April 27, 2024

Winnipeg Optimist Athletics

As this year grows old, we look forward to pushing ourselves ever faster, ever further, and ever higher, indoor then out.

Outdoor

Your coach will make recommendations as to whom should be attending which meet and trying out for which team, based on age/ability appropriateness, length of season, and looking ahead to the fall (and perhaps some options).  Your coach is always open to discussion if you have any questions about what is suggested.

There are some changes with the demise of Legion Athletic Camp….  there will LIKELY be a trials meet piggy-backed onto a meet currently scheduled… however, it has not been decided how the team is to be chosen yet… nor has it been determined which meet.  More information as it becomes available.

Generally, there are four “half-meets.”  Two are hosted by the Bisons and two by WOA.  These have not been added to the outdoor calendar yet.

Athletics Manitoba Spring Open

This is the traditional kick-off to the outdoor season and everyone, of all age classes, would normally run it.  It is a full track meet with all events being run.

SATT Open

This meet has generally been a “we will run if necessary, but not necessarily run” meet.  With its proximity to the AM Spring Open listed above, we will see who will compete and who will not. All are eligible to compete.

MHSAA Milk Provincial Championships

This meet features the cream of the high school crop and as indicated, is being held in Brandon this year.  You will have needed to qualify at your zone meet previous to participating.  Even if you have attained standard at a recognized meet, you still need to race at your zone meet.  If you don’t, appeals have to be filed, many of which are denied.

Athletics Manitoba Junior High Championships

Competitors will typically attend this meet with their junior high, although individuals can register if their school is not attending.  Application would be made through your school or as an individual.

Tri-Province Trials (Every year) / Manitoba Summer Games (Some years)

To be selected for either of these meets, you will have had to declare that you are interested in participating in either of, or both these meets.  Declaring interest, does not guarantee you are making one or both of the teams, however.  If you declare interest, it also does not commit you to going.  The Tri-Province meet is being held in a different Prairie Province each year and usually teams come in from Alberta and Saskatchewan to compete against us.

Canadian Track & Field Championships (Oly Trials)

To qualify for the meet, certain standards must be met.  You can find the entry standards for both the open and U20 athletes by clicking here and scrolling down to “Entry Standards.” Performances must have been achieved and verifiable outdoors between May 1 of the current year and June 20ish. A draft schedule is here.  Athletes as young as 16 can compete at the Championships, but a certain performance level is required.

Manitoba Age Class Championships (all ages)

This meet has historically been a trials meet.  It is uncertain if it will be this year.  It is our provincial club championship and most athletes will be competing in Winnipeg at the University Stadium.  More information as it is received.

Les jeux de la francophonie canadienne (14-18y) (Some years)

One of the largest gathering of francophone youth in Canada, showcasing athletic prowess, leadership and the arts. The meet will be held in Victoria, BC.  The selection process has been completed and we are just waiting to hear the announcement of the team!  English  Français

North American Indigenous Games (Some years)

A wonderful Mawio’mi (gathering of peoples) from all over Turtle Island (North America) is happening in Halifax in July highlighting culture, performances, sports and the arts.  Trials for the different sports are occurring/ have occurred.  Click here for the Technical Manual to get more information about athletics at NAIG.

Tri-Province Team Challenge (U16, U18)

This is the one of the meets from which athletes were selected in June in Winnipeg. Edmonton is hosting athletes from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta in this yearly classic.  There is a team fee for this event, as yet unknown.  Also, in years past, we have entered as a club when the meet was held here because it was cheaper and made our own arrangements. (Some have chosen to be part of the team.)   Options will be discussed as we get closer to the meet.

Note:  Club athletes do not have to attend Tri-Province practices.  The exception to this would be if there are specific relay practices.  

Royal Canadian Legion Youth Championships (U16, U18)

This meet is the zenith of the U16 and U18 seasons.  The best athletes in those categories from across Canada are competing in Sherbrooke PQ, as they take the next step toward their athletic adulthood. (I liked the alliteration, sorry).

Because Legion Athletic Camp is no more, it is uncertain how people will be able to qualify locally for the MB-NWO Team.  It may be a trials meet, however, cost is unknown until the mechanism of qualification has been determined.

The alternative is by meeting the standards set out in the linked technical manual on pp. 15-16 and paying your way.  WOA generally helps out with expenses.  A tentative schedule is included here.  Note:  This is last year’s technical manual (entry standards do not change significantly from year to year and this year’s preliminary schedule…. the new one have not been released on the Athletics Canada site as yet.

Manitoba Summer Games (U14, U16) (Some years)

Athletes from around the Keystone Province will converge in a location in Manitoba to contest the Manitoba Summer Games in many different sports and age groups.  If you attended Legion Nationals the previous summer, you are ineligible for the Manitoba Summer Games (just so you know).  To race here, you will have had to attend the trials meet on held in June listed above. Here is the link to the Tech Package if you missed it above.