FYI information below
Achilles running/walking group in Melbourne
Hi all
This is for members living in Melbourne. The biggest challenge for blind and
vision impaired people who want to become more active and do some running or
walking is finding sighted guides. Achilles Melbourne was established in
February, and we’ve been growing steadily up to the point where we now have
enough volunteer guides available to allow us to actively recruit more blind
and vision impaired members.
It’s truly an all abilities club for people of any fitness level. We have
one guy running marathons at a blistering pace, while some others walk a few
k’s at a leisurely pace.
If you still have questions after reading the FAQs below I’m happy to answer
on list, but if you’re interested in joining, please email Amanda Kwong at
achillesmelbourne@xxxxxxxxx
The web page is at http://www.achilles-sydney.org.au/melbourne.html and the ;
FAQs follow below. Please feel free to share with others who are not on this
list. We’ve got the volunteers lined up, so now it’s up to us to accept the
offer.
Regards, Francois
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I can’t even run 100 metres! Can I still attend training sessions?
Achilles Melbourne welcomes anyone of any ability. Whether you have mobility
issues or injuries that prevent you from running or you can run a marathon in
record time, we welcome you to our club.
How often are training sessions?
We meet every Sunday morning at 8:30am at the Tan running track at the
fountain, corner Linlithgow Ave and St Kilda Rds. We meet rain, hail or
shine…so be prepared for anything!
Is Achilles Melbourne open to vision impairment and physical disabilities
only?
Achilles Melbourne will consider people with other disabilities on a case by
case basis. Please chat to us if you’re interested and you have a disability
other than vision impairment or a physical disability.
I’d like to volunteer, how can I be of assistance?
Volunteers are welcomed warmly to Achilles. Volunteers are required for a
number of roles. This includes assisting with guiding athletes with vision
impairment to run and/or walk, looking after guide dogs and running/walking
with athletes at events. While it is absolutely voluntary, volunteers can
also offer to act as a guide outside weekly Sunday training sessions and/or
assist with transport to/from training and events.
I’ve never guided anyone who is vision impaired. Can I still be involved?
No prior experience with guiding is required! We will train up volunteers at
training sessions. We have a how-to guide on vision impaired guiding or we
are happy to chat with you at any time about running with people with
disabilities. Some of our members may have guide dogs that require
dog-sitting while their humans are going for a run. Volunteers may also be
required in this area.
I’m having difficulty getting to the training venue. Is there any assistance
with transport?
Please let us know if you are having difficulty with transport. Achilles does
not provide transport to training or events. However, we are happy to try to
accommodate your needs.
Is there car parking at the training venue?
There is ample free car parking on St Kilda Rds and Linlithgow Avenue.
Is there O&M assistance to familiarise my way to the training venue?
Achilles Running Club Melbourne can put you in contact with Vision Australia
to conduct an O&M session so you can get to training independently.
I heard that there may be membership fees in the future. Why do I need to pay
a membership fee?
Membership fees will assist Achilles Melbourne to continue to provide an
exceptional running group. This includes weekly training sessions, paid entry
(where possible) into Melbourne running events, social events and learning
how to run with people with disabilities.
Do I have to attend every training session?
While we’d love to see you every week (because getting out and about is good
for the soul), we understand that life happens and that you may not be
available every week. We will be in contact with you to determine your weekly
availability.
Is training still on if it rains?
Unless there is a severe weather warning, Achilles training will still run in
rain, sunshine, but probably not hail. BYO ponchos and towels.
Will Achilles Melbourne provide me with a guide/volunteer if I choose to
enter or participate in events?
Where possible, Achilles Melbourne will attempt to pair you up with a
volunteer should you require support to participate in an event. We request
that members work with Achilles Melbourne to find alternative solutions in
the (rare) event that no volunteers are available to assist.
Is there an age limit to be a part of Achilles?
Achilles Melbourne is open to persons 16 years or older. Persons aged between
16-18 years must gain parental consent and be accompanied by an adult to
participate. Should a prospective member be under the age of 16 years, we
would encourage the person participate in other fantastic disability sporting
opportunities for children and adolescents.
What happens if I sustain an injury at training?
While the risk of serious injury remains low when running or walking,
participation with Achilles Melbourne is at your own risk and we strongly
recommend you have personal ambulance cover in the event of a personal
emergency.
I have heard about Achilles in Sydney and Canberra. Is Achilles Melbourne
affiliated with these groups?
Absolutely! Achilles is an international movement promoting inclusion in
athletics. Achilles in Australia started in Sydney 20 years ago and has
slowly spread down south to Melbourne via Canberra. We are proudly affiliated
with both clubs in Canberra and Sydney and encourage you to visit them if you
are ever in their town. Please visit www.achilles-sydney.org.au and
http://www.achilles-sydney.org.au/canberra.html for more information.
Achilles Melbourne sounds like a fantastic club. How can I become more
involved?
We think Achilles Melbourne is fantastic too. We aim to become an
incorporated organisation and are looking for a diverse range of people to
assist with ensuring that Achilles runs smoothly. Please contact
achillesmelbourne@xxxxxxxxx if you’d like to be more involved.
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Posted by: "Francois" <fjacobs70@xxxxxxxxx>
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