Ballarat Athletic Club committeeman Greg Whitecross, who has been a prime mover in getting the 16-year-old Tasmanian to Ballarat, said the Hale camp confirmed on Sunday the youngster would be right to compete at the Eastern Oval.

Whitecross spoke to Hale’s father after Hale had to pull out of a 2x100m event, owing to “hamstring soreness”.

He said he was told the move was precautionary.

Hale competed in the long jump at Newcastle, finishing fifth with a best distance of 7.47 metres. 

He passed on his last two jumps.

The Ballarat Gift heats will be run on Saturday, with the semi-finals and final on Sunday.

Ballarat Athletic Club has secured the nationally-acclaimed Hale as the major draw card for the two-day Gift carnival. He arrives in Ballarat on Friday.

Whitecross said Hale would lead a junior clinic with other athletes at Ballarat Grammar School on Friday from 3.45pm.

He will join Ballarat’s own Stawell Gift winner Matthew Wiltshire, Stawell Women’s Gift winner Holly Dobbyn and other instate visitors Christine Wearne, of NSW, and Kiara Reddingius, of Western Australia. 

Whitecross said the club was encouraging any youngsters who wanted an opportunity to meet Australia’s newest emerging sprint sensation to get along.

Meanwhile, last year’s Ballarat Women’s Gift winner Celia Cosgriff rounded out the preparation for her title defence with a win in the open 800m and third in the women’s/masters 300m at Saturday’s Albury-Wodonga meet.

Handicaps are expected to be released for the Gift on Monday.