<17.07.06> - Pontville To Host 2006 Australian Cross Country Championships

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06 Aug 2006

Athletics Tasmania today confirmed that in conjunction with Events Tasmania and the Brighton Council, it would host the 2006 School Sport Australia and Athletics Australia Telstra Cross Country Championships at the Pontville Sports Centre and Equestrian Park on 26 and 27August.

AT President Brian Roe said that the Championships would be a part of a huge weekend of cross country and road walking that would include five national events:

· the Telstra Australian Cross Country Championships
· the School Sport Australia and Athletics Australia All Schools Championships
· the Australian Primary Schools Cross Country Exchange
· the School Sport Australia Cross Country Relays
· the Telstra Australian Road Walking Championships

Whilst the road walks are scheduled to be held at the Derwent Entertainment Centre, all of the other events will be staged at Pontville.

Brighton Mayor Tony Foster is delighted with the opportunity for his municipality to host the Championships.
“More than 800 competitors took part in the 2005 Championships in Adelaide, with many of them being accompanied by coaches, parents and team officials. I am told to expect at least the same sort of figures this year, Cr Foster said
“This is a great chance for us not only to host a major national event in a key sport, but also to show how a smaller council can provide the necessary support to put on a great show.”

Mr Roe said that the precinct at Pontville had so far provide to be the almost perfect location for the event.
“For a successful cross country championship, you need a lot of open space, preferably with undulating ground, excellent support facilities and good viewing opportunities for the spectators. Pontville is able to deliver all of these.
“We could not be happier, especially with the great support we are getting from the Brighton Council and its officers, and from Events Tasmania.”

Mr Roe said that Tasmanian athletics official, Simon Phillips had been able to design a course which he believed will deliver excellent racing conditions for all athletes who will compete in the Championships from the 10 year olds in the primary competition through to Australia’s top male and female cross country runners.
He also announced that Tasmania’s 2006 World Cross Country Championships bronze medallist, Donna MacFarlane, was targeting the Pontville event.

“A setback in training a few weeks ago forced Donna to switch plans from a European track campaign to a cross country season at home. That little problem has very much proved to be a gain for this event.”
MacFarlane will compete in the senior women’s 8km championship, as part of a Tasmanian team which will be finalised after this weekend’s Tasmanian Championships at Rokeby.


Hobart – 17 July 2006


Further information: Brian Roe 0438 604 571


2006 SCHOOL SPORT AUSTRALIA AND ATHLETICS AUSTRALIA CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

BACKGROUND NOTES

· The Championships will be held over two days:

Saturday 26 August
· Australian Primary Schools Exchange (10, 11, 12 years)
· SSA/AA All Schools Championships (individual and team competitions – under 14, under 16, under 18, under 20)
· Australian Championships (individual and team competitions – under 20, open)

Sunday 27 August
· SSA Cross Country Relays and Time Trials

SOME INTERESTING FACTS
· A total of 63 medal events will be contested over the two days at Pontville.
· The last time the Championships were staged in Tasmania was in 2001. Last year’s edition was held at Victoria Park race course in Adelaide

· In last year’s senior women’s championship over 8000 metres only three seconds separated the first three athletes with Susan Michelsson (Vic) winning from former world mountain running champion, Melissa Moon (NZL) and Kate Siebold Crosbie (Vic)

· Donna MacFarlane (then Tyberek) won the 1996 Australia under 20 cross country championship

· Tasmanian Kylie Risk (who won the Australian women’s championship in 1995, 1998 and 2001, whilst competing in seven world cross country championships) jointly holds the distinction with Commonwealth Games marathon champion Kerryn McCann and Beth Stanford, of the most national victories (3)

· Martin Dent who is the current Australian men’s champion is in great form having run a superb race to win the recent Gold Coast Half Marathon