*Pictured above - The Pingles Athletics Track at Nuneaton.
Major changes for the Masters' Inter-Area T&F Championships at Nuneaton, plus details of the draft timetable for this event…
England Masters Athletics Inter-Area Track & Field Challenge.
Sunday 6th August 2023. Pingles Athletics Track, Avenue Road, Nuneaton C114LX.
Introduction by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com
Brett Davis, a director of Welsh Masters Athletics Ltd (WMAL) has just received confirmation from event officials of some important changes and updates to the rules for all athletes hoping to compete in the forthcoming England Masters Inter-Area Track & Field Challenge at Nuneaton, on 6th August.
I have included the list of the relevant changes within this article (*see below), together with a draft timetable of all the events from this exciting competition. It is essential however, that all potential participants should read and understand the new rules prior to entry.
Brett explained this week: “Here are the details of some major changes to the rules for athletes and a copy of the draft Inter-Area timetable. Some major surgery has been applied and a couple of key rule changes are worth noting below too.
“We will also publish and/or email members confirming the attached draft timetable with various changes due to practical reasons.
“The men’s team is getting near to, when a squad will be announced, alongside the monitoring of performances. The women’s team announcement however may be slightly different as Eleri, may have selected a team based on the original timetable, so she could have some decisions to make, and some messages for individuals affected by the changes.”
Wendy Kane, one of the officials involved with the Challenge, from Midlands Masters, has forwarded a copy of the new rules to WMAL and this week explained the reasons for the updates.
She confirmed: “Attached are the rules and draft timetable for the forthcoming Inter Area Challenge being held on 6th August in Nuneaton. Please note that there are some changes in the rules. Due to the length of the timetable and what we can undertake in the 8 hours that licences are permitted for - there will only be 3 throws and jumps.
“Due to the fact that there are 9 teams competing - in the sprints the races will be 'timed' races with no finals as again we don't have time to do heats then finals.
“The draft timetable will enable you to start your team selections. Once I have decided what I am doing in terms of declaring your teams - I will be in touch. This is a piece of work in progress!!
“I will be imperative that you enter those athletes who will be competing and if you don't have an athlete in an event - it would be handy to know so that we can make timetable changes where necessary. Whilst changes to names will be allowed - events with no declared athletes will not be allowed to be added on the day of competition.
“Officials for Masters’ events are hard to come by and lengthy timetables puts them off - so please bear this in mind and if you don't have an athlete - don't put someone in who is not capable of competing in that event. This applies, particularly, to technical events.
“You will see that I have specified that athletes who have no recorded height on pole vault this season, will not be allowed to compete. This is due to the fact that I have been involved in an event where a serious accident occurred due to lack of expertise, and I am not repeating that occurrence.
“There has also been a reduction in events for some age groups - this is to enable equality across the genders.
Many thanks. Wendy Kane, Midlands Masters Athletics.
ENGLAND MASTERS ATHLETICS INTER AREA TRACK AND FIELD CHALLENGE
SUNDAY 6TH AUGUST 2023
COMPETITION RULES
1.Competing clubs, with competition numbers, are
1. EMAC 2. MMAC
3. NMAA 4. NEMAA
5. SCVAC 6. SVHC
7. SWVAC 8. VAC
9. WMAA
2.Age groups will be W35, W50, W60, W70, M35, M50, M60, M70
One competitor per event in all age groups as shown on timetable. Competitors need to be declared prior to the closing date. Amendments to declared athletes will be allowed to be made on the day of competition.
3.First digit in competition number indicates club
4.Second digit indicates age group, 3 for 35, 5 for 50, 6 for 60, 7 for 70
e.g 13 is EMAC athlete in a W35 or M35 event.
5. 3 trials in all throws and in long and triple jump
6. In high jump and pole vault athletes start at opening height, or higher if they wish, all age groups competing together.
Opening heights: W35 W50 W60 M35 M50 M60
High Jump 1.10 1.00 0.90 1.20 1.15 1.10
Pole Vault 1.40 1.30 1.80 1.70
Progession: HJ – 5cm, PV – 10cm
Athletes competing in pole vault will only be allowed to compete if they have a vault recorded on Power of 10 during the 2023 season.
7. Athletes may move down age groups, but must remain in the same age group for all events, except the relays.
8.Athletes should report for all events at least 10 minutes before start time.
9.Masters’ area club vests must be worn in all events.
10. No guest athletes will be allowed to compete in any events.
11. Scoring for all events will be 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
12. Competition numbers will be given out on the day.
ENGLAND MASTERS ATHLETICS
INTER-AREA TRACK AND FIELD CHALLENGE
PINGLES ATHLETICS TRACK, AVENUE ROAD, NUNEATON CV11 4LX
SUNDAY 6TH AUGUST 2023: DRAFT TIMETABLE;
*See attached blog link for details: Don Hale Blog: Major changes for the Masters' Inter-Area T&F Cham... https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2023/06/major-changes-for-inter-area-t.html?spref=tw
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