By Jamie Strudley
On Saturday 17 November, 33 Little Athletes from Yarra Ranges Athletics competed against the other clubs from the Eastern Metro Region at the Doncaster Athletics Track.
In an action-packed morning of competition, many of the club’s younger athletes were competing in relays for the first time.
This didn’t stop them qualifying for finals and vying for top positions in many races.
The afternoon saw the older athletes from the under-12 to under-14 groups competing, every runner raced hard to support their team mates.
Racing was in a range of formats, with 4x100m, 4x200m, the exciting medley events were a favourite.
The mixed gender races allowed more of the Yarra Ranges athletes to compete.
The club came away with one silver medal in the under-10 girls medley team, and three bronze medals in the under-9 girls 4x100m, under-9 mixed gender 4x200m and the under-10 mixed gender 4x100m.
Many teams qualified for finals and some very close fourth places for our teams after some fantastic running by all of our under-8 to under-14 year old age groups.
Teams now eagerly await the announcement of teams that have qualified to compete at the State Relay Championships to be held in December.
Brilliant conditions for athletics greeted athletes and officials from all across Victoria when they arrived at Morrison Reserve on Saturday afternoon for Round 6 of the Athletics Victoria Shield competition.
More than 500 athletes of all ages and abilities competed in graded events, and filled the track to race, jump and throw in a range of disciplines.
The highlight of the day was the first ever pole vault competition to be held at the Yarra Ranges Athletics venue.
Several years of fund-raising and equipment improvements allowed for this fantastic achievement.
With past Commonwealth Games athlete Joel Pocklington in the field, a high-quality venue record has been established in both the men’s (4.90m) and women’s (3.55m) event.
He was joined by other Commonwealth Games representatives including long jump silver medallist Brooke Stratton and heptathlete Celeste Mucci.
The Yarra Ranges Athletics club members supported their home round with high numbers of athletes and helpers to make the afternoon an all-round success.
Congratulations and welcome went to Amy Pearce who took the opportunity to run with the club’s seniors for the first time, and was full of smiles during and after.
With strong performances across all grades, the Yarra Ranges teams have maintained their season top of the ladder positions in the open men’s and women’s Division 2, and the under-18 men.
The under-18 women are holding in third, and under-14 women in finals qualifying second.
The weekly Little Athletics competition was held on Friday night.
Twilight athletics offers the opportunity for mums and dads to join in.
Not too many were keen this time to test themselves against their children…maybe next time.
Next week the club will be back to regular Saturday morning athletics while the seniors compete in the Athletics Victoria Track Relays at Box Hill.
It’s not too late to get involved in the Little Athletics or the senior competition with Athsvic.
Any interested athletes can contact the club via join@yarrarangesathletics.org.au.
