13 Nov Welcome back to athletics!

After a very challenging and uncertain year, it’s great to finally have some certainty over the 2020-21 athletics seasons, both senior and little athletics.

Little athletics
Our little athletes will lead off on Saturday, November 14, with Program 2 kicking off at Landy Field from 8.15am. Gates open from 7.30am and we advise all our little athletic families to arrive early, as all entrants will be required to enter via one of the Swanston Street gates where you need to sign-in either using a QR code you can scan on your phone (preferred) or by pen-and-paper.

There will be some changes to the way events will be conducted and marshalled, with all relevant COVID-19 guidelines being adhered to – this means social distancing, groups of 10 or less, compulsory masks for everyone aged 12 or over – excluding during actual running, jumping or throwing, but required whilst waiting – and, of course, sanitising of hands and equipment. We look forward to the easing of restrictions over time that hopefully will remove some of these rules; but for now we encourage everyone to take a deep breath and understand that the rules in place are required to keep us competing.

Please also respect all the officials and parent volunteers who are doing their best under sometimes difficult circumstances, and be generous with your own time if asked to assist. More than ever, we need willing helpers to keep things running smoothly – for the kids’ sake.

Seniors
In Geelong, senior competition kicks off on Saturday, November 28 – times are still to be confirmed, but expect competition at Landy Field to start from 1.30pm. This will be Round 1 of the AVSL, the first of 10 rounds to make up the 2020-21 season.

Competing athletes will be required to select one of three one-hour timeslots throughout the afternoon, during which they may compete in up to four events – one sprint, one distance run/walk, a jump and a throw. All competing athletes in any session are to depart the venue and equipment will be cleaned before the next group arrives. Online pre-registration for all events is compulsory – no entries will be accepted on competition day.

As with little athletics, the club will require many helpers to assist with the additional duties relating to COVID-19 guidelines. We encourage anyone not competing to consider volunteering their time (contact Mary McDonald) and also ask competing athletes to consider assisting in at least one different timeslot to the one in which they are competing.

Stay in touch
For the latest on Athletics Chilwell for both senior and little athletics, please keep a close eye on our Facebook page, where all news and updates will be posted.
Enjoy the season!

Michael Thornton, Little Athletics team manager: chilwelllittleaths@yahoo.com
Mary McDonald, Senior team manager: athletics.chilwell@gmail.com