Monthly Newsletter – December 2025

Community connect

Let’s join together to celebrate our dedicated VOLUNTEERS. From setting up equipment to officiating events, recording results, coaching, supporting athletes, and simply showing up when it matters, our volunteers are the quiet force that keeps our sport moving. Their time, energy and commitment make every training session, event, and community moment possible. On International Volunteer Day, we extend our deepest thanks to everyone who gives so generously. Athletics in Ballarat simply wouldn’t thrive without you.

Post a photo on the Athletics Ballarat FaceBook page with your favourite volunteer this December #Thankyou

The Ballarat athletics community is built on support, teamwork, and a shared love of the sport. Whether you’re competing, coaching, volunteering, or cheering from the sidelines, you’re part of something bigger — a network of people who show up, help out, and celebrate each other’s efforts.

As we head into the festive season, it’s a wonderful time to appreciate the connections we’ve built and the spirit our clubs bring to the track each week. December can be busy, but it also gives us a moment to pause, reflect, and come together — celebrating not only our achievements, but the community that makes them possible.

This newsletter is here to share highlights, recognise efforts, and keep everyone connected across our local athletics family. If your club would like to share achievements or updates, please email these to [email protected]

For all things AVSL this 25-26 season, please visit our AVSL Page.

Follow the action

Volunteer highlight

My name is Marita Rieniets. I am a member of Ballarat YCW Harriers. You could say I was born into Athletics. My Parents were members of YCW, and my 3 older Brothers all ran in the junior program. I started competing at a very young age because I wanted to do what they did and to keep up with them.

I continued in our Junior program both cross country and track and field till I was old enough to start competing in Senior athletics.

I used to compete in most events; towards the end of my competing days, I was a Race Walker and thrower. I love being involved in Athletics and the friendships I have made along the way.

When I stopped competing, I still wanted to be involved in the athletics community, so I became an official and joined our club committee.

I love being an official at local, state and National level and being able to assist our Athletes in their athletics journeys. I have also been able to witness some memorable athletic performances close up over the years from grass roots, all the way up.

What do you love about athletics?

I love that there is an avenue to join athletics at any age and skill level, and with so many different events to choose from you have the opportunity to explore what events you like and best suits you, and it is a very accessible sport.

What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

I attended my first international athletics meet as a 6 month old.

If you could give one tip to athletes (or parents), what would it be?

Have fun and enjoy the journey.

Make sure you celebrate the improvement along the way not just the final result.

What’s been your most memorable moment as a volunteer?

The one that stands out the most was receiving my Life Membership with Ballarat YCW Harriers. You don’t do all the volunteering for the accolades; however it is humbling to receive an award recognising all the hours you have put in. It is also special to be along side Mum and Dad who are both Life members of the club and the main people that guided me on my volunteer journey.

Community rewards - for your club

Doveton Finance

Doveton Finance is proudly partnering with Athletics Ballarat

Find out more..

Doveton Finance is pleased to be a major partner of Athletics Ballarat, supporting its members and clubs with cash support, and tailored offerings.

Athletics Ballarat Community Rewards

Doveton Finance offers members of Athletics Ballarat a structured approach in which they can earn money for their affiliated club. Conversations are 100% obligation free, and subject to our high levels of privacy and confidentiality.

If you proceed with finance and settle a loan through Doveton Finance, your club will receive a community reward payment. Click on the link to find out more.

Grant Opportunity - for your club

Pace Farms

Pace Farm is giving back to local communities.

Find out more..

Pace Farm is giving back to local communities.

Pace Farm’s new Community Enhancement and Inclusivity Grants Program is now open, providing much needed funding to support organisations across Australia to bring about positive, lasting change to their communities.

The grants of up to $5,000 are available to empower organisations to deliver real, tangible benefits to their communities, building facilities and services to improve the lives of local people across the country.

In Motion: capture the spirit of athletics

Each month we will highlight one of our talented athlete’s photographic and/or artistic skills.

Can you do better? Submit your entry to the Athletics Ballarat FaceBook page #Capturethespirit before 25th of each month.

At the end of the season we will call for votes and crown our “Best Photo – AVSL 25-26 season”

Getting to know our athletes

How did you first get into athletics, and what keeps you coming back to the sport?

I first got into athletics through triathlon and then I started doing some run training with Nev’s group. After a while I started looking up to some of the older boys and seeing that they all do races so I started to as well. What kept me coming back is the welcoming community and the fun of getting to see myself improve over time.

What’s your favourite event – and why does it stand out to you?

It’s hard to pick a particular event because I love all the middle distance ones. But I would say 3k is my favourite because it relies upon fitness and the way to get that is through hard work in training. (And I have no kick)

Do you have any pre-race rituals or superstitions?

Before all my big races I wear my lucky socks. They’re triathlon imprinted and were given to me on my birthday. They help remind me that I’m not only doing my best for myself but also for all the people like my family and training group who have helped me to be able to compete at the level I do.

What’s been your most memorable moment in athletics so far?

My most memorable moment in athletics has been the recent milers 3k. It was a really cool atmosphere and really fun racing against older guys. And it also was fun to have a tactical race to position myself well to set up my effort towards the end of the race. I ultimately got ran down in the last 10m and came 2nd, but I ran a massive on and was super happy.

Who inspires you the most – either in athletics or in life?

I suppose the most inspiring person for me is the person who got me into triathlons and athletics, which is Oscar Wootton. I look up to him to see what elite triathletes do and how competitive and hardworking they are. But also that Oscar is one of the kindest and most welcoming people I’ve met, and that life isn’t all training, part of it is being a good person as well.

What do you love most about being part of the Ballarat athletics community?

I love how I always feel like I belong. Out of all the sporting communities I’m a part of the athletics one is the place where I have the most fun and feel like I actually have a place. And that the community as a whole is so welcoming to new athletes and people just trying to do a bit of fitness.

What’s your go-to meal or treat after a big meet or training session?

My favourite meal after a big training session is tacos, but also a Mcflurry is great after a race.

Athletics makes me feel...

Athletics makes me feel proud of myself, as I see all the training I do pay off in races, and it’s a sort of satisfying feeling when I compete.

What does a typical training week look like for you?

A normal training week looks like. Monday: swim, ride, sometimes run. Tuesday: ride, run. Wednesday: swim, ride. Thursday: gym, ride, run. Friday: swim, tennis, sometimes ride. Saturday: ride, avsl, swim. Sunday: either swim and ride or compete in a triathlon.

Upcoming Dates

DECEMBER

Australian All Schools Championship

Thursday 4th - Sunday 7th December

Registrations close: Monday 17th November 12pm

ProFeet Victorian Track & Field Relay Championships

Friday 12th - Sunday 14th December

Entries close: 12pm Monday 1st December, 2025

JANUARY

AV Combined Championships

Saturday 10th - Sunday 11th January

Registrations close: Monday 15th December

AVSL Round 7

Saturday 17th January

Entries open: 12pm Wednesday 7th January, 2025. Entries close: 5pm 14th January

Quest Albury Victorian Country Athletics Championships

Saturday 24th - Monday 26th January

Entries close: Monday 12th January. Relay entries close: Monday 19th January

More info.

AVSL Round 8

Saturday 31st January