25.03.2010

2010 athletics action goes west

On the back of Australia’s most successful world and world indoor championships campaigns ever, a strong, well-supported domestic season and plenty of performances to get excited about on the road to the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India, in October, there are countless reasons to celebrate athletics in Australia in 2010!

Athletes, coaches, officials and supporters are all invited to Perth for the Go for 2&5 88th Australian Athletics Championships and Commonwealth Games selection trials and the annual end-of-season Athlete of the Year Awards, all kicking off from Friday, April 16.

Recognising and showcasing Australia’s most talented track and field stars and outstanding contributors from across the 2009/10 season, the Athlete of the Year Awards will this year feature the inaugural Australian Flame induction, honouring the 46 founding representatives of the team from last year’s IAAF world championships in Berlin.

2009/10 Athlete of the Year Awards
Date: Sunday April 18, 2010
Time: 7:00pm – 11:00pm
Venue: Rendezvous Observation City Hotel, Scarborough, Perth
Dress: Lounge suit
Price: $75.00 – Athletes and coaches
$95.00 – Family and friends
Includes: A two-course meal accompanied by beverages including beer, local wine and soft drink

Tickets to the event can be purchased by clicking here.

The 2009/10 Athlete of the Year Awards will act as the bookend to the Go for 2&5 88th Australian Athletics Championships and Commonwealth Games selection trials, a stellar showcase of Australian track and field to be held at the Western Australian Athletics Stadium for three days from Friday, April 16.

With selection for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi on the line, the very best athletes from across the country will stake their claim for a berth on the national team and vie for a coveted Australian title.

To be headlined by Perth’s favourite son, world and Olympic pole vault champion Steve Hooker as he eyes off the 6.14m world record, the championships will also feature:

- World discus champion Dani Samuels as she sends her opponents into a spin from the throws cage and chases a second personal best this season after her 65.84m heave at the Sydney Track Classic last month.

- Newly-crowned world indoor champion Fabrice Lapierre battling it out with his long jump rival Mitchell Watt, the Berlin world championships and IAAF world indoor championships bronze medallist.

- Local favourites Ben Offereins and Jody Henry in the men’s and women’s one-lap races, where they will face reigning 400m national champion Sean Wroe and world championships 4x400m bronze medal-winning teammate Joel Milburn and fellow Australian Flame athletes Tamsyn Lewis and Pirrenee Steinert.

- Ryan Gregson, Jeremy Roff, Mitch Kealey and Jeff Riseley will battle it out for just three 1500m berths on the Commonwealth Games team in what looms as one of the highlight races on the track.

Tickets to the Go for 2&5 88th Australian Athletics Championships and Commonwealth Games selection trials are on sale now through Ticketmaster.

For all information about the Go for 2&5 88th Australian Athletics Championships and Commonwealth Games selection trials, please click here.