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I’m New to Athletics, How Do I Get Started?

Hello and welcome to Athletics Victoria.

Come and enjoy all athletics has to offer. Whether it’s your first time here or you’re making a comeback, we have something for everyone.

Below we’ve listed four sections of our most common questions. If you still have a few, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via phone on 03 7032 8400 or email at info@athsvic.org.au. We’re only too happy to help.

1. I’m Starting Out. Is Athletics For Me?

Absolutely! Athletics isn’t only about track and field.

Aths is a diverse and inclusive sport that offers something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a new form of physical activity or a way to challenge yourself and improve your athletic ability, athletics has something to offer.

The sport encompasses a variety of events including running, jumping, throwing, and combined events, meaning you can find an event that suits your strengths and interests.

If you are a beginner, athletics can provide a fun and supportive environment to get active and improve your fitness. If you are an experienced athlete, the sport offers numerous opportunities for personal and competitive growth.

With its focus on individual and team performance, athletics can also be a great way to set and achieve personal and group goals. Whether you’re competing against others or pushing yourself to beat your personal bests, athletics provides a fun and engaging way to stay active and healthy.

From community-based participation and beginners to elite performance, coaching courses and officiating, we have something for everyone.

We have something for you.


2. What Events Do You Offer?

We provide five distinct participation offerings.

  1. Winter Participation – XCR – Cross Country
  2. Summer Participation – AVSL – Interclub Track and Field
  3. School Competitions
  4. Specialist Groups and Club Meets
  5. State Championships

Winter Participation – XCR – Cross Country

Our winter cross-country season, or XCR, is a series of fantastic community-based events for you to challenge yourself and enjoy several great locations with friends. Entered by runners of all abilities, our XCR season features a range of distances and locations from coastal courses to farm-land rolling hills to on-road racing. XCR runs from April until September, and is the perfect series to leap outdoors, improve your fitness and challenge yourself.

Summer Participation – AVSL – Summer Track and Field

Contested during the summer season, from October to April, Athletics Victoria Shield League (AVSL) is our summer track and field competition. Your AV clubs battle it out for promotion and relegation.
To compete in AVSL, an AV membership and Track & Field package can be purchased; however, if you wish just to come and try, you can pre-enter online as a trialling participant for one round on us!

School Competitions

Whether your school participates in athletics or not, we have opportunities for everyone to get involved. Our events provide inclusive experiences for students of all abilities. From educational athletics days to fun-filled festivals, the opportunities are there for all to have a go.

If your school is interested in hosting a track & field event, please get in touch with our team at schools@athsvic.org.au

State Championships

Our State Championships allow you to challenge yourself and compete against the best in Victoria across various event disciplines. The State Championships are an opportunity to achieve your goals, whether a medal or a personal best. The Championships are open to all with an AV Base Membership.

Specialist Groups & Club Meets

Specialist meets cater to a range of athletes who want to further develop their skills across several track and field disciplines.

Specialist groups include;

  • AV Throwers (Hammer, Discus, Shot Put & Javelin)
  • High-Velocity Club (Sprints, Hurdles, Horizontal Jumps and High Jump)
  • Rare Air Club (Pole Vault)
  • Victorian Milers Club (800m, 1500m, Mile and 3000m)
  • The Victorian Race Walking Club (Walks).

3. Ok, This Sounds Great! How Do I Participate?

We have two core memberships at Athletics Victoria, the Recreational Runner and the Base Athlete Membership. Memberships are valid from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.

Base Athlete Membership

The Base Athlete Membership is for those who want to challenge themselves regularly – i.e. more events, more often.

You pay a yearly membership fee through your club of choice. This membership includes;

Personal Accident Cover – i.e., event cover, training cover, and cover outside of AV-sanctioned events* and the ability to enter events throughout the year and score points for your club –  it’s all about the community vibe.

Our members usually select clubs on their proximity to home and the offerings for club members. 

To enter events through this membership, you simply pay a discounted entry per event.

Base Athlete Membership Add Ons

On top of the Base Athlete Membership, you can add one of three packages with all your entry fees included.

  • For winter (cross-country), if you are planning on doing more than four individual rounds of XCR, purchase the XCR Package for best value. 
  • For summer (track and field), if you plan on doing seven or more rounds of AVSL, it’s the AVSL Package for the best value experience in athletics.

For families, we offer a family discount for the whole crew. Click here for more information. To learn more, please phone: 7032 8400 or email us at membership@athsvic.org.au

The Recreational Runner

This membership features a low $10 per year fee (not including event entry fees) and Personal Accident Insurance, including event cover, training cover, and cover outside of AV-sanctioned events*.

We also have discounts for our coaching courses if you want to upskill. With the Recreational Runner membership, you pay for the events you wish to attend as you go.


4. Looking For More Information?

Don’t hesitate to contact us via phone on 03 7032 8400 or email at info@athsvic.org.au.