LATEST NEWS
Bayside Cross Country
2021 Calendar Finalised
Great News! All permits have been received so the 2021 Bayside Cross Country Season is all systems go!
If you have questions on LAVic registration and/or Bayside XC season entry please send them through to bayside@lavic.com.au
2021 Bayside Cross Country
The calendar for the 2021 Bayside Cross Country Season is currently being finalised.
First Event will be 24th April 2021. More details to follow in coming weeks.
LA Victoria - 2020/21 Calendar Release
The Competition Calendar for Season 2020-2021 has been an evolving piece of work that contains a constantly changing set of variables. With the latest easing of COVID-19 restrictions for Regional Victoria according to the Government roadmap, Affiliated Centres who are in these areas can now commence their season. LA Vic expect the Metro Melbourne Affiliated Centres to commence as soon as the restrictions allow it.
The factors that have influenced the competition calendar this year are more complex than normal, however, some fundamentals remain. That is, how LA Vic can provide competition opportunities for the athletes, minimise clashes with other athletic organisations, provide adequate resources to deliver the programs in terms of the volunteer workforce and their capacity, balance the needs of participation at Centre level compared to Region / State opportunities, maintain an attractive athletic experience for athletes, parents, coaches, officials, administrators and committee members at all levels.
The calendar has been designed to achieve these goals, however, it must be understood, that this season it will require, Centres, parents, athletes, coaches and officials to carefully consider the most appropriate method of participation in order to look after the health and wellbeing of all concerned. The period of increased demand on everyone’s time and effort is extended over the months of January to April. All Region, State and National events are condensed into this period, along with State and National events for both Athletics Victoria (AV) and Athletics Australia (AA).
One of LA Vic’s goals is to minimise clashes, however this season that is not always possible. To ensure LA Vic are not disadvantaging athletes and teams at the Region Relay Carnivals, as this clashes with the AV State Championships, which is a qualifier for the AA Nationals, the qualifying Region Relay Carnivals for this season will only be for the U9 - U12 age groups. The athletes in the U13 - U16 age groups will be able to enter directly into the State Relay Championships. LA Vic will be conducting State Relays over two days, the Saturday will be for U9 - U12, and Sunday will be the U13 - U16 age groups. There will be no cap on numbers for the U13 - U16 age groups. Further details will be supplied on the entry process, along with the updated rules and regulations for Relays.
LA Vic understands the extra events after Christmas will impact Centres in terms of their weekly programs, however, the main changes of Relays being conducted on a Sunday in late February can allow programs such as twilights and modified competitions especially for the U6 - U8 age groups to proceed. The State Relays being the last weekend in March, could impact upon Centre Championships or Presentation Days, so Centres might consider the week after State Track & Field Championships as an alternative.
LA Vic understands the need to be flexible at this time, and if required, due to changes in the COVID-19 restrictions, they might need to amend the calendar accordingly. In this case, they will advise everyone immediately.
BLAC Annual Report
See below link to our BLAC Annual Report as tabled at our AGM on Wednesday the 24th April 2019.
Two experienced coaches join BLAC for Season 2018-19
BLAC is pleased to announce the addition of two new specialist coaches for midweek training.
John Crane—high jump
John Crane has joined our coaching team as a high jump coach. John’s coaching experience in a variety of disciplines spans more than five decades and includes senior positions within club athletics and state bodies and is currently president of the Australian Track and Field Coaches Association (Victoria and Tasmania branch).
He also has almost 50 years experience as a school teacher and is currently at Oakleigh South Primary School.
John has coached a number of national representatives in a range of athletic disciplines, and has also worked with athletes who have gone onto AFL clubs, including BLAC’s own No. 1 draft pick Andrew McGrath.
He has also been a great mentor to young coaches, something we are really hoping to tap into this season.
We are honoured and privileged to have John join our ever-increasing team and are very excited to have him on board.
John will be taking high jump training on Tuesdays from 5.30pm so make sure you get down there to take advantage of this great opportunity.
Rupert van Dongen—middle distance
Rupert has more than 20 years’ experience as an athletics coach, training at all levels from national and international competitors to Masters and Little Athletes. He has coached junior development squads and managed teams competing at national championships.
He is currently a coach at Mentone Athletics Club, as well as head athletics coach at Lauriston Girls’ School and has previously worked at a number of primary, secondary and special schools, including St Leondards, Caulfield Grammar, Sacre Coeur, Korowa, Berwick Secondary and Narre Warren South P-12 College.
As well as his extensive experience at schools, Rupert is also head coach of TXR Runners, which is an Athletics Victoria-affiliated recreational running group.
We are very fortunate to have Rupert at BLAC this season. He will be taking his first training session on Monday 8 October from 5pm until 6pm at Dendy Park.
We encourage you to get down to the track to tap into this fantastic new resource we have in our ever expanding coaching team.
We would encourage athletes competing in under 10 and above to come to Rupert’s sessions as these are the age groups that participate in middle distance events of 800 metres and longer.
Introduction to Coaching Course (ITCC) 2019/20
Take your first step into basic athletics skills coaching. All practical with no exam and no previous experience required.
BLAC sponsor our coaching volunteers so there's no personal out of pocket expense.
We are always after coaches and assistant coaching volunteers so if you'd like to contribute please contact David Saunders here.
The ITCC course locations and dates are here.