Christmas Special
Wednesday, 21st December will be the final Athletics Wollongong Meet of 2022 - but we're going out with a BANG!
AW's Christmas Special will feature a free BBQ for our members and their families, a chocolate 4x400m relay, a catch-up of the throws events we missed earlier this season while the infield was closed AND The Athletics Wollongong Gift.
Sponsored by Trueflow Plumbing, The Gift is a handicapped 100m race.
With slower runners getting a headstart, any Athletics Wollongong member can win from the prize pool: 1st - $100, 2nd - $30, 3rd - $20.
To enter The Gift, there will be a sign-up sheet on the noticeboard on the night. Tick the box beside your name by the time that pre-meet announcements have finished (approx 5:35pm). A field event will then begin the evening, with heats of The Gift to commence thereafter.
How many participants progress from the heats through to the final depends on the number of entrants and will be announced before racing begins.
A final note: keep in mind that it's still all just a bit of fun. Handicaps are determined via recorded times, but we don't note wind conditions, whether people were feeling good that day, etc. Consequently, they're just an estimate and the handicaps cannot be exact.
BIG January
Athletics Wollongong's Wednesday Meets will resume for 2023 on January 11th - but there are plenty more events held further afield next month:
- Illawarra Track Challenge - this will be the largest all-age athletic event held locally this season. Incorporating the NSW 60m and Mile Championships, there will also be supporting events - similar to a Treloar Shield meet. January 14th @ Beaton Park
- Combined Event Championships - at our club meets we encourage members to participate in all programmed events, so we have a history of strong representation at these Championships. 'Combined events' include pentathlons, heptathlons and decathlons, where participants amass points across a series of events. As per last season, ANSW has joined with Athletics ACT to put on this event. January 14th and 15th @ AIS in Canberra.
- NSW Country Championships - the best event on the calendar! Members of clubs based outside the Sydney metro area are eligible to contest the Country Champs. It's the largest event held for all ages and that makes for a great vibe, with the whole family able to compete together. Entries are open and - as they say they close on January 6th - there's a chance you might miss the window over the silly season; do it now! January 20th - 22nd @ Dubbo.
- U20 and Open ACT Championships - this event has proven popular over the years, with athletes from NSW also able to participate. This event is for those turning 16 or over in 2023 - unless they seek special permission to enter. (Note however, that there is a Junior edition being held the following month). January 27th - 29th @ AIS in Canberra.
Australian All Schools
National All Schools returned after a COVID-enforced lay-off and there were some great results from our junior members:
- Delta Amidzovski (U17) - 1st Long Jump and 1st 100m Hurdles (Meet Record and U18 NSW Record)
- Holly Rea (U16) - 1st 100m, 3rd 200m and 3rd 4x100m
- Chelsy Wayne (U16) - 1st Discus and 3rd Shot Put
- Naomi Gibson (U17) - 2nd Pole Vault
- Zoe Daniels (U18) - 3rd Discus
For a regional club to have such a strong group of performers is quite remarkable. No doubt they are inspiring each other, just as they do the rest of their clubmates.
School Sport Australia Championships
This is the All Schools equivalent for primary school students. AW's Harry Keats captained the NSW team and won two silvers in the 12 Boys' 800m and 1500m events. Michael Melfi won a silver in the 11 Boys' 100m and a bronze in the 200m. Also doing well as part of the squad were Sophie Howarth and Savannah Wiki.
NSW Relay Championships
AW had our largest representation at this event for many years. This was largely by virtue of our Masters, taking to the track (and field) in great numbers. Thanks to them, Athletics Wollongong finished in 7th spot on the medal tally; the highest-ranking Country club.
While medals abounded, perhaps the most impressive feat was achieved by the 200+ 4 x Javelin team, comprising Rodney Tebbutt, Anthony Howlett, Phil Frkovic and Peter Kidd. They smashed the meet record by 26 metres!
Splash Wollongong
A big thank you to those members who voluntered at Splash Wollongong. The club commits to providing course marshals and check-in staff at this event each year. In thanks, the event organiser - former club member Rob Battocchio - gives the club a donation. It was a bit of a struggle to get the required numbers, but we just managed it in the end.
From all reports, our volunteers were very much appreciated, really adding to the event with their good humour, enthusiasm and support for participants. Great club representation from those there!
Australia Day Aquathon
The final club fundraiser for the season is the Australia Day Aquathon, where we're once again asked to help out at athlete check-in. Anyone who would like to assist early on January 26th at Wollongong Harbour are welcome to submit their interest now to athleticswollongong@gmail.com.
This will be the last opportunity for those hoping to qualify for financial assistance from the club to attend the National Junior and Open Championships in Brisbane. There are only limited positions available, so be sure to be in contact soon, if those events are an aim of yours.
Club Captain
Our regular anniversary celebrations were impacted by the track closure for line re-marking, but our announcement of this season's Club Captain was able to go ahead. Peter Kidd was acclaimed as a great choice, with his ironman-like attendance of club meets, his ready help at fundraisers and on the Committee, along with the great attitude and competitive spirit he brings week on week. Congratulations, Pete!
Tennis Club
Consider joining Wollongong Tennis Club in the New Year! They are sponsoring our club this season and AW will earn a percentage of the money spent at the bar and bistro by our affiliates! (Ensure to note us down on your membership form).
Tennis Club memberships start from as little as $10 for 1 year and $5 for age pensioners. To join up, lodge your membership form (either available at the venue or online here: https://bit.ly/3RMXaMK) the next time that you attend. Your member card will be available to collect within a couple of days, but you can enjoy the savings immediately. If you're an existing Tennis club member, ask them to affiliate your membership with us.
*NB - we don't receive any rebates during December or January.
Officials Courses
One area that Athletics Wollongong could improve upon, is the number of accredited officials associated with the club. With people knowing the correct way to officiate an event, it means that our participants will have a better experience - and that there'll be no surprises if they were to compete elsewhere under stricter eyes. While we very much do NOT want to change the relaxed and social feel of our club meets, more educated and experienced helpers there can only be a good thing.
The good news is that gaining accreditation these days comes at no cost, and can be done in your own home in your own time. For more information on the Scheme, or to begin your online learning, see: https://www.athletics.com.au/officials/australian-athletics-officials-education-scheme-/.
rebel Sport
You can help the club whenever you make a purchase at rebel Sport. Just drop our name at the checkout and the club could receive 2% of your purchase price to buy prizes or equipment for our members. Note that we don't receive a record of what those purchases are, nor who has done the purchasing: no shaming of shopaholics!
Ho ho ho!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Coming Dates
Contact Details
Email davidrosswollongong@hotmail.com with athletics news to include in our regular Illawarra Mercury column. Send other enquiries to athleticswollongong@gmail.com.
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