Clubs Shine Through Treloar Shield Series

Published Fri 16 Dec 2022

Following the restrictions of major Summer Season events over the past two seasons, Athletics NSW has been focussing intently on the true return to summer track & field athletics in 2022/23. One of the major steps in that return is the re-introduction of weekly club competition.

The first step in doing that was through the revitalisation and defining the purpose of the Treloar Shield. Consultation, consideration and collaboration with our community led to a six-round series being developed, with equitable event opportunity offerings through an A-B-C event grid, coupled with the new inclusion of the Treloar Shield Final; a showcase of club participation, performance and overall support of the series across five different age groups, with clubs earning their place for the final competition of 2022.

Whilst an event series concept can look great in theory, it's really those who attend - our membership - who determine how successful it is in reality. And when viewing the overall participation and engagement from our community (an average of 557 participants per round), it clear that a large percentage of our membership has spoken with their feet settled in starting blocks, their hands wrapped around implements, and dusting sand off their uniforms through most weeks of the summer thus far.

Arguably one of the most impressive of the clubs of the Treloar Shield this season is the Illawong Revesby Workers Athletics Club - the only club in the state to have a team qualifying in every age division this weekend (U14, U18, Open, 35+ Years and 50+ Years).

The Illawong Club President, Karen Herrmann, was thrilled with the result of the club this season:

“I feel the factors behind the club’s success in reaching the final in all age groups is the highly motivated athletes that Illawong has, coupled with a strong new group of throwers that have joined us over the past couple of years. Our throwers were instrumental in gaining many points for the club and this motivated other athletes to participate to help add to that.

The goals of each division is to place as high as they can for the club and aim for some personal bests themselves. Our athletes are aware we don't have our strongest team in some age groups due to injuries & prior commitments but it won’t stop them giving it their best effort.

Our members have very much enjoyed the Treloar series. It’s been great for improving team spirit, as does state relays. They’ve also enjoyed the regular Saturday competitions.”

Michael Dooley, one of the most recognised and respected sprints coaches in New South Wales, entered himself into five of the six rounds as a Masters competitor in the series to score crucial points for his club.

“I was attracted to the Treloar Shield resuming and it was an opportunity to get our club members out there enjoying competition again. Illawong has a great tradition of winning the equivalent competition back in the 2000’s so we just wanted to get a bit of that club competition feel again”, he stated.

Michael also noted the increase in participation this season has also come from both ends of the age spectrum. “I think there has been a stronger banding overall. I've seen the team enthusiasm in our younger athletes and I've seen it in open and masters athletes. I've seen it in other clubs also. Its a good feel.”

And despite the great success the team from The Ridge has experienced in the Treloar Shield, there’s been other very successful initiatives and facets that have carried on from previous seasons.

“I’m also proud of our [Illawong] Committee who deliver high quality meets at The Ridge track including the popular High Velocity Meets. We are really looking forward to the High Velocity Meet on 7th January. We have had incredible support from athletes all over NSW and interstate who've come to our previous editions of the event. We plan to have a big celebration”, both Karen and Michael note.

Possibly one of the keys to the success is also not just performance focussed, with some of Karen’s proudest moments as a club president thus far being “the smiles on athletes’ faces when they’re happy with their results. Encouraging athletes who aren’t so happy then they keep trying their best the next time, as well as maintaining happy athletes and retaining them in the sport and our club, are also things that please me.”

This weekend’s Treloar Shield Final – whilst we don’t know the outcomes for each of the age divisions yet – is already a win for many clubs around the state.

Make sure to come down to Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre (no gate entry fee) to cheer on your club from 12:00pm-5:30pm tomorrow. Final Timetable, Entry Lists & more information - https://www.nswathletics.org.au/events/152379/.

The Illawong High Velocity will be held on Saturday, 7^th January – entries open 5pm, Friday 16^th December - https://www.revolutionise.com.au/illawongrevesb/events/169092/.