MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

Welcome to the second half of the 2019-20 season. I hope you all had a happy and safe time over the holiday break and are excited about all the racing still to come.

There's some important information in this months newsletter including messages from the stewards, some great membership initiatives and a fantastic event hosted by the Parkdale Gift that should not be missed.

As always, your feedback is most welcome. If you would like to get in touch, feel free to email val@val.org.au or call (03) 8646 4545.

Good luck for the remainder of the season!

Tom

RESULTS
You've spoken and we've heard you! PDF versions of the results are available again on the website. Simply click the "View Results in PDF" button at the top of the Results page to access this format.

LATE ENTRIES
The VAL has been accommodating as many late entries as possible. We understand that circumstances can change and we try to accommodate as best we can. However the excessive number of late entries is now unable to be maintained.

Please carefully check the entry dates for each meeting and that you have received confirmation of each entry you process. We wouldn't like to see anyone missing out.

Entries close approximately 2 weeks before each meeting with late entries still available online for 2 days after. 

MIND GAMES - PRESENTED BY THE PARKDALE GIFT

One in five Australians experience mental ill-health every year. Come listen to some of Australia’s sporting greats as they describe their experiences with mental health and well being.

Sports is all in the mind, even though it’s all about the body. The Mind Games panel of experts will open up and discuss, mental health, positive psychology, strategic thinking, resilience and the competitive spirit – on an off the field.

The Mind Games panel of experts will open up and discuss, mental health, positive psychology, strategic thinking, resilience and the competitive spirit – on an off the field. The panel will discuss strategies and new actions currently being taken.

Panel -

• Catriona Bisset - Australian 800m Record Holder
• Kyle Vander Kyup - Two Time Olympian & Current 110m Hurdles Oceania record holder as well as a Beyond Blue Ambassador
• Ben Robbins - Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing, St Kilda FC
• Dr. Bridie O'Donnell - Head of Office for Women in Sport and Recreation. Represented Australia at 3 World Cycling Championships

The Dingley Hotel - 31st January 2020 from 6:30pm
Tickets are $22 and are available from the Parkdale Gift website

MESSAGES FROM THE STEWARDS...

SUBMITTING RESULTS
Athletes are responsible for submitting ALL results that are completed outside the VAL competition. This can be done via the Athlete Profile page on the website. You can access this page by clicking on your name when logged in. Not submitting your results can result in fines, disqualification, handicap penalty or suspension.

PERFORMANCE REVIEWS
The following performance classifications are applied by the VAL stewards and handicappers:

• SP = Satisfactory performance
  Usually for OGA athletes. Can be considered for a discretionary lift.
   
• NAP = Non Acceptable Performance
  As determined by the stewards irrespective of time deviation. Generally for loss of time (run to run) in a race day competition. Occasionally applied to results from week to week. Usually no stewards enquiry. Run won’t count towards a credit for a lift although it could still be considered at the discretion of the handicapper. Does not necessarily imply a lack of effort.
   
• NAP-T = Non Acceptable Performance based on Time
  A performance outside the allowable time deviation. Not usually a performance used for consideration for a lift but still at the discretion of the handicapper. Does not imply a lack of effort.
   
• UP - Unsatisfactory Performance
  Determined by stewards. All accrued AP's removed. Possible pending stewards enquiry, handicap review, suspension and/or fine.
   
• AP = Acceptable Performance
  Established athletes where the performance is considered genuine by stewards and is within the allowable time deviation range from the fastest heat time. Performance will be counted as a credit towards lift requirements.

Below are the acceptable time variations from fastest heats. In circumstances of an extraordinary fastest heat, the handicapper may consider the second fastest heat as the yardstick.   

70m Open = 0.3 seconds
100m/120m Open = 0.55 seconds
2.00 for 300m & 400m Open = 2.0 seconds
800m & 1000m = 5 seconds
1600m = 11 seconds

Time deviation allowances for stewarding applied NAP's between rounds (e.g. heat to semi) are usually calculated as follows. 
70m Open = 0.1 seconds
100m/120m Open = 0.1 seconds
300m & 400m Open = 1 second
800m & 1000m = 2 seconds
550m = 1.25 seconds

Stewards and handicappers will make allowances for high wind ratings, change in weather, daylight to twilight etc.

• The athlete must not break ceiling time in the win.
• A second win over the 100/120m distance will deem the athlete ineligible for the lift. In essence any interstate 100/120m win will void any Stawell lift.
• The lift will be added to the athletes winning handicap for the Stawell Gift race only. Standard penalties apply for all other races.
• In receiving this lift, athletes will not be handicapped to a mark that places them beyond their ceiling handicap.
• An athlete will not receive a handicap that exceeds 2m from their season start mark.
• All athletes both male and female must have competed at least once in Victoria over the 100/120m distance in the last 2 seasons, or have a handicap less than the novice handicap to be eligible for the Stawell lift.
• Any win in an Open 100/120m race by a female excludes her from any lift in the Stawell Women's Gift.
• The lifts are available on the VAL website ( September newsletter )

• Lifts for Stawell to be a minimum of 5m and up to a maximum of 10m.
• To be eligible for the lift, interstate athletes must have competed in Victoria in the previous 2 seasons, or have an initial handicap of novice or less.
• Winning athletes cannot go past their ceiling handicap and cannot break net time.
• Athletes that are allocated a UP (Unacceptable Performance) during the season may not automatically qualify for the lift in the Stawell Gift. This will be at the steward’s discretion.
• Every first time novice entry must have at least one run off the novice handicap or less.
• Athletes that win any Group 1 or Classic race after obtaining the Stawell Lift become ineligible for the lift.
• A second win over the 800m distance will deem the athlete ineligible for the lift.
• All VAL 800m events are eligible for the Stawell lift

• Lifts for Stawell to be a minimum of 3m and up to a maximum of 5m.
• Winning athletes cannot go past their ceiling handicap and cannot break net time.
• Athletes that are allocated a UP (Unacceptable Performance) during the season may not automatically qualify for the lift in the Stawell Gift. This will be at the steward’s discretion.
• Every first time novice entry must have at least one run off the novice handicap or less.
• Athletes that win any Group 1 or Classic race after obtaining the Stawell Lift become ineligible for the lift.
• A second win over the 550m distance will deem the athlete ineligible for the lift.
• All VAL 550m events are eligible for the Stawell lift

INTERVIEWS
STORIES OF PRO RUNNING - By David Griffin
 
I am looking to put together a collection of pro running stories to share with the wider running community.
 
You can submit the stories anonymously or you can be brave and include your name.
 
It could be a rumour, a myth or even a fable that been handed down over the generations, either way it would be great to share a few funny stories with the pro running fraternity.  
 
Please keep your stories to below 300 words if you can.
 
The stories will be published in your own words with some light editing. Whilst we will do our best, unfortunately not all stories will be published.
 
If interested please email me at david@and1.com.au
 
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.

CASH FOR BALLARAT'S FASTEST ATHLETES

The top 5 fastest athletes in both the Men's and Women's Gifts will receive their share in an additional $3,000 prize pool. The fastest performances will be determined by the athletes metres per second.

MARQUEES (BALLARAT)
The Ballarat Athletic Club is committed to ensuring that all and any structures brought onto the event site and erected by competitors and spectators are safely secured. Structures include but are not limited to gazebo’s, marquee’s and all and any other temporary shade structure.
• All structures must be erected with the back legs against the perimeter fence.
• All the structure legs must then be tied to the top and bottom rail of the fence.
• The front legs can then be pegged and roped with pegs no longer than 300 mm.

The Ballarat Athletic Club reserves the right to have all and any shade structures packed away if these guidelines are not met, or if wind or other inclement weather conditions become or are expected to become
excessively strong.

CLOSING SOON...

BALLARAT closes THIS FRIDAY - Enter now

KEILOR closes Friday 31 January - Enter now

CASTLEMAINE closes Friday 7 February - Enter now

FRANKSTON closes Friday 17 February - Enter now

The VAL would like to bring our athletes' attention to an initiative called the Save Our Soles program.

This initiative aims to combat the environmental concern of used sports shoes being disposed into landfill, by recycling and re-purposing the used shoes.

The VAL will host a collection at the 2020 KEILOR GIFT, where athletes can drop off their pre-loved shoes. The VAL will then take to a Save Our Soles collection point.

Can't make it to Keilor? You can find a collection point near you, or learn more about the program, via this link: https://asga.com.au/sos/

ANTI-DOPING NEWS

Click to view the 2020 prohibited substances list 

Click to check your medication and supplements 

Click here to find out more about sports anti-doping in Australia

MELBOURNE TRACK CLASSIC
The Melbourne Track Classic is on again at Lakeside Stadium, Thursday February 6, 2020. The event is likely to draw some big name talent as people vie for national selection at the Tokyo Olympics.

Information will be posted shortly on the AthsVic website, including: ticketing, timetable, and how to get to the event.