RPAL is a competitive traveling club for youth track & field and cross country.  Do not join unless you expect to consistently train and compete (missing a competition is by exception only) throughout the regular season plus championship season.  Middle school and high schoolers will train with RPAL until their school season begins then return as soon as their school season is over. 

Youth athletes between the ages of 7-18 are invited to train and compete with our club.  Not sure if this sport is for you ... come watch a practice and see if this what you'd like to do.

The following disciplines are available for RPAL atheletes to train in:

Running:  Sprinting, distance, hurdles, steeplechase, relays
Race Walking:  1500m, 3000m
Jumps:  Long jump, triple jump, high jump
Pole Vault:  training can begin in the 7th grade
Throws:  shot put, discus, turbo javelin, javelin, hammer
Cross Country:  Sub-Bantam race 2K (1.25 miles); Bantam & Midgets race 3K (1.86 miles); Youth race 4K (2.5 miles); Intermediate / Young race 5K (3.1 miles)

Indoor Track & Field Season - January-February
Outdoor Track & Field Season - January-July
Cross Country Season - August-December

During the USATF club season (T&F and XC) RPAL travels throughout Northern California and up to Reno for competitions.  At this time only a couple of local Sacramento area USATF clubs host meets so as a result it means an all-day trek for the family on a Saturday or Sunday.  Because the distance is typically a 1 1/2 - 2 hour drive each way to a competition we try to limit our participation to two meets a month during the track season; however, we attend all the meets in the XC season.

In the summer (mid-June through mid-August) we also participate in local all-comer meets.  These are extra fun because many of the mom and dads of our athletes come together and run on "Parent Relay Teams."

Cross Country Practice Schedule

• Date:  Monday, Wednesday, Friday (all athletes expected to attend all 3 days except for Sub-Bantam's who are not required to attend on Friday)
• Time:  6:00 - 7:30 pm (begin training @ 6 pm ... not arriving in the parking lot @ 6 pm)
  • As we lose sunlight practices will begin earlier and they will get shorter
• Location:  Beal's Point, Folsom Lake (off Auburn-Folsom Road)
  • Occasionally we relocate for a change of location ... always check the website before showing up to ensure you know where to go
• Bring: 
  1. 2009 RPAL Express Club Membership form (download from website)
  2. Roseville Police Athletic League Membership form - both sides (www.roseville.ca.us/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=9854 )
  3. 2 copies of your birth certificate - only if you are new to RPAL
  4. Check to cover appropriate fees
     • DO NOT COME to your first practice without these items

Annual fees to join the club:

• Annual Memberships 
  • $20 = USATF Membership (annual membership from Jan-Dec)
  • $75 = RPAL Membership per season
    • One flat fee per season -- due at the beginning of the season; this fee is not pro-rated based on the time you join the team during the season (if this is your second season in 2009 then please pay a discounted rate of $50)
• XC Competition Fees
  • We are a competitive club and the expectation is for an athlete to compete through the winter Junior Olympic season.  Exception is middle school and high school athletes will not be charged for the fall meets (unless competing w/RPAL); this fee is not pro-rated based on the time you join the team
    • $30 = Fall season
    • $35 = Championship season (both JO meets) 
• Uniforms
  • $29 = Standard (boys / girls; Sub-Bantam, Bantam, Midget)
    • NOTE:  cross country, track distance runners, pole vaulters and throwers have the option to continue to wear the standard uniform ... as long as they will not be participating in any relays
  • $65 = Girls Speed Suit (Youth, Intermediate, Young)
  • $45 = Boys Speed Suit (Youth, Intermediate, Young) TRACK ONLY
  • $70 = Sweatsuit (mandatory for all RPAL Express youth athletes)
• Parent Participation Hours
  • Each family is expected to provide a half-day volunteer to work at the RPAL home meet on September 20 and November 15
    • This volunteer role is required even for our middle school and high school families
  • During competitions we need parents to arrive early to secure a club location, help collect statistics, pick up awards, meet kids at the finish line or take kids to clerk of the course (& more exciting opportunities)
  • RPAL has to provide volunteer support at the winter championship meets hosted by the Pacific Association