2025/26 Registrations are now open

Memberships for Season 2025/26 are now available! 

To join up, simply go to the Registration page on the club website (www.athleticswollongong.org.au).

Note that if you hold a 2024/25 membership, it will only remain valid until August 31st - it will no longer last for 365 days from the date of purchase, as was the case for returning members last season.  If you wish to continue participating in track and field from September - either with Athletics Wollongong or in any other NSW Athletics-affiliated club/competition - then you'll need to sign up for the new season.

There are a couple of small changes for 2025/26:

• The junior groups are a little less confusingly-named.  While the calculation remains unchanged (being based on the age you turn in the latter half of the season), there's no longer the duplication of the NSW and National names in the age group title.  For example, if you're turning 13 in 2026, then you will be in the 13's for the duration of the season; previously the group would have been called "13's (U14)".
• There are also new registration options for prospective members in 9's to 12's.  Last season, athletes in these age groups who wished to enter Country, for example, could only do so via membership of a Little Athletics Centre.  This time around they'll be able to do so while representing AW.  While Country Championships will definitely be an option to enter, we are awaiting confirmation of which other events will be eligible (e.g. Treloar Shield, High Velocity, etc.).  What is certain though, is that it will NOT include Zone, Region and State Championships, so consider if this membership type suits your needs. 

Save money!

Members will be glad to hear that here has been no price increases to Athletics Wollongong memberships this season.  

Did you know about these other means to save money this coming season?

• Active and Creative Kids Vouchers - School students may use $50/$100 of Active and Creative Kids Vouchers to help pay registration fees. Obtain your Active Kids Voucher number before signing up and then enter it during the registration process.  
• Family Discount - Three or more in your family to register with Athletics Wollongong?  You will get $10 off the price of each membership.  See the Registration page for futher details before you sign up.
• Uni Student Discount - Never joined AW before and are attending the University of Wollongong?  Contact us for a code to take $40 off competitive memberships.
• Multi Club Membership - Already a member of another NSW Athletics-affiliated club or Little Athletics Centre?  You can still join in all the fun at Athletics Wollongong without needing to purchase another full-priced membership.  A Multi Club Membership with AW will only cost $40, saving up to $140.  See the Registration page for futher details before you sign up.
• Upgrading your membership - It can be a smart idea to initially join up as a Community member and only upgrade your membership to a higher level as you need to.  While your competitive aims may be loftier than AW's own meets (where a Community membership will suffice) there's always the chance of injury or other commitments getting in the way come Championships (for which you'll need a higher-level membership).  As there's no additional cost to upgrade, it's basically some free insurance.
• No uniform required - you don't need to purchase a uniform to participate at our club meets, just wear whatever's comfortable.  It's only when you represent the club at higher-level events that you need to buy a top.
• Track Entry Discount - planning on regularly attending AW's Wednesday meets?  You can buy a 25-visit track entry pass at the Leisure Centre front counter to cover our entire season and save 10%.
• Family Track Entry - two adult and two concession track entries come at a discount when purchasing a Family Track pass.
• Monthly Track Pass - attending the track at times other than our Wednesday meets?  You can purchase a monthly track pass and be ahead if you're there as little as three times per fortnight.
• Leisure Centre Membership - using the gym or taking a class in addition to running with AW each week?  You're throwing money away if you don't have a Leisure Centre Membership!  The more you use the facilities at Beaton Park - or Lakeside - the more you save.

Donate to Athletics Wollongong

With all those savings above, you might consider donating to Athletics Wollongong!

This season, all clubs have been encouraged to set up a portal on the fundraising website provided by the the Australian Sports Foundation.  If you support our mission and would like to assist us in reaching our goals, please feel free to make a donation.

AW's 2025/26 Summer Season of Weekly Wednesday Meets

As announced in the last newsletter, the key dates have been determined for AW's 2025/26 Summer Season of Weekly Wednesday meets.  As a recap: 

• September 24th - Info Night
• October 1st - Come & Try #1 (Sprints and Throws)
• October 8th - Come & Try #2 (Distance and Jumps)
• October 15th - Pointscore commences
• December 17th - Christmas Special
• January 7th - Pointscore resumes
• March 10th - End of Season Special

Those checking the calendar can see that 'pointscore' will consist of ten meets scheduled on each side of the Christmas/New Year break.  Each half of the season will consist of two rotations of a four-round program that covers all the events, along with two 'specials' to keep things interesting.  All up: twenty pointscore meets, two warm-up nights, and an info evening for newbies to come and figure it all out beforehand.  Returning members will note that it's the same format as was used last season. 

NEW!  The upcoming schedule of events at our Wednesday meets is now available on the Competition page:

• 2025/26 Summer Season Calendar
• 2025/26 Summary of events each round

It's not quite set in stone, as there will doubtless be event area closures, restrictions due to poor weather, adjustments neccesary due to attendance, etc.  While we'll try and follow the above as closely as possible, the 'official' order of the events will be posted to the Athletics Wollongong Facebook group the Sunday prior to each meet.  And, of course, everyone should be checking the copy of the program that'll be pinned to the noticeboard outside the track office on each club night.

World Universities Games

AW's Delta Amidzovski has finished her first European season, which culminated in the World Universities Games.  At that event, she contested both the 100m hurdles and the long jump, being a semi-finalist in the former and a 4th place-finisher in the latter.

Delta also contested events in Sweden, Switzerland, Italy and Germany, largely in an effort to bump up her long jump world ranking.

With the qualifying window for World Athletics Championships closing in a few short days, she is agonisingly close to making the field.  As it stands, Delta is currently ranked 37th in the world in long jump - with 36 athletes going to Tokyo.  There's still the chance of withdrawals lifting her up the ladder, so all hope is not yet lost.

In any case, it's assuredly been an unforgettable experience and a great development opportunity.  Congrats to Delta and her coach Becky.

Australian Masters Indoor Throwing Championships

The Australian Masters Indoor Throwing Championships were recently held at Argentille Equestrian Centre in the Hunter.  Two AW members attended - Adriana Van Bockel and Kristin Mercer - and they each won a swag of medals.  Adriana also claimed the Australian record in the 100lb(!) Weight Throw.  Well done!

Australian Cross Country Championships

Congrats to those AW members who were announced as members of the NSW team contesting the Australian Cross Country Championships in Ballarat, this August 23rd: Axel Comer (U16 Men 4km), Lincoln Gorrie (U11 Men 2km), and Xavier Wilson (Para U15 Men 3km).

Joining them in the Masters events will be Cristine Suffolk (55-59 Women 4km).  Best of luck, all!

Winter Distance Pointscore competition

AW's Winter Distance Running Pointscore is almost over!  The competition window only continues until the end of August.

There were four parkruns in July and our most prolific competitor was Scott Bazley, who not only completed all parkruns on offer, he also doubled up one Saturday afternoon with the ANSW Short Course Cross Country Championships.  Matching him with a clean sweep for the month was Life member Des Comer.

The AW members with the highest percentages in the seniors were Scott Bazley with 70.15%, closely followed by Rob Bongiorno with 67.35.  In the juniors the highest scores were Seattle Bazley with 66.32% followed by EJ McHenry with 64.06%.

The proposed new parkrun at Reddall Reserve by Lake Illawarra remains on hold as they finalise the course.  Plenty of other running options remain though to take you through to the track and field season.

Schools Competition

The NSW Primary Schools Carnival is on this weekend, with the All Schools Track and Field Championships (for secondary school students) just a month away.

Event entries for the latter are open now.  Note that there is a $12.50 saving per event for athletes registered with a NSW Athletics-affiliated club: even more reason to join AW!  Entries for this event close 12th September, though you can sign up until the 14th with a late fee surcharge.

Illawarra Academy of Sport Scholarship

Many athletes associated with Athletics Wollongong have passed through the Illawarra Academy of Sport.  Applications for scholarships under the Future Stars program (which track and field falls under) are open now.  

See their website for more information, including the selection criteria and the procedure to follow to throw your hat in the ring.

Committee Vacancies

We are very keen to have a chat with anyone who holds an interest in the following open positions.  Note that we don't need you to have amazing qualifications, we're just after people that want to work towards the best possible outcomes for the club and its members.  

• Secretary - you'll need to be able to attend most monthly Committee meetings, held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 7pm 'til 8:30pm or so at the Tennis Club.  The main duties are to send the agenda out beforehand and then the meeting minutes afterwards.  
• Publicity Officer - promote the club and the feats of its members; particularly to external entities.
• Development Officer - the required duty is to ensure an accurate record is kept of coach affiliations and qualifications.  Apart from that: encourage the development of coaches, officials, helpers, and so on.
• Wednesday Competition Organiser - put the equipment out on a Wednesday with the assistance of any helpers and ensure we're ready to host a safe competition.  The applicant/s will need to be a frequent Wednesday attendee who's able to get there from about 4:30pm.  Ideally, this person, or someone they're job sharing with, can also ensure that all the gear gets put away at the end of the night.

As is clear, a club without the above roles being performed will be a lesser one for it. 

Some of the tasks within the roles are nice-to-haves, but others are definite must-dos.  Without people in these roles, those already on the Committee will have to spread themselves even thinner to ensure that the must-do's happen.  

If you have some time to donate, please consider lending your club some assistance.

Hoodie Weather

It's the perfect time to treat yourself to an Athletics Wollongong hoodie from our online store.  We have sizes available from Junior 14 through to 3XL.  Buy a hoodie HERE.

Vale Jim Smart

We are saddened to share the passing of club life member Jim Smart.

Jim served as President of our club - then known as Wollongong Southern Flame - during the 1983/84 to 1985/86 seasons. His involvement grew through his son, Stephen, a standout junior middle-distance champion and record holder, who continues to contribute to the sport as an educator at Figtree High School, inspiring future generations.

One of Jim’s most significant contributions was founding the Illawarra All Schools Track & Field Championships, which ran from 1986 until 2010. The event not only introduced many young athletes to the sport but also served as a valuable fundraiser for the club.

Jim’s beloved wife, Judy, passed away in June 2023.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Smart family during this time.

Coming Dates

• 16th-17th August - NSW Primary Schools Carnival, Narellan
• 1st September - 2025/26 Season begins
• 14th September - Sydney Half, Olympic Park
• 24th September - 2025/26 Summer Season of AW's weekly Wednesday meets - Info Night
• 27th-30th September - NSW All Schools Championships, SOPAC
• 1st October - Athletics Wollongong Track & Field Meets - Come & Try - Week 1
• 8th October - Athletics Wollongong Track & Field Meets - Come & Try - Week 2
• 15th October - 2025-26 Athletics Wollongong Pointscore Week 1

And don't forget AW's Winter Distance Running Pointscore, held each Saturday morning - until the end of August - at your local parkrun.