Region 3 Little Athletics Championships won't be hampered by restrictions, says organiser

"We should be fine coming up on the event's start in early February," Cox said.

While the event won't be without changes, due to COVID-19 restrictions that are still in place, Cox and the Little Athletics NSW are still confident of a good test for the region's young athletes.

This year, when the event starts on Friday, February 5 a smaller schedule sheet will greet competitors, with fewer age groups competing across the weekend.

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"Right now, we're looking at about 280 kids registered in total, that's from all the 30 or so clubs across the region; all the way from the Blue Mountains, through to Cobar and Walgett," Cox said.

While 280 is a much lower number of entrants compared to last year's 770-odd, there's a very good reason for the drop; almost half of the age groups won't compete through qualifiers this year, instead heading straight through to the state titles.

"Basically, what we're doing this year, with the 280 kids we've got registered is we'll have the 9 - 12 age group competing in Dubbo, because of COVID, the 13 - 17 ages will have a direct entry to the state carnival," Cox said.

"When you consider that, it's a really good roll up, it'll probably bring in about a thousand people to Dubbo across the weekend."

"Hopefully next year we'll be back to where we were last year, but for now the older age groups will go straight through."

Cox said the organisers were still 'very pleased' with how things had come together, adding that the less packed schedule will allow for some of the dangers of heat and sun exposure to be more easily avoided.

"It's been put together this way because of the COVID restrictions, which obviously limits our numbers, but we're very pleased with how it's come together," Cox said.

"Basically we'll be able to start at 8am and finish at about 1 - 2pm each day, so we'll be avoiding some of the heat and it should be a very pleasant weekend."

Cox added that he doesn't anticipate any drop in the talent level of competitors.

"We've always had some really talented kids out here, there's a young lady from Nyngan who's a state champion now and there's several others that have set state records at the Dubbo carnival," Cox said.

At last year's event, three state records were even shattered, with competitors in the qualifying stage setting an early level of excellence before embarking on a run at the state titles.

While intense heat conditions limited the ability of track and field athletes to perform, throwing events toppled targets across the board, with a number of competitors setting a new standard.

While heat will likely again be a concern, the Barden Park grounds are in tip-top shape following the early completion of renovations.

"Council have done a really, really good job," Cox said.

"We'll do a final inspection on Friday just to double check everything, but it's all looking really good."

The event will begin on Friday, February 5.