THE ANNUAL Dubbo Track Open and NSW State Under-9 to Under-13 State Championships that were due to be held in Dubbo this weekend have been postponed due to the forecasted extreme heat.
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With temperatures expected to reach the mid-40s, Cycling NSW and the Dubbo Cycle Club elected to postpone the senior carnival and junior state championships after discussions on Tuesday afternoon. The senior carnival and junior state championships has been rescheduled to Saturday and Sunday March 4 and 5, with all entries being carried over for both events, as well as the entries for the senior carnival being reopened.
In a statement released on Tuesday afternoon, Cycling NSW Chief Executive Officer Phil Ayres said the safety and wellbeing of the riders, officials and volunteers were the primary concern of the sports governing body in NSW.
The decision had to be made for everyone’s safety and in enough time to assist with the inevitable changes in plans.
- Cycling NSW CEO Phil Ayres
The decision was made in conjunction with the Bureau of Meteorology and Ayres said it was Cycling NSW and the Dubbo Cycle Club’s decision to reschedule the events to allow the large numbers of riders to make arrangements regarding their accommodation and travel. “Postponing and cancelling events is not something we take lightly,” Ayres said. “We feel with all the available information at hand, this is the most appropriate course of action for the Dubbo event.”
Dubbo Cycle Club President Matthew Gilbert said the club’s duty of care and the junior sports guidelines in regards to temperatures guided the club’s decision and though disappointed, he said the rescheduling of the events was a necessary one.
“The decision had to be made for everyone’s safety and in enough time to assist with the inevitable changes in plans.”
Gilbert said the club was fortunate to gain an alternate date with the heavy schedule of racing coming up, including the NSW Masters State Track Championships, Cycling Australia Junior Track National Championships, Coffs Harbour Open Track Carnival and Western Division Track Championships.
“The 4th and 5th of March was the best option available to the club at the time the decision was made giving regard to other clubs and their events,” Gilbert said.
“We avoided the Australian Masters Track Championships which would have inconvenienced those who bring their children to the Dubbo state titles.”
“Cycling NSW has reopened the nominations for the open carnival, so this should see the number of riders relatively maintained.”
The Dubbo Track Open and NSW Under-9 to Under-13 State Championships will now be held on Saturday and Sunday March 4 and 5 at Victoria Park No.1 Oval in Dubbo.
Canteen volunteers: We are looking for volunteers to work in the canteen at track racing on Tuesday nights as well as at the Dubbo Track Carnival March 4-5. Contact Cat Fuller at the track.
