Local track and field head Ephraim Serrette is hoping the changing of the age groupings at the Carifta Games will result in an improved performance at next year’s junior event set for Martinique.
The local contingent won 20 medals (eight gold, two silver and ten bronze) at last weekend’s Games in Nassau Bahamas, the lowest in some ten years.
At the Carifta congress during the Games, a decision was made to change the age categories to Under-18 and Under-20 in keeping to IAAF age groupings.
“That may make a little difference especially for the field athletes who would have been moving from the Under-17 to Under-20 and would have the change in weight in the shot put, discus and javelin and even the hurdles with the heights.
“I think when the change is made, we may see a little difference in the performance of our athletes. Even athletes who move from the Under-15 to Under-17 take at least a year (to adjust) to the new age group, unless you have an exceptional performer.”
The NAAA president said with the new rules organisers will have to adjust their competition programmes.
“The first thing I would want to do is to meet with promoters to discuss the change. It may not happen this year. Our junior championships already reflect the new age groups. If we can sit and come together quickly with the national programme we may be able to keep some of the core athletes and see if we could source competitions in the region for them.”
Serrette pointed out the 20 medal maul was good given that the size of the team was reduced to 44.
“When we look at the spread of the medals across the various categories of events: five medals in the sprints (three in the relays and two individual), four in the throws, four hurdles medals, four in the middle and long distance and three in the jumps to give up a total of 20. There was an even spread.”
The former national sprinter added that more needs to done in the track events to get better performances.
“We need to do more work nationally especially in the track area. We are seeing the benefits of the field and jumps programme. I think we need to convince more coaches to bring more of the track athletes into a national track programme.”
“We have quite a few level five coaches and chief coaches who we can get to sit down and work out a national programme for our national athletes.”