Welcome to Chicago Flyers Track Club

If all of the boys that competed this year at the  3A IHSA State Championship, who started their running career as Flyers, ran as one team, we would have won!  But lucky for everyone, they moved on to high school and new friends!

WHO JOINS THE FLYERS?  All types of kids! Of course, those with a passion for running, sprinters, mid and long distance runners. The athletes that desire to increase their speed and conditioning for football, soccer, lax.  The kids that enjoy time playing Call of Duty and the piano.  Practices provide a fun environment combined with the latest training methods and a dedication to the team values.

Comments often heard by zealous Flyer parents when they talk to parents about their kids joining the team:  But my kid isn't  good enough for the team.  My kid has tried baseball/soccer, etc.  and they hate sports.  I can't get them off the computer! Yes, we have a few kids that win races but the rest of the kids are not on top.  Track at this age is humbling as kids' bodies evolve. One day awkward and the next season in the top 5 or the reverse.  Many of  IHSA State Championship finalists were the 10 year olds whose parents were at a loss.  Everyone is welcome on the team and they all contribute to the growth of their teammates because the more the merrier. The first day of practice, some kids won't finish a 100, have difficulty staying in the track lane or understanding the shortest distance is the inside lane.  The kids have insecurities.  They have preconceived ideas of their abilities.  It is our job to provide a safe, fun environment that with time, the child is thrilled at what they physically achieved and the parents are happy with the values the child embraces.

Having said the above, cross country season tends to attract those that really love to run.  They vary in speed but they enjoy running in a group, exploring forest preserves, going the distance, are usually reflective yet playful individuals!

WHAT IS A CHICAGO FLYERS PRACTICE LIKE?  We can't disclose all of our secrets (and at least a few clubs are now using our training programs) but our goal is to reinforce good mechanics, with a well-trained body in an exciting atmosphere.  As our goal is to be a world-class track club and to create a community in Chicago that eliminates barriers of distance, ethnicity or any other preconceived notion,  the implementation of creativity is not an easy task.  Practices can include foam rollers, squirt guns, barefoot balance drills, complicated plank competitions, obstacle courses, circuit training, destination runs of water parks and ice cream shops, runs though forest preserves, sharks/minnows, journals, relays with watermelon, team value awards, event training based on training age, training by professional coaches passionate.  Never losing sight of developing the entire child, we aim to achieve optimum event training using many different methods.

SEASONS:

IN 2018, we will not compete in track but offer a running camp for the summer season and return to our regular format of Cross Country Season in August.

Summer Season:

·     Chicago North Side Running Camp-Lincoln Park/Old Town-June 11-July 19th. Monday-Thursday. 6-8 pm. 9-15 year olds. Speed, Agility, Fitness and Mid-Distance Running Camp. All levels of runners are welcome and will succeed. A positive attitude after the first few days is required!

Cross Country:

·      September-Thanksgiving-Various start dates and locations based on school season. Event distance 1.5-3.1 miles

·      Early August, 1-2 Week XC Camp-Oak Brook and Chicago.

·      Age: 10+ with minimum distance requirements, younger with permission

REQUIREMENTS:

·      Desire to be on the team

·      Minimum 2-3 practices per week

·      Shoes remain tied

·      Parent/athlete responsible for on-time, layers, water, running shoes,

·      60 minute attention span

·      Respectful

FOCUS:

·      Running Mechanics/Drills

·      Event training 

·      Core/Coordination/Balance/Agility

·      Dynamic Warm-ups

·      Teamwork

·      Team Values

·      Attitude

·      Multiple Training Groups-Events/Level/Gender/Age

IMPORTANT EVENTS:

See Calendar for dates and locations.

-      XC Season-invites, weekend runs on paths in forest preserves, team dinners, Scavenger  Hunt,

·      Family Practice

·      Community Run- Local 5k’s, UCTC Meets at UChicago,   

FAMILY COMMITMENT:

·      Volunteer Hours (possibly) and Participation!

- Ensuring that child is delivered to practice 5 minutes early!

Scholarships are available for families in crisis.

FEES:​

$40 Registration fee good through August 31 for each athlete.  $40 weekly camps or $180 for all 5 weeks.Register on site. Questions? Contact info@chicagoflyers.org  Money should never be a barrier to development and community!

WHY PAY FOR A TEAM WHEN I COULD JUST RUN WITH MY KID?  We usually employ 4-20 coaches per season to ensure that your child has the best coaching available. This is our profession.  We have overhead, insurance, facilities, supplies, this website.  Our practices are different everyday, meeting the needs of  children on different levels, requiring constant education.  This is cheaper than a babysitter and much cheaper than league football, soccer, lacrosse, swim team or detention.  Plus high school coaches like to come to our practices and meet the kids!

MEETS:

Cross Country Meets, arrive an hour or so before the race for warm-up and then however long it takes your athlete to complete their race of 1.5-2.5 miles.  Usually a nice day in the fall but perhaps you might bring an umbrella or a hot coffee (for yourself of course.)

TRACK EVENTS:

Does not apply for 2018-Kids compete based on age group.  The most common events are: 100/200/400/800/1500/3000 and 4x100, 4x400 and 4x800 relays.  Long and Triple Jumps may be recommended.  Although we compete in the meets that lead to AAU Nationals, at times we compete in a USATF sponsored event.  USATF IL has a great explanation of meets and parent involvement at http://www.usatfillinois.org/parents-corner/.

AAU/USATF/YES?:

What's up with all those letters? AAU, Amateur Athletic Union, is the organization that the Flyers compete to the National Level.  Most age groups are defined by individual birth year.  USATF, USA Track & Field, also offers national competition but  age groups are 2 birth years.  For the 2014 season, members are only required to have an AAU extended benefits membership for club liability and competition.  We will register your child if you select AAU at registration. During the cross country season, XC, we compete in AAU, USATF and attend the YES Nationals meet. 

PRACTICES and MANDATORY PRACTICE GEAR:

Practices are held in snow, moderate rain and even sunshine.  Practice is canceled or moved to a safe area if sleet/hail/lava and thunder threaten.  A practice is called/delayed within 30 minutes of start time if inclement weather is anticipated, or shortened with an email to practice groups.  The same email notification is given if the team has sought cover.  One of the best performances of the team followed a practice in a surprise downpour.  Since practices are held in changing weather, the team has a MANDATORY PRACTICE GEAR policy.  Athletes must arrive at practice with one additional top layer if temperature is between 65 and 80 degrees.  Athletes must arrive at practice with one long (to ankles) layer of pants and two top layers if temperature is between 30 and 64 degrees. Hat and gloves are recommended at this temperature also. The bag, with clothing or if worn, is the parents' responsibility.  

Chicago Flyers unique program has  shaped over 700 youth into tomorrow’s leaders through speed, fitness and character development. Our exceptional coaching staff partners with schools and organizations to bring together children and teens from across the Chicagoland area to develop leadership skills, self-confidence, and a lifelong passion for fitness. Team members who complete our track & field and cross-country training programs are resilient, caring, and engaged, and have the tools to make a strong, positive impact on their communities.

About Us:
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Chicago Flyers is committed to transforming our members into fit and healthy kids, regardless of athletic ability. Even more importantly, our safe, modern curriculum develops the whole person by emphasizing mental and physical core attributes, then building outward. We use athletic training and games to foster our members’ strength, discipline, achievement, honesty, and sense of responsibility. Our team’s parents are supportive because they see their children growing stronger while building character, making friends, and having fun.

Chicago Flyers curriculum meets the guidelines set by the International Youth Conditioning Association, and we are a member of the Amateur Athletic Association (AAU) and USA Track and Field (USATF). Our members have qualified and medaled in national and state events, including the AAU Nationals, the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA), and the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) competitions. We have set local 5K Middle School Conference records, won AAU State XC meet, and placed as a team in the top 5 at Nationals. While most of our athletes continue in high school athletics, many go on to be recruited by DI and DIII universities.

Having said all that-our program is fun and makes a difference in the athletes' lives.  This year, we are excited to continue a great program in the city that mirrors the success of the Flyers West program.  


Why We Do What We Do:
Coach Michelle founded the Flyers in 2009 with 22 athletes.  She believes that children should have programs that build resilience, systematically teach personal success and allows for fun.  Training programs should be age appropriate with long term results in mind.