Our club is designed for this and it is the encouragement that can make an athlete improve and meet the standard that they have set themselves along with their coaches.

Junior athletes are treated the same as seniors, and our club endeavours to ensure that our senior athletes can give a helping hand to any junior that comes into the club.

We are pleased to see that another way of support and encouragement to all our athletes has come from the sponsorship of Chickos Figtree. Our thanks go out to the management for this support.

All athletes at the Sunday competitions will not only be judged on their performance, but will be scored 3,2,1 each round over the months, for both track and field.

They will be judged on application, assistance, support to others, dress code, and general sportsmanship at the club level meet.

Total points leader will be given the Chickos Athlete of the Month. Just the club's way of saying come along to club meets on a Sunday and you are in with a chance.

We are now moving into the "business side" of the season and with state relays coming up at the end of the month, these titles will certainly see many athletes back on the track.

State relays bring together athletes from all over the state representing their clubs, and is a great way to bring your members together in a somewhat individual sport.

With age groups in under 14, under 16, under 18,under 20, open, plus Masters men and women, the relays provide events over 4x100m, 4x200m, 4x400m, 4x800m, 4x1500m, medley (for open only) and 4 x shot, discus, javelin, high and long jump.

Many athletes ask how they do the field events. Distances are totalled up to award the medals, so it does give the sprinters a chance to go in a throws team with the club's regular throwers, making up a team.

Change of scenery this year, with the Campbelltown club hosting with Athletics NSW to celebrate their anniversary, and to be held on Saturday, November 23-24, and only a short distance for our members to travel.

IBS is hoping to field a number of teams, so if you haven't submitted your relay form you have till this week to do so.

Great to see Sarah Carlie back on the track after a very successful World Championships. Speaking with Sarah, she said she looked up at the board and saw that she was only a few 100ths outside the qualifying mark for the Tokyo Olympics.

She knows she can do the time required and with luck on her side, she will be off again to represent her country. It is hoped that locals will see this talented young hurdler in action, with the addition of the 400m hurdles being negotiated to be added to our IBS Illawarra Track Challenge to be held on Saturday, January 11, 2020.

Dual Little A's athletes with IBS are encouraged to come on down on a Sunday, introduce yourself and join in with your fellow clubmates at a relaxed Sunday afternoon of competition.

It's an ideal opportunity for you to meet the senior athletes of the club and join in with them in the same competition.

If you cannot make it down to the track and are interested in State relays, just call the club on 0409 307 325 or send an email to our website www.illawarrabluestars.com