The APU has released updated version of By-Laws (V 1.0 January 2022)


29th December 2021
By APU

 

Dear APU Members,

 

 

2022 is surely going to be a massive year for APU, and with it comes an increase in workload for the Board, the Committees, Athletes and Support Personnel.

 

This January, our updated Bylaws will be implemented with changes that will open the doors for both ends of our age groups that will create opportunities for development, and inclusion.

 

Below is some of the key changes to the Bylaws which will take effect on 1ST January 2022.  

 

While it is not all the changes, it is the changes that are likely to have a bigger impact.

 

*The number in the brackets “( )” indicates which clause in Bylaws refer to.

 

 

A.     Causes for Suspension or Expulsion (#4.8)

 

Please note, the following rule has ALWAYS applied,
Causes for Suspension or Expulsion: “Any lifter or referee properly entered for an APU sanctioned competition that without acceptable reasons does not attend.”
Athletes should email the comp manager rachel.jones@powerlifting.org.au at the technical meeting, or at comps that do not have technical meetings “at the very latest, 7pm on the day before the competition starts.

 

We will be now adding to this:

Causes for Suspension or Expulsion: “Any lifter properly entered for an APU sanctioned competition that without acceptable reason does not remain at the championship until the completion of medal ceremony for the event the lifter was entered into.”

 

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Reason:

Sport Integrity Australia require all athletes and personnel in the championship to be available for selection right up until the presentation for the event. Failure to be at the championships when SIA expect us to be, may be cause for SIA sanction, which in turn affects APU.

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B.     Records (#7.1 and 7.2)

State records will not be approved at local competitions.

State records may be set at State Championships (under the required APU regulations), National championships and International Championships

 

National records will not be approved at State Championships.

National records may be set at National Championships and International Championships.

 

So, in a nutshell, State records may be broken at State Championships and higher, and National records may be broken at National Championships and higher.

 

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Reason:

There are 2 points to this change:

 

1st point.

APU has been developing referees at a Provisional Level through to a National Level. Provisional referees are restricted to officiate at local competitions. The current “allowance” of state records to be broken at local comps that have state referees encourages meet directors to overlook provisional referees (the referees who need the most experience) and opt for state referees.

Then we get to state championships, where state referees should be officiating. However, the current “allowance” of national records to be broken at state championships that have national referees encourages meet directors to overlook state referees (the referees who should be in the seat of state champs) and opt for national referees.

 

2nd point.

We have state championships in 5 states, and in 2022 we may have in at least 6 states. A lifter may achieve a 250kg deadlift in Queensland, and break a record. But then a person in South Australia does a 260kg deadlift in the same age/weight category, and the same level competition, but does not take the record.

By making the national championship (or IPF worlds) events the competition that records can be achieved, we will provide the same opportunity for each lifter for those recognitions and equal opportunities. It will also make the nationals a “record breaking” event.

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C.     WWCC Requirement for all persons likely to be in contact with Children, including officials (#8.3, 8.4 and 8.5)

All referees and ANY person likely to come into contact with children in our sport will be required to hold a Working with Children Check (or exempted from) from 18 February 2022. Other training includes CHILD SAFEGUARDING IN SPORT “by Sport Integrity Australia”

Go to: https://www.acic.gov.au/services/national-police-checking-service/find-out-more-information/working-children-checks

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Reason:

Compliant and Supportive with Child Safeguarding Policy (to be introduced)

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D.    Coaching (#9)

APU coaching program will be available in the first quarter of 2022.

The program will be based from the recommendation of the Australian Institute of Sport.

Starting with the fundamentals of the sport, and progressing the practical and theoretical components advancement of skills with the levels of the sport.

 

Level 1 – Club Coach

Level 2 – State Coach

Level 3 – National Coach

Level 4 – International Coach

Prior Recognition learning (PRL) will be considered for current coaches.

 

Coaches will be required to successfully complete Play by the Rules (PBTRs) - Child Protection and Safeguarding course as part of their requirement, as well as having their Working with Children Check.

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Reason:

To ensure that the quality of refereeing reflects the combined skills and experience of the coach. Level 3 Coaches, for instance, should have the practical experience of National Championship Coaching.

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E.     Weigh in (#11.1, 11.2 and 11.3) 

In any competition where a minor (Under 18-year-old) athlete or participant is weighing in, two officials who both must either obtain a WWCC, or exemption, “or” one official with a WWCC and the parent/guardian of the minor, must be in weigh in at all times. Both officials should be the same sex as the minor.

Parents should be invited into the weigh in. Weigh in may be done with shirt and pants (shoes must be removed).

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Reason:

Compliant with Child Safeguarding Policy (to be introduced)

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F.     Warm up area (#11.1, 11.2 and 11.3)

In events where minors are participating, a viewing area to the warm up area must be available and offered to the parents of the minor.

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Reason:

Compliant and Supportive with Child Safeguarding Policy (to be introduced)

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G.    Choice Program Competitions (#14)

The Choice program will be inviting athletes to participate in the lifts of their choice. This event will be ideal for athletes with injuries that limit athletes’ individual lifts. The event will be Squat only, Push Pull, Deadlift only and Squat Push.

 

The competition will be on a local level only, and lifters cannot break records from 3 lift athletes. Athletes who wish to participate in this event will be entered into the “Open Choice”, “Masters Choice” “Grand Masters Choice” “Youth Choice” and “Sub Junior Choice” event.

 

The result from these competitions does not count towards Competition Progression or Qualifying Total for higher level championships in the 3-lift event. The results of Bench Press may be used for progression, as long as the lifter complied with the regulations regarding Bench Press (including IPF approved apparel).

 

Masters Choice Program (#14.3)

Masters Choice will in 10-year increments be from age 40 to year athlete turns 79 years.

Grand Masters Choice Program (#14.4)

Grand Masters Choice will be in 10-year increments from the year the athlete turns 80 years until 99 years of age.

Youth Choice Program (#14.5)

Youth Choice Program is open to athletes age groups from 8 years of age through to the day before the athlete turns 14 years.

*Youth Choice athletes shall be permitted to participate in Bench Press only or 3 lift (Squat, Bench and Deadlift) choice event.

Sub Junior Choice Program (#14.6)

The Sub Junior Choice Program is open to athletes in the Sub-Junior divisions.

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Reason:

The choice program allows us to open the doors for those athletes with issues around one of the 3 lifts or the bench press. The friendlier program will provide opportunities for people to enter the sport younger, and remain in the sport longer.

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For any queries, please contact us at Contact (powerlifting.org.au)

 

 

Yours in Strength

The APU Board

 

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