Athletics
St Mary's College Athletics squad: Years 5–12, Wednesday 3:30–5:00pm on the Main Oval in Terms 3–4, event coaches, CSSA Athletics Finals Wednesday 16 September 2026, selection, what to bring and cost.
The Athletics squad trains on Wednesday afternoons in Terms 3 and 4 and is the pathway from the College Athletics Carnivals to the CSSA Athletics Finals and, for our best athletes, to Athletics Victoria All Schools. Coaching is organised by event group so that students get specialist instruction in sprints and hurdles, jumps, throws and middle distance. Years 5–12 may join; no trial is needed.
Who can join
- Years 7–12: full squad, eligible for the CSSA Athletics Finals.
- Years 5–6: Junior development group, eligible for the NDPSA Athletics Day (Term 4).
Season
Terms 3–4. Term 3 sessions build towards the College carnivals (Junior Athletics Friday 4 September and Senior Athletics Tuesday 8 September 2026) and the CSSA Athletics Finals on Wednesday 16 September 2026. Term 4 sessions prepare athletes for Athletics Victoria All Schools (November) and the NDPSA Athletics Day.
Training
| Day | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | 3:30–5:00pm | Main Oval (400m grass track, long/triple jump runway, high jump mats, throws cage) |
Because Wednesday afternoon is also CSSA sport, athletes who play a Wednesday winter team train from the time they return (by 3:25pm). The high jump and throws areas are set up from 3:15pm. Hurdles training uses the Sports Centre on wet days. Athletes are collected from the Kiss-and-Drop zone at 5:00pm.
Coaches
| Event group | Coach |
|---|---|
| Sprints (100m, 200m, 400m) and hurdles | Mr Adam Kasprowicz (Athletics Australia Level 2 Sprints) |
| Jumps (long, triple, high) and throws (shot, discus, javelin) | Ms Priya Menon (Level 1 Jumps/Throws) |
| Middle distance (800m, 1500m) | Mr Angus Ross |
| Relays and squad coordination | Mr Luke Ferraro |
| Junior development (Years 5–6) | Ms Ellie Marchetti |
Remaining Term 3 2026 program
| Date | Session | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 26 August 2026 | Event-group training, 3:30–5:00pm | Carnival event nominations close on the Learning Hub 5:00pm |
| Wednesday 2 September 2026 | Event-group training; relay trials | Year 9 athletes away (City Experience) |
| Friday 4 September 2026 | Junior Athletics Carnival | Years 3–6, Main Oval |
| Tuesday 8 September 2026 | Senior Athletics Carnival | Years 7–12, Ringwood Athletics Track |
| Wednesday 9 September 2026 | CSSA team announced; light session 3:30–4:30pm | Team list on Learning Hub by 6:00pm |
| Wednesday 16 September 2026 | CSSA Athletics Finals | Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park; bus departs 7:30am, returns 4:45pm; permission form on Portal |
CSSA Athletics Finals — Wednesday 16 September 2026
The College enters one athlete per event per age group (12/13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 20 years, boys and girls) plus 4 × 100m relay teams. Selection is based on results at the Senior Athletics Carnival on Tuesday 8 September, with the coaching panel able to select on known form for students who were absent or injured on the day. Selected students receive a Portal permission form on Wednesday 9 September; it must be returned by Monday 14 September. Students wear the College athletics singlet (issued) and navy shorts. Spectators are welcome at Lakeside Stadium (entry $5 for adults, paid to the venue). In 2025 the College finished 4th of 12 schools and won the Intermediate Girls aggregate.
What to bring
- Sport uniform for training; athletics singlet issued for CSSA
- Runners; spikes may be worn on the Main Oval track for sprints only and are required at Lakeside Stadium (7mm pyramid spikes maximum)
- Drink bottle, hat, sunscreen; a warm top between events
- Throwers: own discus or shot is permitted at competition if it meets weight specifications
Wet weather
Training goes ahead in light rain. Throws and high jump are cancelled if the take-off areas are wet; the session moves to the Sports Centre for hurdles drills and circuits. Cancellation for lightning, a 35°C forecast at 9:00am or Total Fire Ban is posted on the Learning Hub team page by 2:00pm. The CSSA Finals proceed in rain and are cancelled only by the CSSA (Portal notice by 12:30pm).
Selection
The squad is open. Carnival age champions and CSSA selection are based on measured performances on the day. Relay teams are selected from the four fastest 100m times in each age group at the carnival, with the coaches' discretion for changeovers.
Cost
Nil. The CSSA Finals bus is included. Athletics Victoria All Schools (Term 4) is entered by families directly, approximately $25 per event.
Contact
Mr Luke Ferraro, Director of Sport — sport@stmaryswc.vic.edu.au — (03) 9555 0100. Junior athletes (Years 5–6): Mr Daniel Ruiz, juniorsport@stmaryswc.vic.edu.au.