Athletics Australia – News – #AJAC13: Farewell Perth after fantastic week

The Australian Junior Athletics Championships have drawn to a close in Perth (WA) today, with Queensland (1:32.74) and Victoria (1:40.16) taking home the last two gold medals in the boy’s and girl’s under 16 4x200m relay.

Concluding what has been a six-day competition at the Western Australia Athletics Stadium, the Australian Junior Athletics Championships in 2013 have attracted 1667 athletes, the most ever, 104 officials from across Australia and New Zealand and personal coaches numbering almost 1000.

“It is fair to say there was a little bit of concern about retention of athletes when we made the decision to bring the event to Perth. It seems, however, that our risk has paid off with more athletes than ever attending to compete and mail from member associations suggesting that more athletes travelled with family than they have seen at previous instalments of the championship,” Andrew Matthews, Athletics Australia Competitions Manager, said.

“This is exciting news for the economic impact of the event onto an Australian city, and we are very grateful to the Western Australian Government for assisting us in delivering what has been a fantastic week of competition.

“Equally important to the delivery of the championship this week was the very capable team at Athletics Western Australia and of course the very hard working officials. Many don’t know that Athletics Australia’s officials are for the most part self-funded and their continued dedication to the sport is what ensures that athletes competing here can become Australia’s stars of tomorrow. We thank them very much.”

The last three days of competition featured events for athletes aged under 14, under 15 and under 16, with James Gallaugher (WA), Kristie Edwards (NSW) and Ned Weatherly (WA) providing three of the highlights.

A YouTube sensation after his stunning come from behind win in the boy’s 4x100m relay at the New South Wales Primary School Championships, Gallaugher, who has now moved to Western Australia, was convincingly triumphant in the boy’s under 14 100m and 200m.

Gallaugher clocked 11.50 (w: -0.1) to win the 100m for his age group at the Go for 2&5 Perth Track Classic, before returning to the track on day six to clock a meet record of 22.88 (w: +1.8) to add a second gold medal in the 200m.

Edwards is coached by Australian 100m and 200m record holder Melinda Gainsford-Taylor with the assistance of National Youth Event Coach Jackie Byrnes. Lining up in the girl’s under 14 100m and 200m, Edwards delivered two gold medals for New South Wales when she crossed first in 25.53 (w: +1.6) and 12.73 (w: 0.0) respectively.

Weatherly became the new Australian record holder in the boy’s under 16 hammer throw. His best mark of 73.89m eclipses the previous national record of 72.85m, as well as the meet record of 64.58m.

Weatherly’s national record sits alongside the meet records of Clara Smith (Qld), who clocked 13:55.59 become the new meet record holder in the girl’s under 16 3000m walk, and Grace Robinson (NSW), who heaved 15.35m to win the girl’s under 16 shot put.

The Australian Junior Athletics Championships have doubled as the Selection Trial for the IAAF World Youth Championships, with 14 athletes earning automatic selection after winning their respective under 18 events.

Sam Baird (Vic) was the last athlete to join the list after he clocked 47.29 in the men’s 400m at the Go for 2&5 Perth Track Classic last night. Athletics Australia’s Selectors will name him, together with other discretionarily selected athletes, on the team for Donetsk (UKR) in the coming days.

For more information on the Australian Junior Athletics Championships, please CLICK HERE.

The National Athletics Series now moves to Brisbane (Qld) for the Queensland Track Classic on Saturday 23 March, before the Qantas Melbourne World Challenge and 91st Australian Athletics Championships & Selection Trial next month.

For more information on the National Athletics Series, including the Qantas Australian Athletics Tour, please CLICK HERE.

Athletics Australia – News