NEW SOUTH WALES PRIMARY SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION

 STATE CARNIVAL REPORT – 2009

               CARNIVAL:           Cross Country

               VENUE:                 Eastern Creek Raceway              

               DATES:                 31st July, 2009   

               EXECUTIVE REPRESENTATIVE:          

RESULTS:

8/9 Years Girls

8/9 Boys

 10 Girls

 10 Boys

 11 Girls

 11 Boys

 12/13 Girls

 12/13 Boys

GENERAL COMMENTS: 

The 2009 Combined All Schools Cross Country Championships were held at Eastern Creek Raceway on Friday 31st July.  The weather was excellent for running while the track itself was in good order considering the weather.  The finish area was damp and slippery and needed to be covered with sand before we could start.  Since this particular area is always in the shade, one solution would be to move the finish further up the hill to finish in the sunshine and therefore drier ground.  A special thank you to the Set - Up - Team who once again worked tirelessly in making sure that everything is in readiness for a successful carnival.  Because of the conditions there was more work to be done in the morning than usual, but the team once again managed to cope and be ready.  Congratulations to the Sydney North Team for their win in the Team Section of the Championships with CIS second and Polding third.

This time it was the ‘Construction Zone’ which meant that the spectators again were asked to park on the inside of the track and use the tunnel to gain access to the grandstand.  Our admission tent was erected at the entrance to the tunnel which worked well for the large crowd.  However we still have spectators in the Horsley Room and even on the track which is a concern as they try to leave the area.  Hopefully next year parking will return to its normal position.

Points for Consideration

• This year we had 28 entries in the AWD Competitions, which was an increase from the 2008 numbers
• Medal Presentations especially for the Teams’ Events still need to be streamlined for all competitors
• The Marshalling Area worked well again this year as it was completely fenced off and only admitted actual competitors
• Thank you for the BBQ breakfast which is appreciated by the workers
• A Team Manager needs to take the team to the Marshalling Area
• The Championships ran smoothly throughout the entire program thanks to all Officials and Managers who continue to work persistently for the benefit of their students
• We need to address the timing aspect of the program 
• Thanks to Pat Saville for all her administration work with the teams, programs and especially the results which are on the PSSA Website
• The ‘Finish Shute’ needs to be looked at for greater efficiency
• Look towards the use of “Electric Timing” for each event

The NSW Team will compete at the School Sport Australia Exchange on the 28th to the 31st August in Nowra hosted by New South Wales.

Finally another big thank you to the Cross Country Team of Allan Pike, Grant Newell, Scott Beattie, Neil Sherring, Brenton Higgins, Tahlin Higgins and Brett Dodd who work continuously for the good of these Championships. 

ACKNOWLDGEMENTS:

Tony Last
NSW PSSA Cross Country Convener