A cloudy day welcomed athletes and officials at the opening day of the summer track and field for Illawarra Blue Star athletes. Athletes had an opening round of events with concentration on registration for the 2016-2017 season and ordering of uniforms.
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The official competition will start next Sunday with round one of point score to be conducted. Commencing at 2pm, athletes and officials are asked to be ready to go by that time. Athletes can register at any club meet throughout the season.
IBS will conduct a four-round weekly competition and with a little revamp, the program is designed to give every athlete the chance to contest, sprints, middle distance, walks, jumps and throws each week. Hurdles and the steeplechase are also on the program in round 3. Junior athletes in under-8, 10 and 12 will contest the same events as the older athletes with modified equipment. The season is expected to be a full one with a variety of events that all club athletes will have the opportunity of contesting.
The club is excited with the prospects of the talent in the men’s high jump. Outstanding jumping has taken place in the off season at both combined high and associated schools events, with high 1.90 metres being achieved by two of the club’s members. They are supported by two others who have been maintaining the high 1.80’s. All members are under the age of under-18, and a combined team for the state relays will see this very impressive squad represent the club and will certainly be a medal chance if they continue in this form.
Any of these men are capable of the two-metre jump, and at the moment are so very close, but with strength improvement, maturity, this target is certainly within them – it is only a matter of time. It has been a long time such IBS has had such a talented group of male high jumpers, and excitement will build as the season progresses. The club also has seen new members in the women’s under 16 division over the sprints, and this division too is full of talent.
So what do IBS members have to look forward to for the summer? Members can decide if they just wish to contest club meets each Sunday at 2pm at Kerryn McCann athletic centre, or they can choose a path that would include country, state and possibly Australian titles. And it doesn’t matter how old the athlete is – the pathway is there for all athletes with country titles catering for all ages from 10 years of age right through to masters men and women.
New members will be guided throughout the season and all information pertaining to other events outside of club will be advertised to members through flyers, websites and club announcements.
Join now and enjoy the summer of track and field and build your own goals in the events you select. The summer season will go from late September through to the end of February 2017. Members are advised the the Kerryn McCann athletic track will be resurfaced in March through to May, cutting the club meets a little short but enabling athletes to concentrate on such events as state and Australian in March.
Phone Valmai Loomes on 4262 8498 or Geoff Hynoski on 0437 036 013 for more information, and remember you don’t have to be a champion. IBS caters for everyone, and all ages.