DONCASTER ATHLETIC CLUB NEWSLETTER
2024 AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS EDITION
In this issue:
- Australian Open and Jr Track and Field Championships April 12-18 (Adelaide)
- Commencement of 2024/2025 Season – Registrations Open!
- Commencement of XCR Season April 27!
- AGM and Annual Awards Night May 17 – Save the Date!
Australian Open and Jr Track and Field Championships April 12-18 (Adelaide)
A number of DAC’s best young athletes qualified to participate in the Australian Championships. For the Junior athletes, this was a great learning experience as they develop their athletic resumes and decide which discipline to focus their attention. Just to make the qualifying standards was a major achievement! Congratulations to Lewis & Hamish McLennan, Zander & Talise Botha, Jameson, Shakira & Harper Harding, Chloe Baldock, Allegira Basile, Emily McKinley, Jessica Nolan, Zoe Garden and Harry Maddocks!! For a very few of the Open/U20 athletes, the carrot of Olympic selection was being dangled! Congratulations to Matthew Parrott, Matthew Friar, Anthony Jordan, Thomas Reynolds, Wes Spargo, Riley Neecowen and Hayden Lloyd!
After an outstanding season, achieving qualifying times, and a gallant 2nd in the 800m, our Champion in Abbey Caldwell was handed her ticket to Paris! Congratulations to her on this well-deserved Olympic selection, and amazing milestone in her athletic career! Abbey ran a sizzling 1:59.0 in her 800m. Earlier this season she ran 1:58.48, which currently stands as Club Record, and very difficult to break! We will all be glued to the TV when she takes to the track in Paris! Best of luck with your preparations, Abbey!
Of the junior athletes, the 3 Harding sisters, Shakira (U18), Jameson (U16) and Harper (U13-14), were on fire across sprints, hurdles and pole vault! Harper, just 11, and a newcomer to ‘Seniors’ wasted no time in etching her name into the DAC honour board. Her 80m hurdles was a Championship and Club Record! She competed in 5 events across the Championships and finished with Gold (80m hurdles), Bronze – 100m, and a 4th and 5th placing. Middle sister Jameson competed in 3 events – 2 Gold medals in her pole vault and 90m hurdles, the latter being another Club Record! In pole vault, she also braved the U20 competition, and was a gallant 5th among a much older field. Oldest sister, Shakira, achieved 2 silver medals in her 100m and 400m hurdles. Wow! Lewis McLennan (U14) had an outstanding Championships – he was just outside the medals in both hammer throw and 3000m walk, and managed a new Club Record in the walk! Others just missing podium were Chloe Baldock (U14); 4th in her 1500m, Hamish McLennan (U16); 4th in his 3000m walk, having overcome a few hiccups this season, Emily McKinley (U15); 4th in her Javelin and Jessica Nolan (U17); 5th in her Javelin. Special mention to Allegria Basile – at these Championships, she suffered a wrist injury and broken pole in her pole vault warm-up. Hopefully she can turn that disappointment around, stronger and more determined next season? Love your work, Ali!
Open and U20 athletes came across very stiff opposition! However, Matthew Parrott (U20) had a big hand in steering the Victorian 4 x 100m team to winning their Gold medal! Thomas Reynolds, in great form this season, was just outside the medals – 4th in his Open 400m. Matthew Friar ran a lightening quick 21.07 sec 200m, and in the competitive Open field, this took him into 6th place.
A number of other athletes could put these Championships down to ‘experience’. Though not near to the medals, they did DAC proud. After a spell, they’ll be ready for a solid winter, and another shot in season 24/25! Congratulations to All who competed!
Thank you to Alessia Wynne for her summary results (below)! She qualified for these Championships in Open long jump and 100m hurdles, but injury preventing her from competing.
| Athlete | Event | Age | Time | Place | Percentage | Record |
| Abbey Caldwell | 800m | Open | 01:59.0 | 2nd | ||
| Anthony Jordan | 100 PA | Open | 12.14 | 15th | 85.83% | |
| Anthony Jordan | 200 PA | Open | 25.03 | 8th | 84.57% | |
| Chloe Baldock | 800m | U14 | 02:24.1 | 16th | ||
| Chloe Baldock | 1500m | U14 | 04:41.2 | 4th | ||
| Emily McKinley | Discus Throw | U15 | 30.02m | 15th | ||
| Emily McKinley | Javelin Throw | U15 | 39.83m | 4th | ||
| Hamish McLennan | Hammer Throw | U16 | 34.16m | 12th | ||
| Hamish McLennan | 3000m Race Walk | U16 | 17:31.1 | 4th | ||
| Harper Harding | 200m | U13 | 27.16 | 5th | ||
| Harper Harding | 100m | U13 | 13.31 | 3rd | ||
| Harper Harding | 80m hurdles | U13 | 12.94 | 1st | CLUB RECORD & CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD | |
| Harper Harding | 4x100m | U13 | NT | DQ | ||
| Harper Harding | 4x200m | U14 | 01:47.8 | 4th | ||
| Harry Maddocks | 1500m | U16 | 04:16.2 | 14th | ||
| Hayden Lloyd | Triple Jump | U20 | 12.74m | 16th | ||
| Jamison Harding | Pole Vault | U20 | 3.60m | 5th | ||
| Jamison Harding | 90m Hurdles | U16 | 12.55 | 1st | CLUB RECORD | |
| Jamison Harding | Pole Vault | U16 | 3.70m | 1st | ||
| Jessica Nolan | Javelin Throw | U17 | 42.69m | 5th | ||
| Lewis McLennan | Hammer Throw | U14 | 32.56m | 5th | ||
| Lewis McLennan | 3000m Race Walk | U14 | 15:10.5 | 6th | CLUB RECORD | |
| Matthew Friar | 200m | Open | 21.07 | 6th | ||
| Matthew Parrott | 100m | U20 | 11.08 | 17th | ||
| Matthew Parrott | 4x100m | U20 | 41.06 | 1st | ||
| Riley Neecowen | 400m | U20 | 50.18 | 19th | ||
| Shakira Harding | 400m Hurdles | U18 | 01:02.4 | 2nd | ||
| Shakira Harding | 100m Hurdles | U18 | 13.82 | 2nd | CLUB RECORD | |
| Talise Botha | 80m Hurdles | U14 | 14.11 | 12th | ||
| Thomas Reynolds | 400m | Open | 46.77 | 4th | ||
| Wes Spargo | 400m Hurdles | Open | 55.48 | 16th | ||
| Zander Botha | 400m | U15 | 55.6 | 15th | ||
| Zander Botha | Long Jump | U15 | 5.50m | 9th | ||
| Zoe Garden | 100m | U14 | 13.48 | 15th |
Commencement of 2024/2025 Season – Registrations Open!
Registrations for the season commencing April 1 are now open! Please refer to (link) to complete this. If you have any questions, please direct these to Campbell McLennan (registrar@doncasterac.org.au). During exclusive club training times, only current registered members will be able to access the turnstile. (Grace period until end of April)
Alessia Wynne is poised to assist with uniforms (0473 359 747 or uniforms@doncasterac.org.au). Please contact her well before winter events (not on the day)!
Commencement of XCR Season April 27!
The XCR season is already upon us! We kick off with Round 1 at Jells Park in Mt Waverly with one of the favourite events – cross country relays! Most Juniors run 1 lap of 3km, and Open/Masters athletes complete 2 laps. The next round is on May 11 at Hanging Rock. Please direct any enquiries about the XCR season to Matt Christy (winter.coordinator@doncasterac.org.au).
AGM and Annual Awards Night May 17 – Save the Date!
This important night is scheduled for May 17 from 7pm in the cricket pavilion (Corner George and Victoria Streets). It will comprise the AGM, drinks and pizza, and presentation of annual awards for excellence across many areas of competition and Club life. Look forward to seeing you there!
Thanks to Kath Gawthorn for writing the newsletter.