Athletics

NHSSA ATHLETIC REGULATIONS

Meetings will be conducted under the laws of the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) in conjunction with Athletics Australia, except as hereinafter stated.

 

1.General

From 2024 there will be two NHSSA Carnivals – Division 1 (consisting of 1A/1B) and Division 2 (consisting of 2A/2B) (Reviewed annually)

There is relegation and promotion between each division each year (but not necessarily within the division – point dependent)

The NHSSA carnivals will start no earlier than 9.30.

All events are conducted in Grade groups.

There are three sets of Records:

• Divisional Records (achieved at each of the Divisional Carnivals)
• NHSSA Records (collated at the completion of the Divisional Carnivals)
• State Records (achieved at INTRASTATE Carnival)

2.Cancellations

In the event of inclement weather, a wet weather committee will meet prior to 7:30am. The NHSSA Executive Officer will contact NHSSA delegates by 8.00am regarding cancellation. The wet weather committee will comprise of the NHSSA Executive and relevant school delegates. Refer to the NHSSA specific Inclement weather policy.

3.Entries

1. i. Entry forms will be emailed to all schools. These need to be filled out and returned by the due date.
   ii. Event Entries: For NHSSA carnivals, member schools may have entries in each individual event as follows:

	Division 1A/1B		Division 2A/2B
Track	Competitors	Races	Competitors	Races
100m	1 runner/heat 5 heats/grade b & g	40	1 runner/heat 4 heats/grade b & g	32
200m	1 runner/heat 2 heats/grade b & g	16	1 runner/heat 1 heat/grade b & g	8
400m	1 runner/heat 2 heats/grade b & g	16	1 runner/heat 1 heat/grade b & g	8
800m	2 runners/race 1 race/grade b & g	8	2 runners/race 1 race jun/sen b & g	4
1500m	4 runners/race 1 race jun/sen b & g	4	3 runners/race 1 race jun/sen b & g	4
4x100 Relay	All grades b & g	8	All grades b & g	8
		92 events		72 events
Field
SP, Dis, Jav, HJ, LJ, TJ	1 comp / event / grade b & g	48 events	1 comp / event / grade b & g	48 events
Total		140 events		112 events

iii. Late Entries: Where no name is entered for an event on a schools’ entry form, then no competitor will be allowed to compete for that school in that event unless a late entry is received 30 minutes prior to the start of the carnival. Such late entries can only be accepted if there is a lane available in that event.

4. Participation

i. Students are allowed to compete in a maximum of 5 events. The relay can be additional. In Div. 2 and 3 this rule (because of school numbers) may be relaxed to allow certain competitors to compete in more events. Common sense should prevail.

ii. Competitors may only participate in one age group, however in INTRA STATE carnivals where and only when a particular event is not available in any age group, a competitor may participate in the next higher age group where the event occurs without it precluding him/her from participating in other events of their own age group.

5. Uniform

i. Athletes must compete in their school’s prescribed sports uniform. Accepted school caps may be worn while competing but must be worn in the accepted manner i.e., Peak to the front. Failure to comply will result in either:
– Not being allowed to compete.
– Disqualification (within the time taken to complete a field event or following the completion of a track event).
ii. If a school is unable to outfit teams/individuals in accepted school uniform for Athletics, the NHSSA President/Executive Officer is to be notified prior to the event.

6. Protests

i. The resolution of disputes arising from any event will be in the hands of the referee of the day appointed by the organiser.
ii. Protests must be lodged with the NHSSA Executive Officer, in writing, by the person-in-charge of a team, within fifteen minutes of the conclusion of the event concerned. The NHSSA Executive Officer shall then refer the protest to the referee.

7. Disqualifications

Where a competitor of a school is disqualified, such disqualification will not be announced. The school shall be notified of the reason for the disqualification through the NHSSA school delegate by the NHSSA Executive Officer.

 

TRACK EVENTS
8. Division and lane allocation

i. Track events are to be by random draw for the first event followed by a rotation. There should be a separate random draw for boys’ and girls’ events and for track and field.
ii. Times from both divisions will be re-sorted to determine the final placing’s. A draw will be conducted to determine lane allocation and throwing and/or jumping order. A separate draw will be conducted for track and field events with separate draws for boy’s and girl’s events. The draw will apply to the first event in each area with an ordered rotation for subsequent events. Where, by necessity, an event is run in two races:
a. Race 1 and Race 2 will be run with the same lane rotation.
b. Times from both races will be combined and re-ranked to determine final placing’s.
c. When less than eight teams are entered in a relay, 200m and/or 400m, lane one will not be used unless carnival referee decides otherwise.
d. In 800m events, competitors will run the first 100m in lanes where possible.

9. Starting

The athletics carnival is to be a 2-start carnival. The designated person breaking on the second start will be disqualified. If the race is stopped a third start will take place.

10. Blocks

Starting blocks must be used in all events up to and including 400m and 4 x 100m relays, when spikes are worn. If spikes are not worn starting blocks do not have to be used.

 

FIELD EVENTS

11. Starting and Finishing Times

i. A field event will start at the listed starting time or as soon after when the event site becomes available.
ii. There shall be three attempts in the throws and long / triple jumps.
iii. Where a competitor records three fouls they shall be placed last. If more than one competitor is placed last the points shall be shared.
iv. For the throws and long / triple jumps, the order within a round may be altered to accommodate competitors. Flexibility will be given to athletes competing in another event to ensure they have all 3 attempts between the commencement and conclusion of the event. E.g., an athlete may have multiple throws/jumps in one round before they depart or after they return from competing in another event.
v. The event will be declared to be finished when the last of those present for Round 3 has had his/her throw / jump. In the case of high jump, when the last of those present is eliminated or does not wish to attempt the next height. An athlete returning after that time will not be allowed any further attempts.
vi. In individual events under 400m and 4x100m relays if a timing malfunction or other circumstance prevents heats being compared, the effected heat wil be rerun within 30 minutes of the event being completed.

12. Marshalling

i. A competitor should report to the field event at the advertised starting time or prior to the actual commencement of the event. He/she may then go / return to another event. Another person may report in on behalf of a competitor.
ii. A competitor, who fails to report to an official before the actual commencement of the event or arrives late, may compete in that event at the round/height occurring at the time of their arrival. The competitor will not be permitted to have any catch up turns for any rounds missed.
iii. If leaving part way through a field event, the competitor must return to the field event immediately after competing in the track event to complete their remaining rounds.

13. High Jump

i. In High Jump events, a competitor who is unable to clear the starting height shall be placed last. If a competitor elects to pass the starting height and subsequently fails to register a successful jump, no points shall be allocated. If two competitors fail to clear the starting height, then the points for the last two positions shall be added together and shared between the two competitors. This format shall be followed should more than two competitors fail at the starting height.
ii. The raising of the bar to a new height shall not be delayed in order to accommodate an absent athlete. (International Rules relating to passing a height or forgoing a second or third attempt at a particular height, in order to attempt a next height, apply).

14. Spikes

Spike length must not exceed 7mm for track and long jump, and 12mm in the heel for high jump and javelin throw.

15. Coaches

The onus is placed on individual schools to ensure that coaches and affiliated coaches stay off the arena. Each school is required to inform their athletes in writing, prior to a carnival, so that the intent of this clause is clearly communicated. If a coach will not leave the arena the student should approach the official at the event. The event should not continue until the coach has left the arena.

16. Officials

NHSSA grants permission for schools to submit COMPETENT parents, relatives, friends etc for their particular duty or duties. ONLY adults for field events please. Schools must provide officials as there are no other options. If possible if your official(s) can have some knowledge on how to run their event prior to the carnival that would be great and save us time on the day. Please ensure your officials have their WWVP registration.

17. Athletics Specifications

In line with AA rules for all weights & heights (please note these have changed form previous years in order to align with AA rules)

Event	Shot Put	Discus Throw	Javelin Throw
G7 Girls	3kg	1kg	400gm
G8 Girls	3kg	1kg	500gm
G9 Girls	3kg	1kg	500gm
G10 Girls	3kg	1kg	500gm
G7 Boys	3kg	1kg	600gm
G8 Boys	4kg	1kg	700gm
G9 Boys	4kg	1kg	700gm
G10 Boys	5kg	1.5kg	700gm

For triple jump the following take-off boards will be used:

Event	Boards
G7 Girls	7/9m
G8 Girls	7/9m
G9 Girls	7/9m
G10 Girls	7/9m
G7 Boys	7/9m
G8 Boys	7/9/11m
G9 Boys	9/11m
G10 Boys	9/11m

For high jump the following starting heights will apply:

Event	Start Height
G7 Girls	1.20m
G8 Girls	1.20m
G9 Girls	1.25m
G10 Girls	1.25m
G7 Boys	1.25m
G8 Boys	1.30m
G9 Boys	1.35m
G10 Boys	1.40m

Increments in the high jump will be 5cm rises until a maximum of three (3) remain, then by 3cm. Alterations may be made at the discretion of the appointed Chief Judge.

Jump-offs will not be held where there is an equal first place after the application of the relevant count-back rules.

18. Points Allocation

This section under review.

19. Awards
NHSSA

i. Place ribbons are awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd placegetters in all events. These will be presented as the event is completed.

ii. Outstanding Performance Certificates are presented to Record Breakers. These will be sent to schools as soon as practicable after the carnival.
iii. Shields are awarded in each Division for Junior, Senior, and Aggregate Results (Three shields). These will be presented at the completion of each carnival.
Junior (Grades 7/8 Boys and Girls Combined)
Senior (Grades 9/10 Boys and Girls Combined)
Aggregate (Grades 7 – 10 All Combined)

20. Announcement of Results

i. Record breakers will be announced first, followed by shield results.
iii. Reading of shield results: schools placed fourth and below will have their place only announced, schools placed 3rd, 2nd and 1st will be announced in that order with their points.
iv. The order of trophy presentation will be rotated annually to avoid any one group of trophies gaining pre-eminence.
v. The Executive Officer will send detailed results to School delegates as soon as possible after the carnivals.

21. Programs

If programs are to be used these will be produced and costs incurred by NHSSA.

Para Athletics Rules and Regulations

1. Track Events: 100m Sprint

i. Athletics Tasmania Technical Manager will classify Athletes (based on information received from schools’ delegates) prior to scoring the events.
ii. Entries: 2 per school/per age group for males and females.
iii. If there are less than two competitors the para athlete will either compete in the same lane of the able bodied event in their respective age group, or para age groups will be combined and run in the same heat. This will be decided based on the number of competitors on the day.
iv. Para Athletes are eligible to compete in both able bodied events and multi-class events.

2. Field Events

i. Schools can enter a Para Athlete in any of the field events across all age groups. Hence there may be 3 competitors entered from each school. In such circumstances the top two placed athletes from each school in each event will count towards points.

3. Scoring for Track Events

i. The scoring system is scaled according to the number of competitors entered in each event. If there are only 5 athletes then points awarded would be 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 system / 10 athletes 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 etc. etc.
ii. Competitors are eligible to score point towards their respective pennant and points towards their respective shield.
iii. If age groups are combined as per rule 1.3 (above), places are still to be awarded for separate age groups and points allocated as per 3.1 (above).
iv. If one of the entered competitors do not participate on the day, the absent entry would get 0 and the remaining points would be awarded as described above.