A new, innovative look is coming to the annual Middle Schools' track and field championships which take place at the National Sports Centre this week.

For the first time, the Island's eight Middle Schools will vie for a Boys Championship, a Girls Championship and an Overall Championship unlike in previous years when only an overall title was at stake.

In addition, outstanding athletes will be recognised in each of the three age groups with trophies being given to the top boy and girl in the Under-12, Under-13 and Over-13 categories while the top three athletes in each category will receive medals. The top school in each division (girls and boys points combined) will also be rewarded.

The boy and girl with the most points across all divisions will be crowned victor ludorum and victrix ludorum respectively.

"We hope these changes will generate interest among schools and, of course, among our young athletes. They are the future of Bermuda's track and field (programme) and we need to find ways of getting them involved in athletics from an early age.

"We want them to feel like there's something to compete for and we are sure they will be eager to take home the lovely trophies that are up for grabs this year," said chairperson of the event's organising committee, Joyann Clarke.

She explained the decision to divide the championship into Boys, Girls and Overall was to take into account the fact that Bermuda High School (BHS) is an all-girls school.

"We felt it was unfair that they would never get a chance to win a title if there was only an overall title at stake. At least now they have a chance to win the girls' section," she said.

The two-day sports spectacle will close with a medal ceremony on Thursday afternoon attended by the Ministers of Education and Sports, Paula Cox and Randy Horton respectively, both of whom will present prizes. Horton will also address the gathering.

Clarke urged the general public, particularly parents, to attend the sports and support the athletes who will compete in heats on Wednesday before the top performers advance to Thursday's finals.

"It's free and it's for a great cause so we want Bermudians to come out and cheer on the children," she noted.

Meanwhile, the Senior Secondary Schools' Sports takes place today and tomorrow at the National Sports Centre on Frog Lane, with six schools vying for supremacy in Under-15 and Over-15 divisions.