<02.12.07> - LAUNCESTONS BIGGEST EVER ATHLETICS COMPETITION COMES TO AN END


03 Dec 2007

Media Release

 

Sunday, 2 December 2007

  

LAUNCESTONS BIGGEST EVER ATHLETICS COMPETITION COMES TO AN END

 

The 2007 School Sport Australia Track & Field Exchange concluded in Launceston today, with Launceston City Council declaring the event the biggest ever held at the St Leonards Athletics Centre since it was built in 1984.

 

After three days of competition, 153 events were conducted, including rarely contested 8 x 100m relay, Shot Put relay, Long Jump relay and a mixed gender 4 x 200m relay.  These events, all contested on the final day of competition, added to the success of the first staging of the exchange in Tasmania. 

 

Each student athlete who participated progressed from their state and often regional rounds, to bring 470 of the most talented and finest track & field athletes in Australia for their age.

 

Throughout the weekend, six meet records were broken, placing the following athletes in the School Sport Australia history books and identifying them as precocious athletes whom track & field fans around Australia will keenly follow as their careers progress;

 

*      Paletina Lemi (Queensland), Girls 11 year Shot Put (2kg) – 16.20m (previous record, 13.96m)

*      Filoi Aokuso (New South Wales), Girls 12 year Discus (750gr) – 42.74m (previous record, 42.40m)

*      Latham Takau (Queensland), Boys 12 year Shot Put (3kg) – 16.50m (previous record, 16.29m).

*      Jessica Handsaker (Queensland), Girls 12 years Multi event – 1197 points (previously 1146)

*      Juanita Lloyd (New South Wales), Girls 10 years Shot Put (2kg) – 12.44m (previously 12.24m)

*      Paletina Lemi Girls 11 years Discus (740gr) – 39.42 (previously 38.34m)

 

Given the final day of competition is based around the enjoyment of being involved in the exchange; pennants were awarded to placegetters, replacing the medals.  Hence the medal tally for Tasmania remained at three, two silvers and a bronze.

 

The relaxed atmosphere of the final day also enabled the students to take time away from the track and visit some sights around Launceston and the Tamar Valley.  All students partook in an excursion this morning, visiting sights such as Launceston Gorge, Launceston Lakes, Beaconsfield Mine Grubb Shaft and Beauty Points Platypus House and Seahorse World.  Students took the excursion and the afternoon of fun events as an opportunity to mingle with competitors from other states, with the exchange of commemorative pins and team uniforms a common practice.   

 

The exchange steps into new territory in 2008, with the event combining with secondary students in Canberra to form the 2008 Pacific School Games from November 29 – December 7.  The Games will see four other sports joining Track & Field, including Swimming, Diving, Basketball and Hockey.  Thus far, 25 nations from the Asia Pacific region have accepted their invitation to compete in the Australian Capital.  For each student who took part over the weekend here in Launceston, the 2008 Pacific School Games will be the next major event for them to look forward to and provide most with their first opportunity of international competition.

 

The 2007 School Sport Australia Track & Field Exchange was officially brought to a close by the Mayor of Launceston, Albert Van Zetten, School Sport Australia’s National Secretary, Kirsteen Farrance and Athletics Tasmania President, Brian Roe.  In a fitting conclusion, the team captains from each state and territory gave their final words to the crowd of over 1000.

 

For further information, please contact;

 

Brian Roe                                                    0438 604571

Richard Welsh                                            0409 820248

 

End of release