Athletics Outback Challenge 

The athletics for the outback challenge is a program designed to extend the opportunities for remote schools and communities to participate in a structured sport program, one that does not require large numbers or teams and that can be conducted at the convenience of the school without leaving the school grounds.

Many schools could benefit from this program making it ideal for remote community schools or schools that have transport problems.

The program is based around traditional athletics, with athletes being able to compete in all forms of athletics competition (at the schools discretion). In 2008, the following structure will be implemented:

Week 1
100m
400m
High jump
Shot put
2 x 100m relay

Week 2
200m
800m
Triple jump
Discus throw
2 x 100m relay

Week 3
100m
1500m
Long jump
Javelin throw
2 x 100m relay

Schools will record each athletes performance and submit those results to Athletics Australia, who will extract the top three results from 1 track, 1 field and the relay for both male and female. The combined score of these results will be tallied and used to calculate the schools overall score.

Registered schools will be expected to complete a minimum of 6 weeks and maximum of 12 weeks of activity before 30th September 2008. The best 6 results of each school will be tallied, resulting in the schools overall position on the leaderboard, which may change dramatically in the final weeks ensuring a competitive and exciting program.

The following schools will participate in this years program:

Mornington Island State School
Nhulunbuy High School
Normanton State School

To discuss athletics with Kyle Vander Kuyp click here