SSA - 12 and Under Track and Field Championships
01 Dec 2014
Curtain drawn on Penguin's time in the National Athletics Spotlight
Penguin may be the smallest community in Australia to boast its own national standard athletic centre but it did itself proud over the past four days in hosting an outstanding edition of the 2014 School Sport Australia National 12 and under Track and Field Championships.
Despite this morning's overcast skies which contrasted with the sunny and ideal athletics conditions that prevailed for the first three days, the rain stayed away for today's four hour session of fun relays on the track as well as in the jumps and throws.
By the time that Local Organising Committee Chair, Phil Clayton officially closed the four day competition at around 1.00pm, countless new friendships had been formed amongst the 600 competitors and myriad personal best achieved at the recently upgraded facilities at the Dial Regional Athletic Centre.
In his closing remarks Athletics Tasmania President, Mike Gunson paid tribute to the huge contribution made by the organising team.
"We only had a small group led by Phil Clayton and Lyn St John but they have delivered a superb event of which the North West Coast and the Tasmanian athletics family can be justifiably proud," Gunson said.
"It is so important for regional communities not only to have the chance to host events that are within their capability but also to reap the economic benefits. In this case we can conservatively be sure that we brought more than 2000 people from the mainland to the area for four days and more - with many families taking the opportunity for extended holidays around the State."
"So many families have take the time to praise the event, the organisers, the competition officials - and most of all the wonderful atmosphere which surrounded its delivery.
"Many said that they were a little worried when they first heard that the Championships had been allocated to a town of which most had no knowledge but they have been more than pleasantly surprised."
Gunson thanked the technical officials for delivering the competition in an outstanding manner.
"We can be very proud of our Tasmanian officials both local and from around the State who, supported by ten terrific volunteers who paid their own way here from interstate, ensured events were on time and coducted in the expected correct, but importantly in a caring manner bearing in mind the age and experience levels of the competitors.
"We were particularly delighted by a big group of our own teenage athletes who put up their hands to help out. They were the surprise of the four days - instantly becoming efficient and very effective officials.
School Sport Australia CEO Brad Allen was unequivocal in his praise for the event, and in Juan Antonio Samaranch-style proclaimed it to be the best he had witnessed.
"I am not known for giving out praise easily but what the Organising Committee has delivered here is the best I have seen. It is a unique situation because our delivery partner is a state sporting organisation rather than a school sport unit and they had done a fantastic job, all on a voluntary basis."
"And I sincerely hope it will not be the last opportunity we will have to enjoy such a fine event here in Tasmania," Allen said, referring to the possibility that the Tasmanian Govenment might choose to disaffiliate from School Sport Australia from mid 2015.
Each of the team captains spoke at today's Closing Ceremony eloquently relating their experiences from their time in Tasmania and taking the opportunity to acknowledge the work of the organisers and technical officials as well as their own team support staff and coaches.
Today's events followed yesterday's innovative but highly successful Camp Clayton Activities Afternoon when all participants enjoyed a lunch sponsored by Petuna Seafoods followed by three hours of advice and activity led by Olympic star Steve Hooker, Commonwealth Games medallists Kelsey-Lee Roberts and Brendan Cole and Australian 800 metres champion Kelly Hetherington.
The young athletes clearly relished the opportunity to rub shoulders with their heroes and even after the three hours were up, there were still more questions, requests for snaps and autographs and words of appreciation.
Despite the indoor stadium area at Camp Clayton being completely full, it would have been possible to hear a pin drop so spellbound were the participants with what the stars had to tell them.
The next edition of the Championships will be staged in Canberra in early December 2015.
[Note that a full list of results are available to view here]
The Championships were principally delivered by Athletics Tasmania through a locally based voluntary organising committee led by Phil Clayton and Lyn St John and more than 3000 hours of unpaid assistance from other technical officials, assistants and other volunteers.
The Championships were supported by Events Tasmania, the Central Coast Council, Camp Clayton and Petuna Seafoods.