Minor issues can be resolved – Nicholas Fraser

AFTER more than six decades, a reformatted National Schools Track and Field Championship, featuring only secondary schools and only fifteen events at a time more suited to student athlete’s growth and development and preparation for the CARIFTA games was held here.
The ‘nationals’ which was traditionally held in November and December, was moved to March to be more aligned with the regional and international athletics calendar.

One of the key figures behind the shift, head of the Unit of Allied Arts, Nicholas Fraser, said that while they pulled off the event, they recognised some areas for improvement.
“There were a number of instances where we had to ensure everybody understood exactly what the format of the meet was. I think they were some teething problems. We had some issues in terms of communication and understanding of the new format, but generally it was well received and we will definitely be looking towards improving in the years to come.”

Fraser was adamant that while it was a major change, it was a technical decision that was necessary in the interest of the sport and the results were evident.
‘We had a number of qualifying times and distances made at nationals… We had one particular athlete that didn’t qualify otherwise but qualified during the school’s championship, the others were already qualified, so in terms of that objective, the programme that the schools have to put these athlete through in order for them to peak at the right time of the year in terms of that objective we did very well.”

He said that the challenge remains with the timeliness of results which will make the meet more transparent and is something that still needs attention along with some minor teething issues in the organisation at the regional level but believes the schools have bought into the new format by and large.
“The mindset is not a bit different from the level of the children, student athletes as well as the teachers and all other sports administrators along the way, who are trying to ensure we get the best national team.”

This year’s three-day championship held at the Leonora Track and Field Stadium saw, for the first time, schools winning instead of districts.
President College emerged as the top school after grabbing 257 points with Mackenzie High School second with 253 points and Christianburg Wismar Secondary school third with 197 points.
Fourth place went to St. Ignatius Secondary (129 points), and Mahaicony Secondary School (100 points) for fifth.