The COVID restrictions are still having an impact on athletes right throughout our country. Responding to the problems this has caused for our controlling bodies such as Athletics NSW re planning, cancelling or postponing events is no mean feat and pencilling them in so winter doesn't overlap the summer season is a job in itself.
START OF SUMMER TRACK AND FIELD
Of course, this all depends on the restrictions, with Blue Stars having pencilled in Sunday, September 19. This has now been shelved and the possible date for commencement of the summer season is possibly Sunday, October 10, depending on our state's COVID restrictions. We look forward to being able to welcome our old members back on track as well as new members to our club and our sport.
All registrations will be taken on that day with club competition to start also with Round 1. We do encourage people to come along and get registered as quickly as possible so that you can enjoy what the club can offer and what ANSW has planned for this coming season 2021/2022. Dual age athletes in Little A's are encouraged to name Illawarra Blue Stars as your senior club.
PATHWAY
Athletics offers a great pathway from Under 8 right through to Masters men and women and it is the one sport that can be conducted on the same ground, at the same time, as mum and dad and children. Masters athletes can also enjoy seeing their grandchildren take part at the same time, and this is what Illawarra Blue Stars has to offer.
Catering for all ages from the youngest to the oldest, coming into the Kerryn McCann athletic centre on a Sunday afternoon in summer is not only a great way to enjoy a sport, but also a great way to keep the family together.
Star sprinter Lachlan Parry is a great example of the pathway, joining IBS as a junior athlete and now progressing through to a promising career as senior male sprinter. He now has the option of choosing to compete also in Masters competition, having recently turned the masters qualifying age. Maybe Lachlan will compete in both sections as he has the right to do, as with many of our other athletes in the club. This is highly encouraged by the club.
IBS BOARD FOR 2021-2022
Blue Stars have recently conducted their AGM and the following people will lead the club into the summer and winter seasons of 2021-2022. A welcome addition to the club board is Sally Barnes, who recently did her technical exams as an official. Sally also shows the pathway for officials as she is also heavily involved in Dapto Little A’s and is combing both duties for this season.
Following the club's AGM the following have been elected: President: Sue Sundstrom. Vice-President: Ian Smith. Secretary: Valmai Loomes. Assistant Secretary: Gianna Mogentale. Treasurer: Jodie Sundstrom. Board members: Lynda Douglas, Sally Barnes, Andrew Rodda. A board of experience and knowledge, coupled with competing athletes who give great input into the operation, and new board members using the pathway from Little A's to an ANSW registered club, such as IBS.
COMING UP
Athletics NSW have their hands tied a little due to COVID restrictions, but we can tell you that our club has applied for an interclub meet again in November and will also host the Illawarra Track Challenge in January. The interclub meet held at the Kerryn McCann athletics track was a great success and we hope that once again this will go ahead to give our local athletes the chance of competing against other athletes from clubs within the state.
Our Track Challenge, always held in January, is one of the most popular events on the calendar and with Rohan Browning competing so well in the Olympics, we are hoping he will be a starter again this season to defend his state 60 metres title. Our women's mile, named after Jessica Hull, is sure to attract some of the best milers around, and being named after Jess, after her great run also in the Games, is an event that will hold her name for some time.
Many have already enquired about country champs, and I can tell you, barring COVID restrictions, this event will be held in late January, with the association to clarify dates and also location. Stay tuned on this one, as they do not want the same situation as last year.
CHALLENGES
Blue Stars have been conducting challenge events on a Sunday in place of cross-country and the winter meets, and these events, held in the athletes' hometown and taking honesty etc into account, have provided athletes with an extra run, and also to remain positive and motivated.
We have seen athletes improve over the challenge over a two-week period and will now head into the summer a little more confident on their winter build-up.
For more information on Blue Stars go into our website www.illawarrabluestars.com which is maintained on a regular basis or phone 0409 307 325 for more information. Little A's due age athletes are encouraged to join IBS as their senior club.