Athletics Australia

Athletics Australia is the peak body for all track and field athletics activity in Australia [ [http://www.coolrunning.com.au/general/runningaustralia/ Cool Running Australia] ] .

First founded in 1897, the organisation is responsible for administering a sport with over 34,000 registered athletes, coaches and officials [http://www.athletics.com.au/inside/athletics_australia/annual_reports/2006_2007 - Athletics Australia - Annual Report 2006/07] ] .

History

Athletics Australia (AA) was originally the Athletic Union of Australasia, an amateur group founded in 1897. In 1928, New Zealand broke away to form its own national body and the Amateur Athletics Union of Australia (AAU) was the result.

In 1932, an Australian Women's Amateur Athletics Union (AWAAU) was instituted and it remained responsible for women's athletics until 1978. In that year, the separate national unions amalgamated into one governing body which, in 1989, was rebranded as Athletics Australia [ [http://www.athletics.com.au/inside/history Athletics Australia - History] ] .

Overview

Affiliated with the IAAF, the organisation governs the sport of athletics throughout Australia, conducting a range of important competitions each year.

AA conducts the Athletics Grand Prix Series and the Australian Championships in Athletics [http://www.athletics.com.au/news/media_resources/2008_season_guide Athletics Australia - Season Guide 2007/08] ] , where athletes compete to gain selection at Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and World Championships [ [http://www.athletics.com.au/community/392/general_selection Athletics Australia - General Selection Criteria] ] .

The association also provides co-ordination, guidance, and support to affiliated member organisations, which govern athletics in their respective states, territories or jurisdictions (eg Paralympic athletics) [ [http://www.athletics.com.au/involved/445/ Athletics Australia - Affiliated Organisations] ] .

A number of committees and commissions hold responsibilities in specialist areas such as Race walking, Coaching and Anti-doping [ [http://www.athletics.com.au/inside/commissions Athletics Australia - Commissions and Committees] ] .

Organisational Goals

Athletics Australia (AA) is responsible for achieving a number of key strategies, including:

* Ensuring financial stability
* Supporting high-performance around Australia
* The development of athletes, coaches and officials

The organisation has set a goal to finish in the top-ten countries competing in athletics at the 2012 London Olympics, winning five medals and achieving fourteen top-eight placings [ [http://www.athletics.com.au/inside/athletics_australia/high_performance_summary Athletics Australia - Achieving High Performance 2005-2009] ] .

Personnel

Danny Corcoran is the current CEO of Athletics Australia, with Rob Fildes as President.

AA's board of directors includes Collingwood Football Club president Eddie McGuire and athlete's representative Bronwyn Thompson.

During the 2006/07 period, Australian participation in athletics included:

* 14,493 registered athletes
* 18,273 registered coaches
* 1,120 registered officials
* 258 active life members

References

ee also

*Australian Championships in Athletics
*List of Australian athletics champions (men)
*List of Australian athletics champions (Women)
* http://www.athletics.com.au/ - Athletics Australia website