NSW Team ready for the challenge of the Australian Little Athletics Championships

23 April 2025

NSW Team ready for the challenge of the Australian Little Athletics Championships

In Adelaide this weekend 40 NSW athletes will take the next step on their track and field pathway, when they represent NSW at the Australian Little Athletics Championships (ALAC).

NSW athletes will compete in the under-13 teams championships and under-15 combined events championships, where they will be vying for the prestigious Trevor Billingham Trophy, named after the founder of Little Athletics in Australia. Since the first Interstate Challenge in 1971, NSW have won 36 of the 52 championships conducted. They lead Victoria with 14 wins, and are ahead of Queensland and Western Australia who have won once each. But in recent years, since COVID cancelled two championships (2020 and 2021), Victoria have had the upper hand on NSW claiming the 2022 and 2024 titles, with NSW taking the 2023 championship.

The NSW squad have been in camp at Narrabeen this week preparing for their trip to Adelaide on Friday and are ready to make an impact as they represent the State with pride.

ALAC was first held in 1971, initially named the Interstate Challenge, it was conducted in Sydney with NSW placing third amongst the three teams competing – Victoria and WA. NSW’s first win was in 1974 at what is regarded as the inaugural championships and titled the Australian Teams Championships. Held at Hensley Field in Pagewood in April, NSW narrowly claimed the win with the first full complement of seven teams competing. The team scores were NSW 556, Vic 549, WA 524, SA 327, NT 167, Tas 143 and ACT 81. Either side of hosting the Sydney Olympics, from 1990 until 2003, NSW claimed 14 consecutive wins.

Our 2025 NSW team follows in the footsteps of some really great NSW and Australian sports people who compete at ALAC.

In the first 1971 team was future Australian fast bowler Mike Whitney, now a television host of Sydney Weekender. In 1973, the winner of the 100m, 200m and long jump was Debbie Wells, would within three years compete at the 1976 Olympics. The 1976 NSW team included Diane Holden, who would go on to win six Australian senior titles and compete at the world championships and world Indoors. Winning medals in the 400/800m Liz Rose (now Miller), won national senior titles at 1500/3000/5000/half marathon and compete at three world cross country champs. Competing in the discus in 1976 was Jacquelin Magnay, has become an award winning and world leading sports journalist, initially with the Sydney Morning Herald. Current Australian 400m record holder and dual Olympian Darren Clark was outside the medals in the sprints in the 1977 ALAC.

High jump gold medallist in 1979 was Lisa Rutter whose daughter, Jacinta Doyle, a leading coach in the Sutherland Shire. Race walker Kerry Arkins was a member of the 1980 State team. Kerry who would go to coach and embark on a long career in sports administration as CEO of NSW Little Athletics. Narromine’s 3-time Olympian Melinda Gainsford competed at the 1984 championships. Sydney 2000 Olympians, Jane Jameson (heptathlon) and Jane Saville (walk) competed in the 1987 ALAC Championships. This is just a brief look at some of the early ALAC team members.

FACTS

What? Australian Little Athletics Championships (ALAC)

When? Saturday and Sunday 26/27 April

Where? Adelaide

Timetable, live results and livestream details are:

https://www.littleathletics.com.au/2025-coles-australian-little-athletics-championships/

David Tarbotton for NSW Athletics

Image: 2025 NSW Team