2025 VMA 30 Teams Winter Challenge Registration

Victorian Masters 30+ Teams Winter Track Challenge

Sunday August 31st 2025

Location: Tom Kelly Athletics Track, 125a George St, Doncaster

Sign in by: half hour before your first event

Start: competition kicks off at 12:00pm (possibility of this being earlier if big uptick in entries)

In 2025, the VMA Winter Track Challenge will once again be a competition between teams of 30+ VMA athletes.  Last year’s event had a record 170 entries and was a big success, but we’re hoping the 2025 edition can be even bigger and better!  As for last year, there will be the  existing perpetual shield (current holder Glen Eira), and a second competition category based on the size of the teams competing.  A final announcement on this will be made on close of entries.

The events (in order) are: 60 metres, 600 metres, 800 metres walk, 150 metres, 1 mile, 1600 metres walk, 300 metres, 3000 metres, Medley Relay (800m, 400m, 200m, 200m): Men & Women 180+ & 240+. Events are spaced approximately half an hour apart. Photo-finish timing will be used on the day so it will be possible to set new records. VMA’s new lap counter will be in use for the 3000 metres.  

To enter you need to be 30+ years of age and be a Masters’ affiliated athlete. Interstate and Overseas athletes who have masters athletics affiliation are able to compete by invitation. Any Victorian athletes who wish to compete but are not currently registered with VMA can join for the special new member rate of $15.  To access VMA membership click on:  https://emlsports.com/registration/vma-membership-2025

All athletes are to wear their Athletic club or Venue competition tops, as done already for eg. the VMA State Championships and Track & Field Pentathlon. If you don't have either, then just wear a top that has a colour close to one of those. No VMA tops are to be worn as this is a team based competition.

Event entry: $5 officials fee, $5 per event, with a limit of three events per individual, excluding relay.

ENTRIES CLOSE Monday 25 August@ 9:00 pm. No entries will be accepted after the entries close date or on the day.

Key competition rules:

(1) The event is a teams based competition. In contributing to team scores, only one athlete (male and female) per team can score in each event in each age group. Where there are multiple athletes from a team in the same age group, the options are as follows: (i). first, allocate athletes to younger age group/s. Note; having athletes competing in younger age groups allows 30+ teams to maximize the number of age groups they have athletes competing in, thereby increasing their potential to score points. All teams should maximize the no. of age groups they have athletes competing in.  (ii). after (i), next have multiple athletes competing in the same age group. The first placed athlete in an age group will score "placing points" but any others competing in an event in the age group, will all score 1 point. After the close of entries, team managers will be provided with a list of entries for their team and a spreadsheet to fill in their team list. Final team lists must be submitted in time to allow for inclusion in the printed program. Teams will be provided with confirmed entries as they are received on an ongoing basis – allowing for more rapid turn-around of team lists after the close of entries.

(2) Event Scoring (A) for individual events: Scores for placings in events will be allocated according to the number of athletes from each age group competing. If there are 8 or more athletes, scores for placings will be allocated (1st) 9,7,6,5,4,3,2,1, with any others (9th onward) also receiving 1 point - as explained above. If there are only 3 athletes, scores for placings will be (1st) 4,2,1 etc. Thus, a higher weighting is given to an athlete winning against more opponents/competition. (B) for relays: 2 relay divisions are provided for both men and women; total 180 years and total 240 years. Each 30+ team can enter one relay team in each age division (so the maximum no. of relay teams that can be entered per 30+ team is 4). The total combined age (on day of competition) of the team members in a relay team must be no less than 180 and 240 years respectively. Relay scores will also vary according to the number of teams competing, except that these events will attract double points. 8 teams – (1st) 18 points,14,12,10, 8, 6, 4, 2.  3 teams – (1st) 8, 4, 2. (C) team scores and overall winning teams. Individual event and relay event points for each 30+ team will be totalled throughout the day and at the conclusion of all events. Athletes breaking a meeting record will score an extra point for their team.

As explained, the best way for a team to maximize the points that they can score is to (i) enter at least one athlete in as many age groups as possible (ii) aim to have four relay teams competing (iii) have as many athletes (total) competing as possible, as every athlete who completes an event will score at least one point. The traditional perpetual trophy is currently held by Glen Eira and the bigger teams will compete for this. The medium/smaller teams will compete for new trophy / s.

For event specific enquiries contact: Graham Ford [M]  0419 361 487   [E] gford@bigpond.net.au.   

For general specific enquiries contact: Rod De Highden [M] 0493 724 485    [E] registrar…registrar@VicMastersAths.org.au

Refunds

Refunds will be allowed up to the closing date of entries.

Privacy Statement

In this Privacy Statement, "Personal information" has the same meaning as in the Privacy Act 1988. Victorian Masters Athletics (VMA) are committed to protecting and security of the personal information we hold about you. Personal information provided in this entry form will be used to:

• Process your competition registration
• Provide you with competition and results information
• Provide you with information about future Masters Athletics events.