Warrnambool Gift News

A MESSAGE FROM THE WARRNAMBOOL GIFT COMMITTEE:

Warrnambool Gift Saturday 4th December 2021

The Warrnambool Gift Committee are excited to announce their event will be held on Saturday 4th December 2021 at Friendly Societies Park in South Warrnambool.

After a year of uncertainty the committee are humbled and buoyed by the support and generosity of their sponsors. This has allowed us to either retain or increase prizemoney for the coming event.

It is fantastic to see additional businesses complement our much appreciated event stalwarts. Current VAL athletes Shane Quinn - Quintessential Equity and VAL legend Les Williams are among those.

After an increase of 88 entries on the previous year the VAL have again issued us with the two tick benefit for each event you compete in to time satisfaction. This is an enormous incentive to make the trip down the Princes Highway and is a wonderful initiative by the governing body for which we are extremely grateful.

We are including a 1600m Age Graded event to accompany the 300m aged graded event which has been going for three years. We believe for the VAL to prosper in an ever evolving climate there needs to be new initiatives. While the support for the 300m has been reasonable the lack of Open Age athletes is a concern. For those not sure the handicaps are against the world record time for your age. World Athletics decree that the scratch mark is for males 18 to 30 years of age, so as not to disadvantage women their handicaps are set against the male open records. Both of these events will be the last two races on the program. We are scheduling the Open 1600m early in the program to enable the distance athletes to compete in both.

Board member Tim Mason has been going north for the last few years to stage Indigenous Races for athletes and the winners have journeyed down for the Parkdale and Stawell Gifts.

We are supporting this project ‘ Spirit of Sprinting’ and will be conducting Male and Female 100m events for 14 years and above for Indigenous athletes.

If you know any interested athletes please contact as per below.

If you need any information re: The meeting or accommodation contact myself Richard Wearmouth: 0400 189 498 or our Secretary Gill Hayden: 0428 611 652

The Committee of the Warrnambool Gift is proud to be associated with the Victorian Leg of the

"Spirit of Sprinting"

The program is open to Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders from the ages of 14 years and older the winners both Male and Female receive:

$250 plus sash
All expenses to participate in the prestigious Beachside and Stawell Gifts

Events:
Indigenous Female 100m Championship
Indigenous Male 100m Championship

Age: 14 Years above on race day

When: The Warrnambool Gift Saturday 4 December 2021
Time: 3.00pm
Cost: Free

Venue: Friendly Societies Park, Hyland Street South Warrnambool

Registrations close Wednesday 1st December

Contact Gill Hayden
0428 611 652
gillyhayden1@gmail.com

Admin wrote:

After an increase of 88 entries on the previous year the VAL have again issued us with the two tick benefit for each event you compete in to time satisfaction. This is an enormous incentive to make the trip down the Princes Highway and is a wonderful initiative by the governing body for which we are extremely grateful.

Nice to see the two tick idea is back. I wonder if any other meets would benefit from this. Would be nice to see it at Wangaratta, I reckon it would encourage a few more athletes to make the trip.

Sweeney wrote:

Admin wrote:

After an increase of 88 entries on the previous year the VAL have again issued us with the two tick benefit for each event you compete in to time satisfaction. This is an enormous incentive to make the trip down the Princes Highway and is a wonderful initiative by the governing body for which we are extremely grateful.

Nice to see the two tick idea is back. I wonder if any other meets would benefit from this. Would be nice to see it at Wangaratta, I reckon it would encourage a few more athletes to make the trip.

No offence to you Sweeney, and all due respect to all of the other fantastic meets around the state, but if you need the carrot of double ticks to get you to a meeting with the history and status of Wang, then you possibly need to question your purpose and reason for competing in the sport of pro running.

None offence taken Downesy. Unfortunately though with Maryborough, Keilor and Rye already gone this season, athletes may want meets like Wangaratta (or others) where double ticks are applied. It has certainly helped Warrnambool with 88 extra entries last year. Wangaratta was just suggested as the last few seasons I don't think it hasn't been supported as much as it should be. And double ticks might just convince those who are on the fence. Just a thought I guess.

Double ticks at Wangaratta, well done VAL, a smart decision. It's worked well at Warrnambool the last few years and I have no doubt it will be successful again.

Sweeney wrote:Double ticks at Wangaratta, well done VAL, a smart decision. It's worked well at Warrnambool the last few years and I have no doubt it will be successful again.

Double ticks are bad for the sport and the VAL should avoid using this as a way of promoting events. If an event requires double ticks in order to draw enough athletes for it to go ahead then its place on the VAL circuit should be questioned. The VAL have several drawcard events and a large member base, good events have no problem attracting quality athletes and spectators.