with cub and scout field events in the morning 10.00 to 12.30, track events plus cub fun events in the afternoon 13.00 to 16.30 ish.  I have yet to have confirmation as to whether or not Beavers are going to be involved this year, but will let you know as soon as I now.

I am delighted to say that the District Band will be performing at various times throughout the day to help create a vibrant carnival atmosphere.  The 23rd Mitcham will be doing their normal great works with the bacon butties and I am looking for other events – sideshows or displays – to make the day go with a zing!  So if you have an entertaining item/side show you can bring along and run, please let me know.

So it should be a ‘not to be missed’ event and it would be great if we had every section from every group involved.

Below are links to the programme of events for the Scouts and Cubs, which is the same as last year, the rules, and the registration forms to be completed on or before the day.

Please ensure you adhere strictly to the rules to make it fair on everyone.  The age ranges are very clear and no scout may be aged 15 or over on the day.  Participants may enter no more than two events PLUS the relays, PLUS the tug o’war. Please also ensure that cubs in the novelty events are not also in track events.  The former are designed for the ‘less athletic’ cubs and will run concurrently with the track events. 

Like all scout events, its smooth running depends on volunteers taking on various roles.  I need a few more volunteers to play vital roles.  I was a few short last year.  Yanking parents out from the crowd to assist on the day is not ideal so if you could volunteer to help on the day, or could volunteer others to help in advance, I would be most grateful!  We setting up at 9.00 a.m. and finish around 5.30 p.m., though timing depends on the roles you take on.  Please email me if you can help and any preferences of the kinds of role you would like to assist on (e.g. entering results in a nice cosy tent, running cub novelty events, controlling people who need to cross the tack, running/assisting with particular events, etc.)

Thanks for your support.  Let’s make it even better than last year!

Peter Hutton

1.   Entries Each pack and troop can enter only one team per event

However, the aim is to ensure that as many members as possible take part.

Novelty races are aimed at the "less-athletic" cubs scouts. Please therefore enter cubs either in the novelty events or in the track events, but not both as they run concurrently

2.   Each member may enter up to two events plus their section and group relays and the tug o' war

A member may compete in the next higher age group but NOT the same event in two age groups.

3.   Ages count as on Sports Day. 

To enter under 9½ events a Cub Scout must be born on or after 11 January 2000, Scouts under 12½ on or after 11 January 1997.  The maximum age for a Cub Scout is 11years (ie DoB 11.07.98) and for a Scout is 15 (ie DoB 11.7.1994).

4.  On arrival Groups will be issued with large sticky labels to attach to the vests of their competitors bearing the name of their Group.  Please make sure all your competitors are correctly labeled.

5.   Trainers MUST be worn for ALL events - spikes/studded boots are not allowed.

6.   The following races will not be run as heats/finals but as straight races:

Cub Scouts over 9½ 400m

Scouts under 12½ 800m

Scouts over 12½ 800m
Scouts under 12½ 400m

Scouts over 12½ 400m
Leaders must ensure that members can run the distance

Other events will be run as straight finals if the number of competitors allows.

7.   Lanes must be adhered to in all races, including relays, unless otherwise notified by the starter.

8.   Each final will consist of 6 competitors. If two heats are run the first 3 will go through, if three heats are necessary the first 2 will go through into the final.

9.   All starters in heats and finals score 1 point.
Finals only:   1st   6 points,  2nd   4 points,   3rd   2 points

10.  Cub scouts should not be selected to take part in both novelty and track events.

11.  The tug o' war has separate cub and scout trophies and anyone in each section can enter.  The tug-o'-war events are for ad-hoc teams of six and will take part concurrently with the other events. Winners are judged on the best of three pulls and teams may not be changed between pulls.  Changes in the team may be made between each round. Pulls will not be delayed while teams wait for members taking part in track/novelty events.

12.  Leaders should report to the Recorders by 10.15 am to submit the names of their competitors.  Competitors for afternoon events can be submitted later but anyway by 12.45 pm. 

13.  No balls, skateboards, bikes, roller skates/blades will be allowed in the grounds.

14.  The decision of the Chief Judge is final.

Gates open at 10.00 am.  Events will start at 10.30.