Hello Wolf Pack
We hope this message finds you well and thriving in your training and racing endeavours this season. At the heart of our club is a commitment to fairness, growth, and the spirit of healthy competition. We are excited to share with you an important update to our club championship points system, aimed at enhancing your racing experience, fostering your development as athletes and aligning with the spirit of the awards associated.
Why the Change?
Over time, we have noticed a pattern emerging in how points were being calculated in our club championships. The previous formula, while effective in many ways, had a few unintended consequences. Specifically, it tended to reward members for choosing smaller races at larger events over opting for the more popular main races.
For example, choosing to race a short aquathlon at a sprint event would normally result in accumulation of many more points than if one were to race at the same or higher effort in the sprint triathlon. This created a scenario where race selection becomes more important than performance, disadvantaging members who chose to race events closer to the edge of their capabilities. The Committee was unanimous that this situation needed to be rectified.
While we understand how great it might feel to place well, we also believe in the importance of pushing oneself and stepping out of comfort zones. Our goal is to encourage all members to strive for personal growth and to reward those who take on greater challenges.
The New Formula
The new points calculation formula retains the fundamental structure of the old system but introduces a scaling factor based on the total number of competitors in a race compared to the total number competing across all races at the event (only including races held on the same day, for multi-day events such as the Busselton Festival of Triathlon each day would be considered a separate event for calculation purposes.) This adjustment ensures that those who choose to participate in the main race are not disadvantaged by the larger, more competitive field. This should also mean that the system does a better job of determining our best athletes which, after all, is what the Club Championship is supposed to do!
To break it down further:
- The basic formula for calculating points remains unchanged.
- Points are now scaled according to the number of competitors in your race versus the total number of competitors across all races on the same day.
- This means that the level of competition and the size of the race are taken into account, making it a fairer system for everyone.
What This Means for You
We believe these changes will bring multiple benefits to our club and its members:
- Fairness: The new system levels the playing field, ensuring that all members still have an equal opportunity to earn points regardless of the race they choose.
- Encouragement of Challenge: By considering the size and competitiveness of the race, the new formula encourages members to take on greater challenges and step out of their comfort zones.
- Enhanced Growth: Facing tougher competition can lead to greater personal development and improvement as an athlete. Our aim is to support your growth and help you achieve your full potential.
From a practical perspective, the only change for you as members is that you will now need to submit your race results with a way for race and total field size to be calculated. In most instances a link to the results website will be sufficient, though with some smaller races you may need to attach the full results if they are sent to you by PDF.
A Word of Appreciation
We want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for your continued dedication to our club and for the positive spirit you bring to every race and training session. These changes are a reflection of our commitment to you and to fostering an environment where everyone can strive to be their best.
We understand that change can sometimes be challenging, but we are confident that this update will lead to a more enriching and rewarding experience for all our members. We appreciate your support and patience as we implement these adjustments.
Final Thoughts
At Perth Hills Triathlon Club, we are constantly striving to improve and evolve. Your feedback and experiences are invaluable to us, and we encourage you to share your thoughts and suggestions as we move forward with these changes.
Let’s continue to embrace the spirit of competition, personal growth, and camaraderie that makes our club so special. We’re excited to see how these new changes will positively impact our races and help us all become better athletes.
Thank you for being a part of our incredible community. We look forward to seeing you at the next race!
The Perth Hills Triathlon Club Committee