Athletes and Coaches:
I must apologize as I have been sidelined a bit for the past few months with some old medical issues with some new twists as well as taking care of my Dad who underwent stomach surgery. I am hopeful that both my Dad and I are on a more positive path which should allow me to maintain better contact and communication with you which is vital to the program and your success.
The Junior team will be sending a team to the World Junior Championships as well as a squad to CanAmMex. There will be a March Camp likely in BC again and we are hoping to increase the participation at this camp. We are working on other development opportunities as well.
The first bit of important information is the December 7th erg score (6k) submission date. We want to encourage as many athletes and coaches as possible to participate in this program as it is a useful tool to enhance school and club junior programs. We will be posting the junior erg scores online following the submission deadline so that everyone can see all of the scores. This will be done without names for confidentiality reasons but it does allow athletes and coaches to compare their scores to others from across the country. It is an easy way to set some goals for an individual or a program.
In order to make the erg monitoring program more accessible we are also intending to add some shorter tests (perhaps such as a 10 stroke Watts test or a 1' test or 250m) so that it will be easier for newcomers or younger athletes who might find the 6k overwhelming to get themselves involved and "on the board so to speak". We will keep you posted and I will get an update out to you in the next few days. These tests are easy to do and can be easily incorporated into a practice session. More seasoned or mature athletes should complete a 6k score and the additional shorter tests ( you know the fun ones you do everyday with your buddies when coach isn't looking!). When you submit your score to RCA please also send me an short e-mail with your score info as a backup and so that I have you in my database in case RCA screws up in registering your socre!
We will be organizing some half day or one day camps in various locations across Ontario in the upcoming months. As soon as dates and locations are available I will get them out to you ASAP.
One of my mottos this year is " No one gets left behind" so please help me build as extensive and updated an e-mail distribution list as possible by letting me know if you no longer need to be on the list or you or someone you know needs to be added. It is the main way to be kept in the loop directly by me..Everyone is welcome to be on the list, as well as submit scores and attend camps. The Junior program is very inclusive and interested in athlete and coaching development so that everyone has the opportunity to maximize their potential.
Let's work together to get more athletes to a higher level so that we can send more athletes and coaches to the Junior Worlds and CanAmMex and down an Olympian pathway.
John Ruscitti
RCA Junior Team Leader
PS- Remember, Monday, Dec 7th is the deadline which is one week tomorrow. You must submit your score online by going to the RCA webpage and clicking on National Teams then Info for Athletes then the Erg Monitoring Program. If you are having issues, e-mail me and I can assist you as much as apossible. Do not hold your score back because it did not go well, nor due to injury or illness. Get your name and info in there so that you are on the "field" as a player instead of in the "stands" as a spectator. By that move alone you have ensured improvement!
Cheers and ciao.
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