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Learn about all the different Athletics formats within our region to determine the best level of way for you to become involved in Athletics.
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If you are looking to compete (or even just train), you will most likely need to join a local athletics club. Visit our clubs page to find out which club is the best fit for you, and how to join them as a member.
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After joining a club, you will be able to compete in a range of training sessions, Athletics Ballarat or club events and event state and national events.
Whatever your goals, motivations and level of ability, there is certain to be an Athletics Competition for you. With competitions for Junior athletes, students, Open and Masters Athletes, you can compete with Friends, Family or Club – accross a range of competitions. Find out more below.
Primarily focusing on Track and Field, our Summer season offers a range of competitions to compete as an individual, for your club, or even your state. Catering to all abilities and ages, the summer season is great way to stay active, achieve a personal best or just enjoy the company of great people.
Get out the running shoes as each winter, Athletics Ballarat and our affiliated clubs offer options for runners of all ages and levels. Participate locally, across the state or even nationally in Cross Country, Road Running, and Winter track and Field.
From School Sport Carnivals, coaching clinics or our Summer Primary School League, there are numerous ways to become involved in Athletics through your school.
Coming soon in 2025, Athletics Ballarat will be launching a range of Social Competitions for those wanting to take it casually, without the additional commitment and cost associated with more formal competitions.
Whether you’re looking to learn the basics of Run, Jump and Throw, compete socially with friends or test yourself against high levels of competition there is a junior program suited to the needs of every child.
Ballarat is blessed with some great training squads and high quality coaches, offering a range of different events and catering to all standards. Some are club affiliated, many are not.
Whatever your question, we are sure others have asked it before. Here are answers to the 5 most common questions we get.
Depending on your level of involvement, the cost to join athletics can vary. Athletics Victoria has membership packages varying from casual base users through to full packages allowing members to enter all competitions for free.
For Athletics Victoria members, the price for a junior can range from $145 + Club fee (Base Membership) to $350 + Club fee (Max Package) with different inclusions per package. We recommended accessing the Athletics Victoria website them giving their team a call to discuss options.
For Little Athletics membership, the price is set at $160 for the year (Discounts can apply if you are registering multiple children) with additional costs for championship events throughout the year
If you are a casual recreational runner who is only wanting coverage for insurance and access to a club, you may only need a Recreational Running membership between $10-$50 for the year. Keep in mind this doesn’t give you access to any competitions, and you would need to pay extra to enter certain events.
There are several ways you can get started in athletics all connected to the centre. Athletics Ballarat has five affiliated athletics clubs that are always looking for new members to help start their athletics journey.
All clubs (excluding Little Athletics Ballarat) are affiliated members of the Athletics Victoria (AV) state organisation and members will be required to register through AV to attend certain events through the year.
Little Athletics Ballarat is affiliated with their state organisation too in Little Athletics Victoria.
More details on on clubs can be found here
We are lucky enough in Ballarat to have some of the best coaches in the state right here based out of Llanberris Reserve. If you are interested in finding a coach, please check out our ‘Find a Coach’ page for information and contact details.
Our coaches will typically coach in a group format on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday mornings*. However, some coaches may engage in 1 on 1 coaching depending on availability.
Athletics typically has two distinct seasons, the winter season (Cross Country) and summer season (Track & field).
The Winter season which stretches from April to September involved Cross Country or distance running with a club or region. The Ballarat Region competes as a region in Athletics Victoria competitions across all of Victoria. The Athletics Victoria XCR season will take you all across Victoria competed as an individual and a team for results. If statewide competition isn’t your thing, local clubs will also run their own Cross Country season here in Ballarat with local community and awards
In the summer season, which stretches from October – March, clubs engage in track & field events including AVSL in Ballarat, and Milers Meets, Specialist Groups and Championships in Melbourne. The AVSL competitions in Ballarat sees 10 rounds at Llanberris Reserve where athletes can engage in events on a Saturday afternoon.
The Athletics Victoria membership season starts in April through to March.
Athletics Ballarat manage Llanberris Reserve which is a FREE access hard surface facility in Ballarat. To enter the facility, you can park in the York St carpark and enter via the turnstile gate along York St. The turnstile is open from 6:00am-10:00pm each day and you can enter/exit through the turnstile during this time.
Along with the 400m track, Llanberris Reserve has Long Jump Pits, Shot Put Rinks, Hammer/Discus Cage, Pole Vault mat and High Jump. If you are planning on sing the High Jump or Pole Vault for practice, please send us an email so we can ensure it is available for you
Ballarat is lucky enough to have many other training venues for athletics including Lake Wendouree, Victoria Park and Lake Esmond to name a few.
If you are ready to get started on on your athletics journey, click on the button below and follow the Instructions.
Athletics Ballarat acknowledges and pays respect to all traditional custodians of the lands on which we run, jump and throw throughout Australia. We pay respect to Elders past and present.
We are committed to a positive future for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and to honour their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country and recognise the role and value their culture has provided to our sport.