Rules and Regulations

Riders participate in the competition as school team members.
The minimum team size is 1 rider! 
Each team must appoint a manager who accompanies the team to an event.

The formation of geographic Clusters and localising competition with local outcomes is the backbone of the program.
Riders must be able to reach afternoon races without major logistical intervention
Clusters are set by the League using the following criteria:
Accessibility 
Inclusivity
Logistical Acceptability

Each cluster has 3 points logs.
Overall points - counting all riders’ points ranked per team. No limit to team size. One team qualifies for the District
Best teamsWhile there is no limit to team size at the Cluster phase of the competition, each team's result will be based on top 3 placings in each category (ex sub-nipper boys, sprog girls etc) with a limit of 24 riders per team.

After the cluster competition phase of the program teams and qualified riders progress to a district competition and from there to a regional final.



ROUND 2 - DISTRICTS 

After the Cluster phase, teams select their district finals squad based on the cluster rankings. 
Squad size is determined by the League and differs from district to district based on participation figures, number of teams. 
A detailed squad formation guide to follow!
A once-off District Final determine the teams and riders who progress to the regional finals.
For example: Cluster = Centurion, District = Tshwane, Region = Gauteng.
Riders who do not belong to selected teams but are top-ranked (1-3) are also invited.



THE SPirIT OF THE COMPETITION

Sportsmanship, Respect, Friendship, Inclusivity and Fairness shall be the guiding
principles of the the STL.
All participants, teams, managers, supporters and officials shall ensure that their actions
contribute to inspired performance and ethical play.
Any action, by any person, that detracts from inspired performance and ethical play shall
be deemed as being in conflict of the spirit of the competition.

General RULES

The emphasis is firstly on creating a fun racing environment. 
While events are presented on very basic level, safety and security is of main concern.
Schools will be grouped into clusters from where teams and individuals progress via qualification to Zonal and provincial competitions
Where possible, these districts follows City and Municipal boundaries.


Venue requirements
School based venues take preference
a 1-2 km race course with shorter course options for junior categories are important.
Staging area with access to Ablutions/Parking and Power

Registration
Each rider must be registered online by a Parent/Guardian
The Parent/Guardian signs an indemnity and agree to the League terms and conditions
Registration costs are R50 per rider, depending on Cluster and is valid for the calendar year.
Each rider receives a number board for the use of the season.
Once a rider is registered, a team manager can manage entries into events

Entries
Each race costs R70-R100 to enter, depending on cluster.
Riders can enter online or at the venue on the day.
Cashless payment options are advised, entries via the web portal or Zapper/Snapscan/Other
Remember that only registered riders can enter events as race numbers must be allocated. 
Riders can register at any time online, no paper registrations required.
Note that late registrations or on-the-day entries may be subject to delayed results.
Should an event be cancelled, any entry fees are transferred to a rider’s ‘wallet’ for use at a future participation.

Categories
With smaller participation numbers, it can be expected that suitable categories can share the track at the same time.
Where categories race together, separate category results ALWAYS applies
A rider can never Race Up, ie compete in an older age category when a category for his/her age group is available.
As the Short Track league develops, it is anticipated that combination categories will develop that facilitate race day program flow.


Race Times
While the World Cup competition dictates a 20 minute race, experience has shown that even shorter races, especially for our primary school racers are fine.
For example, for Sub Nippers and Nippers, a 10 Minute race is perfect. 
It is important that the laps are short enough to allow all categories to do at least 2 laps
For primary schools, it is often a good idea for Sub Nippers and Nippers to race a shorter lap.
There is no rule that Sub Juniors boys must race further than Sprogs, for example. They can do the same number of laps.

Laps
 Each category races a set, pre-determined number of laps. The number of laps shall be communicated before each race by the Start Official.
Once the first rider crosses the finish line, having completed the set number of laps, all riders are pulled off the course
Lapped riders race until they are pulled off course, with positions counted based on number of laps completed and time of last completed lap.
Where categories are combined, the total number of laps for the respective categories must be the same to eliminate confusion for lap scorers.


Seeding
For the first events, riders will be called up via seeding provided by the participating schools.
Thereafter, seeding is determined by race results. Riders without seeding must start at the back. The venues for early season races are chosen with sufficient space for passing etc to allow faster riders a fair opportunity to progress early in the race.
Where categories are combined, older categories will be called first.

Starts
The Start line must be able to accommodate a minimum of 8 riders or maximum of 10 riders.
The Start area must be orientated to be after the finish line so race starts can take place directly  after the first rider crosses the finish line of the preceding race and/or the Start Official determined that the course is clear.
Race numbers are colour coded per category. This will help identify the respective categories.
Where categories are combined, older age categories start first. The start official may have a 1min interval between combined categories if numbers are too large
Where categories are combined, each category’s results are calculated independently EXCEPT for Junior Men and Junior Women where 17-19 year-old results are combined.
The race director and start official may combine and split categories as participation numbers dictate.

Racing
Normal SCSA race rules and expected etiquette applies at all times. No exceptions
These events provide the perfect environment to learn and understand the rules of racing.
The race director and/or commissaire officiates the event and all protests should be directed to him/her via a team manager.
Always refer to point 3.1.1. No actions that intrude to the production of a fun racing atmosphere will be tolerated.


Feeding and Support
As the races are so short there is no feedzone required
Each rider must start the race with a waterbottle or other hydration source.
A neutral support zone must be provided.

Timing and Results
Race timing is optional. The most important data is rider rank.
The TBL is currently developing a non-timed result management checklist/How to.
Where timing is done the TBL has developed a free-to-use online timing system:
The timing official reads the race number as riders pass the finish line and captures the number on the timing system.
It is imperative that the race number is clearly visible at all times.
All results are online on the League website
Results are dependent on clean data with correct race number, school, category etc
Late entry or registration can affect timeous reflection of a rider on the result database.
The League maintains a points log for individual riders as well as overall school teams
Schools are ranked in Boys, Girls, Mixed and TopSquad categories. 
Riders are ranked per category.
Points are allocated as per Appendix  4


Queries
Note that all live results on race day are provisional.
Timekeepers and officials will focus on On-the-day results to ensure podium positions are correct. 
Team managers will have 15min from posting of provisional results to verify top 5 placings in each category.
Missed laps, erroneous data and other issues do cause errors but is normally easily resolved. Errors affecting podiums takes precedence on race day.
All data is captured in a database so additions and adjustments can be made at any time after the event.
Only queries received via the team manager will be entertained.
It is important to scrutinise provisional results to ensure that all errors are cleared. 
Team managers will receive a 24hour notice call to report all errors.
Once results are finalised there will be no further adjustments.