Meeting: Ballarat 11th and 12th February 2023
Weather: Saturday hot with light/moderate head winds, Sunday cool with moderate winds
Track: 400m grass track
Commentator’s: Oliver Wurm
Wind Gauge: Automatic
Starters: Rob McIntosh and Graeme Humphrey
Photo Finish: Emma McDonald, Chloe Blennerhassett
Results: Nila Blennerhassett
Stewards: Rob Lehmann, Meg Lehmann
Handicappers: Graeme Goldsworthy, Chris Macdonald, Colin Lane, Narelle Lehmann, Jonathon Rogers
NAP’s
70m Women: Taylah Perry (time), Ruby Sulicich (time)
70m Men: Patrick Meade (brk), Jack Wolff
Men’s Gift: Ash Liyanaarachchi (time), Kristerfer Kardakovski (time), Angus Proudfoot (time)
Women’s Gift: Ramona Casey (inj)
300m Master’s: Elvis Cross (brk)
400m Men’s: Lincoln Barnes (time), Aaron Leferink
400m Restricted: Riley Neecowen (inj)
800m Open: Declan Goodwin (time)
1600m Open: Ashley Cowen
UP’s
70m Women: Zoe Glassborow
400m Men: Elijah Cross
400m Women: Isabella Antonino, Sophie Stokes
400m Restricted: Nicolas O'Connor
550m Open: Declan Gould
800m Open: Terence Kavanagh-Dando
Stewards Notes from the day:
Well conducted meeting, track surface was excellent and the Club provided plenty of helpers, which is always appreciated. Plenty of water and soft drinks in the esky for the officials, regular snacks brought around and on Sunday we got a choice for lunch.
Heat 1 of the Men’s 70m was re-run after the last heat due to an issue with the photo finish, which meant placings could not be determined.
Zoe Glassborow was spoken to following the final of the women’s 70m due to the significant improvement shown from the previous week. Zoe agreed that her performance was much better and probably was due to it being her last run in the VAL before moving away. A UP was issued only.
Taylah Perry was spoken to following the women’s 70m as she had shown significant improvement from the previous week. Taylah advised that her season had been interrupted by injury and that this had been the first week where she was able to train at a higher intensity. An NAP was issued.
Declan Gould was spoken to following his heat of the 550m Open as the Stewards felt his run lacked effort, particularly when compared to his runs over 800m in the preceding weeks. Declan felt that he had run as hard as he could, however the Stewards did not agree with this and advised that greater effort was expected in the future. A UP was issued.
Jack Ramsay was spoken to following his heat of the 400m Restricted as he looked around nearing the finish line and appeared to ease up. His Trainer asserted that Jack didn’t ease up but had ran out of legs. Jack was fined $25 for looking around.
Riley Neecowen scratched from the final of the 400m Restricted due to injury. 28 day suspention, down to 14 days with a medical certificate.
Ramona Casey scratched from the semi final of the Women’s Gift due to a medical condition.
Elijah Cross was spoken to following his win in the Men’s 400m due to the level of improvement he had shown from the previous week where he hadn’t made the final. The Stewards took into consideration that Elijah had been returning from injury and the previous weeks race was double the prizemoney. A UP was issued.
Richard Wade was fined $25 for looking around multiple times in the Open 1600m.
Nicholas O’Connor was issued a UP and handicap review after competing in the Open 3200m prior to taking his place in the 400m Restricted Final. Unfortunately, this was only noted post event, otherwise a further sanction would have been applied.
Athletes should be reminded that they need to seek permission from the Chief Steward to compete in another event once they have qualified for a final, otherwise Stewarding action will be taken, which will include a charge and fine.
Stewarding General Comments:
When meeting with Stewards, runner and trainers are reminded to show a level of respect for the role they undertake. Abuse of officials will not be tolerated and once a decision is made it is not open for negotiation, there is an appeals process for that.
Runners and Trainers are reminded that should they wish to speak with a Handicapper or Steward, an appointment needs to be made through the VAL office at least 24 hours prior to a meeting. Requests made for a discussion on race days will be denied.
Please note the following issues that have come up recently and the sanctions that will apply for the remainder of the season:
- Looking around during races will incur a minimum fine of $25 for a first offence
- Celebrating prior to crossing the finishing line will incur a minimum fine of $50 for a first offence
- Failing to consult with Steward’s prior to not competing in a semi final or final will incur a minimum fine of $25 for a first offence (it is the runners responsibility to check on their progression into semi finals or finals)
- Should a runner sustain an injury that affects their performance but they complete a race, they need to advise Stewards immediately. If Stewards are not notified of an injury the performance may be assessed as an unsatisfactory or inconsistent performance and the runner charged.
- Runners continually looking at their watches whilst running will be charged.
It is the responsibility of runners to ensure their performance history outside of the VAL has been declared prior to a meeting. PB’s should be notified immediately to the office and new runners should ensure their performance history is accurate. Failure to do so may result in sanctions being applied.
Registered Runners and Trainers only should be on the ground and this should be limited to warming up and competing. Anyone outside of registered Runners and Trainers will be requested to leave the infield.