RECORD breaking junior athletes Ashlyn Wall, Audrey Russell and Winter Robson are tipped to shine again as Raymond Terrace Athletics Centre (RTAC) gears up for a productive 2025-26 season.
The outstanding trio were success stories last campaign with their record-breaking achievements in track and field at an elite level.
Nine-year-old high jumper Winter, 12-year-old race walker Audrey, and rising middle distance runner Ashlyn, 17, caught the eye of keen judges with their multi championship medal hauls across various big time meets.
All three have trained strongly throughout the pre-season and are looking to improve on their past achievements.
The talented Ashlyn, a Year 11 student at All Saints College Maitland, has already had a flying start, with superb gold medal hauls in the 400m, 800m and 1500m events at the recent Diocesan Athletics Championships.
She has now set her sights on qualifying for the national junior athletics team when she contests both the upcoming Combined Catholic Colleges Championships and All Schools Athletics Championships at Sydney Olympic Park.
After missing national selection by one place last season, a focused Ashlyn is determined to go one better.
Club secretary Deidre Hall told News Of The Area that Centre officials were anticipating another bumper athletics campaign in the Port Stephens region.
“Last season was one of our most successful for the Centre with medals won and numerous personal best performances at Regional, State and National Championships,” she said.
“We had five of our top athletes compete at the National Championships in Perth at the end of last season, our largest number to date, and are now busily preparing for the new season.”
RTAC have two Come and Try mornings planned this Saturday 6 September and Saturday 13 September from 9am, for new or existing athletes who want to “brush away the cobwebs”.
There’ll be a free barbecue on both days for athletes and their families, and registrations will be taken and uniforms available.
Parents will learn about the running of the events and what to expect for the season.
Competition begins on Saturday 20 September, subject to track conditions with athletes aged from six to 12 years starting with a warm-up at 8:15am.
Athletes from 13 years to Masters commence at 9am.
RTAC has developed athletes who have gone on to represent NSW and Australia – including at the Paralympic Games.
Athletics is a unique sport in offering athletes and families a choice in their level of involvement.
Participants are able to simply enjoy competing at the Centre each week or branch out to explore the challenges offered by Gala Days and Championships.
For further enquiries email raymondterraceathletics.com.au.
By Chris KARAS
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