Track Rule Changes Could Affect School Athletes

So, later this week in London, the Ontario track and field championships will take place for high schools - a time for athletes to strive for personal best times and distances in a variety of events. And, if there is perfect weather, there will be many great performances.

It's not the biggest high school track meet in Canada, but it does lend importance for more reasons than bragging about accomplishments in grade school. It`s another opportunity for youngsters to qualify for international events. But, despite their up-coming successes at OFSAA, many of the track achievements may not count for much at all.

This year, the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) World Junior championships are in Moncton, N.B., The best athletes in this age bracket from around the world will come to Canada. And, it makes sense that the best Canadians compete.

But, a communication mix-up could prevent that from happening. I am not pointing the finger at anyone other than to say the IAAF has made changes to rules. Athletics Canada and Athletics Ontario accept the changes. OFSAA, the school association, likely does too - but hasn`t incorporated the changes quickly enough to affect the high school finals in a few days.

In short, that means problems.

Here`s what it says on the Athletics Ontario website.

``...our members were advised that Athletics Canada and the IAAF will not accept performances in which IAAF rules are not followed, including the newly-adopted no false start rule. The OFSAA organization, has, this year, decided to apply the old start rule in which the entire field is charged with the first false start in any race. What that means, with the exception noted below, is that no track event performances from any high school meet held this year in Ontario will be recognized by Athletics Canada for any purpose.``

Some good news, and that`s what is meant by exception, is that un-named Athletics Canada and OFSAA people apparently pulled a late deal that allows for athletes in senior track events to get special treatment. Confusing? It is to some. Unfair? It is to some. I can just imagine how junior and midget-age athletes feel about this? Not even mentioning the vibes from coaches and parents.

I have also learned that all times at Ottawa meets, and there were six, have also been approved.

Athletes like Aaron Brown, from Birchmount Park, are alright. He's the speedster, and a senior, who set outdoor standards last year. He's also run 100 metres in 10.36 seconds - faster than the existing Canadian Interscholastic times set by former high schoolers Desai Williams, Carlton Chambers and Hugh Spooner. All three were Canadian Olympians.

OFSAA is not run by IAAF rules. OFSAA does provide an opportunity for students to participate. It doesn't have an obligation to provincial, national or international associations. That said, any track athlete, other than seniors, won't have their times count by the national track and field group according to Athletics Ontario President Bill Stephens. And Athletics Canada, again according to Stephens (who has coached many great athletes like Brown), will not recognize records or times - for getting on National teams - based on the OFSAA meet.

Athletics Canada and Athletics Ontario can not expect a school association to make immediate changes to meet their standards. OFSAA does look like the bad guy on this, but isn't. Dig deeper and no one really loses, as athletes - many who compete on club teams - can still meet the standards with those club meets. But time is running out. It just won't happen at the so-called big Ontario high school event.

Some athletes are faced with a decision: what's more important - compete at OFSAA or try make the Canadian team for the world championship?

Back to communication. It would be nice if people did just that more efficiently so that student athletes benefit. That would be a record in itself.

 

Comments

[Basshat]

"OFSAA does look like the bad guy on this, but isn't."
That won't stop the usual peanut gallery from taking their uninformed pot shots in the comments section.

[Mr. Dawson]

Yet another farce and OFSAA contributing to screwing opportunities for athletes.

[White]

Can someone tell me how difficult is it to get everyone on the same level of communication?

[Patrick B.]

Let me get this straight, since when did OFSSAA suddenly become the baby training grounds. If this is supposedly a provincial final with athletes going for medals and records, then they should adhere to IAAF rules. False start and you're out. Game over. No second chances. That's for the kiddies in elementary school.

[Bob J. McKellar]

Got to like those sneaky backroom deals that go on and this time OFSAA flops again allowing the senior kids in and crapping on the junior and midget athletes. Thanks, Mr. Grossman, for making this visible to everyone because otherwise it would have been buried.

[Bob J. McKellar]

Peanut gallery?
Please.
Individuals like Basshat shouldn't be talking.

[Mr. Carter]

OFSAA is usually the one ramming things down the throat of people and now others are doing it to them and there are some OFSAA people who really can not stomach things they can't control.
OFSAA has to understand that the big boys and girls at Athletics Canada and their smaller cousins at Athletics Ontario couldn't care less about them.
Lots of the track and field success in this country comes through the various track clubs.
Also, why can't everyone implement this at the same time or maybe plan this out better?

[Basshat]

Yes Bob, I know it's terribly inconvenient when someone dares to question the blather of those who blindly follow the party line on the blog. How inconvenient of me to point out the painfully obvious.

[Peter]

Big deal. Who cares about a sport that is tainted in drugs and cheating. I am sure some of these kids are not angels.

[The Watchdog]

Why were the Ottawa meets exempted?
Did the Prime Minister intervene or does someone have friends in other higher spots that gave preferential consideration to those kids and who cares about the rest of Ontario.

[Chambers]

I find it interesting that Athletics Canada flicks their fingers and expects the rest of the country to jump. How about some consideration for others and better planning on the part of everyone so that these athletes aren't tossed around like a vegetable salad. Sure gives them quite an education.

[chris starkey]

OFSAA can't win, can they?
If they change their rules at the last minute to accommodate an outside organization, they get crapped on for not going through the proper process by making changes at their annual meeting or sport advisory meetings. Example: international volleyball rules change over the summer and then OFSAA changes the rules for the fall.
If they don't change the rules to accommodate an outside organization, they get crapped on for not providing opportunities for kids to compete with the same rules they use everywhere else (eg: OFSAA did not go along with the Ontario Basketball Association to change the size and shape of the key a few years back and everyone expected the rules to change and for every gym in the province to get re-painted).
As Mr. Carter points out, most of our teenagers' athletic success at the elite level comes from the club system...those who choose that route usually make sacrifices at the high school sports level to do it. To chase their dream, they will miss school games, meets, tournaments, practices and even classes and in many cases, the club team gets the priority (when was the last time the rep coach heard "sorry I can't play in the game Thursday, Coach, I have a high school game!") This track thing is just another reason for OFSAA to ignore what is happening in the club system and do what is right for the 99% of high school athletes whose greatest athletic accomplishment will come in representing their school, not Canada.

[Dennis]

Chris Starkey is wrong. I am a club coach and make efforts to work with high school coaches. I take exception to his ignorant response and trying to stir a fire where the only flame is in his breath.

[Mr. Armstrong]

Have to laugh at Chris Starkey, the OFSAA PR puppet. No use debating with him because he'll say the opposite to everything just to kiss the butt of his OFSAA buddies. I hope OFSAA does ignore clubs and everything else so that OFSAA does become the elementary level name it is becoming more and more. Students and parents see this. There is a great deal more in school sports than OFSAA.

[Allan]

If you are a Mr. or Ms. Starkey, that is the only respect you get from me. I am a teacher and a coach.
Wake up and look around you.
OFSAA is not the magical answer for high school age students that it once was as more and more young people are throwing in the towel because of crappy rules, organizational structure and more.
The better athletes look for opportunities to progress in clubs, in clinics, in elite programs and continuing to develop in universities and colleges known for sports excellence.
OFSAA can continue being the sloppy seconds.

[Trevor]

Fairly clear to me. The IAAF sets the rules and everyone joins or is not included in the international track and field picture.
Good for Athletics Canada and Athletics Ontario.
OFSAA needs to move quicker or fall farther behind than it already is and the schools are naive to sit around and bow.

[Mike The Coach]

I thoroughly enjoy reading this blog that the Toronto Daily Star and Mr. David Grossman put together because it gives me an idea of what kind of people are involved in the various high school sports programs.
If this is any indication, and I have no reason to believe that it is not, no wonder so many people are disappointed with what is occuring and not occuring in our high schools. Sad state, very sad.
We had it good in our day. Stop the nonsense and give kids the same opportunities.

[J M]

Actually OFSAA DID have a chance to change this. The IAAF changes occurred last summer at their congress in conjunction with the World Championships in Berlin. The date all changes took effect was January 1 of this year. The Sport Advisory Committee for Track & Field is not slated to meet until 2011. Which begs the question why this meeting is not in the same year as the rules changes? The false start rule is not the only rule affected, all IAAF changes are not to be used in high school competition this year. The arguement is that the new false start rule is too severe for the new athletes coming in to OFSAA. However, would it not make sense for them to get used to the new rules? This happens in other sports such as basketball where the National High School Federation Rules that OFSAA plays by has all rule changes used every year they come in. So Chris Starkey, this was not an overnight change. Some advised the folks at OFSAA as soon as it passed at the IAAF Congress. Just sayin........

[chris starkey]

Thanks for the tip, JM.
Sport advisory committees meet every two years so I would assume that the track one last met in 2009 sometime. They could meet annually (or more often) but then the OFSAA fees would go up and people like me who pay the sports bills would complain that we are funding hotels and mileage and flights for the SAC in every sport to get together.
For the record, I have never attended an OFSAA meeting, do not know anyone in the office and as for the word "organization", it does not apply to OFSAA on a regular enough basis for my liking as communication is probably its weakest point. My posts are merely to point out that there are two sides to every story and in most of his blog pieces, David only provides one and sends out the challenge to everyone else to debate it. That is not a criticism...that is the whole point of a blog...otherwise no-one would read it.

[J M]

Actually a correction to my earlier post. The OFSAA Track & Field Sport Advisory Committee is slated to meet in the Fall of 2010. The IAAF rule changes were announced in the Fall of 2009 to take effect on January 1, 2010. The question that has to be asked is why this particular Sport Advisory Committee meets in years opposite IAAF rule change years?