Annual Report 2019 – 2020 Athletics House Phone. +61 3 8646 4500 Level 1, 31 Aughtie Drive, Fax. +61 3 8646 4544 athsvic.org.au Albert Park, Victoria, 3206 Email. [email protected] Annual Report 2019–2020 What We Offer JOIN. EXPERIENCE. BENEFIT. Join as a Member – competing athlete, official, coach, affiliate, club; as a commercial partner; a government; any stakeholder partnership. Experience our events & competitions, educational courses & seminars, athlete development, sponsor activation, and consultation services. Benefit from overall health & wellbeing, individual and team performance & results, personal & professional development, knowledge gain, social integration and community relationships, club awareness & member return, and team identity. 01 Mission Statement For athletics to be the premier recreational and competitive participation sport in Victoria Our Vision To provide leading opportunities in athletics to all Victorians From the President 2 Honour Roll 4 Office Bearers & Staff 8 From the Chief Executive Officer 10 From the General Manager – Sport Delivery and Government 12 From the General Manager – Community Engagement 18 State Performance 20 AV Team Member – Gary McBroom 23 From the Coaching Leader 24 Marketing & Communications 26 Victorian Officials 30 Athletics Victoria State Team Report: 2019-20 33 Financial Report 36 Annual Report 2019–2020 From the President allison robison It’s my pleasure to present the Presidents Report on behalf of Over the past 12 months, the Committee has been focused on the Committee of Athletics Victoria. delivering the strategy we launched in 2019. A critical area where we have invested significant effort has been the Sustainable After several months of social distancing during COVID-19, it’s Business Model pillar. This has seen us restructure our operating hard to recall a life where we were free to engage in athletics rhythm to ensure our approach to governance is focused on competition. However, as I’ve been reflecting on our 19/20 doing the right things at the right time across the competition membership season there’s no doubt it was an exciting year for year. Driven by our Governance Sub-Committee, these new the Association with incredible individual and team performances, ways of working are critical to ensuring appropriate governance the launch of AVSL and an improved financial result. Sadly, of our strategic planning, budgeting cycle and risk management right at the final moment of our year we were all impacted by a activities. In addition, the Finance Sub-Committee has done pandemic that continues to test the resilience of our members an excellent job reformatting our financial reports, providing a and resulted in the cancellation of the Athletics Australia national new level of insight into the drivers of our financial performance. championships and the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 The CEO report has also been changed to better align with the Olympics. strategy, providing clear evidence points of progress against our The year saw many outstanding events delivered by our plan. competition team. A season highlight for me was Zatopek Further to these more inwardly focused activities, the Committee in December where the setting of the Box Hill track under has needed to look at different ways to deliver a sustainable lights created an intimate environment to enjoy an event that income stream. In an environment where our financial position culminated in Stewart McSweyn winning the Zatopek:10 in a is reliant on clubs meeting membership targets, it’s been new Australian record time. The new approach for the summer disappointing to see a reduction in membership numbers of competition season, AVSL, was another high point with the over 6%. To address this, we sought new sources of revenue league format lifting participation rates and creating a great sense and were awarded contracts to deliver competition for Athletics of competitive spirit across the association. The social media Tasmania, Athletics Australia and the 2021 World Cross Country posts and celebrations at finals time were great evidence points Championships. These revenue streams were critical to that the new approach really resonated with you as our members. delivering the $10,000 profit documented in the financials within Supporting these events and the whole experience of this report. While we will continue to look for alternative ways to participation in athletics has been the unwavering passion and supplement our income stream, the role clubs play in attracting commitment of our officials and volunteers. I’d like to extend my and retaining members has never been more important to our gratitude on behalf of the Committee for the time, energy and overall sustainability as a sport. professionalism these important members of our community bring In support of our Participation pillar, the Committee has a strong to the delivery of events, enabling all our members to achieve focus on schools as a market for new members and we launched their goals. a foundational skills program targeting the youth market not currently participating in sport as a pilot for Athletics Australia. 03 One of the most exciting opportunities for our sport lies in the proposed merger between Athletics Australia and Little Athletics Australia as announced in October last year. A successful merger will see athletics transformed into one of the biggest participation sports in the country and will provide a clear pathway for athletes, coaches and officials to engage in athletics throughout their life. The first program was successfully delivered and we were Both Tamsyn and Sam brought strong capability to the Committee exploring partnering with Little Athletics Victoria on this initiative as well as a deep passion for athletics. I wish them both all the when discussions were paused due to COVID-19. Despite the drop very best for their future endeavours. These changes impacted in membership, it was very pleasing to see participation numbers our required 40% quota for female representation and I’m pleased in both XCR and track and field remained consistent from previous to announce the appointment of Kelly Ryan to the Committee. years competition. As a Committee, we are continually reviewing Kelly brings significant sports brand marketing experience from products and services to increase participation and will continue her work with AFL teams Gold Coast Suns and Western Bulldogs these activities to drive further increases in participation rates. and she is currently General Manager Operations and Customer Experience at Marvel Stadium. One of the most exciting opportunities for our sport lies in the Her appointment brings our female representation on the proposed merger between Athletics Australia and Little Athletics Committee to 42% and restores our compliance with the Sports Australia as announced in October last year. A successful merger Victoria quota. will see athletics transformed into one of the biggest participation sports in the country and will provide a clear pathway for athletes, In closing, I want to take this opportunity to thank my fellow coaches and officials to engage in athletics throughout their life. members of the Committee for their commitment to our sport I’m a passionate supporter of this agenda and had looked forward and for their support of me in my first year as President. It’s been to representing Victoria’s position at the Athletics Australia AGM a steep but very rewarding learning curve. I also want to extend in October this year. Unfortunately, the current environment has my thanks to Glenn Turnor and the Athletics Victoria team for the meant the vote will be deferred, however I’m pleased to advise work they do. The team have achieved a reputation for delivery that joint engagement forums are rolling out across the states and of athletics events within Australia that is sought after and is the there is progress taking place behind the scenes to progress the envy of other Member Associations. Finally, I want to thank all merger. our members, whether they be athletes, officials or coaches, for continuing to support the sport we all love. You are the reason we Disappointingly, we lost two much valued members of the exist and I extend my wish that you all stay safe and well during Committee this year with the resignations of Tamsyn Manou and these truly extraordinary times. Sam Culbert. Annual Report 2019–2020 Honour Roll LIFE MEMBERS 05 1896 PARKINSON, Basil J * 1974 EASTHAM, Edward D * 1997 GUILFOYLE, Stanley ML AM 1901 COHEN, Montague * 1975 EMBLING, Stewart A * 1998 CURNOW, Vern W * 1904 BARRETT, Albert O * 1976 FERRIER, Douglas G * HOCHREITER, Rudi J * 1906 TRAVIS, Herbert A * 1976 GELL, Jean I OAM JENKINS, Ronda M OAM 1909 BRIGGS, Walter E * 1977 BUROW, Amy EB WOODS, E Frank * 1912 CROLL, Robert H * 1977 DAVIS, Joyce I MBE * 1999 NOLAN, Charles R 1914 ADAMSON, Lawrence A 1979 DAVIS, Doris IL * SMITH, Raymond C * CMG MA* McDONALD, Allan W * STEVENS, Harold M OAM * 1915 SERLE, E Hamilton OBE* 1980 LEACH, William J * 2000 JENES, Paul OAM SHAPPERE, Philip * 1981 BEOVICH, Beverley L * 2001 CARMODY, Joseph * 1920 STILLWELL, J Alexander * CHUGG, Jack W * 2001 COLLINGS, Vern F 1926 SMITH, Harry D * MAHONY, Margaret L OAM SILLITOE, Neville J OAM 1928 ABBOTT, Harry A * 1982 BELL, Donald F OAM * 2002 BRADBURY, B Joy LANGFORD, George E * DYNAN, Kevin L * 2003 McLELLAN, Amy C C * 1935 WEIR, Hugh R CBE * 1983 DAVIS, Robert L * 2005 FISHER, Margaret M * 1938 RYAN, William M * TUNALEY, William S * 2007 WHITCHELL, Arthur