Changing Champs

At least one coach is raising concerns that changes being considered by the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) to make the Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships more efficient could ultimately hinder athlete development.

According to The Gleaner sources, major adjustments are being considered for next year’s GraceKennedy-sponsored Champs.

From shifting events to days that could boost spectator attendance to reducing the number of entries per event, ISSA is weighing a series of changes aimed at benefiting stakeholders ahead of next year’s staging.

While no decisions have been finalised, highly placed Gleaner sources with knowledge of the discussions indicate that deliberations are at an advanced stage, with many of the proposals having first emerged during the post-Champs evaluation earlier this year.

Chairman of the Champs Technical Committee Anthony Davis declined to comment on the developments when contacted yesterday. Organising Committee Chairman Richard Thompson also declined to comment when contacted on Saturday.

It is understood that the proposed schedule changes would align with World Athletics guidelines.

Reducing the number of entries in the sprint events, the 100m, 200m and 400m, was among the major discussion points at Sunday’s Technical Committee meeting.

One recommendation is to reduce entries from 64 to 48 in an effort to limit each event to fewer than two preliminary rounds.

Another significant proposal would see the 100m finals, for both boys and girls across all classes, moved back to Friday from Wednesday.

ISSA shifted the blue-riband event to Wednesday following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 in a bid to attract spectators earlier in the week, rather than concentrating attendance on Friday and Saturday alone.

Consideration is also being given to reducing the number of entrants in the 5000m, 3000m and 2000m steeplechase events to allow them to be contested as straight finals.

The move is understood to be aimed at eliminating unnecessary tactical heats while reducing overall mileage and fatigue for athletes, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

However, Duane Johnson, head coach of defending boys’ champions Jamaica College, said he remains unconvinced that the proposed changes would not come at a cost to athlete development.

“While I understand the necessity of some of the decisions being made by ISSA, because I do understand there is a commercialised aspect of the product Champs, and I do understand why it might be important for them to look at ways to keep the product interesting to the general public, I would guard against some of these decisions,” Johnson told The Gleaner.

“We have to remember the importance of high school sports in Jamaica. This is where we normally develop our talents, and the experience garnered at Champs is like no other in the world, and I think that gives us an advantage when we go on the international stage,” he added.

Coaches not formally briefed

Johnson also revealed that coaches have not been formally briefed on the proposed changes.

“I would not have heard of it yet, anything coming out from ISSA to us coaches being communicated that those are discussions that are taking place,” Johnson said, adding that he was “a bit concerned”.

Head coach of girls’ champions Edwin Allen High School, Michael Dyke, declined to comment pending further information.

Also under consideration is a move to align age-group classifications, which could result in class four boys being retained or introduced at regional meets.

On that proposal, Johnson struck a different tone, offering his full support.

“I’ve been one of those who have been championing for that, because the truth is that while the girls enter Champs in class four and can participate at first form, it’s very difficult for us coaches who are involved with boys’ schools,” he explained.

“Sometimes we bring these kids (boys) into high school and for first form, we have to be finding ways to keep them motivated to train, and so it is quite difficult for us to get that done. I’ve been a big proponent of that, and I support it wholeheartedly. I support the whole class four aspect of it, for sure,” Johnson added.