The Bay Sheffield stays strong, while doubt hangs over future of Stawell Gift
The future of the Bay Sheffield is bright, but the same cannot be said for the Stawell Gift, after a rescue package offer was rejected.
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The extremely positive health of the Bay Sheffield Gift is far removed from the uncertain future hanging over the Stawell Gift in Victoria.
South Australia’s iconic footrace continues to attract strong numbers and is strengthened by the long-term backing of City of Holdfast Bay Council and SA Tourist Commission.
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SA Athletic League vice-president Dan Semmler said the league was absolutely content with its flagship event, which will be contested at Glenelg’s Colley Reserve on Saturday, and was supremely confident in the race’s future.
“Holdfast City council and the Tourist Commission have been outstanding in the their support of the Bay Sheffield and helping ensure its success,” he said.
“Stawell has a different structure to us and we definitely don’t have their issues.”
The nation’s richest sprint has been hit by massive concerns over finances and running of the meet at Easter.
Stawell went ahead this year after a $140,000 Victorian government bailout, but a long-term state government financial handout and altered management structure was rejected by Stawell Athletic Club.
The Gift is run by the athletics club, but the Victorian government has proposed a board of management comprising government representatives, the athletics club, local council, tourism board, marketing and broadcast experts.
The athletics club rejected the proposal, putting rescue packages from the government under threat, as well as the future of the race.
There has been friction between the athletics club, which is reluctant to lose control of the Gift, and Victorian Athletics League, the controlling body of professional running in that state.
However, the Bay Sheffield is managed by the SAAL, the VAL equivalent so avoids similar issues.
The Bay Sheffield carnival gets into full swing on Friday with the 70m men’s sprint highlighting the program.
Last year’s Gift champion Harrison Hunt will start from scratch, while Stawell Gift winner Mitchell Williams-Swain is his closest competitor at 1.50m.
Hunt, who claimed the Warrnambool Gift last month, will also come from scratch in the Gift heats on Saturday. Rio Olympian Alex Hartmand and Williams-Swain also have to race the full 120m.