Ballarat Regional Athletic Centre’s track and field season gets underway this Saturday.
Athletics Victoria’s 12 rounds of shield, including alternative programs and the traditional country, state and national championships, are part of the new-look 2016-17 fixture.
The traditional shield season will once again be hotly contested by the four BRAC clubs of Ballarat Harriers, Eureka, Wendouree and YCW.
The calendar includes optional mid-week competitions, twilight rounds and BRAC championship events. A two program alternating schedule of events form the basis of the season, but there will be some new and exciting changes.
One innovation implemented by AV is the performance points system.
To encourage everyone to try their best and to maximise participation, each athlete’s performance will be allocated points based on newly-developed standardised performance tables. This will allow athletes to compare themselves with everyone around the state, including age, gender and even those doing a different event. For example, a 14-year-old female long jumper can compare her performance with a 60-year-old male javelin thrower.
With points from each event contributing to premiership titles, Wendouree will again be out to defend its crowns won last season.
Saturday’s competition gets underway from 1pm at Llanberris reserve.
