INVADERS SUPPORT USA TRACK & FIELD CLUB INITIATIVES

October 4, 2002

(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders are preparing to meet the goals of USA Track & Field's club revitalization task force initiatives. The initiatives support the fitness and competitive needs of all individuals, of all ages and abilities, in communities throughout the country via USATF association-based clubs.

The areas of support, which will be implemented by the Invaders within the Indianapolis community next year, address elite development, youth development, masters development, and general fitness needs of the community.

USA Track & Field's Club Revitalization Mission Statement: "To expand and broaden opportunities for America's track & field athletes to continue their participation and development outside of and beyond our school-based programs through USATF clubs."

For elite development, the initiatives emphasize providing athletes with sophisticated coaching, training groups of other emerging and elite athletes, access to training facilities, and high-performance competition.

For youth development, the initiatives serve the needs of boys & girls ages 8-14 and introduces them to the sport of track & field, teaches them event-specific skills, provides age-graded participation and advanced coaching and training techiques for those who wish to enhance their performances in youth competition.

For masters development, the initiatives address the needs of older individuals wanting to remain fit and competitive, and provides an environment for these like-minded individuals to train together.

For general fitness, the initiatives support providing opportunities for fun and fitness as part of an organized, supportive group, as well as opportunities to train to achieve specific performance goals as part of a training group of other similarly motived individuals.

Team Director Greg Harger said, "The goals of the Club Revitalization Initiatives are clear: provide and support the fitness and competitive needs of athletes of all ages and abilities." Harger added, "As a model for the sport, the Invaders are taking the lead in our community to implement these initiatives. The financial support for these initiatives will have an enormous positive impact on attaining stable community-based clubs. They put teeth to the issue of commiting and unifying the resources of all of the sport's development committees, responsible for the goverance and development of their events, to support the grass-roots clubs that impact and support athletes at every level of ability. We're proud to be able to take the lead on these initiatives within our community."

Bill Roe, President of USA Track & Field, said, "The Invaders have already performed service to our sport and our club initiatives by hosting the first two national club championships. Now they are upping the ante and showing the way for clubs around the country to access their communities. It's going to be a tough act to follow for any other club!"

The Invaders, in addition to hosting the USA Club Track & Field Championships, will release additional details on the team's elite development programs, youth league formation, and masters program later this fall.

The Indiana Invaders, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1998, present an innovative approach to track & field by providing a resident-based, athlete-centered support system unique to the sport in the United States.

For further information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg Harger at 317 289-4018 or online at: ([email protected]) http://www.indianainvaders.com

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