More changes anon

The Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) has revealed two likely adjustments to the 2027 GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships, in the Class Three boys’ and Class Four girls’ competitions.

ISSA’s President Keith Wellington verified the proposals in an interview with the RJRGLEANER Communications Group, saying first-year Class Three boys, the under-13s, will likely now be allowed to compete in two individual events, plus one relay; and Class Four girls will be allowed to run as much as 400m metres, two times the once-allowable limit.

The RJRGLEANER Commu-nications Group recently broke news about changes that were being contemplated for Champs 2027.

Asked to comment on further developments, Wellington shared changes already relayed to principals.

“As things stand now, there are a couple changes that are likely…,” he admitted, noting ISSA’s intent to also inform high school track and field coaches.

”We have already shared a couple with the principals, and we expect within the next two to three weeks that the coaches will be brought up to speed with those changes.”

First-year Class Three alterations

Commenting specifically on the alterations, Wellington said: “I think I can share the fact that one of the things we want to make is an adjustment to the rule regarding first-year Class Three athletes, those are athletes under 13 … that’s boys. They are currently only allowed to participate in one individual event.

“We are going to remove that restriction and allow them to compete, as per all Class Three athletes, which is two individual events and a relay.”

ISSA’s rule to allow first-year Class Three athletes – effectively Class Four -- participation in one individual event was first triggered by an incident involving former outstanding Kingston College sprinter Jhevaughn Matherson, who fell in one of his scheduled events during his initiation at Champs.

For that reason, the phrase among track and field aficionados, “Matherson Rule”, was coined.

Wellington says the new allowance is “especially significant for the middle-distance athletes because now you have a middle-distance athlete, he’ll be able to do the 8-15 (800m-1500m) double.

“Previously at under 13, he would not be able to do both. So we are making that adjustment. I think that is one of the adjustments that I can speak to now and that the coaches would be happy for.”

Girls’ side

On the girls’ side, Wellington noted the adjustment.

“The other one that I think can be shared now is the fact that the athletes, it has been proposed and is likely to be accepted, [is] that the Class Four girls will be able to do the 400 metres.

“Now, they don’t go beyond the 200 metres,” said Wellington.

He explained that these changes followed consultation with coaches and members from its technical panel.

“These changes are being, or have been made after consideration of recommendations made by the coaches, and our technical committee,” the ISSA president informed.

Calabar’s Robinson welcomes adjustments

Meanwhile, Julian Robinson, head coach of Calabar High School’s track and field athletics programme, welcomed the adjustments, saying they would add interest to Champs and redound to the benefit of the sports’ development nationally.

“I think the introduction of the first-year Class Three boys doing two (individual) events and a relay, I think it will make the championships more interesting,” he said.

Robinson, who is also a member of Jamaica’s track and field coaching panel, cautioned, however, that care should be given to the athletes’ workload for the purpose of safety.

“As with all athletes, coaches will have to make sure they’re not overworked and just be careful in their development,” he said.

“But for the championships, it’s a good thing; and I also believe it’s a good thing for the youngsters, give them more motivation to train, and ultimately, I think it benefits Jamaican track and field.”