Introduction

Currently Athletics Victoria conducts track and field competition at three metropolitan venues, Aberfeldie, Glenhuntly and Box Hill. Additional competition is also held at venues such as Williamstown, Coburg, Doncaster and Albert Park. The club competes at the Aberfeldie venue which is also known in the Athletics Victoria Summer Handbook as the "North West" venue. Whilst the format and dates change from season to season (depending upon the dates of major holidays, national and international events), around ten to twelve weeks of general competition is conducted at the Aberfeldie venue commencing in October. This is intermixed with various school, Athletics Victoria and Athletics Australia track and field and relay championships.

Competition

Competition at the venue is "graded", as in an athlete competes against other athletes of equal ability, rather than running in teams based events where there may be large disparities between competitors. For example, in a hundred metre sprint the start marshal would ask for competitors who can run 12.00 to 12.5 seconds, any athlete regardless of age who can run those times would participate in the races for those times.

Whilst the competition is graded, the Venue Scorer uses the results of all events to calculate the performance of club teams for the Senior and Junior Team competitions. At the end of the season, successful teams in each division at the Aberfeldie venue may compete in the State Finals.

The club generally has teams in all junior divisions and the following senior divisions:

Men Division 2
Mens 40
Women Division 1
Women Division 2

A large number of officials are required to conduct an athletics meeting and each participating club must supply a number of officials. Currently the club must supply 11 officials (that figure is based on competing members) for every competition at Aberfeldie and a number at Athletics Victoria Championships. The club has a number of regular officials, but all help regardless of experience is appreciated. If you are at the venue and can help please do so.

The club traditionally marks the end of the track season with the "KSB Gift" held on the St. Bernard's College ovals. Trophies are awarded for the men's 120 and 1600 metres and the ladies 120 and 800 metres. All these events are handicapped based on an athletes performances over the summer season. The gift produces some great racing and is followed by a light dinner and presentations in the new college sports facility.