Operating Regulations Athletic Department

a. Objectives

• Promotion and development of the sport of sailing at all levels, in accordance with the capabilities of N.O.A.S.
• Education of athletes based on healthy principles of competition and fair play, and the effort to develop champions through proper technical infrastructure and training by qualified coaches.
• Creation of a large base of athletes in the development schools, from which the next categories will be staffed.
• Creation of a healthy environment where N.O.A.S. athletes can spend their free time creatively.

b. Means

• Commissioners
• Coaches
• Athletes
• Parents
• Facilities
• Boats – Equipment
• Race Materials
• Rescue Equipment
• Transport Vehicles – Trailers
• Schools

Beginners' Commissioner – Optimist Commissioner – Laser Commissioner

The position is staffed by one or more members (one per category) of the Board, depending on availability. They are persons with administrative skills and experience, ideally knowledgeable about sailing.

The commissioner is the link between the department and the N.O.A.S. administration, and through it with the Federation (H.S.F.), the classes and the clubs.

They attend, monitor and ensure the smooth operation of the department. They handle matters within their competence, providing the necessary solutions, while in serious cases they cooperate with the Board.

They organise meetings with parents, at least twice a year, per category, in order to inform them about the progress of the department and their children.

They are responsible for discipline within the department, both of athletes and of coaches.

At the beginning of the racing season, in cooperation with the coaches and the Board, they draw up a calendar of planned events.

Every September they prepare the budget of the athletic sector for the next racing season.

They are responsible for the athletes' registries, keep records and ensure that Athlete Health Cards and Athlete IDs are up to date.

Every month they submit a report to the Board including: number of training sessions, athlete attendance, race participations and results, equipment damage & losses, maintenance works.

Coaches are as a rule professionals (holding a professional licence) and have an exclusive coaching employment relationship with N.O.A.S.

They are responsible for preparing, proposing for approval and implementing the programme of their category of responsibility, and for maintaining the good physical condition of their athletes.

They keep the necessary records of athlete attendance at training sessions and report through the hierarchy when frequent absences occur.

They are responsible for compliance with safety rules. Before going out to sea, they must be informed of the weather forecast and have checked that the rescue boat is in good working order.

They look after the good appearance of the team and the conduct of their athletes, which must be proper both inside and outside the club.

During the school period (September – May) they organise training sessions every Saturday & Sunday. In the summer months (June – August) they may increase training sessions under certain conditions.

They are required to follow the coaches' programmes and to participate in all races included in them. Participation in the inter-club races organised by the Club is mandatory.

They must be well-mannered and serious, and their behaviour must be exemplary, within socially acceptable limits both inside and outside the club.

The equipment they manage is registered to them and they are required to keep it in excellent condition.

They must respect the hierarchy in communication matters: athlete – coach – Commissioner – Board.

Failure to pay the monthly fee for more than two months results in inability to participate in any athletic activity until the debt is settled.

Absence from 6 consecutive training sessions or over a period of 3 months renders the athlete inactive.

They are integral members of the N.O.A.S. sailing family.

They must be members of the Club, at least one per athlete, and voluntarily provide all possible assistance to facilitate the athletic and educational work of N.O.A.S.

For any matter of concern they contact exclusively the responsible commissioner of the category. If a satisfactory solution cannot be provided, the matter is referred to the Board.

They must not obstruct the work of the coaches, in accordance with these regulations, when present in athletic areas.

They are the legally elected members, regular and alternate, who, in addition to the duties assigned to them, are obliged to offer every possible service or means without compensation.

They must stay informed about the progress and activities of the Club and participate in various events.

a. Classroom

Used for the theoretical training of the teams with the mandatory presence of the responsible coach. Proper attire is required.

b. Equipment Storage

Used for storing equipment under the supervision of the coaches and commissioners, who bear sole responsibility for the orderly storage of the equipment.

c. Changing Rooms

Used for the preparation of athletes, members and coaches. Coaches are responsible for their proper use by the athletes.

d. Shore Area

Used exclusively for storing N.O.A.S. boats. Members with privately owned boats have the right to request storage, provided free space is available.

e. Floating Dock - Slipways

Intended exclusively for boat access to the sea. Placing and storing boats and trailers on them is not permitted.

In the first week of September, before the start of the racing season, the coaches, with the help of their athletes, count and inventory the existing equipment.

The allocation of boats and equipment to athletes takes place at the end of the inventory, per category, according to the judgement and records kept by the coach (race results, participations, consistency in obligations, behaviour).

The allocated boats and accompanying equipment remain the property of the Club throughout the period of use.

The purchase of new equipment requires a documented proposal by the coaches and approval of the expense by the Board.

a. Transport Vehicles

Used exclusively to cover the needs of the Club. Their travel expenses to races are borne by all the athletes of the respective team.

b. Trailers

Used exclusively to cover the needs of the Club. All Club boats must be transported with them, except in cases of insufficient space.

Enrolment requirements:

They operate under the direction of the Schools Supervisor and the supervision of the OPTIMIST racing team coach. Their duration is 3 months, repeated in cycles.

• Age between 6.5 and 12 years.
• Suitable body type.
• Physical fitness.
• Swimming ability (based on a guardian's declaration).
• Medical certificate from a paediatrician or Public Hospital.

Athlete misconduct is punished according to its severity:

• Verbal reprimand.
• Written reprimand.
• Exclusion from the day's training session.
• Exclusion from training sessions beyond the day's session.
• Temporary exclusion from the team.
• Permanent exclusion from the Team and removal from the active athletes' registry.

Coaches have the right to impose penalties (1), (2) and (3) at their discretion, always informing the commissioner.

Coach misconduct is punished by the Commissioner with a verbal or written reprimand. In serious cases the coach is referred to the Board.

All athletes of the racing, pre-racing teams and beginners' departments are required, at the beginning of the racing season and no later than one month, to check and certify their Athlete Health Card, by a Cardiologist only.

Medical certificates are filed by the department commissioner in cooperation with the secretariat.