ANNU2011AL REPORT S ANNU2011AL REPORT Mission: Athletics Victoria ONTENT will promote, develop and grow athletics as a vibrant, C healthy, fun and accessible sport available to all 2 From the President Victorians. 5 Past Presidents 6 Honour Roll Vision: For athletics to be the premier 8 Office Bearers & Staff Olympic sport in the state and for Athletics Victoria to be the premier Management & Committee Reports athletics body in the nation. 10 From the Chief Executive 13 Development - Clubs 14 Development - Coaches 16 Membership Statistics 18 Officials 20 Competitions 24 Victorian Records 26 Summer Awards 29 Cross Country & Road Racing 32 XCR Awards 34 Victorian Institute of Sport Financial 36 Financial Reports From the President ANNE LORD, PRESIDENT, ATHLETICS VICTORIA The past six years as president of Athletics and exciting as we have seen the project come Victoria have been a real privilege. I have been together. With little doubt, this is the most lucky to work with a wise and professional board, significant undertaking for our organisation in dedicated staff and extremely supportive club the past few decades. administrators and officials. I remember the very first site visit at Albert Park, Past president John Higham recently said to me, discussing the possibilities and where the track ‘’we do athletics pretty well in Victoria.” and buildings would be built. I had to hide behind my sunglasses. I was crying. When Athletics in Victoria has an extremely strong then state Sports Minister James Merlino asked Thanks also, to Athletics Australia President Rob Don Blyth has provided a vital and trusted link to club competition, a vibrant Little Athletics scene, ‘What’s wrong?’ I replied, ‘it’s not Olympic Fildes for his work in securing additional funding our officials. His work as Officials Development increasingly popular Masters athletics events Park!’ for the facility. Officer has overseen the exponential growth in and a thriving schools program. Few states, Over the past six years, Athletics Victoria have officials education numbers and the ongoing let alone countries in the world, boast such Indeed Albert Park is not Olympic Park. It been fortunate to retain many of the office staff. recognition of our official’s achievements. achievements and athletic opportunities. We are can never be. But it will be as iconic and as Accounts Manager Sharon Russell continues the benchmark for other states to follow. significant as Olympic Park was in its prime. Jade Borella continues to search and find ways However, the new State Athletics Centre is what to improve the sport’s operation and “look”. to keep our financial affairs in order. Her AV In reviewing the past year, I extend my we need right now as an organization and sport. From Competitions Manager to Operations experience over the past few decades and congratulations to our two AV Shield division one It will be an international standard facility that we Manager, her commitment, attention to detail and meticulous accounting has ensured a good premiers, St Kevin’s (men) and Box Hill (women) can call our home and have a greater sense of presentation ideas have been the envy of many bottom line. and XCR’10 champions, Geelong Region (men) ownership of. sports associations. Jill Taylor as Programs Liaison Officer has been a and Glenhuntly (women). On behalf of all at Athletics Victoria, I would like Michelle James has done an outstanding job great organizer and her versatility and willingness Congratulations to our officials of the year, Peter to take this opportunity to thank Nick Honey and as Competitions Manager, in arguably the to assist across all facets of the organisation is Wetswood, Sarah Davis and Maureen Austin, former board member Brett Moore, who worked organisation’s most time consuming and stressful much appreciated. and also to Ellen Perry, who was short listed in tirelessly discussing, negotiating and securing position. Tom Nickson has taken Athletics Victoria to a new the Victorian Olympic Council’s Judy Patching our sports’ future at Albert Park. The facility, the Matt Griffin’s role as Development Officer has level. As Communications Manager he has raised Official of the Year Award. building, the social space and the conditions of provided a much needed link between the office the profile of our sport. From regular articles in I would also like to make special mention of Mr use, will ensure athletics has a secure home for and the athletes. His work with the development local papers, managing our expanding social Allan MacDonald, QC, who was awarded the the long term. squads and coaches has been terrific, and his networks on Facebook and Twitter, to athsvicTV, medal of the Order of Australia earlier this year. Nick’s demands, insistence and determination most recent initiative of the state relay squad he has placed Athletics Victoria ‘front and centre.’ His contribution to athletics (including presidency together with Brett’s quiet persistence, patience has been a resounding success, with the Finally, to our Administration Officers of whom of AV and AA) has been much appreciated and and negotiating skills, have been the key behind squad’s results at recent national championships we’ve had a few in recent years. All of which, he remains interested and extremely supportive the memorandum of understanding between indicative of Matt’s high calibre work. however, have delivered above and beyond their of our sport. the State Government, Athletics Victoria and the As Club Development Manager, Tim Crosbie expected duties. In recent years, much of the board’s time has State Sports Centre Trust. has not only supported existing clubs to grow and Elizabeth Stubbings was always there to help and been spent with our Chief Executive Officer From a technical perspective I would also like to improve their operations , he has nurtured new now Shauna Donnelly has recently assumed the Nick Honey, discussing and securing the best thank Khan Sharp and David Gynther who have clubs, helped increase membership, as well as mantle and is doing a great job. possible outcome for our sport at the new State worked tirelessly and devoted so much time and developed support structures for outer suburban As outgoing president, I sincerely thank all the Athletics Centre at Albert Park. This has been attention to detail in ensuring the facility is truly areas. In achieving all this, he now holds the staff for their dedication and team work. I 2 at times difficult and frustrating, yet rewarding world class. wish 3 record for the most clubs joined. them patience as we await the building of From the President Past Presidents Athletics Victoria’s headquarters. In the interim We have an excellent relationship between board Victorian Amateur Athletic Association period, the Athletics Victoria office will be and CEO, and this has been instrumental in temporarily housed in office space in the main delivering and implementing plans and ideas to 1891 - 1897 Hon Robert W BEST MLA * grandstand of the new facility. grow the sport. 1897 - 1897 Mr Walter T COLDHAM * I would like to thank the Board for their ongoing Special thanks to Nick whose work has made 1897 - 1901 Mr Montague COHEN * support, the breadth of experience and wise Athletics Victoria a sporting organization that has 1901 - 1905 Mr Lawrence A ADAMSON * counsel over the years. To Lisa Hasker, Russell raised the bar, and set new benchmarks others Clowes, Rod Griffin, Eric Sigmont, Ian Jones, can only hope to achieve. 1905 - 1918 Sir John MADDEN * Rohan Claffey and Simon Hollingsworth, it has Finally, thank you to all the Athletics Victoria 1918 - 1943 Sir William H IRVINE * been fantastic and I feel we have complemented members, athletes, club administrators, officials 1943 - 1957 Sir John G LATHAM * each other well. and coaches. Your support over the past six 1957 - 1970 Sir Wilfred K HUGHES * Of course behind any well run organization, years has been much appreciated and made there is a great Chief Executive Officer. My my experience as president so much more 1970 - 1976 Sir Edgar S TANNER * predecessor Max Binnington claims one of the rewarding. I know you will offer the incoming 1976 - 1978 Hon Justice Allan W McDONALD best things he did as Athletics Victoria President president that same support. We must continue 1978 - 1982 Sir Murray V McINERNEY * was to appoint Nick Honey to his current role, to work together in the interest of athletics. and he is so right. Nick came into the sport fresh. He quickly Anne Lord Victorian Women’s Amateur Athletic Association picked up on all things athletic and has been a PRESIDENT 1929 - 1935 Miss Louise C MILLS * dedicated, driven and caring CEO. 1935 - 1937 Mrs Doris M MULCAHY * Acknowledgements 1937 - 1938 Mrs Flora HYAMS * 1938 - 1945 Miss Louise C MILLS * On behalf of the Board and staff of Athletics perseverance to develop strong relationships 1945 - 1948 Miss Doris J CARTER * Victoria, we would like to make the following between our organisations, and pursuing a co- acknowledgements: ordinated approach to moving athletics forward. 1948 - 1952 Mrs Doris IL DAVIS * To our official partners, event sponsors and To Victoria’s emerging and established elite 1952 - 1961 Mrs Mabel E ROBINSON * supporters adidas, Runners World, SKINS, athletes that represented Australia at the XIX 1961 - 1962 Mrs Lena BERZINSKI * Commonwealth Games, 2010 IAAF World Melbourne Running Company, Melbourne 1962 - 1965 Mrs Aileen VE KENNEDY * Citrus Group, Parks Victoria and the State Junior Championships, 2010 Youth Olympic Government of Victoria, thank you for your Games and 2011 IAAF World Cross Country 1965 - 1976 Mrs Joyce I DAVIS invaluable contribution and commitment to our Championships; and to those selected to 1976 - 1982 Mrs Margaret L MAHONY organisation and sport over the past 12 months.